Category Archives: Archive

Campus Announcements Archive

Parking changes on 27th Street effective today

Drake has assumed ownership of 27th Street (between Carpenter and Forest avenues) and Carpenter Avenue (between 25th and 27th streets). Effective today, Aug. 17, there will be significant changes to parking on 27th Street. Parking on the east side of the street will be considered commuter lot parking, requiring a commuter permit. The west side of the street will be treated as a fire lane and no parking will be permitted.

Parking and traffic flow on Carpenter Avenue will remain unchanged; however speed bumps will be installed to slow traffic and enhance safety. The speed bumps will help regulate traffic speed on streets that are no longer regulated by city ordinance or patrolled by Des Moines police.

The purchase of these two streets was approved by the board of trustees in preparation for the next phase of the STEM@DRAKE project. Construction of the School of Education and Math and Computer Science facility and the new science connector building between Olin and Fitch Halls will require that 27th Street be available for construction access and equipment. Thus, once construction begins, it is likely that 27th Street will close. In the long term, 27th Street and Carpenter Avenue will become an integrated part of campus, with plans for a pedestrian-orientated plaza and enhanced green space.

Gates will also be installed along 27th Street to allow for street closure when work begins. Access to the Jewett parking lot will continue for at least the fall semester.

For more information about the changes affecting Carpenter and 27th Street please see our frequently asked questions.

If you have any questions or concerns about this information, please contact Venessa Macro, chief administration officer, at venessa.macro@drake.edu.

Featured Events Archive

Zenith Chamber Music Festival is Aug. 18–21

Zenith Chamber Music Festival is scheduled for Aug. 18-21 and features daily performances by international and local artists. The family-friendly festival, hosted by Drake University, will includes these free concerts:

Drake University music faculty members have worked alongside private philanthropists to bring Zenith to life in the Des Moines metro area. Featured musicians, most of whom will perform nightly, include Helen Hwaya Kim, violinist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Anna Reider, violinist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; Arie Schacter, violist with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra; and Lei Weng, an international piano soloist and member of the faculty at University of Northern Colorado.

Drake University faculty and other local musicians will join the visiting artists for impressive displays of artistry. The festival is designed to be accessible for fans of all ages and interests—from seasoned classical aficionados to casual listeners—and each venue promises a unique atmosphere.

The festival will also serve as an educational experience for thousands of Iowa students who perform in school musical ensembles or study an instrument at home. There will be a master class for pre-college students on Aug. 21, followed by a final concert with a combination of students and Zenith featured artists that evening.

HR Information Archive

Changes to DART routes begin Aug. 23

Do you ride DART? If you show your Drake ID Card, you can ride for free!

Due to construction downtown, there will be service changes effective Aug. 23.

  • Routes 3, 15, 17, 52, 60 (via Ingersoll), and afternoon trips on route 98: Due to the expected street closure on 7th Street during construction of the new City of Des Moines parking garage, these DART routes will travel via 7th, Watson Powell, 5th, and Grand. Service times will be adjusted slightly.
  • Routes 14, 91, 93, 94, 95, and 96: Due to the anticipated closure of High Street between 7th and 8th streets for the construction at the Principal Financial Group, these routes will travel via High, 9th, and Locust on inbound trips and Grand, 8th, and High on outbound trips.

—Submitted by Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

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

Campus Announcements Archive

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.

Campus Announcements Archive

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

News & Achievements Archive

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

News & Achievements Archive

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.