All are welcome to join for an open house to celebrate the contributions of Renee Sedlacek Lee, director of Community Engaged Learning, and wish her well in her new role at Workiva, where she will start at the end of May. The Open House will be Wednesday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the lower level lobby of Cowles Library and people are welcome to come and go as they are able. Food and beverages will be available.

Renee said, “It has been an absolute pleasure serving as the Director of Community Engaged Learning since 2017 and working to build the capacity and infrastructure of CEL at Drake since 2013.”

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

You are invited to join us at the next Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, May 18, in Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to the Knapp Center, beginning at 4 p.m.

During this event, faculty, and staff who celebrated (or will be celebrating) a milestone service anniversary or retirement between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, will be highlighted. Their names will be scrolled on video screens around the room. There will be cake, soft drinks, wine, beer, and light snacks. President Martin will speak at 4:30 p.m.

Please take a moment to stop by and congratulate your co-workers.

Be advised: this event falls on the same day as the State Track Meet, so on-campus parking may be limited. Please allow yourself ample time to find parking before the event.

— Madison Bemus, Office of the Provost

May 11, 2023, marked the end of the federal COVID-19 national public health emergency. Drake has adjusted its COVID-19 guidance to reflect the expiration of the PHE as indicated below.

• Masking: Masks are not required on Drake’s campus. Individuals who choose to wear a mask based on their own circumstances are encouraged and supported to do so. Changes in this positioning will be predicated on community transmission levels.
  
• Test Availability: PCR tests will no longer be available to Drake from the state of Iowa Department of Public Health as a state testing site. Students will be able to obtain tests at the Student Health Center.
  
• Test Benefit for Faculty and staff: Drake’s medical plan will no longer pay the full cost for COVID-19 testing services or the purchase of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests as of May 12, 2023. Employees will be responsible for paying the required office visit co-pay amount for testing services as well as the full cost for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests.

Note: If you are on Drake’s medical plan and  wish to get tested for COVID-19 at a pharmacy, you will be required to submit a claim form to Wellmark for reimbursement. The service will be processed per the plan’s cost-share amount. Medicap and Hy-Vee Pharmacies can submit claims for testing services directly to Wellmark.

• Employee vaccination benefit: Drake’s medical plan will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccinations at no cost. If you have questions about these changes, please contact Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield customer service at 800–362–2230.
  
• Reporting Positive COVID-19 Tests: Faculty, staff, and students with a positive test will no longer be required to report test results to the University. Everyone, however, should refer to the CDC for guidance after a positive test and consult with their provider for appropriate care.

• Relocation Procedures for Residential Students: As of the conclusion of the Spring 2023 semester, the University has discontinued relocation procedures of on-campus students who test positive for COVID-19. This means an isolation room in Ross Hall will no longer be offered as a temporary housing option. Prior to move-in this fall, residential students will be provided additional information about what to do should they test positive for COVID-19.

As always, the University will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation carefully and adjust these measures as needed. Although the official public health emergency has ended, please remain vigilant about protecting yourself and others.

For questions on Drake’s COVID-19 guidance, contact Scott Law at scott.law@drake.edu.

All Staff Council is bringing back the highly anticipated staff and faculty kickball tournament on Thursday, May 25, to celebrate the start of summer! Register your team or as a free agent today and view the attached flyer for details. Registration must be submitted by Wednesday, May 24, at noon.

Spectators welcome and encouraged! Yard games and refreshments will be provided – we look forward to seeing you there!

— Sydni Jennings, On behalf of All Staff Council

Mark your calendars for a retirement reception to honor and celebrate Lee Jolliffe, professor of journalism and mass communication, on Wednesday, May 10, from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. in Collier-Scripps Hall, Room 308.

An important part of Drake’s ongoing compliance and safety efforts is timely disposal of hazardous waste. If you have waste to be picked up by EHS please complete the following form by Friday, May 12:

https://forms.gle/r1XwPXjHn2gnj4jQ9

Nick Crumpton, chemistry lab instructor, is coordinating the waste disposal effort this spring. If you have questions, reach out to Nick at nicholas.crumpton@drake.edu.

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

On May 22 and May 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Deputy Provost Office will be hosting a faculty development workshop seeking to understand what students are expecting of their education, and what we are expecting of them.  In partnership with colleagues from across the University, we will examine what it means to create inclusive syllabi, assignments, and classroom spaces—how we create relationship rich, equitable, and compassionate education—and how we care for our own needs as faculty and staff, while serving our students.

We will be together as a large group for most of that development—with separate tracks during part of the time, for FYS instructors.  New and returning FYS instructors are especially welcome and encouraged to attend.

Participants will be well fed (breakfast, lunch, and a snack), and compensated at a rate of $125 per day.

Please email with questions, and sign up here to signal you’ll be joining us.

— Renée Cramer, Deputy Provost

You are invited to join us at the next Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, May 18, in Shivers Hospitality Suite, adjacent to the Knapp Center, beginning at 4 p.m.

During this event, faculty, and staff who celebrated (or will be celebrating) a milestone service anniversary or retirement between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, will be highlighted.  Their names will be scrolled on video screens around the room.  There will be cake, soft drinks, wine, beer, and light snacks.  President Martin will speak at 4:30 p.m.

Please take a moment to stop by and congratulate your co-workers.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

All faculty and staff are invited to join the Center for Public Democracy as we celebrate the contributions of Renée Cramer and wish her well in her new role at Dickinson College. Please join us Monday, May 8, from 5–6:30 p.m. at the Ray Center (lower level of Collier Scripps Hall) for drinks and light snacks. All are welcome to join us in bidding a fond farewell to our colleague and friend!

— Rachel Paine Caufield, Professor of Political Science

The Principal Center for Global Citizenship invites nominations for the Global Scholar/Practitioner-in-Residence program for Spring 2024, seeking to attract talented individuals from academia or the professions who have outstanding international expertise to teach a course, mentor students, give public lectures, work on joint research with faculty, and aid the global capacity-building of the institution through fruitful external collaborations. Two scholars will be selected.

Nomination Instructions

Candidates should be nominated by the academic unit to which they will be attached. Please submit the following supporting materials:

• A nomination letter discussing the qualifications of the candidate and expected contributions to the department and University as a whole
• Candidate’s biographical information
• A letter of interest from the candidate
• A letter of support from the department chair and college/school dean, including how the scholar advances departmental and college/school strategic goals related to internationalization

Nominations should be directed to Annique Kiel, executive director of Global Engagement and International Programs, by May 24, 2023. Preference will be given to practitioners or scholars from one of Drake’s global partners. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with Annique prior to submission.

Among the criteria to be considered for the nominee:

1. A record of recognized international leadership and distinguished professional accomplishment in their field
2. A documented commitment to international understanding and global citizenship
3. An ability to bring unique perspectives and experiences to the Drake community
4. A willingness and ability to offer courses that complement the existing curriculum and meet rigorous academic standards.

In recognition of their contributions, Global Scholars/Practitioners receive a stipend, a travel allowance, an appropriate workspace in the host college/school, and access to university facilities. Global Scholars/Practitioners will be affiliated with an appropriate academic unit for the semester and will offer at least one course.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Engagement