Faculty: Please answer the Cowles Library survey and tell us what impact last summer’s cancellation of databases and journals has had on you. It’s a short survey, and we want to hear from everyone. Take the survey.
— Jill Gremmels, Cowles Library
All posts by Jill Gremmels
Faculty regalia fittings in March
The University Bookstore is hosting a Graduate Fair March 3–4 and will include custom fitting for faculty regalia. For details contact Kyle McVay at kyle.mcvay@drake.edu.
— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost
Nominations open for the Adams Leadership Awards
The Adams Leadership Convocation is an annual, campus-wide event that celebrates the achievements of student leaders and organizations at Drake University. Each spring we honor students and organizations who have made valuable contributions to the campus community through their outstanding commitment to leadership.
This year’s Adams Leadership Awards nomination form has opened early in an effort to nominate students and student organizations throughout the spring semester.
Please see this full list of award categories and criteria and consider nominating Drake students and student organizations who’ve exhibited strong leadership and excellence throughout the 2020–2021 academic year using the link below. Nominations can be submitted by any Drake student, faculty, and/or staff any time between now and Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Adams Leadership Convocation Nomination Form
In addition to submitting your nominations, please save the date for this year’s Adams Leadership Convocation on Friday, April 30th (format to be determined by COVID-19).
Questions? Contact Kristin Economos (Director of Student Leadership Programs) at kristin.economos@drake.edu.
— Kristin Economos, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership
Sign up for Dance Marathon’s big event
Dance Marathon is March 6 from 2 p.m.–7 p.m. The committee has been working overtime to make this a safe, social distanced, and FUN event. We will be virtual for the first hour then come together for an in-person, four-hour celebration. Sign up soon to ensure you can get a T-shirt at the event. When you register, you want to sign up as a “Participant” and join a “Morale Team.” We cannot wait to see your dance moves!
— Jenna TeKolste, BN’21
Face coverings policy revision: Gaiters and bandannas
Drake’s face coverings policy and return-to-work policy previously defined face coverings to include cloth or disposable surgical masks that cover an individual’s nose and mouth. Recent reports indicate that gaiter- and bandanna-style masks are much less effective at preventing transmission of the new strains of the coronavirus impacting many areas of the country. In response to this new information, Drake has revised its face covering policy and return to work policy such that gaiters and bandannas will no longer meet the face covering requirements for our campus. Questions, comments or concerns about this policy change should be directed to dupolicies@drake.edu.
— Jessica Morgan-Tate, Finance & Administration
What is your unique value proposition?
Join the Drake Student HR Association to learn how to discover your unique value proposition and leverage it when networking and in your job search. This event is scheduled for Feb. 23, 7–8 p.m. For Zoom information, contact Millie Bretl (millie.bretl@drake.edu).
— Robert Olinger, Management and Communications (CBPA)
Dogtown Dash
To kick off our newly adopted Drake Neighborhood Bulldog Bucks program and to encourage student interaction in the Drake community, we have organized a spring semester promotion to encourage visits to the local businesses near campus. The objective will be to visit either eight off campus Bulldog Bucks merchants, or a total of eight Drake neighborhood businesses (tracking businesses not on the Bulldog Bucks program by using a hashtag with a posted photo – #dogtowndash) during the spring semester. We’ll run this program from Feb. 1–May 2, and the first 100 students to complete this challenge will earn a T-shirt!
Feel free to contact studentservices@drake.edu if you have questions about this promotion. You will be contacted by this email address with challenge updates and a pre/post-program survey. Participants will also be alerted when they have completed the challenge.
**Troubleshooting tips:
- If your card did not work at a participating business, please make sure that you have BULLDOG BUCKS loaded to your card, not Flex Dollars. Only the Bulldog Bucks account can be used off campus, Flex Dollars are for on campus purchases only.
- If your card did not work at a participating business, please make sure that you have enough in your account to cover the full purchase – the system functions like a debit card, and will not let you overdraft. If there are not sufficient funds, it will deny the transaction, even if you have a small balance in your account.
- If you would like to use Bulldog Bucks on a partial purchase, you can ask the merchant to type in your balance into their card reader, and then pay the remaining balance due with another payment method. Please note that the merchant does not have the ability to check your balance, so you will be responsible for letting them know what amount to type in.
