Interested in becoming a PMAC? Do you want to be involved in this upcoming Welcome Weekend? Apply to be a PMAC for the 2017–2018 year! Applications are due by Feb. 5 at 12 p.m. Questions? Email pab@drake.edu.

—Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

Drake offers several confidential resources on campus for students wanting assistance in dealing with sexual assault, physical assault, relationship violence, or stalking. All of these resources are confidential – your name will not be shared with the University or others without your permission.

• The Student Counseling Center is available for all students to receive counseling. Several staff are specifically trained in dealing with trauma and also EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), which can be helpful for anyone with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Call 515-271-3864 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
• There is a professional sexual assault advocate from Crisis Intervention Services holding regular office hours in Cowles Library, Room 109 on Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. during the spring semester. An advocate is a resource who can provide support, talk through options, and address concerns related to the student’s experience.
• Certified student advocates are also available through Violence Intervention Partners (VIP) and can be reached by phone or text 24/7 at 515-512-2972. Similar to a professional advocate, student advocates can talk through options, listen, and provide support.
• The Drake University Spiritual Counselor is an ordained minister who can speak with students of any faith or belief in a confidential setting. Contact 515-274-3133 to learn more or to schedule a time to talk.

—Katie Overberg, Title IX Coordinator

Please share your thoughts on leadership and how your college or school has influenced your opinion on leadership by taking this three-minute survey, developed by Student Leadership Development Series (SDLS).

—Devon Jacobs

Students on the 335- and 195- block meal plans can convert up to 100 meals this spring semester to flex dollars. Spring semester conversion dates are as follows:

• Feb. 13–24
• March 20–24

To convert meals, you can stop at the Student Services Center during these conversion periods and fill out a form to indicate how many meals (maximum of 100 meals per semester) you would like to convert. You can also visit the Student Services website to find the form at the bottom of the page titled “Meal Plan Conversions.”

—Jerry Parker, Interim Dean of Students

A reminder that intramural basketball registration is due this Thursday, Jan. 26, by 4:30 pm. Register for free on imleagues.com/Drake or create your team with your Rec*IT app!

—Jordan Grindeland, Intramurals and Sport Clubs

Interested in studying abroad this summer in South Africa? Apply today!

• Course: Service-Learning in the Cultural Context of South Africa
• Credit: Earn 3 education credits
• AOI : Global and Cultural Understanding
• Dates: May 13–23, 2017
• Cost: $4,550–$4,600
• Application Deadline: Feb. 3
• Deposit Deadline: Feb. 6, $500 deposit due to secure you place on the program

The application closes soon—apply ASAP! Click here to learn more about the program and to apply.

—Maria Rohach, Drake International

The Harkin Institute D.C. Experience Scholarship provides financial assistance to a Drake undergraduate student who has secured an internship in a congressional office, government agency, or nonprofit in Washington, D.C. This opportunity is open to students of every major, area of study, and political party affiliation.

The scholarship covers:

• Travel expenses up to $500
• Housing accommodations for a 12-week period from May to August 2017 with Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH)

Apply or learn more at drake.edu/harkininstitute/scholarship.

—Erin Austin, Harkin Institute

Welcome back to the Spring semester, students! Stop by the Olmsted breezeway on Monday, Jan. 23, between 7:30 and 9:15 a.m. to grab coffee, juice, or donuts to kick off your day.

—Tony Tyler, Student Engagement, Equity, and Inclusion