All posts by Betsy Wilson, On behalf of All Staff Council

Celebrating True Blue staff

Please join us in congratulating the September recipients of the True Blue Award. Here is a little information about our honorees with excerpts from their nominations.

Helen Frizel and Charnelle Harris, Catering, Sodexo

“Char and Helen along with Sky, the student worker, went above and beyond to make sure we had what we needed. They were kind and patient. They clearly communicated changes and asked many questions to make sure they got it just right. The whole team was outstanding all week.”

Alice Fynaardt, Administrative Assistant, Biology

“She has created a feeling of community within the College’s admin assistants. She always gets right back to me with correct information and good feedback and is cheerful about doing so, even when she herself is busy. She is an information sharer, and she wants all of us to succeed in our jobs.”

Mary Beth Holtey, Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

“During Welcome Weekend, we had a last-minute cancellation, leaving one of our departments without staff to speak with students. Without hesitation, Mary Beth ran the departmental overview, which lasts over an hour, with less than a 30-minute warning. She is truly a wonderful part of the Drake community, who is here to help at the drop of a hat and wants what is best for our students.”

Korrine Jackson & Heather Winslow, Payroll Coordinator & Admin. Services Specialist, Payroll & Finance

“Heather and Korrine are a delight to work with for payroll. They offer great communication and are team players for the betterment of Drake. Since payroll is a deadline-driven process, they offer quick updates and responses to ensure that everyone at Drake is paid correctly and in a timely fashion – something we don’t consider in our daily work at Drake because it is handled so seamlessly behind the scenes.”

Brandi Miller, Assistant Director, New Student Programs, Student Financial Planning

“More specifically, Brandi is a leader in serving Black staff and faculty on campus, to build a sense of belonging and voice. She organizes the Black affinity group and has been a strong voice in bringing forward issues and concerns. Brandi’s steadfast leadership demonstrates integrity and purpose. We are lucky to have her at Drake.”

Kara Vaughn, Associate Director of Annual Giving, University Advancement

“Kara epitomizes Drake’s core values every day. She is one of the first to raise a hand or jump in to help when needed. She is a cheerleader for her teammates – she celebrates successes and offers empathy during difficult times. She is a friend to all on our team and makes every effort to make others feel welcome and included.”

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!

— Betsy Wilson, On behalf of All Staff Council

Complete your physical by Nov. 30 to receive wellness health insurance discount

Important Reminder: Employees on Drake’s health plan who wish to receive a wellness health insurance premium discount in 2023, need to complete a physical with their Primary Care Physician (PCP) between Dec. 1, 2021 and Nov. 30, 2022 and submit a Premium Discount – Annual Physical Form by Dec. 2, 2022.  This is the only option to receive the discount in 2023. 

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is a great way to receive important health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship. 

If you have not scheduled your annual physical yet with your PCP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.   

Please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions. 

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Introducing Global Scholar-in-Residence Professor Inés Rojas

The Office of Global Engagement is pleased to introduce Professor Inés Rojas as Drake’s Global Scholar-in-Residence for the 2022-2023 academic year. The Global Scholar-in-Residence program, sponsored by the Principal Center for Global Citizenship, allows accomplished academics abroad to bring their expertise to campus and engage with students, faculty/staff, and community members.

Professor Inés Rojas is a full professor at Universidad de Los Andes in Venezuela, where she teaches Intercultural Communication, Human Rights, and International Organizations. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Language and her Master’s degree in Linguistics from Universidad de Los Andes. She was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 2002-2004 to attend Georgia State University where she obtained a Master’s and a PhD in Political Science. Her research areas include social movements, women’s human rights and gender policy reform, and civic engagement through citizen participation and experiential learning.

This is Professor Rojas’s second time visiting Drake University. She was a visiting scholar in the World Languages and Cultures program during the 2012-2013 academic year, where she taught a course on Model Organization of the Americas and Latin American Identity. Returning to the World Languages and Cultures program, she is teaching Practical Spanish Speaking and Writing this semester, and in Spring 2023 she will be teaching a course on the Image of a Latin America. During IE Week in November, Professor Rojas will speak about her time on campus so far, and how it fits into her ongoing work abroad.

For more information about the Global Scholar-in-Residence program at Drake University, please visit https://www.drake.edu/cgc/globalscholarpractitionerinresidence/.

— Dawson Urquidez, AS

Steam outage over fall break

A steam valve replacement as part of the Meredith Hall Renovations will result in steam being shut off for a day during Fall Break. Beginning Sunday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. through Monday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m. hot water will be affected across campus.

For students currently residing in Jewett or Morehouse, there is a backup hot water system for those buildings. The Bell Center will also have available hot water for other students who remain on campus during this period for showers.  The Bell Center is open Sunday, Oct. 16, from 1–6 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.

