In January of 2017 the university adopted the preferred name policy. Since that time, we have experienced success with students finding it easier to update their preferred name. This policy is helpful for many students, and is especially meaningful for international and transgender students.

Places the preferred name currently shows up are:
· Drake ID card
· Residence hall roster (for on-campus students)
· Blackboard listing
· Class list with photos
· Advisor list with photos
· MyDUSIS classmate search
· Email

Documents that list legal name:
· Transcript
· Diploma
· Document with the Office of Student Financial Planning
· Official University records
· Visa verification

We continue to work to update our extensive systems that display student names to confirm that preferred names are displayed where appropriate. As you navigate engaging preferred names, below are some tips for navigating respectfully and thoughtfully.

Why is this important?

What to do if you accidentally misgender someone/misuse someone’s name:
While misgendering/misusing someone’s name can be harmful and uncomfortable for both parties, we are all human and make mistakes. How someone responds after making a mistake is important. Often, the best thing to do is simply correct the mistake by saying something like, “Sorry, I meant ‘she’ is attending the event” and then move on with conversation. Try not to call too much attention to the situation or apologize profusely—this puts the person who has been misgendered in the position of comforting you and can make them feel even more uncomfortable. It’s best to say a quick apology, move on, be more diligent in the future.

Keep it confidential:
If you notice a document that uses a legal first name (besides the areas listed above), continue to refer to the person by their preferred name. Notify the department/area in charge where you noticed the discrepancy so it can be evaluated and updated.

What if you know a student who would like to update their preferred name?
Check out this FAQ.

Tony Tyler, Student Engagement, Equity, and Inclusion 

Drake University will switch from cooling to heating season within residence halls Oct. 10. For other campus buildings, heat will be turned on Oct. 15. An important reminder, once the University switches to heating, we cannot switch back to cooling. Normally, we will experience a few warm fall days and we will not have cooling available.

Jolene Schmidt, Facility Planning and Management

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) tomorrow, Oct. 3.

What’s happening?
On Oct. 3 at 1:18 p.m., FEMA and the FCC will conduct a nationwide test of both WEA and EAS. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of national emergency or disaster messages and determine whether technological improvements are needed. This is the first national WEA test to cell phones. The message will be a Presidential Alert and will read “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” The WEA test will be sent through IPAWS as part of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure that automatically authenticates alerts.

These test notifications are occurring outside of our Bulldog Alert (Rave Alert/Rave Guardian) platform, Drake is not initiating or using our systems for the alert. However, as this is the first time FEMA is testing a Presidential Alert, it is likely that all or a majority of the campus community will receive this alert (there is no way to opt-out of the Presidential Alerts). It is our hope that this does not cause confusion as to the origin of the alert.

If Drake University initiates a Bulldog Alert tomorrow, as always the alert will start with the statement “Bulldog Alert” and then the appropriate information will follow.

Questions on the national test can be sent to FEMA-National-Test@fema.dhs.gov.

Scott Law, Public Safety and Operational Services

Last spring, Drake entered into an agreement with Walker Consultants to help look at the present parking demand for the University in light of planned growth and projects that are being considered. The consulting company spent the spring semester evaluating Drake’s present parking demand and is returning Oct. 3 to speak to campus about what it found and to gather feedback from various campus areas. A town hall meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Oct. 3, from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in Sussman Theater. Anyone is welcome to attend to hear Walker’s findings  and ask questions.

Scott Law, Public Safety and Operational Services

On Friday, Oct. 5, starting at noon, Lot 16 (Olmsted Parking Lot) will be closed for a special event. Lot 16 (Olmsted) will re-open at 6 p.m. for normal permit parking.  We apologize for any inconvenience or disruption that this may cause.

Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

Cowles Library will close at noon on Friday, Oct. 5, for a special event. The after-hours area will reopen at midnight, and the library will reopen at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6.

Leslie Noble, Cowles Library

Drake Wellness is hosting Family Yoga and POUND classes the morning of Oct. 6 for Family Weekend. Bring your parents and siblings to Yoga starting at 8:30 a.m. and to POUND starting at 10 a.m. The Bell Center will open at 8 a.m. for Yoga and will be open at 9 a.m. for open recreation. You can register through the Drake Rec app or through the IMLeagues website. This event is also a part of our Wellness bucket list. Make sure to stop by for some fitness and get one step closer to that free hat.

Drake Wellness

The Principal Community Scholars Program is a collaboration between Principal and Campus Compact that supports the leadership development of undergraduate students seeking a business or business-related degree. Students are selected through a competitive process to receive a $1,000 scholarship, participate in a civic leadership learning community and complete a community-based experiential learning project. The curriculum and project help students develop critical skills for their careers. Students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member no later than Oct. 8. If you are interested, reach out to a faculty or staff member today. Read more information.

Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning and Service

Monday, October 1: World Vegetarian Day lunch at Hubbell. Explore an expanded selection of vegetarian options during lunch!

Tuesday, October 2: Fall Fun Lunch at Hubbell. Drake faculty and staff can dine for just $5. Enjoy a fall themed lunch.

Thursday, October 4: Taco Day lunch at Hubbell.

Saturday, October 6: Homecoming Tailgate lunch at Robert D. and Billie Ray Promenade (Hubbell will be closed during this time) Drake students, family, and friends are invited to join us for a tailgate lunch before we cheer on the Bulldogs on Saturday. If it rains, we will move the Tailgate into Hubbell Dining Hall.

Sunday, October 7: Family Brunch at Hubbell from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Jennifer Bowersox, Drake Dining