All posts by Scott Law

Campus Announcements Archive

Drake Mobile ID coming in January

Starting in the spring semester, the new Drake Mobile ID will be available to campus.

Do you misplace or forget your Drake ID card? Do you frequently use campus services, including the dining halls, Bulldog Bucks, recreational services, and the library? You can soon access these services and more using just your mobile phone or smart watch. 

The Drake Mobile ID is a new, secure way for you to use Drake services from the convenience of your phone or watch. In order to use the mobile ID, you must have a picture on file with Student Services. Next, you will download the Transact E-Accounts application and add your Drake Mobile ID to your Apple or Samsung wallet. Then, simply hold your phone or watch to a card reader to scan your ID. No need to turn your device on or search for your card. More instructions and detailed information will be available before the launch date. 

A group of select students, faculty, and staff have graciously tested these features, and the Drake Mobile ID will be released to campus on January 29, 2024. Participation in the Drake Mobile ID is not required but encouraged. You are not required to dispose of your physical ID card if you choose to participate in the Drake Mobile ID. 

The Drake Mobile ID is subject to the same terms and conditions as a physical ID card. Any misuse, including sharing your credential with any other individual, is in violation of Drake University Student Conduct Code and will result in disciplinary action. The Drake Mobile ID uses the native NFC technology within each device that is also utilized for any other ID or payment function. Additionally, the ID credential stored within the Drake Mobile ID is encrypted and can only be read by readers deployed by Drake with the proper decryption. 

Please contact the Student Services Center with questions or concerns by emailing studentservices@drake.edu, visiting the office located in Olmsted, or calling 515-271-2000. 

— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

HR Information Archive

Register now for Spring 2024 BUILD classes

Bulldogs United in Learning & Development (BUILD) provides faculty and staff learning opportunities throughout the academic year that address technical, soft, philosophical, and very practical skills.  BUILD is a great platform for learning new ideas as well as an opportunity to collaborate with others from across campus.

The Spring 2024 schedule is now available for viewing and registration is open.  Please take a moment to check out the classes on the Drake HR website under Learning & Development.  Click on BUILD – Upcoming Sessions for the full list, including detailed descriptions.  There is an online registration link to a Qualtrics survey that makes signing up easy.

Most classes are only an hour in length, and many are facilitated by our own faculty and staff.  This is a great way to invest in yourself, support your colleagues, and take in the culture that Drake has to offer.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Bulldog Shop holiday hours

As we head into the holiday break, please note that the Bulldog Shop store hours will be reduced to give our team a well-deserved rest. We will be closed Thursday, Dec. 21, through Tuesday, Jan. 2. Make sure to plan your visits accordingly and grab your Drake essentials and holiday gifts in time. Wishing everyone a relaxing and joyful break.

Please note: Online orders received after noon on Wednesday, Dec. 20, will be processed beginning Wednesday, Jan. 3.

— The Bulldog Shop

Campus Announcements Archive

Administrative Services Survey: Office of Finance report to the campus community

The Offices of Finance and Financial Aid would like to thank everyone for taking the time to complete the Administrative Services Survey earlier this fall.  We have gained valuable feedback to help us maintain and improve the services we provide to students, faculty, and staff.

Ratings for every question were very consistent with prior year ratings.  Each of the departments individually scored between 4.0 and 5.0 on the 5-point scale.  The overall satisfaction with the services provided by the Offices of Finance and Financial Aid score was 4.42 compared to 4.57 in 2022.  While there is always room for improvement, the unit’s staff are clearly doing their best to meet our service-oriented objectives to:

  • Ensure our constituents are engaged and informed,
  • Ensure integrity and transparency,
  • Process university resources timely and accurately, and
  • Improve service excellence.

The comments included in the survey were very helpful.  We appreciate the many positive comments that recognized outstanding service provided by staff.  The item for improvement that we noted and plan to work on over the next year is to ensure that we are having consistently positive interactions with all those that interact with the finance and financial aid functions.

Thank you again for participating in the Administrative Survey and please know that your input is reviewed and analyzed by the entire staff of the Offices of Finance and Financial Aid.

— Adam Voigts, Chief Financial Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

Meredith Hall to begin work to replace second level flooring Dec. 18

The upcoming winter break provides our Facilities Planning and Management team and contractors time to complete projects. One of these projects is the replacement of the second corridor flooring in Meredith Hall. This work will occur from Dec. 18, 2023, to Jan. 22, 2024. During this time, faculty, staff, and students will not have access to the second floor. Stairwell and elevator access from the first floor to the basement level will be maintained.

— Rob Ebel, Project Manager, Facilities Planning and Management

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Reminder: You’re invited to this Friday’s Holiday Cheer event

All Staff Council and Human Resources invite faculty and staff to attend this week’s Holiday Cheer gathering on Friday, Dec. 15, near the Pomerantz stage in the Olmsted Center. You are welcome to come and go as you please between 9 and 11 a.m.

Relax and enjoy some tasty holiday treats and beverages with friends and colleagues. Stop by and say hi to Griff II or better yet, get your picture taken with him in your holiday attire. And if you bring at least one non-perishable food or other goods for Drake’s Free Little Food Pantries, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

This event is a chance to give back to others in the Drake community, while mingling with coworkers.  Please take a moment to stop by, grab some cheer, and drop off a donation.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Campus leadership opportunities

At Drake, we believe everyone has what it takes to be a leader.  We want to make sure that you all know about the many opportunities to put your leadership skills into action.  Between now and February you are invited to apply for any of the following opportunities that peak your interest.

The Office of Residence Life is accepting applications for Residence Assistance between now and Jan. 16.  Applications can be found HERE.

VIP (Violence Intervention Partners) application are open until Feb. 16.  Apply HERE to join their team for the Fall 2024 semester.

New Student Programs is hosting information sessions for Orientation Leaders and PMACS.

Orientation Leader information sessions will be held:

  • Friday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.,  Zoom Meeting
  • Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m., Olmsted Center, Room 310

Sign up for a session

PMAC information sessions will be

  • Friday, December 8 at 12:00pm in upper Olmsted Conference Rooms 
  • Friday, February 9 4:00pm in upper Olmsted Conference Rooms 
  • Monday, February 12 at 6:30pm on Zoom

Sign up for a session

Keep an eye out in the spring for other opportunities to open. Student Ambassadors for the admissions office applications will open in February and Community Engaged Peers applications open in March.  If you are a current Adam’s Leadership student you are invited to apply for the Adam’s Leadership Peer Mentor role in March as well.

— Lynne Cornelius, Assistant Dean of Campus Life

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Student Success spotlight: OTD course facilitated wellness sessions for Lutheran Services of Iowa’s refugee group

Welcome back to the Student Success spotlight, an opportunity to recognize the people and resources that make a difference in Drake students’ lives. Each week, we’ll shine a light on the outstanding individuals and initiatives that contribute to the success and growth of our community.

This week features Rachel Allen-McHugh, assistant professor in Drake’s occupational therapy doctorate program. This fall, with help from a grant provided by Dr. Richard Deming to The Ones campaign, Professor Allen-McHugh’s OTD 207 course facilitated wellness sessions for Lutheran Services of Iowa’s refugee community group.

About the wellness sessions project:

As part of the OTD 207 Health, Wellness, and Well-Being Course work, first year OTD students partnered with LSI’s refugee community group to provide sessions on eight different dimensions of well-being, such as stress reduction, gratitude, fall prevention, and nutrition.

Highlights:

LSI has been a fabulous community partner. We had excellent communication, and the group was so welcoming and excited to spend an hour with Drake OTD students on Tuesday mornings. Most weeks, we had over 30 participants – most of the refugee community attending LSI.

Project background and inspiration:

Community engagement is always a consideration for me when I am designing my courses. A ‘Wellness Booth’ for Drake undergrads had been a component of OTD 207 for several years. I wanted to enhance this activity by having OTD students work with a population beyond campus. I was contacted by LSI during the summer to share information and education on exercise and general wellness. This community engagement opportunity seemed like the perfect fit to meet LSI’s needs. It allowed the Drake OTD students to share beneficial information while also building skills and gaining the experience of working with interpreters.

My Favorite things about teaching and advising at Drake:

The OTD program, and the Drake College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in general, value community engagement and the student experience. Our students state that early application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom helps them build competence and confidence. Drake students also value the ability to give back to the community. I love to support students in becoming occupational therapists and applying their new skills in real life’ situations such as the LSI refugee program.

Do you have an idea for a student-centered service project? Apply for a Deming Mini-Grant! Faculty, staff, and student groups are encouraged to apply for up to $2500 to assist with implementation of projects that spark joy while allowing students to serve communities beyond our campus. Contact Mallary Allen, Director of Community Engaged Learning, for more information.

— Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

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.

Lance Berg, ITS  

“One of Lance’s standout qualities is his embodiment of Generosity of Spirit. He consistently goes above and beyond to find creative solutions to problems, demonstrating a spirit of collaboration and teamwork. His willingness to share his knowledge and expertise with others is a testament to his dedication to the success others and the university.

Lisa Cooper, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

“Her dedication to collaboration and teamwork has been instrumental in creating a positive and productive environment within OLLI. She believes that we are stronger together and actively promotes this value in her work.”

Karly Good, ITS

“Every time she is helping me with a problem or is answering a how do I… question, she is unfailingly positive. And she is able to convey her support through mostly online communication!”

Shannon Odenbach, Registrar

“She was so helpful and positive when I was confused and laboriously inept at doing what I was supposed to do. I was dreading this process so much, but she made it so much easier and actually pleasant to do. Shannon is wonderful to work with.”

Pam Pepper, University Advancement

“She sets such a terrific example of generosity of spirit especially when you see her helping at almost every event UA plans for alumni programming as well as admissions help. Pam doesn’t set many limits for her time volunteering for Drake, and she is always in good spirits trying to lead by example.”

Allyssa Ruths, CPHS

“She is supportive to faculty/staff, takes initiative, is dedicated to doing work that often no one else would want to do, and is just all around amazing. She is a very effective communicator, makes sure all work is completed no matter how many times she has to reach out, she is caring and brings her best to work each and every day!”

Gina Ryan, Dean of Students

“Gina is a tremendous team player. When Gina gets involved, things get better. She considers details, looks for things she can do to make the lift easier for others, and is supportive. One small example of how Gina goes above and beyond is that she often offers to deliver supplies directly to folks on campus, and she’s always zippy-quick with her deliveries.”

Rachelle Setsodi, Admission

“Rachelle thinks both individually and collectively. Her friendly, can-do attitude with potential students is felt and appreciated. Students know that they can come to Rachelle with difficult transfer questions, and she will either get them the information they need or direct them to someone who can.”

Tyler Spoon, ITS

“Tyler has a pivotal partner with HR in creating the modernized, intuitive, easy-to-use and track electronic Employee Status Form (ESF) supported by ProcessMaker. This new digital process has been designed to simplify the ESF process and Tyler has been both a driver and a fantastic collaborator in the creation of this e-form.”

Lorissa Sowden, Dean of Students

“These 2.5 years have had many challenges with staffing, getting through and out of Covid, budget changes, and more, and through all of it, Lorissa still believes in Drake and pushed us to do our best to continue to serve the students and make Drake a better place.”

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