A limited number of spots remain for students to register for Summer 2016 travel seminars. The courses being offered are:
—Submitted by Drake International
You are invited to an informational session about Drake’s Teach in China Program. Graduating seniors and alumni can hear from Drake graduates who have participated previously. All sessions are to be held on Drake’s campus, but we welcome remote participants via Skype for non-Drake applicants. Please contact Kirk Martin should you need to attend remotely at 515- 271-3035, kirk.martin@drake.edu, or WeChat: kirkdavidmartin.
Info Sessions
Wednesday, Nov. 18
3:30–4:30 p.m., Drake International offices in The Point
OR
7–8 p.m., Olmsted Center, Pomerantz Conference Room
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7–8 p.m. Olmsted Center, Pomerantz Conference Room
Thursday, Dec. 3, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Drake International
—Submitted by Kirk Martin, Director of Chinese Cultural Exchange Program
If you are a junior at Drake and interested in public service, the Truman Scholarship might be for you! Drake can nominate up to four students for this prestigious scholarship. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2016, but now is the time to start. For more information, contact Professor Eleanor Zeff at eleanor.zeff@drake.edu.
—Submitted by Eleanor Zeff, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations
Are you graduating in December and looking for a post-graduation opportunity?
The Iowa Community Health AmeriCorps Program is looking for individuals to serve in the following communities in Iowa: Winterset, Adel, Red Oak, Osceola, Chariton, and Ames/Des Moines.
Members will work on a variety of projects, including starting community gardens; creating safe routes to schools and walking school bus programs; researching smoke-free workplace policies; working with schools and businesses to implement Smarter Lunchrooms; and administering assessments to communities, schools, and businesses to implement new initiatives.
Full-time AmeriCorps members will serve 1,700 hours over the course of 11 months.
Benefits include:
The minimum requirements for the AmeriCorps position are:
Apply online or for more information or questions, contact Amanda Martin, 515-271-2767, amanda.martin@drake.edu.
—Submitted by Amanda Martin, AmeriCorps & Service-Learning Program Coordinator
Want to help welcome new students to Drake University? Want to get involved? Want an on-campus job this summer? Consider becoming an orientation leader!
Orientation leaders are dedicated to providing incoming students and their families with all of the information and resources necessary to ensure their transition to Drake is a smooth and enjoyable one.
We need you to help make this happen. Each year we recruit current Drake students to become part of the orientation leader staff. Orientation leaders play a vital role in this exciting process, working closely with new students and their families on a wide variety of topics including academics, student involvement, housing options, and more.
We highly encourage you to attend one of three information sessions:
You will be compensated for your time and effort and gain valuable skills in this position. Please visit www.drake.edu/orientation/orientationleaders/ to learn more about the position, but if you have any questions, feel free to contact Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.
—Submitted by Marina Verlengia, Director, Campus Programming
Our second SoTL Lunch & Learn is on Friday, Nov. 20, noon–1 p.m. in TMR 133 Olmsted (lower level across from the student workout facility). This is an opportunity to share information about a current project, think about future projects, find out about SoTL, or simply engage colleagues in thinking about teaching and learning practices. You do not need to register to attend, but if you would like us to provide lunch, please sign up at http://tinyurl.com/SoTL-Nov.
—Submitted by Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Faculty, staff, and students who are veterans and military family members are invited to a meet & greet on Nov. 12.
Faculty, staff, and students who are veterans and military family members are invited to a meet & greet on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 8:30 a.m.–9:15 a.m. in Cline Atrium. Use the southeast entrance door to Cline Hall and proceed towards Harvey Ingham. The Atrium is the large gathering space between the buildings.
President Martin (Air Force) will make a few remarks recognizing the community of students and employees who share a common bond along with their Drake connections. Light refreshments will be available.
—Submitted by Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success
Faculty and staff on Drake’s health plan can save $300 in 2016 by participating in the Wellness Incentive Program. You simply need to complete a biometrics screening and online wellness assessment this fall.
The deadline to complete your biometrics screening at a participating Hy-Vee store has been extended to Nov. 20. No on-campus biometrics screening appointments remain.
Full details and a list of participating Hy-Vee stores can be found here. You must complete your screening at a Hy-Vee location by Nov. 20. Hy-Vee will submit your screening results to Wellmark, which will automatically update your online assessment.
If you’ve completed your biometrics screening, don’t forget to complete your online assessment via Wellmark by Dec. 4. You must complete both the screening and the online assessment to receive the wellness incentive.
Visit the Wellness Incentive Program site to learn more about the wellness incentive and for a FAQ. Questions may be directed to Diana Lei-Butters and diana.lei-butters@drake.edu or 271-1871.
—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources
How do Drake benefits compare? What is Drake’s philosophy when it comes to employee benefit decisions? What changes are planned for this year and beyond?
The answers to these questions, and more, will be addressed in “A Report to Faculty and Staff: The Status of the Drake Medical and Dental Plans,” Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m. in the Pomerantz Conference Room (Olmsted Center).
Reminder: Benefit enrollment forms must be received in Human Resources no later than 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30.
—Submitted by Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits
On Oct. 22, all academic libraries in Iowa (private, regents, and community colleges) formed the Iowa Academic Library Alliance, and adopted a governance structure. The Alliance looks to build innovative approaches to accessing and maintaining knowledge that will positively impact the learning communities at all of the state’s academic institutions. Cowles Library Dean Rod Henshaw was elected to serve on the Alliance’s Coordinating Committee.
The Alliance complements existing collaborations that Drake maintains with other academic libraries through the Iowa Library Association, the Iowa Private Academic Libraries group, the Central Iowa Collaborative Collections Initiative, and the new Ex Libris Partnership. Collaboration with other libraries is a key strategic approach adopted by Cowles Library. By engaging in collaborations with other academic libraries, Cowles is able to provide access to materials and additional research services that extend well beyond the scope of a single institution’s limited resources.
—Submitted by Marc Davis, Cowles Library