Facilities Planning and Management will host a retirement open house for Jolene Schmidt, director of capital projects, on Friday, Dec. 6, from 12:30–2:30 p.m. in the Paul Morrison Room. Jolene will be retiring after 38 years of serving faculty, staff, students and visitors. She held several roles in her career at Drake starting in the stock room and eventually being involved in over $201 million of capital improvements across the campus. All will greatly miss her vast historical knowledge of Drake’s campus growing and changing over the years.

Please join us in thanking Jolene for her dedicated service and commitment to Drake, congratulating her on this well-deserved retirement.

— Kevin Moran, Executive Director, Facilities Planning and Management

Microsoft Office is a tool most of us use each day. Some things are easy to figure out, but what if you run into an issue? Or you’re not sure how to perform a task? Or you need to learn something new?

Here’s where to go for help.

1. Use the application’s Help menu: Go to the Help menu within the Microsoft Office application you’re using. If you start typing a word, you’ll get an arrow pointing to the menu item or a link to a tutorial. It’s always up to date for your version of whatever program you’re using. It’s a good way to refresh your memory or to learn more about the program’s functions.
2. Support.office.com: Microsoft’s website, support.office.com has templates, tutorials, and videos listed by application for various level users. If you search this website, be sure you’ve noted the version of the product you’re needing help on (2016, 2013 or 2010), as well as your platform (Mac, PC, etc.). Not sure where to find that information? Look in your application under the About menu.
3. Google it: Google is a great place to find links to sites that specialize in an application, or step-by-step tutorials. Be sure that you note your application’s version and platform so you can find the right information. Menus and functionality vary by product, and there’s enough difference that you may be confused if you’re not looking at the exact version you have on your computer.

— Carla Herling, ITS

The Iowa Caucus Project is seeking your candidate art. Create an original portrait of any candidate currently running for president in 2020, send it to contactcaucus@drake.edu, and the staff will send your work to the campaigns for candidate signature and share their favorites on their website and social media. All students are welcome to send in their work and submissions are welcome through the end of the semester.

— Will Follett, AS’20

Guy Benson, author, political editor of Townhall.com, Fox News contributor, and member of Forbes 30 under 30, will be hosting a conversation on Wednesday, Nov. 13 in the Cowles Reading Room from 7–8 p.m. about identity politics and social conservatism from the lens of a millennial conservative. Benson’s talk is hosted by Drake College Republicans and sponsored by Drake University alumnus Mike Mason BN ’68 and the Slay Fund.

— John Altendorf, AS, JO

Drake is excited to hold First-Generation Student Day on Nov. 8.

First-generation students are an important part of the Drake community, and we will be using this day to recognize their achievements and experiences. Throughout the week, we will be celebrating what it means to be first-gen at Drake and beyond. We will end the week with a breakfast to recognize our first generation students, faculty, and staff on Friday, Nov. 8, at 9 a.m. in Levitt Hall. Click here to RSVP.

If you are a first-generation student and want to get involved, stop by the Student Life Center to pick up a “First-Gen Bulldog” button. Also, send your “Why I’m First” stories to Katie Simpson for a chance to be featured on Drake social media and around campus.

Did you know:

• Drake University defines a first-generation college student as a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university.
• About 14% of our campus community are first generation college students.
• First-Lady Michelle Obama, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and President Bill Clinton were all first-generation students!

— Marina Verlengia, Director, New Student and Parent Programs

ITS updated the labels on incoming email messages in early July. Since then, we’ve received great feedback about the prominence, functionality, and wording. Based on that feedback, we’ll be making some additional changes on Nov. 3.  

The existing red label will continue to be the default for all email coming from outside Drake. To better distinguish organizations with whom Drake is associated, we’re introducing a blue label with the text *This external email is from a Drake-associated sender.* While these messages should still be examined carefully, it’s unlikely they were sent with malicious intent. 

For more information and to see examples of these labels on email messages, please see the External Email Label FAQ in the ITS Knowledge Base, and please continue to let us know of issues and questions at informationsecurity@drake.edu. 

— Peter Lundstedt, ITS 

Numerous injuries result from slips and falls on icy sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and other outdoor locations. Snow removal and frequent salting of these areas can help. Many times, total elimination of the hazard is impossible, and measures must be taken to cope with this problem. Here are nine precautions you can take to reduce both the frequency and severity of injuries during inclement weather.

Be aware of the danger. Anticipate the fact that you are apt to fall at any moment when walking on ice. Often ice will appear in the morning, in shady spots or where the sun shines during the day and melted snow refreezes at night.

Wear proper footwear. Footwear should have low heels with soles constructed of a slip-resistant material. We shouldn’t wear footwear that is not able to grip the surface we are walking on.

Be careful when you shift your weight. When stepping off a curb or getting into a car, shifting your weight may cause an imbalance and result in a fall.

Adjust your stride so that your center of gravity is maintained directly above your feet at all times. Shorten your stride—take shorter steps. Walk with your feet spread further apart laterally than you would under normal conditions.

Plan ahead. While walking on snow or ice on sidewalks or in parking lots, walk consciously. Instead of looking down, look up and see where your feet will move next to anticipate ice or an uneven surface. Occasionally scan from left to right to ensure you are not in the way of vehicles or other hazards. Be careful about what you walk under.  Injuries also can result from falling snow/ice as it blows, melts, or breaks away from awnings, buildings, etc.

Use your eyes and ears. While seeing the environment is important, you also want to be sure you can hear approaching traffic and other noises. Avoid listening to music or engaging in conversation that may prevent you from hearing oncoming traffic or snow removal equipment.

Use caution on steps. When walking down steps, be sure to grip handrails firmly and plant your feet securely on each step.

Avoid taking shortcuts. Shortcuts are a good idea if you are in a hurry, but may be a bad idea if there is snow and ice on the ground. A shortcut path may be treacherous because it is likely to be located where snow and ice removal is not possible.

Building entryways may be slick. When you get to your destination, be sure to look at the floor as you enter the building. The floor may be wet with melted snow and ice. Try not to track snow into buildings. Wipe your feet off at the entrance so others won’t slip and fall on melted snow.

— Chris Nickell, Environmental Health & Safety