Tag Archives: STEM@DRAKE

Strategic Updates Archive

From President Martin: Oct. 12

This past weekend was a busy one as members of the Drake University Board of Trustees were on campus for their fall meeting. We covered many topics on Friday and Saturday, and concluded with a wonderful celebration of the record-breaking distinctlyDrake campaign Saturday night. Seeing so many of our loyal supporters all in one spot was energizing and inspiring.

Many noteworthy topics were addressed at the board meeting, of which I’d like to share a few highlights. The board received an update regarding the STEM@DRAKE project. Work is being done to finalize costs in alignment with the budget, as well as to complete construction documents that will take our design and renderings into development. The board was briefed that the University will pursue Green Globes certification of the new connector building and the School of Education, Computer Sciences, and Math building. Green Globes is a nationally recognized rating assessment, guidance, and certification program. Right now, we are targeting the rating of two globes, an achievement that will underscore the importance of sustainability on our campus.

Teresa Krejci, chief financial officer, shared budget savings updates with the board. Savings initiatives in the FY16 budget call for a temporary reduction in operational expenses of $509,000 and temporary salary savings of $500,000. Thanks to the efforts of units across campus and the work of our colleagues in the finance office, we have already met the goal for operational savings. Additionally, we have saved $330,000 in salary expenses from the 60-day open position hold practice and nearly $60,000 from position restructuring thus far, and Teresa expects we will meet or exceed our goal for the fiscal year.

We also discussed improvements to our athletics facilities. Drake Stadium underwent a $15 million renovation in 2005, and the time has come to replace the track surface, field turf, video board, and sound system as these features have begun to fail. The cost of the updates is approximately $2.3 million. We have secured gifts and pledges from donors totaling more than $2.45 million for these projects.

Finally, the trustees spent much of their time looking at tuition pricing. As we are all well aware, the cost of higher education and the resulting debt many students leave college with is an important issue in our industry. While no decisions were made, the discussion was productive and informative as we begin the work of both setting next year’s tuition and the University’s operating budget.

Best,

Marty

Campus Announcements Archive

Construction update

In anticipation of the construction of the School of Education and Math and Computer Science facility and the new Science Connector building between Olin and Fitch Halls, several pre-construction steps are underway. You will start to see activity near the future construction site as work begins to relocate electrical and communication infrastructure. This will require digging and trench work, which will be noticeable to those in and around the area. We are focused on safety and security as well as minimizing disruption. With a project this size we know there will be a variety of things to work through, including significant digging, construction noise, and altered pathways. Watch OnCampus and blueView for announcements about work schedules and locations. If at any time you have questions or concerns please contact Venessa Macro at 271-3962 or Jolene Schmidt at 271-3957.

Later this fall, there will be additional opportunities to learn more about the project through in-person meetings and online resources.

—Submitted by Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Strategic Updates Archive

STEM@DRAKE construction update

In June, the Board of Trustees authorized the start of pre-construction work on the next phase of the STEM@DRAKE project. In anticipation of the construction of the School of Education and Math and Computer Science facility and the new Science Connector building between Olin and Fitch Halls, several pre-construction steps are underway. Here are some highlights from recent activity:

  • After a competitive bid process, Weitz was chosen as the contractor. A group including Board of Trustees members and steering team members Joe Lenz, Jan McMahill, Renae Chestnut, Keith Summerville, Teresa Krejci, Venessa Macro, and Jolene Schmidt interviewed five contractors.
  • You will start to see some activity near the future construction site. Electrical and communication infrastructure will need to be relocated, which will require some trench work near Medbury and Olin. Plans and schedules for this work are under development and will be shared as soon as they are final. Watch blueView and OnCampus for more information.
  • The transition of 27th Street to Drake-owned property is complete. Parking on the east side of the street is commuter parking, requiring a commuter permit. The west side of the street is a fire lane. Once construction begins it is likely that 27th Street will close.

In the coming weeks, additional information and project timeline information will be finalized and shared. Soon after the October Board of Trustees meeting, we are planning for additional opportunities to learn more about the project through in-person meetings and online resources.

—Submitted by Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Strategic Updates Archive

Harvey Ingham renovation

Our major capital project this summer was the completion of the renovation of Harvey Ingham Hall. It was our goal to have the renovation completed in time for the start of fall semester classes. We came close, but due to delays beyond our control, some classrooms and labs will not be available until the second week of classes. As a consequence, we have relocated those classes to alternate spaces, and we apologize to those affected by the consequent inconvenience and confusion.

We also want to invite you to an open house in Harvey Ingham on Friday, Sept. 4, at 3–4:30 p.m. so you can see all of the changes for yourself.

The scope of work included the reconfiguration of the north side of the second floor to update (and create) teaching and research labs, instrument rooms, and glassware storage; the creation of a small classroom on the first floor; and the complete reconfiguration of the garden level, with a new classroom, laboratory, collaboration space, and conference room, as well as new offices. In addition, restrooms were added to each floor and the stairwells refurbished. Due to the addition of new rooms and the requirements of meeting fire code, every room in Harvey Ingham has been renumbered.

We want to extend gratitude and congratulations to a host of folks across campus who made this project a success. First, I want to thank the faculty and staff in Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy/Health Sciences for their patience and cooperation—due to the extensive renovations, Harvey Ingham was closed for the entire summer, so faculty and classes were relocated to other buildings. Jolene Schmidt and Mark Chambers were masterful in keeping the project and the contractors on schedule (or as close to it as possible), despite delays in securing permits from the City of Des Moines. Brad Toussaint and his Drake Technology Services crew have been heroic, working nights and weekends, installing technology in classrooms, labs, and offices. The Office of Student Records, likewise, have been resourceful, not only in entering the new room numbers into the system but also working with deans Summerville and Chesnut and other college offices to find alternative spaces for every class and lab scheduled in Harvey Ingham.

Thanks to everyone’s efforts, Harvey Ingham, originally built in 1949, will soon have an entirely remodeled interior, ready for the next 50 years.

—Provost Joe Lenz