University Communications will host a monthly drop in session for professional headshots. The reoccurring photo session will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. on the first Monday of every month at the University Communications office located at 1229 25th St. The first session will take place Monday, Oct. 2.
For questions, contact: Genna Clemen, genna.clemen@drake.edu
—Justice Simpson, University Communications
As a reminder and pursuant to University policy, pets are not allowed in campus buildings unless they are part of a controlled science lab or are service/assistance animals accommodating a person with a disability.
Questions about this policy or any related policy or procedure, and/or requests for accommodations to academic, living, working, transportation, or other arrangements, may be directed to:
—Venessa Macro, Finance & Administration
The majority of administrative and personal data at Drake comes from a central application, called Banner, or more commonly known as DUSIS (Drake University Shared Information System). Banner contains student, faculty, and staff information around financial aid, human resources, and registration. It connects with most campus systems including Blackboard, Webprint, and Drake Card.
The technology that our current version of Banner is built on is being phased out. In December 2018, it will no longer be supported. Because of the central role of Banner, Drake needs to upgrade to the latest version, Banner 9, which will be a multi-year project.
A project team has been formed that includes representatives from ITS, Office of Admission, Office of the Registrar, Financial Aid, Human Resources, Business and Finance, and Institutional Research. The team is coordinating efforts with other administrative and academic areas to ensure that the upgrade goes smoothly.
Over the next year, the project team will be working behind the scenes, along with our business partner Ellucian, Banner’s parent company. During this time, the preparation work of testing, creating training plans, and technical development, will not directly affect campus. All systems that connect to Banner will continue operating normally throughout this phase of the project.
The Banner project team will update campus regularly, with targeted communications to regular Banner users. Additional communication channels are being developed to allow more transparency into the process. Watch OnCampus for further information in the coming months.
—Keren Fiorenza, ITS
Last Friday, work began to remove 27th Street from Forest to Carpenter Avenue. As a result, the Law School Parking Lot (north of Opperman Library) will be closed beginning Sept. 26. The entrance to the parking lot and the drive leading to the Opperman loading dock will closed to faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The parking lot is scheduled to reopen mid-December.
— Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management
Human Resources will move from its current location at The Point to 3206 University Ave. this Friday. HR will be located in the north end of the building. The Point will be torn down the week of Oct. 9, weather dependent.
The International Center will move to its new home at 1213 25th St. on Monday, Sept. 25, and Continuing Education and Professional Development (formerly known as Extension Education) will move from 3206 University Ave. to Howard Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
— Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management
Drake Academic Excellence and Student Success is leading a new initiative to support first-generation students.
Approximately 10–14 percent of first year students are the first in their family to earn a four-year degree. After recognizing a need to support this student group, Drake Academic Excellence and Student Success decided to develop programs and services designed to create a welcoming and supportive environment for first-generation students.
“Being the first in your family to attend college, can have unique challenges,” said Marina Verlengia, director of new student and parent programs. “Our hope is to provide first-gen students with the tools, resources, opportunities, and networks necessary to be successful at Drake and beyond.”
Verlengia said the initiative is in the early stages of development. Look for more information in the coming weeks on future programs and services. If you’d like to show support for this initiative, participate in a focus group, or share your experience as a first-generation student, please contact Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.
Get your professional headshot taken for free on Friday, Sept. 15, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., in the Pomerantz Stage area of Olmsted Center. Sponsored by University Communications and open to faculty, staff, and students, you’ll have access to the photos we take, and you may even see your photo in a marketing project for the University!
Questions? Contact Genna Clemen at genna.clemen@drake.edu.
— Justice Simpson, University Communications
ITS is piloting a new self-service laptop kiosk for students, faculty, and staff. The kiosk is located in Meredith Hall. If you are a current student, faculty, or staff member, you can check out one of 14 MacBook laptops to use for free for up to four hours at a time. All laptops are loaded with software, including Microsoft Office programs, SPSS, and Panopto.
For additional information and instructions on how to check out a laptop, please see the knowledge base article, “Using the Self-Service Laptop Kiosk (How-to).”
—Carla Herling, ITS
Based on feedback from faculty, staff, and students, Drake Dining now has to-go meals at Hubbell. Fill a green to-go box with your meal, and then use a meal swipe or pay for your meal, plus a $5 deposit. When you return your green to-go box, you will receive your $5 deposit back, or you can exchange it for a fresh container.
—Jennifer Bowersox, Drake Dining Services
The Eta Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. is having a supplies and coin drive for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The drive started Sept. 5 and will continue through Sept. 15. There are donation boxes and jars in the residence halls and in Olmsted.
—Maleigha Williams