Drake University joins other colleges and universities throughout the country in recognizing September as National Campus Safety Awareness Month to bring attention to the issue of safety on campus. As we begin the academic year, we remain mindful of the importance of safety on campus.  

The mission of Drake Public Safety is to provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. Drake Public Safety strives to achieve this mission through a community friendly approach that enhances safety through the visibility of Public Safety personnel, preventive patrols, 24-hour accessibility, positive conflict resolution, and a variety of safety programs.

Drake Public Safety reminds all members of the campus community that one of the best ways to prevent crimes on the campus is by locking room doors and vehicles. Most crimes on our campus are crimes of convenience, with the perpetrator taking advantage of unsecured buildings, rooms, or vehicles. Even if you are sitting alone in your room or will only be gone for a minute, locking your doors will greatly reduce the risk of your being the victim of a crime. 

Public Safety works in partnership with many groups, including the Des Moines Police Department, Title IX Office, University Counseling Center, and the Division of Student Affairs, by identifying, assessing, and managing the risk around campus safety both on and off our grounds.

In addition to security training, Drake Public Safety officers are trained to assist in a variety of medical emergencies. Officers have undergone training in CPR and first aid and have access to portable defibrillators for use in emergency situations. Over the past several years DPS staff has increased their ability to intervene in medical emergencies with the help of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Drake Public Safety staff have been trained in the use of Narcan to help address the issue of the opioid epidemic in America. DPS staff now carry Narcan on patrol as an added safety net for the community.

We know that without the participation of the campus community our efforts to maintain a safe campus would not be successful. We ask that “if you see something, say something,” and we know that many of the best ideas for how to improve campus safety come only through our partnership with the community.

If you have not done so yet, we recommend that you download our Drake Guardian App for additional safety when travelling on and around the campus, it is a “blue light” in your pocket. If you have any questions about campus safety, please reach out to me, Scott Law, the Director of Public Safety at scott.law@drake.edu.

— Scott Law, Public Safety

As a reminder, the new myDrake website was launched on July 28, and ITS is happy to assist with your user experience and answer any questions. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one, group, or departmental training, please submit a Custom Technology Consultation/Training ticket.

For more information about the myDrake launch and navigating the new site, please see New myDrake launching July 28, Using the new myDrake, and Understanding the new myDrake. For news, updates, and more information about the myDrake site and other campus systems, visit drake.edu/its.

— Rashmee Virmani, ITS

Ambassador-in-Residence Terry Branstad will host the second annual U.S.-China Symposium at Drake University on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Levitt Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

The symposium is an initiative of the Ambassador-in-Residence program at Drake. Terry Branstad, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Governor of Iowa, is currently serving as the Ambassador-in-Residence at Drake. The Ambassador will host an annual symposium to convene experienced professionals, academics, and other experts to speak on various topics related to China and U.S.-China relations, with the aim to provide a platform for multiple viewpoints and opportunities for candid discussion.

The 2023 symposium will include sessions on national security and defense with Lieutenant General Larry Nicholson (Retired), advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff; trade and business with Greyson Mann, Government Affairs Manager at the U.S.-China Business Council; and international relations with Bobby Richey, former Deputy Chief of Mission and Agriculture Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

Students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in China/East Asia, U.S. foreign affairs, international relations, and international business are encouraged to attend.

Learn more and register for the symposium at drake.edu/branstad.

Contact the Ambassador

In his role as the Ambassador-in-Residence, Ambassador Branstad is also available during the academic year to meet with faculty, staff, and students individually, and to speak to classes and student organizations. This is an exceptional opportunity to hear the first-hand experiences of someone who has helped shape Iowa and U.S. history.

Direct questions and inquiries to ambassador@drake.edu.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement

Welcome back to campus, Bulldogs. September is Suicide Awareness Month and we have a variety of events this month to support you. The Drake Counseling Center is collaborating with a variety of organizations on campus to remind you that hope and healing is possible.

