Category Archives: For Staff Archive

Tuition rebate FAFSA requirement

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

Bulldog Applause: Spotlight on the Grounds Crew

Last week, Drake’s All Staff Council Recognition Committee celebrated the Grounds Crew with a surprise treat delivery, compliments of Drake Dining. Read the spotlight below to learn more about the Grounds Department.  Thank you to the team for everything they do to make Drake’s campus beautiful and safe!

How many staff members are in the department?
We currently have eight grounds workers and one supervisor

What is the primary function of the team? Do you have a mission/vision/motto?
Our goal is to support the education, research, and athletic mission of the University by maintaining a safe, beautiful, and functional campus environment.

Who has been with the team the longest, and what is their job title and length of employment?
Dan Downey is the Grounds lead person. He has been with Drake for 28 years.

Who is the newest team member, and what is their job title and month/year of start?
Patrick Williams is the Grounds supervisor. He has been with Drake for 17 months.

What campus buildings do your team members “live” in?
The Grounds staff occupy an office and meeting space on the ground floor of Facilities, Planning, and Management.  However, we consider the entire 144 acres of campus as the space where we live and do our work.

What are some recent challenges and accomplishments of note that others in the University might not know about?
This past year brought many challenges including five track meets, the rain event/flooding issues, and an abundance of snow and ice this winter. Despite the many challenges, I am proud of our team for their perseverance and dedication. FPM strives to work as a cohesive unit and that was reflected in our handling of the obstacles this year provided. For example, snow removal is a combined effort between Grounds, Custodial, Public Safety, HVAC, and Skilled Trades.

Anything else noteworthy/interesting/special about your department that bears mentioning?
Drake University was awarded Tree Campus USA designation again this year. We have been a Tree Campus since 2011.

— Cathy Williams, On behalf of All Staff Council Recognition Committee

Short’s international travel tips

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

Keeping passwords simple

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

Faculty/Staff discounted Drake Relays tickets

Faculty and staff can purchase discounted tickets to the Drake Relays. Visit DrakeTix.com/drakerelays to view the special pricing for package and single-session tickets. Faculty and staff must visit the Knapp Center Ticket Office and show a valid Drake ID to receive the discounted price. For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647.

Ryan Harris, Athletics

All In is this week!

All In is this Thursday and Friday from noon to noon! Are you ready to share, celebrate, and support Drake? We have a chance to unlock over $100,000 in challenges and matching funds for Drake University, and you can help! 

Here are five ways to join in:  

  1. Make your gift and encourage others to as well. Gifts from the Drake community have a meaningful impact, and during All In, your gift multiplies! Several matching gift challenges for colleges and units will run throughout All In. (View list here.) Plus, if we reach 1,350 donors in 24 hours, Doug Zinser, AS’96, and Dick Sussman, LA’51, will give an additional $65,000 to the Drake Fund.  
  2. Follow on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for stories about what Drake means to our community and see all the fun that’s happening. Check out the #DrakeAllIn Tagboard feed on the website, too.  
  3. Share your own Drake stories and photos and tell your networks why Drake is such an exceptional, vibrant University, deserving of their support. Make sure you use #DrakeAllIn on your posts. 
  4. Attend the Des Moines All In Happy Hour. (Griff RSVP’ed as a ‘yes’ and will be there for pats and photo ops.) 
  5. If you can, wear jeans and your best Drake gear on Thursday and Friday.    

PS: Don’t forget: your gift could yield a pie! All faculty and staff who give will be entered to win an apple pie baked by Provost Mattison. 

 Alicia Chilton, University Communications and Marketing

Save the Date for All In 2019

Check out this video to see what All In is all about. Watch now.

We are just nine days away from the biggest advancement and fundraising event of the year and the excitement is building online and on campus.

In addition to spreading the word about All In, be sure to RSVP and attend the Des Moines All In Happy Hour on Thursday, April 5, from 5–7 p.m. at Gilroy’s Kitchen + Pub + Patio at 1238 8th Street, West Des Moines. Register to attend here. This event is open to the entire Des Moines Drake community and is a great opportunity to catch up with alumni, parents, and friends of Drake so let your networks know you’re going and you’d love to see them there. 

Also, returning for the third year to sweeten the deal is Provost Mattison’s Faculty/Staff Pie drawing. Each faculty or staff member who makes a gift during All In will be entered into a drawing to win a delicious homemade apple pie from Provost Mattison herself. 

For more information on All In this year and to follow along with our challenges and sign up as an ambassador, visit drake.edu/allin. If you have any questions about All In please feel free to contact Becca Widmer, director of annual giving, at becca.widmer@drake.edu.

Becca Widmer, director of annual giving