Category Archives: For Staff Archive

For Staff Archive

Task force on remote work finalizing recommendations

The task force that was assembled to consider the future of remote work and flexible schedules for staff is finalizing its general recommendation and will soon be soliciting the feedback of University leadership.

The task force first met on June 29 and has been diligently working to consider how Drake may best take the lessons learned from the pandemic to rethink and modernize its policies and practices guiding when, where, and how staff work.

“Following the valuable feedback received from campus, the task force has been focused on bringing a more modern look and feel to the proposed policies and guidance. We are working toward building a framework that will stimulate workplace culture and be sustainable for the future,” said task force member Heather Travis, associate chief financial officer/controller.

Once the President’s Council has had the opportunity to review and consider the task force’s recommendations, the task force will schedule a virtual “Task Force Debrief,” where staff can learn more about the collaborative process the task force applied to its work, including the importance of the feedback provided in the staff survey. This would also be a good opportunity to hear ideas and suggestions on where the task force approach may work in other policy, operational, and strategy spaces.

The task force will share additional details with campus about its recommendations and outline next steps once it is clear which recommendations are being adopted. It is possible the President’s Council will have some suggestions that will require an additional round of work by the task force. In short, we want to be transparent with campus, but we also want to be sure that the final versions of recommendations are shared to avoid confusion or the circulation of outdated drafts.

The task force does want to share now that the approach it is recommending is to consolidate remote work and flexible work options into one holistic policy, a Customized Work Arrangement Policy. If that policy moves forward, it will undergo Drake’s normal policy review process, where it will be posted for comment for at least 15 days. Any staff member with a question, comment, or suggestion will be empowered to share their thoughts through the existing policy review process.

The task force is excited to be wrapping up this stage of the work and is looking forward to next steps.

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resources

For Staff Archive

All Staff Council and HR to host virtual town hall for staff

All Staff Council (ASC) and Human Resources are teaming up to facilitate a virtual town hall for staff tentatively planned for Friday, Oct. 22, at 1:30 p.m. While we want staff members to feel comfortable, empowered, and encouraged to bring questions to the town hall, we want to gage the amount of time needed to have a productive and meaningful dialogue. Consequently, we invite staff to submit questions to ASC ahead of time.

Final decisions regarding the meeting date and time will be based on the topics and volume of questions received. We ask that questions be of general interest to staff and can be directed to All Staff Council and/or Human Resources. We will reserve time during the town hall for interactive dialogue but believe we can best plan and schedule the event if we have some sampling of the ASC and HR questions that are top of mind for staff.

At present, HR’s new Executive Director Maureen De Armond will kick off the event with a few comments about early observations at Drake and describe some of the HR initiatives staff should expect to hear more of in the coming months.

Members of the ASC Executive Committee, including Andy Verlengia, Jenny Jones, Sara Heijerman, and Linda Feiden, will be present to share information about upcoming ASC events and describe some of the ASC priorities for the academic year.

If this sounds like an event you are interested in attending, save the date: Friday, Oct. 22, at 1:30 p.m. As soon as we solidify the date and time, we will provide an update with meeting details.

— Andy Verlengia, Director, Alumni Relations

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Tuition exchange applications now open for 2022–2023

Full-time employees in a regular position at Drake are eligible to participate in two tuition exchange programs, which offer waived or discounted tuition at other participating institutions for employees, their spouse/partner, or eligible dependent(s).

Those wishing to apply for tuition exchange in the 2022–2023 academic year can apply now. Applications are only for students not currently participating in tuition exchange—those who are receiving tuition exchange during this academic year will automatically be re-certified for consideration in the 2022–2023 academic year (assuming the employee is still eligible).

There are three main steps in the tuition exchange application process:

  1. Employee submits the tuition exchange application (and the student should also apply for admission at the schools listed on the application).
  2. Drake’s Office of Student Financial Planning will confirm and certify the employee’s eligibility to participate in the tuition exchange program. This is done on a rolling basis as applications are received.
  3. Each school listed on the application will determine whether they can offer the student a tuition exchange award.

Schools have different application deadlines and timelines for announcing award determinations. It is the employee’s responsibility to submit the tuition exchange application early enough to allow time for step #2 to be completed in advance of each school’s deadlines.

Details about each of Drake’s tuition exchange programs are provided below:

Tuition Exchange, Inc. (TE)
TE has over 670 participating schools. Visit tuitionexchange.org to learn more, view participating schools, and to submit an application.

Council of Independent Colleges & Universities Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP)
CIC-TEP has over 440 participating schools. Visit cic.edu/tep to learn more, view participating schools, and to submit an application.

— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

In Memoriam: James G. Lindberg

 It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of James Lindberg, professor emeritus of organic chemistry at Drake University. James passed away at age 81 on Sept. 23, 2021, at Bright Kavanagh House after a very short bout with pancreatic cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held in the future. James was a beloved and highly respected professor at Drake for approximately 34 years who will be missed dearly by his students, fellow colleagues, and friends. He published and presented a number of scientific papers; however, his passion was teaching. In lieu of flowers or gifts, James requested that you support education in its most inclusive expressions: Montessori, public schools, private and public colleges and universities. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com. Read James’ full obituary.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

University Book Club discussion Oct. 5

The University Book Club (a program of All Staff Council, Cowles Library, and Human Resources) is preparing for its first book discussion of the year. Please email Sara Heijerman or Dan Chibnall if you would like to participate in the first Zoom discussion on Oct. 5 or if you would like to be added to the book club’s email list or Microsoft Teams group.

