Category Archives: Campus Announcements Archive

Campus Announcements Archive

It’s On Us Week

This week, Nov. 8–13, is the It’s On Us National Week of Action, marking the one-year anniversary of the White House public service project aimed at ending sexual assaults on college campuses. “It’s On Us is a cultural movement aimed at fundamentally shifting the way we think and talk about sexual assault. It is a rallying cry, inviting everyone to step up and realize that the solution begins with us. The campaign seeks to reframe the conversation surrounding sexual assault in a way that empowers, educates, and engages college students to do something, big or small, to prevent it.” (It’s On Us campus organizing tool)

It’s on us—all of us—to stop sexual assault. Here are a few tips from It’s On Us as to what you can do to be part of the solution:

  • Talk to your friends honestly and openly about sexual assault.
  • Don’t just be a bystander—if you see something, intervene in any way you can.
  • Trust your gut. If something looks like it might be a bad situation, it probably is.
  • Be direct. Ask someone who looks like they may need help if they’re ok.
  • Get someone to help you if you see something—enlist a friend, RA, bartender, or host to help step in.
  • Keep an eye on someone who has had too much to drink.
  • If you see someone who is too intoxicated to consent, enlist their friends to help them leave safely.
  • Recognize the potential danger of someone who talks about planning to target another person at a party.
  • Be aware if someone is deliberately trying to intoxicate, isolate, or corner someone else.
  • Get in the way by creating a distraction, drawing attention to the situation, or separating them.
  • Understand that if someone does not or cannot consent to sex, it’s rape.
  • Never blame the victim.

What can you do at Drake University?

Take the pledge at http://itsonus.org/#pledge to help keep women and men safe from sexual assault.

What does the pledge look like?
I PLEDGE:
To RECOGNIZE that non-consensual sex is sexual assault.
To IDENTIFY situations in which sexual assault may occur.
To INTERVENE in situations where consent has not or cannot be         given.
To CREATE an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.

Learn more about It’s On Us by stopping by our table at Hubbell Dining on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Familiarize yourself with Drake University’s It’s On Us public statement and other resources at www.drake.edu/sexual-assault/

—Submitted by Kathryn Overberg, Title IX Coordinator, Equity and Inclusion Policy Specialist

Campus Announcements Archive

Protecting your identity—tips for campus

Is it possible to prevent identity theft?

Experts say yes and no.

Think of identity theft like someone attempting to break into your home.

Can you prevent someone from breaking in? You can definitely make it difficult. Door and window locks and alarms, security cameras, even guards are possible deterrents.

Would it still be possible for a break-in to occur with these things in place? Yes, if they are determined enough and had more manpower or better technology.

The same is true for protecting your identity. You can make it more difficult to misuse or steal, but it’s impossible to 100 percent guarantee that it won’t happen. Making some thought-out choices will greatly reduce your chances of being a victim.

Your personal information is a goldmine.

Below are some practical ways to prevent or reduce the chances of identity theft, as well as put a stop to existing fraud that may be occurring without your knowledge.

Minimize exposure of your Social Security and credit card numbers. Do you know how many websites currently have your information on file? Most companies offer to save this information for you, but if the company suffers a breach, information may be disclosed that you’d forgotten was entrusted to them.

Credit cards are still a relatively safe option. Credit card companies limit the liability of fraud victims, often better than banks do with debit cards. Keep the contact information of your financial institutions in a place you’ll remember in case you do suspect fraud.

Watch out for phishing emails and calls. Phishing schemes can take many forms, but have a general theme: coercing you into giving up personal information, whether passwords protecting financial data, or account information via phone. If you’ve suffered from fraud in the past, you are at additional risk. Additional information on how to spot these scams is located on Drake’s information security website.

Manage your passwords effectively. We all use dozens of websites that require passwords. Using a password manager or even a written list kept in a locked drawer is safer than using weak passwords or the same password on multiple sites. Think of your most valuable sites such as online banking, retirement, healthcare, etc., and focus on creating strong, unique passwords for these sites to that they are not at risk if passwords at other sites are stolen.

