Cowles Library is engaging in a process to update and refresh the master plan for the physical use and layout of the Library. We are conducting a series of input sessions. ALL faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend an open session on Oct. 28 at 8:45 a.m. in Room 201. Refreshments will be served! More details (and an optional sign-up link) are available here: http://bit.ly/cowles2016
— Claudia Frazer, Cowles Library
A reminder: The deadline for submission of your J-Term 2018 travel seminar proposal to your school/college curriculum committee is Nov. 4. For more details, review the J-Term 2018 Call for Proposals , or contact Maria Rohach at maria.rohach@drake.edu.
—Art Sanders, Associate Provost
The second of our monthly Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunches is Friday, Oct. 28, at noon in Olmsted Center, TMR 133 (lower level). 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.
If you would like us to provide lunch for you, please register at: http://tinyurl.com/SoTL-Oct2016. For more information, contact arthur.sanders@drake.edu.
—Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Rec Services hosts an open hour of drop-in basketball every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12–1 p.m. at the Bell Center. If you are looking for a way to get back on the court and meet new members on campus, the lesser-known NBA is for you!
—Jordan Grindeland, Rec Services
Make plans to attend the 4th annual Executive Forum on Diversity and Inclusion, presented by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Featured topics include:
The event will be on Friday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m.–noon, at the Airport Holiday Inn, 6111 Fleur Drive. Drake is supporting this event as a table sponsor. Register online today.
—Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success
Drake and Catch Des Moines are co-sponsoring the November Multicultural Reception, an event presented by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, on Nov. 3, 5:30–7:30 p.m. in Parents Hall, Olmsted Center. Come and enjoy some beverages and appetizers while networking with other professionals from the Greater Des Moines region. These receptions have a history of attracting 200–500+ attendees; it is a great opportunity to build new relationships with others who are passionate about our region and building an even more inclusive community.
—Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success
Volunteer with your colleagues for an afternoon of meal packaging at Meals from the Heartland! We’ll package meals from 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Heartland Facility, 357 Lincoln st., West Des Moines. Volunteers are encouraged to help clean up after the shift, then mingle with colleagues at The Tavern Restaurant.
Please register to sign up via this Eventbrite link before Oct. 21, and feel free to direct any questions about the event to brett.niederhauser@drake.edu. All volunteers are automatically entered into the 2017 All Staff Council parking pass drawing.
When you package meals, you’re helping thousands of hungry people throughout the world. Meals are transported directly to locations where people are undernourished or starving. Not only are you helping people in need, but meal packaging is also a fun, easy way to volunteer and get to know other staff members. You may be able to use your Community Service Leave for this event—check with your manager to see if this is an option.
If you can’t make it to the event, but would like to participate in some way, you may donate directly to Meals From the Heartland on their website. ASC will not be organizing a food drive this winter, so this could be a great opportunity for you or your department to donate in another way!
For more information, review the ASC Hunger Fight Flyer.
Hope to see you there.
—All Staff Council
Make plans to attend the 30th annual The Way Up Conference on Nov. 3–4 in Coralville. With the theme of “30 Years of Inspiring Excellence for Women in Higher Education,” this conference will inspire, motivate, and energize as you join other women on their way up in higher education. Whether you participate in formal or informal conversations about excellence in higher education leadership and administration, this conference is for you!
Chrystal Stanley from Professional Career Development Services and Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp from the School of Education will present.
This conference will give you two days of concurrent sessions and keynote speakers dedicated to providing you with ideas and strategies to chart your course for success today.
The Way Up Planning Council, comprising women leaders and administrators in higher education across Iowa, continues to sponsor this conference and has a special celebration planned for the 30th anniversary of the conference. Plan to attend the conference, and you will return to your institution feeling re-energized and inspired as you continue on your Way Up to excellence in higher education!
Registration: https://cgi.access.uni.edu/cgi-bin/wayUp/theWayUp.cgi
Reserve your room directly through the Marriott: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cidic-coralville-marriott-hotel-and-conference-center/. Use the group code wyuwyua to make your reservation by Oct. 19.
—Office of the Provost
The Fall 2016 issue of Blue arrives on campus today. Using feedback from our online reader survey, the alumni magazine has a new look and feel to increase engagement while reducing cost. As usual, hard copies will be dropped off in Kinne, the Alumni House, Cole Hall, Cowles Library, The Point, and all academic units. A digital version of Blue can be viewed online at http://alumni.drake.edu/magazine.
—Beth Wilson, University Communications
Faculty and staff can dine for $5 in Hubbell Dining Hall by showing their Drake Card at the register on Friday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The lunch will feature a selection of fresh, seasonal dishes to celebrate autumn.
—Jennifer Bowersox, Sodexo