Computer orders processed by ITS must be ordered no later than April 30 due to the end of the fiscal year. Our computer vendors have a higher volume of orders in the spring, which often results in product backorders. Additionally, ITS technicians shift their focus to projects after the end of the spring semester. Adhering to this deadline will ensure that your order arrives in a timely manner and that vendor invoices get processed by the end of the fiscal year.

Standard computer equipment usually ships from the vendor within one to two weeks. Once we have a complete order received on campus, it can take up to three additional weeks for installation. ITS technicians perform multiple configuration steps to prepare each computer for deployment.

Timing is important throughout the fiscal year, not just at year-end. If you have an open position in your department that will require a new computer, please submit your order as early as possible. We cannot guarantee that our vendor will have stock available at all times. The earlier we receive your computer request, the easier it will be to have the equipment ready for the new employee’s start date.

For detailed information on purchasing computers through ITS, please see the IT Service Portal article, Computer Purchasing Guidelines and Standard Computer Models (FAQ).

— Alicia Mann, ITS

Drake’s developing Core Values provide rich subject matter for Learning Symposium break-out sessions focused on trust, transparency, and communication. This year’s Drake Symposium theme is Building Trust: Leading the Conversation. Those who have attended campus presentations and engaged in conversations regarding the Core Values may already be thinking about how these might impact how we work together at Drake. The Learning Symposium is a great forum for developing our collective understanding of these Core Values and to think about next steps.

Proposals are now being accepted from faculty and staff for break-out sessions. Break-out sessions should be 45 minutes in length, and they may take a workshop or panel discussion approach. Proposals for poster displays are also being accepted. The deadline for proposal submissions is Wednesday, April 18.

The 2018 Learning Symposium will be Monday, Aug. 20, and this year, it will be held on campus at the Olmsted Center.

Please visit the 2018 Learning Symposium web page for addition information and proposal guidelines.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

Attackers are constantly looking for a weak link within an organization that can be used to gain a foothold. Once inside, they are free to steal information or money, or wreak havoc on critical systems. Quite often, that weak link is us. When we open links and attachments that we don’t recognize or appear too good to be true, we invite in those that seek to cause us harm.

Over the last six months, security researchers have found that attack methods are evolving. As more organizations provide better education and advanced filtering tools, phishers are improving their grammar usage, spelling, and formatting to convince recipients to let down their guard. We must continue to stay one-step ahead of their tactics.

ITS will send out emails in April that use these same tactics. When you receive any email, slow down and take a second look before acting. Look carefully for ‘red flags’ throughout the message, including the sender, subject, overall message content, links, and attachments. If you receive an email that you suspect may be phishing, forward the email as an attachment to informationsecurity@drake.edu.

Additional training will be assigned to individuals who repeatedly click links or open attachments in phishing emails, simulated or not.

For more information on how to report phishing emails, see the IT Service Portal guide, Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).

— Peter Lundstedt, ITS

Faculty (excluding Law): The deadline for submitting course material requests for the fall term is April 15. Receiving your list of materials as soon as possible allows us to source the most affordable books for your students and provide top dollar for students selling books back at the end of the term. With our Online Adoption Tool, selecting your course materials is fast and easy.

Access the Online Adoption Tool

1. Visit www.drake.bkstr.com.
2. Go to Books in the top navigation and under the Information heading, click Online Adoptions.
3. If you need additional training to use the Online Adoption Tool, please contact Donna Hallstrom at donna.hallstrom@drake.edu.

New User?

1. Follow the steps listed above.
2. Click on New? Register Here and complete the required fields.
3. Enter 1623 in the Bookstore Supplied Password field.

Download “6 Ways to Help Students Save on Textbooks” to learn about Follett’s different types of course material purchasing options. If you have any questions about the Online Adoption Tool or how to save students money, contact Donna Hallstrom.

— Donna Hallstrom, University Bookstore

Faculty and staff can purchase discounted tickets for the Drake Relays. View special pricing for package and single-session tickets. Visit The Knapp Center Ticket Office and show a valid Drake ID to receive the discounted price.

For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit www.godrakebulldogs.com.

 — Ryan Harris, Athletics

A faculty and staff social will be held Wednesday, April 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Shivers Hospitality Suite. All faculty and staff are invited to enjoy beverages, popcorn, and snack mix, while relaxing with friends and colleagues. Watch your email for the Provost’s trivia question to earn an additional drink ticket. There will not be a town hall discussion prior to the social.

— Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office

Faculty, the deadline for final grade entry for the spring semester is 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23. Exception: final grades for the Law School are due on Tuesday, May 29.

The final evaluation schedule includes a listing of when and where courses are scheduled to meet for their final evaluations.

— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar

The discussion group for the University Book Club is meeting tonight, April 3, at 4:45 p.m. in one of the back rooms at Smokey Row. The book club is reading Arrowood by Laura McHugh, an eerie tale set in Keokuk, Iowa.

To RSVP for the discussion, or to receive future book club information directly to your email, contact ascspecialevents@drake.edu. The discussion is open to any staff and faculty member.

In addition, the book club is accepting book selection ideas for the next fiscal year. Please send book suggestions to ascspecialevents@drake.edu.

Previous selections include:

• “The Kind Worth Killing” by Peter Swanson
• “Thirteen Ways of Looking”  by Colum McCann
• “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown
• “The Nest” by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
• “Hidden Figures” by Margo Lee Shetterly
• “Bottomland” by Michelle Hoover
• “Modern Romance” by Aziz Ansari
• “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn
• “Arrowood” by Laura McHugh (current selection)
• “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand (upcoming summer selection)

— All Staff Council, Special Events Committee

Join ITS staff for the next sessions of Tech Tuesday on April 10 and May 8 from 2 to 2:50 p.m. in the Dial Center Large Conference Room. On Tuesday, April 10, find out where you can learn more and start on the path to becoming a Microsoft Office pro. On Tuesday, May 8, come and learn about the video conferencing tools available to faculty and staff. Learn more and sign up for the sessions today.

— Carla Herling, ITS

The Office of Community Engaged Learning invites you to an open house to see their new space at 1213 25th Street, immediately north of the Varsity Theater, on Friday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tour the space and hear about programs making a difference in the community from food recovery to college access programming. Refreshments will be provided. An optional tour at the Sprout Garden near The Knapp Center will also be offered. Contact renee.sedlacek@drake.edu or 515-271-2454 with questions.

—Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning & Service