Please join us at our events:

Free Movie Friday:
Sept. 8, 6–7:30 p.m., Sussman theater

• Join us for free popcorn, drinks, and a panel following the movie to discuss ways to prevent suicide and support others.

A Room Full of Sisters
Sept. 9, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Upper Olmsted

• Event will be open to women+ students (the plus indicates any students that identify as or have been socialized as women). This event will provide resources on navigating a PWI, relationships, finances, graduate school, and critical conversations between women. We will have guest speakers from the Des Moines community and Drake university. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow and learn ways to improve your relationships and future. Make sure to register!

Suicide Awareness Walk (Walk begins at 10:15)
Sept. 16, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Helmick Commons South

• Join us in walking with us to bring awareness to suicide prevention, hope, and receive various campus and community resources.
• Free QPR Gatekeeper Trainings – QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer. These are the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.

As a reminder, students have access to Uwill, a platform for immediate access to teletherapy! You can sign up at app.uwill.com. Through this app, students have access to a 24/7/365 crisis hotline: 833.646.1526. In addition, you can always use the national suicide helpline when needed by contacting or texting 988.

Remember, that no matter what you are experiencing, you are not alone, you belong here, and there is help available, including our counseling center and various community resources. Visit our website to learn more about these resources and our services: drake.edu/counselingcenter/

Two things are true: Your life has meaning and It’s okay to seek help. You are not broken and we are here to help you, especially at the Drake counseling center.

We hope to see you throughout September.

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Drake Counseling Center

Get ready to brush up your creativity! Our featured collection on the visual arts is here to ignite your imagination. Dive into a world of masterpieces, colors, and inspiration, and let the artistic journey begin.

— Erin Menardi, Cowles Library

On July 28, the new myDrake website was launched. As the start of the semester approaches, we are happy to assist with your user experience and answer any questions. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one, group, or departmental training, please submit a Custom Technology Consultation/Training ticket.  

Because the new myDrake website has changed platforms, any saved links or bookmarks you may use will need to be updated. When accessing myDrake for the first time, please clear your browser cache and cookies. Delete your old myDrake bookmark by right clicking and selecting delete. Then, visit https://my.drake.edu or https://drakeedu.sharepoint.com.sites/myDrake. From there, add a new myDrake bookmark by clicking the star icon on the right side of the address bar. Rename and save the bookmark to your desired location.

For more information about the myDrake launch and navigating the new site, please see New myDrake launching July 28 and Using the new myDrake. For news, updates, and more information about the myDrake site and other campus systems, visit drake.edu/its.

— Rashmee Virmani, ITS

Update as of July 25, 2023:

• TIAA notified the University that personal identifiable information of approximately 650 current and former employees may have been exposed through the MOVEit Transfer data breach. TIAA indicated that Pension Benefit Information, LLC, one of its vendors, was impacted by the incident. Affected individuals will receive a notification letter directly from Pension Benefit Information (PBI) via postal mail. The vendor is offering free credit monitoring for two years to each of the individuals impacted.
• NSC has informed Drake that personal data, which may include name, date of birth, and academic transcripts, of current and former students may have been breached. Impacted students and alumni will be notified via postal mail. Please read any notices you receive carefully.

This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Original alert posted June 10, 2023:

Cybersecurity incident alert related to third-party breaches

Drake University has been notified by two of the University’s service providers, National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA), that certain personally identifiable information and data of some members of our community may have been impacted by the MOVEit Transfer tool vulnerability that is affecting millions across the country. The scope and extent of this data breach is still under investigation. This message shares what we know to date.

MOVEit Transfer is a third-party software used by NSC to support the transfer of data files. Read an update from NSC that shares what files and data are suspected to be affected.

TIAA has stated that no information was obtained from TIAA systems. However, one of its vendors uses the MOVEit Transfer tool, and some participant data may have been exposed through that third party.

The University takes data privacy and security very seriously and is working diligently with its cybersecurity team as well as NSC and TIAA to determine the full scope of the incident and response. If it is determined that Drake community members were affected by this attack, appropriate action will be taken, including notifications. 

