The Times-Delphic

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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

THE TIMES-DELPHIC DES MOINES, IOWA | THURSDAY, SEPT. 15, 2011 | VOL. 131, NO. 7 | WWW.TIMESDELPHIC.COM

New smartphone app hits Drake’s campus ‘blueMobile’ helps access information on the go by Kylie Rush

Staff Writer kylie.rush@drake.edu

Drake University took a step further into the technological world recently with the launch of its new blueMobile application. The app was created for faculty, staff and students alike to access important information. Angela Embree, director of computer information systems at Drake, felt that taking this step was both relevant and needed. “It’s the future of computing,” she said. “Everyone’s connected and wants more information more quickly. It’s a great way to get you what you need to know and what we want you to know.” Sophomore magazine major Jeff Nelson agreed with Embree. “I think it’s great that they’re taking this step,” he said. “A lot of people have smartphones and it will be a great way to connect with students.” The blueMobile app is set up as a set of apps within one app. The internal apps include a directory, map, events page, news feed, grades and a student’s schedule. “The features aren’t useful for Drake students for the most part,” Nelson said. “It could help freshmen. It’s good for you if you don’t know where the buildings are. I’m sure as

time goes on they’ll take feedback into consideration and make improvements and add more features.” Embree stated that they do plan on improving the app as more feedback comes across her desk. “We plan to keep adding and adjusting to meet the needs,” she said. “The more feedback we get, the more we can get them (the students) what they want.” So far, the only feedback she received was one report that was easily corrected.

Sophomore Kyle Gingrey feels Drake has some improvements to make. “It lags a little bit, so they should speed it up,” he said. Nelson also had some suggestions for improvements. “I’d like to see a social media or networking feature to open communication and make it more interactive,” Nelson said. “Also, it doesn’t show current grades; they’re only shown for previous semesters and you have to sign in every time to access features.”

A dining menu, nutritional information for the dining halls and a voting mechanism are on the list to add to the app. To download the app, go to http://oit.drake.edu/blueMobile on the browser of a mobile phone. Downloads are available for Android and iOS devices. Students and faculty can send feedback through the app itself or through the OIT website. The next phase of improvements for the app will take place in November.

JEFF NELSON | staff photographer

BLUEMOBILE APP is a new addition to the technological advancements Drake has made over the past year. Students, faculty and staff can all use the app to get access to important information on the go. The app also features a map of campus as well as a campus calendar of events that are happening. A directory is also one of the features students can look forward to using.

SigEp receives national honors over the summer One fraternity brings home the Buc Cup, Honor of Philias for exceptional brotherhood by Caitlin Ireland

Staff Writer caitlin.ireland@drake.edu

It has been quite the year for the men of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Iowa Delta chapter. In August seven members attended the SigEp Conclave, a ceremony that is held once every two years. At this event bylaws are reviewed and awards including the Buchanan Cup and the Honor of Philias are presented. “While higher education questions the value of fraternities and sororities across the country daily, we try to partner with our schools to foster the best learning environment for our brothers,” chapter president Ryan Price said. The fraternity’s commitment to education and excellence is evident. SigEp not only holds the highest chartered fraternity grade point average on Drake’s campus, but it has also raised over $10,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Iowa. SigEp Iowa Delta, the official name of Drake’s chapter of the fraternity, won the Silver Buchanan Cup in 2003, ‘05, ‘07 and ‘09. The “Buc

Cup” is awarded to fraternities that uphold SigEp’s principles of virtue, diligence and brotherly love as well as excellence in academics and all aspects of university life. This year the chapter earned the Golden Buchanan Cup because it was the fifth consecutive SigEp Conclave in which it won the Buc Cup. Out of SigEp’s 240 chapters only 21 have ever received the Golden Buc Cup, which is one of the highest honors SigEp can bestow on a chapter. “Winning the Buc Cup was, for us, like an athlete winning the Olympics,” Price said. “It meant that all of our hard work trying to be the best men we can be by being in SigEp had paid off, and our brothers across the country recognized us for it.” The day after winning the Golden Buc Cup, the men of the Iowa Delta took the stage once again to receive the Honor of Philias. This prestigious award is given to only one chapter or individual that selflessly demonstrates what a difference brotherhood can make. The Iowa Delta received the award for the unwavering support it gave to its brother Shiv Morjaria during his battle with cancer. Only

six chapters have ever received this honor. During Morjaria’s battle with Stage II non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he was never alone. His brothers came with him to his appointments and ran to get him medicine. This was especially important since Morjaria’s family was over 8,000 miles away in his home country of Kenya. The men of SigEp ended up fundraising over $2,500 to fly Morjaria’s mother to come to his aid, but he felt he had already received enough of his brothers’ support that he could not accept the money. In the end the money went towards paying off Morjaria’s cancer treatment. Due to the overwhelming support Morjaria received from the fraternity, he hopes to someday have a leadership role in SigEp. “I was so proud when Shiv went on stage to receive the award with me and 1,500 men rose for a several minute standing ovation to honor his courage and our brotherhood,” Price said. “It was the highlight of our Conclave experience.”

JOEY GALE | photo editor

SARAH ANDREWS (left) receives a framed copy of her photo and award from Jill Van Wyke on Sept. 13.

Senior student presented with photo award for work in 2010 by Lauren Horsch

Managing/News Editor lauren.horsch@drake.edu

PETER ELLIOTT | staff photographer

LEFT: SHIV MORJARIA accepts the Honor of Philias. RIGHT: MEMBERS of SigEp pose with the Buc Cup.

inside

On Tuesday, faculty members of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and students gathered in the atrium of Meredith Hall to congratulate senior Sarah Andrews, who received the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence Award. Andrews, a magazines and graphic design double major, was the photo editor for The Times-Delphic during the 2009-10 academic year. In the spring of 2010, news of a student death shook the university. While the staff was working on the next issue the day the news broke, she heard a memorial service was being held for the student. She attended the event to take photos. Andrews said it was about 6 p.m. when she attended and the sun was setting, but she had just gotten a new lens for low light, so it worked out.

“It was one of my favorite things we did,” Andrews said. The photograph that came from the memorial was nominated for the award and became a national finalist — and then it placed first in SPJ’s Region Seven. Assistant professor of journalism Jill Van Wyke said that over 4,000 photos were entered into the contest. Journalism professors Lori Blachford and Jeff Inman along with Van Wyke presented Andrews with a framed copy of her photo and the award that was given to her by SPJ. Andrews was also recently recognized by the Associated Collegiate Press for her infographic on the front page of the 2011 Times-Delphic Relays Edition. She has been recognized by the Iowa College Media Association for her photography portfolio as well as her work in design and infographics. Last year, Andrews also assisted the THINK magazine staff with its cover design.

NEWS

OPINIONS

FEATURES

Parents and Family weekend begins on Friday

The American Jobs bill may or may not have a chance

‘Save the Prairie’ movement emerges

SPORTS

Men’s soccer stays redhot

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