LAST CHANCE: Faculty and staff, if you haven’t already, please consider completing the survey of administrative services by the end of day tomorrow, Oct. 17. Take the survey.

The survey is completely anonymous and should take no more than 15 minutes to fill out. The survey assesses the University’s performance in delivering services to the campus and is an important part of Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan.

The survey focuses on six areas: Finance, Public Safety, Human Resources, Facilities Planning and Management, Information Technology Services, and University Communications and Marketing. It was developed by the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment in collaboration with several other of our colleagues. Your feedback is appreciated and will help us better meet the needs of the University. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Nate Reagen, Office of the President

The fourth session in our series on Grant Writing and Research, is Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the Drake Room in Olmsted from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The topic is Writing a Grant Proposal I. By the end of the two sessions on this topic, the second is on Nov. 6, you will have the beginnings of the outline of a grant proposal. It is best to attend both sessions, but we can work with you if you only can attend one. There is no need to register.

Art Sanders, Associate Provost

The second of our “Meet the New Faculty” social gatherings will be Monday, Oct. 22, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Levitt Hall. The session will open with four of our new faculty speaking briefly about their professional and personal development, answering questions in dialogue with the audience. We will then will move into an informal social gathering where attendees will have the opportunity to meet and get to know the new faculty. All attendees will receive a drink ticket (beer or wine) and there will be non-alcoholic drinks and snacks served.

Art Sanders, Associate Provost

The second Friday Scholarship of Teaching and Learning session is Oct. 26 at noon in TMR 133. These discussions are opportunities for those engaged in SoTL projects at any level—from just thinking about starting one, to almost complete, or those simply curious about SoTL—to share ideas, seek advice or ask questions of colleagues engaged in this process. Members of the IT Support Services staff will be present to provide advice/information about SoTL projects that might involve technology usage. If you would like us to provide lunch for you, please register by Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m.

Art Sanders, Associate Provost

The third session in our series on Online Learning is Thursday, Oct. 25, in the Drake Room in Olmsted from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The topic is Building Presence. These sessions are not meant to be “nuts and bolts” how-to sessions, but rather discussions of the issues related to the topic. You do not need to have experience teaching online to attend, nor do you have to have attended the previous session. There is no need to register.

Art Sanders, Associate Provost

Prior to the next Drake Social, faculty and staff may nominate colleagues who exemplify the Drake Core Value of Joyful Accountability. To nominate someone, send the colleague’s name and a sentence describing how this Drake employee exemplifies the core value. Names of those nominated will be on display at the Social.

From among those nominated, three winners will be drawn to select from a menu of prizes that include such things as casual-work-week privileges, gift cards, a premier parking space for a month, office breakfast, or homemade baked goods – to name a few.

For October, please nominate a colleague who exemplifies Joyful Accountability—who strives each day to be their best, who is curious, creative, bold and brave. To nominate someone, email drinda.williams@drake.edu with the name of the colleague and a sentence that captures their Joyful Accountability. Nominations for Joyful Accountability much be received by Wednesday, Oct. 17.

The October Drake Social will be held Friday, Oct. 19, from 4–6 p.m. on the FAC Arcade with a popcorn bar, cider, and soft drinks. (This is one of two alcohol-free socials this year.)

Other core values will be featured Dec. 13, Generosity of Spirit; Feb. 13, All in This Together; and March 6, Commitment to Mission.

Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

On Wednesday, Oct. 3, the first of two Meet the New Faculty socials were held in Levitt Hall.

Jared Butler, Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice; Matthew Canfield, Assistant Professor, Law, Politics and Society; Ellie Falter, Assistant Professor, Music;  Erika Iverson, Visiting Assistant Professor, Law, Politics and Society, each spent a few minutes talking about their personal and professional development, where they are in their lives and where they have been, and a bit on where they wish to go. Great conversations and connections were made by all!!

Attendees had this to say: “The faculty felt incredibly welcomed, and I see many connections that will come as a result.”

“I was wavering on whether to attend but I am so glad I did! I know have two good connections for the work I am doing on campus.”

The second Meet the New Faculty Social will be held on Monday, Oct. 22 in Levitt Hall from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Kevin Carlson, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology ; Chris Holman, Professor of Law, Intellectual Property ; Sara Johnston, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy; and Christine Urish, Professor, Occupational Therapy, will be presenting.  There will be a cash bar and all attendees will receive a drink ticket, there will also be non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.

Sandra Harris, Office of the Associate Provost & Office of Institutional Research & Assessment

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 Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Mark your calendar for the brown-bag lunch series, which will include five sessions throughout the year:

Oct. 10: Equity and Inclusion part 1
Nov. 14: Title IX/Prevention part 1
Feb. 13: Equity and Inclusion part 2
March 13: Title IX/Prevention part 2

All programs will take place in Turner Jazz Center starting at noon. Those who attend will enter a drawing for Hubbell Dining Hall and annual parking passes.

Mary Alice Hill, Human Resources