A chair massage makes a great gift for an employee or co-worker. Or, treat yourself to a chair massage and relax and re-energize your day. Ten- and 20-minute massages will be offered on campus Nov. 7 and Nov. 8. Cost is $10 for a 10-minute massage. Payment should be given directly to Anne Boal, licensed massage therapist, at the time of appointment. Correct change, cash, or check is required. Those who participate will have the chance to win a gift certificate for a free 10-minute chair massage.
Click the links below to register for the day and time of your choice. You may register for one or two time slots per registration sheet.
AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) are being added to multiple buildings across campus. Join Chris Nickell on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311, for a quick and simple AED training class. In 30 minutes, you will learn a skill that could save a life.
An AED is a portable medical device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm and can deliver an electrical shock, if necessary, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm during a cardiac arrest. We encourage as many people as possible to learn how to use these devices. By attending this 30-minute class, you can learn a life-saving skill.
Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester. Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, is accessible under the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning and Development section of Human Resources.
Do you know what the top 30 foods are for a better body? How much do you know about hidden sugars, anti-inflammatory foods, and losing belly fat? Join Hy-Vee registered dietitian Anne Cundiff on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Room 310/311, for this fun and informative session. This presentation also includes information on foods to incorporate into the holidays to start off the New Year, and we will be giving away prizes.
Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester.
An online registration form for this class is accessible through the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources. You may also contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu to register.
Holiday Trimmings is a six-week program designed to encourage you to maintain or lose weight over the holiday season. If you have trouble dodging festive yet fattening foods, like pecan pie, sausage stuffing, and egg nog, this challenge is for you.
Beginning and ending weights will be recorded and throughout the challenge you will receive healthy holiday tips. Everyone who maintains or loses weight will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win prizes.
For more information, or to register to participate, please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “Holiday Trimmings.” Deadline to register is Thursday, Nov. 16.
A packet of information will be sent to those who register. Read through the packet carefully and start the challenge on Monday, Nov. 20.
Let’s make this a happy and healthy holiday season!
An overview of upcoming benefit plan changes will be provided by Mark J. Becker, Drake benefit consultant, on Nov. 1 at 12 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Room 310. Wellmark representatives will also demonstrate how to conduct cost comparisons and prescription drug searches on the Wellmark website.
Becky Reif and Nathan Overberg attorneys with Ahlers and Cooney, P.C., will provide an overview of employment laws, with a focus on helping managers avoid common missteps and know when to contact Human Resources. The session will be held Thursday, Nov. 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Parents Hall South. The discussion will highlight some laws presented last year, with additional topics that arise in the workplace. To RSVP, email drake.managers@drake.edu. Participants will receive two credits toward the BUILD program.
The next Friday FYS lunch/discussion is Nov. 3 at 12 p.m. in Olmsted Center, TMR 133. The event is open to both current and prospective FYS instructors. If you have an interest in possibly teaching FYS in the future, or are curious to learn more about teaching FYS sections, you are welcome to attend. While it is too late to order a lunch, you are welcome to come and bring your own.
J-Term instructors will share their experiences and advice to those who are teaching J-Term for the first time in 2018 and those who are thinking about teaching J-Term in 2019 or beyond at two upcoming informational sessions.
The first session on travel seminars will be held Nov. 6 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Drake Room in Olmsted Center. The second session will focus on on-campus classes and take place Nov. 8 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Olmsted Center, TMR 132.
The two sessions have very different foci. Those individuals who are thinking about teaching J-Term in the future but not sure whether they want to do a travel seminar or an on-campus class are encouraged to attend both sessions. For questions, contact Art Sanders at arthur.sanders@drake.edu.
Human Resources staff, from left-to-right, are Diana Lei-Butters, Debra Wiley, Linda Feiden, Gary Johnson, Laura Schwarz, Marlene Heuertz, and Mary Alice Hill.
Last week, Drake’s All Staff Council Recognition Committee celebrated Drake’s Human Resources team with a surprise cookie delivery (compliments of Drake Dining). Read on to learn more about HR and how they make Drake a better place.
What is the mission of HR?
Human Resources is committed to contributing strategically to the mission of Drake University. We seek to embody the best practices of the Human Resources profession by providing excellent, caring, and consistent services that support the ability of the University to recruit and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce.
Where is the HR office located?
The HR team recently moved to 3206 University Ave., Suite 100 (the old School of Education building).
What is the department’s primary function?
A recent restructure in the HR department has created two functional teams: HR Operations and HR Partners. The Operations Team is responsible for compensation, benefits, onboarding processes, and all HR technology systems. The HR Partners team is dedicated to issues of recruitment, employee engagement, professional development, performance management, employee relations, wellness/work-life programs, and employee recognition.
How many staff members does HR have?
There are seven HR employees:
Gary Johnson, director, HR operations
Mary Alice Hill, director, HR partner services
Marlene Heuertz, benefits specialist
Debra Wiley, HR partner
Linda Feiden, wellness and recognition specialist
Laura Schwarz, HR support specialist
Diana Lei-Butters, HR systems specialist
Who is the longest serving team member?
Gary Johnson will be celebrating 25 years at Drake next year.
Who is the newest team member?
Mary Alice Hill joined the HR team this past August.
What has the HR team been working on lately that we should all know about?
HR has made a number of changes over the past 18 months and continues to look for ways to improve services and processes. Past initiatives include an enhanced new employee orientation, a New to Drake webpage, BUILD (Bulldogs United In Learning Drake) learning and development program, an online peer-to-peer recognition program called Peerceive, automating the service anniversary and retiree gift program, enhanced wellness programming, and the HR Monthly Minute, which is an informational email sent to employees the first Wednesday of each month. Currently, HR is looking at ways to automate and streamline major processes, such as benefits administration and the administration of student employment.
The next in a series of meetings focused on creating inclusive learning environments will be Monday, Nov. 13, at 3:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Drake Room. These meetings are an opportunity for anyone on campus to come and talk about the challenges, successes, and failures we have faced as we try to navigate the difficult issue of creating inclusive learning environments. For questions, contact Art Sanders at arthur.sanders@drake.edu.
