While your textbook rentals are not due yet, please make note of your rental return options. The University Bookstore will send you these instructions again 10–14 days before your due date and again three days before your due date.

Your rental books are due back to the University Bookstore, in-person or shipped via mail, by your rental due date. 

Return in-person:
Rental books can be returned to the University Bookstore inside the Olmsted Center anytime Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5pm. Note: Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23–25. Please have the phone number or patron ID number associated with your rental account available for efficient check-in.

Return by mail:
You can return your rental books by mail using the carrier of your choice. Please note: Shipping will be at your expense. We recommend using a trackable service.

Important: To ensure your rental returns are correctly processed to your rental account, follow the steps below to generate your rental packing slip. Your packing slip is crucial to include in your box. It identifies you, what you’re returning, and where to send your rentals.

1. Sign into the University Bookstore website using the email you used to rent your textbook. If you forgot or haven’t set up a password, click “forgot password” to reset. Then click on My Account-Rentals.
2. You will be directed to the “Rentals Page” in “My Account”.
3. Scroll down to view “Rental History.” Click the “Return by Mail Button” or “Return all Rentals by Mail” link. A pop-up will open.
4. Follow the steps to print your packing list. Print two copies, one to go in your box and the other to take to your shipping carrier as it has the store address.
5. Take note of your tracking number.  You will receive an email confirmation when your rental return is processed.
6. If the above steps do not work for you please write your name, email address, phone number, and patron id on a sheet of paper to include with your rental return package.

Please have your books postmarked by Dec. 11 to avoid any late fees. During this transit time, we have a shipping grace period to allow the additional time for delivery.

Please reach out to the University Bookstore with any questions by contacting Kyle McVay at kyle.mcvay@drake.edu or 515-274-3401.

The Drake Undergraduate Social Science Journal (DUSSJ) is now accepting submissions for its Spring 2021 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. 12, 2021.

No more than one submission per person will be considered. Submissions will be blind 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).

See drake.edu/dussj for additional information. Questions and submissions should be sent to the DUSSJ faculty advisor, Professor Heath Henderson, at advisor.dussj@gmail.com.

— Heath Henderson, Economics, CBPA

Learn more about the Peer Mentor Academic Consultant (PMAC) program, and how to be a vital part of the Welcome Week(end) experience. Join the Peer Advisory Board for our first informational session on Friday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. (CST) via Zoom. Register for the informational sessions at bit.ly/PMACInfoSesh.

Registration will close the morning of Dec. 4, and attendees will be emailed out the link.

Can’t make the session? Reach out to pab@drake.edu or go to drake.edu/…/peermentoracademicconsultantpm…/ to learn more.

— Kyle Tekautz, JO’22

During the Spring 2021 semester, two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students doing unpaid internships with a non-profit organization. This scholarship is intended to remove the financial impediment of unpaid internships and encourage students to become civically engaged. Applications are due Dec. 11. Learn more.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

Drake students are invited to participate in the Pathways for Civic and Social Change mini J-Term program. Through this program, you will:

• Identify numerous strategies needed to create civic and social change
• Explore strategies that you are most interested in pursuing during your time in college and beyond
• Gain resources, tools and advice on how to go about implementing the strategies in Des Moines or back home

Incentives:
Students who complete all requirements of the program will receive a certificate and a Drake Serves T-shirt featuring Griff (while supplies last; sizes and quantities are limited).

Requirements:

• Attend a 45-minute virtual group Pathways Introductory Workshop (several options of times will be provided)
• Take the Pathways for Civic and Social Change assessment on your own (approximately 10-15 minutes)
• Sign up for and attend a 1-1 advising meeting with a trained Community Engagement Peer (approximately 30 minutes)

Registration:
Express interest in the mini J-Term program by Dec. 10 at http://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eQJshOzeyw3RUBn. After you register, watch your Drake email for more information on how to attend one of the workshops and schedule a 1-1 advising appointment in January.

Learn more about Pathways: https://www.drake.edu/community/learningservice/studentopportunities/pathways/

Contact:
Amanda Martin, assistant director of Community Engaged Learning, at
amanda.martin@drake.edu.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

If you’re interested in applying to be an RA for the 2021–2022 academic year, read the job description and submit an application by Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.

The Drake community encourages development and growth of the whole person: academic, social, physical, emotional, and cultural. The residence halls are a vital part of this learning environment. Resident Assistants (RA’s) have the greatest amount of contact with the students and are crucial and invaluable members of the Drake team. RA’s must be leaders, role models, and resources for their residents; however, just as important, they must be team players that work with and support other staff in their own hall as well as other halls on campus.

— Randy McMullin, Office of Residence Life

The semester may be almost done, but you can still develop your communication and interpersonal skills while working for Drake Phonathon! As a remote engagement specialist you can work from your own home building connections with alumni and members of the Drake community. We are hiring through the end of the year, offer flexible scheduling and the ability to work remotely now and in the spring. We are looking for dedicated students who want to have an impact on our Bulldog community. To apply, please contact liz.seffrin@drake.edu.

— Becca Widmer, University Advancement

Flex study spaces are available for studying or participation in virtual classes through Friday, December 11.  See below for an updated list of locations and hours.  Flex spaces will not be available the week of Thanksgiving.

Flex spaces are first-come, first-serve. They cannot be reserved in advance. Upon arrival, please sign in the Flex Space Check-In form. Students are responsible for wiping down their space before and after use with provided sanitizing wipes.

Note, for Cowles Library: Students are requested to limit their visit to 75 minutes, if possible.  Cowles will be monitoring capacity and will post at the entrance when the library is at capacity.

M = Monday, F = Friday, S = Saturday, U = Sunday

Attention: Mail delivered to campus residents will be returned to sender from Nov. 21, 2020, through Jan. 29, 2021.  Please be mindful of where you ship things during break, and adjust or pause your recurring shipments/subscriptions. Please send all mail to the address that you are residing at over break.

If you are living on campus at any point over break, please make sure your arrival and departure dates have been approved with Residence Life, so they can provide this information to Postal Services. Students residing on campus will be able to pick up their mail in the Olmsted Student Center between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For specific mail or housing questions, contact campusmailoperations@drake.edu or housing@drake.edu.

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center