Category Archives: Campus Announcements Archive

Campus Announcements Archive

Annual Open Enrollment Period

As the Annual Open Enrollment Period for employee benefits approaches, the University Benefits Committee (UBC) is working diligently to review the Drake health and dental plans. Chaired by Matt Dore, the Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law, the committee reviews plan information and compares Drake offerings to those of other employers and universities in an effort to ensure Drake plans are both responsive and competitive. Minutes from the UBC are posted on the Employee Tab in blueView. During the open enrollment period, the committee and Human Resources will sponsor town hall style discussions of the Drake plans.

—Marlene Heuertz, Associate Director, Benefits

Campus Announcements Archive

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month

We lead internet-connected, digital lives at work, at home, and just about everywhere else. Even if we’re not online, it supports nearly everything we do. When we use the internet safely, we help keep it safer for everyone. This is the main message of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM).

Started in 2003, NCSAM is dedicated to providing everyone with the tools they need to stay safe online. To celebrate NCSAM, ITS will be sharing cyber security tips on our Information Security blog, in OnCampus, and on Twitter (follow us @DrakeOIT) starting in October. Watch these spaces to learn how to keep your data safe and find out how to become more cyber aware!

—Peter Lundstedt, Information Security Manager

Campus Announcements Archive

Jewett Parking Lot closure

The crane currently located on the Collier- Scripps Hall site will be removed Wednesday, Sept. 28, at approximately 8 a.m. To remove the crane, all the vehicles parked in the Jewett Parking Lot will need to be removed for the day. The rain date for this project will be Thursday, Sept. 29, at 8 a.m.

—Jolene Schmidt, Director, Operations and Support Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Social Media Directory audit

The Drake University Social Media Directory displays the URLs for every official Drake social media account. Take a look around to see which departments have pages, follow them, and invite your friends to follow along. While you’re looking around, let us know if your department page has changed. Maybe you have had a department name change, you want a new cover photo, or you don’t see your link on the directory at all. Please send updates to Niki Smith at niki.smith@drake.edu.

If you want to learn more about creating an official presence on social media for your department, reach out to Niki Smith.

Also, there is a student social media directory for all student organizations. Niki Smith is also the contact for that directory if you see anything to add or update.

—Niki Smith, Digital Media Strategist

Campus Announcements Archive

Cowles Library update

Online Subscriptions
Cowles Library is pleased to continue offering Drake students, faculty, and staff online access to The New York Times. With our subscription you can access it on your computer and tablet via a web browser and via The New York Times app on your phone. To get started, visit http://researchguides.drake.edu/nyt.

Cowles Library also continues to offer electronic access to The Chronicle of Higher Education and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. For information on setting up your digital access, please visit https://blogs.library.drake.edu/2015/07/24/chronicle-of-higher-education/

Annual Report
Cowles Library is proud to present the 2015–2016 Annual Report. This document provides a record of what we feel have been our outstanding accomplishments for the past year in the key areas of knowledge, learning, and community.

—Claudia Frazer, Professor of Librarianship and Coordinator of Digital Initiatives Library

Campus Announcements Archive

Complete the Drake Dining Survey

We value your opinion: Be part of dining program at Drake by completing the Drake Dining Survey. You will be entered into a drawing for one of two $100 American Express Gift Cards. Utilizing an independent online research questionnaire, the Drake Dining Survey will allow us to better understand your needs and work toward future solutions that will better serve the Drake community.

All Drake students, staff, and faculty are invited to complete the survey. One entry per person. Survey ends Sept. 28.

Now is your chance to have your voice heard. We will make positive enhancements to the dining services provided based on your feedback and input! CLICK HERE TO BEGIN SURVEY

If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Bowersox with Sodexo at -515-271-2995 or Jennifer.Bowersox@sodexo.com.

—Caron Findlay, Director, Business and Purchasing Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Tobacco-free policy update

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Tobacco use is widely recognized as a major preventable cause of many diseases in smokers and non-smokers alike. It includes but is not limited to smoking, chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, and any product that simulates tobacco use. To provide a safe, healthy, comfortable, and productive environment for all who visit, study, or work on campus, Drake is revising its Smoke-Free Campus Policy to include all tobacco or tobacco-like products. Drake follows many other institutions of higher education in making this revision, including Grinnell College, Iowa’s state institutions, and DMACC.