If you didn’t get a chance to read The Midnight Library, feel free to check the list below to see if another book on this year’s schedule catches your eye.

October 5 – The Midnight Library – Matthew Haig

December 15 – Rising Strong – Brené Brown

January 20 – The Premonition: A Pandemic Story – Michael Lewis

March 3 – Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World – Cal Newport

May 10 – The Rose Code – Kate Quinn

July 20 – Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation – John Lewis

We look forward to our discussions with you this year – both in person and virtual discussions are always a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to get to know people from other departments!

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Support for collaborating with global partners

As a globally engaged institution, Drake University continually seeks cooperation with higher education institutions, government, and non-governmental entities throughout the world. Drake currently maintains 15 active partnerships in 13 countries. Learn more about our global partners.

Faculty and staff are essential for sustaining active collaboration with Drake’s global partners. This collaboration may include providing international academic experiences for students, faculty research and scholarship, teaching and mentoring, joint curriculum development, or other initiatives. We also encourage faculty and staff to seek out new opportunities to engage with international universities and institutions.

Support for Faculty and Staff
In addition to resources and funding available through Global Engagement, Professors Sally Haack (CPHS) and Inbal Mazar (A&S) will be hosting conversations with interested faculty and staff throughout the 2021–2022 academic year.

The first in-person conversation “Establishing and Enhancing Transnational Partnerships” will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. It will be an opportunity to exchange existing ideas about global partnerships work and learn new ones. Registration is encouraged but not required. Learn more and register

If you are interested but unable to attend during this time, please email sally.haack@drake.edu and inbal.mazar@drake.edu regarding additional opportunities to meet.

2021 IDEAS Grant
Professor Haack and Professor Mazar are serving as faculty fellows as part of the 2021 IDEAS Grant Program. Drake was one of 26 U.S. institutions selected from a pool of 132 proposals to receive the IDEAS Grant, awarded by USA Study Abroad and World Learning. Grant funds will be used, in part, to develop new partnerships to support academic, professional, and experiential learning opportunities. Learn more about the IDEAS Grant.

— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Partnerships Coordinator

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Access and Success offers a variety of resources: Coaching, tutoring, workshops, and more

Access and Success is a resource that offers academic coaching, disability services, and tutoring. We also offer workshops and webinars on a variety of topics.

If you have a student who could benefit from coaching in areas such as developing more effective study habits, building a time management routine, or addressing motivation challenges, refer them to Access and Success, and we will help them out.

Our next workshop, Tests and Time, is coming up soon. Check out our website for more information: Access & Success Workshops.

— Michelle Laughlin, Access and Success

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Update: Teams calling/phone disruptions

In January, ITS began upgrading the campus phone system and moving faculty and staff extensions to Microsoft Teams. Previously, our phone system consisted of a patchwork of four different systems connected by a hub that was more than 30 years old. 

Throughout the year, ITS staff have moved additional extensions in common areas to Teams calling and have continued to decommission older systems. The overall project, however, is still in progress.  

Throughout this transition, faculty and staff have notified us of issues with response delays and dropped calls. If you have already reported an issue to the IT service portal, thank you. Our staff continue to work through these requests. As we troubleshoot issues it is very helpful for us to know when calls are dropped or other issues occur. If this happens, please submit a Calling/Phone Issue at the IT service portal.  

Thank you for your patience and assistance as we work toward this project’s completion. We are dedicated to providing reliable services and expect disruptions to decrease as this work progresses.   

— Keren Fiorenza, acting CITO, Information Technology Services  

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Help spread the word about open positions at Drake

The pandemic has rocked the workforce in many ways. One of the struggles we are experiencing—along with many other employers—is getting quality candidates to apply for current openings.

“We have had some great jobs posted recently for entry-level and early-career professionals,” said Julia Gwebu, director of Student Account Services. We are not getting the same number or quality of applicants we have in the past—even for the same positions we’ve recruited for in recent years.”

HR will be examining its recruitment practices and developing more strategic approaches, but that will take time and we have openings now. We are calling on the Drake community to help spread the word about current opportunities.

“With so many jobs available in Des Moines, we could really use a boost from people who already work at and care about Drake,” said Anne Kremer, dean of Admissions.

If you know people who are job-hunting, fit with our core values, care about students, and would contribute to a positive work culture, please encourage them to check out the current opportunities available at Drake. If you have strong connections via LinkedIn, social media, or just connections via email, please share and help get the word out. Below are some sample communications you can modify for your use. Please feel free to include this flyer as well.

Sample Email

Subject Line: Job Opportunities at Drake University

Hello,

I know you have been considering a job change, so I wanted to let you know that Drake University has some positions posted right now that may interest you. You can search for current opening here: https://drake.hiretouch.com/.

We are looking for great people to join the Drake team. I think you would enjoy working here and relate to our core values and mission. If you have questions about working at Drake, I am happy to share my experiences here. If you have specific questions about any of the jobs posted, benefits, etc., feel free to reach out to drakehr@drake.edu.

Thank you,

[Name]

Sample Social Media Post

Hello, friends! If you or someone you know is looking for a new job, please check out the jobs posted at Drake University. You can search for current opening here: https://drake.hiretouch.com/. Right now, there are a variety of opportunities to explore. Please take a look or share with anyone you know who is job hunting. If you have specific questions about any of the jobs posted, benefits, etc., feel free to reach out to drakehr@drake.edu. Go Bulldogs!

— Maureen De Armond, Human Resouces