All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Give a shout-out to a deserving colleague

Giving a shout-out is a great way to recognize your colleagues for their hard work, talent, support, and creativity, and it can simply brighten their day. 

As part of Employee Appreciation Month in March, Human Resources is encouraging every employee—faculty, staff, and student workers—to submit “shout-outs” for deserving colleagues.

Giving a shout-out is quick and easy—simply write a sentence or two thanking a colleague or team for a job well-done, going the extra mile, or showing support during another challenging year. Submit your shout-outs to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. Shout outs will be compiled and posted in OnCampus.

To help you get started, here is a shout-out I would like to give:

“A shout-out to the All Staff Council: Thank-you for your ongoing efforts in finding ways to support staff both on campus and remotely. You truly live Drake’s core values of Joyful Accountability, Generosity of Spirit, All in This Together, and Commitment to Mission. I appreciate everything you do!” — Linda Feiden

Please take a few minutes to submit a shout-out and show your gratitude for our amazing colleagues!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Reminder: Summer 2022 travel seminar deadline is Feb. 18

Reminder: The deadline to apply for a Summer 2022 travel seminar is this Friday, Feb. 18. Apply for a summer travel seminar today!

Summer 2022 travel seminars are:

To apply for a travel seminar, visit Terra Dotta, Drake’s online application portal. Use your Drake ID and password to login. Additionally, please know the deadline to apply for a Global Learning Scholarship is today, Feb. 15. Scholarship applications can be found within your Terra Dotta application. 

For questions about a specific travel seminar, contact the course instructor. For general study abroad questions or issues with Terra Dotta, contact studyabroad@drake.edu.

— Nathan Jacobson, Global Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Ambassador Branstad office hours

Ambassador Terry Branstad began office hours as part of his role as Ambassador in Residence here at Drake University on Monday, Feb. 7.  Ambassador Branstad will be available to meet with faculty and students and speak to classes and student organizations. This is an exceptional academic opportunity to hear the perspective, reasoning, and experiences of someone who helped shape Iowa and U.S. history.

If you would like to meet with him personally to ask questions about the many experiences he has had throughout his career, please use Starfish to schedule an appointment.

If you would like him to speak to your class or your organization’s event, please complete this Qualtrics survey and you’ll receive a notification after it has been reviewed.

— Sara Hughes, Law School

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Applications for funding supporting True Blue Micro-Internships

Professional and Career Development Services is now accepting applications from departments for funding supporting True Blue Micro-internships for students.

What is a micro-internship?
Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional projects that are similar to those given to new hires or interns. These projects enable students and recent graduates to demonstrate skills, explore career options and build a network. Unlike traditional internships, micro-internships range from five to 40 hours of work. Micro-internships are common and used by companies ranging from those in the Fortune 100 to emerging start-ups. The scope of micro-internships is typically hyper-focused on a specific project, task, or deliverable.

Requirements:

  • Funding cannot be used to offset the cost of regular office student workers
  • Must be used to support a project-based experience
  • Projects cannot exceed 40 hours
  • Pay for the position is $9/hr (if selected PCDS will fund up to 20 hrs)
  • The experience must help develop the student’s True Blue Skills:
    • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
    • Collaboration
    • Personal Responsibility
    • Communication
    • Digital Proficiency
    • Leadership
    • Global/Intercultural Understanding
    • Innovation
    • Growth Mindset
    • Values Driven

This support is available as long as funding remains in the account.

To apply, complete the survey at: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cNiFWfLl08b1MKa.

— Chrystal Stanley, Professional & Career Development 

Strategic Updates Archive

Important COVID-19 Updates

Arrival testing and reporting for residential students
Residential students: If you are back on campus, you should have completed a PCR test upon arrival. Please submit your test results through the Report Return-to-Campus Test Results form. Failure to report your test results, may ensue deactivation of your key card. Until students receive their results, they are asked to avoid close contact with others and, as always, adhere to the University’s mask policy.

Residence hall guest policy
From Jan. 24–Feb. 6, residents may not have guests in their residence hall, with the exception of assistance provided during move-in.

Masks
KN95 masks are available to non-residential students, faculty, and staff and can be picked up in the Student Life Center in the Olmsted Center (one per person, while supplies last). Residential students will receive two KN95 masks upon arrival to their residence hall. These masks are to be worn during the first two weeks of the semester.