Thanks for your participation, and support of our amazing neighborhood businesses!
— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center
Apply for Working Worldwide
If you’re interested in working and living abroad after graduation, Working Worldwide might be the perfect program for you. Working Worldwide is an opportunity for recent graduates to live and work in China or Kosovo for a year.
Applications for 2021–2022 are live! You can apply through Terra Dotta, our online application system. Applications are due by March 1.
If you’re looking to expand your horizons, develop skills to be a competitive professional, and do something different after graduation, look no further than Working Worldwide!
Want to learn more? Attend an information session. Details found here.
If you have questions about Working Worldwide, please contact nathan.jacobson@drake.edu.
— Nathan Jacobson, Center for International Programs and Services
Spring programming to support faculty and staff
In response to what we heard from employees who participated in the September 2020 survey, our Spring 2021 faculty/staff wellbeing programs will focus on five key areas: social connection, mental health resources, recognition, financial resources, and self-care.
Social Connection. The All Staff Council in partnership with Human Resources offered two virtual “watercooler” events in January as a way for faculty and staff to informally connect with colleagues across campus. Look for more in the coming months. Another great way to connect is using group chats through Microsoft Teams. Here are three groups you should consider joining:
- Remote Work Support Group – email ascspecialinterest@drake.edu to join
- Parents Group – email jones@drake.edu to join
- Wellness Group – email feiden@drake.edu to join
Mental Health Resources. The 2021 Spring Term BUILD Schedule includes a variety of virtual classes addressing mental health. Make it Ok in the Workplace on Feb. 9 from 2-3 p.m., discusses how to reduce stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness. On Feb. 26, the Occupational Therapy students will share a presentation on Emotional & Mental Health Wellbeing, and on March 25, Employee & Family Resources will moderate a discussion titled Behavioral Health in the Workplace. Details on all classes can be found on myDrake.
Recognition. Recognizing employee contributions, and creating meaningful recognition and awards programs, is an important part of the Drake culture. In March we will focus on ways we can recognize our colleagues. March 5 is National Employee Appreciation Day, but the goal is to share gratitude and appreciation every day.
Financial Resources. Uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and its economic impact on the University and our personal lives, has created a surge in financial stress and anxiety. In April we will focus on available resources and tools to assist you in making the best decisions for you and your family. We will roll out a financial wellness program, share TIAA resources you may have overlooked, and offer a presentation on financial planning.
Self-Care. In May we will focus on self-care. This includes being active, eating right, and getting enough sleep. It also includes addressing stress and knowing the resources and tools to assist you when needed.
One important, but often overlooked resource is Employee & Family Resources (EFR). They offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all full-time Drake employees and their family members. You can reach EAP by phone (800-327-4692) or visit their website at https://www.efr.org/login/. All EAP benefits are confidential and available 24/7/365.
In addition, EFR offers webinars, podcasts and COVID-19 resources to help us navigate these stressful times.
For more information on current and upcoming wellbeing programs, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Lunch and Learn: ‘Let’s Rethink How We DU Service’
Join Jazlin Coley, service coordinator for Equity and Inclusion, for a four-part lunch ‘n learn series titled Let’s Re-Think How We DU Service. All sessions will be from 12-1 p.m. Click the links to register. Reach out to jazlin.coley@drake.edu for more information.
Diversity in Service – Feb. 18. Learn more about diversity and how it applies to your student organization. Definitions, types, and issues relevant to diversity will be explored in this intro session.
Addressing the Barriers to Service – Feb. 26. This session will provide you with an opportunity to reflect and discuss the barriers faced by students that prevent them from participating in your service experiences. We will explore the dynamics of language, privilege, and oppression and their impact on students and our communities to leave you with concrete tools on how to break down those barriers of service.
Organizing To Support An Inclusive Environment – March 10. This session will provide an overview of effective practices in developing and implementing strategies within service experiences that will assist you in aligning all of your efforts under a diversity commitment.
Cultivating Diverse Experiences – March 18. Need guidance on strategically planning and supporting service experiences that are accessible, safe, and engaging for all? This session will provide you best practices on co-creating experiences that will guide you through rethinking traditional service experiences so that you can offer a variety of volunteer opportunities.
— Jazlin Coley, College of Arts & Sciences