Category Archives: For Staff Archive

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

New Preferred Name Policy goes into effect

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The new Preferred Name Policy offers all students the option to use a preferred first name that will display in many, but not all, University documents. The goal of the Student Preferred Name Policy is a consistent preferred-name experience across University systems and use of one’s preferred name wherever legal name is not absolutely necessary. At this time the preferred name would be used in the following places:

  • Drake ID Card
  • Residence hall roster (for on-campus students)
  • Blackboard listing
  • Class list with photos
  • Adviser list with photos
  • MyDUSIS classmate search
  • Email

You will see changes to students’ first names when the update process is implemented Feb. 6–8. Any student who has indicated a preferred first name on Drake documents (such as the application for admission) will see that preferred name in the documents indicated.

This process and policy is especially important to help us create safe and engaged learning environments for transgender students. Questions? Please feel free to contact Tony Tyler, director of student engagement, equity, and inclusion; Carlyn Marron, assistant director of international programs; or Kevin Moenkhaus, director of student records.

—Melissa Sturm-Smith, Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive, HR Information Archive

Update on Fair Labor Standards Act

Following months of preparation for the new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime regulations, the injunction issued on Nov. 22, 2016, halted implementation. This created significant uncertainty, particularly on the threshold of a new presidential administration. Drake made the decision to suspend planned changes until more was known about the outcome of the injunction and response of the new administration.

As of the writing of this communication, there has been no change in the status of the FLSA overtime rules. In the injunction lawsuit appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Department of Justice recently asked for more time so the new administration could consider the issue. The Trump administration also issued a freeze on new or pending federal regulations, with various advocacy groups debating over whether the freeze would apply to the FLSA rules made final and published before the freeze.

However, we are working to ensure we are able to respond once an outcome is known. We are analyzing various scenarios including abandonment of the new rules, modification of the new rules, or full implementation of the rules. While this rule affects how we classify job—as either exempt or non-exempt—the work over the course of the past year has also focused on ensuring positions are properly placed in Drake’s staff compensation structure consistent with the Staff Salary Guidelines. (These can be found on the HR tab of blueView under the “Manager’s /Toolkit”.) This analysis will prove useful regardless of the outcome of the proposed FLSA rule.

Anyone with questions about this process or next steps are encouraged to reach out to Gary Johnson at 271-4804.

—Gary Johnson, Director, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Singing Valentines from the Drake Choir

Surprise your sweetheart, co-worker, or relative with a singing valentine presented by the Drake Choir. Each singing valentine is a special delivery and can be presented at work, a restaurant, a retirement center, or wherever you designate. (We’ve sung at construction sites, schools, offices, hospitals, and many more venues, so be creative.)

We deliver to the entire Des Moines metro, including West Des Moines, Clive, Johnston, Windsor Heights, and Urbandale all day on Tuesday, Feb. 14, (9 a.m.–3 p.m., 5:30–8 p.m.) and 5:30–8 p.m. in Ankeny, Altoona, Waukee, and Norwalk.

Choose from one of our three great packages:

  • True Romance—one rose and a song: $30
  • Cupid’s Favorite—six roses and a song: $45
  • Hopeless Romantic—a dozen roses and a song: $65

Why a singing valentine? In addition to winning brownie points with your valentine, you’ll be supporting the Drake Choir’s upcoming international tours. No University funds are used for these tours, so your support is important and greatly appreciated.

Two easy ways to order:

Order deadline is Feb. 8, so order now.

—Aimee Beckmann-Collier, Department of Music

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Spring break book club meeting

The next book club selection is available for checkout at Cowles!  We will be reading the 2017 All Iowa Reads book, Bottomland, by Michelle Hoover. Cowles Library has books available for checkout on a weekly basis (hint: ask for the book on reserve at the circulation desk).

Please see the attached flyer for additional information. Contact Sara Heijerman at ascspecialevents@drake.edu if you have any questions, would like to receive future book club info directly to your email, or would like to RSVP for the discussion. Our spring break discussion will be Tuesday, March 14, at 4:45 p.m. (Mars Cafe); we’ve had a lot of fun at these, please feel free to join us!

We hope you’ll enjoy the book recommendation—we’ve also pre-selected our summer book, if you want to get a jump start on the next great read. We’ll be reading Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. Have a great Spring semester, and happy reading.

Drake Book Club – previous selections:

  • The Kind Worth Killing – Peter Swanson
  • Thirteen Ways of Looking – Colum McCann
  • The Boys in the Boat – Daniel James Brown
  • The Nest – Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
  • Hidden Figures – Margo Lee Shetterly
  • Bottomland – Michelle Hoover (current selection)
  • Lab Girl – Hope Jahren (summer break selection)

—Sara Heijerman & Dan Chinball, current book club contacts

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Faculty/Staff Days

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–Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the ticket window on game day. Must show valid Drake Card at time of pick up.

Women’s Basketball
Drake vs. Illinois State
Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
Knapp Center

More information is available at www.DrakeTix.com/promotions.

Questions? Call 515-271-3647 or email tickets@drake.edu.

—Tom Florian, Drake Athletics