Earlier this month, ITS shared that its next step in the data center move was to perform maintenance on campus connections to the Internet. ITS successfully completed the Internet bandwidth and redundancy work on April 13.

The next and last step for this move is to relocate equipment to the new offsite data center. This will be done between April 29 and May 2. While we do not expect any interruption to campus, it is always a possibility. In the event that any outages occur, we will notify campus through our regular communication channels.

Kris Brewster, ITS

A planned electrical shutdown for campus is scheduled for Friday, July 5. The electrical shutdown will begin at 6 a.m. and the work will be completed by 12 p.m.

Facilities Planning and Management is working on cleaning the large electrical transformers located at the Forest Avenue Heating Plant. This electrical shutdown will also enable Waldinger to complete a grounding project of all the equipment located in the Forest Avenue Heating Plant. Facilities Planning and Management apologizes in advance for the planned electrical shutdown. July 5 is the only opportunity to complete the work.

Facilities Planning and Management will soon begin working with the departments impacted by the electrical shutdown. The buildings impacted include: the Dial Center, SCB animal facility, IT equipment in the Hubbell Tunnel area, Morehouse residence hall, construction projects in process on campus, and others. Please contact Facilities Planning and Management if there are other departments/buildings that will require help preparing for the planned electrical shutdown.

Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management

Interested in having a role with the 2019 Drake Relays presented by HyVee? Register to volunteer for the Drake Road Races, Grand Blue Mile, or Drake Relays. Each volunteer will receive a T-shirt and a meal (depending on your shift).  Volunteers need to be at least 14 years old, so spread the word to your family and friends.

Shannon Saunders, Drake Athletics

ITS is making updates to Banner/DUSIS. As a result, access to myDUSIS, Banner, eTranscripts, Banner INB, Job Submission, Workflow, and some myDrake functions will be unavailable between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. Faculty, staff, and students will still be able to log into myDrake, but a few functions will be down, mostly between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. This work is being done to keep our Banner system up to date with the latest patches and upgrades.

We appreciate your patience while we perform this necessary work. If you continue to have any issues after the planned maintenance window, please contact the Support Center at 515-271-3001 or visit service.drake.edu/its to report your issue.

Carla Herling, ITS

Air conditioning for campus will be turned on the morning of April 22. This is a week later than normal due to the cool overnight temperatures, which have delayed the switch from heat to air conditioning. 

Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management

Need some new Drake Gear? The University Book Store has added new clearance items and has taken additional markdowns on items, which means 25–50% saving on select merchandise in men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing.

Katie Wilz, University Bookstore Manager

As a reminder, the University has an UAS (drone) policy and approval process. Drake is within five miles of the Des Moines International Airport. This proximity to the airport creates a no-fly zone unless several approvals are obtained to meet FAA regulations. Those requirements can be found online, as well as the B4U Fly Map App.

There is also a formal Drake UAS approval process to fly on campus that must meet FAA regulations and requirements. View the Drake approval process.

For questions, contact Kelly Foster or Donna Blunck.

Donna Blunck, Director, Risk and Insurance

Beginning this week, the parking lots south of University across from Old Main and Cole Hall between 26^th and 27^th Street (Lots 5 and 8) will not be available to Drake commuters due to continued work on the Nelson Construction & Development project. Commuters can refer to the Drake University Map for alternative parking options. Fencing will also be going up this Thursday.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Public Safety. 

Kelly Foster, Facilities, Planning, and Management Project Manager

Who do you know that shows good character by being trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, caring, and being a good citizen?  Nominate them for an Iowa Character Award.

You can nominate an individual (youth or adult), school, educator, business, non-profit organization or community.

Nominations are due May 1, 2019.  Get started at IowaCharacterAwards.org.

Amy Smit, Robert D. & Billie Ray Center

Please join us for a retirement reception in honor of Donna Blunck, director risk and insurance, on April 24 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Old Main, Suite 216. If you are unable to make it, you are invited to stop by at another time prior to April 24 and wish Donna well. We are grateful for Donna’s incredible service to the University.   

Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer