COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus—Latest Updates
In order to help minimize spread of the coronavirus and protect our campus community, Drake University will deliver all courses remotely from March 23 through the end of spring semester.
Please see the following FAQs for important details about: room and board refunds, on-campus housing, and spring commencement. Please note that the initial application period for the Student Emergency Fund has ended; if the application process is re-opened, all students will be notified.
At this time, there are no known cases of coronavirus on Drake University’s campus.
The University has been engaged in contingency planning since the initial outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China.
University leaders from across campus have been meeting to discuss and plan for a range of possible scenarios. In addition, personnel from Drake’s Environmental Health and Safety department are in regular communication with local and state health officials and have been monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The health, safety, and well-being of our entire campus community—students, faculty, staff, and visitors—is our top priority.
If you have additional questions outside the scope of this this website, please contact covid19@drake.edu.
The Drake University Emergency Operations Center sends brief operational updates like this to all faculty, staff, and students. President Martin and Provost Mattison will share additional messages, as appropriate. Please read the entirety of each message.
March 31, 2020
Student Emergency Fund
Updated April 2, 2020: Due to a high volume of emergency fund requests, we are no longer accepting submissions at this time. Pending additional donations to the Student Emergency Fund, we are hopeful more funds will be allocated in the future. If you have already submitted a request, please allow for five business days to receive notification on whether your request have been approved.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the University is able to award a limited number of student emergency funds to students facing hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. These emergency funds will support students in navigating and overcoming a variety of challenges that could limit their ability to complete the Spring 2020 semester at Drake. Emergency funds are awarded on a case-by-case basis with the maximum award approximately $250.
If you are a student in need of emergency funds, please visit https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4HZmDH05TeIcOOx to confidentially apply online.
If you would like to donate to this special fund to help Drake students, please visit https://crowdfunding.drake.edu/project/20480. 100% of contributions will be distributed to Drake students.
Please visit drake.edu/coronavirus, which houses a repository of campus updates and messages pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also provides answers to many frequently asked questions.
The Drake University Emergency Operations Center sends brief operational updates like this to all faculty, staff, and students. President Martin and Provost Mattison will share additional messages, as appropriate. Please read the entirety of each message.
March 19, 2020
The following building access changes will go into effect on Friday, March 20, 2020:
Additionally, the Olmsted Center will be accessible for dining services food pickup and Starbucks carryout on Sunday, March 22, 4–7:30 p.m. From that point and until further notice, Olmsted will be open for those services 7 a.m.–7:30 p.m. on weekdays and and 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m. on weekends.
With the exception of the Olmsted Center, every building to which you have access during the above times will require entrance via your Drake ID card.
Although Cowles Library is physically closed, all electronic resources are available remotely. Cowles Library staff will continue to troubleshoot issues and respond to research, policy, and procedural questions through its online chat service accessible at http://library.drake.edu. The chat service is staffed 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Friday.
The Drake University Emergency Operations Center sends brief operational updates like this to all faculty, staff, and students. President Martin and Provost Mattison will share additional messages, as appropriate. Please read the entirety of each message.
March 18, 2020
Campus buildings remain open 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on weekdays, with these exceptions:
Please visit drake.edu/coronavirus, which houses a repository of campus updates and messages pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also provides answers to many frequently asked questions.
Drake University has opened the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The EOC is comprised of colleagues with specific emergency responsibilities and led by Scott Law, Executive Director of Campus Public Safety, and Chris Nickell, Director of Environmental Health and Safety. The EOC will convene twice daily and work under the direction of the President’s Council.
Campus Update from President Martin
Good afternoon,
As we come to the end of the second week of delivering our classes remotely, I want to thank everyone for how well this institution keeps functioning. Our faculty members continue to deliver courses through a combination of skill, innovation, and determination. Our staff colleagues continue to keep the university operational through a combination of adaptation, self-discipline, and teamwork. Everyone has stayed the course driven by a commitment to deliver on our mission promise.
A powerful example of rallying to the cause is the work so many of you have been doing to recruit our next first-year class. Today, we are up thirty-four deposits versus this time in last year’s recruiting cycle. Although this gap has shrunk due to the effects of COVID-19, we are still well into positive territory. Additionally, our two Virtual Admitted Student Days (the second of which is going on right now) have engaged over 450 potential new students for Drake from twenty-five states and seven countries. This level of participation far exceeds what we are normally able to generate through our on-campus Admitted Student Days. We will be holding additional VASDs, as well as putting on virtual visit days for high school sophomores and juniors. We must continue to find new ways to spread the word about Drake University to as many prospective students as we can.
As we confront the unprecedented disruption of the coronavirus, the challenge is to continue to do our best no matter the obstacles placed in front of us. That is what I see you doing now and that is what I am confident each of you will do going forward.
Credit/no credit coursework option for students
In light of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Drake University will be allowing more flexibility to students who are worried about maintaining their GPAs during this extraordinarily taxing semester. All undergraduate and graduate students, excluding the programs/courses listed below, will have the option to convert any or all of their courses to credit/no-credit grading. The deadline for selecting this option is Friday, April 10, at 4:30 pm.
All courses for which students receive credit (CR) grades will be counted toward degree requirements; this includes major, minor, concentration, honors, and area of inquiry courses. In addition, there are no limitations to the number credits an undergraduate student can convert to Credit/No-Credit grading for the Spring 2020 semester. Graduate students must check with their advisor to determine if their program has limits. A student receives credit (CR) for a course in which they earn the equivalent of the grade “C-“ or better. Credit/no credit grades are not included in a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA).
The following programs or required coursework are excluded from Credit/No-Credit grading option:
Students must submit the Spring 2020 Course Change Form (here) by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 10.
Students do not need the approval of the instructor to make this change. The Office of the Registrar will notify the student’s college/school dean’s office and instructor of the change.
This information, along with credit/no credit FAQ’s will be included on the COVID-19 link of the Drake website
www.drake.edu/coronavirus/ under the “Academics” section.
Good morning,
I want to begin with words of gratitude. I am thankful for the love and support of my family and friends. I am thankful for the partnership and leadership of my President’s Council colleagues. I am thankful for the talent and dedication of our faculty and staff. I am thankful to be part of a community that includes our wonderful students, parents, and alumni.
The spread of COVID-19 has continued to accelerate, as has the intensity of the responses of both state and local governments. Starting this past Saturday, numerous Midwestern states and cities have issued some variation of a “stay-at-home” order. The duration of these orders go out as far as April 24, but all are subject to extension if necessary.
The continuing impact of the coronavirus, along with the directives of local, state, and national authorities, make it clear that we cannot return to in-person classes any time soon. Accordingly, we will continue the remote delivery of our classes through the end of the spring 2020 semester. I know that while we all appreciate the necessity for this, it is nevertheless a sad and unwelcome reality. The second half of the spring semester is a particularly special time at Drake and it is painful to lose this. However, this action is in the best interest of your health and safety, and in the best interest of our broader community.
The necessity to move to remote delivery for the remainder of the semester also requires that we cancel our live commencement ceremonies scheduled for the middle of May. These events gather large groups of people from many different places into confined spaces – something that will not be safe for some time into the future. Additionally, given the scope and scale of these events, we would have to start entering into contracts and ramping up our planning efforts if we were going to hold our commencement ceremonies in May.
Understanding that earning a higher education degree is a seminal moment that deserves public recognition, we are working on alternative plans to celebrate our May 2020 graduates. This will include an invitation to each graduate to attend our December 2020 live commencement and an opportunity to participate in a virtual commencement in May.