— Rob Ebel, Facilities Planning & Management

New partnership will provide immigration legal assistance to Afghan nationals in Iowa

Drake University Law School Legal Clinic, The University of Iowa College of Law’s Center for Human Rights, and Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ), with funding support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are partnering to create ALL Iowa, a new collaboration to provide immigration legal assistance to Afghan nationals in Iowa who came to the United States as part of Operation Allies Welcome. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services will administer the funding for this effort.

Following the Taliban seizure of power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the U.S. airlifted thousands of Afghans seeking safety from immediate threats of violence via a program called Operation Allies Welcome. The U.S. granted a temporary status called “humanitarian parole” to most Afghans who entered the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome. Over 1,000 Afghans arrived in Iowa through the program.

ALL Iowa will aid in addressing the critical need for immigration legal services for this population and help to secure the safety of Afghans in Iowa who remain under threat if they return to Afghanistan. “Many people do not realize that our evacuated Afghan allies have no direct path to permanent protection in the U.S., making high-quality low-cost legal immigration services of utmost importance. This funding will increase access to these much-needed services throughout Iowa,” states Ann Naffier, managing attorney and co-legal director at Iowa MMJ.

Services to be made available through this collaboration will be diverse and engage communities statewide. Drake University will create and operate a virtual help desk to answer general questions and provide limited general advice and referral services. Iowa MMJ, the University of Iowa College of Law Legal Clinic and the Drake University Legal Clinic will directly represent many Afghans, as well as expand clinics in communities around the state, to provide Afghan families with assistance in filing the most common applications available to Afghans, such as Temporary Protected Status, Special Immigrant Visas, and asylum. The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights will help coordinate and administer the collaboration.

ALL Iowa will also engage with attorneys, organizations, and pro bono programs throughout the state already aiding Afghans through their work, to enhance and support existing efforts and to help facilitate legal assistance for Afghan individuals.

Amy Weismann, assistant director for the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, highlights that the collaboration “will address urgent needs and enhance and elevate the vital work of our law school clinics.” UI students, along with Drake students will participate in a “legal corps” to support the work of immigration legal service providers in communities throughout Iowa.

Students at both the University of Iowa College of Law and Drake University Law School will have the opportunity to engage in direct representation of Afghan nationals before federal immigration agencies, as well as aid in development of pro se materials, intake processes and needs assessment, and conduct research into best practices, under the mentorship of licensed attorneys.

Professor Suzan Pritchett, director of Clinical and Experiential Programs at Drake Law School,  articulates the initiative’s potential and goals: “We are excited by the potential of this partnership to meet immediate legal needs while creating a culture of commitment to pro bono legal service and a new generation of attorneys prepared to serve our increasingly diverse communities here in Iowa.”

For more information, visit www.alliowa.org.

For more information on the role of Drake University Legal Clinic, contact Suzie Pritchett, Drake Law School Director of Clinical and Experiential Programs at suzan.pritchett@drake.edu

For more information about the role of Iowa MMJ, contact Ann Naffier, Managing Attorney and Co-Legal Director at anaffier@iowammj.org.  To make an appointment with Iowa MMJ, call 515-255-9809.

For more information about the role of the University of Iowa, contact Amy Weismann, Assistant Director of the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, at amy-weismann@uiowa.edu .

For more information on the role of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, contact Alex Carfrae, Public Information Officer, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, at acarfra@dhs.state.ia.us or call 515-281-4848

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

Law School to host the 45th annual General Practice Review

The Law School is hosting its annual Continuing Legal Education event, the General Practice Review. The 45th annual General Practice Review will be held on Dec. 8–9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Parents Hall. This event serves to provide updates on current case law and a variety of other topics. All practicing or retired attorneys are invited to attend.

Topics that will be covered during the event include criminal practice and procedure, real estate, family law, ethics, Iowa civil procedure, employment law, insurance law, and more. Lunch will be provided both days.

This year, there are three ticket options available, including in-person, live stream, or recording. Tickets are $450 for two days or $225 for one day. This pricing is consistent for all ticket options. Participants can attend both days to earn a total of 15 CLE credit hours, including 3 ethics hours, or attend one day to earn 7.50 hours.

Register or find more information. For questions, contact Amy Cutler at amy.cutler@drake.edu or 515–271–3361.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

Pre-lecture pizza available before Sussman Lecture

Students are invited to come for free pizza before the Sussman Lecture on Monday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m. at Pomerantz Stage with speaker Dr. Michael J. Nelson. Connect with other students who have an interest in The U.S. Supreme Court and have a chance to talk to an expert on the topic as well.

For more information on the fall Sussman Lecture, “The U.S. Supreme Court: Yesterday and Today,” visit The Harkin Institute website.

— Lila Johnson, The Harkin Institute