All posts by Gail Witte

Campus Announcements Archive

First annual Drake wellness conference

Mark your calendars for Oct. 25, 2023, for the first annual Drake wellness conference. The conference will include relaxed social time to get to know the faces of the various departments, presentations, and lectures, as well as experiential activities and breakout sessions.  There are many opportunities to participate in the day and even win some prizes! Keep an eye out for updates. If you would like to be a part of this conference as a facilitator, please reach out to gail.witte@drake.edu.

— Gail Witte, Assistant Director of Recreation Service

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Des Moines Corporate Games: Please join!

The Des Moines Corporate Games are a great way to have fun with co-workers, celebrate your health, skills, and knowledge, and represent Drake while doing so.

We need help filling upcoming teams with June deadlines.  Please consider joining us.

Track & Field.  Deadline to register is June 7 before 10 a.m.  Events are held Tuesday, June 13, at the Drake stadium beginning 5:30 p.m.  Events include 100 meter dash, 400 meter run, 800 meter run, long jump, shot put, and a couple relays. All ages welcome.

Dodgeball.  Deadline to register is June 7.  Event held Wednesday, June 21, at 6 p.m. at Pioneer Columbus Community Center. Need at least two more men and women—more are welcome.

Kickball.  Deadline to register is June 7.  Event held Saturday, June 24, at Savage Softball Fields beginning at 9 a.m. Need at least four more men and five more women—more are welcome.

Trivia.  Deadline to register is June 14. Event held Tuesday, June 27, at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown. Check-in at 5:30 p.m. and competition begins at 6:30 p.m. Opening for up to three more men or women.

Bowling (coed, women’s, men’s). Deadline to register is June 28.  The coed team plays Tuesday, July 11, and the men’s and women’s teams play on Wednesday, July 12, at Bowlerama Lanes, beginning at 8 p.m. Five players per team. Plenty of openings on all teams.

In addition to the team events, there are several individual events coming up in June that you may be interested in, including yoga (June 17 at Gray’s Lake Park at 9 a.m.) a virtual fitness walk (anytime from June 16–19), and a virtual fitness class (June 29).  If you are not into sports, they also have an opportunity for you to donate blood or package meals at Meals from the Heartland.

Signing up is easy—email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu if you are interested in participating in any (or many) of the events above.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Student timesheet approval deadline changed to July 5

July 3–4 will be a University holiday. Therefore, the student payroll approval deadline will be changed. The deadline for students to submit timesheets will not change. Students will still have until July 1 at 12 p.m. to submit, but approvals will need to be completed by 11:59 p.m. on July 5.  It is imperative that everyone meets the deadline as this student payroll will be completed in a shorter timeframe. If you will be taking vacation over the summer, consider Adding a Proxy for your approvals.

— Heather Winslow, Administrative Services Specialist

Campus Announcements Archive

Bulldog Shop under new management, 75% off sale

The Bulldog Shop in Olmsted Center is now open under new management as Drake’s new course materials and retail merchandise vendor, eCampus.com, has begun to serve the Drake campus.

Currently, everything in the store is marked 75% off while supplies last. In addition, you will notice many other merchandise and store enhancements taking place over the summer months.

We are also pleased to announce that Kyle McVey is returning to Drake to serve as the Bulldog Shop manager. Please be sure to stop in and say hello to Kyle and his team.

Updates to the website are also in progress to ensure the store is referred to as the Bulldog Shop rather than the Drake Bookstore. The Bulldog Shop website has lots of great information including detailed instructions on how students can order course materials. Students will now select course materials online and receive them on campus prior to the start of classes.

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

Spring 2024 study abroad opportunities, scholarships, and application

Drake students are invited to join the DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville with Professor Matthew Hayden for the Spring 2024 semester in Seville, Spain. Students will enroll in one Drake course, as well as courses at a local university in Seville. Students don’t need a background in Spanish to participate in the program, as both university partners offer courses in Spanish and English.

We’re also excited to share that students will receive a $2,000 scholarship from our program partner, API. This means the non-tuition fees (room & board, including excursions, and international health insurance) will be reduced by $2,000. Students can apply for additional study abroad scholarships for the spring 2024 semester through the Drake Global Learning Scholarship application found within their program application. Apply for a scholarship by August 15!

Students need to apply here and complete their spring 2024 study abroad application by Friday, September 1. More information about the coursework, including Prof. Hayden’s course titled, “Cultural Diffusion: Values in Art & Architecture,” can be found here. Courses taken in Seville cover a broad range of academic areas, including business, communications, humanities, international relations, psychology, sciences, and Spanish language and culture. Courses can be pre-approved to count toward your major(s), minor(s), concentration, and/or AOIs. Students also have access to their Drake financial aid while studying abroad on this approved program. Students can access the study abroad course approval form online.

Additionally, some J-Term 2024 travel seminars are still open and accepting applications. All affiliate and exchange programs will be open until the deadline of Aug. 15. The list of all open and available programs is on our website.

Questions? Email studyabroad@drake.edu or read more on Drake’s study abroad website: drake.edu/global/studyabroad.

— Karen Williams, Global Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Mental Health First Aid course June 16

Christine Urish, professor of occupational therapy, and Sarah Grady, professor of pharmacy practice, will teach a Mental Health First Aid course on Friday, June 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Fitch Hall, Room 102. If you are interested in attending, email Sarah Grady at Sarah.grady@drake.edu.

Mental Health First Aid is an international, evidence-based program that teaches people to identify, understand, and respond to the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

— Sarah Grady, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

HR Information Archive

Ways to break mental health stigmas

As we approach the end of Mental Health Awareness month, how can we continue to shine a light on this important topic and break the stigmas surrounding it? Here are some ways to create more understanding and positive action.

Learn more about mental health.  Read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or attend webinars on various topics related to mental health.  NAMI Iowa and the Healthiest State Initiative’s Make it OK campaign are good resources, as well as Employee & Family Resources.

Spark conversations and support others.  Initiate open, compassionate dialogue about mental health with loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Create a safe space where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences and struggles. Show others that you care and support them by listening to them without judgement, offering encouragement and empathy, respecting their boundaries and privacy, and helping them find resources and assistance if they want it.

Don’t contribute to mental health stigmas. Unfortunately, our society still has a lot of stigma and discrimination around mental health.  This can prevent people from seeking help or speaking opening about their issues.  You can help break the stigma by educating others about mental health facts and myths, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, and fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding. Mental health is health—just like diabetes, hypertension, or other health related conditions.

Check in with yourself and prioritize self-care. To help others, you must also help yourself.  It is important to take some time every day to check in with yourself and notice your emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. Embrace self-care as a crucial aspect of mental well-being.  Discover activities that bring you joy, peace, and rejuvenation. Practice them regularly to replenish your energy and nurture your emotional balance.

Seek support.  If you are navigating your own mental health journey, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.  Drake health plan participants can access mental health services and take advantage of virtual care visits with Broadlawns providers. Broadlawns Medical Center offers a comprehensive delivery system for mental health services in Central Iowa. Virtual Care Visits provide a safe and convenient way for you to access care through your existing provider or to establish care with a new healthcare provider. Broadlawns also offers Outpatient Mental Health Services.  And Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of resources, including free confidential counseling, self-assessment tools, and a mobile app.  EAPs are an often-under-utilized employee benefit available to Drake employees and anyone living in their households.

Let’s create a culture that fosters empathy, understanding, and support—where everyone feels valued and empowered to prioritize their mental well-being.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Learn how to lead with your best self in this one-hour virtual class

Being a leader can be hard. Most managers and supervisors are so busy with several responsibilities to juggle, that it can be difficult to bring their best self to work every day.

To address this challenge, Employee & Family Resources (EFR), Drake’s employee assistant plan provider, is offering a virtual 1-hour presentation for Drake managers and supervisors on Wednesday, May 31, at 1 p.m. titled Leading with Your Best Self.

During this session, Lars Peterson, a licensed psychotherapist, consultant, and trainer for EFR, will go over some of the tools you may need to help you lead with your best self, making good decisions, communicating effectively, and staying focused and energized.

To register for this session, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

DART bus updates

The DART bus service is expanding transit options this June with the addition of two new DART On Demand zones in north Des Moines and West Des Moines. DART will also once again extend D-Line service on Saturdays through October for the Downtown Farmer’s Market, beginning at 8 a.m.

As a service reminder, there will be no DART bus service on Monday, May 29, in recognition of Memorial Day.  Regular weekday service will resume on Tuesday, May 30.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

The federal loan payment pause is ending soon

Since March 13, 2020 repayment on most federal student loans have been paused with a 0% interest rate. The student loan payment pause will end 60 days after the litigation over the student debt relief program is resolved OR August 29, 2023 (whichever is sooner). More information about the payment pause and the status of the student debt relief program is available at www.studentaid.gov.

Included below is content that was designed to aid borrowers who will begin/resume repayment later this summer.

Drake’s Financial Aid Office is available to assist with questions related to federal student loan repayment. Contact us if we can be of service!

— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid