As you approach retirement, you may find yourself asking questions such as: Can I retire on my terms, when I want? Is my portfolio susceptible to market losses? Will I outlive my retirement funds?
During retirement, and the years leading up to it, protecting your savings is extremely important. Learn how to market-proof your retirement funds by participating in a TIAA Financial Essentials Webinar on March 14. Register here.
Marlene Heuertz, Benefits Specialist, Human Resources
Facilities Planning and Management along with President Martin and Provost Mattison have been receiving several emails and calls in regards to safety concerns and the well-being of faculty, staff, students, and visitors with the snow and ice on pavement around the campus. FPM has the same concerns and is committed to ensuring that snow and ice are cleared to the best of our abilities with a staff of 10 dedicated employees responsible with clearing over 11 acres of parking lots and 13 miles of sidewalks.
This winter in central Iowa has been a record breaking one for snow fall and cold temperatures. Often the staff are starting early in the morning between 3–4 a.m. and working a 12–18 hour shift. Most of the snow storms this winter have not completely stopped by the time the majority of people arrive on campus, which affects the parking lots once cars start to compact the freshly fallen snow. The temperatures have also been too low for salt to be effective and sand is being used for traction. Our crews continue to clear drifts from walks and parking lots, and as it has been typical this winter, getting ready for the next storm to make its way to central Iowa.
FPM would like everyone to be aware of the conditions around them as they travel across the campus and remember these 10 tips to avoid winter injuries. Hopefully there is some warmer temperatures ahead as spring nears. Our staff would be the first to agree that this has been a long, cold February. We are looking forward to getting the campus lawn green and flowers growing for the track events ahead.
Kevin Moran, Executive Director, Facilities Planning and Management
This semester, through a collaboration between the Public Safety, Title IX and Violence Prevention, and Equity and Inclusion departments, Human Resources launched a new series of programming focused on safety and inclusion called Bulldog Bites.
The final session in the series is Wednesday, March 13, at noon in Cowles Library, Room 201. The session is titled, “Title IX/Prevention part 2 – Bystander Intervention for Faculty and Staff.”
The goal of Bulldog Bites is to make our own campus experts accessible to faculty and staff to talk about how we can all make our community feel safe and inclusive.
Those who attend the March 13 session will enter a drawing for Hubbell Dining Hall and annual parking passes.
Mary Alice Hill, Human Resources
We are taking “last minute” nominations to honor Drake faculty and staff who exemplify our fourth Core Value: Commitment to Mission. Those nominated will be recognized at the Provost’s Drake Social, Wednesday, March 6, at Shivers Hospitality Suite, beginning at 4 p.m. Join us for snacks, refreshments, and good conversation.
Commitment to Mission means we are united in service to students and our communities. We act with integrity and purpose. We are optimistic about our future. Watch the video of Drake colleagues talking about what Commitment to Vision means to them.
Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. today. Send them to Drinda Williams at drinda.williams@drake.edu.
Drinda Williams, Academic Support Specialist, Office of the Provost
Please remember that Short’s Travel is Drake’s exclusive vendor for air travel. Below are a few tips to make your travel transactions go smoothly:
— Log in to the appropriate portal where you first made your profile. Visit the Academics or Athletics portal.
— Update your profile with the Frequent Flyer Miles program numbers for each airline or hotel chain you may use regularly to ensure you receive your personal points and benefits.
— If you find fares outside of Short’s that are “Web only”, as they are not available on the Short’s booking tool, you will need to contact a Short’s agent for assistance. This is a limitation from the Airlines themselves, not from Short’s.
— For after hours needs, please contact the phone numbers located on the portal. There are different numbers for Athletics and Academics.
Please contact Jenn Putz at jputz@shortstravel.com, Short’s representative, for any specific questions you may have.
Caron Findlay, Director of Purchasing and Business Services
Calling all students with unpaid internships in D.C. this summer. You may be eligible for funding through The Harkin Institute D.C. Experience Scholarship. Students of all majors are encouraged to apply. Apply by March 15 for summer 2019.
View more information on how to apply.
