In order to address one of the most effective and undetectable methods of attacks against campus technology and information, ITS is changing the way that administrator access is set up and used on Drake-owned computers. In the past, the accounts we used to browse the Internet, open email, and edit documents also had full access to install software and change settings on our computers. While this makes it easy for us to use, it also permits attackers to hijack this access to install malicious software and/or steal information. 

To help reduce the likelihood and impact of attacks, we’re removing always-on administrator access on all Drake-owned computers. With rare exception, the programs, applications, and websites we use to perform our daily work do not require administrator access to function. To minimize disruption when greater access is needed, ITS will be automatically installing an application called Make Me Admin on all campus computers. Make Me Admin allows you to obtain temporary administrator access when needed to install new software or make computer changes and removes your elevated access after 30 minutes. You can also submit a request to ITS for assistance with installing programs or making configuration changes, if you prefer. 

Make Me Admin will be silently installed on your Drake computer(s) over the next few weeks, and there are guides available in the IT service portal on using this new tool: 

How-to guide for Macs
How-to guide for Windows

Where always-on administrator access currently exists, it will be removed sometime prior to the end of the fall semester. This timing will allow us to provide the best level of support during and after the change takes effect, and a follow up communication will be sent around that time. 

For questions about these changes, please contact Peter Lundstedt, director, Information Security & Compliance, at peter.lundstedt@drake.edu.

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS 

Two years ago, the All Staff Council added a new committee, the Special Interest Committee. This committee explores initiatives, questions, and/or concerns presented to All Staff Council through research, planning, and collaboration with appropriate offices on campus. 

Last year, the committee launched a staff mentoring program. That program has been transformed into a monthly networking luncheon for the FY20 year, which was highlighted in OnCampus last week.  

As a reminder, this committee seeks your suggestions, questions, or concerns. All suggestions are kept confidential. 

The Special Interest Committee Chair is Andy Verlengia. Additional members of the committee are Laura Bjurstrom, Jenny Jones, Carla Herling, Greg Lin, Niki Smith, and Patrick Williams. If you have anything to reach out to the committee regarding, please direct inquiries to Committee Chair Andy Verlengia at andy.verlengia@drake.edu or 515-271-3077.  

— Niki Smith, University Communications & Marketing 

The first in our monthly Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunches is Friday, Sept. 27, at noon in TMR 133.  These discussions are opportunities for those engaged in SoTL projects at any level—from just thinking about starting one to almost complete—or those simply curious about SoTL to share ideas, seek advice, or ask questions of colleagues engaged in this process. While it is too late to order a lunch, you are still welcome to join us, and bring your own.

—Arthur Sanders, Associate Provost

The second Friday FYS lunch/discussion is Friday, Oct. 4, at noon in TMR 133.  While these meetings are designed for those currently teaching FYS, we welcome those with an interest in possibly teaching FYS in the future as well. If you would like to attend, please go to https://fys-lunch-learn-oct-2019.eventbrite.com  and let us know your lunch preferences.

— Arthur Sanders, Associate Provost

All Staff Council Special Events is joining forces with the Provost’s Office to host Trivia on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Drake Social in Shivers Court Side Club. Trivia teams will register on site at the Social. Trivia teams are limited to five members with a total of 10 teams. There will be raffle prizes awarded between rounds with a grand prize awarded to the winning team. Participants can also sign up to win the annual parking pass giveaway. Don’t forget to bring non-perishable foods and items for Drake’s Little Pantry Initiative. Questions? Please contact ascspecialevents@drake.edu.

— Jill Batten, director, Student Affairs, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Each month a faculty member, nominated by their dean, is recognized for their efforts to integrate innovative technology into their classroom. September’s digital faculty member of the month is Matthew C. Mitchell, associate professor of International Business, College of Business and Public Administration. Read an interview with Matthew below:

What course do you use this technology in? I currently utilize Aliber 006 in my team-based capstone courses: MBA 260 – Strategy and MGMT 170 – International Management. Additionally, the entry level MBA 200 – Who is U.S.? An Interactive Guide to Globalization and Cross-Cultural Communication.

What type of technology do you use? Aliber 006 combines 16 shared screens with eight team-pods and wall-to-wall whiteboards. The Extron controls allow the professor to control the full room or enable the students to share their screens individually or with the full class. Furthermore, the room is equipped with one smart-board, live-streaming capability, and eight Bloomberg terminals at every team-pod table.

The digital design is fantastic, however, in my opinion, the best innovation/technology in this room is the elegant integration of the tables and whiteboards. The tables encourage sharing and the whiteboards invite creativity and collaboration through analog and digital media.

How does this type of technology align with your teaching pedagogy? Aliber 006 is best-suited for team-based classes and seminars that include significant discussion. Lecture-based classes would not be well-suited for Aliber 006.

Where did you get the inspiration to make a change (colleague/seminar/administration/etc.)? I’m not sure where the original inspiration for Aliber 006 came from, but it was only realized through the hard work and determination of a collaborative team of Drake leaders from all over the university including Sheri Gavin, Tom Root and a small army of leaders from Drake ITS including Brad Toussaint, Jerome Hilscher, James McNab, Greg Christie, Jeremy Ray, and many others.

How long did it take for you to implement this technology? From design to initial testing it probably took about a year. I begged to let us into the space early and Drake ITS went out of their way have the classroom ready early so we could test out the bugs. However, we continue to test and learn all the functionalities of the space through to today. The technology isn’t difficult, but changing how we think about teaching, space and classroom design has been a fun challenge.

Did Drake ITS assist you in implementing this technology? If so, how? YES. Drake ITS was an essential leader and partner in the design, implementation and maintenance of this amazing space. Thank you!

—Jon Hurdelbrink, CPHS; Carla Herling, ITS

Midterm grade entry is now available in MyDUSIS.

Midterm grades are due by 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21. Students are able to view their midterm grades as soon as you submit them.

To access the MyDUSIS grade-entry link, log into myDrake, click on the “Grading” icon under the Faculty & Advising section, and then click on “Mid Term Grades – Submittal Link.”

Those of you who would like to send your midterm grades from Blackboard to MyDUSIS can follow the instructions here.

Students have until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, to drop a course with a “W”.

—Kevin Moenkhaus, Associate Registrar