Category Archives: For Students Archive

For Students Archive

Meal conversion time

Students utilizing the 195 Block or 335 Block meal plans can convert excess meals into Flex Dollars Oct. 9–29. This will be the only conversion period this semester, but up to 100 meals can be converted into flex dollars; the exchange rate is $4 per meal. As a reminder, flex dollars can be used like cash at campus dining locations, coffee shops, the C-Store, and athletic concessions.

Convert meals by visiting the Student Services Center in Lower Carnegie Hall. All forms must be turned in before 4 p.m. on Oct. 29.

—Submitted by Sara Heijerman, Manager, Campus Card Office

For Students Archive

Want to register for classes? Complete Haven

As you should be aware, Drake is requiring all students to complete an online educational program on sexual and interpersonal violence prevention, called Haven. You must complete the mandatory portion, Part 1, by this Thursday, Oct. 15. A hold will be placed on your account, blocking you from registering for classes, until you have completed the program.

Drake University takes acts of sexual and interpersonal misconduct seriously and is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment. This effort also complies with the Violence Against Women Act and the Office for Civil Rights federal guidelines.

Haven promotes student health and safety by educating students about the elements of healthy relationships, the importance of sexual consent, and the role of bystanders in creating safe, healthy communities. This science-based prevention program offers a confidential, personalized experience for each student, educating them on the issues associated with sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking while also taking into account their unique perspectives and experiences. It will also cover campus-specific policies, procedures, and resources.

—Submitted by Alysa Mozak, Coordinator for Sexual Violence Response and Healthy Relationship Promotion

For Students Archive

Student opportunities to work political events on campus

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Over the next four months, multiple caucus- and political-related events will be occurring at Drake. Media organizations, political campaigns, and advocacy groups organizing events on campus frequently request student assistance during their time on campus. These are typically short-term (one to five days) commitments with professionals from the organization holding the event. In the past, several Drake students who have worked these events have made significant connections, leading to job or internship opportunities.

If you are interested in volunteering as a student assistant for these events, submit your information through this campus-wide survey.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Different events require different skill sets. We will do our best to match students to the needs and requirements of each event.
  • Working on an event does not permit you to miss classes or assigned work for classes. Please keep this in mind when indicating your availability.
  • When an event requires, those who are available and who best fit the needs of the event (i.e. they possess the necessary skills, expertise, and experience) will be notified of the opportunity and will have the chance to accept or decline. Entering your information through this survey does not guarantee that you will work on any event, nor does it require you to work on any event.
  • Generally, these are not paid positions. Nonetheless, individuals chosen to work on these events will provide any necessary support—the work could be very tedious or very exciting.

Let us know your interest today!

—Submitted by Rachel Paine Caufield, Associate Professor of Politics, Associate Director for Citizen Engagement, Harkin Institute

For Students Archive

“Do Less, Achieve More”

The annual Richard & Lila Sussman Fall Leadership Conference will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Olmsted Center. The Sussman Fall Leadership Conference is designed for students who are interested in or are currently involved with leadership on campus and/or in the community.

The conference theme this semester is “Do Less, Achieve More” and the keynote speaker, James Robilotta, will speak on “More Action, Less Title: Empowering Student Leaders To Do More” to encourage intentional and responsible leadership. Attend breakout sessions on professional and personal development, community building, and strategic/organizational leadership. The conference concludes with a complementary meal—this year we’re having breakfast for dinner!

Sign-up to attend the conference by Oct. 19.

The Richard and Lila Sussman Leadership Conference is available to students at no cost thanks to the generosity of Mr. Richard Sussman.

Questions? Contact Meghan Blancas, director for student leadership programs, at meghan.blancas@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Meghan Blancas

For Students Archive

Foreign languages can take you places

From interning at a hospital in Peru to singing in Mandarin in China to aiding immigrants in Des Moines, foreign language at Drake can take you places. Drake’s Department of World Languages and Cultures (WLC) is adding new programs and courses, with more to come. Offerings are available for students at all levels, from absolute beginner to ready-to-be-fluent.

Effective this fall, Drake offers both a Spanish minor and a Latin American Studies Concentration. And if you’re pursuing a health care field, a new course, Spanish for Healthcare Providers (SPAN 196), will be offered in Spring 2016.

Additional courses in Chinese will be available as well. WLC has begun collaborating with Minzu University in Beijing and will receive one instructor each year to offer expanded offerings in the language.

At Drake, you can study American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, with Certificates of Competence available in all but ASL. For more information, visit www.drake.edu/wlc/languagestudy.

—Submitted by Marc Pinheiro-Cadd, Department Chair, Associate Professor of German

For Students Archive

Take the first step in exploring the world

Did you know you can study abroad in more than 70 countries through Drake, and that you don’t need to speak a foreign language? Study abroad is a great option for any major, the cost is often comparable to a semester at Drake, and, in most cases, you can still graduate on time. So what are you waiting for? Start exploring your options and get your questions answered at the annual Global Opportunities Expo on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2–5 p.m., at Helmick Commons South.

Representatives from Drake’s exchange partners, affiliate program providers, and short-term faculty programs will be available to inform students about study, volunteer, service-learning, intern, and work opportunities abroad. Additionally, faculty and students with international experiences will be on hand to answer questions and provide insights.

—Submitted by Drake International

For Students Archive

Can I Kiss You? program comes to Drake

We are proud to bring to campus a renowned anti-violence program, “Can I Kiss You?”,  a sustainable approach to prevention. We intend to use the Can I Kiss You? (CIKY) program to spark interest in sexual assault(SA)/gender violence awareness, increase the dialogue surrounding healthy relationships on campus, and to create ambassadors to this cause.

CIKY helps students answer their personal questions they and provides them with the knowledge to take positive actions on campus and in the community helping others. This program helps students develop solutions in contexts of SA/gender violence through leadership.

The CIKY program will be held on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 7–9 p.m., in Meredith 101, in which the first hour is a large lecture with the CIKY founder/programmer, Mike Domitrz, open to our campus community.

Mike will also conduct talk-back session with selected student leaders from various organizations with the hope that they will commit to becoming ‘healthy relationship advisers’ to the CIYK program. As advisers, these leaders would conduct forums and internally lead student organization meetings/check-ins throughout the year.

If you want to also join a talk-back session and become an adviser, please email Alysa Mozak at alysa.mozak@drake.edu; We will provide the materials for selected student leaders to be successful at being their group’s designated adviser.

More information about Mike and his project can be found here.

—Submitted by Alysa Mozak, Coordinator for Sexual Violence Response and Healthy Relationship Promotion

For Students Archive

From the desk of the Student Body President

Last Thursday, the Drake University Student Senate approved its Vision Statement for the 2015-2016 academic year, which will guide actions of the Student Senate and better student life at Drake. The Vision Statement is as follows:

In an effort to create meaningful and relevant change at Drake University, we, as student advocates and allies, strive to build a campus and a Student Senate that is more:

  • Personally, politically, and culturally engaged
  • Proactive in creating a healthier climate for mind and body
  • Transparent and responsive in its actions
  • Representative of all Drake University students

Each member of the Student Senate will work throughout the year to make significant and tangible improvements to campus and student life based on this statement. If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out at kevin.maisto@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Kevin Maisto, Student Body President