Once again, Drake University is proud to be highlighted as part of the IMT Des Moines Marathon, on Sunday, Oct. 19. The famed ‘Blue Oval’ and the Drake campus will be part of the race around the mile 9  marker.  Runners will approach Drake from 25th to Carpenter, left into the campus and south through campus to 27th to run the oval. Both DPS and DMPD staff will be here to insure a safe race course.

The IMT Marathon will place runners in and around Drake from 8:30 – 11:30 am.  Please expect traffic disruptions both near campus and throughout the racecourse.

For more information on the IMT Des Moines Marathon and course, please click this link – DMM-Athlete-Guide-2024.

Drake will hold its annual campus fire drills on Oct. 13, 14, 15, and 20 in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act and in conjunction with National Fire Prevention month. All drills will be conducted at 10:45 a.m. with the exception of the residence halls, which will be conducted from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 20. We have planned this to minimize disruption to classes. The majority of academic buildings will be completed during the week of fall break. This also allows us to have a more efficient utilization of our staff for these drills. The residence halls will be done from 6–9 p.m. to increase participation in the residence hall evacuation.

Fire alarms will be activated in all campus buildings to signal the start of the drill. When the alarm sounds:

• Evacuate the building.
• Buildings will be locked down and cannot be re-entered until the drill ends.
• Remember to dress accordingly.

The fire drills will be coordinated through the Office of Public Safety (271-2222) working with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (271-3804) and Facilities Services (271-2706). Please report any fire alarm malfunctions or evacuation problems to Facilities or Public Safety. Your cooperation in this very important campus safety exercise regarding the Drake Emergency Response Plan is appreciated.

Fire drill schedule:

Monday – Oct. 13

Meredith
Aliber
Cowles
Opperman
Cartwright
Harmon Fine Arts Center
Howard
Carnegie
Medbury
Collier-Scripps

Tuesday – Oct. 14

Olin
Science Connector Building
Harvey-Ingham
Cline
Fitch
STAH
Occupational Therapy

Wednesday – Oct. 15

Olmsted Center
Hubbell
Student Health
Alumni House
ROTC
Bell Center
Knapp Center
Fieldhouse
Tennis Center

Monday – Oct. 20

Cole
Old Main
Public Safety
Kinne Center
Vote Smart
Legal Clinic
Dial Center

All residence halls (6–9 p.m.)

— Scott Law, Executive Director, Public Safety & Operational Services

A new policy generally prohibiting the recording of conversations without the permission of all parties is now posted in the University Policy Library. The policy also covers when recordings are allowed in academic programming, the permissions needed to record, and limits on distribution of approved recordings. The purpose of the policy is to protect privacy, promote trust, uphold academic integrity, support accessibility, and ensure legal compliance. Thanks to those involved in providing input into the new policy and to those who submitted comments during the public comment period.

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is offering a free replacement of lead water service lines for about 400 qualifying homes in the Drake Neighborhood (see highlighted map area). This project is part of DMWW’s commitment to provide safe, reliable drinking water for Des Moines families. While your water is safe to drink today, removing lead lines is a proactive step to ensure long-term health and safety. Best of all, it’s 100% free, and you can participate even if your bill isn’t up to date.

Sign and return your agreement today to secure your free replacement and help bring lead-free water to every home in the neighborhood. Didn’t receive an agreement or misplaced yours? Contact DMWW at lead@dmww.com or (515) 283-8754. And don’t forget to encourage your neighbors to sign up too. Together, we can make this project possible.

— Sydney Dvorak, Sustainability Coordinator

Do you have extra office supplies hanging around your office, or are you looking to stock up on something you don’t have? Look no further than the Office of Sustainability’s Office Supply Swap.

Stop by Pomerantz Stage in the Olmsted Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to pick up office supplies or drop off unwanted supplies. Please do not bring any broken items or junk.

Email sustainability@drake.edu with any questions.

— Sydney Dvorak, Sustainability Coordinator

Do you have unwanted e-waste in your office? You can now drop it off on the first floor of Johansen Student Center in break room 117 near the printer. Find the orange box. Batteries can also be dropped off here for collection. Email sustainability@drake.edu with any questions, or if the box is full.

Head to https://www.drake.edu/sustainability/resources/ for more E-waste information.

— Sydney Dvorak, Sustainability Coordinator

The Olmsted Center will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, for the Francis Marion Drake Dinner.

All spaces in Olmsted, including Starbucks, On the Go, study spaces and lounges will not be accessible.

The Olmsted Center will reopen on Saturday, Oct. 18, at its normal time.

—Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

Each year, Drake University and the National Alumni Association Board of Directors proudly honor outstanding graduates through the Drake Alumni Awards. These awards recognize alumni whose achievements, service, and loyalty embody the Bulldog spirit. Nominations for the 2026 awards are now open—submit yours by Monday, Nov. 3, to help us celebrate the alumni who inspire us all.

Here is the link to register: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5tjvrYvWGiTaXlA

— Andy Verlengia, Alumni Relations