All posts by Nathan Jacobson

For Faculty Archive

J-Term 2023 travel seminar proposals due Dec. 2

As a reminder, J-Term 2023 travel seminar proposals are due Thursday, Dec. 2, through Qualtrics.

A travel seminar is a short-term, faculty-led study abroad (or domestic) program. This is an opportunity to teach a course that integrates an academic experience with intercultural and experiential learning while traveling. To learn more about the travel seminar process, please contact Nathan Jacobson, education abroad coordinator, at nathan.jacobson@drake.edu.

To submit a proposal, visit: drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cIRcgl8JH4b6n1Y.

— Nathan Jacobson, Global Engagement

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Next steps: Great Colleges To Work For Survey

As we’ve shared in prior OnCampus articles, one of our focus areas this year is to attend to our culture.  This is based on feedback from the Great Colleges To Work For survey and given that we are adjusting to working in an ongoing pandemic.

We recently invited all of campus to participate in focus groups to discuss ideas of how to attend to our culture and what’s possible yet this academic year. Through these sessions, we were able to gain valuable insights and feedback as to what’s important and possible. Thank you to those that participated!

As a summary, here’s what we discussed and discovered:

  • Culture Varies by Department: It’s clear that culture and perceptions of culture can vary tremendously depending on the area where people work.
  • Internal Growth: There are areas that have reputations for good culture—Advancement, the Admission Office, the Ray Center were three that came up. What are those areas doing well and how can we replicate it? Where we have strong leaders who can teach, train, or speak about leadership, are we over-looking and under-utilizing these internal assets?
  • Leadership Training and Tools: As we look at leadership training and development, building culture has to be part of this. Leaders create culture. Are we teaching leaders how to create culture?
  • Improved New Employee Orientation (and Onboarding): It’s a priority for HR to reinstate new-employee orientation. In addition, we’ll discuss some complimentary ways we can build on that orientation from others outside of HR as well.
  • Intentionality: We discussed that culture has to be intentional, proactive, and routine. We spent some time in both sessions talking about making time to build relationships outside of our immediate work areas. We can also think about an annual communication plan for culture and values. How do we routinely sprinkle culture/values/mission/inspiration into our communication practices?
  • Socializing Matters: We need to bring back regularly scheduled social events—and make them part of our routine.
  • Networking Cohorts: We’ll explore creating more opportunities for cross-departmental cohorts including mentoring programs.
  • Increase Visible Recognition of Achievement: We need a greater culture of recognition and stronger utilization of the recognition tools we already have (such True Blue Awards).
  • Communicating Across Departments: We heard about department-to-department silos and the need to enhance communication, horizontally across departments.

As there are many ways to tactically implement the above, we’ll be reviewing these outcomes of the focus groups at an upcoming President’s Council meeting and circling back with both managers/supervisors and all of campus on specific next steps.

In the months ahead, you’ll start to see more opportunities to engage in our culture and be a part of making Drake a great place to work.  Speaking of, here’s a great example!

Thanks for reading and all you do to attend to our culture.

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources, and Nate Reagen, President’s Office

News & Achievements Archive

Drake named recipient of Enduring Programmatic Contributions award

The Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA) was started over 40 years ago to provide financial support to promote and advance the field of behavior analysis. The three primary manners by which SABA achieves this are (a) supporting students, (b) globally promoting the science, and (c) providing a platform of recognition for our most impactful and inspiring leaders.

2022 SABA Awards
Each year, SABA recognizes five distinguished individuals or institutions of our field by honoring them and their impact with awards. The opening ceremony of the 2022 Association for Behavior Analysis International convention in Boston will recognize and celebrate these outstanding individuals and institutions and their accomplishments:

Deisy de Souza for Distinguished Service
Steve Higgins for Scientific Translation
Vincent Carbone for International Dissemination
Martha Hübner for Effective Presentation in Mass Media
Drake University for Enduring Programmatic Contributions

We congratulate each of these awardees for their sustained energy and efforts in promoting the field of behavior analysis. Read SABA’s full announcement.

— Maria Valdovinos, Professor of Psychology

Campus Announcements Archive

Campus printing update

Last week, new printers were installed in Medbury Hall, Cline Hall, and the Occupational Therapy building. Our staff is working hard to match up the number and type of machines that are delivered with the machines needed in a given area. We try to replace all department/building machines simultaneously to avoid any confusion from using both old and new printers, but this is made more challenging by ongoing supply chain issues.

Our partners at LRI continue to coordinate installation and training with department contacts as machines arrive. Our project team will continue to adjust our rollout schedule whenever machines arrive and update the list at Printer Locations (FAQ).

Get instructions on how to use the features of the new printers in the Printing category of our IT service portal. Learn more about the overall printing project by visiting our FAQ page at drake.edu/its/printing/.

— Kris Brewster, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Men’s Basketball Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day Nov. 20

Drake Men’s Basketball will host Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night on Saturday, Nov. 20, when they take on Richmond at 12 p.m.

Each faculty and staff member can receive up to four complimentary tickets. Redeem your tickets.

For more information on all Faculty and Staff Appreciation days, visit DrakeTix.com/facultyandstaffdays. Please remember that per Drake University policy, masks are required in the Knapp Center.

— Aimee Lane, Athletics

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

FPM shares results of Administration Services Survey

An objective of Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan is to “Elevate Service Excellence”. The Survey of Administrative Services (SAS) directly supports our continuous improvement in this area.  The feedback helps Facilities Planning and Management understand where service gaps may exist and how to improve our services to the University.

Survey respondents provided largely positive feedback about FPM services. Responses were provided on a five-point scale, with five being the highest.

Satisfaction with FPM staff – Total Average 4.38 (4.41 last year)
Respondents assessed their satisfaction with FPM staff including their courtesy, professionalism, knowledge, timeliness, resolution of issues and communication regarding work orders and projects.

FPM Staff are courteous – 4.82

FPM Staff are professional – 4.74

FPM Staff are knowledgeable – 4.62

FPM Staff respond to requests in a timely manner – 4.26

FPM staff provide regular communication about the status of my request – 3.96

FPM keeps me aware of projects or construction that will impact my work – 3.86

Satisfaction with services provided by FPM – Total Average 4.48 (4.50 last year)
Respondents assessed their satisfaction with the services FPM staff provide for all campus buildings and grounds.

Moving – 4.72

Carpentry – 4.66

Custodial – 4.62

Grounds – 4.61

Electrical – 4.57

Painting – 4.57

Plumbing – 4.51

Trash/Recycling – 4.43

Snow Removal – 4.35

Capital Projects – 4.18

Cooling and Heating – 4.09

Overall satisfaction with FPM —Total Average 4.13 (4.39 last year)
Overall satisfaction is above average, slightly down from the previous year.  FPM has opportunities for improvement and we are actively developing strategies to improve our services and overall quality. The preservation of historic buildings can be demanding when maintaining and updating mechanical systems.  It is our goal to heat and cool to establish a comfortable environment, but understand the capacity of the system along with individual preferences. Moving forward we promise to continue to service all customer needs on campus through collaboration and communication.

In reviewing the data and reflecting on the comments provided by the respondents, we make the following commitments.

FPM will:

  1. Ensure that FPM meet the promised response and resolution timeframes.
  2. Collaborate to find reasonable and supportable long-term solutions.
  3. Confirm the request was completed to satisfaction.
  4. Improve communication related to work order requests and construction projects.
  5. Work as a team to provide facility-related services on behalf of Drake.

