Don’t forget to visit drake.merchorders.com to purchase unique Drake branded items and receive a 20% employee discount. Also, take advantage of special offers. Currently, all Drake Drinkware is 15% off.
— Katie Wilz, University Bookstore
All posts by Katie Wilz
Spring break fire panel inspection
Protex Central, a fire protection service provider, will be on campus Monday, March 16, through Wednesday, March 18, to complete an annual inspection of fire panels on campus. During this process, the horns and strobes will be activated for a very brief moment.
For questions, contact Mitch Wieczorek at mitchell.wieczorek@drake.edu.
— Mitch Wieczorek, Facilities Planning and Management
All Staff Council nominations open
All Staff Council (ASC) nominations are now open! Do you know a staff member who would like to make an impact to strengthen the staff experience on campus? Submit a nomination. Nominations are due by Thursday, March 12, by 5 p.m.Learn more about ASC
— Michelle Huggins, on behalf of All Staff Council
Wellness premium incentive program guidelines for 2020
This is a reminder that those employees wishing to participate in the wellness program and receive the reduced premium for the 2021 plan year will need to complete an annual physical with a primary care doctor between Dec. 1, 2019, and Nov. 30, 2020, and submit a Physician Exam Completion Form by Dec. 2, 2020. We extended our timeline for receiving a physical back to Dec. 1, 2019, to include those employees with December physicals. Any employee who completed their physical last December should have their physician fill out a Physician Exam Completion Form and return it to the Drake Human Resources Office, attention Linda Feiden.
The on-campus UnityPoint screening and Hy-Vee screening options will no longer be available. Also, we will continue to offer voluntary on-campus screenings with the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, but they will not take the place of the annual physical with a primary care provider.
Should you have questions, please contact Linda Feiden in Human Resources at linda.feiden@drake.edu.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Free smoking cessation program
If you are ready to quit smoking but need a little help, the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking program may be the answer. This free at work program features a step-by-step plan for quitting smoking. Participants will meet once a week for eight weeks. Each 60- to 90-minute class is designed to help smokers gain control over their behavior. Four to 10 participants are needed to hold this series.
Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu to register.
—Linda Feiden, Human Resources
February’s featured digital faculty member: Heath Henderson
Each month, a faculty member, nominated by their dean, is recognized for their efforts to integrate innovative technology into their classroom. February’s digital faculty member of the month is Heath Henderson, assistant professor of economics, College of Business and Public Administration. Read an interview with Heath below:
What course do you use this technology in? Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 002) and Developing Economies (ECON 135)
What type of technology (hardware/software) do you use? PollEverywhere, an online service for classroom polling
In what context do you use this technology? I use PollEverywhere as part of a semester-long extra-credit competition where I ask student questions related to each week’s lecture. It allows me to gauge student understanding in an immediate and engaging way.
How does this type of technology align with your teaching pedagogy? I try to use a mix of teacher- and student-led instruction, and this technology allows students to actively participate in class. Their responses also help determine how we allocate in-class time.
Where did you get the inspiration to make a change? My inspiration follows from being unsatisfied with student participation, which prompted me to think about creative ways to get students engaged. I’m an economist so naturally I was looking for a way to incorporate incentives!
How long did it take for you to implement this technology? The implementation was easy and immediate, though it took me a couple semesters to figure out the best way to score the competition to maximize participation.
Did Drake ITS assist you in implementing this technology? ITS has not been involved with my implementation of PollEverywhere.
Are you interested in trying out new technology in your classroom? Want help from ITS? Schedule a technology adoption consultation.
Interested in learning more about PollEverywhere? See PollEverywhere Audience Response System (Clickers) for Instructors (FAQ).
—Jon Hurdelbrink, CPHS, and Carla Herling, ITS
Three houses to be relocated to Sherman Hill today
There has been a lot of construction activity along University Avenue. This activity includes plans to relocate three houses in the 2900 block of University Avenue, between 29th Street and Walgreens, to the Sherman Hill neighborhood. The houses are scheduled to move starting around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 (weather dependent). The houses will travel east on University Avenue, then south on 26th Street, and finally east on Cottage Grove toward the Sherman Hill neighborhood. Drake has worked closely with Habitat for Humanity to facilitate the reclamation of items from within these homes. Steps have also been taken to abate any environmental conditions in the homes.
Additional work is underway on plans for this area going forward. We look forward to sharing more on plans for the future in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kelly Foster at Kelly.foster@drake.edu.
—Kelly Foster, Business and Insurance Manager
Retirement plan changes: Upcoming informaiton sessions
Upcoming retirement changes to Drake’s Retirement Plans include refinements to the investment lineups, implementation of an equalized fee structure, and revisions to the Voluntary Retirement Plan loan program.
Learn how these changes may impact you by attending a TIAA presentation Feb. 28. Two presentations will be provided at the following times: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310–311. Reservations are not required.
To schedule a one-on-one consultation with a TIAA field consultant, please call Human Resources at 271–1901.
—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources
Golf: For Business and Life registration open
Golf: For Business and Life is a non-credit course that provides you with group golf lessons. The lessons are taught at Glen Oaks Country Club by a professional. The program teaches you how to perform basic golf skills and terminology. The class is designed for all skill levels and beginners are encouraged to participate. The deadline to register is March 11. Lessons will begin March 23 and the cost for the program is $80. Apply today.
If you have any questions or need more information, please reach out to Lisa Murphy at lisa.murphy@drake.edu.
— Lisa Murphy, Director, Recreational Services
Be mindful of religious observances
Next Wednesday, Feb. 26, is Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lent season for Christians. Some of your fellow classmates and colleagues may be wearing a cross sign on their forehead in celebration and may be off campus observing the holiday. Additionally throughout the 40-day period of lent, please be mindful that some of your classmates and colleagues may be fasting. Find more information on various holidays happening throughout the year.
— Erin Lain, Associate Provost, Campus Equity & Inclusion