All posts by Kristin Economos

For Students Archive

Register for Sussman Leadership Conference

Each year, the Adams Leadership Institute hosts the annual Sussman Leadership Conference; bringing together undergraduate student leaders from across campus to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and gain skills that can be applied to their personal lives, student leadership roles, academic projects, and professional goals.

This year’s Sussman Conference, “Leading Back in Action,” will take place on Sunday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Parents Hall, featuring keynote speaker Sara Lowery. Conference registration and buffet brunch are provided at no cost to students thanks to alumni giving.

Space is limited. Please visit bit.ly/drakesussman to learn more and reserve your seat by Oct. 31.

— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Trick or Treat at Old Main Nov. 1

Old Main will be open for Trick or Treat fun on Monday, Nov. 1, from 3–4:30 p.m. Faculty and staff are invited to bring their children or grandchildren to visit office to office, and get one-more use out of that Halloween costume.

In accordance with Drake’s COVID-19 policy, please make sure the children are wearing masks over their mouths and noses.

— Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Updates to Blackboard Learn Ultra category in IT Service Portal

ITS has been working to streamline and consolidate our service options in the IT Service Portal over the last year to make it easier for faculty, staff and students to know which service to use. The most recent changes have taken place in the Blackboard Learn Ultra category.

Where there were previously a number of services available to choose from, there are now only two options: Blackboard Learn Ultra Issue and Blackboard Learn Ultra Request.

The Blackboard Learn Ultra Issue will continue to be used in the same way as in the past. If you have an issue, are seeing errors, or need assistance with troubleshooting a problem, submit a Blackboard Learn Ultra Issue.

The new Blackboard Learn Ultra Request option combines multiple previous ticket types into one. Use the Blackboard Learn Ultra request for any of the actions below:

  • Add/change/remove user access
  • Consultation on how to best use Learn Ultra features
  • Training
  • Create custom course/site
  • Merge courses
  • Restore archived course
  • Share/copy course content

When you submit your request, the form will guide you through a series of questions to determine the nature of your request and ensure you provide the necessary information for ITS staff to assist you.

The IT Service Portal is the preferred method of requesting assistance from ITS staff and allows for the best experience.

— Karly Good, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

54th Drake Road Races opens registration

The Drake Road Races are BACK ON TRACK for 2022 with half marathon, 10k, and 5k distances—all finishing on the iconic Blue Oval. The races will take place on Sunday, April 24, 2022, to kick-off Drake Relays week.

Registration is now open with a Flash Sale offering 50% off race weekend prices for all three distances. The Flash Sale ends on Oct. 19 at 11:59 p.m.

All finishers of the 5k, 10k, and half marathon receive a commemorative finisher’s medal and a premium Drake Road Races apparel item.

— Tanner Nissen, Drake Relays

Campus Announcements Archive

Campus printing update 

Last week, new printers were installed in the residence halls. These were the first new printers to arrive since August due to ongoing global supply chain issues. As new machines arrive, our partners at LRI are coordinating installation and training with department contacts. 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 Students Archive

Become an Orientation Leader

Orientation leaders are dedicated to providing incoming students and their families with all of the information and resources necessary to ensure their transition to Drake is a smooth and enjoyable one.

We need you to help make this happen. Each year we recruit current Drake students to become part of the orientation leader staff. Orientation leaders play a vital role in this exciting process, working closely with new students and their families on a wide variety of topics including academics, student involvement, housing options, and more.

We highly encourage you to attend the final information session being offered on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., Zoom session. Click here to sign up for a session.

You will be compensated for your time and effort and gain valuable skills in this position.

Learn more about the position. For questions, contact Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

HR Information Archive

Mark your calendar: Open enrollment and benefits fair

Open Enrollment is the time of year when faculty and staff have an opportunity to elect or change their benefits for the upcoming plan year, which will begin on Jan. 1, 2022. We want every eligible employee to be aware of this opportunity to review the generous benefits offered by Drake and elect benefits which best support them and their eligible dependents.

During the annual open enrollment period, employees can review and make changes to their current participation for the following Drake benefits:

  • Health insurance (which includes vision care)
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care)
  • Voluntary Life Insurance

Drake’s annual open enrollment period for the 2022 Plan Year begins Nov. 1 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2021. All benefit elections made during the enrollment period will become effective Jan. 1, 2022.

While we are not able to share benefit changes until Nov. 1, we can remind you of the new Broadlawns partnership, which will create special pricing for employees participating in Drake’s health insurance effective Jan. 1, 2022. This new partnership will supplement the choices already available to eligible employees and their dependents.

We are also excited to announce we will soon have a beautiful, informative digital benefits guide to share with you. It will contain Plan Year 2022 information and provide a detailed and easy-to-digest overview of the core benefits offered to Drake employees and their eligible dependents. We can’t wait to share it with you!

SAVE THE DATE for the Benefits Fair on Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Olmsted Center, Parents Hall South. More information about the Benefits Fair and open enrollment will be coming soon.

— Marlene Heuertz, Benefits Specialist, HR; Maureen De Armond, Executive Director, HR

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Support first-generation students

First-generation college students are an important part of the Drake community—about 14% of our campus community are first-gen students. Drake defines this as a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. The office of New Student Programs offers resources and programs to support first-generation students at Drake. We will be celebrating National First Generation Student day on Nov. 8. We would like to include first-generation faculty and staff in this celebration. First-generation faculty and staff can play a huge role in supporting and mentoring first-gen students.

If you are a faculty or staff member that identifies as first-generation and would like to participate in first-generation student programs and connect with these students, please email Marina Verlengia at marina.verlengia@drake.edu.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs