All posts by Drinda Williams

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Provost’s “Open Office @ Cowles” begins Oct. 7

Provost Sue Mattison will offer 90-minutes of “Open Office @ Cowles” twice per month, beginning in October. Please stop by the Cowles Coffee Shop to chat, ask a question, or offer ideas.

Discussions around university communication flow led Craig Owens to suggest the plan at a recent Deans’ Council meeting. Sue readily agreed, and the first two “Open Office @ Cowles” are scheduled for Oct. 7 from 1–2:30 p.m. and Oct. 24 from 9–10:30 a.m.

Watch the Drake events calendar for future dates.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

For Students Archive

Take the ITS Student Phishing Quiz Oct. 1–18

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). To celebrate the 15th year of NCSAM, ITS is holding a Phishing Quiz through Oct. 18. The Phishing Quiz is a contest where Drake students can learn about how to identify phishing emails and fraudulent websites and stay safe online. Everyone who completes the quiz will be entered to win a prize package–if you’re one of the first 100 students to enter, you’ll get an additional prize entry. Visit www.drake.edu/its/phish today to take the quiz.

— Peter Lundstedt, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Annual Sigma Phi Epsilon flu shot clinic

Sigma Phi Epsilon will be hosting the third annual flu shot clinic on Oct. 19 from 3–5 p.m. at 1243 34th Street in Des Moines. For each flu shot that is administered $3 will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and 12 meals will be donated to the Food Bank of Iowa. Let us know if you are interested so we can reserve a shot for you.

We will also run your insurance, and in the event that it is not covered, the cost will be $35. Help keep our campus safe from influenza and help raise money for a good cause. If you have any questions, contact Nevin William Radechel at nevin.radechel@drake.edu or at (515)402-2284.

— Nevin William Radechel, P3

For Students Archive

Travel to Uganda in May

Ever wanted to do research on an environmental issue in an African nation? How about human rights in a developing country? Want to implement a service learning project? You can do all these things and more in Uganda on the Uganda: Sustainable Development travel seminar! All majors and interest areas welcome and encouraged to enroll.

Applications are now available on Terra Dotta.You can also learn more at an information session:

  • Wednesday, October 9, 5:00 PM in Aliber 004
  • Thursday, October 10, 5:00 PM in Meredith 229​
  • Wednesday, November 6, 5:00 PM in Aliber 004
  • Thursday, November 21, 5:00 PM in Meredith 229

Questions? Email: stephanie.dana@drake.edu.

— Stephanie Dana Ely, International Partnerships and Customized Program Coordinator

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Survey of Administrative Services: Your feedback is needed

The following message was sent to campus from President Martin on Monday, Sept. 30.

An important aspect of our Continuous Improvement Plan is assessing our performance in delivering services to the campus. To that end, I encourage you to complete this year’s survey of administrative services. It is completely anonymous and often takes less than five minutes to complete.

The survey focuses on six areas: Facilities Planning and Management, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Public Safety, and University Communications and Marketing. The survey was developed by the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment in collaboration with several other of our colleagues. Continuous improvement efforts such as this are meant to drive intentional and strategic action. Your feedback will help us better meet the needs of our University.

Thank you in advance for your participation by Thursday, October 10th.

Sincerely,

Marty

Campus Announcements Archive

Update: Campus review of LMS 

Drake University’s Learning Management System (LMS) review task force has conducted three of their proposed eight meetings during the fall semester. The team has established a foundation for understanding the future of LMSs and has developed criteria to use to review two LMS vendors. This is being accomplished through demonstrations and pilot experiences. For further information, please visit www.drake.edu/its/lmsreview and/or reach out to your area’s representative on the task force.

— Karly Good, ITS

Campus Announcements Archive

Join the Healthiest State Walk

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join the Healthiest State Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 2.  This walk is part of the Healthiest State Initiative and its goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation.

The walk will begin in the Olmsted Center breezeway at 12 p.m. and follow a one mile path around Drake’s campus.

We are again combining efforts with Sodexo’s Mindful Mile program.  Thanks to Sodexo and the Drake Athletics department we will have giveaway cooling bandanas, Grand Blue Mile tech shirts, and protein drink samples available, as supplies last, for faculty, staff, and students.  There will also be maps of the walking route and a hydration station in the breezeway to quench your thirst.

If it is raining or lightning outside we will move the walk to the indoor track at the Knapp Center.

For more information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Learn about change management

How are you when it comes to change?  On Oct. 8, Lisa Gardner from Employee & Family Resources will lead a presentation on the evolution and importance of change management. The class will be held from 1–3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 & 311, and discuss how to handle change and the inevitable twists and turns of daily life. It will also explore the concept of resiliency.

To attend the class, register online or send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Scott Raecker to present on how to bring the Core Values to life

Join this interactive session with Scott Raecker, executive director of the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center, on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 & 311, to learn how to integrate Drake’s Core Values into your work experiences.

Our Core Values help guide us in our work and interactions with each other at Drake. Scott will share tips on how to have intentional conversations about values and bring them to life in day-to-day interactions across campus.

To attend the session, register online or send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Strategic Updates Archive

Great Colleges to Work For results available

The overall results of the 2019 Great Colleges to Work For survey are available.  Thank you to the 566 employees who participated!  As a reminder, this is our primary (and annual) employee survey administered in the spring. These results have been shared with each unit leader on campus, for their respective areas. We are also sharing the University results, as a whole, to be transparent on what is working well and what needs improvement. You’ll also note in the presentation for the coming year, our focus areas are:

  1. Strengthening the internal cascade of communication
  2. Continued focus on authentic recognition
  3. Continued clarification on employee benefits

At the same time, we celebrate the strengths of our active contributions to the community, positive supervisor relations, and our employees’ sense of autonomy.  Further questions?  Please contact Mary Alice Hill or Nate Reagen.

— Mary Alice Hill, Director of Human Resources, & Nate Reagen, Chief of Staff