If you would like a special challenge this spring, then “Couch to 5K” (C25K) may be for you.  This program is designed to take almost anyone from the couch to completing a 5K (3.1 miles) in nine weeks.  You just need to commit to training 30 minutes a day, three days a week, at a time that works for you.

You will receive a training plan and weekly emails with tips and encouragement for those times when you may need that extra nudge.  For those who want to test their new running skills, the training program will end in time to participate in the 56^th Annual Drake Road Races on Sunday, April 21.  The race is completely optional, but a great goal!

If you are interested in this challenge, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. The training program will begin on Monday, Feb. 12.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Friday, Feb. 2, is National Wear Red Day–the icon day of American Heart Month.  The American Heart Association (AHA) encourages everyone to wear red and help raise awareness of women’s (and men’s) number one killer – cardiovascular disease.

In addition to wearing red, all Drake faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend a free, one-hour hands (compressions) only CPR class on Friday, Feb. 2, in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310–313. There are two class offerings: 10–11 a.m. and 1–2 p.m.

Drake, in partnership with Broadlawns and the AHA, would like to train as many faculty, staff, and students as possible on Feb. 2, so please spread the word. To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Do you know how your attachment style influences your relationships? Stop by our table to learn your attachment style and receive free self-care bags and skills to improve your relationships.

When: Feb. 8, 9–10:30 a.m.
Where: Breezeway, Olmsted

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Student Health Center

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Register here.

When: Feb. 12, March 25, April 8, & May 5: 4–5 p.m. for each date

Where: Olmsted Center, Rooms 310–311

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Student Health Center

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer—three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR can recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and question, persuade, and refer someone to help.

A QPR training will be held Jan. 25 from 11–12 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310–311. Register to attend.

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Student Health Center

View a list of spring semester hours for the Bell Center, Underground Fitness, Roger Knapp Tennis Center, and Bell Center pool. Spring semester hours begin Monday, Jan. 29.

As announced in the Dec. 5 edition of OnCampus, ITS has been preparing a successor to Citrix for remote access to desktops and applications called Azure Virtual Desktops (AVD). This solution provides a more modern client and desktop experience. The desktop is the latest version of Windows 11, and all applications are the most up-to-date versions.  

If you currently use Citrix to access applications or desktops, please transition to AVD by next Monday, Jan. 29. Below are instructions for installing the Remote Desktop client used to access AVD on Drake and personally owned computers. 

Installing Remote Desktop on a Drake-Owned Windows Computer (How-to) 

Installing Remote Desktop on a Personally-Owned Windows Computer (How-to) 

Installing Remote Desktop on a Drake-Owned Mac (How-to) 

Installing Remote Desktop on a Personally-Owned Mac (How-to) 

For additional guidance on using the Remote Desktop client, including ways to adjust display settings, please see the following article. 

Using Azure Virtual Desktops (How-to) 

Some resources will remain available in Citrix after Jan. 29. However, everyone is strongly encouraged to begin using Azure Virtual Desktops immediately. Citrix will soon be retired.  

If you have any issues using or would like assistance setting up AVD, please contact the Support Center online at service.drake.edu/its by phone at 515-271-3001.  

— Chris Mielke, ITS

The ITS Service Portal is a one-stop shop to access the Drake IT resources you need. Our Service Catalog provides a full list of services with links to submit issues or make requests. Refer to the Knowledge Base to find how-to guides, service information and additional technology resources. The Service Portal also includes the most recent ITS News and Alerts as well as Support Center hours and contact information.

To improve ease of access to IT resources, we have updated the Service Portal homepage, to provide users with a clean, simplified layout with easy-to-access buttons, streamlined content, and helpful tips for navigating the Service Portal. You can also use the search bar to find step-by-step guides, services, and more.

The Support Center also has expanded open hours beginning January 29. Under this new model, the Support Center will be staffed by Student Techs for extended weekday evening hours as well as limited weekend hours. Operational hours will vary when classes are not in session. The new hours for Spring Semester will be:

• Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 3 – 8 p.m.

As a reminder, off-hours phone support is no longer available. However, all support resources remain available 24/7 on the Service Portal.

If you have questions, contact us by submitting a ticket though the Service Portal at service.drake.edu/its, calling the Support Center at 515-271-3001, or visiting the lower level of Carnegie Hall.

— Becky Klein, ITS

The Drake Principal Center for Global Citizenship is accepting nominations from faculty, students, and staff for the 2024 Principal Global Citizenship Award for students, recognizing one current undergraduate or graduate student for their outstanding global and intercultural competency.

A letter of nomination should be submitted recommending an individual for the award and explaining the context and manner in which the nominator has come to know the student. This may be submitted by any member of the Drake campus community, including faculty, staff, administration, current students, and alumni. Students may self-nominate for this award, in which case they must submit a letter of support from a member of the Drake campus community.

Pursuant to the University’s mission to prepare students for “responsible global citizenship,” this letter must also explain how the nominee has made outstanding contributions toward enhancing their global and intercultural competency during their Drake career. Preference will be given to nominees who demonstrate any of the following attributes:

• Direct student-faculty engagement on joint research or other projects related to global or international topics
• Collaboration with international or local-global communities on a Global Service Learning project.

The nominee must be a current undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in any Drake degree program and who is in good academic standing. The nominee cannot have won this award within the past five years.

Nominees who indicate a willingness to be considered will be invited to submit a resume/CV and a brief statement. One or two additional letters of support from faculty, staff, or students may be submitted to support the nomination; this is optional. The recipient of the award will be strongly encouraged to present at the following year’s annual Global Citizenship Forum.

Any individual who was nominated for the award in the preceding year may be re-nominated. A record of previous nominees is maintained for two years. If a student is re-nominated, the nominator will be invited to review the file from the previous year to ensure that the nomination details are current.

Nominations for the 2024 award are due February 11th, 2024, and the recipient will be announced later in the Spring term. The selected awardee will receive a plaque and an award of up to $1,000. Nomination letters should be submitted via this online form.

Questions may be directed to Annique Kiel, executive director for Global Engagement and International Programs.

— Dawson Urquidez, Global Engagement