Category Archives: Archive

Campus Announcements Archive

Important campus safety updates

27th Street has closed
As part of the STEM@DRAKE construction project, 27th Street has permanently closed. No parking or thru traffic is allowed; two handicap spaces at the south end of the west side of the street (next to Opperman Hall) will remain open. The section of roadway between the gate on 27th and Carpenter now allows for two-way traffic to and from the Jewett parking lot. Many of the sidewalks along 27th Street have also been shut down. For an overview of closures, visit the Building STEM@DRAKE website.


Campus parking regulations
Vehicles may only be parked on the Drake campus in clearly designated legal parking spaces. All vehicles must have a Drake parking permit or a temporary parking  permit which may be obtained at Short-term/Daily Parking Permits.  Areas posted with signs restricting parking (handicap, service vehicles, loading zones, fire lanes, etc.) must be observed and complied with. Parking in any travel lane, taking more than one parking space, blocking another vehicle, or parking on the lawn are all prohibited. It is neither possible nor desirable to post all areas on campus where vehicles may not park. Vehicles are prohibited from all lawns, except when specifically authorized. Driving or parking on any sidewalks or pedestrian ways is strictly prohibited. For a more extensive explanation of parking regulations and towing rules, please go to Parking Information.

Front Door software
Drake Public Safety, Student Life, and Information Technology Services are happy to offer all Drake students, faculty, and staff a patented laptop security product designed to help you with theft prevention, information protection, and recovery—free of charge. (Please note no software can guarantee the security of your electronics.) Visit the Front Door Software website to sign up with your Drake email account.
Safe Ride Program
As a reminder, for your safety Drake is now operating its own evening bus system. The bus runs each night:

  • Sunday–Wednesday, 8 p.m.–1 a.m.
  • Thursday–Saturday, 8 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

We are also happy to let you know that we will offer extended hours during the Drake Relays. April 28–30, the bus will run from 8 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. each night.

—Scott Law, Director, Drake Public Safety

News & Achievements Archive

Run for a cause

Drake Law School’s Public Interest Law Association (PILA) is hosting the 9th Annual Court2Court 5K to raise money for the Poverty Law Internship that provides free and reduced legal assistance to those needing it but unable to afford it. Every $1 raised is matched at $3 by Drake Law School’s federal work study program.

Race day is April 16. Registration at 8 a.m.; Race starts at 9 a.m.

Register at http://secure.GetMeRegistered.com/court2court5K 

Pre-registration is now until March 26: $20
Registration is March 27–April 15: $25
Same-day registration is April 16: $30

—Matt Knipe

Featured Events Archive

Viva Viola!

Enjoy a free performance in Sheslow Auditorium, March 23, at 7:30 p.m., featuring chamber and solo works for viola inspired by traditional songs and dances from Europe. Works will include pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach and his son, W.F. Bach. Faculty member Diane Phoenix-Neal performs with guests Claudia Anderson, flute (Grinnell College); Deborah Dakin, viola (Augustana College); and Ian Moschenross, piano (Monmouth College).

—Diane Phoenix-Neal

For Students Archive

Dogtown After Hours is just around the corner

Drake students—save the date for this year’s Dogtown After Hours!
When? Friday April 1, 8 p.m. to midnight
Where? The Olmsted Center

Come and enjoy FREE food, fun, and entertainment! If you haven’t been following us on our Facebook page (Dogtown After Hours) or on our Twitter (@Drake_DTAH), we have been releasing sneak peaks of what you can enjoy on the night of the event. We have also released this year’s theme: “Pieces of Drake: A perfect fit.” Make sure to visit and like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to find out all the the exciting and amazing events we have planned for you. There will be something for everyone; after all, the students are the pieces that make Drake!

—Emma Haselhuhn

For Students Archive

Important: Changes to grading at Drake

In March 2013, Faculty Senate passed a motion to change the grading policy “That Drake University extends to all instructors the ability to assign plus/minus grade modifiers in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs beginning with the Fall 2016 semester.” In order to prepare for the approaching implementation of the plus/minus grading policy, common questions about the new policy will be featured each week for the next several weeks. You can also access a full set of resources on the Student Records website.

Q:  How will this affect my grade point average?
A:   Grades will be assigned a corresponding quality point value according to the table below.

Grade Quality Points
A+ 4.00
A 4.00
A- 3.70
B+ 3.30
B 3.00
B- 2.70
C+ 2.30
C 2.00
C- 1.70
D+ 1.30
D 1.00
D- 1.00
F 0.00

Q:  I am a current student. Will the grades that I have earned up to this point be affected by this policy?
A:   No. The policy applies only to courses offered in Fall 2016 and later. For example, if you earned a “B” in a Spring 2015 course, it will not change to a “B-“ or a “B+”.

Q:  If I earned an ‘incomplete’ for a course taken before Fall 2016, but I complete my coursework during the Fall 2016 semester, can I earn a + or – grade for that course?
A:   No, because the course was originally offered/taken in a semester prior to the Fall 2016 semester.

Stay tuned next week for more Q&A.

—Submitted by Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

RSVP for inauguration today!

Today, March 21, is the last day to order your academic regalia for the lowest price if you plan to participate in the procession during Inauguration. (You can order after today, but the price will go up.) Any faculty or staff member can participate in the procession (must wear academic regalia). Whether you plan to participate in the procession or simply attend and sit in general seating, please RSVP to joseph.schneider@drake.edu. More information can be found at www.drake.edu/inauguration.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Learn how to manage change

Continue your professional development, work towards the ELD Certificate, and learn how to manage change!

Change is constant. However, findings show that people don’t mind changes so much; they mind “being” changed. Take charge of the changes you find yourself in and learn tools to navigate through the “Four Step Change” process. Join Jul Bruns, Employee and Family Resources’ workplace services consultant, to learn how to respond positively to resistance and apply resiliency to grow and adapt. This will be held Thursday, March 24, 9–11 a.m., in Olmsted Center, Room 310-311.

Participants will receive two credits toward the Excellence in Learning & Development certificate. For the list of remaining programs, visit the Learning and Development site, accessible through blueView.

—Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits