FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 17, 2000 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE RENEWS ITS COMMITMENT TO OBSERVATORY Drake University President David Maxwell today announced that the University is renewing its commitment to the Drake Municipal Observatory with the help of a major gift from Madelyn M. Levitt, a member of Drake's governing board and national chair of Campaign Drake, the University's $190 million fundraising effort. "As many of you know, the University's program review process now under way scrutinized the quality of all of our administrative and academic programs, and our commitment to the observatory was not immune from that study," President Maxwell said. "Of concern are the anticipated costs of renovating the interior of the building. "I am excited and very grateful to announce today that Madelyn M. Levitt - among our longtime and most generous supporters - has come forth with a gift of $150,000 toward the renovation, allowing us to maintain our role in the observatory. This gift enables the University to address the majority of immediate repairs. The total cost of the interior renovation is estimated at $222,000, plus a $250,000 endowment is needed to support future maintenance. "We are hopeful that Maddie's generosity will also spark additional donations and gifts in kind from local businesses and community members. The observatory's history and future as a community asset and resource, indeed, reinforce the need for the facility to truly be a partnership between Drake and Des Moines." President Maxwell said Drake will continue to provide free educational programs at the observatory and fund the observatory's annual operating budget of approximately $15,000. Levitt said she decided to make the gift because she has fond memories of taking her children to the observatory when they were young, plus she wants to help the University meet its obligations. "Drake made a commitment to support the observatory when it opened," she said. "If you make a commitment, you keep it." Built with city funds on city property, the observatory houses a refracting telescope donated to Drake in 1894 by Francis Marion Drake just two years before he became governor of Iowa. Under the current agreement, the city is responsible for maintenance of the exterior building while Drake is responsible for maintenance of the interior. The city, which has awarded a $150,000 contract for a new roof and other exterior repairs, plans to invest a total of $250,000 in the observatory over the next several years. Drake's announcement drew positive comments from city officials and neighborhood leaders. "I think it's wonderful," said Des Moines City Council member Chris Hensley. "I would hope that by working with the neighborhood associations and Drake we can explore other financing that would work with the Drake dollars to enhance the building." Another city council member, Tom Vlassis, said he, too, is pleased that Drake is renewing its commitment to the observatory. "It's a very valuable asset to Des Moines," he added. "I'm proud of Drake University and Maddie Levitt. She's one of the best supporters you could have." Waveland Park Neighborhood Association President David Huston said Drake's investment in the observatory will enhance the neighborhood and the city. "I look forward to a future for the observatory that will be as stellar as its past," he said. Drake's renewed commitment to the observatory is among many preliminary recommendations that President Maxwell released today as part of Drake's program review process. His interim, or progress, report is posted on the Drake Web site at www.drake.edu/review. Although his recommendations were originally scheduled to be released in December, President Maxwell said he decided to issue a progress report for two reasons. "First, it was clear that many of the initial recommendations for phasing out of programs caused some uncertainty and anxiety, both on campus and off, and we wanted to ease that uncertainty and refocus attention on the creative and compelling vision of Drake University's future that is emerging from the program review process. "Second, the Faculty Senate must consider all recommendations for the phasing out of academic programs. We wanted to give the recommendations to the senate now, so we could adhere to our plan to submit recommendations to Drake's Board of Trustees in mid-December." The preliminary recommendations address academic programs that were originally recommended either for restructuring or for phase out, as well as some administrative program recommendations that are of great interest to the community, such as the observatory. Fewer than 50 of Drake's 3,200 undergraduate students, and fewer than 100 of the part-time or graduate students, are majoring in programs slated to be phased out under President Maxwell's preliminary recommendations. Here are some of the highlights of President Maxwell's initial recommendations: • The chemistry major, which was initially recommended to be offered as an individualized major only and discontinued as a formal major, will be reconfigured under a plan proposed by the chemistry department. The physics and astronomy majors, initially recommended for phase-out, will be redesigned by the department, working with the deans and the provost. "We've asked the department to devise majors that fit Drake's needs and resources and that will contribute to our proposed new Center for Science, Mathematics and Education," President Maxwell said. Drake is continuing to develop a foreign languages approach that incorporates the powerful learning effect of immersion experiences in other countries with study and internship opportunities abroad at international partner universities, individualized programs of study, language-across-the-curriculum programs, and utilization of technology to provide access to language-learning opportunities "I have asked Drake Provost Ron Troyer to form a working group as soon as possible to explore the design, implementation and monitoring of this approach," President Maxwell said. "Our goals are to improve the quality of the educational experience for Drake students and put the University at the forefront of second-language acquisition programs, and I have every confidence we can achieve these goals." On the administrative side, Drake is reaffirming its longstanding commitment to making educational opportunities available to individuals with disabilities, doing so effectively and efficiently. President Maxwell recommends relocating disability services for students from the lower level of Morehouse Residence Hall to the American Republic Health Center, to enhance communication between the counseling center, the disability services staff and health center personnel when appropriate. Disability services staff also will report to the dean of students while maintaining continued communication with the Office of the Provost and the deans' offices. President Maxwell said he and the Review and Priorities Advisory Committee will continue to work on the remainder of the academic and administrative recommendations and that he plans to issue a final report in December. "It's been a very challenging but exciting process," he said, "and my colleagues and I have been struck throughout by the thoughtfulness, intelligence and vision of both the recommendations and the input we received from the campus community, alumni and friends."