Test of new "BlueView" Web portal launches Test of new "BlueView" Web portal launches The test launch of Drake's new BlueView Web portal is now up and running. The official launch of the system will take place at the start of the spring 2007 semester, at which point all members of the Drake community will have automatic access to the portal. A select group of BlueView testers - consisting of approximately 50 Drake faculty, students and staff - currently have access. The BlueView portal offers a secure way to access information relevant to members of the Drake community. Whereas the public Drake Web site provides a face to the world, the portal is an online community suitable for targeted, internal communication that can include confidential resources. The portal serves as a changing media source that can, among other things, feed targeted announcements and campus alerts directly to appropriate users. Granting instant access to Blackboard, MyDusis, Webmail and Calendars (both public and private) using a single username and password, the portal allows easy navigation between Drake's various Web-based systems. The portal displays a series of tabs, which vary depending on each user's role (student, staff, faculty or alumni). Each tab contains "channels" targeted to the appropriate needs of the user, which are updated with new information as soon as it is available. Examples of channels include "My Courses" and "Wellness Programs." In addition, users can join or create "groups" for further pinpointed communication. This function provides group e-mail, a group calendar, a discussion board, file sharing and more for its members. Group administrators approve the creation of groups, which can be requested by any user and can range in subject from campus committees to social interests. Before using the portal, users will need to attend a training session, which will be available for all members of the Drake community over the coming weeks. A more detailed overview of the portal is offered online at Hubbell, who was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 1984, is serving a three-year term as chair. He is joined by newly elected members Roger K. Brooks, Peggy Fisher and William C. Knapp II. As chair, Hubbell's goals include building a stronger endowment with a focus on the funds available for student financial assistance and new dollars for faculty and staff salaries. "I don't think the campus has ever looked better," Hubbell said. "Drake has many challenges ahead, but we have a support group ready, willing and able to help us meet those challenges. Our students, faculty and staff, alumni, trustees as well as the entire Des Moines and Iowa communities are behind us." Born and raised in Des Moines, Hubbell has led Hubbell Realty Co. for more than 20 years as the company's president. He currently also serves on the boards of the Iowa Health System and the Central Iowa Health System. Drake University's Board of Trustees meets four times yearly and serves as the University's policy-making and governing body. The agreement marks Drake's first collaboration with a Chinese university that facilitates students to earn a degree from Drake and signifies yet another expansion of the University's growing efforts to reach out to China. Outlined in a memorandum of understanding between the two universities, the program requires students to first complete two foundation courses at SWUPL. Upon admission to the graduate program, students can complete their degree requirements at Drake during a second year of study. Danette Kenne, director of graduate and professional studies, and Tom Root, associate professor of finance, joined forces with Provost Ron Troyer and President David Maxwell to determine possible options for the program. Once the concept was documented on paper, representatives from SWUPL offered feedback and helped shape the final agreement. According to Root, the most vital guiding principle for developing the plan was to ensure the quality of the Drake degree. "I'm really excited about it," he said. "Anything we do internationally is a very positive step for Drake. The international exposure will be a great experience for our students." Kenne noted the dual benefits of both universities pooling resources. "This is an excellent opportunity," she said. "We have the expertise to partner with them to provide the graduate program level, and it gives us a global perspective into an economy and a business environment that's rapidly developing." Before students can enroll in the program, SWUPL instructors teaching the prerequisite courses must first undergo approval by Drake's College of Business and Public Administration. "The new agreements with Southwest University of Politics and Law are an important next step in our growing relationship with Southwest, providing new educational options for their students and exciting and enriching opportunities for Drake faculty and students," President Maxwell said. "As someone who has been active in international education my entire career, I place tremendous importance on educational and cultural exchange as a vital force in global relations. It is very rewarding to see Drake's emergence as a major actor in U.S.-China educational collaboration." The Drake team, which also won the Best Respondent's Brief Award, consists of Emily Peebler, a third-year student from Robins, Iowa; Jill Link, a second-year student from Des Moines; and Christian Walk, a second-year student from Des Moines. Peebler won the Best Oralist in the Final Round. Walk placed fifth among the individual oralist awards and Peebler finished sixth. "It's a great recognition of the tremendous time and effort the teams have put into preparing for the competition," said Laurie Dore, professor of law and coach. "I expect they will do as well when we go to New York City." This is the 15th time in 17 years that one of our teams has earned a place in the National Tournament in New York City and the 13th time in 17 years that we've placed first in the regionals," said Law School Dean David Walker. A second Drake Law School team, which placed third, consists of Mary Lindstrom, a second-year student from Galesburg, Ill.; Andrea Jensen, a second-year student from Beldenville, Wis.; and Jacob Lofgren, a second-year student from Des Moines. Lindstrom finished fourth among the individual oralist awards. The team was defeated in the semi-finals. Both Drake teams are sponsored by the Des Moines law firm of Whitfield & Eddy. The National Moot Court Competition, one of the oldest and most prestigious of its kind in the country, is jointly sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack gave the keynote address at the dinner that capped the all-day conference. He discussed creative initiatives that spawned from his administration, such as the redesign of Iowa's child welfare system, creation of the department of administrative services and the Vision Iowa program. Presented by the Drake University Center for Professional Studies, the conference was designed for economic development professionals, elected and administrative leaders, business leaders impacted by public policy, students of public policy and administrators of public and nonprofit organizations. Various sessions featured panel discussions on a wide array of topics, including the impact of the Nov. 7 election on Iowa's future leadership. Other panels explored topics such as health care innovation, the role of government in economic development, renewable energy, Iowa's future workforce and innovations in community development and education. "The conference-our first ever-provided a unique opportunity to showcase innovations in a one-day format accessible to our community," said Lance Noe, co-organizer and director of the Center for Professional Studies. "We were very pleased with the success of the event and plan to hold more conferences in the future." "Our goal is to create something that will capture young people's attention and at the same time offer a scientifically accurate portrayal of biological mechanisms," Wisniewski said. "Previous attempts have been made to educate using animations, but these have typically been two-dimensional. Currently, many fields of science are using 3D molecular modeling and visualizations because they offer the most accurate depiction of the physiological effects of drug abuse to a younger population." The project grew out of an internship held last summer by Greco, Reinke and Schwager at Iowa State University's Virtual Reality Application Center. "It's made me want to jump on the bandwagon, because technology is only going to become more advanced and will be important in any field I choose," Schwager said. The students are developing an online resource that can be accessed privately at any time. The first installment of the program concentrates on how methamphetamine functions in the brain. The project is still under development. "It's not about balance, it's about inner peace," she said. "You find inner peace based on your values." Throughout her career, she's honed a positive attitude geared towards honest and clear communication. "The most important thing I've learned about communication is that when communication isn't going well, it's about me," she said. "If you change, it changes the dynamic of the situation." Hatfield Clubb joined Drake's staff this past summer. She previously worked as the senior associate director of athletics and senior women's administrator at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. An avid swimmer, cyclist and triathlete, Hatfield Clubb and her husband are the parents of two young children. About 25 employees attended each of the eight Work-Life Strategies workshops that took place Monday through Thursday of last week. Laura Schwarz, administrative assistant for Human Resources, was presented with the coveted blue caller ID phone for going above and beyond to help a new employee by being extremely informative, welcoming and helpful. The next Called to be True Blue nominations are due to Human Resources by Feb. 4, 2007. The nomination form can be found on the Human Resources Web site under Employee Recognition at From 7:30 a.m. until approximately noon on Friday, Nov. 24, power in those buildings will be shut off. Please plan accordingly. If you have any questions or concerns about this operation, please contact Facilities Services at x3955 before Thursday, Nov. 23. |
|
