All posts by Linda Feiden

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

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Des Moines Corporate Games: Please join!

Don’t be fooled by the name, the ‘corporate games’ are a great way to have fun with co-workers, celebrate your health, skills, and knowledge, and represent Drake while doing so! Here are the events we need broad participation in:

  • Yoga
  • Cycling tour ride
  • Cross country races (4K & 8K)
  • Road race (5K)
  • Duathlon
  • Triathlon
  • Blood donation
  • Meals from the Heartland

You don’t need to be an elite athlete to participate in any of the above.

For those of you looking for athletic competition in a team setting, we still need people for:

  • Women’s 3 on 3 basketball (register by May 24th!)
  • Pickleball (co-ed, women’s) (register by May 24th!)
  • Track & field events (by age bracket, don’t worry!  Even 60+ age brackets!)
  • Dodgeball
  • Bowling (co-ed, women’s, men’s)
  • Golf (men’s & women’s)

Sign-ups are easy – just email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu if you are interested in signing up for any (or many!) of the events above.

We’ll see you out there!

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff Council election results

The All Staff Council Governance Committee congratulates each of the newly elected members of the Drake University All Staff Council!

Governance/Policy Committee

  • Suzanne Wisslead

Recognition Committee

  • Madison Bemus
  • Kristine Plagman
  • Amber Welsh
  • Betsy White

Special Events/Community Service Committee

  • Dillon Beckmann
  • Ellie Bullock
  • Tiffany Hach
  • Lila Johnson
  • John Kippes

Special Interests Committee

  • Kris Brewster
  • Teresa Downs
  • Mady Nachtman

Chair Elect

  • Kevin Saunders

— Sara Schilling, On behalf of All Staff Council

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

How summer facilities projects will impact campus

Facilities Planning and Management has scheduled several summer projects which will impact various high-traffic areas of campus. Please take note of the following projects as well as the areas that will be affected by construction in the coming weeks and months. The attached image showcases other projects not mentioned here.

Parking Lot 1 – Upcoming Closure for Resurfacing, Landscaping
Lot 1 (across 25th Street from Fine Arts) will be closed for the duration of the summer (June 1–July 20) for resurfacing and new landscaping. With the forthcoming Mediacom Stadium opening this fall, this upgraded lot will serve as a key welcoming point for campus visitors.

Herriott Hall Masonry and Painting – Herriott Circle Closure
The circle drive at Herriott will be closed for the duration of the summer to allow contractor access for an extensive masonry and painting project. This work will include masonry and tuckpointing repairs, interior and exterior painting, and repainting of the fire escapes and balconies to the north and south of Herriott.

Quads Bridge Closures – to Carpenter and Crawford
The pedestrian bridges at the south ends of Crawford and Carpenter Halls will be closed to foot traffic at various points this summer. The concrete pad and ramp at Carpenter followed by concrete step replacement and repairs to a retaining wall near Crawford will take place June 19-23. In July, both bridges will be cleaned and repainted in preparation for the new academic year. Specific closures will be announced once the contractor completes interior work in other buildings.

Performing Arts Hall Roof Replacement – Carpenter Avenue Closure
The upper and lower roofs of Performing Arts Hall as well as the vestibule roof over the east entrance to the Anderson Gallery will be replaced in August. This will result in the closure of Carpenter Avenue at 24th Street from August 1-18 to allow for crane placement to unload and load material onto the roofs. If you park in a reserved space on Carpenter Avenue, please seek alternate parking between August 1–18.

— Colin Atkinson, Facilities Planning and Management

Campus Announcements Archive

High School State Track parking and road closure info May 18–20

Drake University will host the Iowa High School State Track & Field meet on campus Thursday, May 18, through Saturday, May 20.

The State High School track meet brings a large number of high school athletes as well as guests to campus. This is a reminder that parking and travel on and around campus will be significantly impacted.

It is highly recommended that if you are coming to campus that you use public transportation, if at all possible. If you do plan on driving, the Olmsted Lot (lot 16) will be held for Drake Permit holders only from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. You are free to park in any other open Drake lot with a valid Drake permit on Thursday and Friday at no charge, but only the Olmsted lot will be held for permit holders from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. With the large number of guests expected, parking will be difficult to find on campus. Please remember that cars that are parked on the grass, illegally in handicap spaces, or blocking operations will be towed without notice.

In addition to parking lot use, please note the following closures and restrictions:

  • Forest Avenue will be closed from 27th Street to 29th Street Thursday – Saturday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. for safety reasons.
  • There is NO PARKING on Forest Avenue between 27th Street and 29th Street on those days from 7 a.m. –7 p.m.
  • There is no parking on Clark Street between 27th Street and 24th Street
  • School buses will be parked on Forest Avenue throughout the event between 27th Street and 24th Street.
  • Lot 18S (Studio Arts) will be closed from Tuesday, May 16, through Saturday, May 20 for the concessions area.

Check out the schedule for this year’s state track meet, and more.

— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Farewell open house for Director of Community Engaged Learning Renee Sedlacek Lee

All are welcome to join for an open house to celebrate the contributions of Renee Sedlacek Lee, director of Community Engaged Learning, and wish her well in her new role at Workiva, where she will start at the end of May. The Open House will be Wednesday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the lower level lobby of Cowles Library and people are welcome to come and go as they are able. Food and beverages will be available.

Renee said, “It has been an absolute pleasure serving as the Director of Community Engaged Learning since 2017 and working to build the capacity and infrastructure of CEL at Drake since 2013.”

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

Campus Announcements Archive

Seating installed at Sprout Food Forest

The corner of 30th Street and Carpenter Avenue has seen massive improvements over the course of the past two years. Most recently, thanks to funding from a Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant, there are now 14 Adirondack chairs and a three-person glider installed at the Sprout Food Forest. We hope you will check it out this summer and take the time to get outdoors!

More improvements are coming.
Later this month, a large cantilever umbrella will be installed over the outdoor classroom and interpretative signage throughout the Food Forest.

Reserve the outdoor classroom
Sprout is now located as an option on the Drake EMS reservation system. Consider hosting your class or a team meeting in the garden.

Volunteer with us!
All are welcome to dig and play in the dirt. No prior experience is necessary and a volunteer training will be provided. Sign-up on DUgood.

— Renee Sedlacek Lee, Community Engaged Learning

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

May Provost’s Social and HR recognition night

You are invited to join us at the next Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, May 18, in Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to the Knapp Center, beginning at 4 p.m.

During this event, faculty, and staff who celebrated (or will be celebrating) a milestone service anniversary or retirement between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, will be highlighted. Their names will be scrolled on video screens around the room. There will be cake, soft drinks, wine, beer, and light snacks. President Martin will speak at 4:30 p.m.

Please take a moment to stop by and congratulate your co-workers.

Be advised: this event falls on the same day as the State Track Meet, so on-campus parking may be limited. Please allow yourself ample time to find parking before the event.

— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost