Faculty are invited to attend the ITS workshop “Getting Started with Blackboard” on Monday, Jan. 22, from 10 to 11 a.m. in Olmsted Center, TMR 132. Learn basic tips and tricks for working with Blackboard with a focus on course menus, navigation, grade center setup, and more. Please bring your own laptop or another internet capable device. Laptops can be checked out from the kiosk located in the lobby of Meredith Hall. The course will be taught by Karly Good.

Register for the course, and view other upcoming workshops.

—Carla Herling, ITS

En Li, professor of history, and Nate Holdren, professor of law, politics, and society, are convening a faculty writing productivity group in the spring semester, with a monthly meeting and weekly check-in. Faculty members interested in participating are welcome to contact Li at en.li@drake.edu or Holdren at nate.holdren@drake.edu for more information.

—Nate Holdren, Law, Politics & Society

Due to the upcoming winter break, ITS routine maintenance is moving from Thursday, Dec. 21, to tomorrow, Dec. 20. Systems supported by ITS may be unavailable from approximately 10 p.m. tomorrow to 2 a.m. Thursday.

—Carla Herling, ITS

Winter break check processing schedule:

• All check requests are due to Accounts Payable by the end of the business day on Friday, Dec. 15.
• For requests received by Dec. 15, checks will be processed and available after 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19. This will be the last check run before winter break.
• The accounting office will be closed during winter break. Normal check processing will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Thank you for your help in coordinating to ensure we meet all needs during the upcoming season. Please contact Accounting at ext. 2125 with any questions.

—Jeni Baugher, Accounting

Following graduation on Dec. 16 and through Dec. 21, most campus buildings will adopt administrative hours. This means buildings will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Starting Dec. 22, doors will be locked for the winter break. Faculty and staff will still be able to utilize their authorized access plans and enter their office buildings 24/7. Student plans will be shut off during this time. Regular building hours will resume on Jan. 3, the start of January Term.

Cowles Library open hours/after-hours are listed on their website.

Contact Public Safety at 515-271-2222 if you have a door access emergency during this time, or contact Student Services Center at 515-271-2000 or studentservices@drake.edu if you have a general card access question.

—Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center

All Staff Council and Human Resources invite faculty and staff to attend its Holiday Cheer gathering on Thursday, Dec. 14, near the Pomerantz stage in the Olmsted Center. Faculty and staff are welcome to come and go as they please from 9 to 11 a.m.

Guests can enjoy a hot chocolate bar, cookie decorating station, music, and drawings for prizes. Griff will also be in attendance. To be eligible for prize drawings, please bring at least one non-perishable item that will go to the Drake Food Pantries on campus.

Holiday Cheer will replace the holiday breakfast previously hosted by Human Resources. The event is a chance to give back to others in the Drake community, while mingling with coworkers.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

With the launch of our IT Service Portal, ITS changed the way that computer orders are submitted. As you review your FY18 budget, here’s a reminder on how to submit computer orders, as well as where to find information about the overall ITS purchasing process.

Computer and other technology orders must be submitted no later than April 30, 2018, though we encourage you to make your technology purchases earlier in the year whenever possible. Our computer vendors have a higher volume of orders in the spring, which often results in backorders and other delays. Additionally, ITS technicians begin to focus on projects after the end of the spring semester. To expense your computer orders in FY18, the product must be received before June 30, 2018.

For complete information on purchasing computers through ITS, please see the IT Service Portal knowledgebase article, Computer Purchasing Guidelines and Standard Computer Models (FAQ). 

Alicia Mann, ITS

Faculty and staff are invited to the Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to The Knapp Center, for a social hosted by the provost on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. CFO Teresa Krejci will present information on the University’s budget. Snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine will be served. Be sure to attend to learn about the budget and enjoy the company of friends and colleagues.

—Drinda Williams, Provost’s Office

Winter break check processing schedule:

Winter break:

• All check requests are due to Accounts Payable by the end of the business day on Friday, Dec. 15.
• For requests received by Dec. 15, checks will be processed and available after 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19. This will be the last check run before winter break.
• The accounting office will be closed during winter break. Normal check processing will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Thank you for your help in coordinating to ensure we meet all needs during the upcoming season. Please contact Accounting at ext. 2125 with any questions.

—Jeni Baugher, Accounting

Nominations for the 2018 Levitt Teacher of the Year Award and Mentor of the Year Award are being accepted. Submit your nominations today.

––Art Sanders, Associate Provost