Drake is seeking comments from students and the public about the University in preparation for its periodic evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Drake’s institutional accrediting agency. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academics programs. Student input is considered in the evaluation process and is important to giving HLC a holistic view of Drake’s learning and living environment and ability to fulfill its mission.

You are invited to submit comments regarding Drake University to the following address:

Public Comment on Drake University
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7–500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

You may also submit comments on HLC’s website at www.hlcommission.org/comment.

Comments must be in writing, and must be received by Sept. 22, 2017.

Drake will host a visit Oct. 23–25, 2017, with a team representing the HLC. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet HLC’s criteria for accreditation. Drake has been accredited by HLC since 1913.

—Kevin Saunders, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

The 2017 Executive Women International (EWI) ASIST Scholarship is open for applications! This program, which aligns with EWI’s core tenets—connections, careers, and community—awards scholarships to adult students in scholastic transition. It is open to adults 18 and over who reside within the boundaries of our chapter: Polk, Dallas, Story, and Warren counties.

The application can be downloaded on the EWI Des Moines Chapter’s website.  Applications are due May 12.

Please direct any questions to Sarah Roeder, 2017 ASIST committee chair, scholarships@ewidsm.org.

—Stephanie Cardwell, Entrepreneurship Centers

Calling all Bulldogs! Now is your chance to try out to become a Drake cheerleader. Open to both males and females, the Drake cheer squad is a great way to get involved with Drake Athletics!

Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Knapp Center

For more information, please click here or call the Drake Athletics Marketing Office at 515-271-4003.

—Tom Florian, Drake Athletics

Drake graduate and law students have the opportunity to take advantage of a special ticket offer to the 2017 Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee. Starting Monday, April 24, at 9 a.m. and ending Thursday, April 27, at 11:59 p.m., the first 50 graduate/law students of each college or school can reserve one complimentary ticket to the Friday (day or night) sessions of the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee.

Students will have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets once all complimentary tickets have been claimed or the deadline to request complimentary tickets has passed. Please note that students may only receive one complimentary ticket OR purchase one discounted ticket. Additionally, students must reserve tickets using their Drake email address to confirm status as a Drake graduate/law student.

To claim complimentary tickets, please use the promo codes below at  www.DrakeTix.com/promo.

Promo Codes
EDSTUDENT (School of Education)
CBPASTUDENT (College of Business and Public Administration)
JMCSTUDENT (School of Journalism and Mass Communication)
LAWSTUDENT (Law School)

Additional ticket and pricing information for graduate and law students is also available at www.DrakeTix.com/graduate or by contacting the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or tickets@drake.edu.

—Tom Florian, Drake Athletics

Drake undergraduate and professional students are admitted FREE to the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee—this includes OTD, P3, and P4 students. Your tickets will be automatically added to your valid Drake ID Card.

Follow these easy steps to enjoy the competition within Drake Stadium.

1. Enter the Drake Stadium southeast student entrance.
2. Present your valid Drake ID Card to the ticket taker. Your one ticket will be printed at the gate.
3. Find seating in Sections D-I and enjoy the Relays!

Please note, you will be receiving your tickets automatically directly to your valid Drake ID Card via Flash Seats. Your personal information remains confidential as Drake Athletics has partnered with Flash Seats to help give you the most convenient method to attend the Relays. You will receive a confirmation email from Flash Seats that your tickets have arrived. Once you have received the email, all you need to do is head to Drake Stadium with your ID to enjoy the Relays. If you do not receive an email from Flash Seats, please contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or tickets@drake.edu.

—Tom Florian, Drake Athletics

There are spots open for the following J-Term 2018 travel seminars:

• France/England: The History and Nature of Biology in France and England (1600s-Present)
• Ghana: Community Engagement in a Developing Country
• India: International Health Topics
• Mexico: The Other Side of the Wall: The Presence and Effects of American Culture in Contemporary Mexico
• New York: Auditions Course in NYC
• Rwanda: International Environmental Seminar: Ecotourism, Conservation, and Development in Post-Genocide Rwanda
• Washington D.C./Boston: Congress Up Close: Preparing to be a Congressional Staffer

To learn more and apply, visit https://drake-sa.terradotta.com/.  Log in with your Drake ID (Banner) number and password.
If you have questions, please contact studyabroad@drake.edu or 515-271-2084.

—Maria Rohach, Drake International

Join Mary Kramer, former Iowa state senator and former ambassador to Barbados, for lunch at The Harkin Institute!

Apply here today to join Mary Kramer for lunch at The Harkin Institute on Tuesday, May 2. The lunch begins at 11:15 a.m. and is part of a series that brings a small group of Drake students together to enjoy lunch and conversation with a local, state, or national leader.

Mary Kramer served as a state senator for 13 years before being appointed in 2003 by President George W. Bush to the position of ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean (including Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis). Mary served in that position from 2004 to 2006. In 2009, she was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame. Mary is a lifetime member of the Society for Human Resource Management.

—Erin Austin, The Harkin Institute

Spring Fling Lunch

When: Tuesday, April 25, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Hubbell Dining

Open containers

Please note open containers will not be allowed to be brought in or out of the residence halls from 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26, through Sunday, April 30, at 7 a.m. Residents and guests will be asked to dispose of any containers before entering or exiting the halls. If you reside in a residence hall and wish to take an unopened milk carton or unopened canned beverage from Quad Creek back to the residence hall with you on the dates and times listed above, please request a sealed beverage from our Sodexo cashier in place of the cup for the fountain drink or milk.

—Jennifer Bowersox, Sodexo

Bring your mat and join us for a relaxing yoga practice on Sunday, April 29, at 7 p.m. in Helmick Commons. You’ll feel refreshed, relaxed, and ready to take on the week! In the event of rain, the session will be held in the Fitness Studio in the Bell Center. No registration is required for this event.

—Drake Wellness

We are looking for students interested in being part of the Drake Broadcasting System Executive Board. Send Leah Thompson, leah.thopmson@drake.edu, an email to learn more about the open positions and for the application.

—Leah Thompson