ITS is implementing two new security features to better protect campus information and reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.

Starting this Friday, March 23, Faculty, staff, and students receiving messages from outside the drake.edu domain, will see the label [External Email] at the beginning of the message. View a FAQ to view examples of the new notification and learn more.

This is an automated process that does not examine message content, only the message sender. This labeling does not indicate whether or not a message is malicious; its primary objective is to inform recipients that the message is not from a Drake sender. Every email you receive—especially those from unknown senders and/or containing links or attachments—should be carefully reviewed.

The second new security enhancement is designed to protect employee direct deposit and bank information. The direct deposit update page on blueView will only be accessible while on campus. When away from the campus, the following message will appear: “This page is only accessible from the Drake University campus. If you need to modify your direct deposit information, please try again from campus or contact the Human Resources department for assistance.”

For questions about the new external email labeling, contact ITS at informationsecurity@drake.edu. For questions about the changes to the direct deposit page, please contact HR at drakehr@drake.edu.

— Peter Lundstedt, ITS and Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Today we opened the nomination process for the 2017-2018 student leadership awards. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to nominate individuals and student organizations that have shown exceptional leadership and contribution to the Drake community. Nominations are due by midnight on Friday, March 30. View criteria and Qualtrics nomination forms for the various awards.  The nomination form can also be found by visiting the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute’s website.

The recipients will be awarded at the Adams Leadership Convocation on Friday, April 20, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium.

Award categories include:

Individual Leadership Awards
Class Year Awards: Top First-Years, Sophomores, Juniors (P1), Seniors (P2)
Outstanding President/Chairperson
Outstanding Student Organization Officer
Outstanding Residence Hall Leader
Wanda Everage Peer Mentor Award
Drake Service Award for Individual
Organization Adviser of the Year
Ron & Jane Olson Outstanding Global Service-Learning Student Award

Student Organization & Programming Awards
Drake Service Award for Student Organization
Outstanding Student Organization
Outstanding Educational Program
Outstanding Social Program
Outstanding Equity & Inclusion Program
Outstanding Weekend Alcohol Alternative Program
Outstanding Collaboration Award

Oreon E. Scott Outstanding Senior of the Year
The Oreon E. Scott award nomination process requires a letter of nomination from faculty, staff, and/or students highlighting the senior’s achievements in the area of: scholarship, leadership, involvement and service. View more about the nomination process. Please send your letter of nomination to Jerry Parker, dean of students, at jerry.parker@drake.edu by Friday, March 30.

Be on a Selection Committee
I am looking for staff and faculty to sit on award review committees. The time commitment is about two hours of nomination reading and a 1.5 hour meeting (maximum) between April 3 and 10. Please let me know if you would like to review nominations.

— Jerry Parker, Dean of Students

The 109th Drake Relays presented by HyVee is right around the corner and we need you to help make it a success. Register to volunteer and invite your friends and family to join. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt, a free meal (if working over lunch), and free entry to the action. Volunteer opportunities begin Saturday, April 21, and run all week long. We hope to see you on the Blue Oval!

— Shannon Saunders, Athletics

The National Weather Service will conduct a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 28. A test tornado watch will be issued around 10 a.m. followed by a test tornado warning around 10:15 a.m., in which sirens will sound.

The statewide drill allows us to test our planning and readiness and practice seeking appropriate shelter in case of a real tornado. Faculty, staff, and students should participate in the drill by following campus severe weather plans and going to the lowest level of their building, away from doorways and windows. View a list of designated severe weather shelters.

In the event of actual severe weather in the state during the drill, backup days are scheduled for March 29 and 30.

Learn what actions to take when a tornado hits, whether you are outside, in a manufactured home, or in a building.

Wherever you are, remember that most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so protect your head.

Tornado facts:

• Tornados may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
• Funnel clouds usually last less than 10 minutes before dissipating, and many only last several seconds. On rare occasion, cyclones can last for over an hour.
• Tornados may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
• The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
• The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph, but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.
• Damage paths of tornadoes can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.

Tornado watch: Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to the NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Seek shelter immediately.

—Chris Nickell, Environmental Health and Safety

Do you know of a Drake student, faculty, staff, or alumnus who is doing great work in the community? Nominate them for an Engaged Campus Award, given out by Iowa Campus Compact. Nominations are due March 30.

It is highly recommended that people review the rubric when writing nominations. The rubric can be found on the website under the Selection Process tab. Award winners will be honored at the Engaged Campus Awards and Summit on May 9 at Coe College in Cedar Rapids.

Awards for students and student groups

Student Leadership: A student leader with demonstrated accomplishments in engaging students in meaningful service and civic engagement.

Network Choice Award: Student organizations or student-led projects can be nominated for online voting in late April that will allow our network to select a winner.

Awards for individuals

Civic Mission Leadership: A faculty or staff member who has demonstrated leadership for higher education civic engagement and has worked to give voice to the civic mission of higher education.

Community Leadership: An alumnus of a member institution making strong contributions to their community and demonstrating the values of the civic mission of higher education.

Emerging Leadership: A new person in the field who is making unique and innovative contributions that demonstrate strong future potential.

Awards for groups or projects

Emerging Innovation: A recent project, program, or initiative making unique and innovative contributions that demonstrate strong future potential.

Community Partnership: A campus-community partnership or collaboration that is deep, reciprocal, and transformational.

Awards for AmeriCorps members

National Service Member of the Year: Individual full-time, part-time, and summer AmeriCorps and VISTA members (in IACC programs) who have made significant contributions to building a community partner or campus department’s capacity.

—Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

A new schedule for GroupX Classes will start March 19 and go through May 10. Times and classes will change, so make sure to check out the new schedule and attend your favorite classes.

— Drake Wellness

This summer, Drake will install fire sprinkler systems in Harvey Ingham, Fitch, and Olin Halls. The project will begin May 21 in Harvey Ingham Hall. The goal is to complete all three buildings before school starts Aug. 27. Facilities Planning and Management will share the construction schedule once it is received from the contractor.

—Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management

This week, ITS is upgrading the system responsible for creation, synchronization, and maintenance of accounts in Office 365. Drake uses Microsoft Office 365 for services including email, calendaring, contacts, and cloud storage.

While we don’t anticipate any issues due to this maintenance, it’s possible that a small number of accounts could be briefly disabled. This would temporarily prevent those affected from logging into their email accounts. If you encounter any issues logging into your Drake email this week, please report it online or contact the Support Center at 515-271-3001.

—Carla Herling, ITS