All posts by Maureen De Armond

For Staff Archive

Update: Limited staff compensation review

As many of you know, the Board of Trustees allocated limited funding for a review of staff compensation during the current fiscal year. Human Resources has developed methodology designed to use the designated amount. Human Resources has now met with members of the President’s Council to discuss how the limited staff compensation review impacts their respective areas.

Last week, we shared a general communication with managers about the methodology being deployed. The next step will be to contact those managers who have one or more staff members reporting to them who are being recommended for salary adjustments.

Methodology
Each staff position is assigned to a salary grade based on market data and internal equity considerations (see Staff Salary Grade Structure). Individuals are generally hired at rates within the first quadrant of the applicable grade. Over the course of a career at Drake, an individual employee progresses through the applicable grade and remains within the range of competitiveness through annual merit increases and occasional market adjustments.

The specific market indicators under the Drake staff compensation model strive to place staff at the 25th percentile by year 4 in their position and at the 50th percentile (or midpoint) by year 7 in their position.

After reviewing staff salaries and the respective 4 or 7- year benchmarks, we are recommending modest salary adjustments to the staff falling behind those benchmarks. In some cases, even with this year’s limited adjustments, employees will not reach their target market indicator. It is important to note, this is simply a first step in a multi-year process for achieving our stated benchmarks.

Timeline
Human Resources will contact managers with affected staff as quickly as we can.  Our aim is to complete the manager conversations ahead of the Thanksgiving break and have the salary adjustments be effective December 1. Those staff who will receive a salary adjustment will be notified of the adjustment on or around December 1.

How can I verify my current pay grade?
This information in shared in your Employee Dashboard and can be accessed at any time.

  1. Log into myDrake
  2. On the left side under Human Resources select Employee Dashboard
  3. Once in the Employee Dashboard, select Job Summary
  4. Select Current and Past Jobs
  5. Click the down arrow on the right side to expand the information under Current and Past Jobs
  6. See your Grade between Salary Table and Step listed under your Current Job

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Annual open enrollment for benefits in full swing

By now, we hope that everyone is aware that November is open enrollment for benefit selections that take effect January 1, 2022. We are so pleased that, for the second year in a row, there will be no increases in health and dental premiums. We are also very happy to share the new benefits guide, which is a great resource for new and existing employees. If you haven’t spent some time with it yet, please check it out.

On Nov. 4, we held the annual benefits fair. As you may recall, we were unable to host the fair last year due to COVID-19. It did feel like a small victory to hold the event again this year. We had benefits and wellness partners available—including a representative from Broadlawns Medical Center. Nearly 60 faculty and staff stopped by to talk to our guests, ask questions, and collect a few freebies and snacks. We would like to expand the fair next year to truly be a benefits and wellness event employees look forward to attending.

Please share your ideas with linda.feiden@drake.edu. Please note that we had tried to schedule the event on a Friday but were unable to get vendors and available space to line up. We’ll start planning earlier for next year with a Friday event in mind. If you have any other ideas or suggestions that would help us grow the event along these lines, we would love to hear them.

Yesterday, Marlene and Maureen facilitated a virtual benefits overview to talk about changes taking effect January 1. If you missed that presentation but would like to watch the recording, just email us at drakehr@drake.edu and request the link to the benefits overview. By the time you’re reading this article, we’ll have the link handy.

Enrollment Reminders: Enroll by accessing the Benefits Portal in mydrake. During the open enrollment period, you may make changes to your current health, dental, and voluntary life insurance. In addition, if you wish to participate in the health or dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) plans during 2022, you must enroll—or re-enroll if you are currently participating in Drake’s FSA plans. Remember that open enrollment ends on November 30, 2021 at 11:59 PM sharp.

If you have not enrolled in benefits for 2022 yet, please don’t wait until the last minute. If you have any questions or problems navigating the benefits portal, just reach out to us at drakehr@drake.edu or contact Marlene directly at marlene.heuertz@drake.edu.

— Marlene Heuertz and Maureen De Armond, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Register for an English class though Drake’s Intensive English Program

As you are finalizing your course schedule for the Spring 2022 semester, consider taking an English class though Drake’s Intensive English Program (IEP).

