April 4–9 is LEAD Week on campus! Celebrate Drake’s Leadership Education & Development program, and learn all that it has to offer.
Monday—Keynote speaker Jon Tasch, “Leading is a Choice”
Wednesday—Gender in Leadership Panel
Thursday—Stressed? Let’s Talk. LEAD Capstone Event
Friday—Ice cream social & Free Movie Friday: Steve Jobs—The Man in the Machine
Saturday—Diaper Dash service event in Helmick Commons
“LIKE” the event on Facebook for more details!
—Brenna Paukert
Drake students—save the date for this year’s Dogtown After Hours!
When? Friday April 1, 8 p.m. to midnight
Where? The Olmsted Center
Come and enjoy FREE food, fun, and entertainment! If you haven’t been following us on our Facebook page (Dogtown After Hours) or on our Twitter (@Drake_DTAH), we have been releasing sneak peaks of what you can enjoy on the night of the event. We have also released this year’s theme: “Pieces of Drake: A perfect fit.” Make sure to visit and like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to find out all the the exciting and amazing events we have planned for you. There will be something for everyone; after all, the students are the pieces that make Drake!
—Emma Haselhuhn
In March 2013, Faculty Senate passed a motion to change the grading policy “That Drake University extends to all instructors the ability to assign plus/minus grade modifiers in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs beginning with the Fall 2016 semester.” In order to prepare for the approaching implementation of the plus/minus grading policy, common questions about the new policy will be featured each week for the next several weeks. You can also access a full set of resources on the Student Records website.
Q: How will this affect my grade point average?
A: Grades will be assigned a corresponding quality point value according to the table below.
| Grade | Quality Points |
| A+ | 4.00 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 1.00 |
| F | 0.00 |
Q: I am a current student. Will the grades that I have earned up to this point be affected by this policy?
A: No. The policy applies only to courses offered in Fall 2016 and later. For example, if you earned a “B” in a Spring 2015 course, it will not change to a “B-“ or a “B+”.
Q: If I earned an ‘incomplete’ for a course taken before Fall 2016, but I complete my coursework during the Fall 2016 semester, can I earn a + or – grade for that course?
A: No, because the course was originally offered/taken in a semester prior to the Fall 2016 semester.
Stay tuned next week for more Q&A.
—Submitted by Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success
Lambda Kappa Sigma professional pharmacy fraternity is hosting our annual 5K run/walk to support Project Hope. Project Hope’s mission is to provide health opportunities for people everywhere by delivering health education, supplies, medications, and volunteers where needed.
The 5K run/walk will be held at Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, on April 23 at 8:30 a.m. with registration starting at 8 a.m.
The registration fee is $25 until April 1 ($30 for any registration after this date). If you register by April 1, you are guaranteed a race day T-shirt!
The biggest team of 10 or more participants will receive $100 toward the charity of its choice.
To register or donate, visit http://getmeregistered.com/HOPEWalks
Please email katelin.hardisty@drake.edu or erin.engbring@drake.edu if you have any questions.
We encourage you to register to support our cause and hope to see you there!
—Submitted by Katelin Hardisty
The Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute will host a series of lunch and learns with community leaders to discuss different topics of leadership and their real-world application. The first “Lunch with Leaders” event will be held Friday, March 25, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in Pomerantz Conference Room. Organization Development and Leadership Consultant Gary Walljasper will speak on the topic of “Coaching: How to ask the right question.” Register online or contact krysta.thomason@drake.edu or meghan.blancas@drake.edu with questions.
—Meghan Blancas, Director, Student Leader Programs
Dogtown After Hours is the largest student-run event held on campus. On the night of Friday, April 1, the Olmsted Center will be filled with food, entertainment, and fun! This event is FREE for all Drake students, and you don’t want to miss it!
What is going to be at Dogtown After Hours? Go like our Facebook page ‘Dogtown After Hours‘ and follow us on Twitter (@Drake_DTAH) for more updates on the event! We will be releasing this year’s theme via our Facebook and Twitter pages this week, as well as the events that are going to take place. See you all on April 1!
—Emma Haselhuhn
Students, come learn about study abroad opportunities at Universidad de los Andes in Santiago, Chile. Join us at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, at Drake’s International Center (The Point).
A representative from the University’s International Programs office will be available to tell you about some exciting opportunities in Santiago.
If this date is not convenient but you wish to learn more about Universidad de los Andes, contact Gretchen Beckley at gretchen.beckley@drake.edu
—Drake International
The Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition is open. This annual competition could be your opportunity to get up to $5,000 for your business idea. To learn more, come to an information session on March 8 at 6 p.m. or March 23 at 7 p.m. Both sessions will be held in Aliber Hall on the 3rd floor. More info available online at tinyurl.com/2016pappajohnstudent. To learn more about Iowa entrepreneur and philanthropist John Pappajohn, visit www.pappajohn.com
—Submitted by Stephanie Cardwell, Administrative Assistant 2
The Violence Intervention Partner peer advocacy team is now accepting applicants for the 2016–2017 school year. You can find job duties and the application online. Applications are due by Friday, March 25, with interviews starting the week after with the advisory team.
—Alysa Mozak, Coordinator for Sexual Violence Response and Healthy Relationship Promotion
Global Learning Scholarships are available for students who are studying abroad, participating in global service-learning, or participating in experiential learning abroad. These scholarships are designed to enable students to reach their full potential as responsible global citizens. Scholarships are open to students studying abroad Summer 2016, Fall 2016, or J-Term 2017. These are need-based scholarships. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 22. For more information, or to apply, visit this link. If you have any questions please contact Maria Rohach, global learning program coordinator, at maria.rohach@drake.edu.
— Submitted by Maria Rohach