It is important to note that Drake University systems were not impacted. Once notified of the breach, the University took immediate action to verify its systems were secure. As more information becomes available, we will provide updates on this page, in the OnCampus newsletter, and via email to faculty, staff, and students. In the meantime, we urge all campus community members to follow these steps to protect their information and stay safe online:

• Regularly monitor your credit score and online accounts.
• Use multifactor authentication (MFA) everywhere it is available. Using multiple factors to authenticate into an account makes it more difficult for hackers to access your accounts.
• Be vigilant in spotting phishing attacks. Don’t open or respond to suspicious or unsolicited phone calls, emails, or texts. If you believe you’ve been targeted by a phishing attack, see Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).
• Consider placing a temporary credit freeze at no cost, as described in this US Government alert: https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze. This will protect you in the event of any potential fraudulent attempts to open credit in your name.

Drake University is committed to fair and ethical principles, practices and conduct in all business and academic relationships. The University’s trustees, leaders, faculty, and staff are expected to model the highest standards of ethical behavior and stewardship. To facilitate and protect this commitment, the University has contracted with EthicsPoint to manage a confidential hotline which provides an anonymous way to report situations that may represent financial misconduct or violations of local, state or federal law or University policies. Over the summer, the platform used by EthicsPoint was upgraded and may look slightly different to the user. The substantive ways the tool works, however, remains unchanged.

EthicsPoint may be used by faculty, staff and students to report illegal or unethical practices in financial or other business transactions. EthicsPoint may also be used to report illegal or unethical behaviors, such as discrimination or harassment. Reports submitted via EthicsPoint will be handled promptly consistent with University policies and applicable federal, state and local laws. Drake University personnel will review all reports submitted through Ethics Point. The chair of the Board of Trustees Audit Committee also receives all EthicsPoint reports. EthicsPoint and Drake University are committed to safeguarding the confidentiality of individuals who submit reports, and if you desire, you may remain anonymous. Anyone who submits a report is also protected from retailiation by Drake policy.

For more information, visit the Ethics Point reporting site.

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

We are thrilled to announce that Drake University and the Jay N. Darling Institute have been selected as the host institution for the prestigious Federal Duck Stamp Contest this fall. This esteemed event brings together passionate individuals and organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation and the arts.  The Federal Duck Stamp Contest will take place at the Olmsted Center Sept. 15–16, 2023. The link to the Federal Duck Stamp website is: https://www.fws.gov/program/federal-duck-stamp/federal-duck-stamp-contest-event-information

As a complementary event to the competition, please mark your calendars and join us for an afternoon of art, conversation, and appreciation for our natural heritage.

Date: Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023
Time: 2–4 p.m.
Location: Cowles Library Reading Room

Panelists:

• Suzanne Fellows, Duck Stamp Program Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Rich and Nancy Houk, National Duck Stamp Collectors Society
• Hope Bibens, Director of University Archives & Special Collections, Drake University
• Alanna Wuensch, Drake University Student and Steering Committee Member
• John P. Smith, Drake University Vice President for University Advancement

The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is an annual art competition that determines the image for the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Duck Stamp. This stamp plays a vital role in raising funds for habitat conservation and protecting wildlife across the United States.

We are honored to have an exceptional panel of experts for this year’s contest. Suzanne Fellows, the Duck Stamp Program Manager from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in wildlife conservation. Rich and Nancy Houk, representing the National Duck Stamp Collectors Society, will contribute his vast experience in the field of philately and stamp collecting. Finally, we are delighted to have Hope Bibens, Director of University Archives & Special Collections at Drake University, who will provide valuable insights into the intersection of art and history.

We invite all members of the Drake University community to attend this exciting event. It is a unique opportunity to witness the selection process and engage with experts in the field. You will have the chance to learn more about the significance of the Duck Stamp program, the importance of wildlife conservation, and the artistry behind stamp design.

Please RSVP to erica.hartschen@drake.edu or 515-271-4990 by Aug. 4.

— Erica Hartschen, University Advancement