Want to know what major projects ITS is working on? There are a few ways to find out.
We post an updated project report on our website every other week.
Campus is also invited to join ITS for a 15-minute call scheduled for every other Thursday at 10 a.m. For specific dates, visit the University Calendar and look for the next ITS Project Status Update Meeting.
Contact Kris Brewster, Keren Fiorenza, or Jeff Regan with any questions.
Kris Brewster, ITS
Attend a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m. in Sussman Theater. This will be an opportunity to learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives going on around campus, explore some of the challenges and successes Drake has had in this area, and get your questions answered. We will also be unveiling parts of our new diversity, equity, and inclusion website during the forum. All faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to attend.
Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost
The Drake University Social Media Directory displays the URLs for every Drake University affiliated social media page. Take a look around to see what departments have pages, follow them, and invite your friends to follow along. While you’re looking around, let us know if your department page has changed. Maybe you have a department name change, you want a new cover photo, or you don’t see your URL on the directory at all. Either way, let us know how we can help by emailing Niki Smith at niki.smith@drake.edu.
Also, there is a student social media directory for all student organizations. Niki Smith is also the contact for that directory if you see anything to add or update within the URLs linked.
Niki Smith, University Communications & Marketing
The Nelson Construction & Development project across from Old Main, which will include a new hotel, retail space, and restaurant is set to break ground in March.
Effective March 11, the parking lots south of University across from Old Main and Cole Hall between 26th and 27th Street (Lots 5 and 8) will not be available to Drake commuters. Commuters can refer to the Drake University Map for alternative parking options.
Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer
Mary Alice Hill will lead the Human Resources function as the director of Human Resources effective March 1, 2019. Mary Alice came to Drake in 2017 as the director of HR Partner Services and co-led the department with Gary Johnson who retired in December. Mary Alice will continue to be responsible for leading the HR Partner Services function, but will expand her areas of responsibility to include compensation, benefits, and HR systems. More information about the HR team and the services they provide can be found on MyDrake under Human Resources.
Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer
The following message was sent to campus from President Martin on Monday, Feb. 11.
Good afternoon,
In November, we launched the Big Ideas initiative to collect multidisciplinary, bold, ambitious, ideas from faculty, staff, and students that, if given the necessary resources, have the potential to dramatically transform Drake and positively impact the world. The deadline for submitting a Big Idea is this Friday, Feb. 15. So far, we have received fourteen proposals that span several disciplines and address issues facing the University, our Greater Des Moines community, and the world. In addition, I have heard from several individuals who are in the final stages of developing and defining their submission. It is important to remember that it is okay for ideas to be conceptual in nature at this stage. Ideas chosen to move forward will be expanded, investigated, and developed into white papers later in the process.
To everyone who has taken the initiative to participate in this process and shown great enthusiasm in advancing Drake’s future, thank you. The Big Ideas initiative is a reflection of our Core Values and collaborative culture: going all in on ideas that can truly further Drake and the greater good.
Following Friday’s submission deadline, the Big Ideas Steering Committee – comprised of faculty, staff, administrators, students, and Board representatives – will diligently review and discuss all ideas based on the scoring criteria: transformative impact, increases institutional recognition, fosters campus collaboration, builds off current strengths and potential, and aligns with the Continuous Improvement Plan. As part of the review, the Steering Committee may make recommendations to combine or re-envision proposals to increase their feasibility and impact. The Board of Trustees will evaluate the scored and recommended ideas during their April meeting. The Steering Committee will then notify and provide comprehensive and personal feedback to submitters on whether their idea was chosen to advance to the next stage in the process.
Ideas moving forward in the process will be announced to campus in May and then further developed into white papers. Once refined, the ideas will undergo feasibility studies and be marketed to external stakeholders, including prospective donors. Those ideas that demonstrate funding potential will become a priority in the next comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Throughout the course of the review, the Steering Committee is committed to a thorough and transparent selection process. Please reach out to a member of the Steering Committee for questions or utilize the comments form on the Big Ideas website. Thank you to everyone involved in this important effort.
Sincerely,
Marty
Drake University this month will mark the 50th anniversary of Tinker v. Des Moines, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the free speech rights of students in public schools. “Stand Up, Speak Up! Tinker v. Des Moines Turns 50” will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Cowles Library Reading Room. Mary Beth and John Tinker, plaintiffs in the case, along with Drake students, will lead a conversation on the values and challenges of freedom of expression. The event is co-sponsored by the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Drake Law School, Cowles Library, the Drake School of Education and the Drake Department of Political Science. It is free and open to the public.
For more information about this event, contact Kathleen Richardson, dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, at Kathleen.richardson@drake.edu or (515) 271-2296.
Kathleen Richardson, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
University Communications and Marketing holds open portrait sessions during the fall and spring semesters. The sessions rotate around campus making it more convenient for the campus community. These sessions are free to all faculty, staff, and students. High-resolutions portraits are made available for download through SmugMug. No appointment is necessary.
Jeremy Sievers, University Communications & Marketing
Grand Blue Mile registration opens Tuesday, Feb. 12, with two days of flash sale pricing. Adults and youth can sign-up for only $10 at GrandBlueMile.com. Included at this unheard of price point is a commemorative 10th anniversary technical shirt. Mark your calendar and spread the word. As the Midwest’s premier community street run for all ages and abilities, the Grand Blue Mile is one of the largest street mile races in the United States. Held annually since 2010, the Grand Blue Mile has hosted more than 30,000 participants from 26 states, six countries, and four continents and has included Olympic medalists, American record holders, and many of the world’s finest milers.
Dan Hostager, Assistant Drake Relays Director
The University Career Fair is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14. The Career Fair is one of the few events that the University closes the Olmsted lot for. Please plan for extra time on Thursday, Feb. 14, to find parking on campus.
Scott Law, Director, Public Safety and Operational Services