All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Mentors in Violence Prevention looking to partner

Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) is a group of student leaders who facilitate discussions on harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, bullying, and other forms of gender violence. Drake’s MVP student facilitators are looking to partner with campus professionals and organizations.  MVP peer facilitators can come to groups and classes to present 30–90 minute sessions on bystander intervention. MVP is most effective when participants receive multiple doses; they are always looking for partners with ideas or time for multiple sessions. Also, depending on the audience, professional staff can be partnered with student facilitators.

If you or a group you are part of is interested in partnering with MVP, contact Tess Cody at tess.cody@drake.edu. A sample of topics that MVP facilitators have covered in the past, include:

  • Bystander intervention basics
  • Gender stereotypes
  • Sexualized rumors
  • Sexual harassment
  • Healthy relationships

More examples and session descriptions available online.

MVP aims to inspire leadership by empowering individuals with tools to lead and with concrete options to effect change in their peer cultures and across campus.

—Tess Cody, Prevention Coordinator for Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Procurement card program changes

Drake will be transitioning its procurement card program from Wells Fargo Bank to PNC Bank. This is the first of several communications on the transition––watch for additional information in the coming weeks.

What prompted this change?
The University recently issued Series 2017A bonds to assist with the financing for STEM@DRAKE. As part of that bond issuance agreement, the University is required to move its procurement card program to PNC Bank.

When will the transition happen?
Implementation of the new PNC procurement card program for all users will begin the week of Oct. 16. Finance and a small group of users are currently in a piloting phase of the new program. The pilot phase has allowed for setup of University specific coding, testing of the PNC online portal, formulation of user guides, and updating of current University policy and procedures to conform to the new program.

What does this mean for users?

  • Cardholders will be issued a new procurement card. Allotted times for card pickup will be scheduled and communicated to cardholders in the coming weeks.
  • Procurement card transactions will be accessed via PNC Bank’s Intellilink website. Each user will receive instructions on how to access and login to the site. The site will house all card transactions and will be utilized to complete required cardholder and approver reviews.
  • When picking up a new card, cardholders will be required to sign an updated Purchasing Card Agreement. For reference, a copy of the agreement can be found online.

What changes in the new program will impact users?

  • Procurement Cards will be a Visa rather than a MasterCard. Therefore, any card information you have on file with specific vendors will need to be updated accordingly.
  • Users will access their transactions via the PNC Bank’s Intellilink website. Access to the Wells Fargo site will be removed after the new cards have been distributed. Users should gather any information they may need from the Wells Fargo site by the end of October.
  • In an effort to support the University’s sustainability efforts and improve efficiency in procurement card processing, the new program supports electronic receipt imaging as well as electronic transaction approvals. The University will require users to utilize these electronic modes to submit supporting documentation and complete required monthly transaction reviews. The accumulation of supporting documentation and/or review of such documentation will no longer be sent as hardcopies to accounting.
  • Transactions can be reviewed and approved at any time during the reporting period. Users will no longer have to wait until the end of the reporting period to complete and submit their review and approval of transactions.
  • Any fraud or transaction disputes will need to be reported by the cardholder directly to PNC Bank within 60 days of the posting of the transaction. This will require cardholders and approvers to be diligent in their review of transactions and proactive in reporting any suspicious card activity.

What resources will be available during and after the transition?

  • PNC Bank customer service representatives are available 24/7, including holidays, at 1-800-685-4039.
  • University Finance staff are available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at extension 3392 and 2041 or pcard@drake.edu.
  • The Procurement Card policy will be available online.
  • User guides will be distributed and available to assist with training on the new PNC Intellilink website and the new electronic submission of receipts and approvals.

—Meghan Settje, Financial Reporting Manager

Campus Announcements Archive

Social media directory audit

The Drake Social Media Directory displays the URLs for every Drake affiliated social media page. There is also a student social media directory for all student organizations. Explore the directories to see what departments and organizations have pages, follow them, and invite your friends to follow. While you’re looking around, let us know if your department page or student organization page has changed. Maybe you have a name change, you want a new cover photo, or you don’t see your URL on the directory at all. If that is the case, contact Niki Smith at niki.smith@drake.edu to provide feedback.

