Planning the rest of the semester
Yesterday was a big news day for Drake. Both President Marty Martin and Provost Sue Mattison released information about the University’s plans for the rest of the semester. The big takeaways:
- Classes will continue remotely for the rest of the semester.
- Spring commencement is canceled, but there will be a virtual celebration TBD. Students can also opt to participate in December 2020 ceremonies.
- Students can apply for prorated room and board refunds. Student Life is organizing residence hall move-out procedures.
- The University is amending credit/no credit requirements for spring to allow students more flexibility to opt to take their classes pass/fail this semester, considering the unusual circumstances.
Details on all of this, as well as other resources and FAQs, can be found on the Drake coronavirus page at https://www.drake.edu/coronavirus/
The University has also launched a fundraising campaign for a Student Emergency Fund to help students in need of assistance during this crisis. The fund will be administered by Dean of Students Jerry Parker.
Celebrating our seniors
Plans after graduation (if you know yet):
Stay involved with Drake Innovation
The Drake Innovation Studio (a collaboration among the SJMC, the CBPA, computer science, graphic design, math departments and others) is glad to have everyone back in classes. The Studio has some activities that might interest you over the next few weeks:
- Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. There’s still time to apply to the Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture competition. You could win up to $5,000 for your student business/business idea. The studio is using a combined application for the Pappajohn Competition and Lorentzen Hatchery so apply here today! https://tinyurl.com/2020DUpappajohn
- Lorentzen Student Hatchery. The studio is still accepting applications for the Lorentzen Student Hatchery. The Hatchery is a summer program where you receive mentoring and a monthly stipend to startup your own business. The studio is using a combined application for the Lorentzen Hatchery and Pappajohn Competition. Applications close on Monday, April 6! https://tinyurl.com/2020DUpappajohn
- Techstars free virtual event! On Thursday, April 16, Techstars will be hosting an “Ask Me Anything” event so you can learn about the program and how it can support you. Techstars is a global network of startup accelerators that help entrepreneurs succeed that recently launched a program in Des Moines, Iowa this fall. This program merges the Global Techstars Network with each to accelerate 10 Tech Startups. Find more information and register at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/ts_iowa_1/register
- Staying strong together. The University has begun a social media campaign to shine a spotlight on all of the good things that members of our community are doing to stay connected, stay strong and support one another. Share your #DrakeTogether stories, photos and videos with multimedia professor Chris Snider at chris.snider@drake.edu.
Be sure to take care of yourselves and feel free to email us if you have any questions or concerns innovation@drake.edu.
Life hacks and lifelines
Here is a running list of tips and resources to help you navigate the reality of distance learning and living:
- Access to eBooks at no additional charge: Visit the campus store website, to gain access to eBooks at no additional charge with your .edu email address. Each student can access up to seven eBooks free of charge.
- No cost shipping on rental returns and deadline extensions: The Drake Bookstore is offering free shipping return labels and is also extending the non-return period without penalty to assist with increased returns by mail. Click the COVID-19 message on the home page of the campus store website for the details.
- Free online order shipping with no minimum purchase: This includes course materials, supplies, apparel and gifts.
Advising for fall registration: Stay tuned for more detailed information and don’t panic. Your adviser will set up a way to meet with you remotely and the dean’s office will keep you apprised of deadlines and procedures.
Microsoft Teams: Many Drake faculty, staff and departments will be shifting to Microsoft Teams as a way to schedule appointments, hold meetings, chats and one-on-one calls. Drake Information Technology Services has pulled together a cheat sheet on how to access and use Teams, as well as other online learning resources: https://drake.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2025/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=100398&SIDs=5986
Online tutoring: Tutoring appointments – including the Writing Workshop and the Math Lab — will take place on Blackboard.
- Schedule appointments as usual on the tutoring website
- Tutors will email you a link before the start of your appointment.
- For the Writing Workshop: Respond to the tutor’s email by sending the tutor a copy of your paper.
