All posts by Aaron Jaco

For Students Archive

Exploring global affairs

A National Security Council Crisis Simulation with Brett Bruen and former Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz will be offered 4–6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8. The simulation is part of the Nelson Institute Undergraduate Conference on Global Affairs, which recognizes and shares high-quality undergraduate research on global topics.
Participants can engage in just the simulation and/or other parts of the conference if schedules do not allow full participation. If you previously registered for the crisis simulation only, please go back in to the registration link and include your name and email address. If you have not registered, please do so ASAP at: http://drake.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6KnfaEWh6vNZ5gF 

STUDENTS AND FACULTY ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND EVEN IF NOT PRESENTING A PAPER! Activities will include a crisis simulation, a networking social featuring international appetizers, a keynote address by noted scholar Valerie Hudson, student panels, and a closing luncheon with visiting Global Practitioner Peiqin Zhou from Nanjing University. A $200 award will go to the top presenter(s) selected by judges. Students who attend the full conference (both days) will receive a certificate of participation. Please direct questions to Denise Ganpat (denise.ganpat@drake.edu).

Schedule of Events

Friday, April 8 (Upper Olmsted)

  • Newly added:  4–6:30 p.m.  National Security Council Crisis Simulation with Brett Bruen and former Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz
  • 4:30–5:30 p.m. Conference registration for those not in the simulation
  • 6:30–7:15 p.m. Networking with international appetizers
  • 7:30–9 p.m. “National Security and Women’s Insecurity” keynote address by Valerie Hudson

Saturday, April 9 (Upper Olmsted)

  • 8:30–9 a.m. Continental breakfast
  • 9–10:15 a.m. Student panels
  • 10:30–11:45 a.m. Student panels
  • 12–1:15 p.m. Student panels
  • 1:30–2:30 p.m. Sit-down/buffet lunch with speaker Peiqin Zhou
  • 2:45 p.m. Best Presenter Award

—Denise Ganpat, Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs

For Students Archive

Plus/minus grading updates

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In March 2013, Faculty Senate passed a motion to change the grading policy in the Faculty Manual: “That Drake University extends to all instructors the ability to assign plus/minus grade modifiers in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs beginning with the Fall 2016 semester.” In order to prepare for the approaching implementation of the plus/minus grading policy, common questions about the new policy will be featured each week for the next several weeks. You can also access a full set of resources on the Student Records website.

Q:  Will all courses at Drake use the +/- system?
A:   All instructors will have the option to incorporate + and – grades into their grading scales beginning with fall 2016 courses.

Q:  Are all instructors required to offer + and – grades?
A:   No. Instructors control the grading scheme of their courses, and some schemes may not include + or – grades.

—Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Staff Archive

All staff meeting with President Martin

The All Staff Council invites all staff to attend a meeting with President Martin.
Where: Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center
When: Friday, April 15
Time: 9–10 a.m.

All staff are encouraged to come and share their thoughts and recommendations on the University’s draft of the continuous improvement plan. In order to be best prepared to contribute, you are encouraged to review President Martin’s most recent video on the continuous improvement plan and the associated hand-outs, both of which can be accessed on the Conversations site.

Refreshments will be provided.

—All Staff Council

HR Information Archive

Save $300 on your Drake health insurance in 2017

Don’t forget to participate in this year’s Wellness Incentive Program to receive your premium incentive in 2017. Those on Drake’s health plan can save approximately $300 in 2017 by simply completing a biometrics screening and online wellness assessment.

There are three options for completing your biometric screening:

  • Complete a screening with your physician
  • Complete your screening at a participating Hy-Vee location
  • Complete your screening on campus through UnityPoint Health

The Hy-Vee and on-campus screening options will be available later this year, but you can complete your screening with your physician now. If you have a physical in 2016—with bloodwork—by Aug. 31, the results can be submitted as your biometric screening.

  • Take a copy of the Health Care Provider Biometric Screening Form to your appointment.
  • Your physician must sign the completed form and fax it to Summit Health. Results will be forwarded to Wellmark.
  • The signed form must be received directly from your doctor’s office by Sept. 30, 2016.
  • It is up to you to ensure your physician’s office submits the appropriate paperwork by the Sept. 30 deadline. To determine whether your paperwork has been received, contact Wellmark on their 24/7 help line at 1-877-252-8412.

