All posts by Carla Herling

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Protecting electronic payments

Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the increase in electronic payments. According to the 2020 Cybersecurity Report from Check Point Research, mobile banking malware attacks increased 50 percent from 2018 to 2019.

Below are some tips to help you safely use electronic payment sites.

Verify websites before entering important information. Clicking on a link may not take you where you expect. When shopping, banking, or making online payments, manually type in the website name (e.g., chase.com) instead of clicking links in an email, social network post, or text message.

Ignore phone calls from unknown and unfamiliar numbers. If you receive a phone call from someone who is urgently asking for money, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. Most of these calls can be safely ignored, but you can always search for the organization’s website and find out for yourself. Don’t be rattled by threats over the phone.

Public computers aren’t for private information. The computers in a hotel lobby or a public library may contain malware that records your activity, including any passwords you enter. Shop and make electronic payments only on a device that you control.

Don’t use free Wi-Fi when making an electronic payment. The open nature of free Wi-Fi at cafes, airports, and other public venues makes it possible for others who are on the same Wi-Fi network to spy on your activities. If you cannot wait for another time to do your banking, use a VPN when using free Wi-Fi or use data on your mobile device.

Consider getting a credit card just for electronic payments. If you decide to get a credit card or online account just for electronic payments, make sure the credit limit or available balance is low. This will protect you from a large loss if you become a victim of online fraud.

Review your transactions regularly. Online banking allows you to check your account quickly and easily. Take time each day or each week to review your electronic payments. If you see charges you don’t recognize, notify your bank or payment application vendor (e.g., Venmo, PayPal, or Apple Pay) right away.

Check your credit reports to help spot fraud. Credit reporting services Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are required to provide you with a free credit report once per year, and there are other third-party options.

ITS will continue to simulate email-based attacks and will assign training to individuals who are routinely susceptible. If you’re concerned that you’ve been the target of phishing, see Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to) at https://drake.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/KB/ArticleDet?ID=27919.

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS

For Students Archive

The Harkin Institute is hiring

The Harkin Institute is hiring Drake students to join our research team for the fall semester. It’s a great way to gain professional experience without having to leave campus. Students from all majors or fields of study are welcome to apply.

Find the application on Handshake by searching for The Harkin Institute. The application is open until March 29.

About us:
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University is dedicated to the study of issues that define our public life and to engaging students and citizens in constructive dialogue regarding these issues. Founded on the premise that good public policy is best achieved when policymakers have access to high quality information, political processes are open and well-understood, and citizens are informed and active participants, the Harkin Institute seeks to create opportunities for thoughtful policy discourse in a nonpartisan environment.

— Kayla Garrigan, JO,AS

Campus Announcements Archive

MyDUSIS/MyDrake planned outage March 22

ITS is upgrading the Oracle Database environment on Sunday, March 22, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this time, Ethos Single Sign-On, myDrake, Banner 9 Admin Pages, MyDUSIS, eTranscripts, and many other Drake applications will be unavailable. The upgrade is necessary as the current version of our Oracle Database environment is nearing its end of life for support.

If you experience issues outside of this window, please call the Support Center at 515-271-3001 or visit https://service.drake.edu to report your issue. Thank you for your patience as we continue to strive to provide superior service.

— Carla Herling, IT Communications Manager

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Community Service Awards: Nominations due March 31

Don’t wait.  Nominations for the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence and Distinguished Community Service Awards are due to Human Resources by Tuesday, March 31. Late nominations will not be accepted. 

Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. Recipients are chosen on the following criteria:

  • A demonstrated personal commitment to volunteerism and community service.
  • An outstanding record of leadership or substantial involvement in community projects, services and activities contributing to the quality of life in our region, state and/or the nation.
  • Professional and personal values and behavior that typify the ideals of “giving back to others” and “making a difference in the lives of others.”
  • The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member with at least five years of service at Drake.

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. Criteria for the award include:

  • Exceptional performance as an employee of Drake University
  • Outstanding dedication to providing courteous, prompt and quality service.
  • Demonstrated commitment to University programs, initiatives and services.
  • Professional values and behavior that demonstrate exceptional service to others and a commitment to Drake University
  • The nominee must be a current staff member with at least one year of service at Drake.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to the Levitt Award Committee, care of (c/o) Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.  The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary.

The screening committee will review all nominations and make appropriate recommendations to the President’s Council.

The 2020 recipient of the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Award and Distinguished Community Service Award will be announced during the Sapphire Awards on May 7 at 1 p.m. in Levitt Hall or during the Faculty Honors Luncheon.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

J-Term travel seminar registration begins March 10

Apply for a J-term 2021 travel seminar starting March 10. Priority deadline is April 15.

What is a travel seminar?
A travel seminar is a short-term Drake faculty-led course that travels to either international or domestic locations. The courses are usually comprised of 10 to 20 Drake students and are between one and three weeks in length during the month of January. J-Term travel seminars are 3-credit courses, many of which include a Drake AOI designation.

How to Apply
Start your J-Term travel seminar application in Drake’s online portal called, “Terra Dotta” at: https://drake-sa.terradotta.com/. Use your Drake ID number and password to login and apply for a program.

  • April 15 is the priority deadline to apply for a Drake J-Term travel seminar.
  • Students can apply for up to two J-Term travel seminar programs, and will only be accepted to one.
  • Acceptance criteria for each course will be listed in Terra Dotta when applying. If criteria is not noted for the course you apply to, the default criteria is Student Classification (senior, junior, sophomore).
  • Students should rank their applications (if applying to more than one program), so Drake can see which program the student prefers. Drake will accept students to the first program of their choice, unless the program is full, then we will accept the student to their second choice. Acceptance is contingent on course availability.
  • Students who meet the priority deadline and apply by April 15, will be notified of their application(s) status (accepted, waitlisted, or denial) on May 1.
  • Students who commit to a program in Terra Dotta need to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit at that time
  • You will NOT apply or register through MyDusis. Once you are committed to a travel seminar, Drake will register you through MyDusis.
  • Apply for travel seminars here: https://drake-sa.terradotta.com/

Payment Schedule

  • Friday, May 15: $500 non-refundable deposit due
  • Tuesday, September 15: program cost due in full

Timeline

  • Students can begin applying for J-Term Travel Seminars after the fair on March 10 via our online portal: https://drake-sa.terradotta.com/
  • Students who apply by April 15 will be notified of acceptance status by May 1
  • Students who commit to a program in Terra Dotta need to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit at that time

 Questions?

— Maria Rohach, Drake International

For Faculty Archive

Applications due March 25 for DU Spain Faculty-in-Residence

Drake launched its first semester study abroad program, DU Spain, in Alicante, Spain, Spring 2020.  As a part of the Drake semester experience, a Drake faculty member will teach and serve in various other capacities to support the program abroad as Faculty-in-Residence.

The DU Spain Faculty-in-Residence application is live through Qualtrics for Spring 2021, Spring 2022, and Spring 2023. Apply and learn more about this opportunity, eligibility, compensation, and responsibilities.

Submissions are due Wednesday, March 25, 2020.  If you have questions, please reach out to Maria Rohach, assistant director of administered programs abroad, at maria.rohach@drake.edu.

— Maria Rohach, Drake International

For Students Archive

Apply to join the IMAC mentor program

Apply today to be part of the 2020–2021 IMAC Mentor Team. IMACs serve as mentors to incoming international students. The program, organized by Drake Mosaic and Drake International, is a great way to gain international experience in the states and make lasting friendships with people from all over the world. Each mentor is matched with 1–3 incoming Bulldogs. Applications are due by March 14.

— Elizabeth Adams, ED’21

Strategic Updates Archive

All In, Drake’s 24-hour giving challenge April 2–3

Since 1881, Drake University has been All In — and we’re not stopping now. Join with Bulldogs everywhere on April 2–3 for the All In 2020 Giving Challenge.

Our goal is to reach 1,881+ donors during the 24-hour challenge. If we reach this goal, the University will receive an additional $81,000 in matching gifts from alumni Doug Zinser, AS’96, Peggy Fisher, FA’70, and Larry Stelter, and Cynthia Lesher, LA’70.

Gifts made during All In support the University across schools and academic units, athletics, and student affairs, and help fund scholarships and immediate needs.

Follow Drake University Alumni on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for information about events and what’s happening during All In.

We’re also looking for ambassadors to help promote All In. Sign up on the All In website and reach out to Kara Vaughn in University Advancement if you have questions (kara.vaughn@drake.edu).

— Alicia Chilton, University Communications & Marketing

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Recognize colleagues for Commitment to Mission at March social

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value of Commitment to Mission will be recognized at the next Provost’s Drake Social on Tuesday, March 10, at Cowles Library Reading Room. The March Drake Social will be preceded by a Town Hall at 3:30 p.m. hosted by President Martin.

To nominate a colleague for their Commitment to Mission, please use this Qualtrics form. You can nominate up to five colleagues on each form. Feel free to fill out multiple forms. All those nominated will be recognized on a rolling display.

How do we define Commitment to Mission? We look for colleagues who are united in service to our students and communities, and who are optimistic about our future, acting with integrity and purpose as they deliver on our mission.

From among those nominated, several will be chosen at random for prizes. You must be present to win.

Refreshments will include wine, beer, soft drinks, and light snacks. This is a family friendly event.

Also in March, All Staff Council will host a Trivia Night\ beginning at 4:45 p.m. Enjoy the Social and then join a team for some fun competition or just stay to watch.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost