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

 Ratings were consistent with prior year ratings.  Each of the departments within Finance individually scored between 4.4 and 4.7 on the 5-point scale.  The overall satisfaction with the services provided by the Offices of Finance and Financial Aid score was 4.48 compared to 4.62 in 2024.  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.  A number of comments referenced the impact on services from staffing levels and turnover, along with the Workday implementation.  The Finance staff are doing our best to manage through the challenges and will come out of the Workday implementation in a better position.  We request your continued grace as we work to streamline and continually improve our operations.

Thank you again for participating in the Survey of Administrative Services 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

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value of Generosity of Spirit will be recognized at the next Provost’s Social, Thursday, Jan. 22, in the Cowles Reading Room beginning at 4 p.m. 

How do we define Generosity of Spirit at Drake? We look for colleagues who trust, empower, and presume the best of others, practice civility, caring, and respect, and are committed to equity and inclusion. 

To nominate a colleague, please use the Qualtrics form. All those nominated will be recognized on a rolling display during the event.  When you nominate colleagues, be prepared to describe how each colleague meets these descriptions. From among those nominated, several will be chosen at random for prizes. 

Refreshments will include an assortment of beverages and light snacks. This is a family friendly event. Feel free to bring your children or partner! 

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Provost’s Office

This is a reminder that beginning this month, ITS will be rolling out essential system updates to all campus Mac and Windows computers. Please watch for update notifications and install them as soon as possible to ensure your device remains secure and up to date.

• Windows devices: Will receive the Windows 25H2 update.
• Mac devices: Will be upgraded to macOS Tahoe.

Updates will be delivered through your computer’s standard update process. Prompt installation helps protect both your device and the campus network.

If you need help or have questions, visit service.drake.edu/its or call the Support Center at 515-271-3001. Our team is ready to assist you.

Thank you for supporting campus technology security!

— Becky Klein, ITS

In early January, ITS will start rolling out important required system updates to all Mac and Windows computers across campus.

• Windows users: Your devices will receive the Windows 25H2 update.
• Mac users: Your devices will be upgraded to macOS Tahoe.

These updates will be delivered through the usual update process. When you see a notification to install the update, please do so promptly to help keep your computer and our campus network safe and running smoothly.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please visit our online portal at service.drake.edu/its. You can also contact the Support Center by phone at 515-271-3001. We’re here to help with any concerns you may have regarding the update process.

Thank you for helping us maintain secure and up-to-date technology on our campus!

— Becky Klein, ITS

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Survey of Administrative Services. Of the 290 survey participants, 66% (192 people) reported working with ITS regularly. The respondent group was 74% staff/administrators and 26% faculty members. The average satisfaction score across all survey responses was 4.5 out of 5. As shown in the chart below, satisfaction scores have steadily increased since 2021 and reached their highest level since the survey began. 

Key Highlights 

• Overall Satisfaction: 87% of participants reported being satisfied or very satisfied with ITS overall. Staff continued to be recognized for courtesy, professionalism, and knowledge. 
• Positive Trends: Most respondents agreed they have the tools and support needed to work effectively on campus and remotely. A large majority recognized ITS staff as exemplifying Drake’s core values.

Areas of Growth

Training Awareness: Last year, 84% of all survey respondents said they knew how to access training to learn new technology. This year, awareness among faculty declined: only 74% of faculty members reported knowing how to get technology training, compared to 88% of faculty last year. In contrast, staff awareness of training resources increased slightly. To better understand these findings, we will collect additional feedback on where campus members seek technology training resources and what types of training they need. This approach will enable us to tailor our efforts and collaborate with campus partners to provide more responsive and effective support. 

Communication and Response: Most respondents remain confident in ITS’s ability to resolve issues and provide regular status updates. However, some noted inconsistencies in communication and response times, which often depend on frontline staff availability. To address this, we are prioritizing staff cross-training and enhancing self-service and remote support options to ensure faster and more consistent assistance. 

Thank you for your continued engagement and feedback. Your insights are essential in strengthening ITS services and empowering every member of the Drake community to thrive in a digital world. 

— Keren Fiorenza, Deputy CITO & Chief Information Security Officer

All Staff Council and Human Resources invite faculty and staff to attend this year’s Holiday Cheer gathering on Tuesday, Dec. 16, by the Pomerantz stage in the Olmsted Center. You are welcome to come and go as you please from 9 to 11 a.m.

Relax and enjoy some tasty holiday treats and beverages with friends and colleagues. Griff II will make an appearance near the beginning of the event, so if you time it right, you may be able to get your picture taken with him in your favorite holiday attire.

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.  We would love to stock the pantry before the holiday break.

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

You’re invited to attend the Provost’s social Tuesday, Dec. 2,  in the Olmsted Center, conference rooms 310 and 311, from 12–2 p.m. for an ice cream sundae bar. We will recognize Drake Facilities Planning and Management staff for their fantastic work. 

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost