Drake University supports an environment where differences of opinion and experience can be a part of our community without posing a significant risk of safety or harm to individuals or property. 

The proposed Protest and Demonstration Policy is now available for public review and comment on the Policies Under Review webpage.  In summary, the purpose of the policy is to ensure that any student demonstration or protest does not unduly hinder University activities, pose a material risk of harm to individuals or property, or constitute harassment or disorderly conduct as defined by the Code of Student Conduct.

–Jerry Parker, Dean of Students

On Oct. 2 Drake will be hosting on-campus workshops for undergraduate students. The goal of these workshops is to learn more about the personality of the Drake student body. To accomplish this we need your input!

You are invited to attend one of the three one-hour workshops and help us get a clearer picture of who makes up our student body. A facilitator from outside the university will lead the workshops, but this is not a focus group—it will be a fun and engaging conversation about your experiences and viewpoints. Food and drinks will be provided and students who attend have a chance of winning one of ten $50 gift cards to Starbucks or select Dogtown restaurants.

There are three opportunites to attend a workshop on Oct. 2 in Parents Hall:

• 9:00-10:00am
• 4:00-5:00pm
• 7:00-8:00pm

Registration and additional details are available here. All undergraduate students are welcome as long as you have completed at least one term at Drake. Please contact Evan Favreau at evan.favreau@drake.edu with any questions.

–Evan Favreau, Office of Admission

All Drake students (from any major) interested in engineering careers are invited to an on-campus lunch session on Monday, September 30 with Washington University’s McKelvey School of Engineering Associate Dean Chris Kroeger.

The information session, including pizza, will be held from 12:30-1:30pm in Science Connector Building 101. Drake University is proud to offer a dual-degree partnership with Washington University that allows students to combine liberal arts and specialized engineering training.

In this 3+2 (or 4+2) dual-degree program, students complete requirements for a Drake undergraduate degree (from any major) while receiving pre-professional advising, and then spend two years at Washington University in St. Louis to add specialty training in an engineering subfield of their choice (such as Biomedical Engineering; Computer Science & Engineering; Electrical & Systems Engineering; Energy, Environmental, & Chemical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science).

The student sign-up deadline is Friday, Sept. 27 by noon to reserve a lunch, but students may also complete this form to be sent information about the program even if you are unable to attend the overview session.  

Learn more here: https://engineering.washu.edu/academics/dual-degree-program/index.html  

–Jill Allen, College of Arts and Sciences

What is the difference is between Dining Dollars and Bulldog Bucks? 

Dining Dollars are funds that are a part of your meal plan.  They are intended for on-campus dining.  You can use these funds at the Olmsted Starbucks, Hubbell Dining Hall, Spike’s Convenience Store (Lower Hubbell), the Library Cafe (in Midnight Hall), or at Concessions in the Knapp Center.

Dining Dollars are loaded at the start of the fall semester, and will carry forward to the end of the spring semester.  You’ll want to use these funds before you leave for home in the summer.

Bulldog Bucks are an optional account, also on your ID card, that you (or your family) load as desired.  These funds carry forward from year to year until you leave Drake, and can be used both on and off campus.

Bulldog Bucks can be used for any on-campus dining location (listed above), and can also be used at the Drake Bookstore, at campus printers, in the campus mailroom, at participating off-campus locations, and on the GrubHub app.  Current businesses accepting Bulldog Bucks in the Dogtown neighborhood are Hummus, Fernando’s, Dough Co, Gursha, and Sprocket’s.

Funds can be added online in the myDrake portal, or at www.acceptinglocations.com/drake.  You can also see the participating off-campus merchants at this link.  Please note that the off-campus merchants cannot take your Dining Dollars, they can only take Bulldog Bucks.

If you have any questions about your Dining Dollars or meal plan, feel free to contact dining@drake.edu.  If you have any questions about your Bulldog Bucks account, feel free to contact studentservices@drake.edu.

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services

Leaving dorm life in the past and have twin bedding and appliances you no longer need? We have the solution!

The Office of Sustainability has partnered with the Des Moines Free Store to collect clean, undamaged furniture during move-out to help people in need. Please donate:

• Sheets
• Quilts, blankets, comforters – must be clean
• Microwaves
• Vacuum cleaners
• Coffee makers
• Floor and desk lamps
• Pillows and Pillow cases
• Coffee Tables
• Couches and sofas
• Flat screen TVs
• Bath and dish towels – clean
• Kitchen utensils
• Dishes, glassware, tableware
• Toasters
• No refrigerators 
• No futons

The truck will be parked in the GK lot May 15 and May 16, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Stop by and drop off any of the accepted items.

—Hannah Remke, Sustainability Coordinator

Sell the books you’re done using at the Bulldog Shop for cash during the on-campus buyback event. We’ll buy it back even if you didn’t purchase it from us. The event is happening now through Friday, May 17, during regular store hours. And, if you have textbook rentals to return, it’s the perfect time to do so. You don’t even need a box, just drop the book off with an associate, and you’re done. Rentals are due by Friday, May 24.

If you can’t make it to the Bulldog Shop, you can sell books online anytime for credit and return your rentals with free shipping.

— The Bulldog Shop

Students: On April 17, you received an email from Jerry Parker with a link to a survey on internationalization at Drake. If you have not already completed it, we ask for your consideration in doing so.

The deadline for submission is May 1.

— Mary McCarthy, Professor of Political Science

Students who have considered studying abroad during their time at Drake are invited to attend an information session hosted on April 19 in the Cowles Library fish bowl (LIB 201). The first 30 minutes (10–10:30 a.m.) will be general information about the process, timeline, and financial aspects of studying abroad, and the last 30 minutes (10:30–11 a.m.) will be an in-depth look at our incredible DU Spain program offered in Spring 2025. We look forward to meeting you and helping make your study abroad dreams a reality.

— Chelsea Funk, Global Engagment

Functionality to make corrections or changes to the 2024–2025 FAFSA is expected to be broadly available to students this week. Common corrections include providing required signature(s) and/or consent to the IRS direct data exchange, updating your college grade level (P1 and P2 students should choose “Other undergraduate – junior year and beyond”) . Guidance on how to make changes to your FAFSA can be found here.

The Financial Aid Office is preparing 2024-2025 financial aid offers, and is prioritizing students enrolled in the summer semester (or P4 students), as well as prospective students. Undergraduate and P1, P2 or P3 students should complete the Summer Application for Financial Aid if they are interested in borrowing Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized student loans for the summer semester.

If you have not yet completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA and wish to be considered for need-based assistance or federal student loans in the summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025 semesters, please complete it at www.studentaid.gov as soon as possible.

Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid