All posts by Aaron Jaco

For Students Archive

Meal conversion dates this fall

For those students with meal plans that allow for meal conversions, you can convert meals on the following dates this fall:

  • Sept. 19–30
  • Oct. 24–28

Students on the 335- and 195-block plans can convert up to 100 meals each semester to flex dollars. To convert meals, you can stop at the Student Services Center and fill out a form to indicate how many meals you would like to convert. You can also visit www.drake.edu/studentservices/mealplans to find the form at the bottom of the page titled “Meal Plan Conversions.”

—Jerry Parker, Interim Dean of Students

For Faculty Archive

Speaking Center opens today

Drake’s Speaking Center in Cowles Library opens for the fall semester on Sept. 12. Students can book appointments online to see a tutor for help in researching, preparing, composing, and delivering speeches and presentations, or for advice and support with other situations requiring oral communication skills (job interviews, meetings, Mock Trial events, etc.). Students, faculty, and staff members can also reserve the Speaking Studio to practice and record presentations alone or in small groups. To reserve a time, visit http://library.drake.edu/speaking. For more information, review the Drake Speaking Center Information or contact Director of Speaking Instruction Joan McAlister (joan.mcalister@drake.edu).

—Art Sanders, Associate Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Innovation and collaboration space open house

Drake’s Entrepreneurship Centers, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and Cowles Library will hold an open house for the new innovation and collaboration space on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from noon to 2 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 124C. All faculty and staff are invited to stop by and see some of the new gizmos we have for use by all current Drake students, including photo studio equipment, Legos, clay, and a 360⁰ camera and VR goggles. We’ll also have snacks and beverages.

—Stephanie Cardwell, Administrative Assistant

HR Information Archive

Schedule your biometric screening today

If you are on Drake’s health plan and wish to receive the wellness premium incentive in 2017, you must complete a biometric screening and online wellness assessment in 2016. This will save you approximately $300, so take action now!

The Hy-Vee screening option ends this Thursday, Sept. 15. If you haven’t completed a biometric screening yet and wish to be included in the EARLY BIRD drawing, make sure you contact Hy-Vee and make your appointment this week. Everyone who completes their screening and online assessment by Sept. 30 will have a chance to win a $50 gift card. A list of participating Hy-Vee locations can be found here. Screening is free (no co-pay).

The online registration is now open for the UnityPoint on campus screenings. To guarantee a slot, we recommend you register early. These screenings will be held between 6:30 and 10:45 a.m. in the lower level of the Olmsted Center on Oct. 6–7, 12–14, and 18–20. To schedule your screening, click here. Sign in with username DRAKE and password SCREEN (all CAPS). Find additional information in the On-campus Health Screening Scheduling Guide.

Did you sign up for an on-campus screening but don’t remember your appointment date/time? Check your received, spam, or deleted emails for an email confirmation sent to you by UnityPoint with the subject: Health Screen Confirmation. It will be sent to the email address you entered on your registration. Questions regarding the on-campus UnityPoint screenings should be sent to unitypointhealth.desmoines@gmail.com.

If you need to cancel your on-campus screening, send an email to jennifer.umphfleet@unitypoint.org with your name and date and time of cancelled appointment. You will need to re-register online for a new appointment. Changes can be made up to 48 hours prior to the screen time if slots are still available.

If you completed your screening through your physician, the physician forms must be submitted by Sept. 30 to the fax number on the form.

If you have already completed your biometric screening, don’t forget to complete your online wellness assessment on wellmark.com by Nov. 15.

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

—Linda Feiden

HR Information Archive

Welcome new Bulldogs

Several new faculty and staff joined Drake in August:

Heidi Mannetter, College of Business and Public Administration (CBPA)
Sami Khedhiri, CBPA
Marcia Laugerman, CBPA
Lynn McCool, CBPA
Yu-Hsiang (John) Huang, CBPA
Brian Vander Naald, CBPA
Joshua Cox, College of Arts & Sciences (A&S)
Brian Spears, A&S
Kyle McCord, A&S
Yasmina Madden, A&S
Bryan Murray, A&S
Emmanuel Asante-Asamani, A&S
Shauna Marvin, A&S
En Li, A&S
Adam Case, A&S
Daria Trentini, A&S
Terrance Pendleton, A&S
Gregory Lengel, A&S
Kieran Williams, A&S
Christopher Porter, A&S
Lindsay Weiss, A&S
Meredith Luttrell, A&S
Britany Bollhorst, A&S
Callie Krueger, A&S
Robert Schwartz, A&S
Tom Davis, School of Education (SOE)
Jennifer Thoma, SOE
Jesse Wilcox, SOE
Jonathan Hurdelbrink, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Julie Smith, Law School
Anne Kremer, Office of Admission
Joseph Campos, Dean of Students
Matt Nemmers, Dean of Students
Taylor Young, Athletics
Joshua Zabel, Athletics
Leah Groe, Athletics
Austin Farley, Athletics
Mai-Ly Tran, Athletics
Joseph Jones, Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement
Samantha Becker, Cowles Library
Jennifer Page, Head Start
Lora Kracht, Head Start
Nicole Metz, Head Start
Allison Harrington, Head Start
Jennifer McCullough, Head Start
Sarah Ramsey, President’s Office
David Remund, University Advancement
Mitchell Stearns, Institutional Advancement

—Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Wellmark no longer covering nasal spray flu vaccine

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), also known as the nasal spray flu vaccine or FluMist, should not be used during the 2016–2017 flu season. The CDC recommendation was made after recent studies showed FluMist was not effective against the flu.

