ITS is updating eight classrooms with new instructional technology. Work began on Meredith Hall rooms 229, 233, 236, 237, 202 and 206 in December and early January. Fine Arts Center (FAC) rooms 304 and 336 will be updated during the spring semester. This article explains why and how these classrooms were selected and how we identified which audio/visual components to install.  

Historically, ITS included every conceivable technology and connection in a room, resulting in high costs and unnecessary complexity. As a result, classrooms are both confusing and often don’t align with pedagogical needs. We wanted a way to cost-effectively modernize the most classrooms without affecting functionality. We determined that: 

• Room control interfaces are challenging.
• Faculty need to project content, preferably using a projector.
• Faculty need amplified sound for video playback.
• Whiteboards are as critical, if not more critical than, projection.
• Wireless display technology frees the instructor from having to be at the front of a classroom.
• Multiple computer connection cables cause confusion and expense.
• Many faculty members want to easily allow students to project from their personal technology.  

In order to compare rooms objectively, ITS created a classroom quality index based on the Educause Learning Space Rating System Initiative. With the help of this index, ITS staff reviewed every classroom and rated them to determine which rooms were most in need of upgrading. We identified 34 rooms that were at or near the point of immediate failure. View a complete list of the classrooms in need of updating 

ITS staff met with individuals from the Registrar’s office, the faculty senate information technology committee, facilities planning management (FPM), and the classroom advisory group, comprised of a representative from each school/college. The purpose of these meetings was to ensure we were being fiscally responsible, that we had correctly identified the most urgent spaces to update, and that we had selected appropriate technology. We were given the go ahead from these groups to move forward with the upgrade plan as quickly as possible. We will continue to keep campus informed on the progress of these updates and the timeline for future classroom upgrades. 

Jerome Hilscher, Information Technology Services

The Office of Community Engaged Learning is now accepting nominations for the Newman Civic Fellowship.

The Newman Civic Fellowship is a national award that recognizes and supports community-committed students who are changemakers and public problem-solvers. Students should engage in collaborative action with others from campus or from surrounding communities in order to create long-term social change, take action in addressing issues of inequality and political polarization, and demonstrate the motivation and potential for effective long-term civic engagement.  Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides students with training and resources that nurture their assets and passions and help them develop strategies for social change.

Nominees must be enrolled in higher education for the spring semester 2019, and the 2019–2020 academic year.

To nominate a student, please submit 1–3 paragraphs including information about the nominee’s approaches to addressing the root causes of social issues. This may include involvement in public policy reform, community organizing, community-based research, social entrepreneurism, or other efforts to build the capacity of community-based organizations. Additionally, please include why you believe this person has the motivation and potential to develop innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public problems and to contribute to a network of similarly committed students.

A committee will review nominations to select one student from Drake University to be nominated for the Fellowship. That student will need to complete additional paperwork.

Please submit nominations to Amanda Martin, assistant director of Community Engaged Learning, at amanda.martin@drake.edu no later than Jan. 11.  View more information about the Fellowship.

Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning and Service

Please note the following schedule for check processing to accommodate the 2018 winter break:

Winter break:

• All check requests are due to Accounts Payable by the end of the business day, Friday, Dec. 14.
• For requests received by the above deadline, checks will be processed on one of the two final check runs of the year and available either by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 18 or Thursday, Dec. 20. The check processing on Dec. 20 will be the last check run before the holiday.
• The accounting office will be closed during both holiday breaks. Normal check processing will resume on Friday, Jan. 4.

Thank you for your help in coordinating to ensure we meet all needs during the upcoming season.

Please contact Jeni at ext. 4509 with any questions you may have.

Jeni Baugher, Accounting Supervisor

Do you know the value of your email account? How about the value of accounts that may be associated with your Drake email or personal email address, as seen in this graphic (courtesy of Krebs on Security)?

Nearly all online services require an email address to create an account, and with that email address, someone can reset any password for associated services or accounts.

There isn’t a central exchange for compromised accounts in the criminal world, but price lists are posted from time to time, and offer some insights. For criminals, iTunes accounts can be worth up to $8, FedEx and airlines up to $6, Groupon fetches $5, and wireless providers such as AT&T and Verizon go for around $4. Facebook and Twitter retail for only $2.50 each. Online shopping retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Target go for $1 to $3 each.

