Drake reimburses mileage for use of personal automobiles by employees for actual miles driven during business travel. The reimbursement rate is based on the current standard mileage rate issued by the Internal Revenue Service.

Please note that the IRS has recently issued the 2017 standard mileage rate. Effective Jan. 1, 2017, the standard mileage rate is 53.5 cents per business mile driven, down from 54.5 cents for 2016.

The standard mileage rate is evaluated annually by the IRS and is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile.

If you have any questions regarding the reimbursable mileage rate, please visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/Standard-Mileage-Rates or contact Accounting at accounting@drake.edu.

—Jennifer Baugher, Accounting

Windows and stairways are being installed in the Science Connector Building, and progress continues on Collier-Scripps Hall. Learn more about STEM@DRAKE progress at www.drake.edu/buildingstem

Hubbell Dining and Spike’s Spot have shorter hours during J-Term:

Hubbell Dining
Monday–Friday: Breakfast, 7:30–9:30 a.m.; Lunch, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; Dinner, 5–6:30 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: Brunch, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; Dinner, 5–6:30 p.m.

Spike’s Spot Convenience Store
Monday–Friday: 1–4 p.m.

—Jennifer Bowersox, Sodexo

A new policy, Student Preferred Name, is posted on the University-wide policy website. This policy is to provide consistency for a preferred name experience across the University systems. The policy review period will be open until Jan. 23.  If you have any comments, please submit them to dupolicies@drake.edu.

—Andrea McDonough, Finance & Administration

The Whistleblower Protection Policy, currently found on the Human Resources webpage through blueView, has been revised and retitled Non-Retaliation Against Persons Reporting Misconduct. This policy is posted for review, and can be found on the Campus Policies web page. The revisions include definitions, a broader explanation of the concept of retaliation, and procedures for reporting suspected retaliation.

In compliance with Drake’s Policy Development, Approval and Communication policy, the two-week review period will be through Jan. 9.  Please take a moment to review the revised Non-Retaliation policy and procedures. If you have any comments or concerns regarding the new policy, please send them to dupolicies@drake.edu.

Also, watch for changes in a new policy library in the spring.

—Andrea McDonough, Finance & Administration

Drake University Mail Operations will be moving Mail Services from its current location in the old post office building on 24th Street to the lower level of Olmsted during the week of Dec. 19 and be open to the public the week of Jan. 2. This move will require a new location for any drop off of mail that had previously been done in the old post office building. We realize that this may be inconvenient for some of you, so we would like to discuss how we might be able to assist departments as we make this transition.

As part of the changes in Mail Services, a new manager will be coming on board within the next 30–60 days. Once the new manager is hired, we hope to offer additional services to the campus community in the coming months. If you have any questions about Mail Operations in the short term, please do not hesitate to reach out to Scott Law at scott.law@drake.edu or Tricia McKinney at tricia.mckinney@drake.edu. It is our goal to continue to work toward continuous improvement in all areas of mail services and to provides courteous, high-quality service to the University community.

—Scott Law, Public Safety

The Drake Book Store hours will be adjusted during holiday break and J-Term:

Dec. 19–23                      9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Dec. 25–26                      Closed
Dec. 27–30                      10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Dec. 31–Jan. 2               Closed

Jan. 3–20
Monday–Friday               9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Saturday                              10 a.m.–5 p.m.

MidAmerican Energy has shut down the sidewalk between Olin and Fitch Dec. 19–26 for work on the STEM@DRAKE buildings. See the Dec. 2016 Logistics Map for details.