All faculty and staff are invited to join the Center for Public Democracy as we celebrate the contributions of Renée Cramer and wish her well in her new role at Dickinson College. Please join us Monday, May 8, from 5–6:30 p.m. at the Ray Center (lower level of Collier Scripps Hall) for drinks and light snacks. All are welcome to join us in bidding a fond farewell to our colleague and friend!
— Rachel Paine Caufield, Professor of Political Science
The University is currently experiencing a rise in reported cases of COVID-19 among our student population. As of this morning, we are aware of 76 confirmed student cases, 29 of whom are isolating in Ross Hall.
Here are eight reminders and resources to keep in mind to help prevent further spread:
Thank you for your continued vigilance in keeping our community a safe and healthy place to live, learn, and work as we close out the academic year.
— Jerry Parker, Chief Student Affairs Officer
Your Summer course materials are now available for ordering at drake.ecampus.com. Drake’s Official Online Bookstore is your trusted source for professor-selected course materials.
There are two ways to shop:
Why shop from Drake’s online bookstore?
— The Bulldog Shop
The Anderson Gallery was awarded a prestigious National Endowment for the Arts grant of $20,000 for the upcoming exhibition of artists Duane Slick and Martin Smick.
Duane Slick is an artist of Native American descent, the Meskwaki Nation of Iowa and the Ho-Chunk Nation of Nebraska. His acrylic paintings blend the subjects of oral and visual Native American traditions with a focus on trickster strategies and modernist/post-modernist painting histories.
Martin Smick is an artist who has been living and working in Rhode Island since 2007 and has taught in the Painting Department at Rhode Island School of Design since 2013. Both artists have exhibited nationally and have collaborated on two previous exhibitions.
As collaborators, Slick and Smick are conscious of their respective cultural identities and have been able to create exhibitions that engage in issues surrounding Native culture. The grant will fund their site-specific installation at the Anderson Gallery that will be open to the public from Oct. 26–Dec. 10, 2023.
Lilah Anderson, Anderson Gallery Exhibitions and Community Engagement Manager
Drake Cheer tryouts for the 2023–2024 year will be held May 6 at 8 a.m. in the Knapp Center. The Drake Cheerleading Team consists of men and women whose primary purpose is to support Drake athletics and Drake University. The purpose of the squad is to boost school spirit, promote good sportsmanship, develop positive crowd involvement, and help student participants and spectators enjoy the athletic event. Cheer squad activities should center on leading and directing the cheering of fans. Find more information about Drake Cheer and tryouts.
Megan Franklin, Athletics
Three psychology students, Alex Chavez, Brittany Scott, and Bridgette Browning received a Psi Chi Award for their presentation, “The PSASE Project: Impact of a Vocational Intervention on Application Self-Efficacy,” at the 95th annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association Association in Chicago. These students worked under the mentorship of Meaghan Rowe-Johnson, assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.
Chris Klietherme, Associate Professor of Psychology
The Principal Center for Global Citizenship invites nominations for the Global Scholar/Practitioner-in-Residence program for Spring 2024, seeking to attract talented individuals from academia or the professions who have outstanding international expertise to teach a course, mentor students, give public lectures, work on joint research with faculty, and aid the global capacity-building of the institution through fruitful external collaborations. Two scholars will be selected.
Candidates should be nominated by the academic unit to which they will be attached. Please submit the following supporting materials:
Nominations should be directed to Annique Kiel, executive director of Global Engagement and International Programs, by May 24, 2023. Preference will be given to practitioners or scholars from one of Drake’s global partners. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with Annique prior to submission.
Among the criteria to be considered for the nominee:
In recognition of their contributions, Global Scholars/Practitioners receive a stipend, a travel allowance, an appropriate workspace in the host college/school, and access to university facilities. Global Scholars/Practitioners will be affiliated with an appropriate academic unit for the semester and will offer at least one course.
— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement
Beginning May 14, 2023, all devices using Windows 7 or 8 operating systems or macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or lower will be blocked from accessing Drake networks.
Due to our security requirements, we need to ensure that non-vendor supported, older operating system versions are not accessing Drake networks. Once a vendor no longer supports security updates for an older operating system, we do not allow them on Drake networks in order to maintain campus technology wellbeing and prevent security risks.
Faculty and staff who have not already done so can set up technology consultations with IT using the Custom Technology Consultation/Training ticket. We urge faculty to reach out to ITS as soon as possible to upgrade existing or prepare new equipment for the summer and upcoming fall semesters. If needed, faculty and staff can submit a request to purchase new equipment using the Computer/Peripheral Request, allowing 6–8 weeks for new technology to be processed.
Students returning in the fall who need to upgrade their operating system can visit the Support Center in the lower level of Carnegie Hall for assistance. Mac users can find compatible devices for macOS Ventura, Monterey, and Big Sur at these links. Most Windows devices are compatible with modern operating systems.
If you have questions or concerns about the network change, please reach out to Jerome Hilscher, Assistant CITO and Director, Campus Relations at jerome.hilscher@drake.edu.If you have questions about your device or issues updating your operating system, visit service.drake.edu/its, call 515-271-3001, or visit the Support Center in the lower level of Carnegie Hall.
Jerome Hilscher, ITS
Join Drake’s Corporate Games team! This annual company-based program runs June 1 through July 31. With over two dozen events to choose from, you can decide which ones fit your schedule and interest.
Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. From pickleball to trivia, and bags to a fitness walk, there is something for everyone. All in-person activities (there are a few virtual options) are held in the evenings and on weekends and are free–except golf cart rental.
There is even a Meals from the Heartland option if you are looking for a team-building activity.
All FT and PT faculty, staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are welcome to join Drake’s team. To participate, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.
Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May since 1949, is a globally recognized mental health awareness event first started by Mental Health America (not to be confused with World Mental Health Day, which is observed in October).
While stigma around mental health and treatment has decreased in recent years, there are still people who hesitate to take steps to address mental health challenges, seek care, and talk about mental health with friends, family, and even their medical providers. Given the additional stress and uncertainty that have accompanied the past few years, it is as important now as it has ever been to talk about mental health. Remember, it is OK to not be OK.
There are several organizations that offer tools and resources to support others and be supported.
The Healthiest State Initiative’s Make It OK is a community campaign that encourages everyone to talk more openly about mental illness in hopes of de-stigmatizing it so individuals will feel more open to seek care. They are offering a free Make It OK virtual presentation on Monday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to noon.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helps raise awareness and combat stigma. NAMI has published a guide, identifying the 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month theme “More than Enough,” focusing on messages of hope and inclusion.
Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of resources. EAPs are an often-under-utilized employee benefit. Drake pays for this benefit, so Drake employees (and anyone living in their households) can have easy access to these resources. If you have never explored this wonderful benefit, take some time to do so. There is something for everyone—including free confidential counseling, webinars, podcasts, a blog, self-assessment tools, and a mobile app.
Beginning in May, our EAP vendor, Employee and Family Resources (EFR), is offering a new benefit called Togetherall—an online support peer community. Connect with others for support, keep a journal, set goals, take assessments, and learn how to adjust to life’s ups and downs with structured courses. Moderated by professionals, Togetherall is available 24/7 and free to use. Join a virtual webinar on Wednesday, May 10 for details on how you can access this platform and online community.
Check out this month’s HR Monthly for more information on Mental Health Awareness Month events and resources.
Linda Feiden, Human Resources
