The Office of Residence Life is currently seeking to hire a team of students to serve as desk assistants for the upcoming academic year. Desk assistants will be employed starting Sep. 11 and serve in the residence halls through May 20. Applications are due Monday, Sep. 4 at 11:59 p.m. For questions, contact Betsy Collins at betsy.collins@drake.edu.
— Betsy Collins, Residence Halls
Drake Wellness is conducting free body compositions for students. A body composition analysis breaks down the percentage of body weight by estimating both adipose weight and lean weight. The results are helpful in determining certain health risks. Testing will be performed using the new InBody 270 analyzer. You will leave knowing your basal metabolic rate and body fat percentage and the national standards for these measurements. To schedule an appointment, email wellness@drake.edu.
Fifty Drake University faculty and staff competed against 10 other “large division” companies in this year’s Des Moines Corporate Games. It was a great way for faculty and staff to get to know colleagues from around campus and be active.
Drake brought home a number of medals including first place in men’s golf 4-person best shot, second place in sand volleyball, second place in women’s 3-on-3 basketball, and third place in kickball. Drake teams also won medals in a variety of individual events. A big thank you to everyone who participated. Way to show your Drake pride!
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Academic Excellence and Student Success is pleased to welcome Josh Wallace as the new academic success and retention specialist. Josh also serves as the staff director of the Crew Scholars Program in partnership with Jennifer Harvey, faculty director. Josh’s office will be located in Medbury Hall, Room 219. Josh is available for individual appointments with students seeking assistance with academic transition issues such as time management, study skills, note-taking, reading strategies, and more. Josh will provide presentations for classes and student organizations on these topics.
— Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success
Come see the newly remodeled Hubbell Dining Hall at an open house on Aug. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Faculty and staff can purchase lunch for just $5.
— Jennifer Bowersox, Drake University Dining
Many of us need a nudge to try something new or to continue to practice a healthy habit. To make it a bit easier, we are introducing Monthly Motivators. Each month we will introduce a simple wellness challenge. Our August challenge is all about eating your greens. The goal is to eat a green fruit or vegetable every day of the month.
Click here for a copy of this month’s flyer, including a tracking form and more information on the challenge.
Use this as an opportunity to try a new fruit or vegetable. Compete with your co-workers to see who can mark off the most days, share recipes that include a green fruit or vegetable, or have a fruit and vegetable potluck day. Have fun and be on the look-out for the next Monthly Motivator.
Other new offerings on the horizon:
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
The following wellness classes will be held in Olmsted, Rooms 310–311. Contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu to register for a class. BUILD registration forms will be available soon.
Healthy Eating Made Easy: Sep. 19 at 10 a.m.
Join Lucas Flaherty for a presentation as he shares some easy and quick healthy meal planning ideas. The presentation includes both information on programs such as Blue Apron as well as more traditional tips if you are buying from a grocery store and cooking at home. And, learn about quick, low cost healthy snack options.
Work/Life Balance: Oct. 25 at 10 a.m.
The demands of work and family share importance in our lives but how do we budget our time? Learn how effective life skills can help us make informed decisions and manage our reaction to stress. Develop a blueprint for time management to help sort out what is and isn’t important and help restore balance in everyday life. Johanna Dunlevy from EFR will present.
What Do You Want to Know About Nutrition: Nov. 14 at 10 a.m.
This Q&A session will cover a variety of topics including hidden sugars, anti-inflammatory foods, what to look for in bottled smoothies, losing belly fat, and more. Bring your questions to Lucas Flaherty, registered dietitian, for this fun and informative presentation.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Grab your walking shoes and join this year’s Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The walk is part of the Healthiest State Initiative and supports its goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. We will meet at the north entrance of Cowles Library at 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 4. All participants will be given a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes. If it rains, we will walk on the indoor track at the Knapp Center. If interested, please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Don’t forget to get complete your wellness screening. Those on Drake’s health plan can save approximately $300 in 2018 by completing a biometric screening and online wellness assessment. Choose one of the following options to complete your screening:
Details, including a copy of the health care provider biometric screening form, a list of participating Hy-Vee stores, an on campus health screening scheduling guide, and a wellness assessment guide, can be found under the employee tab on blueView. For more information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Chair massages are back by popular demand. Step away from your work and take a 10-minute break with a relaxing chair massage from Anne Boal, licensed massage therapist.
Cost is $10 (correct change cash or check only). One name will be drawn from each month’s event and that person will receive a free 10-minute chair massage. Contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration information.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources