After gathering input from campus and posting for the two-week review period, the Approval Authority Policy was presented to and approved by the Board of Trustees during their April meeting. The policy combines and replaces two previously existing policies titled Contract and Legal Service Authority and Executive Purchasing. The new policy will become effective July 1, 2018.
As a reminder, the purpose of the policy is to ensure all contracts and transactions are signed by those with the authority to obligate the University with external parties in accordance with the delegation approved by the Board of Trustees. Individuals authorized to sign contracts and transactions under this policy are expected to have the necessary information and expertise to fully understand the implications of such commitments.
The new policy is available in the University Policy Library. Please take a moment to review the Approval Authority policy.
New Payment Request Form
As we have planned for implementation of the Approval Authority Policy, we have taken the opportunity to revise the forms used to submit payment requests to accounting. A new form titled Payment Request Form will combine and replace the previously existing Direct Pay and Invoice FOAPAL form. The new form is available on the Finance & Administration Forms webpage. The use of the new Payment Request Form will be effective July 1, 2018. Please discontinue use of the Direct Pay and Invoice FOAPAL forms.
— Heather Travis, Controller
Inbal Mazar, assistant professor of Spanish, was selected as a 
Leveraging longstanding University ties with U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad, Drake’s award-winning Jazz Ensemble One performed at the ambassador’s private residence. In addition, the ensemble performed at three universities in China, allowing students to interact and build relationships with local Chinese students. At the Contemporary Music Academy, Jazz One played a joint concert of Count Basie’s Flight of the Foo Birds with eager Chinese jazz students. Jazz One also performed at Nankai University in Tianjin and the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, where they listened to a Chinese string ensemble and choir. During the trip, the ensemble was able to meet Jin Yulong, a trumpet student at Minzu University, who will be an exchange student at Drake next year. Jin spent one whole day with the band and got to know many of the students he will be studying with next year. The trip was the sixth international trip for Jazz Ensemble One. The group has also performed throughout Europe, including invited performances at the Montreux Switzerland Jazz Festival and Holland’s North Sea Jazz Festival.