Category Archives: Archive

New self-service password reset system

Today, Drake Technology Services will introduce a new self-service password reset (SSPR) system for campus, allowing you to change your own password without the assistance of the Support Center. The SSPR system makes changing campus passwords and setting security questions more intuitive; resetting forgotten passwords is also straightforward.

You don’t need to change your password immediately once the new password reset system is introduced. You can wait until your password is about to expire before accessing SSPR. Passwords will continue to expire one year after being changed, and you will continue to be notified as expiration approaches. However, notices from SSPR will be better identified making it clear that the notification is sent from Drake.

Using the SSPR
Upon logging in to SSPR for the first time, users will be asked to choose and answer three security questions, which you will need to answer if you forget your password. The three security questions are private and cannot be accessed by anyone other than you.

SSPR also introduces a fourth security question that Support Center staff can see. If you need to call in for assistance, Support Center staff can ask this fourth question to verify identity.

You will also be asked to add a personal (non-Drake) email address and mobile phone number, which can be used for additional validation if a password is forgotten.

The new system incorporates characteristics of other online password management systems, such as those for online banking, Apple’s iTunes, and Microsoft’s Live.

When you need to change your password, or to utilize the new system, visit https://password.drake.edu/ and try Drake’s Self-Service Password Reset!

—Submitted by Drake Technology Services

Back to school information for University Bookstore

Some helpful tips for working with the University Bookstore as classes resume:

  • Fall 2015 Course Materials Listings can be accessed via the Bookstore website. Once on the homepage, select “Textbooks & Course Materials” from the “Books” menu (under the logo).
  • Donna Hallstrom, textbook manager, can be reached at her new email: 1623mgr@follett.com
  • If you need to submit an adoption OR re-submit an adoption, the online form is near the bottom of the bookstore homepage. The first time you use the page you will need to register as a new user. You will be asked for a bookstore password, which is our store number, 1623.
  • Katie Wilz, manager, can be now be reached at kwilz@follett.com

Submitted by Nancy Geiger, student information analyst

Hosting a political speaker, candidate, or group on campus?

As political visitors flock to Drake’s campus this fall, any faculty and staff interested in planning events or advising student groups that may be planning events need to be aware of Drake’s policies regarding political visitors. Candidates and other political figures may visit Drake may be hosted by Drake-affiliated groups, rent University facilities, or serve as guest speakers in a class.

Drake values the opportunity to engage the political environment while recognizing the importance of each individual’s rights regarding political activities. All Drake employees and groups must adhere to Drake’s political activity policy in order to ensure compliance with IRS guidelines. Therefore, if students or faculty are approached about candidate events or want to plan events, the Political Visitor Team is here to help.

The Political Visitor Team, comprising faculty and staff members from across campus, provides logistical support and ensures institutional cooperation for political events on campus. By keeping this team aware of political events on campus, you can ensure that all candidates, campaigns, parties, and issue advocacy organizations are treated fairly and consistently and that Drake complies with federal law. They can also provide more information about upcoming events.

To reach the Political Visitor Team, contact Rachel Paine Caufield, associate professor of political science and Iowa Caucus Project director, at rachel.caufield@drake.edu or 271-1924.

DTS: Summer 2015 changes to Blackboard

Drake’s Blackboard system has been upgraded and moved to a remotely hosted system. The upgrade provides improved performance and a more stable system.

As of August 22, all content (past classes and Fall 2015 courses) will be located in the new remote hosted system located at https://drake.blackboard.com/. The links on blueView will redirect to the new system.

If you encounter any issues or are missing any capabilities or content, please contact the Support Center at extension 3001 or submit a ticket. Otherwise, no action is needed by faculty or staff.

Submitted by Drake Technology Services

Spike’s Kids Club—faculty/staff discount

Drake Athletics is excited to offer children of all Drake faculty and staff $15 memberships to Spike’s Kids Club. Spike’s Kids Club is open to children 8th grade and under and provides free admission to ALL home athletic events (excludes Drake Relays and post-season play). Additionally, membership includes an official membership card, T-shirt, email updates on upcoming promotions, birthday card from Spike, and admission to exclusive club parties. Enter the promotional code FACSTAFF at purchase.

Questions? Please contact Tom Florian, assistant director of ticket sales, at 271-4949 or thomas.florian@drake.edu.

Submitted by Drake Athletics

Drake to host nationally televised Democratic presidential candidate debate

Drake University and the Iowa Democratic Party will host a live, nationally televised debate among Democratic presidential candidates in Sheslow Auditorium on Nov. 14. The event broadcast by CBS News and KCCI, in conjunction with The Des Moines Register, will be the Democratic National Committee’s only sanctioned presidential candidate debate in Iowa prior to the state’s first-in-the-nation caucuses on Feb. 1.

Additional details of the Nov. 14 debate, including time and moderators, are forthcoming from Drake, CBS News, and the Democratic National Committee. Drake will be working with the DNC, the Iowa Democratic Party, and the debate’s media partners over the coming months to determine how tickets will be distributed. The University will communicate that information to faculty, staff, and students as it becomes available.

In addition, Drake is also set to host a pair of presidential candidate forums focused on issues of concern to minorities. The Brown and Black forum for Republican presidential candidates will be held Dec. 3, and the Brown and Black Forum for Democratic presidential candidates will be held Jan. 11, both in Sheslow Auditorium.

Faculty and staff invited to discuss spring 2016 Engaged Citizen Experience

The Office of the Associate Provost, Art Sanders, will host a meeting to discuss the spring 2016 Engaged Citizen Experience on on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Medbury 115. Faculty and staff are invited to join this discussion on finalizing the title of the theme and potential cocurricular events.

The tentative theme for the Engaged Citizen Experience is “Making Democracy Work,” a broad topic provided by students. Consider how this theme may take advantage of the 2016 presidential election.

Coffee, decaf, tea, water, and a snack will be available at the meeting. While no RSVP is required, please register through this Eventbrite invitation so we can order the right amount of food and drink.

Submitted by Office of the Associate Provost

27th Street on campus closed Aug. 13

As Drake prepares to take ownership of 27th Street (between Forest and Carpenter Avenues) and Carpenter Avenue (between 25th and 27th Streets), there will be no parking allowed on the west side of 27th Street starting Thursday, Aug. 13. Barricades will be in place on Thursday to prevent parking and to allow for curb painting. Please make other arrangements for parking your cars on the 13th.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 17, parking on the east side of the street will be considered commuter lot parking requiring a Drake University commuter permit. The west side of the street will be treated as a fire lane and no parking will be permitted. Look through the 27th Street FAQ for more information about these changes.

Submitted by Finance and Administration

Physics researcher, professor receive National Science Foundation grant

Principal Investigator: Oleg Zatsarinny
Co-PI: Klaus Bartschat
Project Title: Development of a general ad effective program B-spline R-matrix program for charged-particle and photon collisions with atoms, ions, and molecules
Project Summary: This research will consist of the further development of a highly successful suite of computer programs to calculate accurate atomic data for a wide variety of electron- and photon-driven processes. This work will support many experimental projects, ranging from industrial plasma modeling to fundamental research performed at next-generation light sources. The results will be published in high-impact peer-reviewed professional journals. They will be presented at international scientific meetings, and the next version of the computer code will be written up and made available to the public. A post-doctoral researcher as well as undergraduate students will be trained through developing and testing individual modules of the package, thus giving them a first glimpse of supercomputing.
Funding Agency: National Science Foundation
Award Amount: $182,172 (Year 1: $72,465)

Submitted by Sponsored Programs

Athletics: Drake faculty/staff days

All Drake University faculty and staff are eligible to receive four complimentary tickets to Drake volleyball’s home opener match against Western Illinois, tomorrow (Sept. 15) at 6 p.m. in The Knapp Center. Tickets may be picked up p at the Drake Athletics Ticket Office Monday–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. Must show valid Drake Card (ID) at time of pick up.

Faculty and staff can also get free tickets to the following fall athletic events:

Women’s Soccer
Drake vs. Iowa State
Sept. 20, 1 p.m.
Cownie Soccer Complex

Men’s Soccer
Drake vs. Missouri State
Oct. 3, 7 p.m.
Cownie Soccer Complex

More information is available at www.DrakeTix.com/promotions
Questions? Call 515-271-3647 or email tickets@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Tom Florian, Assistant Director, Ticket Operations and Donor Management