To ensure Drake Medical Plan participants receive the most effective preventive treatment during the upcoming flu season, Wellmark will no longer cover the nasal spray vaccine formulation, effective July 1, 2016. The injectable vaccine, however, will continue to be covered under the Drake Medical Plan.

Should you have questions regarding this change, please contact Wellmark at 800-362-2230.

—Marlene Heuertz, Associate Director, Benefits

HR Information Archive

Did U Know: Drake Athletics & Recreational Services

Drake offers many opportunities for new and established faculty and staff. This semester the University is introducing a series of “Did U Know” classes that will spotlight departments and services across campus.

Join us Thursday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m. in the Paul Morrison Room (Bell Center) for our first session highlighting Drake Athletics and Recreational Services. It will feature a presentation about fitness and athletics opportunities, including ticket information and faculty/staff days, as well as a tour of the Bell Center, the Knapp Center and Shivers Basketball Practice Facility.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester. Look for an online BUILD registration form soon.

For more information, please contact Cindy Adams at cindy.adams@drake.edu or Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement

HR Information Archive

Wellness events in September

Snooze & Lose presentation
Do you ever wonder why you feel so exhausted during the day but can’t seem to fall to sleep at night? Have you struggled to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight? Our sleep habits affect more than just how alert we are during the day. They influence how we communicate and interact with others, how much stress we feel, and even our hormones, which can cause a series of other health-related concerns. Learn how to gauge if you’re sleeping enough and how you can improve the quality of your sleep.

Join us Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311 for this important topic.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester. Look for an online BUILD registration form soon.

Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information on how to register for this class.

Healthy4U—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 this four-part nutrition series. You may attend individual classes or the full series. The first class is Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 312/313. It covers fad diets, portion control, MyPlate, behavior modification, and tools for change.

Future classes will cover carbohydrates/fiber, fat/cholesterol/triglycerides, 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. Look for an online BUILD registration form soon.

Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information on how to register for this class.

$10 chair massages
Step away from your worries and take a 10-minute vacation with a relaxing chair massage. On Sept. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Aliber Hall, Conference Room 204, and Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Cline Hall, Conference Room 127, licensed massage therapist Anne Boal will be giving chair massages.

Cost is $10 for a 10-minute chair massage paid directly to 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.
Sept. 28 (2–4 p.m., Aliber Hall, Room 204)
Sept. 29 (11 a.m.–1 p.m., Cline Hall, Room 127)

For additional information or questions, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Tobacco-free policy update

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Tobacco use is widely recognized as a major preventable cause of many diseases in smokers and non-smokers alike. It includes but is not limited to smoking, chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, and any product that simulates tobacco use. To provide a safe, healthy, comfortable, and productive environment for all who visit, study, or work on campus, Drake is revising its Smoke-Free Campus Policy to include all tobacco or tobacco-like products. Drake follows many other institutions of higher education in making this revision, including Grinnell College, Iowa’s state institutions, and DMACC.

A tobacco-free policy eliminates any confusion for students, faculty, staff, and visitors about what is or is not allowed on campus. It also shows our commitment to helping employees, students, and visitors live longer and healthier lives.

The “Tobacco-Free Campus Policy” is posted on the University-wide policy website for your review, along with an FAQ. Please forward comments and concerns regarding the policy to dupolicies@drake.edu by Sept. 27. In keeping with the policy on Policy Development, Approval and Communication, the comments will be submitted as a part of the president’s review and approval process.

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement

Strategic Updates Archive

New additions to University Advancement

In early August 2016, President Martin announced the realignment of services to create the Division of University Advancement, which comprised three offices: Alumni Relations, Development, and University Communications.

One of my first actions was to appoint Dave Remund as executive director of University Communications. He officially started in this role last week and has already been hard at work meeting with partners across campus and within University Advancement to better understand University Communications’ role at Drake, and how that office—and all of University Advancement—can best serve all parts of the Drake community.

I announced another new change to my team last week: In keeping with the division’s strategic focus on external relations, Nick Valdez, neighborhood & community relations manager, will join the University Advancement team, reporting directly to me.

Nick’s alignment with University Advancement makes operational and strategic sense. His active engagement with community partners, his relationship building responsibilities, his strong connection to advancing Drake’s public image, and his overall “outward looking” function make him and his work a perfect match for our shared responsibility to engage and inspire our alumni and friends in support of our University’s mission.

Supporting his professional responsibilities, Nick will work from the Alumni House. This remarkable facility will serve Drake and Nick well as the “front-door” to the University’s community engagement.

This is an exciting new chapter for Drake. All units within University Advancement share a common commitment to advancing Drake’s mission through promoting, positioning, advocating, and story-telling. What we do individually matters greatly; what we do together powerfully advances the Drake experience for our students, alumni, campus partners, and the community.

All of us in University Advancement look forward to collaborating with campus partners in pushing forward the exceptional work and meaningful mission of this great University.

—John Smith, Vice President for University Advancement