All posts by Ashton Hockman

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Short’s Travel tips

It is a best practice to book international travel by contacting a Short’s agent directly rather than booking online. The agents have extensive experience and can find you the best connections at the best pricing.  They can be reached at 877-263-2550.

Also, a reminder that Short’s online portal does not have access to the Southwest Airlines special internet only fares. Short’s may not be able to meet pricing on those fares but will book your ticket at the lowest possible fare they do have available. Note: although Southwest Airlines special internet only fares are not available on Short’s online portal, you can get these fares by contacting a Short’s Travel Agent at 877–263–2550.

If you have a chance, it is a good idea to look up all of your personal frequent flyer account numbers and enter them into your profile.

Caron Findlay, Purchasing and Business Services

 

Campus Announcements Archive

An update from Online Programs

The University is coming to the end of its first year offering online programs.  In the first year, 95 new online students enrolled in four new online programs.  Online Programs is set to offer two new programs in 2019, the Master of Data Analytics Leadership through the College of Business and Public Administration and the Master of Jurisprudence in Compliance and Risk Management through the Law School.  We expect that we will have our 100th online student enrolled in the first term of Spring.

This past fall was our largest enrollment yet, with 53 students starting either in Term 1 or Term 2.  As we continue to add programs, these numbers will grow.  We also already have four graduates.  The Master of Art in Communication has had one student graduate this past summer and three are graduating in December.

We are often asked where are our online students living?  Our numbers don’t vary much from national averages.  The majority of online students come from the Des Moines area and Iowa, although we do have a nice mix nationally.  Forty-six percent of our students come from the Des Moines metro area and 22 percent come from the rest of Iowa.  The remaining third come from outside of our state, from as far away as Texas and Florida to right next door in Illinois, Missouri, and Minneapolis.

It will be exciting to see if we can get students from every state in the future. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding our student make-up, please let me know.

Christina Trombley, Online Programs

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

ITS Project Status Update meetings

There are several dates left in 2018 to learn about the progress of current technology projects. The ITS project management team is also already planning for 2019. Please join us for a 15-minute call scheduled for every other Thursday at 10 a.m. on the following dates:

2018
November 29
December 13

2019
January 10
January 24

A full list of 2019 dates can be found on the campus calendar at calendar.drake.edu.

There are two different ways to connect to the meeting:

To both hear and see the presentation, go to the Blackboard Collaborate link and follow the on-screen instructions. Need assistance? See the Join the Bi-Weekly ITS Project Update Meeting (How To) article.

For audio only, call 571-392-7650 and enter PIN# 9060694541.

Contact Kris Brewster, Keren Fiorenza, or Jeff Regan with any questions.

Kris Brewster, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Collaboration sites with Microsoft Teams

There is an increasing need for online collaboration tools at Drake. This includes everything from shared documents, calendars, announcements, email distribution lists, and conversation tools. ITS has been exploring options that could enable easier collaboration across campus. After careful evaluation, Microsoft Teams (or Teams) stands out as the best option for the University. Teams already exists within our Office 365 platform and integrates seamlessly with other tools we use on campus. Microsoft Teams is a product that combines tools and resources like group chat, calendars, and file sharing to create one location for meaningful teamwork. ITS is just launching an initiative to consolidate the tools and infrastructure used for group work and file sharing into one intuitive and cross-functional system.

The project team has created Microsoft Teams for a few campus organizations and is creating an initial schedule to roll out Teams to departments and other collaborative groups. For each new site, we will work closely with the group to begin using tools, review any existing shared file storage, and migrate shared files to the Cloud as needed.

We will keep you informed on the progress of this project. You can also check the project’s weekly status and watch for regular updates in OnCampus. There’s also a FAQ on the project, which shares more details.

Jeff Regan, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Next Course Food Recovery training

Did you know 40% of food goes to waste in the U.S. each year? At Drake alone, Next Course Food Recovery has recovered over 28,000 pounds of food this year, saving it from going into the landfill and sending it to local agencies who could use it instead. Be a part of this food movement. Attend a training Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 4–5 p.m. in lower Olmsted, TMR132, to learn about Next Course, what we do on campus, and general food waste and ways to fight it—all while getting trained in how to do a food recovery at Drake. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend as we often need additional volunteers over winter break and J-Term when there are fewer students on campus. Staff are eligible to use their community service leave hours with supervisor permission.

Learn more by visiting the Facebook event. For questions, contact Catie Mullen at catie.mullen@drake.edu.

Catie Mullen, AS’21, Next Course Food Recovery SLA

Featured Events Archive

Rally of solidarity Wednesday, 12–1 p.m.

In light of recent racist incidents, Drake students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend a rally of solidarity Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 12–1 p.m., in Helmick Commons. All Drake classes and activities are cancelled from 12–1 p.m. tomorrow so that all of campus—students, faculty, staff, and administrators—can stand together to celebrate diversity at Drake and demonstrate our united commitment to the University’s Statement of Principles. Starting at 10 a.m., there will be materials in the breezeway of Olmsted to make posters for the rally. The Student Equity Action Partners are asking that participants wear black in solidarity, and considering the weather, please make sure your black attire is warm. There will be extra security on campus to ensure that the rally is peaceful and sends a clear message of unity and resilience.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

United Way campaign: Help Drake reach its goal

The 2018 United Way Campaign will come to a close this Friday, Nov. 16. As of this morning, we have raised $42,680.55 from 276 participants. If you haven’t yet, please consider making a donation. Even $5 per month makes an impact for community partners providing education, income, and health related services, and remember if we reach out goal of 350 participants and/or 3% across the board increase, President Martin will close campus for a full-day paid holiday the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. To be counted among the participants, please be sure to make your contribution by 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16. Visit the website to learn more and donate. 

Ryan Arnold, University Advancement

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Bulldog Applause: Spotlight on the Controller’s Office

Last week, Drake’s All Staff Council Recognition Committee celebrated the Controller’s Office with a surprise treat delivery, compliments of Drake Dining. This spotlight provides a few fast fact about the Controller’s Office. Thank you to the team for everything they do to make Drake a great place!

How many staff members are in the department? 13

What is the primary function of the team? Do you have a mission/vision/motto?

The Controller’s Office consists of the following functions: Student Accounts and Cashiering Services, Accounting and Accounts Payable, Payroll Services, and Financial Reporting and Compliance. Each of these offices have very unique functions that serve our community in different ways.

  • The Office of Student Accounts and Cashiering Services consists of five staff members: Jana Brem, Director of Student Account Services; Donna Knight-Donovan, Cashier; Sheila Govoni, Student Accounts Consultant; Terri Smith, Student Accounts Consultant; and Anthony Leto, Student Accounts Collection and Loan Specialist. This office is committed to assisting our students, families, and community as they transact business with the University and assume financial responsibility for their education. Primary responsibilities of this office include the billing and collecting of tuition, fees, and other related charges and servicing of student accounts.
  • The Accounting and Accounts Payable Office consists of six staff members: Erica McGowan, Associate Controller; Stacy Bauer, Senior Accountant; Jill Burkle, Staff Accountant; Jeni Baugher, Accounts Payable Supervisor; Shelly Biondi, Accounting Clerk; and Suzanne Stewart, Accounts Payable Clerk. The Accounting Department is responsible for the integrity of the University’s financial records and for assuring that transactions entered into the University’s general ledger are recorded in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the accounting policies of the University. This office also processes payment requests related to vendor invoices and employee travel and expense reimbursements.
  • Payroll Services works directly with Human Resources and University departments to prepares and distribute all University payrolls. Kathy Jefferson, Payroll Coordinator, manages the Payroll Services department.
  • The Controller’s Office is also responsible for financial reporting and compliance. This includes the management of the University’s debt portfolio, tax compliance and reporting, annual financial audits, and other financial reporting.

Who has been with the team the longest, and what is their job title and length of employment?

Kathy Jefferson, our Payroll Coordinator, is the longest standing employee. She has served the Drake Community for over 40 years! Incredible!

Who is the newest team member, and what is their job title and month/year of start?

Our newest member is Stacy Bauer. Stacy is the Senior Accountant in the Accounting Office. She started in her new role in September 2018. We are excited to have her join our Bulldog family!

What campus buildings do your team members “live” in? Old Main

Anything else noteworthy/interesting/special about your department that bears mentioning?

The Accounting Office adopted a 50-pound fiberglass Bulldog in January 2016, which they have named Templeton. Templeton was one of seven bulldogs unveiled during a 2007 Bulldog Parade. The Bulldog was created by Maddy Maxwell, former President Maxwell’s wife. This article gives further information about the unveiling of the seven bulldogs entered into the parade.

For every season or major holiday, including Drake Relays, Templeton is dressed in appropriate attire. As you can see from a few of our photos, Templeton proudly shows off his spirit for the Relays, enjoys connecting with the Irish for St. Patrick’s Day, loves to go for Easter egg hunts on Easter, and is ready to strut his stuff for summer.

Templeton is definitely a conversation piece as we have visitors in the office. Everyone enjoys seeing his new looks and students/children who visit our office like to stop in and pet him. Stop by Old Main to meet Templeton – we love to share him with our Drake community.

Cathy Williams, University Advancement

Campus Announcements Archive

Thanksgiving campus building hours

Campus building hours will be adjusted for the Thanksgiving holiday. Most of campus will close at noon on Wednesday, November 21, and will remain closed to the general public through the end of the week.  Card access will still allow you to enter your authorized buildings, and most regular door schedules will resume on Sunday, Nov. 26.

Please contact Public Safety (515-271-2222) if you have a door access emergency during this time. Feel free to email studentservices@drake.edu if you have a general (non-emergent) card access question or concern.

Cowles Library open hours/after-hours are listed on their website.

Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center