Grab your walking shoes and join the Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 4. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to meet at noon at the start of the Bulldog Mile. This one-mile path begins outside the Olmsted Center (just southeast of the building). Along the route there will be stops where you can pick up playing cards and stickers.  At the end of the walk, those with the highest ‘poker hands’ will be placed in a drawing for a chance at prizes.

If it is raining, we will move the event to the indoor track at the Knapp Center.  Come alone, bring a friend, or make it a team or department event. Let’s get moving!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

The Slay Fund for Social Justice invites proposals for the 2023–2024 year, which are available to Drake faculty, staff, and both undergraduate and graduate students. We are proud to offer this opportunity to support social change initiatives on campus (or with the community), to sponsor events which raise social justice consciousness and advance equity on campus, and to develop innovative experiences which meet the moment to help make Drake, Iowa, and our world a more just and inclusive place to live.

This fund is made possible through the generous support of Drake alumni, Brent and Diane Slay, who share these goals and their love of Drake University with us.

What types of projects are funded?

There are four broad categories for small- and large-scale grants:

• Student research/internships
• Pedagogy for social justice
• Campus-wide events and speakers
• Long-term programs with community partners

Descriptions of past projects, including the most recent annual report, are available on the website to help potential applicants develop their proposals. Typical awards range from $1,000 to $7,500, with multi-year projects also considered by the selection committee.

How do I apply?

To apply to the Slay Fund, please visit our website to consider your project’s fit with the goals of the Slay Fund. Proposals (and questions) should be sent to the Jill Allen, Director of the Slay Fund, at slayfund@drake.edu. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the year, with a cut-off date of December 5^th in fall, and May 5^th in the spring.

—Jill Allen, Associate Professor of Psychology & Director of The Slay Fund for Social Justice

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic culture. Dive into a world of rich traditions and compelling stories—from literary classics to contemporary masterpieces, the shelves at Cowles Library are adorned with works that capture the essence and diversity of Hispanic heritage.

 — Erin Menardi, Cowles Library

Please be aware that Mediacom Stadium is still a construction site. This is a friendly reminder that no one is allowed on this property unless you are chaperoned and have permission to be on the site. If you need access to the stadium, please reach out to Michelle Huggins at michelle.huggins@drake.edu or Rob Ebel at rob.ebel@drake.edu.

— Heather Winslow, Capital Projects

Wind down your weekend with a Yoga 101 class designed for beginners on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m. in the Bell Center Studio. Need a kickstart to your week? Join us for a Self Defense workshop from 5–6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, in the Bell Center Studio. Or, dance the night away with our Hip Hop Dance Night on Friday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m. Don’t forget to sign up for these and our weekly classes below using the Drake Rec app.

Please email wellness@drake.edu with any questions. If you are unable to attend for any reason, no worries. You can cancel your slot in the Drake Rec app, and we will see you next time.

Sunday:
Yoga Restore – 5:00 PM

Monday:
Spin – 12:15 PM
Power Yoga – 5:00 PM

Tuesday:
Pilates – 12:15 PM
Yoga Restore – 5:00 PM
Karate – 6:00 PM

Wednesday:
Yoga Flow – 7:45 AM
Barre Fusion – 12:15 PM

Thursday:
Muscle Mix – 12:15 PM
Zumba – 4:30 PM
Cycle and Stretch – 5:30 PM

Friday:
Yoga Flow – 12:15 PM

The Iowa Wild is offering Drake faculty, staff, and students discounted tickets to their home hockey games this season.  Purchase tickets.  Their link will continue to be updated with new games throughout the season.  For faculty and staff, this information and link can also be found on the Human Resources Employee Perks page on myDrake.

Rec Services has many fun programs planned this month—beginner lifting and yoga workshops, self defense, and an evening of hip hop. Check out dates and times on the Drake Rec app. Don’t forget, you can also view and sign up for weekly classes on the app.

— Gail Witte, Rec Services

The federal student loan payment pause and zero percent interest rate that had been in place since March 2023 ended Aug. 29.

Borrowers who are currently enrolled at least half-time in a degree program will remain in an in-school deferment (no payments required), but interest will begin accruing on Federal Direct Unsubsidized and PLUS loans, effective Sept. 1st.

Borrowers who are not enrolled half-time will enter/re-enter repayment with first payments due in October. Below are resources that can help with the transition to repayment:

• How to Prepare for Successful Student Loan Repayment
• Repaying Student Loans for the First Time
• Prepare for Student Loan Payments to Restart

Drake’s Financial Aid Office is available to assist with questions related to federal student loans. Contact us if we can be of service.

— Ryan Zantingh, Financial Aid

Drake University Department of Theatre Arts presents PROLOG, the 2023 Neighborhood Playwright Series selection on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Turner Jazz Center. This is a staged reading of the Karen and Alex Schaeffer original piece telling a story of how AI (Artificial Intelligence) might present itself to us in the not-too-distant future. Following each performance, join the playwrights for a talkback discussing the creative journey of their new piece.

— Jude Thurman, senior, College of Arts & Science