Managers, please encourage your new employees to attend the first available New Employee Orientation (NEO) after their employment. Either the manager or new employee can RSVP by sending an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. Please put “NEO” in the subject line of the email. The next available NEO session will be held Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 9–11 a.m. in Conference Rooms 310/311 of the Olmsted Center (2nd floor).
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Please join us for the Provost’s Social today, Aug. 18, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center.
Stop by to connect with colleagues and enjoy an assortment of light snacks and beverages.
— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost
Access & Success (A&S) partners with students, faculty, and staff to ensure equitable access to academic resources, personalized support, and accommodations. Over the summer, A&S welcomed three new team members to support campus success:
Sam, Mia and Katie will work primarily in Starfish, Drake’s student success and early alert system. If you have questions, reach out via email, or visit the Access & Success office on the lower level of Cowles Library.
— Katie Akin, Access & Success
Help kick off the new semester with a warm welcome for our new and returning students! We are looking for faculty and staff to serve as Griff Guides during the first few days of classes to assist students with navigating campus, answering quick questions, and making them feel connected.
Got 15 minutes? Volunteering is easy.
Together, we can ensure every student starts the semester knowing they belong at Drake.
— Mia Stefani, Access & Success
As we begin the new academic year, please note that the University updated its whistleblower reporting service provider over the summer. The Mitratech Ethics Hotline (Drake Ethics Hotline) has officially replaced the NAVEX EthicsPoint platform.
Functionally, the reporting process remains the same. The Drake Ethics Hotline allows community members to report ethics and compliance concerns anonymously while enabling ongoing dialogue with select University administrators.
How to Submit a Report:
Reports can be made online at report.syntrio.com/drake or by calling 877–853–5263.
Questions?
For questions, contact Samantha Nordstrom at samantha.nordstrom@drake.edu.
— Samantha Nordstrom, Title IX Coordinator & EEO Specialist
As the semester gets underway, students, faculty, & staff can use Drake’s online technology resources anytime and from any device. Read more about these resources (and bookmark them now) so they’re easy to find when you need help.
Visit https://service.drake.edu to submit a technology request, check the ITS Support Center’s hours and phone number, or search the ITS Knowledge Base.
What’s great is you don’t need to know how the portal is organized to find what you need. Use the search box at the top of any page to look for a service, article, or topic.
The Knowledge Base includes hundreds of articles on common questions and tasks, including:
Because the Service Portal is available 24/7 from computers, phones, and tablets, you can still search for answers or request help when your primary device isn’t working.
Visit https://password.drake.edu to manage your Drake password, security question, and multifactor authentication devices. You can also use the “Forgot password” option if you’re unable to sign in.
Drake passwords are valid for two years. Adding a backup MFA method will help prevent an account lockout if your phone is lost, replaced, or unavailable.
If these options don’t resolve your issue, submit a ticket through the University Service Portal at https://service.drake.edu or call the ITS Support Center at 515-271-3001.
You can also visit the ITS Support Center in the lower level of Carnegie Hall while we’re open. If possible, bring the device you need help with. Current hours are always posted on the University Service Portal.
Welcome Week hours, Aug. 17–23:
Regular semester hours beginning Monday, Aug. 24:
— Becky Klein, ITS
Intramurals are kicking off strong to start the year. Here is the schedule of upcoming sports and their registration deadlines. Sign up for all intramurals using the DrakeRec app or by visiting the registration portal online.
Registration deadline: Aug. 26 at 4 p.m.
Tournament date: Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Registration deadline: Sept. 2 at 4 p.m.|
Season start: Sept. 8
Registration deadline: Sept. 3 at 4 p.m.
Season start: Sept. 9
Registration deadline: Sept. 9
Season start: Sept. 9
— RJ Hurd, School of Education
ITS will attempt the final phase of a campus network upgrade on Thursday, August 13. Internet access will be intermittent beginning at 8:30 p.m. Continue reading for timing, affected services, and support information.
ITS will reconfigure network equipment on Thursday, August 13, as part of Drake’s ongoing network refresh project. This work will transition the campus internet connection to a new network architecture.
ITS previously postponed this work twice after testing raised concerns about completing the transition without disrupting campus events. The new date was selected to reduce the risk of impacting scheduled activities while allowing ITS to complete the upgrade.
The maintenance window will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, and is expected to last approximately four hours. Services should be restored by 12:30 a.m. on Friday, August 14.
Campus internet service will be intermittent throughout the maintenance window. Because this work affects network-connected equipment, the outage may also impact phones, elevators, and other non-computer devices connected to the campus network.
Web-based services such as Microsoft 365 will not be impacted.
After work is completed, if you continue to experience issues, please contact the ITS Support Center through the University Service Portal, by phone at 515-271-3001, or by visiting us in person with your device in the lower level of Carnegie Hall.
ITS appreciates your patience as we complete this important network refresh work.
— Becky Klein
Following the spring elections for All Staff Council (ASC), additional opportunities have become available. The following positions and committee members are needed starting immediately. Terms are 2–3 years, depending on the position.
ASC is a good way to network with other campus staff and work to help promote a positive and collaborative campus work environment. If you are classified as a staff member, interested, and committed to serving, please contact Lauren McCarthy, 2026-2027 ASC chair, at lauren.mccarthy@drake.edu.
Events & Community Service Committee (1 position, service through May 2028)
The Events & Community Service Committee develops and implements plans for special events on campus and creates awareness of community service opportunities available for staff participation. Overall obligations should average 2-5 hours/month.
Governance Committee (1 position, service through May 2029)
The Governance Committee finalizes the structure of the ASC by developing rules. This committee conducts yearly elections and attends to any rule changes, recommendations, or policies proposed. The Governance Committee tends to be busier in the spring semester compared to the fall semester. Overall obligations should average 2-5 hours/month.
Visit the All Staff Council website to learn more.
— Lauren McCarthy
— Bulldog Shop