Upgrade authentication where possible. Some companies are starting to offer two-factor authentication, or “2FA”—a smart phone app or automated phone call used to confirm your identity in addition to a password. It does introduce a layer of complexity and hassle, but it could be a small price to pay to secure your finances and other online accounts.

Protect mobile devices. Your phone and tablet probably have your email account, which can easily give a thief access to other accounts through password resets or social engineering. Using screen locks and encrypting these devices are two easy steps to protecting yourself if they are lost or stolen. Apple and Google both offer a service to remotely wipe the device if it’s ever lost so that your information is safe, even if the device is gone.

If you receive notification from a company that holds your personal information, such as a financial institution or the IRS that your information has been compromised or that they suspect fraud on your account, the following steps can help limit the damage and get your life back to normal.

  • Place a fraud alert on your financial accounts and credit reporting bureaus so they are aware of the situation.
  • Order your credit reports. The credit reporting bureaus provide copies for free once notified of potential fraud.
  • File an identity theft report with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and your local police.
  • Monitor your accounts and dispute any fraudulent charges on your account as soon as you notice them

There is quite a bit more information online about this topic through the FTC and IRS websites. Information security staff within Drake Technology Services can also provide information and assistance; they can be reached at informationsecurity@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Jeff Sabin, Information Security Officer/Head of Infrastructure and Security

Campus Announcements Archive

Annual Benefits Fair Friday

When: Nov. 6, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Where: Olmsted Center, Parents Hall

Stop by and chat with representatives from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Advantage Administrators, Delta Dental of Iowa, TIAA-CREF, Long Term Care Strategies, Principal Life Insurance Company, Employee and Family Resources, and Human Resources. This “come-and-go” event will provide an opportunity for you to:

  • Ask questions and learn about the wide range of benefits available at Drake
  • Enter a drawing to win a $25 VISA Card by submitting your flexible spending account enrollment form.

—Submitted by Marlene, Heurtz, Assistant Director, Benefits

Campus Announcements Archive

Campus-wide benefits meeting

How do Drake benefits compare? What is Drake’s philosophy when it comes to employee benefit decisions? What changes are planned for this year and beyond?

The answers to all of these questions and more will be discussed at a session entitled: A Report to Faculty and Staff: The Status of the Drake Medical and Dental Plans. Mark your calendars to attend; these are important opportunities to learn more and to ask questions:

Nov. 6
1 p.m.
Room 301, Olmsted Center

Nov. 11
3 p.m.
Drake Room, Olmsted Center

—Submitted by Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

When the skies of November turn gloomy

It’s that time of year again when we begin to prepare ourselves for inclement weather. This is a reminder for all members of the Drake University community about winter weather policies and procedures as well as parking rules and regulations during periods of snow removal.

While uncommon, official class cancellations, University delays, and closings may be required in extreme conditions. The provost will make such determinations after considering multiple factors (e.g., snowfall, ice, wind chill) and consulting with appropriate members of the University community.

Information about cancellations or closures will be available through the Cancellation Line (515-271-4545) or on the Drake University website (www.drake.edu). Local television and radio stations will also be notified.

When making the decision to cancel, delay, or close the University, all efforts are made to finalize the decision by 6 a.m. so that information can be disseminated to media outlets and the University’s Cancellation Line before most people begin their trip to campus. For evening classes beginning after 4:30 p.m., all efforts are made to finalize the decision by 2:30 p.m. Full criteria and guidelines are available online.

Please be aware that it is virtually impossible to make a decision on the cancellation of classes or closing of the University that will satisfy the needs and concerns of all students, faculty, and staff. Thus, it is important for everyone to exercise good judgment with respect to personal safety. No one is expected to take undue risks.

Parking during snowfall

In blueView, Drake’s Department of Public Safety has posted subscription instructions for the City of Des Moines’ automatic snow route and odd/even parking notifications. The Des Moines Department of Public Works will use snowplows to clear designated snow routes beginning at accumulations of one inch and residential streets at accumulations of two inches.

It is illegal to park on a designated snow route once snowplow operations have commenced. Snow routes near the Drake campus include University Avenue, Forest Avenue, 30th Street, and 34th Street. You cannot park on either side of these streets during snow removal operations.

While city ordinance forbids parking on residential streets during snow removal operations, neighborhoods with limited amounts of off-street parking, including the Drake neighborhood, must use established odd- and even-side snow parking zones. Failure to comply with the odd/even parking regulations may result in the Des Moines Police Department issuing $35 fines and possibly towing vehicles.

Odd/Even Snow Removal Parking Details:

  • Snowplowing operations in designated odd/even neighborhoods will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Odd calendar days of the month are matched with street addresses ending in an odd number. On odd-numbered days, vehicles should be parked on the odd side of the street. (Reverse for even.)
  • Vehicles must be on the correct side of the street by 7 a.m. to avoid a ticket.

NOTE: Parking tickets may be issued until 7 p.m.—even if plows have already cleared neighborhood streets. Furthermore, extraordinary conditions may require extension of the city’s snowplowing time period. Stay informed and up-to-date by subscribing to the City of Des Moines’ automatic snow route and odd/even parking notifications (noted above).

Finally, please remember that 27th Street is now designated as a Commuter Parking Lot. As a Commuter Parking Lot and in order to facilitate snow removal, 27th Street must remain free of cars from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. each day. Cars parked on 27th Street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. will be ticketed and may be towed to facilitate snow removal.

Thank you for your kind attention to these winter weather policies and procedures.

—Submitted by Provost Joe Lenz

Campus Announcements Archive

Construction update

The pre-construction project to move an electrical distribution line and to move a communication duct is nearly complete; this project needed to be completed prior to construction of the new Science Connector Building and the new School of Education. A portion of sidewalk is currently closed on the west side of 27th Street, just east of Medbury Hall. This sidewalk should be poured early next week. The project is approximately two weeks ahead of schedule. The construction will continue for the next week or two in a grassy area between Medbury and Jewett Hall parking lot, but will not close any sidewalk.

—Submitted by Jolene Schmidt, Director, Operations and Support Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Contracts reminder

All fully executed contracts need to be sent to ducontracts@drake.edu.

The following agreements should be kept at the department level:

  • Independent Contractor Agreements including entertainers, speakers, and artists
  • Agreements for transportation, hotels, entertainment, or room rentals for one-time events at non-Drake locations

—Submitted by Kelly Foster, Administrative Services Specialist

Campus Announcements Archive

Sidewalk closure

While a new roof is installed on the Bell Center gym, the sidewalk at the corner of 27th Street and Clark Street (next to the north side of the Bell Center) to the north entrance of The Knapp Center will be closed during business hours starting today, Oct. 26. The sidewalk will be closed each morning at approximately 7 a.m. and re-open at about 5 p.m. This project will take approximately three weeks depending on the weather. Please use the sidewalk on the north side of Clark Street.

—Submitted by Jolene Schmidt, Director, Operations and Support Services

Campus Announcements Archive, For Faculty Archive

Faculty Senate meeting recap

The October meeting of the Faculty Senate included presentations from:

  • President Martin, who presented a continuous improvement plan, which draws on the strategic plan and the University accreditation process
  • Gary Johnson, director of human resources, who discussed the work of the faculty salary administrative review group and progress on meeting benchmarks for faculty salaries
  • Michelle Rogers, assessment coordinator, who shared the process and measures used to assess the Drake Curriculum and Areas of Inquiry (AOI)

Also, the senators discussed processes leading to potential revisions of the Drake Curriculum.

—Submitted by Nancy Geiger, Student Information Analyst