The Writing Workshop closes for the Fall 2018 semester on Sunday, Dec. 9, after its evening hours. Students should consult the schedule for open sessions from now until the final shift on Dec. 9.
Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Category Archives: For Faculty Archive
Final Friday FYS lunch discussion
The final Friday FYS lunch/discussion is Dec. 7 at noon in TMR 133. While these meetings are designed for those currently teaching FYS, we welcome those with an interest in possibly teaching FYS in the future. If you would like to attend please go to: https://fyslunchdec.eventbrite.com and select your lunch preference.
Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Grant Writing and Research session
The next session in a series on Grant Writing and Research is Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 3:30 p.m. in the Drake Room. The topic of this session is: “How to Prepare IRB Requests.” Anyone is welcome to attend. Participation in previous sessions is not required. There is no need to register.
Art Sanders, Associate Provost
Short’s Travel tips
It is a best practice to book international travel by contacting a Short’s agent directly rather than booking online. The agents have extensive experience and can find you the best connections at the best pricing. They can be reached at 877-263-2550.
Also, a reminder that Short’s online portal does not have access to the Southwest Airlines special internet only fares. Short’s may not be able to meet pricing on those fares but will book your ticket at the lowest possible fare they do have available. Note: although Southwest Airlines special internet only fares are not available on Short’s online portal, you can get these fares by contacting a Short’s Travel Agent at 877–263–2550.
If you have a chance, it is a good idea to look up all of your personal frequent flyer account numbers and enter them into your profile.
Caron Findlay, Purchasing and Business Services
ITS Project Status Update meetings
There are several dates left in 2018 to learn about the progress of current technology projects. The ITS project management team is also already planning for 2019. Please join us for a 15-minute call scheduled for every other Thursday at 10 a.m. on the following dates:
2018
November 29
December 13
2019
January 10
January 24
A full list of 2019 dates can be found on the campus calendar at calendar.drake.edu.
There are two different ways to connect to the meeting:
To both hear and see the presentation, go to the Blackboard Collaborate link and follow the on-screen instructions. Need assistance? See the Join the Bi-Weekly ITS Project Update Meeting (How To) article.
For audio only, call 571-392-7650 and enter PIN# 9060694541.
Contact Kris Brewster, Keren Fiorenza, or Jeff Regan with any questions.
Kris Brewster, ITS
Collaboration sites with Microsoft Teams
There is an increasing need for online collaboration tools at Drake. This includes everything from shared documents, calendars, announcements, email distribution lists, and conversation tools. ITS has been exploring options that could enable easier collaboration across campus. After careful evaluation, Microsoft Teams (or Teams) stands out as the best option for the University. Teams already exists within our Office 365 platform and integrates seamlessly with other tools we use on campus. Microsoft Teams is a product that combines tools and resources like group chat, calendars, and file sharing to create one location for meaningful teamwork. ITS is just launching an initiative to consolidate the tools and infrastructure used for group work and file sharing into one intuitive and cross-functional system.
The project team has created Microsoft Teams for a few campus organizations and is creating an initial schedule to roll out Teams to departments and other collaborative groups. For each new site, we will work closely with the group to begin using tools, review any existing shared file storage, and migrate shared files to the Cloud as needed.
We will keep you informed on the progress of this project. You can also check the project’s weekly status and watch for regular updates in OnCampus. There’s also a FAQ on the project, which shares more details.
Jeff Regan, ITS
United Way campaign: Help Drake reach its goal
The 2018 United Way Campaign will come to a close this Friday, Nov. 16. As of this morning, we have raised $42,680.55 from 276 participants. If you haven’t yet, please consider making a donation. Even $5 per month makes an impact for community partners providing education, income, and health related services, and remember if we reach out goal of 350 participants and/or 3% across the board increase, President Martin will close campus for a full-day paid holiday the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. To be counted among the participants, please be sure to make your contribution by 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16. Visit the website to learn more and donate.
Ryan Arnold, University Advancement
Bulldog Applause: Spotlight on the Controller’s Office
Last week, Drake’s All Staff Council Recognition Committee celebrated the Controller’s Office with a surprise treat delivery, compliments of Drake Dining. This spotlight provides a few fast fact about the Controller’s Office. Thank you to the team for everything they do to make Drake a great place!
How many staff members are in the department? 13
What is the primary function of the team? Do you have a mission/vision/motto?