With the extension of remote delivery for the remainder of the spring semester, we will begin processing prorated refunds of room and board fees for our students who are no longer in their residence halls or utilizing meal plans. This will be done no later than Monday, April 13. Thank you for your patience as we work through this process.
We will share information about the “move out” plan for our residence halls in the near future. For now, please do not come to campus to move out of your room. The same reasons we have to extend remote delivery and cancel live commencement strongly counsel against having students and families come to campus at this time.
Additional information regarding all of the above
items can be found at drake.edu/coronavirus.
A couple of years ago we went through a process to redefine the core values for Drake University. One of the four we committed to is that we are “all in this together.” The genesis of this value is that it was something that Paul Morrison said every day during his over eighty years of working and volunteering at Drake. Paul did not claim to be the original author of the phrase, but he did rely on it to remind himself and others that no person stands alone. No one is the lone creator of her or his life blessings or burdens. We are an interdependent species, always called to be in fellowship with each other.
As we struggle with the present, we look forward to the future. Drawing upon our 139-year history, our commitment to education and service, and the power of our community, we will emerge from this crisis stronger than we were when it started.
Dear students and colleagues,
I hope this message finds you healthy and continuing to take appropriate precautions to guard your health and the well-being of others. As we have heard many times over, it is only through our collective commitment that we will manage our way through this public health crisis. We all have our role to play in combating COVID-19.
I have received messages over the last few days asking to extend the remote delivery of classes through the spring semester. At the same time, I have received requests not to take that action and not to cancel our live commencement celebrations in May if we do extend remote delivery. I appreciate the sentiments and motivations behind all this outreach. We are confronting something that is unprecedented for all of us.
Provost Mattison’s March 11 message to campus stated that we planned to deliver our courses remotely, at least until April 6. While many colleges and universities have extended remote delivery for the rest of their spring semester, I am not prepared to make that decision today. The consequences of doing so on the totality of the student experience and our May commencement exercises cautions against rushing to that action. It is certainly highly unlikely that we will be able to return to on-campus classes on April 6; however, we can take a little more time to determine if a return to on-campus classes later in April is possible. I promise to communicate with you again on this topic no later than Wednesday, March 25. Any decision will be based solely on your safety and the safety of the community around us.
Because some of you have already raised the issue, I will take a few moments to contrast the postponement of the Drake Relays with the action of moving to remote delivery for the remainder of the semester. First, the widespread suspension of high school and college/university athletics and the ramp-up time needed for the Drake Relays left us with no choice but to make the decision to postpone that event earlier this week. Second, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s large gathering guidance explicitly applies to events like the Drake Relays, but does not apply to the normal educational operations of a university. Third, we still intend to hold the 2020 Drake Relays as contrasted to the finality of a decision to move to remote delivery for the remainder of the spring semester.
On Monday, we will experience the new reality of delivering all our courses remotely. There will undoubtedly be some glitches as we launch, but I am confident in the commitment and ability of our faculty, supported by staff, to meet the challenges and in the capacity of our students to achieve their goals in this new paradigm. Everyone needs to bring their best selves and best effort to the forefront. I know you will.
We continue to monitor the progress of the virus and the advice and directives from local, state, and national authorities. Stay safe and healthy. Again, I will communicate with you on the topic of remote delivery no later than Wednesday, March 25.
Drake University has postponed the 2020 Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom, along with related special events and programs, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 111th edition of the event was scheduled for April 22–25 at Drake Stadium.
Recent directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health, and City of Des Moines regarding large gatherings make it clear that postponing the Drake Relays is necessary. We will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation and will work with local, state, and national officials to reschedule the Drake Relays at a date that ensures the health and wellbeing of participants and fans.
Our goal is to hold the 2020 Drake Relays early this summer. Student Affairs staff will work with the SAB Relays Committee to organize some student activities around the rescheduled Relays, recognizing there may be minimal attendance. Assuming public health officials deem it safe for spectators to attend, students would be permitted to enter the rescheduled Drake Relays for free by showing their Drake ID. Keep in mind, per usual Drake policy, residence halls will be closed over the summer, excluding orientation, camps and conferences, and summer school.
The postponement of the 2020 Drake Relays also impacts all events associated with the Relays. The Spring SAB Concert is cancelled. We are working on a plan to hold the SAB Relays Carnival, SAB Blast OFF Breakfast, and Street Painting, to include the Paint it Black event, during Spirit Week in the fall. You can find more information on the Drake Road Races and the Grand Blue Mile here and on the Beautiful Bulldog Contest here.
The postponement of the Drake Relays also impacts all alumni programming scheduled to take place in conjunction with the Relays. Here are the details:
Certainly, the postponement of the 2020 Drake Relays and related events will be disappointing for many. However, in this extraordinary time, postponing Relays is the right decision in order to help protect the health and safety of our campus and extended community. Thank you for your support and understanding.
As we enter spring break and the uncertainty of what the weeks ahead will bring, I encourage each of you to take care of yourselves and those around you. It is only through a unified and lived commitment to the welfare of our community that we will be able to control the spread of COVID-19.
Although what we are facing is unprecedented in our lifetimes, we know what we can do to mitigate the risk to others and ourselves. Practice all of the hygiene tips that we have been hearing about every day (washing our hands, not touching our faces, etc.). Avoid large gatherings of people. Maintain social distancing of at least three feet, particularly if you encounter someone who is symptomatic. Limit travel to only that which is absolutely necessary. At the first sign that you might be infected, put yourself into isolation. Our collective safety depends on the diligence of each and every person.
We will continue to communicate frequently with you as the situation evolves and as we confront this virus together. Our primary objectives are to keep our community safe and to continue to deliver our educational program for your benefit. Neither is without significant challenge, but we are called to deal with what is put in front of us to the best of our ability and that is what we are doing. I know that each of you will do the same.
Be safe and ever diligent in protecting the health and welfare of others. Ground yourselves in patience and kindness as we travel this journey together. We will get through this.
Effective immediately, any travel outside of the state of Iowa on behalf of the University is suspended, unless deemed critical and approved by the senior administrator in your area. This policy applies to all University-sponsored travel, including international, academic, athletic, conferences and workshops, and research-related travel, and will continue through at least April 5, 2020. Please work through your direct supervisor, who will escalate the request to senior administration.
If you have booked travel, please cancel reservations and seek refunds for payments already made. Short’s Travel Management can assist with cancelling airline or other reservations initially made through Short’s. Many airlines are allowing cancellations without penalty or are providing vouchers for future travel; the Short’s agents can assist with these details.
We strongly encourage you to share any personal travel plans through April 5 with Human Resources via http://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2fURdl1hjCS2pff.
On March 11, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Advisory Warning Level 3 for Europe's Schengen countries. On March 12, spring study abroad students studying in Europe's Schengen countries were notified that they must return to the U.S. by March 20. President Trump also announced that all travel from mainland Europe to the U.S. for foreign nationals would be suspended for 30 days starting at midnight (EST) on Friday, March 13. Please note this travel ban does not apply to U.S. citizens; however, U.S. citizens will likely encounter enhanced screening procedures at U.S. airports upon return from Europe. We are following guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health regarding protocols for individuals returning from a CDC Warning Level 2 or 3 country, which includes voluntary self-isolation for 14 days. As of March 12, all countries in the world are considered to be CDC Warning Level 2, and would require this self-isolation protocol.
Given the rapidly changing travel restrictions and protocols within and outside the U.S., we ask that you strongly reconsider personal travel outside of Iowa. It is important to keep in mind possible restrictions that may be put in place while you are away. Certain regions within the U.S., as well as domestic air travel, present a significant risk of infection, and in the interest of protecting our community and lowering the impact on our local health care system we have already requested of students and may request of employees self-isolation for 14 days following return.
We are constantly evaluating new information in this unprecedented environment with a commitment to the safety and security of our faculty, staff, and students. Thank you for your continued attention, diligence, and cooperation.
In order to help minimize spread of the coronavirus and protect our campus community, Drake University will deliver all courses remotely from March 23—April 3, 2020. Students are strongly encouraged to remain at home for the two weeks following spring break, although residence halls and dining services will remain open. Importantly, there are no confirmed cases on our campus or in Des Moines at this time.
If students plan to be on campus between March 23 and April 5, they must return by March 23 and notify Residence Life using this form: http://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CrEJJxVc3bw08B. Please note that guests will not be allowed in the dorms during this time. Students who do not complete the form by Monday, March 16, will have access to residence halls disabled during this period.
(Note: This survey is only intended for students who live on campus.)
Students who have experiential learning obligations such as clinical experiences, student teaching, internships, etc., are expected to report to those sites unless they are specifically told not to report. Some organizations such as hospitals and pharmacies are likely to move to a scenario where students aren’t allowed, but until that time please remain in communication with the sites.
Faculty and staff: campus operations are proceeding as normal during this period.
Faculty are expected to deliver all courses remotely as provided in the plan submitted to deans. IT will be providing three Blackboard training sessions, as well as an email with advice. The Chronicle of Higher Education had an excellent article on emergency, short-term remote delivery of courses: https://www.chronicle.com/article/Going-Online-in-a-Hurry-What/248207.
Craig Owens, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, and Christina Trombley, executive director of Drake Online, will be available from 9 am – 4 pm on Monday and Tuesday next week (as well as the remainder of this week), if faculty would like to discuss issues surrounding remote delivery of their courses.
Communication from faculty to students is key. For advising in the next few weeks, please make plans to communicate with students through Blackboard, email, phone, etc.
Staff operations will proceed normally during this period, unless otherwise notified. Our action will be informed by guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Polk County Health Department.
Be mindful about travel the next few weeks. If you’re visiting a high-risk area, you may be subject to quarantine upon return. University-sponsored spring break domestic and international travel has been reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and programs that have been suspended have been notified. For students that are currently studying abroad, please continue to follow the plans and protocols of your on-site provider. Drake continues to communicate with providers and monitor international developments.
Gatherings pose unique risks. For that reason, most on-campus events will be canceled starting Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, April 5. Organizers of these events will be contacted, or they may contact the event office directly. We will continue to monitor and assess the risk for any events beyond April 5, including Drake Relays and commencement. For now, those events are expected to continue as planned.
Be assured that we intend to return to normal campus operations as soon as possible. We will continue to consult with public health officials in order to make the most prudent decisions. Please know that we will share updates as soon as we can. In the meantime, rely upon our COVID-19 website, www.drake.edu/coronavirus, for answers to frequently asked questions, tips on how to keep yourself healthy, and details on our response to the outbreak.
Finally, we are in extraordinary circumstances. I ask that each of you show a generosity of spirit when things don’t go as expected. Thank you all, take good care.
Yesterday evening, Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Health announced that Iowa has its first presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, found in three Johnson County (eastern Iowa) residents who recently returned from a cruise in Egypt. I want to assure the Drake community that the University has been actively engaged in preparing for this eventuality. As always, the health and safety of our campus community is our top priority.
We remain in ongoing communication with local and state health officials and have been monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with careful attention to the impact COVID-19 could have on our campus. The special website we have developed to provide information about COVID-19, www.drake.edu/coronavirus, includes answers to frequently asked questions, tips on how to keep yourself healthy, and updates on Drake’s response to the coronavirus situation.
Because this is a rapidly evolving situation, University leaders have been meeting regularly to assess conditions and develop response plans for a variety of possible scenarios. Students - in the event of a disruption to campus operations, all faculty members have provided their deans and me with a description of how they will use technology for distance learning to allow Drake students to continue their studies even if campus has shut down.
University-sponsored spring break domestic and international travel has been reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and programs that have been suspended have been notified. As stated in our written protocols, Drake University will automatically suspend and restrict international travel during the period of time that a US Department of State Level 4 Travel Advisory, or a CDC Warning Level 3, is in effect. Due to such travel advisories currently in place surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak we are restricting travel to China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran. This includes all University-sponsored travel, including study abroad, academic, and research-related travel.
The University is currently assessing domestic travel on a case-by-case situation, and suspending travel to areas where the number of cases elicit a formal state of emergency declaration. Please keep in mind that with the fluidity of the situation, any University-sponsored travel may be canceled with short notice. We will keep campus updated with the latest information and decisions.
Regarding the upcoming Spring Break, we strongly recommend all members of our community consult the CDC travel information page prior to any travel. Individuals planning any personal travel do so at their own risk. Additionally, while no current domestic travel restrictions or isolation requirements are in place for personal trips, this may change with little to no notice. Based on the quickly evolving travel guidance, your return to the United States or to campus may be interrupted by federal or state restrictions.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will respond accordingly, including providing you with updates.
As the situation around the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 evolves, the University has published an informational webpage to serve as a reference point on questions related to the outbreak. The page, www.drake.edu/coronavirus, will be updated regularly as new information comes to light. It is also important to know that the Iowa Department of Public Health will contain the most current general information about the situation.
Many thanks to everyone involved in developing this outstanding website resource.
Concerns are increasing surrounding the spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. I want to assure you that campus leaders have been working diligently to prepare for a possible outbreak. The safety and welfare of the entire Drake community is our highest priority.
We are grateful to have experienced team members and processes in place to follow in preparation for catastrophic disruptions to campus, such as epidemics and pandemics, and acts of nature or violence. Regarding the novel COVID-19 virus, the University adheres to protocols provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Polk County Health Department, and the United States Department of State. We are monitoring the latest developments continuously; refining our response plans near daily; and communicating with local, state, and federal authorities. We have and will take action immediately when appropriate.
As stated in our written protocols, Drake University will automatically suspend and restrict travel during the period of time that a US Department of State Level 4 Travel Advisory, or a CDC Warning Level 3, is in effect. Due to such travel advisories currently in place surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak we are restricting travel to China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran. This includes all University-sponsored travel, including study abroad, academic, and research-related travel.
Drake International continues to work closely with our affiliate study abroad providers and international university partners, and consults the US State Department and CDC in making any decisions regarding Drake students currently studying abroad in other countries. We will communicate and work directly with students and their families if the status of a student's program changes, or if a new travel restriction is put in place. Students who were scheduled to be in China for the semester made alternative plans last month. Drake’s affiliate Italy programs were suspended this past weekend. We are in regular communication with these students and their families.
Before traveling for spring break or other reasons, we encourage you to check the latest travel warnings and alerts on the Department of State and CDC websites. This information can change on a daily basis, so please check regularly and be aware of developments that may affect travel to and from your destination. The University strongly discourages any personal travel to a location with a CDC Level 3 Travel Advisory (currently China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran). Personal travel to these locations could result in an assessment with a health care provider and a required 14-day self-quarantine upon return.
The Student Health Center is following guidance from the Polk County Health Department, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students’ symptoms that suggest additional testing will be referred to community providers. In the meantime, two of the best things you can do to protect yourself and the rest of the Drake community from illness is to practice good hand sanitation and stay in your residence if you are not feeling well. That standard advice pertains to helping restrict the possible spread of influenza A and B viruses, COVID-19 virus, and many other communicable illnesses.
The CDC urges each of us to:
The situation surrounding COVID-19 will continue to evolve in the coming days, weeks, and likely months. We will share timely updates pertinent to the Drake community, as necessary and appropriate. In the meantime, please continue relying upon the CDC for the most current information and advice.