A tobacco-free policy eliminates any confusion for students, faculty, staff, and visitors about what is or is not allowed on campus. It also shows our commitment to helping employees, students, and visitors live longer and healthier lives.

The “Tobacco-Free Campus Policy” is posted on the University-wide policy website for your review, along with an FAQ. Please forward comments and concerns regarding the policy to dupolicies@drake.edu by Sept. 27. In keeping with the policy on Policy Development, Approval and Communication, the comments will be submitted as a part of the president’s review and approval process.

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Campus input needed

ITS has now completed our initial technical work on the campus wireless network.

Our goals were to:

  • Improve Wi-Fi coverage gaps within buildings
  • Improve overall network performance and reliability
  • Upgrade to the latest wireless technologies to future proof our investment

Now that the new equipment and access points have been installed, we need your help! Your input is critical to help us tune the system and provide the best Wi-Fi experience possible.

If you’re finding locations with poor performance or coverage, please let us know at its.drake.edu/wifi-form. Please provide as many details as possible so we can address concerns quickly and accurately.

Thanks for your help!

—Carla Herling, IT Communication Manager

Campus Announcements Archive

Electric car charging stations on campus

Drake recently installed two electric car charging stations on the campus. One is located in the Olmsted Center parking lot. The other is located in parking lot just to the north of the Opperman Law Library. Drake will be installing two additional electric car charging stations on campus in the future. A generous donation from John Lorentzen and Penny Fillmer made this project possible.

—Jolene Schmidt, Director or Operations and Support Services 

Campus Announcements Archive, Uncategorized

Facilities projects progress update

Welcome back to campus for the 2016–2017 academic year! Every year during the summer months Facilities Planning and Management works hard to complete key construction and repair projects in time for the beginning of the academic year. Many of these initiatives are part of the regular capital improvement budget, while others are made possible through gifts or grants. In each and every case, we take seriously our commitment to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. Below is a list the activities you may notice as we begin a new academic year.
Work is completed or nearing completion on the following projects:

  • New roof on Cowles Library
  • New roof on Goodwin-Kirk
  • New furniture and gutters on the Cultural Houses
  • New hot water heater for Ross and Jewett Residence Halls
  • New card access on Cartwright Hall, Cowles Library and west doors at Fine Arts Center
  • Upgrade to Jewett Residence Hall fire alarms
  • Replacement of two of the makeup air units on Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall
  • Replacement of sliding glass door on main level of Goodwin Kirk Residence Hall
  • Replacement of air conditioning unit in Dial Center
  • University Bookstore moving to the Olmsted Center
  • New carpeting and furniture in the Olmsted Center
  • Replacement of the carpet on the 4th Floor of Goodwin-Kirk
  • New sewer line into Harvey Ingham
  • Handrail repair and painting of exterior of Ross Hall
  • Carpet replacement in Fine Arts Center
  • Waterproofing on lower level of Crawford Residence Hall
  • Waterproofing on lower level of Herriot Residence Hall
  • Restroom renovation at Medbury Hall
  • Replacement of the Exterior Doors at Aliber Hall
  • Concrete replacement various locations of the campus
  • New Law School Student Activities Suite in lower level of Opperman
  • New windows on south side of Cowles Library
  • New offices located in Fine Arts, Old Main and Cline Hall
  • New video board in Drake Stadium
  • New track in Drake Stadium
  • New football field Drake Stadium
  • New Bright Beckwith Boathouse located in Prospect Park
  • Installation of two electric car charging stations in the Olmsted Center parking lot and the parking lot to the north of the Operman Law Library

Projects coming in the near future:

  • New chiller for East Loop of campus
  • House lighting controls at Shelsow Auditorium and the Performing Arts Hall
  • Replacement of electrical switch at Fine Arts Center
  • Replacement of the stair treads at Howard Hall
  • New roof at the Legal Clinic

Even though this list seems extensive, there is always a great deal of work and maintenance that needs to occur. Each year we update a comprehensive deferred maintenance and repair list and share it with key leaders and departments across campus. This process helps us prepare for the planning the following summer’s work. A special thank you to all the Facilities Planning and Management team members who helped complete these projects.

—Jolene Schmidt, Director of Operations and Support Services