All posts by katie wilz

For Faculty Archive

Fall textbook adoptions needed

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 end of June and students are less two months away from arriving on campus.

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

  1. Log into myDrake.
  2. Click on the Bb icon on the main ‘mydrake’ screen.
  3. Find the Tools channel, scroll down and click the Follett Discover link OR find the Follett Discover channel and click the Launch Discover link.

— Donna Hallstrom & Katie Wilz, University Bookstore

Campus Announcements Archive

University Bookstore order pick up and rental returns

Remember you can shop at the University Bookstore online, 24/7 at drake.bkstr.com. For added convenience, you can choose to have your online orders shipped directly to the Bookstore for easy pick up at the front door. If you choose this option, please park in the Olmsted lot and call 515–274–3401 to get instructions on how to pick up your order. 

Don’t forget Bulldog Bucks work for online shopping as well. You can shop for all your summer course materials as well as great Drake merchandise. 

As summer classes end, you can return your rental books to the Bookstore and follow the procedures for pick up. Rental books can also be mailed in.

Pick up and rental return hours are Monday–Friday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Bookstore is closed July 3.

— Katie Wilz, University Bookstore

Campus Announcements Archive

Multi-system planned outage beginning June 30 at 5 p.m.

Due to work required to wrap up the 2020 fiscal year, access to MyDrake, MyDUSIS, Banner, Touchnet, eTranscripts, and other Banner-connected systems will be unavailable from Tuesday, June 30, at 5 p.m. through Wednesday, July 1, at 12:01 a.m.

We appreciate your patience while this necessary work is performed. If you continue to have any issues accessing these systems after the planned maintenance window, please contact the support center at 515-271-3001 or visit service.drake.edu/its to report your issue.

— Carla Herling, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake’s Speaking Center

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

HR Information Archive

Wellness Premium Incentive: Physician exam requirement waived

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

HR Information Archive

Peerceive discontinued; ways to recognize colleagues

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

News & Achievements Archive

Kenne honored through Iowa Women’s Foundation

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

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

FAFSA requirement for tuition rebate

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

HR Information Archive

Microsoft Teams support groups and resources

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

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Fall adoptions needed

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

  1. Log into myDrake.
  2. Click on the Bb icon on the main ‘mydrake’ screen.
  3. Find the Tools channel, scroll down and click the Follett Discover link OR find the Follett Discover channel and click the Launch Discover link.

— Donna Hallstrom & Katie Wilz, University Bookstore