Bulldogs are compassionate. This is especially true in times of disaster. We find ways to help each other and the communities of which we are a part. This summer, our country has experienced dangerous and devastating wildfires, flooding, and tornadoes. Now the Gulf Coast is being slammed by Hurricane Harvey.

There are different phases of disaster response: rescue, relief, and recovery.

• Rescue is the work of immediate neighbors and first responders. Since the storm made landfall, southeast Texas remains in a rescue phase.
• Relief lasts roughly 10 times longer than the rescue phase. The relief work is best completed by immediate neighbors and specialized volunteers and is best aided with cash donations; in the case of Harvey, relief could take up to 70 days.
• Recovery lasts roughly 10 times longer than the relief phase. It will take 700 days or more for southeast Texas to recover. That’s two years in which outside volunteers are critical.

Here are some reminders about what to do when disaster strikes; we hope you will take to heart and share with your friends and relatives.

• Do not self-deploy as a volunteer to a disaster area. We know you want to help, but food, water, shelter, and transportation are at a premium and the first priority is making sure that first responders and local residents can get what they need.
• Donate cash. What most communities need is cash, not things. Find a reputable organization that is supporting the disaster response and recovery and contribute. They can buy what they need and not have to worry about sorting and storing donations, especially when storage facilities may be damaged or being used to shelter people. Here are some national disaster response organizations you may want to consider.
• Sign up before you show up. When the time is right, if you are able to volunteer, make sure to find an organization and sign up. Capacity is stretched during disasters and you need to make sure that you can be utilized.

The Corporation for National & Community Service is keeping NationalService.gov/Harvey updated regularly as new information about volunteer opportunities and other needs develop.

—Renee Sedlacek, Academic Excellence & Student Success

Group X offers a variety of fun and effective classes. Don’t forget to come check out one of our fitness classes this week! Go to www.IMLeagues.com or download the phone app to see the weekly schedule or register for a class. Hard copies of the schedule can also be found in the Bell Center.

—Drake Wellness

The Des Moines Regional Transit Authority (DART) and the Des Moines Bicycle Collective recently partnered to open four new BCycle stations around campus, offering students, faculty, and staff a convenient way to bike around campus and Des Moines.

One of the new stations—located in front of the Kinne Center on University Avenue—is a mobility hub, meaning it includes both a bus shelter and BCycle station.

How BCycle works:
Des Moines BCycle members can pick up a bike at any B-station and return it to that same station or any other B-station when they’re done. It’s like Redbox for bikes. Using their B-cards, members can quickly unlock a bike in seconds. Returning a bike is even easier. Just roll it into a dock and walk away.

Exclusive discount for Bulldogs:
Students, faculty, and staff can buy an annual pass at a discounted price of $20 (normally $80). An annual pass allows members to rent a BCycle for an unlimited amount of 1-hour rides. Purchase your BCycle membership at DesMoines.BCycle.com. Use your drake.edu email and the promotional code: Bulldogs.

Where to find BCycle stations
Mobility hubs (Bus shelter and BCycle station):

• 30th Street and Carpenter Avenue (Drake neighborhood, Route 5)
• 24th Street and University Avenue (Drake neighborhood, Routes 3 and 60)
• 19th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue (near Smokey Row Coffee Co., Route 14)
• SW 9th Street (Cityville funded by Hubbell Realty, Route 7)
• 17th Street (near Meredith Corporation, Routes 11, 60 and D-Line)
• Ingersoll Avenue and 23rd Street (Routes 11 and 60), opening late summer/fall 2017

BCycle station (no bus shelter):

• Forest Avenue and 27th Street (Drake neighborhood)
• 33rd Street and Forest Avenue (Drake neighborhood)
• 3rd Street and Market Street (Science Center of Iowa)

Drake is proud to be a leader in offering alternative transportation solutions for students, faculty, and staff. In addition to BCycle, Drake also has a Bike Library, in which faculty, staff, and students can check out a bike for free. The Bike Library is located in the Olmsted Center. The check-out process is easy. Users need to bring their Drake Card and sign a liability wavier, and then they are on their way.

And as always, faculty, staff, and students can ride DART busses for free with a Drake Card (ID).