All posts by Aaron Jaco

Campus Announcements Archive

Go Phish

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1, ITS is holding a Phishing Derby, a contest where faculty, staff, and students can take a quiz to learn more about how to identify phishing emails and fraudulent websites. Taking the quiz enters you for a chance to win a Bluetooth speaker or headphones. Visit its.drake.edu/phish to enter starting tomorrow.

Watch for information in the Nov. 7 OnCampus about the PhishMe phishing simulation scenario we’ll be sending out later that week. Receiving emails that look like phishing but cause no harm is an effective way to educate about the dangers of fraudulent emails without any actual risk.

The goal of these ITS initiatives is to empower campus to be able to keep both their personal data and our institutional data secure.

Learn more about IT Security at our ITS Security blog at its.drake.edu/category/security-blog/

—Carla Herling, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive, Uncategorized

Changes to nondiscrimination statement

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The nondiscrimination statement has been modified to include the contact information for inquiries regarding our non-discrimination policies. In addition, although “pregnancy” is included in the legal definition of “sex discrimination,” we added it separately for clarity. Finally, the revised statement explains that our commitment extends to all educational programs and activities as well as employment.

Nondiscrimination Statement as posted:
The principles of equal access and equal opportunity require that all interactions within the University be free from invidious discrimination. Drake University therefore prohibits discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status.

Recommended change:
The principles of equal access and equal opportunity require that all interactions within the University be free from invidious discrimination. Drake University therefore prohibits discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or any characteristic protected by law in its educational programs and activities, admissions, or employment.  Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, 208 Old Main, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311, (515) 271-2982,titleix@drake.edu or the Director, Human Resources, The Point, 1331 27th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311, (515) 271-4804, drakehr@drake.edu.

In keeping with the 14-day review policy, please send any comments regarding the changes to dupolicies@drake.edu by Nov. 13.

—Andrea McDonough, Finance & Administration

Strategic Updates Archive

From the President: Oct. 24

On Oct. 14–15, we hosted the Board of Trustees on campus for their quarterly meeting. We also celebrated the generosity of hundreds of leadership-level donors at the Francis Marion Drake Society Dinner on Friday. Thanks to the many staff, faculty, and students who helped these important events succeed.

A main focus of this weekend’s meeting was the Campus Master Plan. The conversation reviewed the many projects that have been completed over the last decade in accordance with the plan, and kicked-off the process of prioritizing campus capital projects for the future. I and others will work with many of you to better understand our opportunities and challenges regarding new and refurbished spaces, and will then work through the board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee to develop a 10-year priority list that will ultimately be approved by the full board. In keeping with the goals of our Campus Master Plan, the board also released additional funds to complete the conversion of the old University Bookstore into the new home for the Occupational Therapy Program.

Our rising STEM@DRAKE buildings are also part of the Campus Master Plan, as they address one of the plan’s main goals to “Enhance academic and student life programs and enable growth for generations to come.” STEM@DRAKE remains the University’s top fundraising focus, and we have made excellent headway toward our goal of $30 million. In his report to the board, Vice President for University Advancement John Smith noted that since just July 1 of this year Drake has secured $2.7 million in cash gifts and pledges. Coming out of this past weekend, and following board approval of identified STEM gifts, the total funds raised now exceed $22 million.

In the spirit of continuous improvement, Kevin Saunders, director of institutional research and academic assessment, presented a report on the work he has undertaken with President’s Council to revise Drake’s list of peer institutions. The final list of 15 schools will be segmented into three groups: direct competitors, peer schools, and aspirant schools. We will use this list for benchmarking purposes at the institutional level.

I also provided an update on campus-wide reaccreditation efforts. Most notably, the College of Business and Public Administration welcomed a peer review team from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) earlier this month. After a positive visit, this team is recommending accreditation for the CBPA; the recommendation must still be considered by the Initial Accreditation Committee and then by the full AACSB board in January 2017, at which time we will be informed whether the CBPA will receive programmatic accreditation.

As always, thanks to all who contribute to our successes as a University and our ongoing commitment to fulfilling our mission.

—Marty Martin

For Students Archive

Students needed for University photo shoot

University Communications is hosting a one-day photography shoot with services from professional photographer Jill Lehmann. The communications department is requesting Bulldogs to pull together to make these images represent Drake in the best way possible.

Please sign up for a time and location that will work for you on Tuesday, Nov. 1. We have added two new time slots, 10–11 a.m. and 11 a.m.–noon, and are looking in particular for more men to sign up (not a guy? You should still join us!): www.eventbrite.com/e/drake-university-communications-fall-photo-shoot-registration-28767658842

Wear weather-appropriate and simple clothing. Please avoid any political statements with your clothing, wearing other college or schools brands, or anything inappropriate. There will be snacks and refreshments as a thank-you for joining us.

We greatly appreciate your help and we look forward to seeing you there.

Questions? Contact Genna Clemen at genna.clemen@drake.edu.

—Emma Daily, University Communications

For Staff Archive

Relaunch of Called to Be True Blue Award

The All-Staff Council Recognition Committee has recently enhanced the Called to be True Blue award, which recognizes selected Drake staff members who go above and beyond in making a difference in the Drake community. The award will now be presented every two months during the academic year, selected from all online nominations. Nominees who are not selected will still be in the running for subsequent months.

Called to be True Blue will be awarded to the nominee who: 1) Epitomizes the values of leadership, teamwork, and integrity, and exhibits their commitment to the Drake community; 2) Has shown others what it takes to get a task or project done, and accomplishes that by working well with others; and 3) Is able to be honest and fair in the situations they face. Ultimately, someone who does all of these things for the betterment of Drake and its values and goals is someone who is Called to be True Blue. If you know of any staff member or department who practices these values, please nominate them by filling out the online form at www.drake.edu/asc/recognition. Please be specific when nominating, and provide detail on how the nominee meets each value.

At the conclusion of the academic year, each “Called to be True Blue” recipient will be in the running to receive a Sapphire Award, the highest recognition of a staff member at Drake.

—All Staff Council Recognition Committee

For Staff Archive

Bulldog Applause: Spotlight on Arts & Sciences

Beginning this month, the All Staff Council is selecting a unit at Drake monthly and honoring all staff members within that unit. Following a drawing of all campus units, the Recognition Committee surprises the department with cookies donated by Sodexo and caps off the month with an OnCampus article spotlighting them. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know a bit more about the staff members serving the College of Arts and Sciences, our first honoree.

The College of Arts & Sciences, Drake’s largest college/school, is home to 12 staff members serving approximately 228 full-time and adjunct faculty members. The longest-serving staff member is Margaret Corkrean, A&S budget and office manager, and the newest addition is Kayla Jenkins, who started at Drake in August 2015 and recently became assistant to the dean. Seven staff members “live” in FAC, while the rest are distributed among Howard, Meredith, Cline, Fitch, and Olin.

The staff’s primary function is to aid the professors in their work and help students reach their academic goals, particularly in the case of assistant deans. They also help organize various music series, theatre projects, lecture series (including Writers and Critics, The Comparison Project, etc.), and Humanities Center events. Most recently, Administrative Assistant Katie Dale is working closely with World Languages and Cultures to organize the 10th Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum (CLAC) Conference, hosted on campus Oct. 21–22.

Kudos to staff in the College of Arts and Sciences, who help bring the Drake brand of excellence to programming in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts, and are at the heart of the University’s liberal arts experience.

—All Staff Council Recognition Committee

News & Achievements Archive

Bulldogs of DU: Natalie Adkins

Natalie Adkins
Associate Professor of Marketing

What do you do?
I teach principles of marketing and direct and interactive marketing, because that’s where my experience was in before I started teaching—I have a Ph.D. in consumer behavior. I also teach Creating Customer Value in the MBA program.

What is one non-marketing thing you try to teach your students?
It goes back to why I came to Drake—it’s hard to do your best work if you’re not happy. We don’t pay enough attention to being happy and well and what that does to the day-to-day of your career and your life.

The thing I like to tell students is that people always talk about passion, and it’s not so much about passion—I mean, you have to have that interest—but passion is blind, if it’s all emotion, then that can get you into trouble. The passion has to be constrained. In the end you have to be happy over the long run through ups and downs. If you can find that, you’ll be a successful person.

You’re a big sports fan—who do you cheer for?
I am a loyal West Virginia Mountaineer and Virginia Tech Hokie because that’s where I earned my undergraduate and graduate degrees, respectively. I love college football and basketball. I also grew up in Huntington, West Virginia, where events from the movie We are Marshall took place. So growing up in that community, I always cheer for Marshall. I also always cheer for Drake no matter what we’re playing. I love supporting my students and my institution by being a fan.

HR Information Archive

Complete your online assessment

For those faculty and staff who have completed their wellness screenings, don’t forget to complete your online assessment via Wellmark by Nov. 15. You must complete the online assessment in addition to the wellness screening to receive the wellness premium incentive (approximately $300 off your Drake health insurance in 2017). To complete your online wellness assessment, log into wellmark.com, go to the Wellness Center, and click on “Take Your Wellness Assessment.” For more information please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Drake Phonathon On-campus job opportunity

The Drake Phonathon provides a great opportunity for current students to connect with alumni while making a difference on campus. We provide flexible scheduling, as well as a career connection network to help students find the first job out of college.

As an employee, you would be expected to ask the prospects for a specific amount of money, update information, and foster good feelings with the prospect. Most of our work will be centered around fundraising for the school’s annual fund, which pays for all of the things students use on a daily basis, including computers & technology, library books, scholarships, and faculty enrichment.

It is a time commitment of three shifts a week. Shift times are Monday–Thursday, 5:30–9 p.m., and Sundays, either 1:30–5 p.m. or 5:30–9 p.m. Students are paid $7.25/hour the first month and then bumped up to $8.25/hour. Calling will take place in the Kinne Alumni and Development Center, which is located on the corner of University and 24th Street next to US Bank. Interested? Email Brian Estrem at brian.estrem@drake.edu.

—Brian Estrem, Phonathon

HR Information Archive

Healthy 4 U—Small Changes, Big Impact

If you have ever tried to read a food nutrition label, determine how big a serving of meat really is, or wondered how to eat healthy at a restaurant, this class is for you.

Join dietitian Lucas Flaherty for the second class of this four-part nutrition series on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 312/313. This class covers carbohydrates/fiber and fat/triglycerides. Attendance at prior Healthy4U sessions is not required for a positive impact in this class.

Future classes will cover exercise and protein + water, labels, menu planning, grocery shopping, and dining out.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester.

The registration form for this class is accessible through blueView’s Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources, or by clicking here. Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources