Category Archives: For Faculty Archive

FPM shares results on Survey of Administrative Services

An objective of Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan is to “Elevate Service Excellence”. The Survey of Administrative Services directly supports our continuous improvement in this area.  The feedback from 220 respondents this year helps Facilities Planning and Management understand where service gaps may exist and how to improve our services to the University.  Survey respondents provided largely positive feedback about FPM services. Responses were provided on a five-point scale, with five being the highest.

Satisfaction with FPM staff

Respondents assessed their satisfaction with FPM staff including their courtesy, professionalism, knowledge, timeliness, resolution of issues and communication regarding work orders and projects.

FPM Staff are courteous — 4.73

FPM Staff are professional— 4.69

FPM Staff are knowledgeable — 4.59

FPM Staff respond to may request in a timely manner — 4.15

FPM keeps me aware of projects or construction that will impact my work — 3.99

FPM staff provide regular communication about the status of my request — 3.95

Satisfaction with services provided by FPM

Respondents assessed their satisfaction with the services FPM staff provide for campus buildings and grounds.

Grounds – Winner of FPM Annual Golden Bulldog Award— 4.54

Moving – Last year’s winner — 4.51

Custodial — 4.46

Painting — 4.37

Electrical — 4.36

Plumbing — 4.36

Snow Removal — 4.35

Trash/Recycling — 4.33

Capital Projects — 4.13

Carpentry — 4.07

Cooling and Heating — 3.97

Overall satisfaction with FPM —Total Average 4.22 (4.13 last year)

Overall satisfaction is above average, slightly up from the previous year.  FPM has opportunities for improvement and we are actively developing strategies to improve our services and overall quality. The preservation of historic buildings can be demanding when maintaining and operating mechanical systems.  It is our goal to heat and cool to establish a comfortable environment, while understanding the capacity of the system along with individual preferences.

In reviewing the data and reflecting on the comments provided by the respondents, we make the following commitments.

FPM will:

  1. Strive to provide status reports on work orders.
  2. Communicate any impacts to campus through Building Contacts Monthly Meetings, OnCampus, or directly to impacted buildings contacts. Monthly meetings are held via TEAMS and open to everyone, if you wish to attend, please let us know.
  1. Continue to develop the Facilities Condition Assessment annual report and provide the findings and recommendations to the campus. https://www.drake.edu/media/departmentsoffices/facilityservices/documents/FCA%20FY23%20Report.pdf
  1. Ensure FPM staff demonstrate the Core Values as we perform our day-to-day operations.

Kevin Moran, Executive Director Facilities Planning and Management

Call for applications: DU Spain Faculty-in-Residence Spring 2024 and 2025

Drake University is launching a Drake cohort-model semester study abroad program in Seville, Spain, starting Spring 2023. As a part of the semester experience, a Drake faculty member will teach and serve in various other capacities to support the program abroad as Faculty-in-Residence.

The DU Spain Faculty-in-Residence application is live through Qualtrics for Spring 2024 and Spring 2025. To learn more about this opportunity including eligibility, compensation, responsibilities, and to apply, please go to: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_etgZfFgj2zw7ZIO

Submissions are due Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. If you have questions, please reach out to Maria Rohach, director of education abroad, at maria.rohach@drake.edu.

— Maria Rohach, Global Engagement

Roadmaps to Retirement Dec. 7

Join us on Dec. 7 for Roadmaps to Retirement: Taking Stock and Looking Forward.

A shocking number of Americans have done little to prepare for post-employment life. This free event will feature two panels of experts: Social Security and Disability at 11 a.m., moderated by Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Agency, and Employer Retirement Savings Programs at 1 p.m., led by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend of the U.S. Department of Labor. More details are available on The Harkin Institute website.  

Registration is required, sign up here on eventbrite. This event will have American Sign Language (ASL) and Real-time captioning (CART). Contact harkininstitute@drake.edu with questions or to request other accommodations. 

— Lila Johnson, The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement

Celebrating True Blue Staff

Please join us in congratulating our most recent recipients of the True Blue Award. Here is a little information about our honorees with excerpts from their nominations.

Rob Ebel, FPM Construction Manager, Facilities Planning and Management

Managing construction projects also means that you manage change. It is with a servant’s heart that he strives to help our clients (faculty, staff, students) through the changes that construction progress brings.”

Sara Heijerman & Erica McGowan, University Book Club Leaders

Although the book club is not part of their regular responsibilities at Drake, they show their generosity of spirit by joyfully taking on this project, and carefully planning it out to make sure the book selections are diverse, all participants have a say in the selections, and that the social gatherings are varied to accommodate both on campus and remote employees.”

Terry Janssen, Mechanic, Facilities Planning and Management

“To Terry these Core Values are more than words on paper they are the foundation of which we stand. Terry is a dedicated and valued employee whose abilities are truly a blessing to the Drake community.”

Kevin Moran, Executive Director, Facilities Planning and Management

“Instead of asking me to find another location or make do with what was available, he sought out the information and approvals he needed to meet the needs I had expressed for myself and my students. This was not just Kevin doing his job, but going above and beyond with a spirit of generosity, all in this together, with a commitment to mission at the core.”

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!

— Betsy Wilson, On behalf of All Staff Council

Writing in your field, faculty development opportunity

Written communication is important in almost any academic field, but the genres and accepted conventions of writing vary from discipline to discipline. In this project, we will discuss ways to integrate writing instruction into courses for which written communication is not necessarily the primary learning outcome, as well as courses that require students to communicate in field-specific ways (for instance, lab reports or business memos).

Instructors who participate in this project will have a one-semester commitment that will include:

  • Working with the Director of Writing, Megan Brown, on the development of a writing assignment, writing activities, or a writing project for one of their spring classes.
  • Attending hour-long meetings of all participants in the program in February, March, and April (or early May) 2023.  These meetings may be structured as two sessions each month, half at each session, in order to facilitate more in-depth discussion.
  • Requiring all students enrolled in the class to attend tutoring sessions at the Writing Center at least twice during the semester.

After the initial meeting(s) with the Director of Writing to develop a writing assignment or writing project, participants will receive a stipend of $500. After completing the project and attending the final meeting, participants will receive an additional $500.

Participation is limited to 10 individuals.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Nicki Kimm by Friday, December 2.

If you have questions, contact Megan Brown (megan.brown@drake.edu).

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

Bulldog Connect luncheon Nov. 16

All Staff Council is holding a Bulldog Connect Networking lunch on Wednesday, Nov.16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come join us for a $5 lunch at Hubbell Dining Hall. We encourage attendees to wear their Drake name tag. Anyone is welcome to come—bring a fellow Bulldog along with you. Look for the table with the Drake swag and a special Bulldogs Connect table tent in Hubbell.

Also a reminder that All Staff Council invites you to share any suggestions, concerns, or other feedback you’d like us to look into using this form. (If you’d like us to respond to your feedback directly, please include your name and contact information, otherwise let us know your thoughts anonymously.)

— Megan Franklin, On behalf of All Staff Council

Teaching opportunities in John Dee Bright College

Curious about teaching opportunities in the John Dee Bright College? Attend a teaching Q&A panel next week.

 Instructor Q&A Panel Session:

Nov. 10 from 10–11 a.m. CST – virtual, Zoom
Link to register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EA5AD28A4FDCF8-bright1

 If you are interested in learning more about teaching for Bright College, please join us for an informal Q&A panel session where Megan Brown, Stacy Gnacinski, and Craig Owens will share their lived experiences teaching in the college as well as outline potential opportunities for future instructors. This is a prime opportunity to ask any/all questions you may have about teaching in the college. As these sessions are merely informational, please know that your attendance in no way implies commitment to involvement in the college.

Thank you in advance for your interest and attendance.

— Stacy Gnacinski and Megan Brown, John Dee Bright College Associate Deans

Volunteers needed for CHARACTER COUNTS! Day at Drake Women’s Basketball

The Ray Center and the Drake Women’s Basketball team are excited to be bringing back the CHARACTER COUNTS! Drake Women’s Basketball Game for the first time since 2019! Thousands of K-8 students will join us on December 1 for a morning full of fun, character education, and basketball! The Ray Center is looking for volunteers from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. to help thousands of students on and off buses, find their assigned seats, carry in coolers with sack lunches, assist teachers, help with concessions, etc. If you are interested in volunteering for this fun event, please email Megan Wesselink at Megan.Wesselink@drake.edu by November 18. Go Bulldogs!

— Megan Wesselink, The Ray Center

Teaching opportunities in John Dee Bright College

Curious about teaching opportunities in the John Dee Bright College? Attend a teaching Q&A panel next week.

Instructor Q&A Panel Sessions: 

Nov. 7 from 10–11 a.m. — in-person, Medbury Honors Lounge
Link to register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EA5AD28A4FDCF8-bright

Nov. 10 from 10–11 a.m. — virtual, Zoom
Link to register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EA5AD28A4FDCF8-bright1

If you are interested in learning more about teaching for Bright College, please join us for an informal Q&A panel session where Megan Brown, Stacy Gnacinski, and Craig Owens will share their lived experiences teaching in the college as well as outline potential opportunities for future instructors. This is a prime opportunity to ask any/all questions you may have about teaching in the college. As these sessions are merely informational, please know that your attendance in no way implies commitment to involvement in the college. Refreshments will be provided.

Thank you in advance for your interest and attendance.

— Stacy Gnacinski and Megan Brown, Associate Deans, John Dee Bright College