All posts by Marlene Heuertz and Maureen De Armond

HR presents a new benefits guide for plan year 2022

Human Resources is proud to present a new resource to prospective, new, and existing Drake employees—a beautiful and detailed digital benefits guide. The idea behind this guide dates back well over a year and it has been a work in progress since then. Updated with plan year 2022 information—including details about the new partnership with Broadlawns Medical Center—the guide is now ready for distribution. The guide will be attached to tomorrow’s HR Monthly email. You can also access it online.

This guide represents a considerable investment of time and effort, and it is unlike any benefits resource previously offered to Drake employees. Our hope is that this guide will be truly helpful to prospective and new employees who are digesting Drake’s wide range of benefits for the first time. Additionally, many existing employees—even those well-acquainted with our benefits—will likely learn a thing or two after reviewing the guide.

As you navigate the Annual Open Enrollment Period for plan year 2022, we encourage you to spend some time with this new resource. It will provide a wealth of information and answers, and better illustrate the generous benefits offered to Drake employees.

Navigation Tips: See “Features” and “What’s Inside” on page 2 for topics covered in the guide. However, you can always “Control F” to search for specific terms. Hover your mouse over text with a dotted red underline to access additional, pop-up information. Dark blue text represents terms embedded with hyperlinks that will take you to right to the page or resource being discussed.

As always, if you have questions about your benefits, do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at drakehr@drake.edu or Marlene directly at marlene.heuertz@drake.edu.

— Marlene Heuertz and Maureen De Armond, Human Resources

Deputy Provost 2:10: Celebrating our culture of research and creative activity

Every Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

In collaboration with Drake’s Office of Sponsored Projects and Research, the Deputy Provost’s office is hosting a conversation on Funding Your Research and Creative Activity Friday, Nov. 19, from 1–3 p.m. in Howard Hall, Room 210. Please register here. We will use our time together to discuss both intramural and extramural grantspersonship—specifically thinking through how to grow external grant capacity from internal awards, how to position your work as related to institutional and professional priorities, and how to collaborate across the University.

Professor Dian Nostakasari (ENSS) is a terrific example of a scholar doing excellent work at the intersections of several disciplinary areas.  She will be presenting in Howard Hall, Room 210, on her project, “Inhabiting Digital Spaces as a Right to the City” on Friday, Nov. 5, from 11:30–12:15. Registration has closed to facilitate ordering lunch for participants—but feel free to email renee.cramer@drake.edu if you plan to show up, but haven’t yet registered—we can add to our order and have food for all who attend.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

Deputy Provost 2:10: Pandemic pedagogy? What have we learned?

Every Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

There is no doubt that we have changed, as an institution and as a faculty, from our experiences in the past 18 months. While the pandemic is not over, and the “return to normal” is something I am suspicious of, it does seem a good time to begin to reflect on what we’ve learned. Who is “in” for this exploration? I’m seeking nominations for people to form a loose working group—meeting pretty regularly from December to May—to understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on the way we approach our students, our classrooms, our profession. Please email renee.cramer@drake.edu to volunteer yourself and nominate your colleagues. We’ll meet in ways that are generative, not onerous; and we’ll develop an institutionally-useful report on what we learn about how our approaches have grown and changed.

Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

Apply for a Summer 2022 travel seminar

Apply for a Summer 2022 travel seminar today. Priority deadline for applications is Dec. 15.

Summer 2022 travel seminars are:

Additionally, information sessions for each of the Summer 2022 travel seminars will be held in the coming weeks. For Germany & Poland, a virtual session will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. For Uganda, an in-person session is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m. in Meredith Hall, Room 102.  Session links and additional information on these events can be found on the University calendar.

To apply for a travel seminar, visit Terra Dotta, Drake’s online application portal. Use your Drake ID and password to login.

For questions about a specific travel seminar, contact the course instructor. For general study abroad questions or issues with Terra Dotta, contact studyabroad@drake.edu.

— Nathan Jacobson, Global Engagement

Drake Dining Thanksgiving hours of operation

Tuesday, Nov. 23
Hubbell Dining Hall: 7:00 AM—9:00 PM
Spike‘s C-Store: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Starbucks in Olmsted: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Cowles Café: CLOSED

Wednesday, Nov. 24
Hubbell Dining Hall: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Spike‘s C-Store: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Starbucks in Olmsted: CLOSED
Cowles Café: CLOSED

Thursday, Nov. 25
Hubbell Dining Hall: 11:30 AM—1:00 PM
Spike‘s C-Store: CLOSED
Starbucks in Olmsted: CLOSED
Cowles Café: CLOSED

Friday, Nov. 26,–Saturday, Nov. 27
Hubbell Dining Hall: 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Spike‘s C-Store: CLOSED
Starbucks in Olmsted: CLOSED
Cowles Café: CLOSED

Sunday, Nov. 28
Hubbell Dining Hall: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Spike‘s C-Store: 1:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Starbucks in Olmsted: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cowles Café: CLOSED

— Casey Morgan, Dining Services

Funding available for activities with global partners

Now accepting proposals for FY23 Global Partnership Grants
Drake University has established formal partnerships with multiple institutions abroad. Joint faculty and staff projects with our global partner institutions may be eligible for financial support through the Global Partnership Grants. Contact Hannah Sappenfield for more information or to get connected with a global partner institution.

Eligibility and criteria
Full-time faculty and staff are eligible to apply for Global Partnership Grants for activities taking place during FY23. Preference will be given to proposals that:

  • identify a specific set of activities with distinct outcomes with one (or more) of our partner institutions
  • demonstrate specific impact on Drake curriculum, students and current global partnerships
  • advance Drake’s global engagement with existing partners in new ways
  • support involvement by individuals who have not previously been globally engaged
  • are financially supported by the school, college, or department of the individual submitting the proposal
  • align with internationally or globally focused unit objectives and/or the University’s Continuous Improvement Plan

Application process

  1. Discuss the proposed activity with your unit director or dean prior to submission to help determine its strategic value and if it aligns with the unit’s global engagement priorities. The discussion will help determine the unit’s interest and ability to support the proposal with financial resources.
  2. Submit the online application via Qualtrix, which includes a description and budget (*see note) for the proposed activity. Deadline: Jan. 7, 2022
  3. Deans/directors will review all proposals for their unit with the Global Partnerships Coordinator and the Executive Director of Global Engagement for prioritization and to make collaborative funding decisions. Final award decisions are expected to be announced in February 2022.

*Note, Global Engagement grant funds are not typically awarded for stipends for Drake faculty and staff; however, stipend requests may be considered for funding by your unit’s Dean/Director on a case-by-case basis. The College of Arts & Sciences will not fund stipends.

Learn more about Drake’s global partner institutions and other opportunities for funding global projects at drake.edu/global.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement

Mark your calendar: International Education Week Nov. 15–19

Join us Nov. 15–19 to celebrate Drake’s global engagement and international programs during International Education Week!

Global and intercultural learning is a key objective of Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan, supporting our mission of responsible global citizenship. Join in to discover more about Drake as a global institution. There will be virtual and in-person events for students, faculty, and staff throughout the week—with representatives from our partner institutions joining from around the world.

How to Get Involved
Send in a photo for the #IEW2021 Photo Contest, now accepting submissions. Deadline is Friday, Nov. 5. Learn More

Mark your calendar now for these featured events:

  • Working Worldwide Information Session, Nov. 15 at 3:30 p.m.
  • DU Spain 2023 Information Session, Nov. 16 at 12:30 p.m.
  • Summer Study Abroad Information Session, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.
  • Global Career Talks, Nov. 18 at 4 p.m.
  • International Bazaar, Nov. 19 from 2:30–4:30 p.m.
  • Set Sail with ISA: International Night 2021, Saturday, Nov. 20, from 4:30–8 p.m.

A full list of #IEW2021 events is posted to the IE Week Calendar.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement

Find out your type 2 diabetes risk in this one-minute survey

November is American Diabetes Month. One in three American adults is prediabetic, which puts them at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Of those at risk, over 84% don’t know it. 

The only way to know for certain whether you are diabetic or pre-diabetic is through a blood test. But anyone can take this quick one minute survey from the American Diabetes Association to find out if you’re at risk. By understanding your risk, you can take the necessary steps to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.  

Check out the American Diabetes Association and CDC websites to learn more about this disease, how to prevent it and how to fight back to help transform your life.   

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Use Bulldog Bucks for GrubHub purchases

Starting Nov. 1, we’ve added a new partner to the off-campus Bulldog Bucks program.  You can now add your campus card as a payment method for GrubHub purchases. Complete a GrubHub purchase using your Bulldog Bucks before Nov. 21, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 GrubHub gift card.

Adding your Campus Card to the GrubHub platform will also give you free access to GrubHub+.  GrubHub+ gives you access to unlimited free deliveries and more exclusive perks for no additional monthly fee.  We hope that in addition to our established neighborhood Bulldog Bucks Merchants, you can also use this new partnership with GrubHub to expand your network of convenient dining options, both in Des Moines or as you travel.

Adding your campus card to your GrubHub account on a mobile device is easy:

  • Download the Grubhub app (create account or use your existing one)
  • Tap Account, select Campus Dining then Find Your Campus and choose Drake University
  • Click Add Affiliation and follow the prompts
  • Order from any Grubhub partner restaurant listed and get your food delivered anywhere!

As a reminder, Bulldog Bucks are funds on your Drake ID card that you (or a guest!) can load funds into at your convenience.  These funds carry forward from semester to semester as long as you are an active cardholder at Drake, and can be loaded in any amount, at any time.  Visit the website www.acceptinglocations.com/drake to see which neighborhood businesses, along with GrubHub restaurants, can accept your funds. Funds can also be added at that site or in the myDrake portal.

Please note that this program (and the Bulldog Bucks account in general) are available for both student and employee use.  Also, Bulldog Bucks are not your meal plan funds – meal plans can only be used on campus at Drake Dining locations.  Bulldog Bucks can be used for on and off campus food, Drake Bookstore purchases, and printing transactions.

We hope you’ll take advantage of ordering food both on and off campus with this new partnership.  Enjoy!

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center