Are you going to a Spanish speaking country during J-Term or next spring? Would you like to begin learning a few useful words and phrases in Spanish? Do you want or need to keep up your foreign language fluency? Drake University’s Department of World Languages and Cultures offers free help in an informal setting.

Spanish Conversation Hours are scheduled four times a week in Meredith Hall, Room 202: Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 p.m.; Thursdays 2:30-3:30 p.m.; and Fridays 1-2 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. No registration is required. You can stay for the hour or drop in for a few minutes. No sessions are held during University holidays or final exam week.

All levels of Spanish speakers from all areas of the Drake community are welcome. The group warmly supports all participants with opportunities for practicing Spanish; no long-term commitment is required to attend. A native speaker facilitates the conversation in Spanish in a casual atmosphere. Don’t worry if you haven’t spoken in Spanish for a decade, or ever; all participants are on the language-learning journey.

For further information, contact Assistant Professor Inbal Mazar at inbal.mazar@drake.edu.

Dorothy Pisarski, School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Take advantage of Drake’s new sand volleyball court with a weekly pick-up game of volleyball every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Games will begin Thursday, Sept. 13, over the lunch hour and will continue throughout the year. Faculty, staff, and students are all welcome to play. While the weather permits, games will be held outdoors at the new sand court and move indoors to the Bell Center once it gets too cold.

Request to be added to the email distribution list.

Three volleyballs and a rake are available to be checked out of the Student Life Office in Olmsted. Equipment is also available from the front desk of the Bell Center.

Kourtney Kirkpatrick, University Advancement

ITS will be making upgrades to our INB and MyDUSIS servers. As a result, access to Banner INB forms and MyDUSIS will be completely unavailable on Sunday, Sept. 9, between 6 and 9 p.m. This upgrade will patch a critical security vulnerability. We appreciate your patience while we perform this vital work.

Tyler Spoon, ITS

The University Book Store is offering extended hours from Aug. 20 to Sept. 6.

Back to School Hours:
Monday–Wednesday, Aug. 20–22: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Thursday–Saturday, Aug. 23–25: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 26: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Monday–Tuesday, Aug. 27–28: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Wednesday–Thursday, Aug. 29–30: 8 a.m.– 6 p.m.
Friday–Saturday, Aug. 31–Sept. 1: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 2: Closed
Monday, Sept. 3: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday–Thursday, Sept. 4–6 : 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Students: Take Advantage of our pickup in store option by ordering your books before you get to campus. Go to www.drake.bkstr.com or find your books anywhere you look at your schedule on the Drake site. It is one of best options for getting your books. You can also come into the store and shop the shelves for yourself. We now accept Bulldog Bucks online and in store.

Textbook refund policy for classes starting the week of Aug. 27:
Text refunds are calculated from the beginning of the term, not from the date of purchase. The refund schedule is as follows:

Sept. 3: Last day for refund with receipt
Sept. 10: Last day with drop slip/receipt

Katie Wilz, University Book Store

Drake University invites all interested singers to participate in the Drake University/Community Chorus, which will begin weekly rehearsals on Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium. The ensemble will rehearse and perform Ralph Vaughan Williams’ evocative Dona nobis pacem, a large-scale work with orchestra, on Nov. 10 and 11.  The chorus is conducted by Aimee Beckmann-Collier, director of choral studies. For more information, contact Aimee at aimee.beckmann-collier@drake.edu or 515.271.2841.

Aimee Beckmann-Collier, Music

The following parking considerations and restrictions will be in place on the dates listed below.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Scott Law at scott.law@drake.edu.

Friday, Aug. 31: Drake will be hosting the West Des Moines Dowling vs. West Des Moines Valley football game at 7 p.m. at Drake Stadium—one of the largest high school football games in the Des Moines area. Please expect increased traffic and vehicles on and around campus. There are no lot closings or restrictions in place for the game.

Saturday, Sept. 1: Drake Football vs. William Jewell at 6 p.m. The Studio Arts lot (STAH – 18S) will be closed starting at 2 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1. In addition, tailgating will occur in the Stadium lot (18N), so we strongly encourage students, faculty, and staff to park in other lots for the day. Please note that the same restrictions will be in place on the following dates for home football games, Sept. 1, Sept. 15, Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Nov. 3, and Nov. 10.

Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

As part of the Welcome Week schedule of activities, come to the Rec Fest and Resources Fair on Helmick Commons tomorrow, Aug. 29, from 3 to 5 p.m.

Rec Services will have a log roll challenge, several fitness challenges, group fitness class demos, and many giveaways including shirts, water bottles, and pop-sockets. Visit a variety of booths at this event sponsored by Drake offices for an opportunity to be entered into a raffle.

 Ellen Lowe, Recreational Services

Drake University complies with the Iowa Smoke Free Air Act and prohibits smoking on campus.  Drake’s policy also prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on campus, with the exception of performing arts performances in which e-cigarettes may be utilized by actors as part of a theatrical production.

For purposes of this prohibition, the Drake campus includes:

• All buildings on campus (residence hall rooms and common areas, work areas, private offices, conference and meeting rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, lounges, cafeterias, stairways, hallways, and other enclosed spaces).
• All property maintained by Drake University, including either leased or owned property, such as athletic fields, sidewalks, and parking lots.
• Seating areas of outdoor sporting events, stadiums, and other outdoor entertainment venues.
• All vehicles owned, leased, or rented by the University.
• All vehicles when parked on University property.

All students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors are responsible for observing the provisions of this policy.

Chris Nickell, Environmental Health & Safety