FPM has been working on updating websites to better deliver communications. This, coupled with more direct reporting, we anticipate that we can booster our lower administrative service areas. Please visit:

https://www.drake.edu/build/

https://www.drake.edu/sustainability/

— Kevin Moran, Executive Director Facilities Planning and Management

For Students Archive

Season change and mental health

We are entering a new change in weather and pending time change that can influence your mood, motivation, and feelings of connectedness to others. During fall weather, you get to experience sweater weather, the comfort of warm drinks (warm coffee, tea, and hot chocolate), bon fires, and the beauty represented in the yellow, brown, and sometimes purple color of the leaves that begin to fall from trees. In addition, you may also experience a sense of sadness, isolation, increase in stress, and reduced energy when approaching the winter months. You may also notice that it gets darker sooner and lighter earlier, feeling as though your days are not long enough.

If you notice yourself experiencing these symptoms know that it is very common and typical because you are adjusting to a very different lifestyle than what you experienced in the summer. Some of you may have experience these symptoms for multiple years with a sense of hopelessness, worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts, which we describe as Seasonal Affective Disorder.  However, it is best to talk with a professional about what you have been feeling rather than self-diagnosing, although I know it can be tempting.

If you notice yourself experiencing these symptoms as we adjust to colder weather, I encourage you to try some of these tips below:

  1. Recognize and validate that adjusting to weather change can be hard and not a reflection of your worth
  2. Meet with your doctor and ask about the best Vitamin D options to take
  3. Create a list of the activities you enjoy and add variety. Plan to try to engage in them when you notice yourself feeling down.
  4. Exercise! It is very important to continue moving, walking, dancing, and exercising. Sign up for a Bell Center class or create a movement activity within your respective organization activities.
  5. Keep your blinds open and lights on as much as possible or financially feasible.
  6. Limit rushing because your energy levels may be lower as you adjust, plus running to class in the snow may feel like an Olympic event.
  7. Weather permitting (i.e. safe weather temperatures), walk or stand outside. Be intentional about leaving your home.
    1. Keep those in person therapy appointments and it will be worth it in the long run.
  8. Do something that engages your senses (i.e. lotions, soap, eat a peppermint or candy, listen to uplifting music, etc)
  9. Gratitude Journal-Write at least 5 things you are thankful or grateful for daily.
  10. Remember, this is seasonal and not a reflection of your worth or abilities.

If you notice yourself struggling to get through the day, please contact us by phone at the counseling center at 515-271-3864. In addition, the Crisis Observation Center is a 24/7 free service for students at Broadlawns Medical Center (1801 Hickman Road. Des Moines, IA 50310.) have counselors available to talk with, however this service would be the financial responsibility of the student.

Lastly, remember to breathe and know that you have a community of support at Drake to help you. You are not alone, and you are capable.

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Director, Student Counseling Center

For Students Archive

Student parking during winter break

Students, if your vehicle will remain on campus during winter break and has a zone 6 residential parking tag, please park your vehicle along the east side of Lot 29 (West Campus lot, adjacent to Jethro’s BBQ) during the break. View parking map.

This will allow for FPM grounds staff and contractors to safely and effectively remove snow and ice during the winter break period in other overnight lots without concern of working around any vehicles as plowing typically takes place earlier morning and during inclement weather.

— Kevin Moran, Executive Director, Facilities, Planning and Management

HR Information Archive

DU Well Healthy Holiday BINGO

DU Well Healthy Holiday BINGO is a five-week program that runs from Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. The goal is to fill up a blank BINGO card (or two), between Thanksgiving and the New Year, with healthy activities completed from a provided list. This is a great way for you and your family to have fun while improving your wellbeing.

In January, participants will be invited to meet virtually to play BINGO for prizes with their completed cards. Everyone is welcome to fill out the BINGO card without playing the BINGO games, but who doesn’t like to play BINGO!

To register for DU Well Healthy Holiday BINGO, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. All participants will receive a packet that includes a list of DU Well Healthy Holiday activities and a blank BINGO card. Deadline to register is Tuesday, Nov. 23.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources