All posts by Linda Feiden

HR Information Archive

Last Chance to Receive Your Wellness Health Insurance Premium Discount

Time is running out.  Employees on Drake’s health plan, who want to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025 need to complete a physical with an in-network provider between Dec. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2024, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2025.

If you had your physical since Dec. 1, 2023, please fill out the form and turn it in now. If you haven’t scheduled your annual physical yet with an in-network provider, you need to do it now.  If you cannot get into your provider, you may contact Broadlawns Medical Center on University – across the street from the Drake campus – to inquire about their availability prior to the deadline.  Be sure to let them know you are from Drake and bring a copy of the physical form with you.

You can read more about the wellness premium discount program on the Wellness Premium Discount webpage.

Please email linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information

You Can Still Join the Stop, Drop, and Roll, Holiday Challenge

The holiday season can be a challenge when it comes to taking care of ourselves, so we have brought back a holiday challenge to help ‘Stop’ the potential holiday weight gain, ‘Drop’ some bad habits, while picking up a few good ones, and ‘Roll’ into the New Year on a healthier path.

This program started Monday, Nov. 25 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 29.  Each week participants focus on different topics from healthier eating and physical activity to sleep, self-compassion, and making social connections. This is a program you can do on your own or with family members over the holiday season.  And even if weight gain isn’t a problem or priority for you, this program covers wellbeing topics pertinent to everyone.

Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu today to register.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Cowles Library Featured Collections: December

Break’s Coming—Find Your Perfect Read!

Need a cozy escape for the break? Swing by the library and check out our Award Winners collection. This month’s display features some of the most celebrated books in literature, including titles recognized by the Booker Prize, National Book Awards, and Pulitzer Prize.

Stop by the library every month and explore our featured  materials. From inspiring reads to hidden treasures, there’s always something new to discover.

—Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Campus Announcements Archive

Holiday Timesheet Deadlines for Payroll

Deadlines for monthly direct pays and ESFs are:
  • 12/10/24 for payroll direct pays and ESFs for the December monthly payroll
Deadlines for biweekly direct pays and ESFs are:
  • Pay period 11/18/24-12/1/24 direct pays and ESFs are due Monday 12/2/24 at 10:00 AM
  • Pay period 12/2/24-12/15/24 direct pays and ESFs are due Monday 12/16/24 at 10:00 AM
  • Pay period 12/16/24-12/29/24 direct pays and ESFs are due Wednesday 12/18/24 at 10:00 AM
Deadlines for student direct pays are:
  • Pay period 11/1/24-11/30/24 direct pays are due Monday 12/02/24 at noon
  • Pay period 12/1/24-12/31/24 direct pays are due Thursday, 01/02/25 at noon
Deadlines for the biweekly time sheets are:
  • Pay period 11/18/24-12/01/24 timesheets must be submitted by Monday 12/02/24 at 10:00 am and approved by Monday 12/02/24 at noon. Payment date is 12/6/2024
  • Pay period 12/2/24-12/15/24 timesheets must be submitted by Monday 12/16/24 at 10:00 AM and approved by Monday 12/16/24 at noon. Payment date is 12/20/2024
  • Pay period 12/16/24-12/29/24 timesheets must be submitted by Wednesday 12/18/24 at 10 AM and approved by Wednesday 12/18/24 at noon (remember to estimate your hours for the holiday break). Payment date is 1/3/2025.

*Medical, Dental, and Vision insurances for the biweekly payrolls will be deducted on the 01/17/25 and 01/31/25 paychecks*

Deadlines for student time sheets are:
  • Pay period 11/1/24-11/30/24 timesheets must be submitted by Monday 12/02/24 at NOON and approved by Monday 12/03/24 by NOON
  • Pay period 12/1/24-12/31/24 timesheets must be submitted by Thursday 1/02/25 at NOON and approved by Friday, 1/03/25 at NOON

If you will be out of the office, plan ahead to ensure these tasks are completed by the stated deadlines. Instructions to set up a proxy to approve time sheets in your absence are at https://www.drake.edu/hr-internal/managerstoolkit/ under Online Time reporting.

—Lisa Etnyre, Controller

For Faculty Archive

Panopto Update: Enhancing Blackboard Access

ITS is making an important update to Panopto, our streaming video content management system for Blackboard. Effective December 19th, the “Ultra Course Panopto Video Library” link will be renamed to “Course Video Library – Panopto” to improve accessibility.

Action Required:

  1. Remove the existing link (“Ultra Course Panopto Video Library”) from your Blackboard content area.
  2. Re-add the link with the new name (“Course Video Library – Panopto”) from the Content Market in Blackboard Ultra.

Please update all references to Panopto in your course materials, including syllabi and Blackboard instructions, to avoid student confusion.

If you have questions or need assistance, submit a Blackboard Ultra Request and specify “Consultation.”

Thank you for your cooperation.

—Karly Good, ITS

Strategic Updates Archive

Sammons Plaza Update

There has been some great progress at the Sammons Plaza. The pavers are installed, and contractors are working hard on the landscaping, which will withstand the winter elements. This outdoor plaza is an extension of the Sammons Intercultural Commons and Fisher-Stelter Hall. This outdoor space will be in the heart of campus and will be a great place to hang out or host an event.

—Heather Winslow, Facilities Planning & Management

HR Information Archive

Annual Open Enrollment Period Ends Monday, Dec 2.

Drake’s annual open enrollment period will close at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. If you have not yet reviewed or made modifications to your benefits for 2025, please visit the Benefits Portal and complete the process as soon as possible. Remember that you must re-enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSA) each year, as your current participation is not automatically continued from year to year.

Additional information about benefits for the 2025 Plan Year can be accessed through this temporary open enrollment page. If you have benefit-related or open enrollment questions, please contact Human Resources at drakehr@drake.edu at any time.

—Marlene Huertz, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

United Way of Central Iowa Campaign Results

Thank you to everyone who donated to United Way of Central Iowa generating nearly $30,000. One hundred percent of these donations stay in central Iowa (Polk, Dallas, & Warren counties) with over 10,500 people served in the 50311 zip code last year. We also held a successful supply drive benefiting local DMPS schools. Thank you! You have demonstrated Drake’s commitment as an anchor institution and this is best exemplified by this quote from Bryan Coffey at United Way:

“United Way of Central Iowa strives to further develop stronger and more equitable communities. We were able to UNITE our influential partner, Drake University and five Des Moines schools! Drake University stands as one of our top supportive education entities in Central Iowa and we are proud of this partnership!”

—Nate Reagen, Chief of Staff

For Students

2025-2026 RA Recruitment

The Office of Residence Life is NOW ACCEPTING Resident Assistant Applications for the 2025-2026 school year. RA’s must be leaders, role models, and resources for their residents; however, just as important, they must be team players that work with and support other staff in their own hall as well as other halls on campus.

The application deadline is Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 11:59pm (during the J-Term period).

There are two RA Informational sessions:

Friday, November 15, 2024, 6:00pm – CR 310, upper Olmsted

Saturday, December 7, 2024, 11:00am – Pomerantz Stage, Olmsted (date/time change from 12/1)

Apply here.

If you have any questions regarding the application or interview process itself, please contact Randy E. McMullin, Associate Director of Residence Life (randy.mcmullin@drake.edu).  We encourage you to reach out to your own RA or another RA should you have questions about the position from a student perspective.

—Randy E. McMullin, Residence Life