Good morning Students,
A few moments ago, President Martin shared that classes will continue online for the remainder of the spring semester. I know many of you hoped classes would return to face-to-face instruction by Monday, April 6, but due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic this timeline is no longer feasible. To ensure the safety and welfare of our students, faculty, and staff, I’m sharing with each of you important information on how we will be handling residence hall move-out and prorated room and board refunds.
For those students who reside in on-campus housing and/or have a commuter meal plan, the following FAQs are important for you to review:
Commencement
Understanding that earning a higher education degree is a seminal moment that deserves public recognition, we are working on alternative plans to celebrate our May 2020 graduates. More information can be found by clicking here.
Call Center Info
I ask that you review these resources thoroughly prior to calling the Drake University COVID-19 Response Line. If you have additional questions after reviewing the online resources, please call 515-271-2353 (or extension 2353 from on campus). Drake staff members are available to answer calls 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. CDT, Monday through Friday.
Working together, we will continue to meet the challenges we are facing as a global society and as a campus community. The University will continue provide updates via the COVID-19 website and email students when appropriate.
For those students that are residing off-campus that wish to use their meal plan (including flex, Bulldog Bucks, cash/credit) for Grab N Go meals, all meals are to be picked up on Pomerantz Stage (Olmsted). Please note that for those students that need to self-isolate based on new state guidance (see my email from Monday, March 23), you can participate in Grab N Go meals based on the system we have set up to enforce social distancing and no gathering in Olmsted. However, if you have any flu like symptoms, including fever, cough, and/or respiratory symptoms, you are not allowed to participate in Grab N Go meals out of precaution for the safety and welfare of other students and staff. If you have any of these symptoms and currently reside in the Drake Neighborhood or in a residence hall, please follow the guidelines shared in my Monday email or visit Drake’s COVID-19 website by clicking here.
Monday – Friday
Breakfast: 7:15am – 8:15am
Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Dinner: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Saturday - Sunday
Breakfast: 8:00am – 9:00am
Lunch: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Dinner: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Convenience Store (Olmsted) *No more than 4 people in the store at a time*
10:00am – 4:00pm
Starbucks *No more than 5 people in the area at a time*
7:30am – 4:00pm
Thank you for taking the time to review this information. I ask that you continue to take the appropriate social distancing precautions by staying a minimum of six feet of distance from one another, and no gatherings of more than 10 people. The University will continue provide updates via the COVID-19 website and email students when appropriate.
Remote classes begin on Monday for at least the next two weeks. I am writing to share important information you need to know regarding auxiliary and student support services:
Please remember that the Code of Student Conduct and all other University policies apply to every student enrolled at Drake no matter where they are living.
All meals will be Grab & Go, with pick-up located on Pomerantz Stage. Hours of operation:
Sunday, March 22
Pomerantz Stage Grab & Go
Dinner 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Convenience Store (Olmsted)
Closed
Starbucks
Closed
Monday-Friday
Pomerantz Stage Grab & Go
Breakfast - 7:30am – 9:00am
Lunch - 11:00am – 1:00pm
Dinner - 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Convenience Store (Olmsted) *No more than 4 people the store at a time*
10:00am – 4:00pm
Starbucks *No more than 5 people in the area at a time*
7:30am – 4:00pm
Saturday-Sunday
Pomerantz Stage Grab & Go
Breakfast - 8:00am – 9:30am
Lunch - 11:00am – 1:00pm
Dinner - 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Convenience Store (Olmsted)
Closed
Starbucks
Closed
All students will have access via card swipe to academic buildings Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Closed buildings
Olmsted Center’s Hours
If you are living away from Drake, we ask that you please visit or call your primary health care provider for immediate health needs.
The Drake Student Health Center will serve students through remote access only. Students can call 515-271-3731 and set up a phone consultation appointment. By calling the Student Health Center, medical staff will be able to respond to your health questions. The Student Health Center will set up appointments for existing medication refills by phone or Microsoft Teams.
If you have symptoms associated with COVID-19 or believe you have been exposed, please contact the Student Health Center during business hours or your primary care doctor. If you reside in the Drake neighborhood or have received written approval to return to your residence hall, after-hour support can be provided by Drake Public Safety at 515-271-2222. Additional nationwide guidance outside of University business hours can be provided by calling 2-1-1. For those students experiencing flu like symptoms and have been advised by a medical professional to seek care, we ask that you arrange your own transportation. In an emergency, and if you reside in the Drake Neighborhood or a residence hall, please contact Drake Public Safety at 515-271-2222 to discuss alternative transportation options.
For more information on Des Moines medical clinics, please click here. Additional information can be found by visiting Drake’s COVID-19 website and scrolling down to the Student Services & Student Life section.
The Drake Counseling Center will provide remote access appointments only, using Microsoft Teams. If you currently meet with a therapist at the counseling center and are in Iowa, you can meet via remote counseling on HIPAA protected, Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in this option, please let your therapist know and they will offer you the paperwork and instructions to make this available before your next session. Utilizing this option will mean that you have access to a completely quiet and confidential space from which to engage in your session. At this time you may schedule an appointment by emailing the therapist you wish to see.
If you are outside the state of Iowa, a therapist can work with you on the phone or Microsoft Teams and provide brief consultation, crisis intervention, and point you to resources. If you would like to meet with a therapist where you are currently residing, we can also help you find a therapist in your community.
For more information on remote counseling services and online support programs, please visit Drake’s COVID-19 website and scroll down to the Student Services & Student Life section.
It’s important to stay connected during this time. Be sure to follow Drake Student Central on Facebook, including Drake’s Twitter and Instagram accounts. There will be a variety of posts supporting wellness and ways to stay connected.
We want to assure students that you will continue to have access to support services staff during the next two weeks of remote course delivery. Students can utilize the Starfish Student Success platform to schedule appointments with staff to occur either by phone or video chat through Microsoft Teams. Click here for resources on how to use Starfish. Instructions for how to access a Microsoft Teams meeting will be included with your appointment confirmation through Starfish.
As universities and colleges around the country transition classes online for part or all of the spring semester, Spectrum announced plans to offer free internet for 60 days to households with students. Depending on where you live, check with your local provider to see what services they are providing during this unprecedented time.
Spectrum: 1-844-488-8395
Students can find additional information on Student Disability Services, Tutoring, Academic Success, Professional & Career Development Services, Student Financial Planning, Co-Curricular Engagement, including many other services by visiting Drake’s COVID-19 website and scrolling down to the Student Services & Student Life section.
Thank you for taking the time to review this information. I ask that you continue to take the appropriate social distancing precautions by staying a minimum of six feet of distance from one another, and no gatherings of more than 10 people. The University will provide updates via the COVID-19 website and email students when appropriate.
For more information about room and board refunds, please see Room and Board Refund and Credit FAQ's.
For information regarding on-campus housing, please see COVID-19 Housing FAQ's.
For information regarding 2020 Spring Commencement, please see COVID-19 Commencement FAQ.
In December 2019, the novel coronavirus COVID-19 began appearing in China, initially centralized in the Wuhan Province. Since that time it has grown into a global pandemic as recognized by the World Health Organization. The outbreak of this virus is impacting many facets of life around the world. This page provides information of use to the Drake University Community.
The University has been engaged in contingency planning since the initial outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China. University leaders from across campus have been meeting to discuss and plan for a range of possible scenarios. In addition, personnel from Drake’s Environmental Health and Safety department are in regular communication with local and state health officials and have been monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The health, safety, and well-being of our entire campus community—students, faculty, staff, and visitors—is our top priority. To that end, please see the message sent by Provost Sue Mattison to campus on March 11, 2020 regarding short-term changes to academic course delivery and events.
