Cowles Library is undertaking a review and analysis of library space utilization. The outcome of the project will be a revised Master Facility Plan. This document will guide future functional arrangements and renovations and in the facility. The University and the library have retained the services of FEH Design for the planning project and the development of a concept layout for library. This project will have an initial report available during early 2017.

A Facility Steering Committee has been established for the project. Members of the committee include: Rod Henshaw (Chair), Bart Schmidt, John Edwards, Dennis Sharp (FEH), Jolene Schmidt, Maura Lyons (Faculty), Clayton Mitchell, and a student representative. Preparations are underway for an extensive set of inputs from the campus community.

—Claudia Frazer, Cowles Library

Drake will hold a campus-wide building evacuation/fire drill on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 9:15 a.m. in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act and in conjunction with National Fire Prevention month. Fire alarms will be activated in all campus buildings to signal the start of the drill. All buildings will be locked down during the fire alarms. During lock down, buildings can be evacuated, but cannot be re-entered. Members and guests of the campus community will need to evacuate all Drake buildings at this time. Please dress according to weather.

This drill will be coordinated through the Office of Public Safety (271-2222) working with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (271-3804) and Facilities Planning and Management (271-3955). Please report any fire alarm malfunctions or evacuation problems to Facilities or Public Safety. Your cooperation in this very important campus safety exercise regarding the Drake Emergency Response Plan is appreciated and required by law.

As a reminder:

• Please evacuate when the alarms sound.
• If it is cold, please wear a coat.
• Buildings will be locked down during alarms.
• Buildings can be evacuated but cannot be re-entered until the drill ends.
   
   —Chris Nickell, Environmental Health & Safety

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

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

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

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

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

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