The Des Moines Corporate Games is an eight-week company based competition (June 1–July 31) that promotes teamwork and company pride. Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. Whether you are a trivia buff or a triathlete, there is an event for you. 

All activities are held in the evening and on weekends, and are free (except for golf cart rental). You may participate in one or more events and they are open to all full-time and regular part-time employees, interns, and retirees. Drake is competing against other local companies for a chance to win individual and team medals as well as the Corporate Games trophy, so we need as many people as possible to be a part of these games and show our Drake pride. 

For registration information, email linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Events: Bags, 3-on-3 Basketball, Basketball Shooting, Blood Donation, Bowling, Burst Your Thirst Online Challenge, 4K & 8K Cross Country Race, Cycling Tour Ride, Disc Golf, Dodgeball, Duathlon, Fitness Walk (Ames & Des Moines options), 4-Person Best Shot Golf, Meals from the Heartland, 5K & 10K Road Race, Sand Volleyball, Spikeball, Track & Field Competition (held on the Drake Blue Oval), Triathlon, Trivia Challenge, Tug of War, Ultimate Frisbee, Yoga, and Zumba (Ames & Des Moines options).

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Registration is now open for the annual All Staff Council Kickball Tournament scheduled to take place Wednesday, May 22, from 1:30–4 p.m. in Helmick Commons. Sign up as a team, free agent, or referee.

All Staff Council will accept registrations for up to 8 teams of no more than 12 faculty and/or staff members. Individuals interested in playing may also sign up as a free agent, and will be assigned to a team. Registrations are due by Friday, May 17, at noon. Fans are also welcomed and encouraged to cheer on their colleagues and enjoy some snacks. No fan registration is required. For questions, contact ascspecialevents@drake.edu.

Jill Batten, on behalf of All Staff Council Special Events Committee

Faculty and staff will have the opportunity to see schematics of the planned University Avenue streetscapes at the Provost’s Drake Social Tuesday, April 9, from 4–6 p.m. in Shivers Hospitality Suite. Streetscape developers and Michelle Huggins, Drake University planning and design manager, will be on hand to answer questions about the changes coming to University Avenue. 

In addition, there will be hard hat tours of the Burt Boys and Girls Club just across from Shivers. Construction is nearly complete and this is an opportunity for an early peek inside.

Drinda Williams, Academic Support Specialist

Registration is now open for the Global Greens Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. The vegetables in the shares are all grown using organic practices by former refugees who are establishing small vegetable farming businesses in the Des Moines area and can be picked up just across the street at Lutheran Services in Iowa (3200 University Avenue) on Tuesday afternoons. Be a part of helping Des Moines’ newest residents expand their businesses, support a healthy local food system and eat great vegetables all at the same time! A weekly share of vegetables costs $504, or $28 per week for 18 weeks. Sign up today at www.lsiowa.org/csa.

— Ryan Arnold, Director, Community Engagement

The University will now require all students pursuing an undergraduate degree from Drake University to complete the FAFSA prior to July 1 (preceding the academic year enrolled) as part of the Tuition Rebate Application process. For example, undergraduate, degree-seeking students who wish to receive the Tuition Rebate for Fall 2019 must complete the 2019–2020 FAFSA by July 1, 2019.

This requirement ensures that eligible students are considered for the Iowa Tuition Grant, which partially funds tuition and reduces the cost of offering this benefit. In addition, completing the FAFSA ensures that students will be considered for the Federal Pell Grant, which is available to cover the costs of other educational expenses like room, board, or books.

This new requirement is effective April 1, 2019. This requirement may be waived for students who can demonstrate that they would not qualify for the Iowa Tuition Grant. View the Tuition Rebate Policy for details.

For questions or help with the FAFSA, contact Student Financial Planning at (515) 271-2905 or email financialaid@drake.edu.

Ryan Zantingh, Student Financial Planning

It is always best to book international flights through a Short’s travel agent rather than online. You can search online, however there are certain international airlines that do not participate in the ticket inventory available to agencies such as Short’s. The agent will be able to locate the lowest available price for your international trips.

If you have questions, contact jputz@shortstravel.com or caron.findlay@drake.edu.

— Caron Findlay, Director, Purchasing and Business Services

All Drake Polo shirts are 15% off April 9–22 through the online store. Stock up and save at shop.drake.edu.

— Caron Findlay, Director, Purchasing and Business Services

Passwords are often described as the key to protecting our information. This is true, but we’re rarely given simple ways to securely manage them. Fortunately, there are ways to simplify passwords to protect our digital identities.

Passphrases
The days of complex passwords with character substitutions and symbols are over. They’re hard to remember and type, and easy for attackers to break. The solution is passphrases: longer passwords that use random words or make a sentence, including symbols if required.

• My2015CamryisGreen!
• Eagle-Crow-Jay-Finch#

Password Managers
It’s critical to use a unique password for every website and account. When a breach occurs, reused passwords allow attackers to quickly compromise multiple accounts. Password managers securely store your unique passphrases and only require you to remember a single master password. They also retrieve passwords as needed, and log into websites as you visit them. Additionally, the best password managers also store answers to your secret questions, warn of password reuse, and assist with changing old and insecure passwords.

Many options are available, so research to determine which one is best for you and your family.

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication requires a secondary code or acknowledgement and your password to access an account. Even if an attacker has your password, they are unable to access your account. Enable this wherever possible, but especially for accounts containing financial or identifying information. ITS is implementing MFA in systems with confidential information, and we strongly recommend it for personal accounts.

ITS will continue phishing education this month sending emails that mimic real attacks. If you receive an email that you suspect is phishing, don’t click any links, download any attachments, or reply.

For more information on reporting phishing emails, see the IT Service Portal guide, Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS