All posts by Linda Feiden

Faculty/Staff Wellness Interest Survey

At Drake, we recognize how important it is for our employees to stay healthy. We are also committed to creating an environment where faculty and staff feel engaged and supported.

Therefore, we are conducting a 2021 Faculty and Staff Wellness Interest Survey to determine your interest in participating in worksite wellness initiatives. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas on how to provide you with the programs, presentations, and activities designed to meet your needs.

Please help us by taking a few minutes to complete this brief survey.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Call for papers: Drake Undergraduate Social Science Journal Spring 2021 edition

The Drake Undergraduate Social Science Journal (DUSSJ) is now accepting submissions for its Spring 2021 edition.

Any current Drake undergraduate (or recent graduate) is eligible to submit a paper on a topic in the social sciences (political science, international relations, anthropology, sociology, economics, history, and social psychology). Submissions may be short analytic essays or longer research papers. Papers that feature thoughtful, original analysis, polished writing, and careful citation are especially welcome.

The deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 12, 2021.

No more than one submission per person will be considered. Submissions will be blind peer-reviewed by a student editorial board. When submitting a paper, please indicate if it is a research paper or short analytic essay. Also, please indicate the primary discipline and any secondary discipline(s).

See drake.edu/dussj for additional information. Questions and submissions should be sent to the DUSSJ faculty advisor, Professor Heath Henderson, at advisor.dussj@gmail.com.

— Heath Henderson, College of Business & Public Administration

Networking opportunity and Instagram contest

Connect with alumni over J-Term and beyond
In the spirit of fostering connections between alumni and current students, we are excited to introduce a new initiative in partnership with the Alumni Relations team: #NetworkwithDrake.

We have created an ever-growing directory of alumni on LinkedIn, using the hashtag #NetworkwithDrake. You can search the hashtag to identify and connect with willing alumni in your chosen fields, find jobs or internships, seek career advice, and make connections around the globe.

Take part in True Blue Bingo
The @drakecareer Instagram account is featuring a contest to help you gain the True Blue Skills employers and graduate schools desire and tips to stay healthy at the same time. Be entered to win prizes by posting how you are staying healthy and building your True Blue Skills. Prizes include griff socks, bulldog flag, $50 Amazon gift card, and more. See the bingo card and examples for more details.

— Chrystal Stanley, Professional & Career Development Services

Seeking participants for remote v. face-to-face study

You are invited to participate in a research study about remote versus face-to-face courses at Drake University. This study is being conducted by a team of Drake University faculty on behalf of the Center for Teaching Excellence. The purpose of this study is to explore student and faculty perceptions of and attitudes toward remote versus face-to-face learning environments.

We are seeking your participation in a virtual one-on-one interview, which should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Interviews will take place during January or February 2021. You are eligible to participate if you are 1) a faculty member or enrolled as a student at Drake University, 2) have instructed (faculty) or taken (student) face-to-face, in-person college courses, and 3) are 18 years of age or older. Participation in the study is completely voluntary. Participants who enroll in the study and complete the 30-minute interview will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact Eliza Dy-Boarman at eliza.dy@drake.edu.

— Eliza Dy-Boarman, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice

Cowles Library updates

The after-hours space at Cowles Library will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. The space accommodates 35 people and offers printer and computer services, as well as item pickup and self-checkout. Please use the south entrance of the library to access this space with your Drake ID. The main area of Cowles Library is closed.

Library items can be returned in the outdoor book drop near the library’s north entrance.

E-books, articles, and videos are available online, along with virtual chat and online consultation services. Please go to library.drake.edu for more information and to place library items on hold.

— Leslie Noble, Cowles Library

Bulldog applause goes to CBPA staff

The All Staff Council Recognition Committee recognized the College of Business and Public Administration staff this month with a Bulldog Applause. Read an interview below to learn more about this great team. A huge thank you to the CBPA staff for all your hard work and dedication to the University.

How many staff members are in the department?  There are 18 members of the CBPA family.

What is the primary function of the team? Our team is focused on ensuring that the College can deliver on its promise that our graduates will be equipped to innovate and lead in a globally complex, diverse, and dynamic world.

Do you have a mission/vision/motto? Our north star is the belief that a CBPA education is a force for good, contributing to the global economy and to society.

Who has been with the team the longest, and what is their job title and length of employment? Sheri Gavin, budget and office manager, started in June 2001.

Who is the newest team member, and what is their job title and month/year of start? Sophie Tibbals, success coach, undergraduate administration, started as a full time staff member in February 2020, but has worked as a student worker with the CBPA since 2017.

What campus buildings do your team members “live” in?  Aliber Hall—but extends beyond the walls with such caring, respect, and valued appreciation for each other.

What are some recent challenges and accomplishments of note that others in the University might not know about?  We welcomed Dean Alejandro Hernandez to our CBPA team in August.

This fall, students, faculty, and staff entered a world that was different than anything in recent decades. Our ability to listen and to respond creatively and with foresight has proven to be crucial.  2020–2021 is our self-study year for AACSB accreditation with a site visit planned for February 2022.  As we complete our strategic plan, evaluate programs and student outcomes, benchmark against peers, and compile evidence of societal impact we see our north star being put into practice.

Anything else noteworthy/interesting/special about your department that bears mentioning? The College is among the academic units at Drake with the greatest diversity of faculty, staff, and students.

2021 mileage reimbursement rate

Drake reimburses mileage for use of personal automobiles by employees for actual miles driven during business travel. The reimbursement rate is based on the current standard mileage rate issued by the Internal Revenue Service.

Effective Jan. 1, 2021, the standard mileage rate issued by the IRS for the use of a car will be 56 cents per business mile driven, down from 57.5 cents in 2020.

The standard mileage rate is evaluated annually by the IRS and is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile.

If you have any questions regarding the reimbursable mileage rate, please visit the IRS website or contact Accounting at accounting@drake.edu.

— Jennifer Baugher, Accounting

Drake Trivia event

Please join your friends and colleagues for Drake Trivia, hosted by All Staff Council and Drake Human Resources. The trivia event will take place Thursday, Jan. 21, from 3–4 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.

Teams of five will compete for prizes. Members of the top team will each receive $10 Bulldog Bucks.

If you want to create your own team, please designate a team leader and email ascspecialevents@drake.edu with your team. You do not need to join a team, however. Those without full teams will be randomly placed in a team of five, if possible.

Please see the event on the University Calendar for the link to the Teams Meeting.

— Tyler Spoon, on behalf of All Staff Council

Deadline extended: FY22 Global Partnership Grants

The deadline has been extended to Jan. 15 for Drake faculty and staff to submit a proposal for the FY22 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. Full details are available on our website.

Eligibility:
Full-time faculty and staff members are eligible to apply for activities taking place during FY22.

Application process:

  1. Discuss the proposed activity with your unit director or dean prior to submission.
  2. Submit the online application via Qualtrix, which includes a description and budget.
  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.

Contact Hannah Sappenfield, global partnerships coordinator, with any questions about the grant program or application process.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Partnerships Coordinator