All posts by Hannah Remke

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Avoid vampire load: Request a power strip

Did you know appliances, electronics, and chargers use electricity whenever they’re plugged in—it doesn’t matter whether the device is in use or not? This wasted power is called phantom load, or vampire load. On a single-user scale, this might not seem like a big deal, but when you consider every staff and faculty member on campus, the numbers add up.

For example, two computer monitors, one laptop, and one mobile charger can cost $5/year in vampire load. If you multiply that by the number of faculty and staff, that means around $4,915/year goes to waste on vampire load, not taking into account a multitude of other appliances.

Everyone on campus can play a role in reducing vampire load and costs by simply turning off appliances and unplugging what you can before you leave. This is especially important to do before you leave for a weekend or an extended break.

Power strips are a great solution to ease this process. Instead of unplugging everything, you can just turn off the power strip. Here are a few tips:

  1. Keep your power strip in a visible, easy to reach place. On top of a desk is a great option.
  2. Utilize Post-its or reminders to ensure you turn your power strip off.
  3. Contact hannah.remke@drake.edu if you need a power strip! The Office of Sustainability has been collecting gently used power strips to redistribute throughout campus. They can be delivered as supplies last!

Visit this Energy Calculator to see an annual usage and cost estimate of your vampire energy. These tips can also be translated to your home!

—Hannah Remke, Sustainability Coordinator

Campus Announcements Archive

Introducing the new Drake Mobile ID

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

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

TODAY: Provost’s Social and Retirement Celebration

Please join us for the December Provost’s Social on Tuesday, Dec. 12, in the Cowles Library Reading Room, beginning at 4 p.m.

At this month’s Social, we will also be celebrating CPHS Dean Renae Chesnut for her well deserved retirement. Please stop by to congratulate Renae and enjoy a slice of cake!

Other refreshments will include snack mix, beer, wine, and soda. We hope to see you there!

— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost

For Students Archive

Sell textbooks and return rentals next week

Get paid for your old textbooks during the on-campus buyback and rental return event next week. You can get cash for your books, no matter when (or where) you purchased them! Happening December 11 – 15 at Bulldog Shop from 9am-5pm.

Textbook rentals are due back on December 22. Take advantage of the easy and convenient return process by dropping off your books in-store – no box or shipping label is needed!

— Drake University Bookstore

News & Achievements Archive

Drake senior awarded prestigious George J. Mitchell Scholarship

Please welcome us in congratulating Drake senior, Tyler Bartolome, for being announced as a George J. Mitchell Scholar, Class of 2025.

Overseen by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance, the Mitchell Scholarship has become one of the country’s most prestigious postgraduate awards. This year, about 350 applicants competed for the 12 scholarships, which cover educational expenses for a year of graduate study—including all tuition, room and board and a monthly stipend to cover living expenses at one of several participating universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Tyler is planning to study Biotechnology at University College Cork.

Tyler’s Accomplishments

Originally from Lincoln, Neb., Tyler is currently a Drake senior and an impressive quadruple major studying Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology; Mathematics; Biology; and Chemistry. He is interested in using biotechnology research and international public policy to address climate change, and he won a highly competitive Barry Goldwater Scholarship for his research and academic achievements.

Tyler also led Drake University’s Semi-Passive Algae Rooted Carbon Caption (SPARCC) team to compete in the international OpenAir Carbon Removal Challenge, where they were the sole U.S. team in the finals. He conducted successful biotechnology research as an undergraduate at the University Nebraska-Lincoln, Drake University, and Johns Hopkins University. As the first two-term President of the Drake Chapter of Beta Beta Beta, an honor society for the biological sciences, Tyler and his team doubled the size and funding of the organization.

Tyler is also President and Founder of The Oral Record Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that collects and curates “oral histories” of individuals who have experienced military conflict, to better understand the effect that major historical events have on individuals. In his free time, he trains for triathlons, studies Arabic, and plays the mandolin.

To learn more about the George J. Mitchell class of 2025 here.

For Staff Archive

All Staff Council addresses questions submitted through feedback form

The ASC Special Interest Committee reviews staff suggestions and questions that are submitted through a feedback form. We recently met with Executive Director of Human Resources Maureen De Armond to discuss some of the following questions.  

Why are some open positions approved to be filled and others are not?  
Some open positions are approved to be filled due to outside funding, such as grant-funded positions. Other positions are approved due to the nature of the work performed being essential to the basic functioning of the University. These positions are excluded from the current hiring freeze. All requests for job postings are now being reviewed by HR and must be approved by the President.  

Fair Labor Standards Act – Salary Threshold  
At this time, there is no update on the proposed increase to salary thresholds. The comment period closed on November 7. The US Dept. of Labor chose not to extend the comment period. They now have 33,000 submissions to review. We have no insight at this time whether the proposed new salary threshold will be revised, due to the comments. It sounds like the absolute earliest that a new salary threshold could take effect (whatever it ends up being) would be June 2024. HR will continue to monitor the progress.   

Leave Policy Updates  
HR plans to review leave policies in the next couple months. If you have ideas or suggestions relating to the tuition waiver policy or the staff leave policies (primarily: sick, vacation, and bereavement), please let Maureen De Armond know your thoughts.   

Can all regular full-time employees be eligible to receive a day off with pay for their birthday? The day off would be issued as a floating holiday that must be taken within the same calendar month as the birthday.   
It is important to remember that not all people (or cultures) celebrate birthdays. Each year, employees are given two personal days. Having personal days allows individuals to decide what days are important for them (for some, it may be an anniversary or a child’s birthday, not their own).  

Can we bring back a monthly meeting-free day like what we had during the pandemic?  
This is a great idea. It is likely best decided at the department level.  Directors have the discretionary authority to make this decision for their unit—no department meetings, project meetings, 1:1’s on a certain day of the week or “First Fridays” regarding meeting-free days. Every unit has different operational needs—so this may not be feasible for some units and for others it may be very easy to implement. Maureen will share this idea with managers and encourage them to consider designating meeting free days. If you think this would work for your department, you are also encouraged to talk to your director and make it happen.   

— Erica McGowan, On Behalf of All Staff Council

 

HR Information Archive

Benefits open enrollment closes Thursday

Drake’s open enrollment period for benefits is held during November with the window closing at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30. This is a hard close, but you still have time. If you have not yet reviewed or made modifications to your benefits for 2024, please do so right away.

The deadline to submit your premium discount form for 2024 is also Nov. 30.

If you still need to complete the enrollment process, you can visit the benefits portal and run through the election process in just a few short minutes. Remember that you must re-enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSA) each year—that benefit does not automatically continue from year to year. Additional information about benefits for 2024 can be accessed through the benefits page and also this temporary open enrollment page.

If you have any benefits-related or open enrollment questions, please don’t wait to ask them. Reach us at drakehr@drake.edu at any time (please, please do not wait until Nov. 30 to enroll or contact us with questions—that is cutting it too close!).

— Marlene Heuertz and Maureen De Armond, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Become and orientation leader

Orientation leaders are dedicated to providing incoming students and their families with all of the information and resources necessary to ensure their transition to Drake is a smooth and enjoyable one.

We need you to help make this happen. Each year we recruit current Drake students to become part of the orientation leader staff. Orientation leaders play a vital role in this exciting process, working closely with new students and their families on a wide variety of topics including academics, student involvement, housing options, and more.

We highly encourage you to attend one of the information sessions being offered. Click here to sign up for a session.

  • Monday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. in Olmsted, Conference Room 310
  • Friday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. on Zoom
  • Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 5 p.m. in Olmsted, Conference Room 310

You will be compensated for your time and effort and gain valuable skills in this position.

Learn more about the position. For questions, contact Lead Orientation Leaders at orientationleaders@drake.edu.

— Marina Verlengia, Director, New Student and Parent Programs

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

30% off faculty and staff discount at the Bulldog Shop

Faculty and staff are invited to a special appreciation day at the Bulldog Shop Thursday, Nov. 30. For one day only, Drake employees can enjoy an exclusive 30% off their entire in-store purchase. Simply show an employee ID at checkout to redeem (standard exclusions apply, see store associate for details).

Faculty & staff also have the chance to win a very special giveaway prize bundle. Don’t miss out on all the fun! It’s the perfect time to get a head start on all your holiday shopping, or treat yourself to that item you’ve had your eye on.

— The Bulldog Shop