October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Drake University wants to remind all its faculty, staff, and students of the various student and employee resources that are available both through the University and in the Des Moines/Iowa community.

Information about various events occurring at Drake University and in the Des Moines community to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month is available on Drake University’s social media accounts @drakeprevention.

— Jessica Morgan-Tate, Finance & Administration

Drake University’s Non-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment (Non-Sex-Based) Policy has been revised and all interested members of the Drake community are encouraged to review and comment on these policy revisions by Nov. 19, 2021.  The revisions to this policy, many of which were prompted by students who requested additional clarity in Drake University’s policies regarding reporting and addressing discrimination, harassment, and bias-motivated incidents, provide for a strong commitment against discrimination and harassment within the Drake community.

The policy begins with the following purpose statement, which reflects Drake’s Core Values and the culture we strive to cultivate at all levels of our institution:

There is no place in the Drake community for discrimination, discriminatory harassment, abusive, and bias-motivated conduct. Drake University condemns discrimination in all its forms. 

In addition, many of the definitions and corresponding examples have been modernized and options for reporting discrimination, harassment and other misconduct have been updated. It is important for every member of the Drake community to know what options they have in reporting misconduct—whether that misconduct was directed towards, or witnessed by, them.

Our hope is that this policy will provide additional clarity and detail. If you have observations or suggestions to make it even better, we want to hear them. You can review the revised policy and offer comments here. The review period closes on Nov. 19, 2021.

— Jessica Morgan-Tate, Finance & Administration; Maureen De Armond, Human Resources

University Communications and Marketing is sponsoring a Professional Headshot Day Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kern Commons, Cartwright Hall, Drake Law School. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome.

Please sign up for a time slot. Advanced sign up will allow us to maintain social distancing. Masks will be required until it is your turn.

— Jeremy Sievers, University Communications and Marketing

The IMT Des Moines Marathon is Sunday, Oct. 17. Drake University is proud to be part of this great Des Moines tradition. The marathon will impact roads and travel throughout Des Moines and specifically at the University at miles 11 and 12. Travel on and around campus will be impacted during the race.

Mile 11 travels down 25th Street and Forest Avenue to Drake Stadium as participants take a lap around the iconic Blue oval. Mile 12 leaves the stadium and enters the campus proper on the sidewalks at the Ray Plaza and continues to Carpenter Avenue and back out to 25th Street.  

There is no parking on Sunday, Oct. 17, along the race route, including but not limited to, 25th Street from University Avenue to Forest Avenue, along Forest Avenue from 25th Street to 27th Street, and on Carpenter Avenue from 25th Street to Painted Street (in front of Carnegie, Old Main, the Law School and FAC) on campus. Vehicles parked in these areas or anywhere along the course route will be towed at the owners expense.

Please expect increased activity and noise during the race. Race marshals will be stationed along the path along with Des Moines Police and Drake Public Safety officers on the campus to keep the course safe for participants and spectators. We ask that you follow the direction of course marshals for everyone’s safety.  

For more information about the IMT Des Moines Marathon and potential road closures or disruptions throughout the city, please see the race map.

— Scott Law, Executive Director, Public Safety & Operational Services

Register today for the 2021 Blueprint Men’s Summit held virtually Oct. 13 and 14 at 6 p.m. Registration is FREE. The Blueprint Men’s Summit is an empowering conference designed to develop, inspire, and motivate attendees to become the best version of themselves. This year’s conference has an exciting lineup of guests and speakers including Daymond John of Shark Tank, Luke James of The Chi, Academy and Emmy award-winning band leader Jon Batiste, and Dr. Jerome Adams, former United States Surgeon General, to name a few.

The Blueprint Men’s Summit isn’t just for men. Both women and men who are looking to grow and develop in all areas of life are encouraged to attend!

The event is hosted by Drake alumnus and Board of Trustee member Louis Carr. Carr is president of media sales at Black Entertainment Television (BET) Networks and founder of Blueprint Men’s Summit. Make sure to reserve your virtual seat at the summit today!

Help Your Shelf initiative is a new campus resource for students who may need school supplies or personal care items. Beginning Monday, Oct. 11, items such as notebooks, pens, pencils, backpacks or other school-related items, and personal care items will be available to students who may not have the financial resources to purchase them. Items will be stored in Meredith Hall, Room 104. Whenever the room is not scheduled for an event (a weekly schedule is posted on the outside of the room) students may go in and retrieve the items they need. If you want to donate items, please contact Sofia Turnbull, 515–271–4615, sofia.turnbull@drake.edu.

—Hannah Clayborne, Dean of Students

The University Bookstore is offering a special price on MV Sport crewneck and hooded sweatshirts. For a limited time, crewnecks are $19.95 and hoodies are $24.95. In-store and online.

— Kyle McVay, University Bookstore

Grab your walking shoes and join this year’s Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 6.

We know that you spend a lot of time working, and it is important to find ways to prioritize staying healthy and active.  The Iowa Healthiest State 11^th Annual Walk, presented by Delta Dental of Iowa, is a great way to get started, or keep moving.

To mitigate risk, we will not meet as a large group to start the walk together this year.  Instead, we are asking faculty, staff, and students to take a break sometime during the day on Oct. 6 and go for a walk.  Thirty minutes is ideal, but any amount of time is great.  If you are on campus, walk the Bulldog Mile.  This one-mile path begins on the sidewalk east of the Olmsted Center.  Just follow the signage and big blue paw prints.

As an added bonus, everyone who sends an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu after they complete their Healthiest State Walk, will be placed in a drawing for a chance at prizes!

Let’s get moving and “Walk the Dog” – the “Bulldog Mile”!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources