Category Archives: Campus Announcements Archive

Campus Announcements Archive

Students perform Drake waste audit

Members of the Drake Environmental Action League (DEAL) audited Drake’s trash, recycle, and compost waste earlier this month. Facilities Planning and Management assisted with the initiative by transporting trash and recycle dumpsters from Old Main, Opperman/Cartwright, Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall, and Hubbell Dining to its warehouse so the audit could be performed. These dumpsters were chosen to provide an accurate representation of waste among our campus buildings.

Facilities Planning and Management is grateful for the students in DEAL who worked hard on a Sunday and then shared insights on what is working and what can be improved. As a result of the audit, a pilot recycling program will be implemented at Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall. Multiple, centralized recycle collection points will be placed on each floor, making it easy and convenient for those in the building to recycle. The program is designed to increase recycling and reduce waste in large campus buildings, such as Goodwin-Kirk.

In the last 10 years, Drake has reduced the amount of waste it sends to the landfill by approximately 400 tons. This reduction has been achieved by recycling more than 150 tons, and composting nearly 100 tons of yard waste and approximately 35 tons of food waste last year alone.

Facilities Planning and Management is fortunate to have students assist in its sustainability efforts.

Mitch Wieczorek, Facilities Planning and Management

Campus Announcements Archive

Retirement party for Gloria Lawless

Please join us in celebrating Gloria Lawless’ retirement from Drake on Monday, Dec. 11, between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Student Life Center, Olmsted Center. Gloria, better known as Glo, has served Drake students, faculty, and staff for almost 30 years. Gloria’s commitment to teamwork, communication, and service has made a huge impact on the Drake community. She will be dearly missed. Stop by the Student Life Center on Dec. 11 for coffee, treats, and to congratulate Glo.

Marina Verlengia, Academic Excellence and Student Success

Campus Announcements Archive

Test drive potential new library furniture

Last spring, Drake completed a facility feasibility study of Cowles Library. As a result, the University decided to move forward with improvements to the east side of the library’s main floor. One of these improvements includes new furniture.

To help determine what furniture to purchase, Cowles staff are soliciting feedback from the campus community. Furniture vendors will set up and display furniture from Dec. 4 to 15 for students, faculty, and staff to test out and provide their feedback. Please stop by the library during this time to have a say in determining the new furniture.

Leslie Noble, Cowles Library

Campus Announcements Archive

MyDUSIS, blueView, Banner planned outage

On Saturday, Nov. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m., all Banner (DUSIS) services will be unavailable. Access to blueView, MyDUSIS, DUSIS (INB) Forms, Workflow, eTranscripts, Job Submission, and ODBC (Microsoft Access) will be unavailable. This outage will allow ITS to install necessary software upgrades for the Banner/DUSIS system.

If you continue experiencing issues after the outage has ended, please call the Support Center at 515-271-3001, or report your issue using the Service Portal at service.drake.edu/its.

Carla Herling, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Bulldog Applause: Spotlight on The Ray Center

The Ray Center staff from left-to-right include: (Back row) Tim Tesar, Cheri McDaniel, Amy Smit, Jeff Kluever, Stephanie Oppel, (front row) Scott Raecker, Heidi Kramer, Deb Taylor, Deb Brewer-Cotlar, Georgia Sheriff, and Hilary Ortmann.

Mission: The mission of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center is to improve civility and develop ethical leaders throughout the world.

Through public awareness and programming grounded in research, The Ray Center features two programs, Character Counts and Excellence with Integrity. These programs, as well as other resources available through the Center, benefit families, students, athletic organizations, nonprofits, organizations, and municipalities in Iowa and beyond. The Ray Center honors two of Drake’s most respected alumni—Robert D. and Billie Ray—whose humanitarian efforts, character, and leadership set an inspirational example for multiple generations.

Staff members: The 11 staff members at The Ray Center work to promote a more positive and respectful world. Staff members include:

  • Scott Raecker, director
  • Deb Brewer-Cotlar, program coordinator
  • Jeff Kluever, assistant director of programs
  • Heidi Kramer, development and project coordinator
  • Cheri McDaniel, executive assistant and project associate
  • Stephanie Oppel, associate director of applied research and national programs
  • Hilary Ortmann, assistant director of Events
  • Georgia Sheriff, assistant director of programs
  • Amy Smit, associate director of administration and communications
  • Deb Taylor, administrative assistant
  • Tim Tesar, advancement officer

Longest serving team member: Scott Raecker, 20 years.

Newest team member: Deb Brewer-Cotlar joined The Ray Center team as program coordinator last July.

Where is the Ray Center located? The Ray Center is located in the lower level of Collier-Scripps Hall. Stop in and visit them!

What else should you know? You’re invited!

The Ray Center is hosting an open house and everyone is invited. Please join them on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. for donuts and to check out their new office.

Campus Announcements Archive

Thanksgiving break hours: Wednesday University holiday

Campus building hours will be adjusted for the Thanksgiving holiday. Most of campus will close on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and will remain closed to the general public through the end of the week. Wednesday, Nov. 22 is a University holiday, a result of meeting our United Way campaign goals. Students, faculty, and staff can still enter their authorized buildings during the break with their Drake Card. For the majority of buildings, regular access will resume on Sunday, Nov. 26.

Contact Public Safety at 515-271-2222 for door access emergencies during this time. For non-emergency related questions, please email studentservices@drake.edu.

Cowles Library open hours/after-hours can be found on its website.

Sara Heijerman, Student Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Thanks for phishing with ITS

Thank you to the 524 members of the campus community who took the ITS phishing quiz. We hope you learned more about how to spot potentially malicious emails and secure your digital life. Also, thank you to those who stopped by the ITS table in the Olmsted Center and spun the prize wheel.

Winners of the six prize packages are:

  1. Alexus Kreft
  2. Sophia Wroblewski
  3. Phoenix Ford
  4. Merrie Frentress
  5. Sophie Behm
  6. Heidi Sleister

Congratulations! And, don’t forget, if you were one of the first 300 people to take the phishing quiz, and haven’t done so already, be sure to stop by the Dial Center front desk during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to pick up your free Taco John’s certificate.

Let us know your thoughts on the quiz and the cybersecurity awareness campaign by emailing informationsecurity@drake.edu. We value your feedback.

Peter Lundstedt, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Test-drive potential new library furniture

Last spring, Drake completed a facility feasibility study of Cowles Library. As a result, the University decided to move forward with improvements to the east side of the library’s main floor. One of these improvements includes new furniture.

To help determine what furniture to purchase, Cowles staff are soliciting feedback from the campus community. Furniture vendors will set up and display furniture from Dec. 4 to 15 for students, faculty, and staff to test out and provide their feedback. Please stop by the library during this time to have a say in determining the new furniture.

Leslie Noble, Cowles Library