The Iowa Statewide Tornado Drill will take place on Wednesday, March 29, at 10 a.m. The statewide drill allows us to test our planning and readiness and practice seeking appropriate shelter in case of a real tornado. Faculty, staff, and students should participate in the drill by following campus severe weather plans and going to the lowest level of their building, away from doorways and windows. 

March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month in the State of Iowa. Every year on the fourth Wednesday of March, the State of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department in conjunction with the Governor’s office run a statewide tornado drill. In years past Drake participates in this drill while testing our own procedures and protocols. The University will test its campus notification system, consisting of the sirens located in the blue light phones at the same time the City of Des Moines and Polk County test emergency sirens.

Tornado Facts:

• Tornadoes may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
• Funnel clouds usually last less than 10 minutes before dissipating, and many only last several seconds. On rare occasion, cyclones can last for more than an hour.
• Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
• The average tornado moves southwest to northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
• The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph, but may vary from stationary to 70 mph.
• Damage paths of tornadoes can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.
• Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.

Know the terms: Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a tornado hazard.

Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately! Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head.

— Chris Nickell, Environmental Health & Safety

In 1942, French philosopher Albert Camus wrote an essay called the Myth of Sisyphus. He wrote this as his country was being invaded and it felt like the world was falling apart. It was a time of disbelief and despair. It was a time when certain groups—Jews, Romanies, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, communists, and socialists—were being targeted for their differences and persecuted with hate, violence, and even death.

This was an extreme era in 20^th Century European history and Camus’ reality was not the same as ours. But his mindset and ideas remain relevant to us today, right here in Iowa.

Sisyphus is a figure in Greek mythology who angered Death (that’s a whole other story). He found himself condemned to roll a rock up a mountain. As he approached the top, Sisyphus would inevitably lose his grip or his footing would fail and the rock would roll down the mountain. Then, Sisyphus would turn and head down to the rock and repeat the task.

Camus found this story interesting—but there was one precise moment in particular captured his attention. When Sisyphus, standing at the top of the mountain and watching the rock tumble back down, in that moment, he chose to pivot, turn around, and try again—as if to say, “fine, I’ll just do it again.”

While this myth is often told as a story of futility, Camus did not view it that way. When it felt and looked like all was lost, Sisyphus refused to give up or to acquiesce to the circumstances. In the seconds following failure, Sisyphus, amazingly, was fueled by strength and determination. In that moment, Camus observed, Sisyphus was stronger than the rock and he remained unbeaten.

Short-sighted and discriminatory laws have just passed in Iowa. Similar laws are passing in other states. The NAACP is contemplating issuing a travel advisory for people of color considering travel to Florida. We regularly see examples of Asian hate and antisemitism carried out across the country. And the list goes on.

For those of us who are members of groups being increasingly targeted—or have friends, family, and colleagues who are members of such groups—or we simply care about equal rights for all people—it is tempting to feel defeated.

But here is what is also true: Recent events do not get to define us or the Drake community. We get to define us. This is a moment when our values—prioritizing inclusion for all and unifying our diverse community behind a shared mission—matter the most. As gut-wrenching as it feels to watch the proverbial rock roll down the hill, we can choose to be stronger than the circumstances.

While some universities across the country are distancing themselves from DEI principles, we are doubling down. Please join us in our commitment to building a campus culture that values all. Students thrive when they enjoy a sense of belonging. Faculty and staff flourish when they feel valued. Join us in our steadfast resolve to stand by our values and all members of the Drake community.

There is not one act that can be performed—no single set of words that can be uttered—to make things better. Complex situations require layers of actions and words…determination and time, too. And we all have a role to play in taking action and speaking up.

In the short term, please consider joining members of the Drake community in the breezeway in Olmsted, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. There we will take action and use our words to say that we understand the harmful repercussions of the recent laws passed in Iowa and show our love and determination to stand with transgender and gender non-conforming members of our community.

Watch for the April DEIJ newsletter for details about upcoming events and suggested action items. Keep reading OnCampus for additional discussion. If you have suggestions for action or requests for support, please contact Lynne Cornelius, Associate Dean of Students or Jennifer Harvey, Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion.

— Jennifer Harvey, Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion; Maureen De Armond, Executive Director, Human Resouces

The Susan Glaspell Writers & Critics Series at Drake is proud to feature environmental justice activist and author, Carolyn Finney, at a story-sharing workshop sponsored jointly by Iowa Environmental Council and Drake Community Press. Join us April 6 in the Turner Jazz Center at 5 p.m.

— Carol Spaulding, Professor of English