All posts by Linda Feiden

Check out the new DU Well Newsletter

The wellbeing of Drake employees is very important to us. So in addition to the existing programming, we are rolling out a new DU Well Newsletter.  Each edition will highlight upcoming wellness events, discuss relevant wellbeing topics and health observances, test your trivia knowledge (for prizes), and hopefully challenge you to try something new.

Please take a few minutes to check out the first edition of this new resource, and feel free to contact us at drakehr@drake.edu, using the subject line, DU Well Newsletter, with ideas for future editions.

You can explore other ways Drake supports employee wellness on our new DU Well webpage. We have some great employee perks that will also make it easier for you to focus on your wellness.

If you haven’t yet explored the new Drake HR internal website, you should. It is your go-to site for the latest information about your employment and the support services we provide. In addition to the pages linked above, you can also access information about employee benefits, check out upcoming BUILD learning & development classes, and much more. Spend a few minutes exploring and let us know what you think. If you have suggestions for additional enhancements, we’d love to hear them.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Accepting feedback: Space heater approval policy

A space heater approval policy has been developed to ensure the safe operation of space heaters on campus.  The policy will help prevent electrical circuit overloads and direct FPM to possible heating issues.

A reminder that this does not pertain to residence halls, as space heaters are not allowed in those buildings.

If you have any comments, please use the comment function through the Policy Development Page.

— Hannah Remke, Sustainability Coordinator

Celebrating True Blue staff

Please join us in congratulating our most recent recipients of the True Blue Award. Here is a little information about our honorees with excerpts from their nominations.

Kayla Bell, Director of Broadlawns Drake University Counseling Center, Drake Counseling Center

“Kayla has moved mountains to make changes at Drake’s Counseling Center, specifically to make it a more welcoming environment for ALL students. The fear of getting help due to shame or stigma does not exist at the center anymore. Kayla is actively involved and always looking for new ways to be inclusive, give back to the Drake community, and teach others how to be the same.”

Katherine Coady, Julie Olinger, and Cindy Liska, Zimpleman College of Business

“Thank you to Katherine, Julie, and Cindy for your leadership and teamwork. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for your ability to deliver a well-organized and highly successful conference.”

Korrine Jackson, Payroll Coordinator, Finance

“Korrine is the epitome of Drake’s core values commitment to mission and all in this together. She is always willing to go above and beyond to ensure that all aspects of payroll are done correctly and on time. Korrine has a meticulous eye for detail and pays close attention to all of the small particulars that could otherwise go unnoticed. In addition, she also has a kind spirit and is easy to work with.”

Laura Krossner, Electronic Resources & Access Services Librarian, Cowles Library

“Laura acts as a team member invested in the success of my courses, and she exemplifies the “we’re all in this together” value that Drake prizes. I would not be able to teach my courses and deliver the educational value that Drake promises without the expert assistance Laura has provided.”

Matt Probasco, Budget Director, Finance and Administration

“Thank you, Matt, for the work you do. Every equation has a story behind it, and inside those you’re working on you’re helping create room for access to higher education for more students, giving a stronger sense of security to our team members, and helping strengthen the future of this institution.”

Jorge Romero-Castro, Administrative Assistant/Office Manager, Music

“He is incredibly organized, helpful, professional at all times, though approachable and warm, and is such an asset to our department. His assistance with recruiting (meeting with parents and students, as well as audition days) is invaluable – so many parents and students have commented on how helpful and kind he is as they navigate this process.”

Kyle Schura, Assoc Director, Customer Relations Management System Strategy, Admissions

“Kyle is incredibly thoughtful about student and family experiences. He is always striving to make sure the online systems are accessible and user friendly. He also considers the in-person experiences and how we can be sure we are creating a comfortable and inclusive environment when students and families come to visit campus.”

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!

— Betsy Wilson, On behalf of All Staff Council

Access & Success offers academic coaching, workshops, tutoring, and more

Midterms can be stressful! Feeling behind or not happy with your grades at this time—it’s not too late. Let us help you get back on track. Make an Academic Coaching appointment or keep your eyes open for workshops offered through Access & Success.  We can help you prioritize your time and help you catch up in your classes.

Also, don’t forget about tutoring. It’s not too late!

All of our services can be found on Starfish or our website: https://www.drake.edu/access-success/

— Michelle Laughlin, Access & Success

Access to Success walk-in office hours Nov. 1, open to faculty and staff

Midterms can be a time of high stress for students. Students have been coming to Access & Success to talk about how to catch up in their classes, how to study for upcoming exams, how to make the most of the second half of the semester, etc. Thank you for sending them our way!

I want to be here for you, too. If there are any questions you have about accommodations, how to best support our students and more, I want to talk to you.

I am offering Walk In Wednesdays to faculty, staff, and students. If you have a concern or a question, feel free to contact me. Every week my plan is to do walk-in hours in various places on campus. I will share where I will be each week through this page.

This week I will be participating in the Wellness Conference. On Nov. 1, I will be in Olmsted from 9–11 am. I welcome any questions, comments, and concerns you may have.

— Michelle Laughlin, Access & Sucess

Register for the Sussman Leadership Conference

Each year, the Adams Leadership Institute hosts the annual Sussman Leadership Conference; bringing together undergraduate student leaders from across campus to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and gain skills that can be applied to their personal lives, leadership roles, and professional goals.

This year’s Sussman Conference, “One Better World,” features renowned keynote speaker, Dr. Vernon Wall, and  will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Olmsted Center (Parents Hall). Conference registration fees and gourmet buffet brunch are provided free of charge for all Drake students who register to attend.

Space is limited! Please visit bit.ly/sussman23 to learn more and reserve your seat by November 6.

— Kristin Economos, Adams Leadership Institute

Report from the President’s Committee on Supporting Persons with Disabilities

The President’s Committee on Supporting Persons with Disabilities has begun its work, meeting several times this semester. The committee is developing a framework for integrating disability inclusion into campus initiatives and planning, while also identifying some concrete steps that will result in short-term progress. The committee has identified the following categories of focus: student support, campus culture, campus facilities, employment, and technology. These are categories the committee identified; however we recognize that other members of the campus community might have additional suggestions for areas of inquiry. The next steps include a comprehensive inventory of existing best practices and challenges faced by units across campus. In addition, the committee is engaging with  campus units, groups, and organizations to gather feedback and input. Any member of the campus community who wishes to provide feedback to the committee, offer ideas, or suggest topics of future discussion can e-mail the committee at disability.inclusion@drake.edu.

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Biocell plant installation: Volunteers needed

Join Drake facilities and Drake’s Environmental Action League Oct. 20 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. to help plant native plants in a bioretention cell on Drake’s campus. Stop by as time allows. Register here on DUGood and receive verification for your hours.

A bioretention cell reduces flooding and improves the quality of water that runs off of our campus. Wear shoes and clothes you are comfortable getting planting native flowers in. Snacks and drinks will be provided by DEAL and SAA while supplies last.

Installation site is in front of Harvey Ingham Hall, across the Reflection Pond.

Stop by whenever works for you. Wear shoes and clothes you are comfortable planting in. Tools and gloves will be provided.

This project is a student led initiative and is funded by the generous support of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the City of Des Moines.

— Hannah Remke,  Sustainability Coordinator

There’s still time to join! Ambassador Branstad’s book club pick: Party of One

Former U.S. Ambassador to China, Terry Branstad, hosts a book club during the academic year to engage the Drake community on topics related to China and U.S.-China relations. This activity is part of the Ambassador-in-Residence initiative at Drake. Learn more at drake.edu/branstad.

The Ambassador’s book selection for the Fall 2023 semester is Party of One: The Rise of Xi Jinping and China’s Superpower Future by Chun Han Wong. The book was published in May 2023. You can find a description of the book from Amazon.com here. A limited number of free copies are still available for current students, faculty and staff who wish to participate in the book club. Sign up by emailing ambassador@drake.edu stating your intent to read the book and attend the discussion event on November 13th in the Cowles Library Reading Room, as well as to your request your free copy of the book (distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis). Dinner will be provided at the discussion event on November 13th — please state any dietary restrictions in your email to sign up.

For more information on this event, we encourage you to visit the event page on the Drake University Calendar.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement

J-Term and Spring 2024 registration, schedule of classes

The J-Term and Spring 2024 schedule of classes and related registration information is available online. Registration begins Monday, October 30th.

View registration information, including the registration time table that shows when you become eligible to register. View the schedule of classes.

Some courses will be temporarily reserved for students who have declared a certain field-of-study (major, minor, concentration, or endorsement). On Monday, November 13th, those reservations will be removed. Note that some courses have restrictions that are permanent.

If you are an undergraduate or pharmacy student intending to make any changes to your field-of-study and have those changes take effect before registration begins, file your changes via the change of record request no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 23rd. Requests submitted after this date may be delayed.

— Ryan Trump, Office of the Registrar