All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Setting up your Blackboard course to match your syllabus requirements

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 30

Time: 2 to 3 p.m.

Location: Dial Center Large Conference Room

Description: Faculty, attend a workshop to learn how to set up your Blackboard course to match your syllabus requirements. This practical, hands-on session will help you to take what is provided in your completed syllabus and build your Blackboard course to match what you have already developed. The course is taught by Karly Good. Sign up and view the topics for future workshops at http://www.drake.edu/edtech.

Note: Please bring your own laptop or other internet capable device. If you don’t have a laptop or internet capable device, consider borrowing a laptop from the kiosk located in the lobby of Meredith Hall.

— Carla Herling, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Researching advantages of centralized travel firm

The Office of Finance is researching the benefits of using a centralized travel firm to manage and enhance travel for faculty, staff, and students. A team has been gathered and is working to send a request for proposals to seven firms in February. Teresa Krejci is sponsoring the initiative; the team is comprised of Caron Findlay (chair), Renae Chesnut, Joe Campos, Dave Haskin, Maria Rohach and Jeni Baugher. The hope is that through a dedicated vendor relationship, Drake will receive the lowest possible rates for travel, easy reuse of unused tickets, one stop shopping for all travel needs, risk management for travelers, and comprehensive reporting capabilities. We plan to communicate our progress in OnCampus, and there will be additional opportunities for input as the initiative takes shape. If you have questions regarding this project, contact Caron Findlay at caron.findlay@drake.edu.

— Caron Findlay, Finance and Administration

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

IRS Notice 1036: New payroll tax withholding tables

The Internal Revenue Service released Notice 1036 on Jan. 11, which updates the income-tax withholding tables for 2018 reflecting changes made by the tax reform legislation enacted last month. The IRS has advised that employers begin use of the 2018 withholding tables as soon as possible, but not later than Feb. 15.

The University is working with our software provider to implement the new withholding tables. We anticipate implementation to be complete early next week. Employees should begin to see the changes reflected in paychecks issued Jan. 26 and after.

The new withholding tables are designed to work with the W-4 forms that employees have already filed with their employers to claim withholding allowances, so employees are not required to make any changes at this time.

An IRS frequently asked questions page on the new tables is available here. Please consult your tax professional with any additional questions you might have regarding the tax reform legislation.

— Heather Travis, Controller

Featured Events Archive

National Girls and Women in Sports Day: Free basketball clinic

Date: Sunday, Feb. 4

Time: 12 p.m.

Location: Shivers Basketball Practice Facility

Description: National Girls and Women in Sports Day recognizes the extraordinary progress sparked by Title IX and the ongoing effort to ensure access to sports for girls and women. Thanks to a generous donation to Drake Athletics, Drake Women’s Basketball is offering a free clinic Sunday, Feb. 4, at 12 p.m. at Shivers Basketball Practice Facility. The clinic is designed to get local girls involved in sports and expand their opportunities in life. Clinic registration is now open to all local girls eighth-grade and under. Registration will close on Friday, Feb. 2, or once all spots are filled. Space is limited and participant slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register early. Clinic participants will receive a free T-shirt and four complimentary game tickets to the Drake Women’s Basketball game against Missouri State at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 4. Registration and information is available at www.DrakeTix.com/ngwsd.

Contact: Ryan Harris, Athletics

Featured Events Archive

Panel on Police Misconduct Litigation

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Cartwright Hall, Room 206

Description: The Drake Law Federalist Society and the Drake Law Chapter of the American Association for Justice are proud to host a panel discussion on police misconduct litigation. Panelists include Iowa Supreme Court Justice Thomas D. Waterman, Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert, and Trial Lawyer Randi McGinn. The event is free and open to all.

Contact: Kayla Choate, Law School

Featured Events Archive

Meet My Religious Neighbor open house

Date: Saturday, Feb. 3

Time: 10 a.m.­­–12 p.m.

Location: Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, 1110 35th St., Des Moines

Description: During the Meet My Religious Neighbor open house guests can drop in, tour the church, meet the congregation, and learn more about Greek Orthodox Christianity. The open house includes refreshments and music from the various cultures of St. George in the fellowship hall, and traditional music in the worship space. Father Basil and other members of the community will be on hand to answer questions and share the history of St. George. Meet My Religious Neighbor is a monthly open house series available to the public. It provides an opportunity to tour a sacred space, learn how religion is practiced there, and meet the congregation.

Contact: Monique Rodriguez, College of Arts and Sciences

Featured Events Archive

Relays are a Slam Dunk on Jan. 30

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 30

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: The Knapp Center

Description: When the Drake men’s basketball team hosts Southern Illinois Jan. 30, it will also serve as Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee Night at The Knapp Center. One of the highlights of the evening will be a halftime dunk contest featuring an Olympic gold medalist, other world-class athletes, and a panel of local celebrity judges. Get your tickets to the game now as you won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind event. For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit www.godrakebulldogs.com.

Contact: Ryan Harris, Athletics