The Controller’s Office consists of the following functions: Student Accounts and Cashiering Services, Accounting and Accounts Payable, Payroll Services, and Financial Reporting and Compliance. Each of these offices have very unique functions that serve our community in different ways.
- The Office of Student Accounts and Cashiering Services consists of five staff members: Jana Brem, Director of Student Account Services; Donna Knight-Donovan, Cashier; Sheila Govoni, Student Accounts Consultant; Terri Smith, Student Accounts Consultant; and Anthony Leto, Student Accounts Collection and Loan Specialist. This office is committed to assisting our students, families, and community as they transact business with the University and assume financial responsibility for their education. Primary responsibilities of this office include the billing and collecting of tuition, fees, and other related charges and servicing of student accounts.
- The Accounting and Accounts Payable Office consists of six staff members: Erica McGowan, Associate Controller; Stacy Bauer, Senior Accountant; Jill Burkle, Staff Accountant; Jeni Baugher, Accounts Payable Supervisor; Shelly Biondi, Accounting Clerk; and Suzanne Stewart, Accounts Payable Clerk. The Accounting Department is responsible for the integrity of the University’s financial records and for assuring that transactions entered into the University’s general ledger are recorded in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the accounting policies of the University. This office also processes payment requests related to vendor invoices and employee travel and expense reimbursements.
- Payroll Services works directly with Human Resources and University departments to prepares and distribute all University payrolls. Kathy Jefferson, Payroll Coordinator, manages the Payroll Services department.
- The Controller’s Office is also responsible for financial reporting and compliance. This includes the management of the University’s debt portfolio, tax compliance and reporting, annual financial audits, and other financial reporting.
Who has been with the team the longest, and what is their job title and length of employment?
Kathy Jefferson, our Payroll Coordinator, is the longest standing employee. She has served the Drake Community for over 40 years! Incredible!
Who is the newest team member, and what is their job title and month/year of start?
Our newest member is Stacy Bauer. Stacy is the Senior Accountant in the Accounting Office. She started in her new role in September 2018. We are excited to have her join our Bulldog family!
What campus buildings do your team members “live” in? Old Main
Anything else noteworthy/interesting/special about your department that bears mentioning?
The Accounting Office adopted a 50-pound fiberglass Bulldog in January 2016, which they have named Templeton. Templeton was one of seven bulldogs unveiled during a 2007 Bulldog Parade. The Bulldog was created by Maddy Maxwell, former President Maxwell’s wife. This article gives further information about the unveiling of the seven bulldogs entered into the parade.
For every season or major holiday, including Drake Relays, Templeton is dressed in appropriate attire. As you can see from a few of our photos, Templeton proudly shows off his spirit for the Relays, enjoys connecting with the Irish for St. Patrick’s Day, loves to go for Easter egg hunts on Easter, and is ready to strut his stuff for summer.
Templeton is definitely a conversation piece as we have visitors in the office. Everyone enjoys seeing his new looks and students/children who visit our office like to stop in and pet him. Stop by Old Main to meet Templeton – we love to share him with our Drake community.
Cathy Williams, University Advancement
Bulldog Bites: New date for third lunch and learn session for faculty, staff discussing sexual harassment
Through a collaboration between the Public Safety, Title IX and Violence Prevention, and Equity and Inclusion departments, Human Resources is excited to offer a new series of programming focused on safety and inclusion called Bulldog Bites. The program will make our own campus experts accessible to faculty and staff to talk about how we can all make our community feel safe and inclusive. The next session is Friday, Nov. 16, in Turner Jazz Center. Note: this is a new date.
Mark your calendar for the brown-bag lunch series, which includes five sessions throughout the year. Remaining sessions are:
Nov. 16: Title IX/Prevention part 1
Feb. 13: Equity and Inclusion part 2
March 13: Title IX/Prevention part 2
All programs will start at noon. Those who attend will enter a drawing for Hubbell Dining Hall and annual parking passes.
Mary Alice Hill, Human Resources
Grant Writing and Research session
The next session in our series on Grant Writing and Research is on Monday, Nov. 19, at 3:30 p.m. in the Drake Room. The topic of this session is: Program Evaluation, Ensuring the Fidelity of Implementation and Overall Project Outcomes. Anyone is welcome to attend. Participation in previous sessions is not required. There is no need to register.
Art Sanders, Associate Provost