Student Life: Through Feb. 7
In-person student activities will be limited until in-person classes resume Feb. 7. Please help keep Drake safe and healthy by restricting social activity during these crucial two weeks, including informal social gatherings. Athletic events will continue as scheduled during the first two weeks of the semester. Please note: Drake athletic teams follow extensive testing and safety protocols recommended by the NCAA. Dining halls, the Bell Center, Underground Fitness, Student Health and Counseling, and the libraries will remain open following masking and safety protocols.

How to get a test kit on campus
Self-administered saliva-based PCR test kits through Test Iowa are available at the Student Services Center in the Olmsted Center. Students, faculty, and staff can pick up a test kit at no cost. Students with COVID-19 like symptoms are asked to notify contacttracing@drake.edu before administering a test. Please refer to the COVID-19 Testing FAQ for additional information.

— Chris Nickell, Environmental Health and Safety; Jerry, Dean of Students

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

New: Email signature generator

University Communications and Marketing has developed an email signature generator to help faculty and staff easily create a personalized email signature. The tool contains two signatures to choose from: A standard signature with the Drake University logo and a campaign signature boasting The Ones logo. Faculty and staff are invited to use either design.

Note: The email signature generator links will require you to login with your University credentials.

The email signature generator can be found in UCM’s online toolkit.

— Kelsey Faybik, University Communications and Marketing

Strategic Updates Archive

COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidelines

The CDC recently adjusted its isolation and quarantine guidance. As it has since the start of the pandemic, Drake will follow the CDC’s recommendations. The new requirements are:

If you test POSITIVE for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status):

  • Days 1–5: Isolation(stay home).
  • Days 6–10: If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving and you have been fever free for 24 hours, you can leave isolation. Continue wearing a mask around others at all times. Do not eat and drink around others. This includes all campus dining facilities and coffee shops. Drake travel is prohibited until after day 10.

Note: If you have symptoms, the five-day isolation period begins the day after symptoms appear, regardless of test date. If you do not have symptoms, the five-day period begins the day after your test date.

If you were EXPOSED to COVID-19 and boosted:

  • Continue wearing a mask around others. It is recommended to test on day five. If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home. Follow the guidance above if you test positive.

If you were EXPOSED to COVID-19 and unvaccinated or vaccinated more than five months ago with Pfizer or Moderna (more than two months ago with Johnson and Johnson) and have not received your booster:

  • Days 1–5: Quarantine (stay home). The date of exposure is day zero.
  • Day 5: Take a test. Send your results to contacttracing@drake.edu. If you test negative, you no longer need to quarantine. If you do not choose to test or do not communicate your negative results to contacttracing@drake.edu, you must quarantine for the full 10 days.
  • Days 6–10: If you test negative on or after day 5, you can leave quarantine. Continue wearing a mask around others. Do not eat and drink around others. This includes all campus dining facilities and coffee shops. Drake travel is prohibited during days 1–5. If you test negative on or after day 5, travel can resume.
Campus Announcements Archive

Cowles Library hours; shifting to card access only

Classes will be held remotely the first two weeks of the semester. During these two weeks, Cowles Library will be open the following hours:

Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 1–5 p.m.
Midnight Hall (24-hour space) will be accessible 24/7

The library will move to card access only during this two-week period.

As a reminder, all those who enter the library are required to comply with Drake University’s face covering policy. Please wear your mask at all times inside the library.

— Jill Gremmels, Dean, Cowles Library

Strategic Updates Archive

Why it’s important to get your booster and report it

Studies show that after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection decreases over time. This is why it’s critical to get your booster shot. Boosters increase your protection from COVID-19, including against variants such as Omicron.

A recent study from the CDC showed that people who have completed the primary vaccination series with a booster dose had a 75% rate of protection against COVID-19, whereas people who were fully vaccinated without a booster dose had about a 35% rate of protection.

The CDC recently adjusted its recommended time for receiving the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots from six months to five months after completing the primary series. Primary and booster shots are available at numerous locations statewide, often without an appointment. Find a convenient location.

Once you have received your booster, please upload a photo of your vaccination card through Drake’s secure online form.

Reporting your vaccination helps to shape the University’s plans and decisions. Important to note: Those who report their boosters will be exempt from quarantine (in accordance with new CDC guidelines) if they are exposed to COVID-19 and not experiencing symptoms.

Booster shots will be key to our ability to enjoy a robust, in-person spring semester with all the traditions and activities we cherish. Please get your booster and report it as soon as possible.