Do you still have Bulldog Bucks to spend? You can shop online at the University Bookstore and use your Bulldog Bucks as a payment method.

Bulldog Bucks carry over from year-to-year (so returning students can use them next year), but they are not refunded when you leave Drake. If this is your last semester here (congrats, Seniors!), consider purchasing something to show off your Drake pride.

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center

Reminder: Apply for a J-Term 2021 travel seminar by May 15 for the priority deadline. Applications will be reviewed at that time and students will be accepted or waitlisted by June 1. Please carefully review the following information if you are interested in going abroad or on a domestic program for J-Term 2021:

• Deposit: After acceptance, to secure your spot on a travel seminar, you will need to commit to the program in Terra Dotta, pay your $500 deposit, and complete Terra Dotta post acceptance steps. Given the impact of COVID-19 on students and families, we have temporarily revised our deposit refund policy. If you choose to independently withdraw prior to Sept. 1, your deposit will be refunded. As always, if Drake cancels a travel seminar, your deposit will automatically be refunded.
• On campus registration back up plan: In addition to applying for a travel seminar, we ask that you also register for an on-campus course at Drake as a backup plan (if you need J-Term credit regardless of the travel component). Please register during the regular registration process and timeframe. If you have questions about registering for on-campus courses for J-Term, please reach out to your academic advisor.
• Independent withdrawal: We want you to be clear on the financial implications of committing to a J-Term travel seminar. Given the impact of COVID-19 on students and families, we have temporarily revised our deposit refund policy. If you choose to independently withdraw prior to Sept. 1, your deposit will be refunded. If after Sept. 1 you decide you want to withdraw from the program, you will be subject to Drake’s withdrawal and refund policies. Because of this, we strongly recommend you familiarize yourself with our withdrawal and refund policies which can be found in Terra Dotta. In addition, we strongly recommend you purchase ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance through an insurance carrier.

Please be assured that your health and safety is of utmost importance. Given that this is an ever-evolving global situation, applicants will be notified if we make a change to the policy regarding J-Term travel seminars. Should you have any questions, we encourage you to reach out to studyabroad@drake.edu.

J-Term Timeline:
— May 15: Priority Deadline
— June 1: Accept/waitlist Students who applied by May 15
— June 15: Students Commit in Terra Dotta and pay a $500 Deposit to secure their place in the program
— May 15–Sept. 1: Students can still apply if travel seminars have openings; deposits are due within two weeks of acceptance
— Sept. 1: Final day to apply and final day for deposit refunds

— Maria Rohach, Drake International

Spring rental textbooks are due Friday, May 15. While the due date for rented books has not changed, the “non-return charge date” has been extended 15 days past your current return due date to allow time for your mailed book to reach the store. To avoid late charges, please have your book in transit by the due date.

Two ways to get a Rental Return Label

1. Wait for the rental reminder email that is sent 14 days before your rental due date. Email is sent again seven days, three days, and the day of your due date. This email contains a link to generate a free return shipping label and packing slip.
2. You can immediately generate a free return shipping label on drake.bkstr.com in your account:
   • Click the Sign In link on the top right side of the page to sign into your account.
   • Enter the email address you provided at the register when you rented. Note: Even if you rented in the store, an account was created using the email you provided at the register. If you do not know your password, you can click Forgot Password link for a temporary password to be emailed to you.
   • Once you have signed in, click the link Rentals. You will be navigated to the Rentals page in your account.
   • On Rentals page, scroll down the page to see the books you rented. Click the link Return All Rentals by Mail. You can also click the button Return by Mail. Both open a pop up to select your rentals to ship back.
   • Follow the steps to generate and print the return label and packing slip. This option is available until your rental due date.

For questions, contact drake@bkstr.com.

— Katie Wilz, University Bookstore

We want to hear from you! What are some thoughts, ideas, or designs you’d like to see included on the 2020-2021 intramural champion shirts. Send your suggestions to intramurals@drake.edu.

Graduates: As part of the virtual commencement experience on May 16, we want to feature an image of you to recognize your achievements. Please email one photo or short video clip of yourself to commencement2020@drake.edu no later than Monday, May 4.

Five things to keep in mind with your submission:

• Please include your full name.
• If submitting a video, film it horizontally with no sound and keep it to five seconds or less.
• Formal attire is preferred but not required. We fully understand that most graduates do not have caps and gowns, so any nice photo will do.
• For large files, we suggest using WeTransfer.com to upload and send your file for free. 
• Please adhere to the May 4 deadline. We hope to feature as many graduates as possible.

Additionally, we are planning to launch the virtual commencement hub in early May. This will be where the virtual commencement celebration will take place, as well as a single location where you can view all commencement information and specific content from your college/school. Keep an eye out for an email with more details, which will include a link to the virtual hub.  

— Drake University Virtual Commencement Committee

— Evan Favreau, Admission