Category Archives: For Students Archive

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

For Students Archive

Dogtown After Hours is just around the corner

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

For Students Archive

Important: Changes to grading at Drake

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

For Students Archive

7th Annual HOPE waLKS presented by Lambda Kappa Sigma

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

For Students Archive

Lunch and learn with community leaders

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

For Students Archive

Save the date for Dogtown After Hours

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