Category Archives: For Students Archive

For Students Archive

Plus/minus grading changes

In March 2013, Faculty Senate passed a motion to change the grading policy in the Faculty Manual: “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, we’re continuing to answer common questions. You can also access a full set of resources on the Student Records website.

Q:  Will transfer credits be affected by the +/- system?
A:   No. The minimum grade that must be earned for Drake to accept transfer credit is a “C-“.

Q:  What about repeating courses?
A:   The policy regarding repeating courses still applies. For example, if you earned a “B” in a Spring 2015 course and then earned a “B-“ when you repeated that same course in Fall 2016, the “B” would remain expressed on your transcript while the “B-“ would be changed to “XX”.

—Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Staff Archive, For Students Archive

CBPA graduate programs information sessions

If you’re considering a graduate degree through Drake’s College of Business & Public Administration (CBPA), we encourage you to attend one of our upcoming information sessions. The CBPA offers four graduate programs including a Master of Accounting, Master of Business Administration, Master of Financial Management, or Master of Public Administration all available in an evening and weekend format. RSVP today at www.drake.edu/mba/info

—Dianna Gray, Outreach Coordinator

For Students Archive

Free fitness assessments

Stop by the Wellness Center (located in the Bell Center) for a free fitness assessment! It is a great way to evaluate your current fitness level and health risk for disease. We also offer massage therapy for an affordable price. Call or text Anne Boal, LMT, at 515-988-8760 to schedule an appointment.

—Celeste Arteaga

For Students Archive

Exploring global affairs

A National Security Council Crisis Simulation with Brett Bruen and former Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz will be offered 4–6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8. The simulation is part of the Nelson Institute Undergraduate Conference on Global Affairs, which recognizes and shares high-quality undergraduate research on global topics.
Participants can engage in just the simulation and/or other parts of the conference if schedules do not allow full participation. If you previously registered for the crisis simulation only, please go back in to the registration link and include your name and email address. If you have not registered, please do so ASAP at: http://drake.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6KnfaEWh6vNZ5gF 

STUDENTS AND FACULTY ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND EVEN IF NOT PRESENTING A PAPER! Activities will include a crisis simulation, a networking social featuring international appetizers, a keynote address by noted scholar Valerie Hudson, student panels, and a closing luncheon with visiting Global Practitioner Peiqin Zhou from Nanjing University. A $200 award will go to the top presenter(s) selected by judges. Students who attend the full conference (both days) will receive a certificate of participation. Please direct questions to Denise Ganpat (denise.ganpat@drake.edu).

Schedule of Events

Friday, April 8 (Upper Olmsted)

  • Newly added:  4–6:30 p.m.  National Security Council Crisis Simulation with Brett Bruen and former Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz
  • 4:30–5:30 p.m. Conference registration for those not in the simulation
  • 6:30–7:15 p.m. Networking with international appetizers
  • 7:30–9 p.m. “National Security and Women’s Insecurity” keynote address by Valerie Hudson

Saturday, April 9 (Upper Olmsted)

  • 8:30–9 a.m. Continental breakfast
  • 9–10:15 a.m. Student panels
  • 10:30–11:45 a.m. Student panels
  • 12–1:15 p.m. Student panels
  • 1:30–2:30 p.m. Sit-down/buffet lunch with speaker Peiqin Zhou
  • 2:45 p.m. Best Presenter Award

—Denise Ganpat, Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs

For Students Archive

Plus/minus grading updates

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In March 2013, Faculty Senate passed a motion to change the grading policy in the Faculty Manual: “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:  Will all courses at Drake use the +/- system?
A:   All instructors will have the option to incorporate + and – grades into their grading scales beginning with fall 2016 courses.

Q:  Are all instructors required to offer + and – grades?
A:   No. Instructors control the grading scheme of their courses, and some schemes may not include + or – grades.

—Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Students Archive

Share your thoughts on the VIP program

Please follow this link to complete a survey on student perceptions toward the Violence Intervention Partner (VIP) peer advocacy program on campus. The information gained from the survey will be used to improve the VIP program’s outreach to students on campus. There is also an opportunity to register to win a gift card following completion of the survey. Please direct any questions to jessica.rick@drake.edu or alysa.mozak@drake.edu.

—Jessica Rick

For Students Archive

Drake Information Technology Services is hiring!

Drake Information Technology Services is looking for hard-working students to work at the help desk with future opportunities for promotions and raises for good performance. The job will include customer service, problem solving, and communication. All majors are encouraged to apply. We will train you on all technology issues you may need to know, and we provide incentives exclusive to ITS. Hours will be between 10 to 17 per week, working weekdays. ITS is committed to your success as a student at Drake, and we will help you learn.

If interested, please send your résumé to jake.miller@drake.edu by April 7. No new applicants or additional résumés will be considered after April 7.

—Jake Miller, Student Technician Lead

For Students Archive

Changes to grading at Drake: Graduate students

In March 2013, Faculty Senate passed a motion to change the grading policy in the Faculty Manual: “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:  I am a graduate student. How will this affect me?
A:   The new policy applies to graduate students the same way it applies to undergraduate and professional pharmacy students (learn more here).

Q:  I am a student in the Law School. How will this affect me?
A:   The Law School follows its own grading scheme. Contact the Law School for more information.

—Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Students Archive

LEAD week is coming up

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