Last Friday, work began to remove 27th Street from Forest to Carpenter Avenue. As a result, the Law School Parking Lot (north of Opperman Library) will be closed beginning Sept. 26. The entrance to the parking lot and the drive leading to the Opperman loading dock will closed to faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The parking lot is scheduled to reopen mid-December.
— Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management
Human Resources will move from its current location at The Point to 3206 University Ave. this Friday. HR will be located in the north end of the building. The Point will be torn down the week of Oct. 9, weather dependent.
The International Center will move to its new home at 1213 25th St. on Monday, Sept. 25, and Continuing Education and Professional Development (formerly known as Extension Education) will move from 3206 University Ave. to Howard Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
— Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management
Drake Academic Excellence and Student Success is leading a new initiative to support first-generation students.
Approximately 10–14 percent of first year students are the first in their family to earn a four-year degree. After recognizing a need to support this student group, Drake Academic Excellence and Student Success decided to develop programs and services designed to create a welcoming and supportive environment for first-generation students.
“Being the first in your family to attend college, can have unique challenges,” said Marina Verlengia, director of new student and parent programs. “Our hope is to provide first-gen students with the tools, resources, opportunities, and networks necessary to be successful at Drake and beyond.”
Verlengia said the initiative is in the early stages of development. Look for more information in the coming weeks on future programs and services. If you’d like to show support for this initiative, participate in a focus group, or share your experience as a first-generation student, please contact Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.
Get your professional headshot taken for free on Friday, Sept. 15, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., in the Pomerantz Stage area of Olmsted Center. Sponsored by University Communications and open to faculty, staff, and students, you’ll have access to the photos we take, and you may even see your photo in a marketing project for the University!
Questions? Contact Genna Clemen at genna.clemen@drake.edu.
— Justice Simpson, University Communications
ITS is piloting a new self-service laptop kiosk for students, faculty, and staff. The kiosk is located in Meredith Hall. If you are a current student, faculty, or staff member, you can check out one of 14 MacBook laptops to use for free for up to four hours at a time. All laptops are loaded with software, including Microsoft Office programs, SPSS, and Panopto.
For additional information and instructions on how to check out a laptop, please see the knowledge base article, “Using the Self-Service Laptop Kiosk (How-to).”
—Carla Herling, ITS
Based on feedback from faculty, staff, and students, Drake Dining now has to-go meals at Hubbell. Fill a green to-go box with your meal, and then use a meal swipe or pay for your meal, plus a $5 deposit. When you return your green to-go box, you will receive your $5 deposit back, or you can exchange it for a fresh container.
—Jennifer Bowersox, Drake Dining Services
The Eta Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. is having a supplies and coin drive for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The drive started Sept. 5 and will continue through Sept. 15. There are donation boxes and jars in the residence halls and in Olmsted.
—Maleigha Williams
Join ITS staff for a new program, Tech Tuesdays, on the second Tuesday of each month. All sessions will include a Q&A session (and cookies!).
Each month we’ll have a different topic designed to provide you with resources to use technology more efficiently in your job, and in your life. Feel free to sign up for one session, or all. Attendance at Tech Tuesdays will count toward BUILD credit.
All sessions will be held in the Dial Center large conference room from 2 to 2:50 p.m.
Dates and topics:
Sign up today at https://itstechtuesdays.eventbrite.com.
— Carla Herling, ITS
To clear the lots located south of University Avenue and on both sides of 26th Street, which will soon be redeveloped into a mixed-use space, two homes need to be relocated. The homes, which were originally scheduled to be relocated in mid-August, are now scheduled to be moved in October. The relocation date was pushed back due to the many logistics and parties involved. The move involves careful planning and coordination between city officials, Des Moines Police, and MidAmerican Energy.
Read more on the project.
—Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management
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.
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.
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