These prices pale in comparison to the value of the data within our accounts. Correspondence with colleagues, financial, health, and student information all carry great value. When this information is exposed, Drake faces financial theft, regulatory fines, reputation loss, and greater scrutiny.

Know the characteristics of phishing to defeat attackers and keep everyone’s information protected. Slow down and look carefully for red flags that give away an email’s intent before acting. Suspicious emails can be reported here.

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS

Please plan to attend the Town Hall meeting Thursday, Dec. 13, at Shivers Hospitality Suite. It will begin at 3:30 p.m. and be followed by the Provost’s Drake Social.

The Town Hall will include an update on the budget by CFO Teresa Krejci, and President Marty Martin will share information about Drake’s Big Ideas initiative.

At the Drake Social, those who have been nominated as exemplifying the Drake Core Value “Generosity of Spirit” will be recognized. From among those nominated, three will be chosen at random to select from a menu of prizes, such as: premier parking for a month, a pie baked by the Provost, a restaurant gift card, afternoon snacks for the office, and more.

To celebrate each of our core values, several employees have shared their thoughts on Generosity of Spirit — take a look!

—Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

Drake University Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night
Women’s Basketball vs. Iowa
Friday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m.
Knapp Center

All Drake University Faculty/Staff are eligible to receive up to four  complimentary general admission tickets to a Women’s Basketball game versus Iowa on Friday, Dec. 21. Tickets may be picked up at the Knapp Center Ticket Office Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. Must show valid Drake Card at time of pick up.

For more information please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit GoDrakeBulldogs.com.

—Ryan Harris, Athletics 

All Staff Council and Human Resources invite faculty and staff to attend its Holiday Cheer gathering on Wednesday, Dec. 12, near the Pomerantz stage in the Olmsted Center. Faculty and staff are welcome to come and go as they please from 9 to 11 a.m.

Guests can enjoy a hot chocolate bar and cookie decorating station. Griff will also be in attendance and ready for holiday photos.

If you bring at least one non-perishable food or other goods for Drake’s Free Little Food Pantries you will be entered into a drawing for prizes, including a Drake Parking Pass. Drawing for the parking pass takes place at the end of the school year but the drawing for other prizes will take place immediately following Holiday Cheer.

This event is a chance to give back to others in the Drake community, while mingling with coworkers.  Please take a moment to stop by, grab some cheer, and drop off a donation.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Last week, the University launched its Big Ideas initiative. The initiative invites faculty, staff, students, and volunteers to submit “big ideas” that have the potential to make a powerful and momentous impact on Drake, the region, and the world. The initiative invites the University community to take a shared ownership in defining Drake’s future.

During this initial phase of the project, and until the submission window opens Jan. 14, I urge all faculty and staff to think big and to be bold, and to help us envision the dynamic future of our University.

Positioning Drake as a great university
The Big Ideas initiative signifies our commitment to support a number of multidisciplinary, large-scale projects that have the potential to create a transformational impact by leveraging areas where Drake already is uniquely positioned to lead. The proposals can cover a range of outcomes and impacts, varying from student-oriented to research-oriented to community-oriented. The submitted proposals will be reviewed by the Big Ideas Steering Committee, with select proposals being used by University Advancement to attract and inspire private giving in the years ahead.

Learn more
Visit the Big Ideas website to read more about the submission process and timeline. The website contains an FAQ to help you better understand the project. In addition, you will have an opportunity to learn more about the initiative at the faculty and staff social on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 3:30 p.m. at Shivers Hospitality Suite. More communication will be shared about the process in the coming months.

I invite you to begin preparing a proposal for your Big Idea to help us solidify Drake as a leading institution for generations to come. Your vision, leadership, and creativity will help to elevate Drake University and the work and service you carry out each day.

John Smith, University Advancement

All Drake faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary general admission tickets to the Women’s Basketball game versus Iowa on Friday, Dec. 21. Tickets may be picked up at the Knapp Center Ticket Office Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. Must show valid Drake Card at time of pick up.

For more information please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit GoDrakeBulldogs.com.

Ryan Harris, Athletics