All posts by Ashton Hockman

Featured Events Archive

Self-Care Week events

This week is self-care week. Attend various activities to learn strategies for self-care and stress management.

Wednesday, Feb. 14: Self-Care Fair
Wellness, counseling, music therapy, and massage chairs
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Olmsted Breezeway and Parents Hall

Thursday, Feb. 15
Confessions with the Counselors (10 minute counseling sessions)
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Drake Room

Thursday, Feb. 15
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention with guest speaker Ryan Nesbitt from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
6 to 8 p.m. — Sussman Theater

— Leah Berte, Academic Excellence and Student Success

Featured Events Archive

An Unparalleled Partnership: US-Japan Relations in an Uncertain World

On Thursday, March 1, Professor Fumiaki Kubo, of the University of Tokyo, will present, “An Unparalleled Partnership: US-Japan Relations in an Uncertain World,” at 7 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 106. His talk will explore how the two nations can work together, in an era defined by populism, to build peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. This event is made possible through the support of the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, and is co-sponsored by the School of Journalism & Mass Communication, and the Department of Political Science. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP here.

— Kathleen Richardson, School of Journalism & Mass Communication

Campus Announcements Archive

Travel and eight-plus-passenger vehicle processes

As a reminder, formal risk management domestic trip/travel processes and guidelines that address university driver approval, trip registration, releases, and emergency contacts can be found here.

These tools help to mitigate risk when traveling on domestic required class trips or voluntary trips. Examples of voluntary trips include travel by student organizations, mock trial, debate, field trips, etc.

It’s important to note that a formal process was implemented last July for use of vehicles that seat more than eight passengers. A checklist and approval process to drive vehicles that transport nine or more, can be found online here. The new driver protocols are being implemented to improve Drake’s current vehicle/driver safety program and to help reduce potential accidents and losses.

For questions, contact Donna Blunck at donna.blunck@drake.edu or the trip advisor.

— Donna Blunck, Finance & Administration

Campus Announcements Archive

Data to Action workshop

Last spring, 1,418 students completed the Drake Student Survey. Noteworthy findings include: strong student ratings for general satisfaction and overall quality, high ratings of skills and learning gains, the positive influence of out-of-class experiences, and the impact of relationships with faculty. When asked about ways to enhance students’ experience, one major theme was concern regarding campus climate (diversity and inclusion, political).

Drawing from the results of the Drake Student Survey and other instruments, we will be hosting another “Data to Action” workshop that will focus on diversity and inclusion on Feb. 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Cowles Library Reading Room. Similar to the previous workshop, we look forward to a robust discussion about how data might inform steps we can take as a community to create a more positive climate.

Read the full Drake Student Survey report, which includes longitudinal and college/school data.

— Kevin Saunders, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Campus Announcements Archive

Hubbell Dining to host holiday-themed meals

Hubbell Dining is hosting three themed meals this week. Today, Feb. 13, attend a Mardi Gras dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tomorrow, Feb. 14, eat lunch at Hubbell for a chance to decorate a heart shaped cookie. Friday, Feb. 16, celebrate Chinese New Year during lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Faculty and staff can dine for just $5 by showing their Drake ID to the cashier.

— Jennifer Bowersox, Hubbell Dining

Campus Announcements Archive

Improvements to the guest wireless network

ITS is excited to announce an improved process for accessing the guest wireless network. Guests no longer need to register through email or text message, so connecting to the guest wireless network is much easier. Campus visitors simply need to select the DUGuest network and enter a few details to connect for the day. View step-by-step instructions for signing into the guest wireless network.

Just a reminder, the guest network is designed for campus guests to obtain temporary access to the Internet. It is not a secure network and is intended only for web browsing. Students, faculty, and staff should use the secure DUStudent and DUFacstaff networks on all their devices.

— Chris Mielke, ITS

Strategic Updates Archive

Coming this summer: New campus portal

A new internal campus portal, myDrake, will launch this summer. The site will be your one-stop, online gateway to campus information, resources, and functions. You’ll go there to register for classes, view your timecard, and connect with campus systems. ITS and University Communications are partnering with other campus groups to build this new internal site, which will replace blueView.

The launch date is intentionally scheduled between semesters in order to minimize disruption to campus, and ensure sufficient time to test the site’s functions. The launch of myDrake is not the end, but the initial phase, of the project. Content on the site will continue to evolve following the launch.

ITS will keep you informed throughout the project. You can find weekly status updates here, and watch for regular communication in OnCampus. A FAQ to help answer questions about myDrake will be available. In addition, the project team will provide a way for you to offer feedback throughout the process.

— Carla Herling, ITS

Strategic Updates Archive

Great Colleges to Work For survey

Full-time faculty and staff will have the opportunity to participate in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2018 Great Colleges to Work For survey.

On Monday, Feb. 19, faculty and staff will receive an email with an invitation to participate in the survey.

What is the Great Colleges to Work For survey?

The Great Colleges to Work For survey is the primary employee survey used by the University to gather feedback on workplace culture.

The survey is administered by ModernThink, a management-consulting firm focusing on workplace quality in higher education, and is sponsored by The Chronicle of Higher Education.

More information about the Great Colleges to Work For survey is available at www.chroniclegreatcolleges.com.

Why should I participate?

Your voice matters and your responses help the University to identify opportunities to improve workplace satisfaction and engagement. Your responses provide valuable insight into employee opinions and needs.

Is participation mandatory?

Participation is voluntary, although we do hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to share your feedback and make sure your voice is heard. A high response rate will help ensure an accurate representation of our community.

Are my responses confidential?

Your participation and the feedback you provide are completely confidential; responses cannot be traced back to individuals. Drake will receive reports summarizing the results, but will not have access to raw data.

Learn more by reading The Chronicle’s Great Colleges to Work For Statement of Confidentiality.

When and how do I participate?

The survey period begins Monday, Feb. 19, and ends Friday, March 2. The survey is administered online. Full-time faculty and staff will receive an email invitation to participate in the survey from Great Colleges.

How long will it take to complete the survey?

It typically takes about 15 minutes to complete the survey.

How is the data used and will the results be shared?

A summary of the findings will be shared with employees and will be used to identify our strengths and opportunities for improvement. Several key measures and targets in the University’s continuous improvement plan (CIP), and in many unit-level CIPs, are tied directly to feedback from the survey. For example, Drake is striving to earn a place on the Great Colleges to Work For Honor Roll by 2020. In addition, ModernThink provides valuable benchmark data against which we can compare our results. With this evidence in hand, senior leaders and individual units can make informed, strategic decisions about new initiatives.

For questions, contact Gary Johnson, director, HR operations, at gary.johnson@drake.edu or 271-4804, or visit www.ChronicleGreatColleges.com.

Can I complete the survey during work hours?

Yes. Faculty and staff are encouraged to complete the survey during working hours. Completing the survey is an important contribution that you can make to strengthen our campus community.