Drake’s Speaking Center, which was on hiatus in the 2020–2021 academic year, will be reopening in Fall 2020. More details will be forthcoming as the semester approaches, but if you have used the Speaking Center in your classes in the past, you can include it in your planning for the fall.
— Arthur Sanders, Associate Provost
Last year, Drake University took a closer look at the faculty and staff wellness program, including biometric screenings, to determine best practices as it relates to the well-being of our employees. In January of this year, a decision was made to offer a physician only option in 2020. Employees on Drake’s health plan who wished to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount during the 2021 calendar year would need to complete a physical with a primary care physician (PCP) between December 1, 2019, and November 30, 2020.
At that time, no one could have imagined that we would be facing a global pandemic. COVID-19 has made it difficult for employees to make appointments to receive their annual physicals, and has created a sense of anxiety for some about going to their doctor’s office for a well check.
Due to these extraordinary conditions, Drake University has made the decision to waive the physician exam requirement to qualify for the wellness premium discount in 2021. All participants enrolled in Drake’s medical plan will receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2021.
We will return to the physician only option in 2021 to receive the health insurance premium discount in 2022. Employees on Drake’s health plan will need to complete a physical with a PCP between December 1, 2020 ,and November 30, 2021, and submit a Physician Exam Completion Form to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2022.
Until then, we encourage all employees to participate in the wellness programs offered at Drake University and to utilize the resources available to enhance your health and wellbeing.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
The Peerceive Employee Recognition Portal has been in place since April 2017. Over that time, many of you have taken time to recognize colleagues with a kudos or ecard.
Unfortunately, budgetary adjustments related to COVID-19 have made it necessary to discontinue Peerceive for FY21.
Although faculty and staff will not have access to the portal, there are other ways to recognize employees. It could be as simple as sending an email, or better yet, a handwritten note. Give a “shout out” during a virtual staff meeting or Teams chat. For a more formal recognition, nominate a staff member for a Called to be True Blue Award or faculty and staff for one of the Madelyn M. Levitt awards.
Find a creative way to stay connected and recognize others this academic year.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Danette Kenne, assistant dean for graduate and professional programs within the College of Business & Public Administration, was honored through the Iowa Women’s Foundation annual publication Ovation: A Tribute to Iowa Women and Girls.
A leader in higher education for over twenty years, Danette Kenne brings a vast amount of knowledge and wisdom to her role at Drake University. Having completed the Drake Executive Leadership Program this spring, Danette advocates for continuous personal and professional development for her staff and peers. She is a wonderful mentor and role model to all women.
In addition to her role at Drake, Danette has served as a board member for the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and the Iowa Women’s Foundation.
— Madeline Mongar-Brodie, CBPA
The University will now require all students pursuing an undergraduate degree from Drake University to complete the FAFSA prior to July 1 (preceding the academic year enrolled) as part of the Tuition Rebate Application process.
This requirement ensures that eligible students are considered for the Iowa Tuition Grant (which partially funds tuition and reduces the cost of offering this benefit). In addition, students will be considered for the Federal Pell Grant, which would be available to cover the costs of other educational expenses like room, board, or books.
This new requirement became effective April 1, 2019. This requirement may be waived students who can demonstrate that they would not qualify for the Iowa Tuition Grant (see the Tuition Rebate Policy for details).
— Brandy Eganhouse, Student Financial Planning
A great way to stay connected while telecommuting is through chat groups. The All Staff Council created three TEAMS chat groups this spring for staff employees.
Staff—Remote Work Support Group. This group shares remote work best practices, obtains crowd-sourced responses to remote work inquiries, and connects staff from across campus. If you are a staff employee and interested in joining, please send an email to ascspecialinterest@drake.edu.
Parents Group. One of the biggest challenges for parents is juggling work and parenting while telecommuting. This TEAMS chat group shares resources and ideas to help support each other at home. To join this group, please send an email to jenny.jones@drake.edu.
Wellness Group. Taking care of yourself can often be a challenge. Throw in a pandemic and social distancing and your well-being can take a hit. Fortunately, there are resources to help, including a Wellness Group TEAMS chat. To join this group, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. In addition to the chat group, Drake’s Recreational Services department also offers Group X virtual workouts.
Other resources. Check out the Drake Coronavirus Website and the Drake Health & Wellness Guide for additional resources to assist you as you continue to work from home.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
As your bookstore, we understand a lot more is going into your decision-making process for fall adoptions in this COVID-19 world. We know you are facing new challenges as more courses adjust to online formats. We have reached the middle of June and students are two months away from arriving on campus. We are at 50% of the titles we would expect so the importance of preparing for Fall is upon us all.
As always, we ask for your adoptions as early as possible so we can better source used materials that may be available. In addition, timely textbook adoptions keep campus in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). To this end, we want to work with you to assist in any way that will allow you to make your textbook adoption decisions and allow us to get the postings completed. While we recognize that some of you may still be trying to make decisions, this is only a friendly reminder that Fall textbook adoptions were due on April 15.
Reach out if you need any assistance maneuvering Follett Discover or feel free to email or call with your adoptions or concerns. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you again soon!
Three easy steps to access Follett Discover through Blackboard
— Donna Hallstrom & Katie Wilz, University Bookstore
Fall parking permit sales will open online for students, faculty, and staff through the Parking Registration link in myDrake on Monday, Aug. 3.
Permit pricing will not change for the 2020–2021 school year, and permits are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Blue lots (resident passes) — $375
Yellow, Red, and Green lots (commuter passes) — $250
Orange and Purple lots (commuter passes) — $125
Evening/weekend passes (any commuter lot after 4:30 p.m. and on weekends) — $100
If you are unsure of which permit you need to buy, please review the parking lot colors on the campus map. If the pass type you prefer is sold out, please purchase your second choice and email studentservices@drake.edu to be put onto a wait list for your first choice.
Permits will be distributed in a variety of methods to assist with social distancing. Your confirmation email will give you further instruction on how your permit should be acquired.
— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center
With the University’s fiscal year-end (June 30, 2020) approaching, below are recommended guidelines for efficient and effective year-end processing of purchases.
In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, Drake is required to report transactions in the proper fiscal period. For that reason, expenses are recorded in the period when goods are received and/or services are rendered. In short, items expensed to a FY20 budget will need to be received before June 30, 2020. Factors such as budget allocation, invoice receipt, or payment issuance would not have an impact on the application of expenses within a fiscal period.
Exceptions to this general rule apply when a benefit of service or receipt of item extends into multiple fiscal years. In such cases, the following guidelines will be applied.
The University’s guidelines for year-end purchases are subject to external audit. As you make purchases during this period leading up to and overlapping our fiscal year end, it is important to note when the goods or services were received so they are expensed according to reporting requirements. If the timing of receipt is not clearly noted on the invoice, it would be beneficial to help call the receipt date to accounting’s attention by clearly marking the appropriate fiscal year for the expense, based on the above guidelines, on the pay request.
Please contact Jeni Baugher at x4509 or Jenifer.Baugher@drake.edu with any questions you might have.
— Heather Travis, Finance and Administration
Drake University’s All In 24-Hour Giving Challenge has been rescheduled for June 23–24, from noon to noon, and we are looking forward to coming together as a community to build a better tomorrow.
We recognize that at this time there may be other priorities for your support, however to honor the donors who have pledged more than $160,000 in matching donations to Drake University, we are offering our Drake community the opportunity to celebrate All In as well.
Whatever comes next, Drake is committed to educating and graduating the next generation of thoughtful, compassionate leaders. At Drake, we are transforming lives and strengthening communities.
Join us in celebrating the accomplishments, commitment, and tenacity of our Bulldog community on June 23–24. Follow Drake alumni on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, plus visit the All In website for highlights.
