Category Archives: For Students Archive

Have lunch with the dean of students

Join us Nov. 29–Dec. 2  at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and a semester catch up with fellow students and Hannah Clayborne, dean of students. Lunch will be provided at Hubbell Hall and sign up is limited to 10 students per session on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is required. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Contact Gina Ryan (gina.ryan@drake.edu) with questions.

First-year students, Nov. 29  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AAFA82AA7FFC52-lunch

Sophomores, Nov. 30  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AAFA82AA7FFC52-lunch1

Juniors, Dec. 1
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AAFA82AA7FFC52-lunch2

Seniors, Dec. 2
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AAFA82AA7FFC52-lunch3

— Hannah Clayborne, Dean of Students

Call for papers: Spring 2022 edition of DUSSJ

The web-based Drake Undergraduate Social Science Journal (DUSSJ) is accepting submissions for its Spring 2022 edition. Any current Drake undergraduate (or recent graduate) is eligible to submit a paper on a topic in the social sciences (political science, international relations, anthropology, sociology, economics, history, and social psychology). Submissions may be short analytic essays or longer research papers. Papers that feature thoughtful, original analysis, polished writing, and careful citation are especially welcome.

The deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 11.

No more than one submission per person will be considered. Submissions will be peer-reviewed by a student editorial board. When submitting a paper, please indicate if it is a research paper or short analytic essay. Also, please indicate the primary discipline and any secondary discipline(s).

Questions and submissions should be sent to the DUSSJ faculty advisors, Professor Li and Professor Henderson at advisor.dussj@gmail.com.

— Heath Henderson, College of Business & Public Administration

Season change and mental health

We are entering a new change in weather and pending time change that can influence your mood, motivation, and feelings of connectedness to others. During fall weather, you get to experience sweater weather, the comfort of warm drinks (warm coffee, tea, and hot chocolate), bon fires, and the beauty represented in the yellow, brown, and sometimes purple color of the leaves that begin to fall from trees. In addition, you may also experience a sense of sadness, isolation, increase in stress, and reduced energy when approaching the winter months. You may also notice that it gets darker sooner and lighter earlier, feeling as though your days are not long enough.

If you notice yourself experiencing these symptoms know that it is very common and typical because you are adjusting to a very different lifestyle than what you experienced in the summer. Some of you may have experience these symptoms for multiple years with a sense of hopelessness, worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts, which we describe as Seasonal Affective Disorder.  However, it is best to talk with a professional about what you have been feeling rather than self-diagnosing, although I know it can be tempting.

If you notice yourself experiencing these symptoms as we adjust to colder weather, I encourage you to try some of these tips below:

  1. Recognize and validate that adjusting to weather change can be hard and not a reflection of your worth
  2. Meet with your doctor and ask about the best Vitamin D options to take
  3. Create a list of the activities you enjoy and add variety. Plan to try to engage in them when you notice yourself feeling down.
  4. Exercise! It is very important to continue moving, walking, dancing, and exercising. Sign up for a Bell Center class or create a movement activity within your respective organization activities.
  5. Keep your blinds open and lights on as much as possible or financially feasible.
  6. Limit rushing because your energy levels may be lower as you adjust, plus running to class in the snow may feel like an Olympic event.
  7. Weather permitting (i.e. safe weather temperatures), walk or stand outside. Be intentional about leaving your home.
    1. Keep those in person therapy appointments and it will be worth it in the long run.
  8. Do something that engages your senses (i.e. lotions, soap, eat a peppermint or candy, listen to uplifting music, etc)
  9. Gratitude Journal-Write at least 5 things you are thankful or grateful for daily.
  10. Remember, this is seasonal and not a reflection of your worth or abilities.

If you notice yourself struggling to get through the day, please contact us by phone at the counseling center at 515-271-3864. In addition, the Crisis Observation Center is a 24/7 free service for students at Broadlawns Medical Center (1801 Hickman Road. Des Moines, IA 50310.) have counselors available to talk with, however this service would be the financial responsibility of the student.

Lastly, remember to breathe and know that you have a community of support at Drake to help you. You are not alone, and you are capable.

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Director, Student Counseling Center

Student parking during winter break

Students, if your vehicle will remain on campus during winter break and has a zone 6 residential parking tag, please park your vehicle along the east side of Lot 29 (West Campus lot, adjacent to Jethro’s BBQ) during the break. View parking map.

This will allow for FPM grounds staff and contractors to safely and effectively remove snow and ice during the winter break period in other overnight lots without concern of working around any vehicles as plowing typically takes place earlier morning and during inclement weather.

— Kevin Moran, Executive Director, Facilities, Planning and Management

Get prepared for multi-factor authentication coming in January

Earlier this month we shared in OnCampus that we will be requiring the use of the Microsoft Authenticator multi-factor authentication (MFA) app to access campus systems beginning in January. Starting on January 4, when you login to a system set up with multi-factor authentication, you will be required to prove that the login is being made by you. You will enter your email address/username and password and then be prompted, typically by a mobile app push, to verify your identity.

In order to help you prepare for this change, we’ve created a FAQ and some knowledge base guides linked below.

To encourage early preparation, we’re offering an incentive to the first 150 people who submit proof of downloading the Microsoft Authenticator app and connecting it with their Drake account. They will receive a $1 off coupon to use at the campus Starbucks. One coupon per person, and a screenshot of your phone is required. Visit https://forms.office.com/r/HGSY0L1JSf to enter and see complete rules.

We will continue to expand the FAQ and provide additional OnCampus updates as the January deadline approaches.

Jeff Regan, ITS

ITS is hiring student techs

As a student tech, you will be able to support fellow students, faculty, and staff with day-to-day troubleshooting of campus-wide technical resources. Assistance may be needed to promote computing resources across campus and professional customer service is required every day to coordinate with those who need assistance, as well as with the others at Drake ITS.

Preferred candidates have great time management and communication skills, the ability to apply learned knowledge to new and challenging situations, excellent verbal and written skills, and general computer literacy. No prior IT support experience is needed-all majors encouraged to apply. Training will be provided. Apply to be a student tech on Handshake today.

— Becky Klein, ITS

Register for an English class though Drake’s Intensive English Program

As you are finalizing your course schedule for the Spring 2022 semester, consider taking an English class though Drake’s Intensive English Program (IEP).

The IEP provides free learning opportunities for all full-time Drake students to improve their English skills. We offer intermediate and advanced level classes with an academic focus. If you feel that you may need additional help in a certain English skill area, whether writing, grammar, or speaking, or if you simply would like to improve your pronunciation, you may want to consider taking one of our classes.

We also offer an American Culture class, where we take a deep dive into U.S. culture, both historical and current. This course includes field trips throughout the semester.

Classes begin Monday, January 24, and end Friday, May 6. The last day to register for classes is Friday, January 28. Exceptions may be made to this deadline at the course instructor’s discretion. Please note that these classes are not credit-bearing.

If you are interested in joining a class, wish to see the schedule, or have questions about the program, contact Kendra Hossain-Morehead at kendra.hossain-morehead@drake.edu.

— Kendra Hossain-Morehead, Global Engagement