All posts by Carla Herling

Announcing eduroam, a new campus wireless network

ITS is excited to announce eduroam (education roaming), a new wireless network at Drake. Faculty, staff, and students at any eduroam-participating institution can access the eduroam wireless network at all other participating institutions worldwide. This means that by logging into eduroam on campus using your Drake email address and password, you will then be able to connect to eduroam networks wherever you travel, across the state (at Iowa State, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa), or across the globe. Currently eduroam is available in over 1000 locations in 100 countries.

The eduroam network is replacing both DUStudent and DUFacStaff. DUFacStaff will be phased out on December 31, but we encourage you to switch to eduroam today.

You must log into eduroam using your Drake email address, rather than your Drake ID number. This ensures that your credentials are passed securely anywhere you connect to the eduroam network.

Learn more at our FAQ page and in the ITS knowledge base.

This is how we DU it Welcome Weekend program

Please join us for the third year of our Welcome Weekend opening program, This is how we DU it, that is open to the entire University community. This is how we DU it will be held Thursday, Aug. 22 from 10–11 a.m. in the Knapp Center. The event will feature student speakers Ian Klien and Genesis Buckhalton, who will share their Drake stories, and it will showcase the talents of Fermata the Blue, the Brocal Chords, and D+ Comedy Improv. Please join in welcoming the 2019–2020 student body by attending this special event.

–Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

Wall Street Journal (and more) now Drake-available

Cowles Library has recently added Wall Street Journal access for all Drake students, faculty, and staff!

Registration directions follow; while you’re at it, did you know Cowles also provides access to the New York Times, Chronicle of Higher Education, and many more magazines and newspapers? Directions on accessing these follow as well.
First and brand new! Access to the electronic version of the Wall Street Journal is now available. For simple instructions on how to set up a personal account so you can access the WSJ’s content in “real time” from its homepage, visit this page.
Second, the Library has provided access to the New York Times for a number of years; you have to renew your signup every year, however. For instructions on how to register for a new subscription or renew an existing subscription, visit this helpful site.
Third, the Library provides access to the Chronicle of Higher Education and Chronicle of Philanthropy. Instructions for setting up your free subscription are here.
Finally, in addition to scholarly journals, did you know Cowles Library also provides access to thousands of national and international newspapers and popular magazines? From The Nation to The New Republic, from Vogue to Harper’s to the London Times,  there are titles for every taste. To find titles that are of interest, peruse this list.
Questions? Suggestions? Contact us! By email: reference@drake.edu or call 271-2111.
–Bruce Gilbert, Cowles Library

Koru Mindfulness series

When we think of a healthy person we often envision someone in great physical shape, but how we think and process emotions is just as important as how often we exercise and how healthy we eat. Becoming more mindful can improve emotional intelligence, reduce stress, and help manage change. But how do we learn these skills?

Koru is an introduction to mindfulness and meditation.  It teaches you skills you can use to manage your stress, focus your mind, and gain perspective on challenges you may be facing. Using traditional tools from breathing techniques to guided imagery, you will learn how to let go of the thoughts and worries that can overcome your ability to be present.

Join Christine Urish, Professor, Occuptional Therapy, for a four-part series which will meet Wednesdays from 2–3:15 p.m. on Sept. 4, 11, 18, and 25 in the Occupational Therapy building. You must attend all four sessions. Class size limited to 12 people.  Contact Linda Feiden for registration information.

–Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake Social is August 16, family-friendly

The first Provost’s Drake Social this year will be Friday, Aug. 16, in Cowles Library Reading Room, at 4 pm.

The Provost would like to make this year’s Socials easier to attend for faculty and staff who have young children and who have childcare responsibilities right after work. This year, you can pick up your kids from daycare or school, and bring them along to the Social. Children will get “white tickets” for soda, and are welcome to enjoy the light snacks.

The first Social this year will be directly following the Drake Learning Symposium.

–Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

2019 wellness screening update

Human Resources regularly reviews best practices in the wellness field and aligns Drake’s wellness program with research-supported trends. Recent research calls into question the traditional model of using annual biometric screenings as a driver of wellness outcomes. Instead, some health plans are focusing on annual check-ups with primary care physicians in an effort to promote early detection and treatment. There is also a growing trend toward more holistic wellness programming, focusing on an individualized approach to wellness.

These trends, along with changes in the regulations governing wellness programs, are prompting a review of Drake’s wellness program. While the program is under review, employees are not required to complete a biometric screening in 2019 to qualify for a medical premium wellness discount in 2020. All participants enrolled in Drake’s medical plan will receive the wellness premium discount in 2020.

Here is what to expect as we prepare for open enrollment in the fall of 2019:

  • In 2019, the on-campus Unity Point biometric screenings and the Hy-Vee in-store screenings will not be offered.
  • Voluntary on-campus biometric screenings will be available for those who find the screenings helpful in tracking health and wellness. The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will perform this service.
  • You are encouraged to complete a screening with your Primary Care Provider (PCP), following his or her guidance about the health care practices best supporting your wellness. Although encouraged, a physician screening is not a requirement to qualify for the medical insurance 2020 discount.
  • Watch for additional information as the University Benefits Committee works closely with Human Resources to make decisions regarding future wellness programming.

–Linda Feiden, Human Resources

TIAA individual counseling sessions

Are you saving enough to meet your retirement needs?  Are your assets properly allocated to balance the potential growth of your portfolio?

To get a clearer picture of your retirement goals, schedule an individual counseling session with Paige Philips, Drake’s TIAA financial consultant. Paige will be on campus, Thursday, Aug. 8, in the HR conference room.

To register for an individual counseling session, call 800-732-8353 or visit the TIAA website.

–Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Short’s Travel–personal frequent flyer accounts

If you have not already done so, please remember to put all of your airline frequent flyer account numbers into your profile so you will accrue your personal miles. This is not something Short’s can do for you as they cannot edit your profile, and we want to be sure you receive this benefit.

Please contact Caron.findlay@drake.edu if you have questions.

–Caron Findlay, Finance and Administration