Date: Tuesday, Jan. 30

Time: 2 to 3 p.m.

Location: Dial Center Large Conference Room

Description: Faculty, attend a workshop to learn how to set up your Blackboard course to match your syllabus requirements. This practical, hands-on session will help you to take what is provided in your completed syllabus and build your Blackboard course to match what you have already developed. The course is taught by Karly Good. Sign up and view the topics for future workshops at http://www.drake.edu/edtech.

Note: Please bring your own laptop or other internet capable device. If you don’t have a laptop or internet capable device, consider borrowing a laptop from the kiosk located in the lobby of Meredith Hall.

— Carla Herling, ITS

The Internal Revenue Service released Notice 1036 on Jan. 11, which updates the income-tax withholding tables for 2018 reflecting changes made by the tax reform legislation enacted last month. The IRS has advised that employers begin use of the 2018 withholding tables as soon as possible, but not later than Feb. 15.

The University is working with our software provider to implement the new withholding tables. We anticipate implementation to be complete early next week. Employees should begin to see the changes reflected in paychecks issued Jan. 26 and after.

The new withholding tables are designed to work with the W-4 forms that employees have already filed with their employers to claim withholding allowances, so employees are not required to make any changes at this time.

An IRS frequently asked questions page on the new tables is available here. Please consult your tax professional with any additional questions you might have regarding the tax reform legislation.

— Heather Travis, Controller

Final grades for J-Term courses are due by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb 7. If you have difficulty entering final grades, contact Kevin Moenkhaus or Shannon Odenbach.

— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of Registrar

Faculty and staff are invited to a social hosted by the provost on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to The Knapp Center. Snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine will be served.

— Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office

All Drake faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets to the events listed below. Tickets may be picked up at the Drake Athletics Ticket Office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. A valid Drake ID must be shown at time of pick up.

Women’s Basketball
Drake vs. Northern Iowa
Friday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.
The Knapp Center

Men’s Basketball
Drake vs. Missouri State
Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m.
The Knapp Center

More game information is available at www.DrakeTix.com/promotions. For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit www.godrakebulldogs.com.

— Ryan Harris, Athletics

The Office of Student Inclusion, Involvement, and Leadership is looking for faculty and staff who would like to engage with students outside of their normal roles.

Each semester, many events and programs require extra help from faculty and staff. Some of these events include fraternity and sorority recruitment, Dogtown After Hours, and the Relays concert. At times, extra people are needed to help maintain order, and at other times, people are needed to help with specific tasks.

We are building a directory of faculty and staff who are interested in assisting with events. If you would like to be included in the directory, please fill out this form. You will be contacted based on the preferences you select.

Spending time with students outside of your normal role is a great way to build rapport with students and add a little more fun to your life.

For questions, email Kodee Wright at kodee.wright@drake.edu.

— Kodee Wright, Office of Student Inclusion, Involvement, and Leadership

All Drake faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets to the events listed below. Tickets may be picked up at the Drake Athletics Ticket Office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. A valid Drake ID must be shown at time of pick up.

Women’s Basketball
Drake vs. Northern Iowa
Friday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.
The Knapp Center

Men’s Basketball
Drake vs. Missouri State
Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m.
The Knapp Center

More game information is available at www.DrakeTix.com/promotions. For more information, contact the Drake Athletics Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or visit www.godrakebulldogs.com.

— Ryan Harris, Athletics

University Communications will hold a portrait session Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The session is free to all faculty and staff. High-resolution portraits are made available for download through SmugMug.

If you are unable to attend the Feb. 9 drop-in session, you can book a portrait session during University Communications’ studio hours. Studio hours are held for two-hours each month in University Communications’ office located at 1229 25th St. (next door to the Department of Public Safety).

Studio hours:
Feb. 5, 3–5 p.m.
March 5, 3–5 p.m.
April 2, 3–5 p.m.
May 7, 3–5 p.m.

Contact Justice Simpson at justice.simpson@drake.edu to book a drop-in date.

— Justice Simpson, University Communications

Faculty are invited to attend the ITS workshop, Getting Started with Blackboard on Monday, Jan. 22, from 10 to 11 a.m. in Olmsted, Room TMR 132. Learn basic tips and tricks for working with Blackboard with a focus on course menus, navigation, and grade center setup. Participants should bring their own laptop or other internet capable device to the workshop. Laptops can be checked out from the kiosk located in the lobby of Meredith Hall if needed. Karly Good will lead the course. Visit http://www.drake.edu/edtech to sign up, or to see topics of future workshops.

— Carla Herling, ITS