The Bulldog Shop has adjusted its regular store hours. Please take note of the new hours below.
MON-FRI: 9AM – 5PM
SAT: 10AM- 4PM
SUN: CLOSED
Visit the Bulldog Shop in Olmsted Center and get all the best Drake gear, or shop online 24/7 at drake.ecampus.com.
National Pronoun Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of respecting and using correct pronouns to create an inclusive and welcoming Drake for all. Making it a habit to share pronouns with one another when we gather allows us to create an environment in which we learn not to assume, based on someone’s appearance, gender, or how they want to be referred to in the third person (what pronouns they use). Whether or not any one of us might ourselves be worried we will be misgendered, sharing pronouns proactively regardless, is a meaningful practice for cultivating a community of inclusion and belonging.
Why Pronouns Matter
Pronouns are an essential part of a person’s identity. Using the correct pronouns for someone shows respect, validates their gender identity, and contributes to a more inclusive environment.
Imagine you met someone whose legal name was Robert but he went by Bob. Would you still call him Robert or would call him Bob?
Imagine if you had a friend who got married (or divorced) and they changed their last name. If they asked you to use their new last name—would you still use their old name?
The answers here are pretty obvious. Use this same logic for pronouns. If someone tells you they use certain pronouns—that’s what you should use. Misusing pronouns is not just disrespectful, it can be hurtful and undermine a person’s sense of self.
Using Pronouns Respectfully
1. Ask and Share Pronouns
Ask: When meeting someone new or at the beginning of a class or meeting, consider asking for and sharing your pronouns. For example, “Hi, my name is [Your Name], and my pronouns are [Your Pronouns]. May I ask what pronouns you use?”
Normalize: Make it a routine to include pronouns in your introductions and email signatures. This helps create an inclusive atmosphere.
2. Use Correct Pronouns
Once you know someone’s pronouns, make an effort to use them correctly. If you make a mistake, apologize briefly and move on. Dwelling on the mistake can make the person uncomfortable.
3. Respect Privacy
Keep in mind that not everyone may be comfortable sharing their pronouns. Respect their decision, and don’t pressure them.
4. Educate Yourself
Familiarize yourself with gender-neutral pronouns like “they/them” and be open to using them when appropriate.
5. Singular ‘They’
Use “they/them” when referring to someone whose pronouns you don’t know or when someone explicitly prefers these pronouns. This represents another step in the evolution of how we use pronouns. It used to be that “he/him/his” was the default—and you still see that in older laws and literature—the unidentified person was always presumed to be male. It was only a few decades ago, we saw a shift to be more inclusive by switching to: “he/she” and “his/her.” And now we are simply taking another step to be even more inclusive by adopting they/them.
Make Your Pronouns Known at Drake
Faculty, staff, and students may self-select a pronoun from the list provided on the Personal Information page in Self Service. If a pronoun is selected, it will be viewable by members of the University community in Starfish, Blackboard, Zoom, and class lists. Pronouns can be updated in Self Service at any time. The list of possible pronouns will be subject to periodic review. You can contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion to inquire about the review process or the Student Pronoun Policy.
You can also include your pronouns in your email signature block and you can also add them to your name display in Teams and Zoom meetings.
On Wednesday, October 18, we invite all students, faculty, and staff to stop by the Breezeway at Olmstead from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM to pick up a pronoun pin/sticker to show your support for gender diversity and inclusion and share your identity with others.
National Pronoun Day is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity by acknowledging and respecting everyone’s pronouns. By following these guidelines, you contribute to a more welcoming and respectful community where individuals of all gender identities feel valued and accepted. Remember that learning and growing in this area is an ongoing process, and your efforts to use correct pronouns make a positive impact.
— Terrance Pendleton, Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion
Drake University is pleased to host the City of Des Moines Ward 1, City Council and Mayoral Town Hall forum presented by UBA of Central lowa and lowa Urban Media. This candidate forum will be held from 5–7 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 21 in Sussman Theater. It is open to the public.
Ryan Arnold, Director of Community Engagement
Hear from Sandy Marshall, AS’96, a distinguished Drake University alumnus, and current Public Engagement Specialist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. During a Q&A facilitated by Drake University’s Vice President of University Advancement, John Smith, AS’92, GR’00, Sandy will discuss his unique path from Drake University to writing, producing, and educating.
Join us on October 24th at 7:00 PM CT to delve into Sandy’s experiences – from his role as Public Engagement Specialist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to his contributions at Chicago’s renowned comedy institution, The Second City. Sandy’s diverse background, including co-founding the acclaimed “REACH: A Space Podcast for Kids,” provides a unique perspective worth exploring.
This is a virtual event and it is open to alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Register here.
Questions? Reach out to Mady Nachtman at mady.nachtman@drake.edu.
We invite students, faculty, and staff to register for the Drake Wellness Conference Oct. 25 from 3–6 p.m. in Olmsted Center. Register today.
We are committed to extending our services to our community to help ensure the best possible outcomes for your times spent at Drake, no matter your role.
We will be offering a variety of learning opportunities to better understand the dimensions of wellness and offering tools that are immediately actionable to help increase self-agency and now and through the future.
We will have the following wellness resources and sessions available:
Kayla Bell-Consolver, Broadlawns Drake Counseling Center
Once again, Drake University is proud to be highlighted as part of the IMT Des Moines Marathon, on Sunday, Oct. 15. The famed ‘Blue Oval’ and the Drake campus will be part of the race around the mile 11 marker. Runners will approach Drake from 25th to Carpenter, left into the campus and south through campus to 27th to run the oval. Both DPS as well as DMPD staff will be here to insure a safe race course.
The IMT Marathon will place runners in and around Drake from 8:30 – 11:30 am. Please expect traffic disruptions both near campus and throughout the race course.
For more information on the IMT Des Moines Marathon and course, please click this link – DMM-Athlete-Guide-2023-2.pdf (desmoinesmarathon.com).
Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services
Did you know that therapy dogs can be very helpful when navigating mental health challenges? Well, our pet therapy events are also helpful in creating a sense of connection with others!
All of our Pet Therapy events are open to faculty, staff, and students. We hope to see you there!
— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Student Counseling Center
The Fall 2023 safety walk is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 25 starting at 7 p.m. Any students, faculty, or staff interested in participating along with representatives of the Drake Student Senate, Public Safety, Facilities Planning and Management, Residence Life, Student Affairs, and the Residence Hall Association please meet at the Olmsted Center Breezeway at 6:50 p.m.
To register, please click here.
Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services
Jump start your week with our Bulldog Pump classes from 7:30-8:15 am on Mondays starting October 23rd! Learn some lifting basics that will get you pumped for the week! Or, join us for a total body workout in our new Bulldog Crew rowing classes! These will be weekly classes held in the Knapp mezzanine starting Friday, October 20th from 11:00-11:45 am. Don’t forget to sign up for these classes, as well as our other weekly classes, using the Drake Rec App! See you there!
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!
Gail Witte, Drake Rec Services
Join us Oct. 16–20 for National Transfer Student Week. We know that transfer students bring extensive diversity and experience to Drake’s campus. The Office of Advising will be hosting a series of events to connect with transfer students and transfer student allies. We encourage departments to join us in celebrating the transfer students who enrich our departments and the supportive faculty and staff who continue to make the transfer process accessible and attainable for entering students.
Events:
Laura Hayes, Transfer Advising Specialist