After the completion of your screening, you will also need to take the online wellness assessment. Assessments are available for access on www.wellmark.com through Nov. 15, 2016.

Questions may be directed to Linda Feiden, assistant director, wellness & engagement, at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880.

—Submitted by Linda Feiden

Featured Events Archive

Nelson Undergraduate Conference on Global Affairs

The Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Nelson Undergraduate Conference on Global Affairs, April 8–9, in upper Olmsted. The purpose of the conference is to recognize and share high-quality undergraduate research related to international and global topics.
Activities will include a crisis simulation, a networking social featuring international appetizers, a keynote address by noted scholar Valerie Hudson, University of Texas A&M; student panels; and a closing luncheon with visiting Global Practitioner Peiqin Zhou, Nanjing University. A $200 award will go to the top presenters as selected by faculty judges.

Please register at: http://drake.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6KnfaEWh6vNZ5gF

STUDENTS AND FACULTY ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND EVEN IF NOT PRESENTING A PAPER!!! Participants can just do the simulation and/or other parts of the conference if schedules do not allow full participation. The registration deadline for those not submitting a paper is April 1. Students who attend the full conference (both days) will receive a certificate of participation. Please direct questions to Denise Ganpat (denise.ganpat@drake.edu).

Schedule of Events

Friday, April 8 (Upper Olmsted)

  • Newly added: 4–6:30 p.m. National Security Council Crisis Simulation with Brett Bruen and former Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz
  • 4:30–5:30 p.m. Conference Registration for those not in the simulation
  • 6:30–7:15 p.m. Networking with International Appetizers
  • 7:30–9 p.m. “National Security and Women’s Insecurity” Keynote Address by Dr. Valerie Hudson 

Saturday, April 9 (Upper Olmsted)

  • 8:30–9 a.m. Continental Breakfast
  • 9–10:15 a.m. Student panels
  • 10:30–11:45 a.m. Student panels
  • 12–1:15 p.m. Student panels
  • 1:30–2:30 p.m. Sit down/buffet lunch with speaker Peiqin Zhou
  • 2:45 p.m. Best Presenter Award
Strategic Updates Archive

From the President

Welcome back from spring break! I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on a few initiatives on campus.

As you are aware, the University has undergone a comprehensive Campus Climate Assessment, including a survey and forums, during the past year. Before break, Provost Lenz sent an email to campus with an update on next steps. In it, he shared the Strategic Diversity Action Team’s recommendations on how to make Drake a more inclusive and welcoming campus. I am eager to see us turn these recommendations into initiatives that will have a positive impact on our community. Your first opportunity to get involved in these efforts will be a meeting on April 13, 3–4:30 p.m., in Parents Hall, where faculty, staff, and students will discuss a statement of diversity and inclusion to be adopted by the University in May. Your participation and feedback will be invaluable in the development of this statement.

On another note, I’m excited to announce an organizational change that will streamline and enhance the student experience and strategically integrate two important units on campus. With the impending departure in May of Tom Delahunt, vice president for admission and student financial planning, we have taken the opportunity to step back and analyze the enrollment management process at Drake. To that end, effective in the middle of July, the Office of Admission will move under the Provost’s Office. This move allows our admission efforts to more closely align with our academic programs and will create better integration of the prospective student experience with our enrollment management activities for matriculated students.

Along with this move, Keith Summerville, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has agreed to serve as deputy provost (a position that is funded, but unfilled) and take on the responsibility of providing strategic leadership and oversight for all of our enrollment management activities, including the Office of Admission and our goals of improving retention, persistence, and graduation performance. Keith’s deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the University and his leadership and passionate dedication to creating the best possible student experience will be crucial in guiding this transition and in helping the institution achieve continuous improvement in enrollment management.

As part of this reorganization we are converting our current director of admission position into a new dean of admission. This position will provide day-to-day oversight to the Office of Admission and will report to Keith. Additionally, the Office of Student Financial Planning will move under the supervision of our CFO, Teresa Krejci. One side-benefit of the reorganization is that the University will realize a net savings in compensation expense.

I hope you will join me in congratulating and thanking Keith, and also in supporting this transition. I am confident that this change will benefit our students by enabling us to improve on our already stellar enrollment management services and outcomes.

Best,

Marty