J-Term instructors will share their experiences and advice to those who are teaching J-Term for the first time in 2018 and those who are thinking about teaching J-Term in 2019 or beyond at two upcoming informational sessions.

The first session on travel seminars will be held Nov. 6 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Drake Room in Olmsted Center. The second session will focus on on-campus classes and take place Nov. 8 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Olmsted Center, TMR 132.

The two sessions have very different foci. Those individuals who are thinking about teaching J-Term in the future but not sure whether they want to do a travel seminar or an on-campus class are encouraged to attend both sessions. For questions, contact Art Sanders at arthur.sanders@drake.edu.

Art Sanders, Associate Provost

Last week, Drake’s All Staff Council Recognition Committee celebrated Drake’s Human Resources team with a surprise cookie delivery (compliments of Drake Dining). Read on to learn more about HR and how they make Drake a better place.

What is the mission of HR?
Human Resources is committed to contributing strategically to the mission of Drake University. We seek to embody the best practices of the Human Resources profession by providing excellent, caring, and consistent services that support the ability of the University to recruit and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce.

Where is the HR office located?
The HR team recently moved to 3206 University Ave., Suite 100 (the old School of Education building).

What is the department’s primary function?
A recent restructure in the HR department has created two functional teams: HR Operations and HR Partners. The Operations Team is responsible for compensation, benefits, onboarding processes, and all HR technology systems. The HR Partners team is dedicated to issues of recruitment, employee engagement, professional development, performance management, employee relations, wellness/work-life programs, and employee recognition.

How many staff members does HR have?
There are seven HR employees:

• Gary Johnson, director, HR operations
• Mary Alice Hill, director, HR partner services
• Marlene Heuertz, benefits specialist
• Debra Wiley, HR partner
• Linda Feiden, wellness and recognition specialist
• Laura Schwarz, HR support specialist
• Diana Lei-Butters, HR systems specialist

Who is the longest serving team member?
Gary Johnson will be celebrating 25 years at Drake next year.

Who is the newest team member?
Mary Alice Hill joined the HR team this past August.

What has the HR team been working on lately that we should all know about?
HR has made a number of changes over the past 18 months and continues to look for ways to improve services and processes. Past initiatives include an enhanced new employee orientation, a New to Drake webpage, BUILD (Bulldogs United In Learning Drake) learning and development program, an online peer-to-peer recognition program called Peerceive, automating the service anniversary and retiree gift program, enhanced wellness programming, and the HR Monthly Minute, which is an informational email sent to employees the first Wednesday of each month. Currently, HR is looking at ways to automate and streamline major processes, such as benefits administration and the administration of student employment.

Terri Howard, Law School/All Staff Council

The next in a series of meetings focused on creating inclusive learning environments will be Monday, Nov. 13, at 3:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Drake Room. These meetings are an opportunity for anyone on campus to come and talk about the challenges, successes, and failures we have faced as we try to navigate the difficult issue of creating inclusive learning environments. For questions, contact Art Sanders at arthur.sanders@drake.edu.

Art Sanders, Associate Provost

Drake faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets to the basketball games 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 Drake ID must be shown at the time of pick up.

Women’s Basketball
Drake vs. Milwaukee
Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
The Knapp Center

Men’s Basketball
Drake vs. Coe
Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.
The Knapp Center

More information is available at DrakeTix.com/promotions. For questions, call 515-271-3647 or email tickets@drake.edu.

Tom Florian, Drake Athletics

Drake will kick off its annual United Way giving campaign on Monday, Nov. 6, at 3:30 p.m. with an informational meeting and social in Shivers Courtside Club. All employees are encouraged to attend to learn more about United Way, socialize and mingle with colleagues, and enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks. Toby O’Berry of Iowa Homeless Youth Shelters will be the guest speaker at the event. Representatives from United Way will also be on hand to answer questions.

This year’s campaign goal is to raise $55,000 or achieve a participation rate of 200 employees. If our goal is met, all employees will receive the full day off on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (instead of a half-day).

Why invest in United Way?

United Way works to better the lives of central Iowans by investing in programs and resources that focus on the building blocks of a good life––education, health, and self-sufficiency.

Money donated to United Way stays right here in our community. United Way raises money locally and makes investment decisions locally. United Way financially supports 33 organizations that are Drake partners. Last year, more than 6,000 people in the 50311 zip code benefited from United Way funding. Also, donors can designate what program or nonprofit agency they’d like their donation to support.

While the greatest incentive is improving lives for the better, Drake is encouraging employees to donate by offering a variety of incentives that vary per giving level. Incentives include basketball tickets, Drake merchandise (we have so much to give away!), a visit to the President’s house, VIP Bucksbaum tickets, and more.

How to Give

The easiest way to give is online. An email with a donation link will be distributed to campus on Monday, Nov. 6. For those who have contributed in the past, please consider contributing again. If you are new to the campaign, please consider donating $5 per month.

A simple way to give is through payroll deduction. Employees have the option to make a one-time gift or a recurring gift each pay period. More information on giving to United Way can be found here.

For questions on the campaign, contact your campaign ambassador or Nate Reagen, at nate.reagen@drake.edu or ext. 2949.

Nate Reagen, President’s Office

The next Friday FYS lunch/discussion is Nov. 3 at 12 p.m. in Olmsted Center, TMR 133. The event is open to both current and prospective FYS instructors. If you have an interest in possibly teaching FYS in the future, or are curious to learn more about teaching FYS sections, you are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend, please register and select a lunch preference online.

—Art Sanders, Associate Provost

J-Term instructors will share their experiences and advice to those who are teaching J-Term for the first time in 2018 and those who are thinking about teaching J-Term in 2019 or beyond at two upcoming informational sessions.

The first session on travel seminars will be held Nov. 6 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Drake Room in Olmsted Center. The second session will focus on on-campus classes and take place Nov. 8 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Olmsted Center, TMR 132.

The two sessions have very different foci. Those individuals who are thinking about teaching J-Term in the future but not sure whether they want to do a travel seminar or an on-campus class are encouraged to attend both sessions.

—Art Sanders, Associate Provost

Reminder: The monthly Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) lunch is Friday, Oct. 27 at 12 p.m. in Olmsted Center, TMR 133. The SoTL lunch 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 the process. This year, members of ITS will attend to provide information about SoTL projects that might involve technology usage. While it is too late to order a lunch, interested participants are welcome to come and bring their own lunch.

For more information, contact Art Sanders at arthur.sanders@drake.edu.

—Art Sanders, Associate Provost

If a Drake department wishes to use Amazon for appropriate Drake University purchases, please contact your budget manager to have them order using a Drake Amazon Business Education account. Purchases that qualify are items that Drake cannot procure using a preferred vendor or cannot be purchased through Office Depot. Please use your Drake purchasing card for Amazon purchases. Additionally, your personal Amazon account should not be used for Drake purchases. The purchase must be in the name of Drake University, not your personal name (you can have your name as an attention to), and the shipping address must be the Drake Postal Services address: 2875 University Avenue. If your department does not have an Amazon Business Education Account set up, please contact Kevin Grimes, Amazon Education account specialist, at kggrimes@amazon.com or 206-266-0374.

—Caron Findlay, Purchasing and Business Services

All Staff Council will host a chili cook-off event Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Parents Hall South. A $5 chili lunch with cornbread, dessert, and a drink will be provided during the cook-off event.

If you’d like to compete in the cook-off, sign up by Thursday, Oct. 26. Those entering need to only make one batch of their chili recipe. Samples served will be 3–4 ounces. Sample cups, spoons, and napkins will be provided.

Those who don’t want to cook are invited to consume. Sample a wide variety of home-made chili by donating non-perishable food or other goods to Drake’s Free Little Food Pantries. Goods may include canned foods, personal hygiene products, baby formula or diapers, etc. Bring your supplies to the Olmsted Center for the event. Pantries are located in the Olmsted Parking Lot, next to Aliber Hall, and in Sprout Garden.

The People’s Choice Award winners will be announced shortly after 12:30 p.m. during the event. For questions, email ascspecialevents@drake.edu.

All Staff Council event days are also jeans days (per manager approval). Wear your Drake blue on Oct. 30.

—Jill Batten, All Staff Council