The IEP provides free learning opportunities for all full-time Drake students to improve their English skills. We offer intermediate and advanced level classes with an academic focus. If you feel that you may need additional help in a certain English skill area, whether writing, grammar, or speaking, or if you simply would like to improve your pronunciation, you may want to consider taking one of our classes.

We also offer an American Culture class, where we take a deep dive into U.S. culture, both historical and current. This course includes field trips throughout the semester.

Classes begin Monday, January 24, and end Friday, May 6. The last day to register for classes is Friday, January 28. Exceptions may be made to this deadline at the course instructor’s discretion. Please note that these classes are not credit-bearing.

If you are interested in joining a class, wish to see the schedule, or have questions about the program, contact Kendra Hossain-Morehead at kendra.hossain-morehead@drake.edu.

— Kendra Hossain-Morehead, Global Engagement

For Students Archive

Apply to be a RA for the 2022–2023 school year

The Office of Residence Life is now accepting Resident Assistant Applications for the 2022–2023 school year. RA’s must be leaders, role models, and resources for their residents; however, just as important, they must be team players that work with and support other staff in their own hall as well as other halls on campus.

The application deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. (during the J-Term period).

Consider attending one of the following RA informational sessions:

For questions, contact your RA hall coordinator or Randy E. McMullin at randy.mcmullin@drake.edu.

— Randy E. McMullin, Office of Residence Life

Strategic Updates Archive

University Advancement invites you to learn more about The Ones

Faculty and staff are invited to join with members of the University Advancement team to learn more and celebrate the recently launched The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave & Bold. Feel free to stop by either day to ask questions or share feedback, pick up some campaign materials, and enjoy coffee, lemonade, and snacks.

  • November 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Levitt Hall in Old Main
  • November 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Levitt Hall in Old Main

If you haven’t already, watch the campaign launch video at drake.edu/nextgreatera. Visit the website theones.drake.edu to read more about the campaign’s seven priorities, including significant progress already achieved to date.

We hope to see you there!

— Becca Widmer, Drake Fund

Campus Announcements Archive

More updates coming to Self Service (MyDUSIS) in January

Last spring, Drake began a major project to update the MyDUSIS system to Banner Self Service. Modernized screens and functionality were already released for personal and employee information, and the next round of updates will be coming in the second week of January.

  • Improved navigation to access Self Service functions.
  • Replacing MyDUSIS with Self Service in the Commonly Used Apps section of myDrake.
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be required for students, faculty, and staff to access most Self Service functions.
  • A new method for students to allow parent/guardian access to their financial and academic information
  • New student profile page
  • New screens for faculty members to view class and advisee lists

Additional information will be provided as these changes approach. Watch OnCampus and our other communication channels between now and January. We will also be launching updated screens and functions for finance users later in the spring, and eventual updates to registration.

— Kris Brewster, ITS

For Students Archive

Phonathon is hiring: New increased pay rate

With starting pay at $12/hr, Drake Phonathon is hiring Remote Student Ambassadors for the fall semester. Looking for on-campus employment that will develop the communication and interpersonal skills employers are looking for? Phonathon offers flexible scheduling and a great work environment. The position is currently fully remote and allows students to work from home. We are looking for dedicated students who want to have an impact on our Bulldog community. To apply, please contact Liz.Seffrin@drake.edu.

— Becca Widmer, Drake Fund

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

HR Information Archive

Physician exam completion forms due Dec. 2

This is a reminder that employees on Drake’s health plan need to complete a physical with their designated Primary Care Provider (PCP) between Dec. 1, 2020, and Nov. 30, 2021, and submit a Physician Exam Completion Form  to Human Resources by Dec. 2, 2021, to continue receiving the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2022.

If this form is not submitted by Dec. 2, you will not be eligible to receive the discount in 2022 and will pay the regular health care premium rates for the 2022 benefit year (starting Jan. 1, 2022). Should you have questions, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Des Moines posters to benefit Des Moines Refugee Support

Drake senior Hannah Cohen has created a beautiful 16- by 20-inch Des Moines poster featuring her original artwork. Hannah is donating all proceeds (minus printing costs) to Des Moines Refugee Support, a local non-profit organization that strives to meet the needs of refugee children and families right here in our community. Each poster costs $35 and comes packaged in a cardboard tube perfect for wrapping as a gift. Your support will go a long way in helping DMRS! Order by completing this form.

— Erin Bell, University Communications and Marketing