The University will continue to send regular email updates to keep everyone in the campus community informed. In addition, please bookmark and review this webpage (drake.edu/coronavirus/) for the latest information.
Effective immediately, any travel outside of the state of Iowa on behalf of the University is suspended, unless deemed critical and approved by the senior administrator in your area. This policy applies to all University-sponsored travel, including international, academic, athletic, conferences and workshops, and research-related travel, and will continue through at least April 5, 2020. Please work through your direct supervisor, who will escalate the request to senior administration.
As this is an issue that affects many F-1/F-2 and J-1/J-2 students, scholars, and dependents across the U.S., we anticipate there will be some discussion and advocacy in the weeks to come about students and scholars from China whose immigration status is ending soon. It is difficult to predict what will happen and what immigration-related accommodations might be made, but we are actively monitoring official sources and will post and/or send messages when we have definitive information.
For current guidance, please see the FAQs below.
Drake continues to monitor this health situation and is in close contact with the Polk County Health Department on its guidance concerning the coronavirus for our area. Drake has an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and protocols should any response need to be enacted.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued an advisory, urging those returning from a country where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading to voluntarily self-isolate for 14 days following their return. In compliance with the IDPH guidance, we ask that you not return to campus and refrain from attending University events during the 14 day self-isolation period. The IDPH advises individuals returning from affected areas to monitor for possible symptoms, and to call a medical provider before visiting a clinic in person with concerns. You may also stay in touch with the Drake Student Health Center if you have questions, don’t have a primary care provider, or have a unique situation.
We ask that any University community member who is self-isolating notify the University so we can provide support during your time away from campus. Your personal information will be treated sensitively and with appropriate confidentiality.
Gatherings pose unique risks. For that reason, most on-campus events will be canceled starting Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, April 5. Organizers of these events will be contacted, or they may contact the event office directly. We will continue to monitor and assess the risk for any events beyond April 5.
In order to comply with the proclamation issued by Governor Kim Reynolds, the Drake University Bookstore is closed at least through April 7, 2020. Online orders are still available through https://www.bkstr.com/drakeuniversitystore/home. Ground shipping is free of charge on most items during the pandemic situation. If you have specific bookstore related questions please reach out to our bookstore manager, Katie Wilz at kwilz@follett.com or via phone at 641-682-9823.
Stay informed: The CDC is updating its website daily with the latest information and advice for the public.
Remember to take everyday preventive actions that are always recommended to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the 14 days before you began to feel sick, seek medical care. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
Even though you might not be able to attend your classes in person, your instructor might hold online sessions. The link below provides guidance on best practices around online coursework and meetings.
The link below is provided to assist staff in performing administrative and/or support functions remotely. Every department should discuss how to best meet their needs and ensure staff are prepared.
As we begin to navigate a transition to remote learning as a community, the Drake University Bookstore is supporting students in the following ways:
The Bookstore is also offering free online order shipping with no minimum purchase. This includes course materials, supplies, apparel, and gifts.
In addition, a variety of textbook providers are offering free access to textbooks at this time. Please visit individual publishers to learn more: Cengage, Pearson, Cambridge.
If you have further questions about textbooks or these specific offers, please be in touch with the Drake Univeristy Bookstore at 515-274-3401.
The following offices can be found in Starfish Student Success and you can make an appointment through Starfish. You will have the option to select a phone call or video chat through Microsoft Teams.
Josh Wallace will continue ongoing appointments and create new appointments to support students looking for test taking strategies, study strategies, or time management.
Consult with your academic dean’s office for questions about registration, change of major/advisor, withdrawal from a class, and similar academic status changes. Students will find the appropriate college/school dean’s office staff in their Success Network in Starfish.
Professional & Career Development Services remains open and ready to assist our students! You can reach us via email and our phone messages are forwarded to our email. You may also schedule virtual appointments with us using Handshake or Starfish.
Searching for internships and jobs, fortunately, remains virtually the same during this time when we are working remotely. We recommend using 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 our personal brand page for information on resumes, cover letters, and additional job search information.
Student Disability Services will continue ongoing appointments, can meet with continuing students who have questions about their accommodations, or new students seeking accommodations.
Click to make an appointment with the SDS staff.
Make an appointment with a staff member in Student Financial Planning for questions about loans, FAFSA completion, other financial aid questions.
The Student Inclusion, Involvement and Leadership (STIIL) office includes the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute, Equity and Inclusion, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Life Center Student Organizations, and Violence Prevention.
The following offices and services have a specialized process for making appointments and accessing resources. Please see each service listed below for instructions.
Tutoring services are available for actuarial science, accounting, biology, chemistry, economics, organic chemistry, Math Lab, and the Writing Workshop.
As Drake responds to the current public health concerns with the coronavirus, the Drake Counseling Center wants to care for your physical and emotional well-being as best as we are able. As you are aware, the University has moved to temporary online learning and public health authorities are recommending social distancing. During this time we are offering telehealth appointments as described below.
If you currently meet with a therapist at the counseling center and are in Iowa, you can meet via tele-health counseling on HIPAA protected, Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in this option, please let your therapist know and they will offer you the paperwork and instructions to make this available before your next session. Utilizing this option will mean that you have access to a completely quiet and confidential space from which to engage in your session.
The following therapists are available for telehealth:
If you are outside the state of Iowa we can talk with you on the phone or Microsoft Teams and provide brief consultation, crisis intervention, and provide you with resources. If you would like to meet with a therapist where you are currently residing, we can also help you find a therapist in your community.
Drake Counseling Center will continue to offer support groups though Microsoft Teams. The Anxiety Support Group will resume weekly meetings on March 24, 2020 at 4 p.m. Central. If you would like to be a part of this group, please email danielle.green@drake.edu. We will also begin offering our adjustment group weekly to support you during this unique time. That group will begin meeting online starting Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. Central. If you would like to join this group, please email danielle.green@drake.edu.
If you have not been seen at the Drake Counseling Center this academic year, but are interested in services, needing support, or have questions please email danielle.green@drake.edu.
If you are currently in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call or visit your local emergency room or call 911. You can also use these resources in times of crisis and emergency:
The Drake Student Health Center will remain open to serve students remotely. Students can call us at 515-271-3731 and set up a phone consultation appointment or to answer any health questions. We will set up appointments for existing medication refills by phone or by Microsoft Teams. We also encourage you, if you are at home, to visit or call your primary health care provider for immediate health needs or medication refills.
If you have symptoms associated with COVID-19 or believe you have been exposed, please contact Drake Public Safety at 515-271-2222. Additional guidance outside of University business hours can be provided by calling 211. For those students residing on or near campus and are experiencing flu like symptoms but do not have the ability to transport themselves to seek out medical care, you will need to contact DPS at 515-271-2222 in order for Des Moines Fire and Rescue to respond.
Below is a list of health care clinics and hospitals located within the Des Moines area. Please note, any student visiting one of the medical facilities listed below will need to provide their insurance card and be prepared to handle any required co-payments at time of service.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Unity Clinic Family Medicine – Merle Hay
4631 Merle Hay Road
Des Moines, Iowa 50322
Phone: (515) 278-0949
Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Unity Point Clinic - Ingersoll Ave
2103 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
Phone : (515) 323-5680
Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m
Saturday-Sunday 8:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m
Unity Clinic Family Medicine Urgent Care - Lakeview
6000 University Avenue
Suite 101
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Phone: (515) 241-2600
Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Unity Clinic Family Medicine Urgent Care - Urbandale
2901 86th Street
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Phone: (515) 276-3406
Hours:
Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
DES MOINES AREA HOSPITALS
Iowa Methodist Medical Center
1200 Pleasant Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
PHONE: (515) 241-5437
Iowa Lutheran Hospital
700 E. University Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50316
PHONE: (515) 241-6212
Broadlawns Medical Center
1801 Hickman Road
Des Moines, Iowa 50314
PHONE: (515) 282-2200
Mercy Hospital Medical Center
400 University Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50314
PHONE: (515) 247-3121
Due to the extension of remote learning through the end of the Spring 2020 semester, Drake University is temporarily expanding the existing credit/no-credit grading policy. All courses for which students receive credit (CR) grades will count toward major, minor, concentration, honors, and area of inquiry requirements and there are no limits on the number of courses students can convert to credit/no-credit grading. Some exceptions apply. Students can convert to credit/no-credit grading on a course-by-course basis through Friday, April 10, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
What is credit/no-credit grading?
Credit (CR) and no-credit (NC) grades are an alternative grade mode to standard letter grading (A, B, C, D, F). Students receive credit (CR) for a course in which they earn the equivalent of the grade “C-“ or better. Credit/no-credit grades are not included in a student’s cumulative GPA.
Who is eligible for credit/no-credit grading?
Undergraduate Students
For the Spring 2020 semester only, undergraduate students will have the option to convert courses to credit/no-credit grading through Friday, April 10, 2020. The following courses are not eligible for credit/no-credit grading:
Prerequisite courses in the pre-athletic training, pre-occupational therapy, and pre-pharmacy programs that require a GPA for admission.
- Law School
- Education Doctoral Programs
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Master of Athletic Training
- Occupational Therapy Doctorate
All courses for which students receive credit (CR) grades will be counted toward degree, major, minor, concentration, honors, or area of inquiry requirements. Students who wish to complete their courses for a letter grade may continue to do so. There is no limit on the number of courses students can convert to credit/no-credit grading. Students can make the decision on a course-by-course basis.
Students should be aware that most professional programs and many graduate schools will re-compute a student’s GPA in such a way as to count courses graded as no-credit as “F” grades or may not accept prerequisite coursework taken as credit/no-credit.
Graduate Students
For the Spring 2020 semester only, graduate students will have the option to convert courses to credit/no-credit grading through Friday, April 10, 2020. The following programs are not eligible for credit/no-credit grading:
All courses for which students receive credit (CR) grades will be counted toward degree requirements. Students who wish to complete their course(s) for a letter grade may continue to do so. Please contact your graduate program directly for additional information regarding the limit on number of courses that can be taken as credit/no-credit and other related academic requirements.
How do I convert a course to credit/no-credit grading?
Students must submit the Spring 2020 Course Change Form by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 10, 2020. Students do not need the approval of their instructor to make this change. The Office of the Registrar will notify the student’s college/school dean’s office and instructor of the change.
How will credit/no-credit grading impact President’s and Dean’s List determinations?
To be eligible for the President’s List or a Dean’s List, undergraduate and pharmacy students must have earned a minimum of 12 credits, 6 of which must be standard letter grades. Students with grades of NC, NR, I, or IP are not eligible.
How will credit/no-credit grading impact my academic standing?
Credit (CR) and no-credit (NC) grades are not factored into a student’s cumulative GPA. Students with a cumulative GPA less than 2.00 or who are concerned about their semester or cumulative GPA should consult with their advisor or college/school dean’s office before converting courses to credit/no-credit grading.
In order to help minimize the spread of the coronavirus and protect our campus community, Drake University will deliver all courses remotely from March 23–April 3, 2020.
If you are sick, you should take steps you normally would when sick, including focusing on caring for your health, contacting your healthcare provider if you feel you need to, not attending online classes if you are unable, and in the event you miss class due to illness, working with your instructor on any necessary arrangements for making up coursework.
Please be prepared to accommodate students who are unable to attend online classes due to illness, including clearly communicating opportunities and expectations around alternative assignments or makeup work.
“Instructors are strongly discouraged from requiring medical or legal documentation from a student for any absences. Requiring such documentation places burdens on all parties involved,” according to the Faculty Council on Academic Standards Syllabus Guidelines.
The syllabus guidelines recommend that instructors offer students accommodations, such as makeup exams, alternate assignments, or alternate weighting of missed work.
In order to help minimize spread of the coronavirus and protect our campus community, Drake University will deliver all courses remotely from March 23—April 3, 2020. Students are strongly encouraged to remain at home for the two weeks following spring break, although residence halls and dining services will remain open.
At this time, there are no known cases of coronavirus on Drake University’s campus.
Faculty are expected to deliver all courses remotely as provided in the plan submitted to deans. Please reference email communications to faculty from Provost Mattison.
The Drake University Environmental Health and Safety Department as well as the Emergency Management Committee have resources to assist you and your family to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a variety of natural and human-caused emergencies and disasters.
Contact Drake's Environmental Health and Safety Department for more information regarding these resources.
No. CR/NC grades cannot replace an existing letter grade. Drake’s policy on repeating a course applies to courses taken in the same grading mode. If you repeat a course using the CR/NC grading mode, your original grade will still factor into your cumulative GPA. Earning CR in a repeated course will fulfill the requirements associated with the course, regardless of the original letter grade earned.
Changing to CR/NC grading for the Spring 2020 semester does not have any direct impact on financial aid or scholarships. However, if a student must improve their existing GPA—as of Fall 2019—in order to remain eligible for financial aid or scholarships going forward, changing a majority of or all coursework to CR/NC grading will preclude the student from making any improvement to their GPA during the Spring 2020 semester. Please review the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirement for more details. If you are currently receiving financial aid as a result of a SAP appeal, you are encouraged to consult with Kristi Fuller, kristi.fuller@drake.edu, prior to changing to CR/NC grading.
Yes. If you converted your class(es) to CR/NC grading, but have changed your mind, please email registrar@drake.edu with your student ID number and course information no later than Friday, April 10, 2020 to have your courses converted back to standard letter grading.
On March 12, 2020, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the NCAA Board of Governors canceled the Division I men's and women's 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. On March 13, the Missouri Valley Conference, Summit League (men’s tennis), and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (rowing) announced the cancellation of spring sports through the end of the 2019–2020 academic year.
Organized team and practice activities, including captain’s practices, have been suspended until further notice, and access to and use of Drake Athletics facilities will be restricted until further notice. For Rowing student-athletes only: per MAAC policy announced on March 12, 2020, all spring sports competitions and practices (including captain’s practices), beginning March 13 are canceled through the remainder of the 2020 spring sports season. Student Athletes are permitted to receive voluntary, summer style, workout plans from coaches including strength and conditioning staff.
The NCAA will permit Division I spring-sport athletes who had their seasons shortened by the coronavirus pandemic to have an additional year of eligibility.
The NCAA has suspended all on and off-campus recruiting activities until at least May 31, 2020 for all Division I sports. Electronic communication, including phone calls, text messages, and emails are all permissible during this window of time. Starting April 15, 2020, Division I coaches may begin offering National Letter of Intent and financial aid agreements to prospective student-athletes.
Drake University has postponed the 2020 Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom along with related special events and programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 111th edition of the event was scheduled for April 22–25 at Drake Stadium.
The health, safety, and wellbeing of Drake Relays presented by Xtream participants and fans, along with guidance from local and national health officials, have been at the forefront of the decision-making process. Recent directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health, and City of Des Moines regarding large gatherings make it clear that postponing the Drake Relays presented by Xtream is necessary. We will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation and will work with local, state, and national officials to reschedule the Drake Relays presented by Xtream at a date that ensures the health and wellbeing of participants and fans.
The postponement of the Drake Relays presented by Xtream also postpones all events associated with the Drake Relays presented by Xtream, including the Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Grand Blue Mile, and Drake Road Races. Drake University and Drake Relays presented by Xtream leadership are working to reschedule these events and other campus activities associated with the Drake Relays presented by Xtream.
The Bell Center and Drake Recreation Facilities are closed until further notice.
The Blue Oval Invitational is a track and field meet scheduled to take place April 10-11, primarily featuring Iowa high school teams. That meet has been postponed. Drake Athletics will work with the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union to determine if there is a rescheduled date that works for all parties.
In these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever to keep our focus on a brighter future that includes your time at Drake University and the incredible experiences that await you this fall!
We have every intention to move our new Bulldogs into their residence halls on August 19th, with on-campus classes starting the following Monday. We will let you know as soon as possible if our plans must change because of the coronavirus. To provide you with both peace of mind and flexibility, Drake will fully refund any tuition deposit paid for the 2020–2021 academic year until July 15, 2020.
The assurance of a tuition deposit refund allows you to move forward with your Drake enrollment without hesitation.
Begin by discussing with your manager expectations around working from home in the event of an emergency. Information Technology Services encourages you to test out the technologies you might need to work from off-campus. ITS tools for working remotely include the myDrake campus portal, Microsoft Teams, and cloud storage through OneDrive. ITS has prepared information about using these technologies to work remotely if necessary. Further information is available here for staff, and here for faculty.
In the event the University encourages remote work for a period of time, there will still be many key roles that can only be performed on campus. The nature of each position varies based on operational function, unit, and time of year. Employees should discuss possible contingencies with their managers. In the event of partial or full closing, essential personnel may be designated for purposes of continuing key University operations.
We know many employees are concerned since schools are closing. While in some cases telecommuting will allow parents to be home with their children during this time, there may be other positions where telecommuting is not possible. For the duration of this Coronavirus response, therefore, the staff sick leave policy is being adjusted to allow accrued sick leave to be taken for this circumstance.
A healthy employee wishing to stay home to avoid possible exposure may use vacation and personal time for this purpose, subject to normal departmental processes for requesting such leave.
If you are sick please stay home. It is important that you take care of yourself and don’t put others at risk by coming to work.
Yes. Doctors on Demand provides virtual visits with Board-certified doctors via live video from your smartphone, tablet or computer.
First, ensure you understand all the paid time off options available to you by contacting the Human Resources partner assigned to your department. In the event you have exhausted all paid leave, you may request unpaid leave and/or may qualify for job-protected leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act policy. As the situation unfolds, the University will provide further guidance on any changes to normal paid leave practices.
The university recommends employees with specific health concerns contact their healthcare provider for medical advice tailored to their individual situations. In the event an employee may have a compromised immune system or respiratory condition, and is advised by a medical professional to avoid public spaces rather than risk potential exposure to the virus, the employee should present documentation to HR, who will explore options with the employee, as it would with any other accommodation request.
Your accrued sick leave is available when a health condition prevents you from working. In addition, accrued sick leave is available when your immediate family member’s illness or injury requires your care. Immediate family members are defined as your spouse/partner, child, mother, father, brother or sister (or the same relatives of your spouse/partner). As described in a previous question and answer, the staff sick leave policy is also being adjusted to allow accrued sick leave to be taken for childcare responsibilities resulting from schools being closed due to the Coronavirus situation. Follow your department’s usual notification procedures.
Drake offers an Employee Assistance Program that’s available for all faculty, staff and their family members.
Employee & Family Resources may be reached by calling 800-327-4692 or online at www.efr.org/myeap.
Gatherings pose unique risks. For that reason, all on-campus events have been canceled through Sunday, April 5, 2020. We will continue to monitor and assess the risk for any events beyond April 5.
Human Resources has prepared extensive information about the temporary telecommuting policy applicable to the COVID-19 outbreak. Please see Telecommuting: Best Practices for Employees and Telecommuting: Best Practices for Managers.
In addition, Information Technology Services provides access to a number of technologies to assist with working from off-campus. ITS tools for working remotely include the myDrake campus portal, Microsoft Teams, and cloud storage through OneDrive. ITS has prepared information about using these technologies to work remotely, available here for staff, and here for faculty.
During this time in which the University is requiring most employees to work remotely, there are key roles that can only be performed on campus. The nature of each position varies based on operational function, unit, and time of year. Employees should remain in touch with their managers regarding individual work situations. Essential personnel may be designated for purposes of continuing key University operations during this time.
A healthy employee wishing to stay home to avoid possible exposure may use vacation and personal time for this purpose, subject to normal departmental processes for requesting such leave.
If you are sick, please stay home. It is important that you take care of yourself and don’t put others at risk by coming to work.
Telecommuting: Best Practices for Employees
Telecommuting: Best Practices for Managers
Temporary Telecommuting Protocol
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people. Previous coronavirus outbreaks have included severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Because this is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation, the CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, including any changes in the risk assessment.
Symptoms of coronavirus may include the following:
If you have returned in the past 14 days from travel to a country with a COVID-19 outbreak AND are experiencing fever and respiratory symptoms (such as fever with coughing or difficulty breathing/shortness of breath), the CDC advises you to seek medical advice and call ahead to your health-care provider or nurse advice line.
Important: Please do not show up at a clinic, urgent care, emergency room, or other health facility without calling first. Your provider will need to take special measures to protect other people in the clinic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus is currently believed to spread in two ways:
Person-to-person spread
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Can someone spread the virus without being sick?
Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How easily the virus spreads
How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.
The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.
Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
You may be able to reduce the risk of spread of coronaviruses by taking the same steps as you would to prevent infection from the flu and the common cold:
Local and state public health agencies currently do not recommend that people wear masks when they are in public. Additionally, scientists are not sure whether wearing a mask in public actually keeps healthy people from getting sick. It’s most important for people who are sick to wear a mask in a healthcare setting (such as a waiting room) to avoid exposing other people when they cough or sneeze.
Public Health—Des Moines & Polk County recommend staying home and away from others if you are sick. However, keep in mind that if we see our friends, neighbors, or other community members wearing a mask we should not assume that they have been exposed to COVID-19 or any other illness (COVID-19 is not currently present in our community). Because mask use is customary in some cultures, it’s not appropriate to make assumptions about why someone is wearing a mask or to stigmatize or discriminate against people who choose to wear masks.
If you develop symptoms—such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath, please take the following steps:
Call your health provider in advance. Please do not show up at a clinic, urgent care or other health facility without calling first. Your provider will need to take special measures to protect other people in the clinic.
The CDC also advises you to:
Monitor your symptoms closely. Take your temperature if you believe you have a fever.
Stay home from school and work until at least 24 hours after your fever ends. If you must go out of the house or be around others, wear a mask and avoid close contact. Be especially careful around infants and small children as well as people who have compromised immune systems and/or are over the age of 65.
Take care of yourself. Rest as much as possible. Drink lots of fluids.
We understand that some community members are concerned. If you would like to talk with someone, support is available to students through Student Counseling Services. Faculty and staff can utilize the Employee Assistance Program.
You can help prevent the spread of colds and other viral ailments by doing the following:
As with any disaster, the novel coronavirus outbreak presents an added layer of stress and worry for members of our Drake community who have personal connections to the affected area. This is a critically-important time for all of us to reinforce a community of care on our campus and support one another.
If you would like to talk with someone, support is available to students through Student Counseling Services. Faculty and staff can utilize the Employee Assistance Program.
The University’s custodial cleaning program uses an EPA-registered disinfectant to clean touch points, public and common areas, restrooms, and kitchens daily.
Effective immediately, any travel outside of the state of Iowa on behalf of the University is suspended, unless deemed critical and approved by the senior administrator in your area. This policy applies to all University-sponsored travel, including international, academic, athletic, conferences and workshops, and research-related travel, and will continue through at least April 5, 2020. Please work through your direct supervisor, who will escalate the request to senior administration.
Additionally, on March 19, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory—Do Not Travel for all countries in the world. Given this travel advisory, as well as the CDC Global Level 3 Pandemic Notice announced on March 27, we strongly advise that anyone planning personal travel overseas should reconsider.
Drake University is following guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health regarding protocols for individuals returning from a CDC Warning Level 2 or 3 country, which includes voluntary self-isolation for 14 days. As of March 27, all countries in the world are considered to be CDC Warning Level 2, and would require this self-isolation protocol.
Any travel outside of the state of Iowa on behalf of the University is currently suspended, unless deemed critical and approved by the senior administrator in your area. This policy applies to all University-sponsored travel, including international, academic, athletic, conferences and workshops, and research-related travel, and will continue through at least April 5, 2020. Please work through your direct supervisor, who will escalate the request to senior administration.
Additionally, on March 19, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory—Do Not Travel for all countries in the world. Given this travel advisory, as well as the CDC Global Level 3 Pandemic Notice announced on March 27, we strongly advise that anyone planning personal travel overseas should reconsider.
Students, faculty and other academic personnel, or staff planning to travel abroad on personal trips are advised to have contingency plans in the event of major disruptions, such as the possibility of being unable to return to the U.S. due to in-country quarantines. Please carefully weigh the risks and benefits of any international travel, especially in light of the current travel advisories, and review U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information on COVID-19 to learn more.
Per Drake University policy, Drake University will automatically suspend and restrict travel during the period of time that a U.S. Department of State Level 4 Travel Advisory, or a CDC Warning Level 3, is in effect. This includes all University-sponsored travel, including study abroad, academic, and research-related travel.
As of March 19, all overseas travel has been suspended and restricted due to the U.S. Department of State Global Level 4 Health Advisory—Do Not Travel. Additionally, on March 27, the CDC has issued a Global Level 3 Pandemic Notice – Avoid Nonessential Travel.
If you have questions related to these travel suspensions and study abroad, please reach out to studyabroad@drake.edu.
While study abroad is currently suspended, Drake is reviewing all summer, fall, academic year, and J-term study abroad programs at this time. If a summer program has already been cancelled, these students have been notified.
If conferences are canceled, the conference organizer should generally provide a full refund of conference fees. Hotel reservations can typically be canceled without penalty, with at least 24 hours advance notice.
Airlines may cancel or change flights on short notice. If this occurs, the traveler can work with the airline to get a refund, travel voucher, or adjust their flight schedule. If satisfactory arrangements cannot be made through the airline, the traveler may contact the University travel management company, Short’s Travel Management, for assistance. Short’s fees are likely to apply.
For cancellations initiated by the traveler such as in the case of a conference cancellation, the traveler may contact Short’s Travel Management for assistance. Airlines are issuing some cancellation waivers, however, the airlines and trips which have waivers available are subject to change. The general guideline from Short’s is to proceed with cancellation if the travel is scheduled within 72 hours. However, if a traveler is considering canceling and the trip is closer than 72 hours, the traveler may want to wait to see if a waiver becomes available. The traveler should consult with Short’s travel agents in this instance. Note that Short’s does not charge fees for consultations or airline cancellations.
Effective immediately, any travel outside of the state of Iowa on behalf of the University is suspended, unless deemed critical and approved by the senior administrator in your area. This policy applies to all University-sponsored travel, including international, academic, athletic, conferences and workshops, and research-related travel, and will continue through at least April 5, 2020. Please work through your direct supervisor, who will escalate the request to senior administration.
If you have booked travel, please cancel reservations and seek refunds for payments already made. Short’s Travel Management can assist with cancelling airline or other reservations initially made through Short’s. Many airlines are allowing cancellations without penalty or are providing vouchers for future travel; the Short’s agents can assist with these details.
We strongly encourage faculty and staff to share any personal travel plans through April 5 with Human Resources via http://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2fURdl1hjCS2pff.
There is a separate process for the limited number of students who are returning to campus after spring break.
Since we are remaining in a remote learning format, students who decide to leave the US and complete their studies from home will remain in active status and their SEVIS record will not be terminated. While the temporary measures related to COVID-19 are in place, students are deemed to be maintaining status as long as normal progress is being made in their course of study. For this reason, the five-month temporary absence provision does not apply for students who remain in active status, meaning you will be able to re-enter the US as normal after the end of the Spring term to take Summer classes or at the end of Summer for the beginning of Fall term.
Since we are remaining in a remote learning format, J-1 students who decide to leave the US and complete their studies from home will have their SEVIS record deactivated. If you choose to remain in the US during this time, your SEVIS record will stay in active status as long as you are actively engaging in coursework. While the temporary measures related to COVID-19 are in place, students are deemed to be maintaining status as long as normal progress is being made in their course of study.
If you are a J-1 scholar and are continuing to make progress on your research during this period of online coursework, you can remain in the US and continue working toward your program goal until your program end date. If you have further questions, please contact Kendra Hossain-Morehead at Kendra.hossain-morehead@drake.edu.
Students who currently live in on-campus housing have the option to remain on campus for the rest of the semester. If you do intend to remain on campus this semester, dining services will remain available to you. For more information, please visit the following webpages:
Complete information about the move out plan for residence halls will be shared in the near future. Please do not come to campus to move your items out of your dorm room until further notice. For students who have already returned home and have questions or still have belongings in your residence hall, reach out to Residence Life at housing@drake.edu. They will provide you with additional information of what to do next.
Drake is working on alternative plans to celebrate all May 2020 graduates. This will include an invitation to each graduate to attend our December 2020 live commencement and an opportunity to participate in a virtual commencement in May.
As per SEVP guidance sent to institutions on March 23, 2020, Drake is not permitted to extend students’ programs to accommodate graduation ceremonies. Any student wishing to return to the US to attend a graduation ceremony have the following options:
The US Department of Homeland Security has not provided additional guidance regarding OPT applications or engagement at this time. Please continue to monitor your emails for guidance from ISSS as we receive more information in the future. If you have not yet applied for OPT but intend to do so, we highly recommend you complete and submit your application before departing the US. Please refer to the email sent to you on Monday, March 23, 2020 by Stephanie if you have additional questions.
For those of you who decide to return home at any point in the semester, ISSS is here to guide you through the process. Stephanie and I are maintaining a resource list with travel restrictions, quarantine orders, etc. for all countries where our international students reside. If you have trouble finding information about possible restrictions or are interested in this information for your home country, please let us know and we can share specific information with you.
Additionally, students and scholars who plan to travel home can check in with their embassies or consulates for further information about travel back into their home countries.
Don't take public health for granted and do what you can to stop the spread of COVID-19
An article from the Harkin Institute
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COVID-19 In Iowa (Official State of Iowa COVID-19 Website)
Iowa Department of Public Health
This page is intended to provide information about COVID-19, precautions that are being taken and prevention measures you can take, as well as information on the effects of measures various governments are taking to stem the outbreak.
This page is not intended to be all-encompassing and should not be considered to be providing medical or legal advice. In all instances, you should consult with a relevant expert for guidance specific to your circumstances.
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Drake Public Safety, Drake Public Safety, - Des Moines police, fire, ambulance, (These contacts are all relative to being dialed on campus) |
