With assistance from several campus focus groups, ITS has made the decision to adopt Microsoft OneDrive as the campus cloud storage solution.

The decision to use OneDrive was based on its integration with Office365, Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the development of new features, and the financial resources invested in the solution.

Starting this summer, ITS staff will work with departments across campus to assist with moving individual storage and to explain the benefits of the new system. Once all areas have moved their individual storage, we’ll begin the process of working with departments to migrate shared storage and begin transitioning off current campus storage solutions like blueSpace.

We are starting the process with administrative units this summer, and then will work with academic units starting during the fall semester. We will be sending additional communications to campus as we move forward. We’ll also be reaching out individually to unit leaders to plan timing and to coordinate efforts.

The transition of Drake’s storage into the cloud offers significant opportunities to improve how our faculty, staff, and students work and collaborate. We’re excited for this change and hope others will be as well.

—Carla Herling, Information Technology Services

Drake, in conjunction with the City of Des Moines, will be replacing several sections of concrete sidewalk around the exterior of the campus.  The work will begin on June 12 and should be completed by June 16.  This project will enhance the campus compliance with ADA concerns on the exterior of the main campus.  Please look at the campus map below to see which repairs may cause issues with your normal walking path; the concrete replacement is marked in red.

The repairs include areas at 27th Street & Clark, 2700 block of Forest Avenue, 2804 Forest Ave., 29th Street and Forest Avenue, 30th Street and Forest Avenue, 30th Street and Carpenter Avenue, 27th Street and University Avenue, 28th Street and University Avenue, and 2800 University Ave.

—Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning & Management

Having a problem with technology? Want to find out what ITS can do for you? Visit the brand-new IT service portal at service.drake.edu/its to report a technology issue, review self-help information in our knowledge base, or see what services ITS offers. Learn how to use this new site at Using the IT Service Portal (How-to).

You can also check out the new ITS website now located at www.drake.edu/its. It has resources for faculty, staff, and students; contact information for ITS staff; and a real-time dashboard of the availability of major Drake services.

Questions? Feedback? Let us know.
—Carla Herling, IT Communications Manager

The 2017-2018 Holiday Schedule is now posted on the Employee Tab of blueView in the HR channel. You will note that the Fourth of July holiday has been extended by one day this year. For those who are on campus this summer, we hope that you will use this extra day to enjoy some rest and renewal. Thank you for all you do for Drake University.

Some resources designed to promote safe summer activity are provided below. Be safe and have fun!

• Summer Driving Tips
• Beach Safety
• Picnic Food Safety
• Summer Event Safety

—Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

May 16: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

May 17–19: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
May 20: 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

May 22: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
May 23–26: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
May 27–29: Closed

May 30–June 2: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
June 4 : 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

—Kelly Foster, Finance and Administration

ITS is launching a new service portal on May 23. Starting then, you can visit service.drake.edu/its to learn about technology services available, browse our knowledge base for how-to technology guides, or get assistance with an issue. We’re also launching our new website on May 23, so check it out at www.drake.edu/its.

ITS is having several presentations to demonstrate these new sites and answer any questions that you might have.

Join us in Cowles Library, Room 201, for one of the following sessions (snacks will be provided):

• TODAY, May 16, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
• TODAY, May 16, 2–3 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 17, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

—Carla Herling, ITS

In July 2016, Drake’s Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) transitioned to new management staff. Since then, FPM has been assessing all aspects of the campus in regards to our services and costs.

Currently Drake has approximately 700 proprietary paper towel dispensers around campus that require four D batteries each, which require annual replacement. Over the next couple years, Drake will be changing paper towel dispensers to a universal model, which is still a touch-free dispenser but will not require any batteries. These dispensers work by mechanically cutting and advancing a 10” sheet of paper when pulled by the user.

This change allows Drake to obtain pricing from multiple vendors, saving the University nearly 50 percent on the cost of paper, as well as the cost of batteries. On a sustainability standpoint, FPM will save the use and disposal of thousands of batteries a year and be able to choose a paper product based on quality and recycle content.

Over the winter break, FPM assisted a student-lead initiative LEAD Capstone project with installation of hand dryers in Crawford Residence Hall, removing the paper towel dispensers. This allowed Drake to become a more economically and environmentally sustainable campus. FPM is using this directive to continue with hand dryers in other first year residence halls and in Collier-Scripps Hall and Science Connector Building, both opening this summer/fall. Our intention is to continue installing hand dryers in high-traffic restrooms all over campus in the coming years.

—Mitch Wieczorek, Custodial Manager

Paul Morrison has been a powerful presence on Drake’s campus for decades. Mr. Drake will celebrate his 100th birthday on July 25, and all Bulldogs are invited to share best wishes, favorite memories, and good stories online!