- At the time of your appointment, click the link sent to you by the tutor to enter the virtual tutoring session on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.
- Once you’ve entered, enable both audio and video at the bottom of your computer screen.
- On the bottom right-hand side of your screen, click the purple tab to view a chat box.
- Tutors may use this chat to send questions for you to answer while they read your paper or go over the assignment with you.
- The appointment will proceed virtually.
Free Adobe access: Follow the directions below. If, after you are logged in, you are asked to start a trial or something to this effect, please send your email address to Clayton Mitchell in ITS (clayton.mitchell@drake.edu) and he can set things up.
- Adobe has provided temporary at-home access for impacted students and faculty, so that they can continue their work remotely. Please follow the instructions below to enable access to Creative Cloud Desktop Apps on your personal device.
- Visit https://creativecloud.adobe.com and use your school credentials to sign in.
- If prompted, select Company or School Account and then enter your password. Or provide your credentials in your school’s login screen.
- From the Creative Cloud website, browse for and download your desired app. Click Apps on the top of the page to view all apps.
- For more information on how to download or install apps, see Download and Install Creative Cloud apps.
- Please visit this HelpX page if you have questions.
- For Higher Education students to continue developing skills, Adobe offers free “Daily Creative Challenges.” These are guided projects where participants receive creative prompts and connect with pros, mentors and other students for feedback and support. Click on the app name to learn more: Photoshop, XD and Illustrator. Also, for inspiration and over-the-shoulder learning, watch pros share their creative process on Adobe Live daily at www.behance.net/adobelive.
Drake offers remote career development support
Questions about your internships
- If you have an internship now and need assistance in how to work with your employer to continue your internship through to its completion, contact SJMC Internship Coordinator Carlyn Crowe by email (carlyn.crowe@drake.edu), phone (515-974-7775 cell) or Teams. She can work with employers on modifications to your requirements if necessary. She is also tracking how internships are being completed, evaluated and implemented at other schools across the country.
Seniors looking for jobs or students looking for internships for summer/fall
- We are online to help! Carlyn and also Drake Professional and Career Development Services staff are available to discuss your search, review your application materials and help you make connections if possible. These appointments can take the form of email, phone or video chat. If you select phone, you will need to provide the best number to reach you during the scheduled time. Video chats will take place using Teams. Contact Carlyn or PCDS staff member Annette Watson (annette.watson@drake.edu) for details.
- Searching for internships and jobs remains virtually the same during this time where we are all working remotely. Use your network, including advisers and faculty. Use Handshake and LinkedIn to search for jobs and connect with individuals working in your chosen field. Hint: when using Handshake for your job search, be sure to search the “employers” tab listed under the “jobs” tab. This gives you access to reviews, interview information and jobs that employers have not included on Handshake. Visit https://www.drake.edu/career/student/personal-brand/ for information on resumes, cover letters and additional job search information.
Meredith Hall building hours
Students currently have access to campus academic buildings with their Drake ID from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekdays only. However, that doesn’t mean that classrooms are always unlocked. Students are encouraged to follow governmental guidelines, practice social distancing and refrain from coming to campus if possible. Students with questions should contact Dean Kathleen Richardson (kathleen.richardson@drake.edu).
Have a news item for the Memo?
The SJMC Monday Memo is a newsletter to keep members of the wider SJMC community updated on School news, achievements, events and opportunities. If you have an item for the Memo, please send it to Dean Kathleen Richardson (kathleen.richardson@drake.edu) or SJMC webmaster and multimedia professor Chris Snider (christopher.snider@drake.edu). SJMC alums and other professionals can also subscribe to the Monday Memo via email here: http://eepurl.com/bPNbxn
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication strives to create a community of scholars that represents the complexity of the human experience in regards to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, political views, gender identification, religion, age and physical abilities. We are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all our faculty, staff, students and visitors, and celebrating our differences through the lens of the First Amendment value of freedom of expression.