We will, again, be organizing the Spring Semester Writing Project, where Drake faculty have the opportunity to work with Director of Writing Instruction Jody Swilky to facilitate improved student writing in their classes. You can learn more in the Spring Writing Project Information. If you would like to participate, please contact Sandra Harris (sandra.harris@drake.edu) by Wednesday, Nov. 30.
—Art Sanders, Associate Provost
A reminder: We will have two sessions for those new to teaching J-Term classes or considering teaching J-Term classes in the future to have conversations with experienced J-Term instructors. The session for on-campus J-Term classes is Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 3:30 p.m. The session for J-Term travel seminars is Monday, Dec. 5, at 3:30 p.m. Both sessions are in CR 310, on the second floor in Olmsted.
It is time to consider offering a J-Term 2018 on-campus class. Schools and colleges will be assembling the J-Term 2018 schedule early in the spring semester. You should use whatever process your school/college uses to schedule classes. If it is a new class that needs AOI approval, once it has been approved by the appropriate department/school/college you should submit the appropriate AOI request form to the University Curriculum Committee. The only difference in the process for J-Term—compared to a normal semester—is that once the class is scheduled, we ask that you provide that information to Associate Provost Arthur Sanders so that we can put the information on the J-Term website.
—Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Please join us on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to find the leader in you! Leadership is not just about leaders; regardless of position or role in the community, we each have the ability to impact the world around us through our responses. Join Professor Tom Westbrook on a challenging journey to help each of us identify our current leadership behaviors while seeking opportunities for development. This session will be in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310-311. Participants will receive three BUILD credits. Pre-registration is not required, but recommended. If you have not yet signed up but are interested in attending, please email debra.wiley@drake.edu .
—Debra Wiley, Human Resources
Drake’s Annual Open Enrollment Period for the 2017 Plan Year ends Nov. 30.
If you wish to continue your current medical, dental, or wellness elections, you NEED NOT do anything; your participation will automatically continue.
If you wish to change your current medical, dental, or wellness elections, you MUST complete a new enrollment form.
If you wish to participate in Drake’s flexible spending account plans during 2017, you MUST complete a new enrollment form.
All forms MUST be received by Human Resources no later than 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30.
—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources
In anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Safe Ride bus will not run Wednesday, Nov. 23, through Saturday, Nov. 26. SafeRide will resume its normal hours of operation starting Sunday, Nov. 27. Have a wonderful and relaxing break.
—Tricia McKinney, Drake Public Safety
The University Book Store will have adjusted hours during Thanksgiving week
Monday, Nov. 21: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (normal hours)
Tuesday, Nov. 22: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (normal hours)
Wednesday, Nov. 23: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 24: Closed
Friday, Nov. 25: Closed
Saturday, Nov. 26: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
—Kelly Foster, Finance and Administration
The STEM@DRAKE project continues to make good progress, taking full advantage of the good weather we have been having this fall. We want to thank everyone for their continued patience with some of the inconveniences that construction can bring, such as altered pathways and occasional noise.
As the structures are taking shape, we are now getting a real sense for the impact these two new buildings will have on our campus. The Steering Team and key building contacts continue to work diligently to plan for the completion of these structures in 2017.
A plaza and improved landscaping along 27th Street is planned as part of the STEM@DRAKE project. A technical committee, comprising faculty, staff, and students, have been consulting on the plaza design. The group has shared some great ideas for the type of outdoor space that is desired, including a focus on sustainability, gathering space, and connectivity to other key areas on campus. Watch for more information as designs take shape in the coming months.
—Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer
After a tumultuous election season, Iowa Campus Compact—of which Drake is apart—reinforced its support of its adopted Civic Action Statement, which urges member institutions to contribute to a robust and healthy American democracy. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to read the statement, found here.
—Jerry Parker, Interim Dean of Students
Renner gives invited seminar in the United Kingdom
Michael Renner, professor of biology and psychology, gave an invited seminar at Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom as part of the institution’s Primate Conservation Seminar Series. His seminar, “A multiple-fronts approach to restoring a rain forest remnant: Tales from Gishwati National Park, Rwanda,” presented his work to make the Gishwati Forest Reserve in Rwanda sustainable. He has worked with the Great Ape Trust and a Rwandan NGO, Forest of Hope Association, to protect the national park, which was nearly destroyed by deforestation in the post-genocide era of Rwanda. Projects, many of which have involved Drake students and professors—most notably Keith Summerville—have included:
Radostina Purvanova co-authors paper on work relationships
Positive work relationships are key to flourishing at your job, according to a new paper co-authored by Radostina Purvanova, associate professor of management and international business.
The paper, published in the Academy of Management Journal in August—and featured last week by the London School of Economics—is based on interviews with more than 200 employees across a variety of industries. Read more about Radostina’s work in the Drake Newsroom.
Holiday Trimmings is a six-week program designed to encourage you to maintain or lose weight over the holiday season. If you have trouble dodging festive yet fattening foods like pecan pie, sausage stuffing, and egg nog, this challenge is for you.
Beginning and ending weights will be recorded, and throughout the challenge you will receive healthy holiday tips. Everyone who maintains or loses weight will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win prizes.
For more information or to register to participate please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “Holiday Trimmings.” Deadline to register is Thursday, Nov. 17.
A packet of information will be sent to you. Read through the packet carefully and start the challenge on Monday, Nov. 21.
Let’s make this a happy AND healthy holiday season!
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources