All posts by Linda Feiden

Campus Announcements Archive

It’s National Campus Safety Awareness Month, know these safety resources and tips

Drake University joins other colleges and universities throughout the country in recognizing September as National Campus Safety Awareness Month to bring attention to the issue of safety on campus. As we begin the academic year, we remain mindful of the importance of safety on campus.  

The mission of Drake Public Safety is to provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. Drake Public Safety strives to achieve this mission through a community friendly approach that enhances safety through the visibility of Public Safety personnel, preventive patrols, 24-hour accessibility, positive conflict resolution, and a variety of safety programs.

Drake Public Safety reminds all members of the campus community that one of the best ways to prevent crimes on the campus is by locking room doors and vehicles. Most crimes on our campus are crimes of convenience, with the perpetrator taking advantage of unsecured buildings, rooms, or vehicles. Even if you are sitting alone in your room or will only be gone for a minute, locking your doors will greatly reduce the risk of your being the victim of a crime. 

Public Safety works in partnership with many groups, including the Des Moines Police Department, Title IX Office, University Counseling Center, and the Division of Student Affairs, by identifying, assessing, and managing the risk around campus safety both on and off our grounds.

In addition to security training, Drake Public Safety officers are trained to assist in a variety of medical emergencies. Officers have undergone training in CPR and first aid and have access to portable defibrillators for use in emergency situations. Over the past several years DPS staff has increased their ability to intervene in medical emergencies with the help of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Drake Public Safety staff have been trained in the use of Narcan to help address the issue of the opioid epidemic in America. DPS staff now carry Narcan on patrol as an added safety net for the community.

We know that without the participation of the campus community our efforts to maintain a safe campus would not be successful. We ask that “if you see something, say something,” and we know that many of the best ideas for how to improve campus safety come only through our partnership with the community.

If you have not done so yet, we recommend that you download our Drake Guardian App for additional safety when travelling on and around the campus, it is a “blue light” in your pocket. If you have any questions about campus safety, please reach out to me, Scott Law, the Director of Public Safety at scott.law@drake.edu.

— Scott Law, Public Safety

Campus Announcements Archive

Training opportunities for myDrake

As a reminder, the new myDrake website was launched on July 28, and ITS is happy to assist with your user experience and answer any questions. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one, group, or departmental training, please submit a Custom Technology Consultation/Training ticket.

For more information about the myDrake launch and navigating the new site, please see New myDrake launching July 28, Using the new myDrake, and Understanding the new myDrake. For news, updates, and more information about the myDrake site and other campus systems, visit drake.edu/its.

— Rashmee Virmani, ITS

HR Information Archive

Accepting feedback: Temperature Set Point policy

The proposed Temperature Set Point policy establishes formal temperatures for heating and cooling seasons that applies to all university buildings. The target temperatures were created to maximize thermal comfort and promote energy conservation throughout campus.

This policy was presented to and approved by the Sustainability Committee in March 2023 as it advances the goals of Drake’s Climate Action Plan.  As of 2022, energy usage made up 71% of Drake’s carbon footprint.  That equates to 14,472 metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted in one year from our energy emissions alone.  Those emissions are equivalent to the yearly energy use of 1,824 US homes or the amount of carbon sequestered by 17,258 acres of US forests in one year.

In order to hit carbon neutral by 2050, and our interim goal of a 50% emissions reduction by 2030, we need to continue the effort to reduce our largest emissions source: energy usage.  We have achieved a 38% scope 1 and 2 reduction thus far, but drastic steps are required to continue to reduce our carbon footprint and address the threat of climate change. This policy is just one of many steps required.

The policy will also help to relieve some of the financial burden Drake faces, as Drake spent over $2,000,000 on energy in fiscal year 2023.  Every degree that is reduced in the winter and increased in the summer can yield a 3% reduction in annual heating and cooling costs, helping mitigate utility rate increases.

The policy has separate temperature set points for unoccupied hours when buildings are locked.  Building exceptions can be found in the policy.

The chart exhibits the Temperature Set Point policies of other universities and the year they were implemented.  They are in order by cooling point, and if implemented, Drake’s cooling point would be the most conservative.

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

— Hannah Remke, Facilities Planning and Management

Campus Announcements Archive

Second annual U.S.-China Symposium Sept. 22

Ambassador-in-Residence Terry Branstad will host the second annual U.S.-China Symposium at Drake University on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Levitt Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

The symposium is an initiative of the Ambassador-in-Residence program at Drake. Terry Branstad, former U.S. Ambassador to China and Governor of Iowa, is currently serving as the Ambassador-in-Residence at Drake. The Ambassador will host an annual symposium to convene experienced professionals, academics, and other experts to speak on various topics related to China and U.S.-China relations, with the aim to provide a platform for multiple viewpoints and opportunities for candid discussion.

The 2023 symposium will include sessions on national security and defense with Lieutenant General Larry Nicholson (Retired), advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff; trade and business with Greyson Mann, Government Affairs Manager at the U.S.-China Business Council; and international relations with Bobby Richey, former Deputy Chief of Mission and Agriculture Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

Students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in China/East Asia, U.S. foreign affairs, international relations, and international business are encouraged to attend.

Learn more and register for the symposium at drake.edu/branstad.

Contact the Ambassador

In his role as the Ambassador-in-Residence, Ambassador Branstad is also available during the academic year to meet with faculty, staff, and students individually, and to speak to classes and student organizations. This is an exceptional opportunity to hear the first-hand experiences of someone who has helped shape Iowa and U.S. history.

Direct questions and inquiries to ambassador@drake.edu.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement

For Students Archive

Study Abroad Fair Aug. 31; Application deadline Sept. 1

The deadline to apply to study abroad for Spring or J-Term 2024 is Friday, Sept. 1. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend a life-changing semester in one of the numerous destinations Drake students can study.

To explore what exciting opportunities are available, check out the Study Abroad Fair happening Thursday, Aug. 31. Join us in Olmstead at the Pomerantz Stage area from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to explore programs, ask questions, and hear from other students who have had life-changing experience while studying abroad. There will be snacks & an opportunity to take photos. Be sure to sign in when you arrive to be entered for a chance to win Bulldog Bucks!

— Chelsea Funk, Global Engagement

Campus Announcements Archive

Suicide Awareness Month programming

Welcome back to campus, Bulldogs. September is Suicide Awareness Month and we have a variety of events this month to support you. The Drake Counseling Center is collaborating with a variety of organizations on campus to remind you that hope and healing is possible.

Please join us at our events:

Free Movie Friday:
Sept. 8, 6–7:30 p.m., Sussman theater

  • Join us for free popcorn, drinks, and a panel following the movie to discuss ways to prevent suicide and support others.

A Room Full of Sisters
Sept. 9, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Upper Olmsted

  • Event will be open to women+ students (the plus indicates any students that identify as or have been socialized as women). This event will provide resources on navigating a PWI, relationships, finances, graduate school, and critical conversations between women. We will have guest speakers from the Des Moines community and Drake university. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow and learn ways to improve your relationships and future. Make sure to register!

Suicide Awareness Walk (Walk begins at 10:15)
Sept. 16, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Helmick Commons South

  • Join us in walking with us to bring awareness to suicide prevention, hope, and receive various campus and community resources.
  • Free QPR Gatekeeper Trainings – QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer. These are the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.

As a reminder, students have access to Uwill, a platform for immediate access to teletherapy! You can sign up at app.uwill.com. Through this app, students have access to a 24/7/365 crisis hotline: 833.646.1526. In addition, you can always use the national suicide helpline when needed by contacting or texting 988.

Remember, that no matter what you are experiencing, you are not alone, you belong here, and there is help available, including our counseling center and various community resources. Visit our website to learn more about these resources and our services: drake.edu/counselingcenter/

Two things are true: Your life has meaning and It’s okay to seek help. You are not broken and we are here to help you, especially at the Drake counseling center.

We hope to see you throughout September.

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Drake Counseling Center

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Welcome new Slay Fund Director Jill Allen

The Slay Fund for Social Justice welcomes a new faculty director, Jill Allen, for the 2023–2024 academic year. The Slay Fund for Social Justice is a wide-ranging endowed fund which aims to (1) support programs and initiatives which directly advance social justice and (2) continue important ongoing efforts around advancing social justice work in the Drake community. This fund is made possible through the generous support of Drake alumni, Brent and Diane Slay, who have shared in Drake’s commitment to elevate diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice conversations and encourage social justice action.

Allen, an Iowa native and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, joined the Drake faculty in 2015 and specializes in prejudice reduction interventions related to STEM education and understanding the social consequences of sexual objectification among women and men. In addition to teaching courses which resonate with social justice themes, such as Psychology of Gender and Psychology of Prejudice, Allen’s scholarly pursuits target key psychological mechanisms (i.e., belonging, motivation) to mitigate the negative consequences of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination for stigmatized groups. “It is privilege to carry forward the Slays’ vision to provide exceptional social justice opportunities on Drake’s campus and within the Des Moines community,” adds Allen. “The types of experiential learning opportunities, leadership development, and mentoring programs sponsored by the Slay Fund have the potential to change a student’s trajectory, as well as to open hearts and minds toward diverse viewpoints.”

To learn more about the Slay Fund for Social Justice, or to discuss a possible grant proposal, please visit https://www.drake.edu/slay/ or reach out directly at slayfund@drake.edu.

— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost

HR Information Archive

Explore the new HR internal website

A few weeks ago, Drake HR made the big move to Sharepoint with our new internal website. And we did not just move what we had on the old site to the new site, we re-envisioned this employee resource from the ground up.

You can access the new page through the updated my.drake.edu page or jump to it at this link: https://drakeedu.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResources.

There are a few pages you may enjoy taking a look at. We are fond of our Employee Perks page, which is under the Benefits tab. You can check out a great line up of BUILD classes for this fall through the Learning and Development tab. We know a lot of employees enjoy our well-being programs. We now have a new DU Well page dedicated to well-being related activities and information.

We tried to organize the site in a way that would be intuitive. We have also added many new pages for dedicated topics that simply did not exist before, including a New Employee Welcome Center, What to Expect When Expecting, and a whole site dedicated to Student Employment.

We believe having a robust and easy-to-navigate HR website illustrates our commitment to communication and transparency. While we love the new site, there is certainly room for improvement. We would love to hear what you think: What do you like? What isn’t your favorite? What should we add? How can we make additional improvements to assure this page supports and informs you on human resource topics? Please send any feedback to drakehr@drake.edu. You can also use our feedback survey link and share your thoughts in the Comments and Suggestions section.

— Maureen R. De Armond, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Committees comprised of faculty and staff support employee benefits

As a reminder to existing Drake employees and a “good to know” to new employees, Drake has two standing committees that help support Drake employee benefits:

The Drake University Investment Review Committee focuses on retirement benefits. It kicked off the academic year on Aug. 23. The committee includes faculty and staff and long-term outside consultants, Well and Good (who recently merged with PlanPilot). One of the hot topics discussed is a new federal law, called the Secure Act 2.0. While some specific aspects of the law, and its implementation timeline, remain in the air, it will likely offer high income earners additional avenues to save for retirement (such as shifting to a Roth IRA for catch-up contributions for those over the age of 50 who earn more than $145,000). As soon as there is more certainty to the “what” and “when” of the Secure Act 2.0 changes, TIAA will partner with Drake University on communications. To learn more about the likely changes this law will make, visit TIAA’s Secure Act 2.0: What You Need to Know page.

The second standing committee is the Drake University Benefits Committee, which is also comprised of faculty and staff and long-time consultants: Mark Becker & Associates (who recently merged with Gallagher). This committee focuses on our self-funded health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, flexible spending accounts, life insurance policies, long-term disability insurance, and other related benefits and perks. During this time of year, Drake HR is meeting with our vendors and consultants to anticipate what changes, if any, may be appropriate or needed for the following plan year. Due to our Open Enrollment schedule, by November 1, when Open Enrollment starts, we have to have all decisions for January 1 set in stone. More information to come about the work of the Benefits Committee in the coming months.

If you would like to learn more about Drake’s employee benefits and perks, please visit Drake HR’s new internal website and checkout the pages linked below the Employee Benefits tab! As always, you can reach out to Drake HR with any questions or suggestions that you have. You can best reach us at drakehr@drake.edu.

— Maureen R. De Armond and Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

For Students Archive

IFC Recruitment Week is Sept. 5–9

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) formal recruitment week will begin Tuesday, Sept. 5, and will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 9. Our recruitment process is free and non-committal, with food and drinks being provided by chapters throughout the week. If you are interested in the recruitment process, signup. For more information about IFC and recruitment, follow us on Instagram @drakeuniversityifc or check out our website drakefsl.com/ifc.

— Cody Butenhoff, Junior