We’re thrilled to share the good news: Cowles Cafe now opens at 8 a.m. Monday–Friday. Come see us even earlier!

—Leslie Noble, Cowles Library

Did you know Cowles Library has more than 250 databases available to Drake students, faculty, and staff? We’re highlighting these valuable resources on the Cowles Library blog. Learn more about how Ambrose Digital Streaming Video can help you!

—Leslie Noble, Cowles Library

The new Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) team will be walking through each of the University’s buildings on campus every Tuesday morning through the end of the year. The team is updating deferred maintenance lists for each building. This list is a tool FPM uses to ensure buildings and learning environments will reflect the same fantastic education students receive here at Drake. The team will be checking in with the building contact prior to the visits. If you have items that you would like to bring to FPM’s attention, or would just like to meet us, please do not hesitate to contact FPM.

Meet the Facilities Assessment Team:
Manny Toribio, Assistant Director
Jolene Schmidt, Director of Operations and Support
Tom Borror, Utilities Manager
Aaron Edwards, Buildings and Grounds Manager
Mitch Wieczorek, Custodial Manager
Tammy Eltayb, Custodial Supervisor
Michelle Huggins, Planning and Design Manager

– Kevin Moran, Executive Director Facilities Planning and Management

Drake students, faculty, and staff can use the Discount Code: FSS5DGB to save $5 toward registration in the Drake Road Races for either the 5k, half marathon, or Bulldog Double.
The Bulldog Double is the ideal challenge no matter where you are in your fitness journey. Make the most of 2017 Relays Week by participating twice:

• Complete The Spike by competing in the Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday, April 25, AND crossing the finish line in the Drake Road Races 5K later in the week on Saturday, April 29.
• For a bit more of a challenge, complete The Griff by completing the Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday, April 25, and crossing the finish line in the Drake Road Races Half Marathon on Saturday, April 29.

All Bulldog Double participants receive the inaugural Bulldog Double medal presented by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
All Drake Road Races participants receive a long-sleeve T-shirt and finisher medal, while the Grand Blue Mile participants receive a short sleeve T-shirt.

Your paid registration for the Drake Road Races also includes one paid admission to the Distance Carnival, the Thursday evening session of the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee, and a discount ticket rate of $17 to the Friday night session. A ticket voucher will be presented at packet pick-up for redemption at the Drake Athletics Ticket Office.

Prices increase on April 23 so register today to save!

Grand Blue Mile | Tuesday, April 25 | 6 p.m. | Register Now | More Info

Drake Road Races | Saturday, April 29 | Half Marathon or 5K | Register Now

Bulldog Double | Griff – GBM and Half Marathon | Spike – GBM and 5K

—Tom Florian, Drake Athletics

ITS is launching a new service portal on May 23. This site will allow faculty, staff, and students to learn about technology services available, browse our knowledge base for how-to technology guides, or get assistance with an issue.

Join us in Cowles Library, Room 201, this week for one of the following sessions to see a demonstration of the system and ask any questions you might have (snacks will be provided):

• Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 2 to 3 p.m.
• Thursday from 12 to 1 p.m.

Can’t make one of these? We’ll be holding additional sessions on May 16 and 17.

—Carla Herling, IT Communications Manager

Starting today, instead of having to call the ITS Support Center to reset a forgotten password, you will be able to reset your own password online at password.drake.edu. The first time you log in, you will be prompted to answer security questions, provide a personal email address, or enter a personal mobile phone number. If you later forget your password, this information will allow you to recover it without Support Center assistance.

Passwords will continue to expire annually, with email notifications from ITS to let you know when it’s time to change your password. We encourage you to visit password.drake.edu and set up your recovery options to make your next password change or forgotten password reset easier.

—Carla Herling, IT Communications Manager

The University Parking Committee has been working on several proposals related to parking rates and regulations. As outlined in the March 6 issue of OnCampus, periodic reviews of rates and usage are necessary to ensure we keep pace with the cost of providing parking. Since the parking rates were last changed at Drake—in 2009—we have seen a steady increase in maintenance and repair costs as well as parking rates at other institutions like ours.

Two proposals relative to parking rates were forwarded by the Parking Committee for feedback. In meetings with various groups on campus (such as Faculty Senate, All Staff Council, and Student Senate) the committee heard two recurring themes: (1) the concept of a tiered parking structure for commuter lots had appeal, giving those who wish to purchase a parking permit various options from which to choose based on lot popularity and location; and (2) introducing a parking fee increase for employees in a year when no salary increases are planned caused concerns.

Based on this feedback, the decision has been made to adopt a tiered approach to commuter lot pricing, but to delay changes and the corresponding increases in parking rates until the 2018–2019 academic year. The fee structure for the 2018–2019 year will be finalized and published in the fall so that students, faculty, and staff have time to prepare for and make transportation decisions based on the new parking rates.

There will be some changes to parking regulations, including how visitor events are handled. Watch for details about those changes in upcoming editions of OnCampus and on the Parking Regulations web page.

A special word of thanks to the Parking Committee and Scott Law, executive director, public safety and operational services, for working through the various options and responding to the concerns and questions of the campus community.

—Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

We have an exciting new development in the way Drake will post and share University policies. Drake will soon have a new and enhanced online Policy Library. The new site will make it much easier to find University policies and to ensure that we all have access to the most current version of our policies. You will find below additional information about the Policy Library and its implementation.

What is the Policy Library? 

The Policy Library will house the most current version of these policies in one location. Policies in the Policy Library are the current official statements of University policy across Drake University. The University policies included in the Policy Library have broad impact and their applicability is not limited to a single institutional unit. These university-level policies have been approved by the University President and/or the Board of Trustees when applicable.

How will the Policy Library Work?

Rather than restating policies in multiple locations, our websites, manuals, or documents should provide links or references to the policies in the Policy Library to avoid redundant, inconsistent, or outdated policy statements. Statements of University policy not published or linked through the Policy Library will no longer be official as they may not reflect recent changes. In addition, by connecting to a static web address rather than an Adobe PDF document, we will reduce the risk of outdated policies or dysfunctional links if a PDF document has been changed.

Part of the process will also involve reviewing and updating current policies for formatting and content to make sure they reflect current University statements.  Policy owners should contact Andrea McDonough to set up a schedule for regular policy review.  In addition, all future revisions or adoptions of policy will be implemented according to the Policy Development, Approval and Communication policy so that the policy can be included in the Policy Library.

What about current policies?

The University has communicated with the owners of existing policies to discuss what policies will be moved into the Policy Library. We are in the process of importing (not changing) all University policies into the Policy Library, which will be the only location to find the policy. Rather than posting this policy in various locations, manual, or webpages, all references to your policy will direct the user to the Policy Library.

The policy will still belong to the same office, but it will now be stored and shared through the Policy Library to ensure that we are using the most current version of the policy. Any edits or changes you choose to make will be posted through the Policy Library. The University is simply changing the location of the policies, but is not revising the policies themselves.

What will happen to the current university-wide policies webpage?

When the new Policy Library goes live in April, the former university-wide policies webpage will go dormant to avoid confusion.

Why is the Policy Library necessary?

Currently, University policies are posted in multiple locations. With the current method of sharing and publishing policies, the reality is that outdated versions of the policies continue to exist even after revisions or updates have been made. This causes confusion among our students, prospective students, faculty, staff, and others when we can’t easily decide where the current policy resides. In addition, with the current method of connecting to PDF documents it is common to encounter a dysfunctional link if the PDF document has changed – connecting to a static web address will eliminate that problem.

What will the Policy Library look like?

Drake University policies are organized in eight broad categories, and each has subcategories that will help you find the proper policy. Policies also may be cross-linked if they affect more than one constituent group or subject-matter on campus. Eventually there will be a search function as well.

• Academics
• Administration & Operations
• Financial
• Human Resources
• Information & Technology
• Safety, Health & Security
• Student Life
• Governance

What about our College or Unit policies?

The Policy Library contains University policies only. Colleges, departments, and other University units may have additional policies specific to them and for which they are responsible for maintenance and communication. Academic, student, departmental or unit policies must not conflict with University policies; however, they may be more restrictive. Unit policies are adopted in accordance with unit procedures by a dean, director, or chair, as applicable.

Will the Policy Library include guidelines or procedures?

Consistent with the Policy Development, Approval and Communication policy, policies in the Policy Library do not include guidance such as process, procedures, practice, and supplemental information. However, links are provided from policies to such guidance. Guidance may tend to be revised more frequently than policies, and is sometimes considered to be more discretionary than policies.

How does the Policy Library impact the new Policy Development, Approval and Communication policy?

When policies are revised or new policies are created, they will be posted for comment in the Policy Library, consistent with the Policy Development, Approval and Communication policy. In addition, the Policy Library will include a Policy Development Plan to help guide the process.

Whom can I contact with questions?

Venessa Macro, Andrea McDonough, and Katie Overberg serve as the Policy Administrators for Drake University.

Comments about current policies or initial questions about the process for adopting a policy should be directed to:

Andrea McDonough
Senior Administrative Services Specialist
307 Old Main
2507 University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311-4516
andrea.mcdonough@drake.edu
515-271-3710

Questions about approval of policies should be directed to:

Venessa Macro
Chief Administration Officer
Old Main
2507 University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311-4516
venessa.macro@drake.edu
515-271-3962

Katie Overberg
Title IX Coordinator/Equity and Inclusion Policy Specialist
Old Main
2507 University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311-4516
kathryn.overberg@drake.edu
515-271-2982

—Venessa Macro, Andrea McDonough, Katie Overberg

Awarded annually since 1949, the Oreon E. Scott Award recipient is considered to be the exemplary senior student at Drake. The Oreon E. Scott Award winner will represent the graduating class and speak at commencement in May. The student’s depth of scholarship, leadership, service and involvement during their time at Drake will be the criteria used by the selection committee.

The nomination deadline has been extended to noon on Friday, April 7.

More information on requirements can be found here: http://www.drake.edu/leadershipinstitute/adamsleadershipconvocation/oreonescottaward/

Learn about: Cowles Library Resources
Did you know Cowles Library has more than 250 databases available to Drake students, faculty, and staff? We’re highlighting these valuable resources on the Cowles Library blog. Learn more about how GREENR can help you!

National Library Week
Celebrate National Library Week with Cowles Library April 9–15! This year’s theme is “Libraries Transform.” Visit the library to help us transform a book cart, transform candy into art with the Literary Peep-o-Rama Contest, and check out our “Libraries Transform Questions into Answers” display. Visit our National Library Week webpage for more information!