Blackboard is making updates to the Blackboard Learn database—the data center behind all Blackboard courses. As a result, access to Blackboard Learn will be unavailable from Saturday, June 12, at 11:30 p.m. until Sunday, June 13, at 3:30 a.m. This maintenance is being performed to update the system to modern database specifications. We appreciate your patience.
If you are unable to access Blackboard Learn after the planned maintenance window, please contact the support center at 515–271–3001 or visit service.drake.edu/its to report your issue.
Thank you to all of Drake University’s essential workers! We are so thankful to have you and appreciate all the work that you have done the past year. In collaboration with many on campus, the All Staff Council Recognition committee assisted in the planting of a tree (thanks to the grounds crew) to show appreciation for this dedicated group of staff members. This tree is located near Goodwin Kirk residence hall and marked by a plaque. It reads:
To Drake’s Essential Workers: We will always remember your steadfast commitment during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“We celebrate them by acting with courage and compassion, By doing what is right and just, For while we honor them today, It is they who every day honor us.” — Amanda Gorman
Shukran, Hvala, Thank you, Gracias
Planted Spring 2021, as recognition from All Staff Council.
We would also like to share this heartfelt Haiku, written by Provost Sue Mattison:
Essential workers Not all the heroes wear capes. Thank you, our heroes.
Thank you to all staff members for the work that you have put in this year as we navigated through the COVID-19 global pandemic, especially our essential workers!
Over the past year and a half, we have increased the use of Microsoft 365 applications on campus, including Microsoft Teams, and as the basis of our myDrake campus portal. As a resource to keep everyone up to date on the Microsoft 365 tools available to Drake, ITS created a new knowledge base article available in our IT service portal.
This article provides a list of all currently available Microsoft 365 applications and related tools. Please note that while they are available to use, ITS does not provide support or training for most applications. We do, however, provide links within the article to curated Microsoft resources to help you get started.
On Friday, May 28, Drake ITS will be releasing the Forms application for use as both a standalone tool and as part of Microsoft Teams. You will be able to use Forms to collect data via surveys, quizzes, and polls. NOTE: Creation of surveys, quizzes and polls via Forms is limited to Drake faculty and staff but all Drake users, including students, can submit responses.
As additional Microsoft tools and applications are made available to the Drake community, we will include them in this article with Microsoft resources on how to best use them. We hope this evolving resource will help you use Microsoft 365 tools more effectively.
Last fall, Drake’s Office of Alumni Relations created Back to Class, featuring speakers from Drake’s campus in a virtual setting. Bulldogs and friends are invited to join from wherever they are to learn about unique topics, hear from voices on campus, and connect with the Drake community.
Recently the program featured the Drake Community Press and Carol Spaulding–Kruse, professor of English and director of the Drake Community Press, and Dr. Richard Deming, medical director of MercyOne Cancer Center in Des Moines and founder of Above + Beyond Cancer. Please take time to view the session.
Drake has begun a major project to update the MyDUSIS system to Banner Self Service. Beginning May 22, the look and feel, as well as some functionality, will begin changing throughout the system in phases.
Here are the major changes scheduled to take place May 22:
New temporary application in the Commonly Used Apps section- My Information.
New header on any pages that will remain in the old MyDUSIS pages. NOTE: MyDUSIS will remain accessible from myDrake throughout the upgrade, but links within MyDUSIS will be phased out and changed as applicable.
Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will be required forfaculty and staff to view or change their information. For help with Duo, see the Duo guidesin the IT service portal.
My Information will go to a new screen (example shown below) with Personal Information and shows your current information and allows you to add, update, or delete email addresses, phone numbers, addresses, and emergency contact information. Additionally, from the menu, you’ll see some tasks that can be completed in the upgraded system, while others will direct you to the current system.
In addition to its temporary addition to Commonly Used apps, My Information will also be in the Human Resources section for employees, and the My Drake Profile section for students. For students, the My Information link will replace the My Contact Info, My Directory Profile, and My Addresses links.
More changes will be coming as we work through the phases of this project. We will keep you up to date and let you know when new features will be released.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Adams Leadership Awards! This year’s award recognition ceremony (the Adams Leadership Convocation) was cancelled, but the recognition of Drake University student leadership has continued online with over 150+ submissions from faculty, staff, and students. Please see below and congratulate the following student, staff, and organization winners:
Outstanding First Years: Ruwayda Egal, Brian Orellana
Drake University has updated its Transportation Policy, University Driver Approval & Vehicle Use Policy and Student Domestic Travel Policy in an ongoing effort to provide the University community with a framework for ensuring safe and efficient travel while also protecting the University community along with its resources and equipment. All interested members of the Drake community are encouraged to review and comment on these policy revisions by June 11, 2021.
