The call for Drake Research Grants and Undergraduate Assistantship Grants for 2017–2018 are now available. Details and proposal information can be found online.
—Art Sanders, Associate Provost
All posts by Aaron Jaco
Attention current and future FYS instructors
FYS Lunch/Discussion
Our final FYS Lunch/Discussion is on Friday, Dec. 2, at noon in the Medbury Honors Lounge. While these meetings are designed for those currently teaching FYS, we welcome those with an interest in possibly teaching FYS in the future as well. If you would like us to provide lunch for you go to: http://tinyurl.com/DecFYSLunch2016 by Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 10 a.m. and let us know your lunch preferences.
Planning for 2017 First Year Seminars
The schedule for FYS 2017 will be developed early in the spring semester. If you are interested in teaching FYS, visit www.drake.edu/dc/facultystaffresources/fysresources/. There you will find information about FYS, including past syllabi, and the form for submission of an FYS proposal. If you have questions, contact arthur.sanders@drake.edu.
—Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Another phishing simulation coming soon
A few weeks ago, we sent out phishing simulation emails to 500 random faculty and staff members. We’re happy to say that nearly everyone who received a phishing simulation email either didn’t open the email, or didn’t click the link. Great job, everyone!
Later this week, we’ll be sending out the next phishing simulation email to another random 500 faculty and staff members. Again, if you receive the email and open the attachment, you’ll be sent to an informational page. If you receive an email you suspect is phishing, simulated or not, please forward it as an attachment to informationsecurity@drake.edu.
Participating in training like this is an effective and risk-free way to learn about the dangers of phishing and help protect individual and campus data. If you have questions or concerns, please contact informationsecurity@drake.edu.
Learn even more about how to secure your digital life by visiting our blog at its.drake.edu/category/security-blog/.
And don’t forget you have just a few days left to enter the ITS phishing contest at its.drake.edu/phish!
—Peter Lundstedt, Information Security Manager
New procedure for classroom computer maintenance
ITS is changing the way we perform maintenance on classroom computers. Starting this December, all user profiles on classroom computers will be deleted during winter and summer breaks. This means that any files or settings that faculty have saved on classroom computers will be deleted at the end of each semester. All installed programs will remain.
In order to not lose any important files, faculty should make sure to remove personal files prior to the end of each semester.
By deleting user profiles each semester, ITS can improve data security, shorten log in times, preserve disk space, and avoid keychain issues on Mac computers.
If you have questions or concerns regarding this change, please contact Jerel Krueger at 271-2338 or jerel.krueger@drake.edu.
—Carla Herling, ITS
Stress: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
If there’s one thing we share in common in this world, it is stress. While there is no such thing as eliminating all stress, there are ways you can minimize and manage stress to increase satisfaction and improve productivity in the workplace. Johanna Dunlevy will guide participants to identify stress and the best ways to respond when under pressure. You’ll also learn the difference between stress and burn out, identify ways to respond to stressors to avoid burnout, and discover the stress management techniques that you respond to best.
Join us Dec. 8 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310-311, for this informative presentation!
Participants will earn two BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits.
Pre-registration is not required, but recommended. The registration form for this class is accessible through the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources, or by clicking here. Please email debra.wiley@drake.edu for more information.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
December chair massages
Step away from your holiday stress, and take a 10-minute vacation with a relaxing chair massage.
Dec. 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Cowles Library Heritage/Collier Room
Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Olmsted Center Drake Room
Cost is $10 for a 10-minute chair massage paid directly to licensed massage therapist Anne Boal at the time of your appointment—correct change, cash or check only. One name will be drawn after the event and that person will receive a gift certificate for a free 10-minute chair massage!
Click the link below to register for the day and time of your choice. You may register for one or two time slots per registration sheet.
For additional information or questions, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Annual Employee Holiday Breakfast
The Annual Employee Holiday Breakfast is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 9, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the Shiver’s Basketball Practice Facility Suite (note this is a new location for this event this year.) We look forward to seeing you there!
—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources
Cowles Library wants to hear from YOU!
Take this brief survey to tell us what features, services, resources, and spaces you’d like to see in an updated library facility. All Drake faculty, staff, and students are welcome to participate. Current Drake students who provide a valid Drake email address will be entered in a drawing for a $20 Sodexo gift card after completing the survey!
—Leslie Noble, Cowles Library
Nominate a professor or mentor for Drake awards
Nominations for the Drake Teacher of the Year and Drake Mentor of the Year will be due in early February. Faculty, staff, or students wishing to nominate an individual for one of these awards will find directions at www.drake.edu/acad/honors/
—Art Sanders, Associate Provost
New chief of staff announced
I’m pleased to announce that Nate Reagen will serve the University as my chief of staff beginning tomorrow, Nov. 16. Nate has been working with colleagues across the University for the past 14 months on our continuous improvement efforts, positioning him well for this important role on campus.
Nate has 20 years of experience managing complex projects and programs, including time at The Principal Financial Group, Aviva USA, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. He specializes in strategic planning; project and program management; and business process improvement. Nate earned his BA in management with an emphasis in marketing and organizational leadership from St. John’s University.
As chief of staff, Nate will manage the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President; support University-wide strategic initiatives; coordinate the institution’s continuous improvement work; and provide support and coordination to the President’s Council. The chief of staff serves as an important resource in delivering on our mission promise to students and the greater Drake community.
I am confident that Nate’s past year of experience building relationships on campus and years of expertise in the areas of strategic planning and project management will serve Drake well. Please join me in congratulating Nate on his new position.
—Marty Martin