—Niki Smith, University Communications

Campus Announcements Archive

Construction update

The completion of the Science Connector Building and Collier-Scripps Hall this summer is an exciting and major accomplishment. Now, construction on the next phase of the project––completion of the Robert D. and Billie Ray Promenade ––is in full swing. This project will provide a welcoming and beautiful outdoor space, while also enhancing accessibility and parking.

As highlighted in OnCampus last week, next steps in the construction process include the closure of the parking lot just north of Opperman Hall and the demolition of The Point. The Opperman parking lot will close this week. It is anticipated to re-open before the end of the semester if weather and contractor schedules cooperate. The Point is scheduled to be torn down the week of Oct. 9. 

Human Resources and the International Center have moved from The Point. HR is now located at 3206 University Ave., and the International Center is located at 1213 25th St. Continuing Education and Professional Development (formerly known as Extension Education) will move from 3206 University Ave. to Howard Hall today.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as this significant project takes shape.

—Venessa Macro, Finance and Administration

Campus Announcements Archive

FAQ on Updated Title IX Guidance

The Title IX webpage includes a new FAQ regarding the Department of Education’s recent activity in its enforcement of Title IX on schools and universities. Drake will continue to follow applicable law and best practices in providing students with a safe educational environment and in treating all students fairly and respectfully. Specifically, Drake will continue its policies and programs to prevent both sexual and interpersonal misconduct, provide outreach when it learns of possible misconduct, and respond appropriately and equitably to complaints of misconduct.  If you have questions, please contact Katie Overberg at 271-2982 or titleix@drake.edu.

—Katie Overberg, Title IX Coordinator

For Students Archive

Need a ride home over break?

The Office of Residence Life is proud to partner with Arrow Stage Lines, a deluxe motor coach company, to provide students with a ride home for University-scheduled breaks. The cost is $176 for Chicagoland and $141 for the Twin Cities. Each ticket is based on round-trip fares only.

The Office of Residence Life is in the process of setting up a bus to Kansas City for Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks. Seating is limited, and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Arrow Stage Line buses provide convenient travel to and from campus, and are equipped with restrooms, Wi-Fi, TV/DVD, and comfortable seating.

For more information, visit: www.drake.edu/residencelife/studentbustrips or email studentbustrips@drake.edu.

—Ali Jensen, Office of Residence Life

Strategic Updates Archive

Brand Preview: Learn why and how Drake will tell its story in a new way

This fall, Drake will begin telling its story in a bold and compelling way with the launch of a new brand strategy.

Join the University Communications team for an exclusive preview of the new brand platform on Friday, Oct. 6, at 2:30 p.m. in Sussman Theater. This faculty/staff event is an opportunity to learn about the brand strategy, what it means for the University, and how it will be brought to life. A separate preview will be held for students later this fall.

The University, along with national branding firm, 160over90, began a comprehensive initiative this summer to elevate and energize the Drake brand. The initial discovery phase included a deep dive into understanding what makes Drake distinctive as experienced and defined by those who know us best—our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, external stakeholders, and community partners. That discovery process included both qualitative and quantitative research, which helped inform new messaging and a new creative direction.

Research findings confirmed that Drake is perceived as vibrant, engaged, accessible, globally aware, challenging, abundant, varied, valuable, spirited, and seriously fun. The University and 160over90 have leveraged these and other insights to start telling Drake’s amazing story in a fresh, relevant, and authentic way.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how the Drake brand will be transformed, and what you can do to help foster an even more powerful reputation and long-term success for the University.

—Dave Remund, University Communications

For Students Archive

Have lunch with the president of the Iowa Speedway

Join Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small for a conversation on his career with NASCAR and his responsibilities as the person in charge of Iowa Speedway at The Harkin Institute’s student luncheon on Sept. 26. Over lunch with students, Small will share information, answer questions, and provide advice.

As president of the Iowa Speedway, Small manages day-to-day operations, including facility operations, events promotion, business development, marketing, and communications. Small has also led public policy efforts for the Iowa Speedway at state and local levels, including ongoing state tourism development with the governor’s office.

Apply to attend the luncheon: http://bit.ly/2vuQ4XU.

—Emily Schettler , Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement