Category Archives: Campus Announcements

Campus Printer Replacement Project Underway

New Canon devices, print queues, and supply support are rolling out across campus 

Drake is replacing printers across campus in preparation for the expiration of our current printer contract at the end of the calendar year and a new vendor coming on board. The transition is designed to improve printer support and supply-ordering processes while providing functionality comparable to the current Xerox devices. 

Rollout Timeline 

Eight new printers have already been deployed. The next group will be installed in administrative buildings in November. Residence hall installations are currently planned for after fall move-out but before the beginning of winter break, followed by academic buildings just before winter break or at the beginning of J-Term. Building managers and printing super users will be notified as their areas are scheduled for replacement. 

What You Need to Know 

A few days before your building’s new printer is installed, faculty and staff with offices in that building should automatically see two new print queues: 

  • Color_Canon_FollowMe 
  • BW_Canon_FollowMe 

Use one of these queues to send and release print jobs on the new Canon devices. Most people won’t need to take any action. Windows users who don’t see the new queues may need to restart their computers. After all new printers have been deployed, the old Xerox queues will be removed. 

Supplies and Support 

Please keep all Xerox toner and other supplies near the printer. The vendor will collect them when the Xerox printer is removed and will move remaining paper to the new Canon device as needed. 

Toner and paper replenishment will once again be automated as it has in the past. An optional online portal will also show delivery dates, confirm automatic toner orders, and allow you to order other consumables, such as staples. A small supply of emergency toner will be kept on campus to help cover urgent needs or shipping delays. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Will the new printers offer the same functionality? 

Yes. The new Canon devices will provide the same general functionality as the current Xerox devices, including hole punching and stapling. 

Do users need to install the new print queues? 

No. The queues will be pushed automatically to individuals in each building a few days before installation. If they don’t appear on a Windows computer, restart the device. 

Who will handle the equipment changeover? 

The vendor will install the Canon printers, remove the Xerox devices, and move paper as needed. 

Need Help? 

For more information, review the FAQ for print super users about Canon printers.  

If you experience an issue after your new printer is deployed, submit a Printing Issue ticket through the University Service Portal. 

For general questions about the printer replacement project, contact Jeff Regan at jeffrey.regan@drake.edu. 

See Something Suspicious? Report It Through the Right ITS Channel

Technology problems and suspicious messages are easier to address when they reach the right team quickly. Whether you receive a questionable email, encounter an unexpected login prompt, or need help with a device or campus technology, use an official ITS support channel rather than trying to resolve the issue on your own. 

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a timely reminder that protecting University information and technology is a shared responsibility. Scams can appear throughout the academic year so students, faculty, and staff should remain alert for messages about jobs, scholarships, account access, payments, or urgent requests that seem unusual or too good to be true. 

Faculty and staff: Complete annual cybersecurity training by November 19 

Earlier this week, faculty and staff should have received an email announcing this year’s mandatory annual cybersecurity training. The brief 15- to 20-minute module, “Gatekeepers: Defenders of Data,” is delivered through KnowBe4 and must be completed by November 19. 

Each participant receives an individual enrollment email with a unique training link. If you expected an invitation but didn’t receive one, contact the ITS Support Center so the team can review your enrollment. Some recently hired employees may not receive this annual assignment because they completed required cybersecurity training as part of onboarding. 

What should you report? 

Contact ITS when you notice a suspicious email, text, login page, multifactor authentication prompt, or other activity involving your Drake account or University technology. You should also submit a request when a technology issue affects your ability to learn, teach, work, or access campus services. 

Why submit a ticket? 

A ticket creates a record of the issue and gives ITS the information needed to route it to the appropriate team. It also supports follow-up and helps identify patterns when multiple people report similar concerns. Submitting a ticket is the best first step, even if you think you know which ITS team should handle the issue. 

What to do when something seems suspicious 

  • Pause before clicking a link, opening an attachment, approving a login, or sharing information. 
  • Don’t reply to the sender or continue the conversation through any contact information provided in the suspicious message. 
  • Preserve useful details, such as the sender, subject line, time received, and a description of what happened. 
  • Use the University Service Portal to contact ITS and report it. 

Need ITS help? 

Visit the University Service Portal at https://service.drake.edu or call the ITS Support Center at 515-271-3001 to report a security or technology concern. When in doubt, submit a ticket so ITS can review and route your request. 

Drake Alumni Award Nominations Open

The most visible sign of the vitality of a University can be seen by examining the success and achievements of its alumni. Drake University and the National Alumni Association Board of Directors are proud to honor exceptional graduates with the Drake University Alumni Awards.

Do you know a deserving alum? Whether you are student, staff or faculty member, please consider nominating them.

These awards recognize the significant contributions of our alumni to their alma mater, their profession, and their communities.

Please submit your nomination by the deadline of Monday, Nov. 9. Have questions about the process or need help with your nomination? Contact Andy Verlengia at andrew.verlengia@drake.edu.

— Andy Verlengia, Alumni Relations

Celebrating National First-Gen Student Day

Nov. 8 is National First-Generation Student Day. Drake defines a first-generation student as a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. At Drake, First-generation students make up 29% of Drake’s new student population. This includes 20% of new first year students.

The Office of New Student and Family Programs, Drake First-Gen Bulldogs Student Organization, and college/school academic offices are partnering to celebrate Drake first-generation students, staff, and faculty.

Check out the schedule of events to celebrate our First-Gen Bulldogs!

— Marina Verlengia, Academic Excellence & Student Success

J-Term and Spring 2027 Registration, Schedule of Classes

The J-Term and Spring 2027 schedule of classes and related registration information is available online. Registration begins Monday, Nov. 2.

View registration information, including the registration time table that shows when you become eligible to register. View the schedule of classes.

Some courses will be temporarily reserved for students who have declared a certain field-of-study (major, minor, concentration, or endorsement). On Monday, Nov. 16, those reservations will be removed. Note that some courses have restrictions that are permanent.

If you are an undergraduate or pharmacy student intending to make any changes to your field-of-study and have those changes take effect before registration begins, file your changes via the change of record request no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26th. Requests submitted after this date may be delayed.

The change of record request can be found by navigating to myDrake, selecting Self-Service under commonly used apps, and clicking on the link for the change of record request under Student Records.

— Ryan Trump, Academic Excellence & Student Success

Mending Workshop Nov. 6

Join the Office of Sustainability and DEAL on Friday, Nov. 6, to learn how to mend your clothing. The workshop will be held in the Johansen Student Center, Room 201, from 12–2 p.m. Needles, thread, and fabric to practice on will be provided. No experience required. All are welcome.

— Sydney Dvorak, Sustainability Coordinator

Upcoming Fall Intramural Sports Deadlines

Registration is officially open for fall intramural sports and special events. The deadline to sign up for the annual 3-point shootout is Nov. 13. The winner will compete against other competitors from across Iowa to be crowned the best in Iowa.

All registrations are handled through IMLeagues via the DrakeRec App.

— RJ Hurd, School of Education

DPS to Increase Enforcement of Parking Violations Beginning Nov. 2

Over the past several weeks, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has observed a significant increase in vehicles parked in University lots without proper authorization. While we understand that parking availability can sometimes be challenging, unauthorized parking creates a hardship for members of our community who have purchased permits and rely on having access to their designated parking areas.

Parking on campus is a privilege, and it is one that the University takes seriously. Parking permit fees help support the maintenance, operation, and management of campus parking facilities. When individuals park in lots for which they are not authorized, it diminishes the value of that investment for permit holders and can prevent students, faculty, and staff from finding parking in the areas assigned to them.

To address this growing concern, DPS must take additional enforcement measures.

Effective Monday, Nov. 2, DPS will no longer issue warning notices to vehicles illegally parked in University lots Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Vehicles found parked in lots for which they are not authorized will receive tickets and may be subject to immediate towing without warning.

This is not a step the University takes lightly. DPS has historically emphasized education and voluntary compliance whenever possible. Unfortunately, the continued increase in unauthorized parking has made stronger enforcement necessary to ensure that permit holders can reliably access the parking they have paid for.

Members of the campus community who need a parking permit may still purchase one through MyDrake or by visiting the Student Services Center.

Additionally, short-term parking options remain available through the ParkDSM app in designated campus locations. DPS is also working to expand the number of ParkDSM spaces available on campus and anticipates adding additional locations for the Spring semester.

We appreciate the cooperation of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors as we work to maintain a fair and accessible parking system for everyone. Questions regarding parking permits, parking regulations, or available parking options may be directed to the Department of Public Safety.

Thank you for helping us ensure that campus parking remains available to those who have purchased and rely upon authorized parking access.

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

Facilities Planning and Management Went All In. Who Will Be Next?

Last April, Bulldogs made 1,524 gifts and raised $972,020 during All In, Drake’s 24-Hour Giving Challenge. One campus team gave us a particularly inspiring example of what it means to come together: Facilities Planning and Management.

Congratulations to the 47 FPM employees who participated!  Their support showed how colleagues working together can make a meaningful difference for Drake students and the programs that serve them.  A member of the FPM team was also the winner of Griff III’s delivery. Please join us in thanking the FPM team for leading the way!

We’re already looking ahead to All In 2027 on April 7–8. In the months ahead, we’ll share stories from across campus and ways to get involved. Facilities set a wonderful example, and we can’t wait to see how Bulldogs come together again this year.

—Heidi Weiss, University Advancement