Category Archives: Uncategorized

Campus Announcements Archive, Uncategorized

Facilities projects progress update

Welcome back to campus for the 2016–2017 academic year! Every year during the summer months Facilities Planning and Management works hard to complete key construction and repair projects in time for the beginning of the academic year. Many of these initiatives are part of the regular capital improvement budget, while others are made possible through gifts or grants. In each and every case, we take seriously our commitment to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. Below is a list the activities you may notice as we begin a new academic year.
Work is completed or nearing completion on the following projects:

  • New roof on Cowles Library
  • New roof on Goodwin-Kirk
  • New furniture and gutters on the Cultural Houses
  • New hot water heater for Ross and Jewett Residence Halls
  • New card access on Cartwright Hall, Cowles Library and west doors at Fine Arts Center
  • Upgrade to Jewett Residence Hall fire alarms
  • Replacement of two of the makeup air units on Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall
  • Replacement of sliding glass door on main level of Goodwin Kirk Residence Hall
  • Replacement of air conditioning unit in Dial Center
  • University Bookstore moving to the Olmsted Center
  • New carpeting and furniture in the Olmsted Center
  • Replacement of the carpet on the 4th Floor of Goodwin-Kirk
  • New sewer line into Harvey Ingham
  • Handrail repair and painting of exterior of Ross Hall
  • Carpet replacement in Fine Arts Center
  • Waterproofing on lower level of Crawford Residence Hall
  • Waterproofing on lower level of Herriot Residence Hall
  • Restroom renovation at Medbury Hall
  • Replacement of the Exterior Doors at Aliber Hall
  • Concrete replacement various locations of the campus
  • New Law School Student Activities Suite in lower level of Opperman
  • New windows on south side of Cowles Library
  • New offices located in Fine Arts, Old Main and Cline Hall
  • New video board in Drake Stadium
  • New track in Drake Stadium
  • New football field Drake Stadium
  • New Bright Beckwith Boathouse located in Prospect Park
  • Installation of two electric car charging stations in the Olmsted Center parking lot and the parking lot to the north of the Operman Law Library

Projects coming in the near future:

  • New chiller for East Loop of campus
  • House lighting controls at Shelsow Auditorium and the Performing Arts Hall
  • Replacement of electrical switch at Fine Arts Center
  • Replacement of the stair treads at Howard Hall
  • New roof at the Legal Clinic

Even though this list seems extensive, there is always a great deal of work and maintenance that needs to occur. Each year we update a comprehensive deferred maintenance and repair list and share it with key leaders and departments across campus. This process helps us prepare for the planning the following summer’s work. A special thank you to all the Facilities Planning and Management team members who helped complete these projects.

—Jolene Schmidt, Director of Operations and Support Services

Campus Announcements Archive, Uncategorized

Drake to hire data analyst

In an effort to enhance Drake’s capacity for data informed decision making, the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment is posting a data analyst position. The data analyst will help to develop and implement data systems required to support continuous improvement and operational planning. This position will also develop capacity for accurate, accessible, and efficient reporting solutions that transform data into actionable information. For more information about the position, please review the job posting online.

—Kevin Saunders, Director of Institutional Research and Academic Assessment

Strategic Updates Archive, Uncategorized

Great Colleges to Work For survey

All full-time faculty, active adjunct faculty and full-time staff will receive an email today from Modern Think LLC, and The Chronicle of Higher Education inviting you to participate in this year’s Great Colleges To Work For Survey. Instructions on how to access this online survey will be included in the email.

Although Information Technology Services has done testing and precautions have been taken so that this email should not be identified as SPAM, if you do not see this email in your inbox, please check both your junk email and clutter folders.

As President Martin expressed in last week’s OnCampus announcement of this survey:

“The data and benchmark information we receive from this survey will be essential to improve our workplace and our culture. As you may have noted, several of the targets on Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan are directly related to the Great Colleges to Work For survey—for example, Drake earning a place on the survey’s Honor Roll by 2020.”

“The success of the survey depends on your participation. I encourage you to be honest and forthright in your answers. To ensure the confidentiality of your responses, your survey will be processed entirely by ModernThink. We will not receive any information that would enable us to identify the survey response of any one individual.”

If you have not received your email invitation  by noon today or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Gary Johnson, director, human resources (gary.johnson@drake.edu; 271-4804), or visit www.ChronicleGreatColleges.com.

—Gary Johnson

Campus Announcements Archive, Uncategorized

Safety on campus during winter

When ice and snow blanket campus, it’s important that individuals recognize the hazards of slippery surfaces. Here are helpful hints to help reduce the risk of falling when slippery conditions exist:

  • Wear boots or overshoes with slip-resistant soles. Avoid walking in shoes that have smooth surfaces, which increases the risk of slipping.
  • Be aware. Be alert to the possibility that you could quickly slip on an unseen patch of ice.
  • Walk cautiously. Your arms help keep you balanced, so keep hands out of pockets and avoid carrying heavy loads that may cause you to become off balance.
  • Walk “small.” Avoid an erect, marching posture. Look to see ahead of where you step. When you step on icy areas, take short, shuffling steps. You should also avoid walking on your toes or heels. On an icy or slippery surface, you want as much of the sole of your boot or shoe to connect with the surface as possible.
  • Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles; use the vehicle for support.

Falls on ice can occur very quickly and usually there is very little opportunity to plan your landing. Regardless, there are a few precautions that can be taken to help reduce the severity of injury.
When a fall occurs:

  • Attempt to relax your muscles. It is very natural to tighten them in anticipation of landing on the ground. Injuries can be lessened when the muscles are relaxed.
  • Try to avoid landing on your knees, wrists, tailbone, or spine. When possible, you should attempt to fall on a fleshy part of your body, such as your side.
  • It’s important to attempt to adjust your body to avoid striking your head. If you begin to fall backwards, you should attempt to lift your head to prevent it from hitting the ground first.

Walking on icy and slippery surfaces can be hazardous. The best way to prevent a fall is to avoid the situation. But when avoidance is not possible, you should apply these tips. They can help to make the difference between a minor and a serious injury or, better yet, no injury at all.

—Submitted by Chris Nickell, Director, Environmental Health & Safety