Drake defines a first-generation student is a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. At Drake, First-generation students make up 29% of Drake’s new student population. This includes 26.2% of new EFR students — an all-time high for Drake.
In an effort to make more connections between first gen students and first gen faculty/staff, we are creating a directory to share on our website that lists our first gen faculty and staff.
If you identify as first generation and would like to be listed on this directory, please email Marina at marina.verlengia@drake.edu by Monday, December 16.
Chair-Elect: Sits on the Executive Board. Serves their first year as Chair-Elect, their second year as Chair, and their third and final year as Past-Chair.
Governance Committee: Finalizes the structure of All Staff Council by developing rules. Conducts yearly elections and attends to any rules changes, recommendations, or policies proposed.
Recognition Committee: Strives to make sure staff members are recognized and rewarded for a job well done, feel appreciated for the work they do, and are welcomed as valued members of the Bulldog community.
Special Events/Community Service Committee: Develops and implements plans for special events on campus and creates awareness of community service opportunities available for staff participation.
Special Interest Committee: Explores initiatives, questions, and/or concerns presented to All Staff Council through research, planning, and collaboration with appropriate offices on campus.
Nominations are due Friday, February 14 by midnight.Elections will be held in the spring. Newly elected members will begin their three-year term on June 1, 2025. Learn more about All Staff Council here.
—Shelby Nelson, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Written communication is important in almost any academic field, but the genres and accepted conventions of writing vary from discipline to discipline. In this project, we will discuss ways to integrate writing instruction into courses for which written communication is not necessarily the primary learning outcome, as well as courses that require students to communicate in field-specific ways (for instance, lab reports or business memos).
Instructors who participate in this project will have a one-semester commitment that will include:
Working with the Director of Writing, Megan Brown, on the development of a writing assignment, writing activities, or a writing project for one of their spring classes.
Attending hour-long meetings of all participants in the program in February, March, and April (or early May) 2025. These meetings may be structured as two sessions each month, with half of the group at each session, to facilitate more in-depth discussion.
Requiring all students enrolled in their class to attend tutoring sessions at the Writing Center at least twice during the semester.
After completing the project and attending the final meeting, participants will receive a $500 stipend.
Participation is limited to 10 individuals.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Madison Bemus (madison.bemus@drake.edu) by Monday, January 6.
As President Martin shared in a recent message to campus, the University will hold a budget town hall on Tuesday, December 3rd at 3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Parents Hall. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend to learn more about the fiscal year 2024 results, overall financial health, fiscal year 2025 budget, and a look ahead to future fiscal years.
If you have questions you would like addressed at the town hall, please send them to president@drake.edu.
Provost’s Social immediately following the town hall
The Provost’s Social will be held following the town hall in Olmsted 312, across from Parents Hall. Refreshments at the social will include an assortment of beverages and light snacks.
Please note the following schedule for payment processing, through the Finance Self-Service portal, to accommodate the 2024 holiday break:
For Winter Break:
Monday, December 16, 2024 – All Payment requests (including wires) are due, with proper approvals, and received in the AP queue by the end of the business day. Requests received by this deadline will be processed for payment before Winter Break.
Thursday, January 2, 2025 – Normal payment processing will resume this week.
The accounts payable office will be closed during the winter holiday break.
Thank you for your help coordinating requests to ensure we meet all needs during the upcoming season.
HAPPENING TODAY! All faculty & staff should head to Bulldog Shop for a special appreciation day event. For one day only, all Drake employees can DOUBLE THEIR DISCOUNT on in-store purchases. Enjoy your regular staff discount plus an additional 15% off. Show your employee ID at checkout to redeem. Don’t miss out!
Thank you to everyone who donated to United Way of Central Iowa generating nearly $30,000. One hundred percent of these donations stay in central Iowa (Polk, Dallas, & Warren counties) with over 10,500 people served in the 50311 zip code last year. We also held a successful supply drive benefiting local DMPS schools. Thank you! You have demonstrated Drake’s commitment as an anchor institution and this is best exemplified by this quote from Bryan Coffey at United Way:
“United Way of Central Iowa strives to further develop stronger and more equitable communities. We were able to UNITE our influential partner, Drake University and five Des Moines schools! Drake University stands as one of our top supportive education entities in Central Iowa and we are proud of this partnership!”
Please join the ASC Recognition Committee in congratulating our most recent recipients of the True Blue Award. Here is a little information about our honorees with excerpts from their nominations.
“Meredith provides excellent services for users of Cowles Library. She’s responsible for the acquisition & cataloging of books purchased by the library. She also helps Drake faculty put materials “On Reserve” for use by students. One faculty member from ZCB, Carl Vieregger, was so pleased with Meredith’s extraordinary service he wrote to me. First he thanked Meredith, and he wrote: “Hi Teri, Just wanted to share with you to let you know that I interacted first with the Drake Library Chat today to learn about how to place items on reserve and they were so helpful. And now the items are placed on reserve for y class within the same day—that’s pretty cool. Thank you very much. Please extend my thanks to your staff, it makes a big difference for me in my class to make the right materials available at the right time.” This level of service is par for the course for Meredith who always strives to provide library users with what they need in a timely fashion, and she does so with a positive service-oriented attitude.”
Amy Cutler – CLE & Legal Clinic Coordinator – Legal Clinic Law School
Nominated by Sophie Delahaye
“Amy has a vast institutional knowledge, and is an excellent trainer of new employees. She can explain and render tasks manageable. Also, she is aware of the potential scope creep and is mindful and protective of her supervisee’s essential job duties.”
Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!
—Amber Welsh, School of Education. On Behalf of All Staff Council
The holiday season can be a challenge when it comes to taking care of ourselves, so we are bringing back the Stop, Drop, and Roll holiday challenge to help. ‘Stop’ the potential holiday weight gain, ‘Drop’ some of the bad habits, while picking up a few good ones, and ‘Roll’ into the New Year on a healthier path.
Each week we will focus on a different topic from healthier eating and physical activity to sleep, taking a breath, and making social connections.
Even if weight gain isn’t a problem or priority for you, this program will cover wellbeing topics pertinent to everyone.
It’s the season for thankfulness and giving, and Bulldog Shop wants to show our appreciation to all Drake faculty and staff. For one day only, all Drake employees can DOUBLE THEIR DISCOUNT on in-store purchases at Bulldog Shop. Enjoy your 15% off staff discount plus an additional 15% off. Simply show your employee ID at checkout to redeem. Don’t miss out! Set that reminder in your calendar now!