Emily Schettler, Communications Strategist, Harkin Institute
Faculty, please submit your course material requests for summer by March 15. Receiving your list of materials as soon as possible allows us to source the most affordable books for your students and provide top dollar for students selling books back at the end of this term. With our Online Adoption Tool, selecting your course materials is fast and easy.
Access the Online Adoption Tool
1. Visit www.drake.bkstr.com
2. Go to Books in the top navigation and under the Information heading, click Online Adoptions.
3. If you need additional training to use the Online Adoption Tool, contact Donna Hallstrom at donna.hallstrom@drake.edu.
New User?
1. Follow the steps listed above.
2. Click on New? Register Here and complete the required fields.
3. Enter 1623 in the Bookstore Supplied Password field.
Download the 6 Ways to Help Students Save on Textbooks to learn about Follett’s different types of course material purchasing options. If you have any questions about the Online Adoption Tool or how to save students money, contact Donna Hallstrom at donna.hallstrom@drake.edu.
Donna Hallstrom, Course Materials Manager
Have you ever noticed the names etched into the south portal of Cowles Library? Did you ever wonder how these scholars were chosen for representation? Did you ever think there might be other scholars worthy of recognition? We have answers…and questions for you.
The names — Galileo and Newton, Plato and Kant, Bacon and Pasteur, Beethoven and Wagner, Euripides and Shakespeare, Michelangelo and Rembrandt — were chosen to represent “the six branches of knowledge—Philosophy, Science, Music, Art, Literature, and Astronomy,” according to a 1939 document by (we think) Mary Bell Nethercut, director of Cowles Library. “The first of each group was one of the older and recognized representations and the other, one typical of a trend of the newer age.”
As we look at the list now, though, with 21st Century perspective, what leaps to mind is that they’re all white men. We believe that there have been other scholars worthy of recognition in the Cowles portal: scholars of color, women scholars, scholars with disabilities. We invite your help in identifying them. Submit a nomination by March 15.
For questions, please reach out to a member of Cowles Library’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee: Marcia Keyser and Cameron Tuai, co-chairs; Hope Bibens, Dan Chibnall, Laura Krossner, Kathy Lincoln, and Jill Gremmels, members.
Jill Gremmels, Dean, Cowles Library
Want to know what major projects ITS is working on? There are a few ways to find out.
We post an updated project report on our website every other week.
Campus is also invited to join ITS for a 15-minute call scheduled for every other Thursday at 10 a.m. For specific dates, visit the University Calendar and look for the next ITS Project Status Update Meeting.
Contact Kris Brewster, Keren Fiorenza, or Jeff Regan with any questions.
Kris Brewster, ITS
Drake’s All Staff Council Recognition Committee recently celebrated the Sponsored Programs team with a surprise treat delivery, compliments of Drake Dining. The following spotlight provides a few facts about the Sponsored Programs Department. Thank you to the team for everything they do to make Drake a great place!
How many staff members are in the department?
Four staff member make up the department: Director, Mary Wohlford, Ph.D., director; Tracy Bainter, MPA, ABD, pre-award and compliance; Kristine Plagman, senior accountant; and Tricia Atterberg, accountant.
What is the primary function of the team?
Develop grant proposals with university stakeholders, ensure grant dollars are spent correctly, and provide oversight for human subjects research and animal care and use.
Do you have a mission/vision/motto?
Our Mission is to provide pre-award, post award, and research compliance services.
Informal Mottos: “inspire and achieve”, “it’s all good, it’s all good”, “inspire success”. There are moments when we say, “making the impossible possible”, “turning fantasy into reality”, “get it done,” and my personal favorite “your monkey, your circus.”
Who has been with the team the longest?
Kristine Plagman has served seven years in the Sponsored Programs department and 11 years at Drake.
Who is the newest team member?
Tricia Atterberg started in the department in August 2018.
What campus buildings do your team members “live” in?
Old Main, Penthouse
What are some recent challenges and accomplishments of note?
There are very few challenges, many accomplishments—the most notable is the increase we have seen in funded grants.
Anything else noteworthy about your department?
“My good colleagues are the most dedicated, kind individuals I have ever worked with.” –Mary Wohlford
Cathy Williams, All Staff Council Recognition Committee