Drake University believes that the experience students receive from the residence hall program benefits their academic, social, intellectual and personal growth. The philosophy of Drake University is that student life in the residence halls is not separate from the academic mission of the University, but rather it is supportive of the students’ total development. The overriding goal of the Office of Residence Life (ORL) is to align the residence education structure with that of the overall University to provide an intentional, progressive and dynamic student experience.
Therefore, all full-time students must live in the Drake University residence halls during any period of university enrollment occurring within two years following their high school graduation. Students meeting this requirement during the contract year are expected to fulfill the terms of the contract. Exceptions include individuals who are married or live within a 45-mile radius of Drake University with their parent(s)/legal guardian and have completed the Commuter Application, and received, written approval from the Office of Residence Life to live off campus as a commuter student. Any student who is beyond two years of high school graduation is not required to live in a residence hall but may elect to do so if space is available.
A written request for an exception to this policy must be filed with the Office of Residence Life prior to the semester for which the request is made. Students may also pursue medical exemptions from the residence rule by contacting Student Disability Services in the Office of Access and Success.
The University maintains six coeducational residence halls for undergraduates. The residence halls have desk services, laundry facilities and a community kitchen. The size of the rooms vary per hall. Each residence hall room has an XL twin bed, dresser, desk and chair (type of furniture will vary per hall). All residence halls offer wireless internet connection.
Drake Dining Services offer meal plans that enable students to enjoy meals and snacks seven days a week at several locations on campus. Options are designed to meet a wide variety of dietary needs, preferences, and lifestyles, from vegetarian, pizza, pasta and all you can eat to late-night and carryout choices. Dining services staff assist students to meet their individual dietary needs. All students living in the residence halls are required to have a meal plan.
Drake’s residence halls:
Carpenter Hall, 2900 Forest Avenue, is named for Mary Carpenter, dean of women from 1897 to 1908 and 1918 to 1930. Carpenter was a member of the Drake Class of 1885. Carpenter Hall is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Crawford Hall, 1333 30th Street, is named for Robert A. Crawford, an early Des Moines banker and philanthropist. He was treasurer of Drake’s Board of Trustees from 1924 to 1937. Crawford Hall is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Goodwin-Kirk Hall, 1215 30th Street, recognizes the contributions of two longtime associates of the University. William J. Goodwin was a Drake graduate and served as president of Drake’s Board of Trustees. Sherman Kirk was a faculty member from 1897 to 1940 and dean of Drake’s Bible College. Goodwin-Kirk Hall is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Herriott Hall, 2842 Forest Avenue, takes its name from Frank I. Herriott, a political science professor at Drake from 1903 to 1941. He was instrumental in establishing a Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Drake. Herriott Hall is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Stalnaker Hall, 1319 30th Street, is named for Luther W. Stalnaker, a Drake alumnus and professor of philosophy. He also was dean of the College of Liberal Arts from 1940 to 1954. Stalnaker Hall is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Once on Campus Residency Requirement has been met:
Campus Suites at Dogtown, 1140 24th St, this is a residence hall option for students who have met the Drake residency requirement. Campus Suites at Dogtown offer affordable housing for upper class, graduate, and professional school students two blocks from campus. They are all single suites with a private bathroom. No on-site kitchen available. Campus meal plan is required. Students may choose a full year or academic year lease.
Drake’s Dining Facilities:
Hubbell Dining Hall is named for Grover C. Hubbell, a member of an Iowa pioneer family and member of Drake’s Board of Trustees from 1929 to 1956. Hubbell also served as chair of the board from 1931 to 1948. Hubbell, the all-you-care-to-eat buffet option and Spike’s C-Store, the convenience store offering grab and go items.
Olmsted Center is named for George H. Olmsted, an Iowa philanthropist, prior member of Drake’s Board of Trustees. It also offers Starbucks, student lounges, Student Life and Residence Life offices, the University Postal Operations Center, meeting rooms and conference facilities.
Drake students may choose from a wide range of cocurricular activities, including drama, dance and musical groups and organizations; academic and professional associations and societies; special-interest hobby and political groups; a number of religious foundations and many others. The Times-Delphic (campus newspaper) and various other publications have positions available for students interested in these areas. Information can be found online in the Drake University Student Handbook or by inquiring at the Student Life Center located in the Olmsted Center.
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life works with the National Pan-Hellenic Conference (NPHC), Interfraternity Council (IFC) and the Panhellenic Council to provide students with opportunities for self-development in value-based leadership organizations. The fraternity and sorority community prides itself on intellectual growth, engaged citizenship, service with the community, life long friendships, leadership development and fostering inclusion.
Drake is home to seven social fraternity chapters. These international social fraternities include: Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Theta Chi.
The following National Panhellenic Council (NPC) sororities have a chapter at Drake: Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma.
There are five National Pan-Hellenic Conference (NPHC) organizations on campus: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.. Some of our NPHC chapters have joint charters with Iowa State University.
Order of Omega is the Greek-affiliated honor society for juniors and seniors. Phi Beta Kappa is a prestigious honor society that elects into membership each year a limited number of top-ranking seniors in recognition of outstanding achievement in the liberal arts. These societies are among the nationally affiliated all-university honor societies on the Drake campus. In addition, all colleges and schools have their own honor groups, which are outlined in the college and school sections of this catalog.
Drake University recognizes the African Students Association (ASA), Coalition of Black Students (CBS), Chinese Students Association, (CSA) Black American Law Students Association (BALSA), El Ritmo Latino, the South Asian Student Association (SASA), the Vietnamese American Student Association (VASA), the Malaysian Student Association (MASA), Rainbow Union, (LGBT and Ally group) and the International Student Association (ISA). These organizations sponsor a variety of programs, including Black History and Hispanic Heritage months. The Black Cultural Center, CAYA (Come As You Are) and La Casa Cultural provide opportunities for all students to meet informally for programs and activities.
The Adams Leadership Institute is a leadership development program offered to undergraduate students at Drake University. Incoming students who apply and are admitted to the Institute gain exclusive access to personalized leadership training, co-curricular skill development, and career preparation that enhance their personal, academic, and professional lives. All students admitted to the Adams Leadership Institute complete a three-part leadership training series, designed to equip them with self-awareness, collaboration, and perspective-taking skills that are immediately applicable to their personal relationships, academic coursework, campus activities, and most importantly, their professional network. In addition, participants engage in a variety of annual leadership events and activities offered exclusively to students in the Institute. This co-curricular leadership opportunity is available to students from all academic disciplines and majors at no additional cost thanks to the generous support of Drake alumni and friends of Dr. Donald V. Adams, Professor Emeritus. To learn more about this program and how to apply, visit drake.edu/leadershipinstitute.
The Crew Scholars Program is an academic excellence and leadership development program for students of color at Drake. The Program consists of three entering first year cohorts of between 20 and 30 students each every fall. Their aim is to encourage each other to achieve great things at Drake, offer mutual support, and effect change in the campus community. Students apply for Crew before the start of their first year on Drake’s campus, and students who are admitted participate with the same cohort of peers throughout their time at Drake. Visit the Crew Scholars web site for more information.
There are many opportunities to be involved in the local community while at Drake. From volunteering as a part of a student organization, to taking a service-learning course, to doing an internship with a non-profit organization, to attending a workshop on strategies for change, all Drake students have the opportunity to be changemakers! Visit www.drake.edu/cel to learn more.
Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim faiths, as well as interdenominational and nondenominational organizations are part of the religious worshipping community. Regular worship and a wide variety of programs are available to the campus community.
Information can be found at: https://www.drake.edu/studentinvolvement/officeofspirituallife/
Drake students, faculty, and staff are offered a wide variety of recreation opportunities. The Bell Center features a fitness room with cardio and strength equipment, swimming pool, and basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts. Locker room facilities are available, and equipment is free to use for all sports and activities. Underground Fitness is located in Olmsted and is a student-only fitness facility with a full range of cardio machines, free weights, and circuit training. The Knapp Center is an athletics and recreation center, and it includes basketball, volleyball, racquetball courts, and a 200 meter track. The Roger Knapp Tennis Center features six indoor and six outdoor tennis courts.
Recreational Services provides a multitude of programs and services as well. More than 20 intramural sports are offered at competitive and recreational levels. Sport Clubs are recreational or competitive. The Group Exercise program offers a variety of classes. All classes are held in the Bell Center, and all equipment is provided. The Wellness program offers various events and activities to enhance students' well-being. Services provided include a wellness library, body compositions and wellness coaching.
Information can be found at: www.drake.edu/recservices
Students play an active role in academic planning and campus governance through the Drake University Student Senate, a leadership opportunity that allows students to collaborate with their fellow peers and represent the needs and interests of undergraduate students. Students become members of Student Senate through election by the student body each spring. In addition to Student Senate, students also have opportunities to serve in elected positions on the two other governing boards; the Student Activities Board (SAB) and UNITY Roundtable. The Student Activities Board plans a variety of cultural, educational, and social programs, as well as volunteer opportunities and special events, such as Dogtown After Hours and the Drake Relays. In addition, UNITY Roundtable is a governing body of students who work towards inclusion and educational opportunities amongst multicultural student organizations and the Drake community through dialogue and programming. Along with these opportunities, Drake University students may also serve in governing roles through their academic colleges and schools, as well as in campus residence halls.
Students attending the University are responsible for their conduct both on and off campus. It is expected that all students are at the University for serious educational pursuits and that they will conduct themselves accordingly.
In all cases involving violations of University regulations, students have the opportunity to meet with a staff member to discuss the incident. In certain cases involving violations of University regulations, appropriate hearing and/or appeal procedures are available. To review the Code of Student Conduct, please visit:
https://www.drake.edu/studentlife/handbook-resources/handbook/conduct/
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.