Join us in celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and our recently awarded “Gold” certification. Earlier this year, the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center became only the second building in the United States to achieve the Gold Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, The Harkin Institute will host an unveiling ceremony for the certification plaque that will hang in our atrium. The ceremony will be followed by a panel discussion that will cover the benefits of universal design and how to implement accessibility features in your work place. Light refreshments will be provided.

Before the unveiling, guests will have a chance to check out the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center for themselves! The building will be open for self-guided tours starting at noon. The Harkin Institute staff will be on hand for any questions you have throughout the tour.

American Sign Language and live-captioning (CART) in English will be provided for all attendees during the unveiling ceremony and panel discussion. ASL interpreters will also be on hand from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. for those who need interpretation during the open house portion of the event.

WHAT: Gold Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification Celebration and Panel Discussion
WHEN: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Open house and self-guided tours: 12:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Unveiling ceremony: 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Panel discussion: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310)
RSVP: Please RSVP via Eventbrite if you plan to attend the unveiling ceremony and panel discussion

— Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement

In accordance with Iowa state law, Drake University allows students to request immunization exemptions under certain circumstances, including medical or religious grounds, though these requests are subject to review and approval by University health officials. The exemption process requires students to complete and submit the appropriate documentation—such as signed statements or medical forms—to ensure compliance with public health standards. For full details, guidelines, and required forms associated with the immunization exemption policy, see Drake’s official policy page and Health Center resources: Communication Regarding Immunization Exemptions and Health Policies and Forms.

— Jerry Parker, Vice President & Dean of Students

ITS staff are happy to share that the updated SPSS license for 2025 is now available. To request the download and license to update your software, submit a Software Request ticket through the ITS service portal. ITS staff will respond with the license code and assist you in updating your software.

If you have any additional questions, contact us by submitting a ticket though the ITS service portal at service.drake.edu/its, visiting us in lower level Carnegie Hall, or by calling the Support Center at 515-271-3001.

— Greg Christie, ITS

In July, the University will be working with the building contractor on warranty repairs for the heating and cooling systems. To complete this work, the cooling systems of one floor must be taken offline, one at a time, for a one week duration. The sequence of repairs will be as follows:

1^st Floor : July 7 thru July 11

2^nd Floor :  July 14 thru July 18

Ground Floor : July 21 – July 25

3^rd Floor : July 28 – August 1

While repairs are being made on one floor, the cooling system will remain operational on the other three floors.  Students and staff will have the options to: work remotely, remain in their uncooled (warm) office and meeting spaces while contractors occupy the space and work is being conducted on the respective floor, or temporarily office in one of the many JSC conference rooms or open areas throughout the building.

— Heather Winslow, Capital Projects – Project Administrator

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help welcome our newest students on Wednesday, Aug. 20, as part of the Move-In Crew.

Move-In Crew Sign Up

This is your chance to bring the energy, ease the stress, and create a warm first impression for first-years and their families as they settle into campus life.

Here’s how you can help:

• Sign up for a 2-hour shift anytime between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM
• Stay for one shift or sign up for multiple. You are welcome to come and go as your schedule allows.
• Tasks include curbside check-in, unloading cars, moving items, offering directions, and sharing that signature Drake spirit.

Once you register, you’ll receive an email on Monday, Aug. 18, with everything you need to know, including where to check in and what to expect on the day.

Let’s give our new students the warmest welcome yet!

Move-In Crew Sign Up

— Lynne Cornelius, Associate Dean of Students

Drake University is now partnering with TimelyCare to deliver a new virtual health and well-being platform for students. Through either a mobile app or your desktop, TimelyCare provides 24/7 access to virtual care from anywhere in the United States at no cost.

As part of our commitment to providing a wide breadth of services that meets the needs of every student on campus, Drake University has partnered with TimelyCare to offer students free and equitable access to mental health support. TimelyCare replaces our previous provider, UWill, and will serve as an extension of our campus health and counseling center resources. This partnership aims to enhance student well-being, engagement, and retention by ensuring timely and comprehensive support for all students.

Whether you’re feeling under the weather, anxious, or overwhelmed, you can talk to a licensed provider to get the care you need via phone or secure video visits.

How can I access TimelyCare?
Visit TimelyCare or download the TimelyCare app from your app store and register with your Drake email address. You can then start visits from any web-enabled device  smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop anywhere in the United States.

Who can use TimelyCare?
Any enrolled student.

What services are available?

• TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support.
• Self-Care Content: 24/7 access to self-care tools and resources, such as meditation
  and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.
• Peer Community: An anonymous and judgment-free space where you can connect with, react to, and support other students going through similar situations.

How much does a visit cost?
TimelyCare services are available at no cost to Drake University students.

The need for 24/7 access to high-quality care has never been more important. According to a report by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, 69% of students in bachelor’s degree programs who considered dropping out cited emotional stress as their reason.

Through TimelyCare on a phone or other device, Drake University students can now select from a wide-ranging menu of virtual care options from licensed counselors in all 50 states (at no cost and without the barrier of traditional insurance) including:

• On-demand mental health and emotional support (TalkNow)
• Care navigation
• Peer support community
• Digital self-care content

The partnership with TimelyCare allows Drake University to deliver a hybrid model of care in collaboration with on-campus resources. Benefits to students include:

• Convenient 24/7 care: Physical and mental health issues often present themselves outside regular business hours, and TimelyCare makes seeking support or treatment easy and convenient as making a video or phone call.
• Diverse provider network: TimelyCare’s diverse and culturally responsive provider network reflects and is proud to serve students who embody diversity in race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, age, religion and worldview, language, health, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic and immigration status, and more. More than half of mental health providers identify as people of color. The platform also offers professionals who identify as LGBTQIA+, speak multiple languages, and translation services to support more than 240 languages. Students scheduling services can choose to meet with a specific provider or select the first available.
• Peace of mind: TimelyCare is a safe, secure, URAC-accredited and HIPAA-compliant platform that follows campus-specific protocols to facilitate care coordination and follow-up to ensure continuity of care.

TimelyCare licensed providers are available to offer emotional support via phone or secure video visits. If you have questions, visit TimelyCare or email your campus representative – lynne.cornelius@drake.edu.

— Lynne Cornelius, Associate Dean of Students

Tune into Everclass on Tuesday, June 24, at 12 p.m. via Zoom as Zimpleman College of Business Professors Ina Purvanova and Alanah Mitchell share insights on how to align organizational strategy with employee needs to create a more effective, balanced workplace.

The COVID pandemic forced many workers from office desks to home setups, prompting organizations to rethink how and where work gets done. As companies weigh office-forward, remote-first, or hybrid strategies, employees have developed strong preferences of their own. The challenge? Finding a workplace model that works for both sides.

In their new book, The New Workplace: Employee Alignment in Remote-First, Office-Forward, and Hybrid Work Organizations, Professors Purvanova and Mitchell reveal that success lies in alignment—not in choosing a one-size-fits-all model. There’s no single “right” way to build a workplace. Choice and flexibility are essential for navigating the evolving landscape of work.

Everclass is a virtual discussion series designed to inspire Drake alumni and community members. All sessions feature a keynote speaker, a panel discussion, or a Q&A style with a moderator. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to attend. 

— Andy Verlengia, Director, Alumni Relations

Parking permit sales for the upcoming academic year will begin on Tuesday, July 1.  Please visit Public Safety’s parking page and select “Online Parking Registration” to register for your pass. Please make sure to have your license plate number available at the time of registration.

Permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and we ask that all permit sales be done online.  An email confirmation will be sent to you when your pass is ready to be picked up at the Student Services Desk in the JOHANSEN CENTER (temporary space for summer/early fall). Please bring an ID for verification.

• Resident passes: $400 (blue, 24/7 parking)
• Premium passes: $290 (yellow, Olmsted lot; red, Ray Promenade lots)
• Perimeter passes: $130 (all orange and purple lots)
• Evening/Weekend passes: $100 (valid from 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Friday, and all day on weekends)

Passes are valid from August to August and will be available to pick up in the Student Services Center (Johansen) in August.

Please visit drake.edu/map to see where the lots are located, and contact studentservices@drake.edu for questions.

— Sara Heijerman, Finance & Administration