Category Archives: Archive

Strategic Updates Archive

New Drake homepage

On Saturday, Feb. 4, Drake launched its new homepage and revamped look and feel for the top four sections (primarily those pages targeted at prospective students) of the website.

Over the last eight months, Information Technology Services (ITS), University Communications, and the Office of Admission have been working to update the design and technology behind the top-level webpages with the following goals:

  • Refresh the web technology with better responsive design and web accessibility.
  • Expand the homepage strategy to provide more information up front for prospective students and their families.
  • Revamp the web design for increased readability and close coordination with printed recruitment materials.

The updates were tested externally with prospective student and parent groups, as well as internally reviewed by President’s Council, Deans Council, and other leadership groups around campus.

This milestone represents the first phase in a number of web improvements being implemented this year. It is important to note that the pages affected by this first phase are mainly the prospective student targeted pages. More relevant to most of campus will be subsequent stages of this project. After the homepage launch, the Terminal Four Content Management Software (CMS) will get a major version upgrade, which will add performance improvements and the ability to edit pages on mobile devices. The final phase will be  to upgrade college/school and department templates.

Special thanks to everyone involved in the project thus far from the IT Infrastructure and Application Services Teams in ITS; our designers, photo/video, and writers in University Communications; and the entire Admission team.

—Jeremy Sievers (x2795)
Director of Web Communications

Strategic Updates Archive

Update from Chief Information Technology Officer

ITS is taking seriously President Martin’s call to focus on continuous improvement. Last fall, we collaborated with Chief Administration Officer Venessa Macro’s division to conduct a survey of satisfaction with administrative services. The ITS portion of the survey asked 14 questions, divided into three sections. Respondents rated each question on a 1-5 (low to high) scale. The survey results were both encouraging and constructive.

Satisfaction with ITS staff—Total Average 3.98: Respondents assessed their satisfaction with ITS staff including their courtesy, professionalism, knowledge, timeliness, and resolution of issues. Satisfaction with ITS staff was generally high, but was lowest for timeliness (3.60) and satisfactory resolution of issues (3.59).

Satisfaction with ITS support and communication—Total Average 3.72: In general, satisfaction was not as strong, particularly regarding training support (3.52) and informing campus about changes to technology (3.42).

Overall satisfaction—Total Average 3.71: Overall satisfaction is above average, but we clearly have room for improvement.

In reviewing the data and reflecting on the comments provided by the more than 450 respondents, I have concluded that:

  • ITS staff are generally well regarded, but respondents are less satisfied with the timeliness of issue resolution and lack strong confidence that issues will be fully resolved. Many respondents noted inconsistent levels of support among individuals and units within ITS.
  • ITS continues to struggle with timely and effective communication. We need to pay particular attention to communicating around training resources and notifying campus about service interruptions and technology changes.
  • Aging technology continues to cause frustration and disruption for many on campus.

Addressing these issues will take time, but we are actively developing strategies to improve our service to the campus community

Over the coming year, ITS makes the following commitments to you.

We will:

  1. Reduce our backlog of service requests and maintain overall lower levels of open issues.
  2.  Focus on providing reliable enterprise technology services.
  3. Ensure that we meet our promised response and resolution timeframes.
  4. Partner with you to find reasonable and supportable long-term solutions.
  5.  Strive to understand issues and requests before we begin work.
  6. Confirm that we have completed your request to your satisfaction.
  7. Improve our communication related to support requests and technology changes.
  8. Work as a team to provide technology-related services on behalf of Drake.

In May, ITS will be introducing a new service request and management (ticket) system. We anticipate that campus satisfaction with ITS will improve as we adopt this new system. Watch OnCampus and the ITS website for more information beginning in March.

Finally, please save the date for an ITS all-campus town hall to be held on March 23 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. It will be your chance to learn more about ITS and our strategic vision, and to ask questions. The town hall will take place just before the provost’s all-employee social. We look forward to seeing you there.

—Chris Gill, Chief Information Technology Officer

For Students Archive

Become an orientation leader

Want to help welcome new students to Drake? Want to get involved? Want an on-campus job this summer? Consider becoming an orientation leader!

Orientation leaders are dedicated to providing incoming students and their families with all the information and resources necessary to ensure their transition to Drake is a smooth and enjoyable one.

Please visit the Orientation website to learn more about the position, but if you have any questions, contact Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu. Applications are due this Wednesday, Feb. 1.

—Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

For Students Archive

Surprise your sweetheart

Surprise your sweetheart, roommate, teacher, coach, co-worker, or supervisor with a singing valentine presented by members of the Drake Choir. We offer a special student price of $10 for a single rose and song delivered to campus locations bounded by 25th Street to 34th Street, University Avenue to Forest Avenue. You’ll need to supply your student ID number in order to qualify for this Bulldog Ballad.

Drake Choir members will deliver singing valentines on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5:30–8 p.m.

Why a singing valentine? In addition to winning brownie points with your valentine, you’ll be supporting the Drake Choir’s upcoming international tours. No University funds are used for these tours, so your support if important and greatly appreciated.

Two easy ways to order:

Order deadline is Feb. 8, so order now.

—Aimee Beckmann Collier, Department of Music

For Students Archive

Drake University Career Fair

Don’t miss your opportunity to connect with employers and graduate and professional schools at the Drake University Career Fair, Feb. 9, 3–6 p.m. (3–3:30 seniors only, all students, 3:30–6 pm), in Upper Olmsted.

To view registered companies and organizations attending, access the mobile guide with one of the following methods:

Bring copies of your résumé to share with employers. Professional attire is required.

What is professional attire?
Men:  Suit and tie; If you don’t own a suit, wear trousers, a button-down shirt, tie, or blazer/sportcoat.
Women:  Suit; If you don’t own a suit, wear dress pants or skirt and a nice blouse or sweater/blazer/dressy jacket.
No jeans or sweatpants.

If you are uncertain about what to wear or have questions about the event, please contact your Professional and Career Development Services staff:

Annette Watson:          annette.watson@drake.edu
Chrystal Stanley:          chrystal.stanley@drake.edu
Kate Evans:                      kate.evans@drake.edu

—Kate Evans, Professional and Career Development Services

For Students Archive

Math Lab opens Feb. 6

The Math Lab provides assistance to students registered for any class at Drake in which math question might arise (not just math courses). Peer tutors are prepared to help students with homework or exam preparation, both with reviewing old topics or learning new ones. The Math Lab is located in the basement of Cowles Library and is open during the following hours:

Sunday: 6–9 p.m.
Monday–Thursday: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

—Milan Sherman, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science