Category Archives: For Staff Archive

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Opportunities to learn more about Microsoft Teams

ITS is working with departments across campus to migrate all shared files into a new software called Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams is a product that combines tools and resources such as group chat, calendars, and file sharing into one location using the Office 365 platform. Teams offers a better way to access shared files and work collaboratively.

As part of this process, we’re offering some open sessions for faculty and staff who either want to learn more about Teams, or who have been using Teams and have questions. See below for session options. No need to RSVP, but if you have questions, please contact Carla.herling@drake.edu or Jeffrey.regan@drake.edu. Session dates and times and listed below.

Getting Started with Using Microsoft Teams
Collier Scripps Hall, 05 (Ray Center Conference Room)
Monday, Oct. 21, 1–2 p.m. OR
Thursday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Heard about Microsoft Teams and curious what it’s all about? Or has your area started using Teams and you’re feeling lost? Come to an introductory session to learn more about Microsoft Teams, what it can do for you and your department, and how ITS is rolling it out across campus.

Learn More about Microsoft Teams
Cowles Library, 201
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2–3 p.m. OR
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 9–10 a.m.

Using Microsoft Teams and have questions? Want to learn how to use it more effectively? Come to this session to ask questions and learn tips and tricks to help you on the path to becoming a Microsoft Teams expert.

— Carla Herling, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Complete the Survey of Administrative Services by Oct. 10

Faculty and staff, if you haven’t already, please consider completing the survey of administrative services by Thursday, Oct. 10.

The survey is completely anonymous and often takes less than five minutes to complete. The survey assesses the University’s performance in delivering services to the campus and is an important part of Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan.

The survey focuses on six areas: Facilities Planning and Management, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Public Safety, and University Communications and Marketing. It was developed by the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment in collaboration with several other of our colleagues. Your feedback is appreciated and will help us better meet the needs of the University. Thank you in advance for your participation.

— Nate Reagen, Chief of Staff

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Simple steps for staying secure 

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), and ITS is sharing information on cyber security topics all month long. Using technology safely and securely doesn’t need to be overwhelming or confusing. Regardless of what tech you’re using or how you’re using it, here are some simple practices to keep you and your devices secure. 

Passphrases: The old eight-character password is outdated and vulnerable. Instead, create a long and unique passphrase using a series of words strung together. Length is the key component, not numbers or symbols. Make sure each site has a unique passphrase, so that if one is compromised, your other accounts remain safe. Can’t remember them all? Use a password manager. Most also include features like auto-fill, update reminders, and multi-factor authentication. 

Updates: Make sure your computers, devices, and apps are running their latest versions. Attackers are constantly working to exploit bugs in consumer and enterprise software. By installing updates promptly and restarting the devices after those updates, you make it much harder to be attacked. To stay current, enable automatic updating whenever possible. This rule applies to almost any connected technology, including smart TVs, security cameras and doorbells, home routers and modems, game consoles, even your car. 

Backups and recovery: Despite following most security advice, you may still find yourself the victim of an attack. When that happens, often the only way to restore documents is through data backups. Back up tax returns, receipts, health documents, and other important information regularly, preferably to cloud storage.  

You: Technology alone cannot fully protect you; you are your best defense. Attackers know that the easiest way to get what they want is to target you rather than your devices. If they want your password, financial information, or identity, they’ll usually try to trick you into voluntarily giving it away, often through a sense of urgency. The best way to thwart their efforts is by slowing down. Carefully review emails for red flags, like an unfamiliar email address, or unexpected request, or just a gut feeling. Improper grammar and typos are no longer accurate indications. 

ITS will continue to simulate phishing attacks in October and will assign training to individuals who are routinely susceptible to attacks. For more information on how to report phishing emails, see Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to). 

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS 

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Town Hall to precede Drake Social on Oct. 17

Plan to attend a Town Hall meeting prior to the Provost’s Drake Social at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, at Shivers Hospitality Suite. The Town Hall will include the premier of the promotional videos for the 2019 Campus Climate Assessment and provide some great information on how you can be a part of this important effort to DU What Matters. The first 15 people to arrive will receive a special incentive. The Provost’s Drake Social will begin immediately following the Town Hall at 4 p.m.

— Erin Lain, Associate Provost, Campus Equity & Inclusion/ Associate Professor of Law

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Joyful Accountability recognitions being accepted

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value Joyful Accountability will be recognized at the upcoming Provost’s Drake Social on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 4–6 p.m. at Shivers Hospitality Suite.

To nominate a colleague, please fill out a Qualtrics form. You can nominate up to five colleagues on each form. Feel free to fill out multiple forms. All those nominated will be recognized on a rolling display.

— Drinda Williams, Academic Support Specialist, Office of the Provost

For Staff Archive

All Staff Council: True Blue, upcoming events, committee updates

Call for True Blue nominations
Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate them today!

A staff member or team that is True Blue epitomizes the values of excellence, integrity, leadership, teamwork, and commitment to the Drake community.

Trivia @ the Social
All Staff Council is joining forces with the Provost’s Office to host Trivia on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the faculty and staff social in Shivers Court Side Club. Trivia teams will register on site at the social. Trivia teams are limited to five members with a total of 10 teams. There will be raffle prizes awarded between rounds with a grand prize awarded to the winning team. Participants can also sign up to win the annual parking pass giveaway. Don’t forget to bring non-perishable foods and items for Drake’s Little Pantry initiative. Questions? Please contact ascspecialevents@drake.edu.

University Book Club
Join the University Book Club, sponsored by the ASC and Cowles Library. This fall the book club is reading The Good Neighbor—The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King. The group will meet Oct. 22 at Freedom Blend Coffee.

Meals From the Heartland event recap
Twenty-five Drake staff and faculty volunteered at Meals From the Heartland on Friday, Sept. 27, and helped package 61,000 meals to be delivered to those in need locally and globally. Thank you to all who participated!

Bring your suggestions, questions, or concerns to the Special Interest Committee
The Special Interest Committee explores initiatives, questions, and/or concerns presented to All Staff Council through research, planning, and collaboration with appropriate offices on campus. This committee seeks your suggestions, questions, or concerns. All suggestions are kept confidential.

The Special Interest Committee Chair is Andy Verlengia. Additional members of the committee are Laura Bjurstrom, Jenny Jones, Carla Herling, Greg Lin, Niki Smith, and Patrick Williams. If you have anything to reach out to the committee regarding, please direct inquiries to Committee Chair Andy Verlengia at andy.verlengia@drake.edu or 515-271-3077.

— Amelia Klatt, On behalf of All Staff Council

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Provost’s “Open Office @ Cowles” begins Oct. 7

Provost Sue Mattison will offer 90-minutes of “Open Office @ Cowles” twice per month, beginning in October. Please stop by the Cowles Coffee Shop to chat, ask a question, or offer ideas.

Discussions around university communication flow led Craig Owens to suggest the plan at a recent Deans’ Council meeting. Sue readily agreed, and the first two “Open Office @ Cowles” are scheduled for Oct. 7 from 1–2:30 p.m. and Oct. 24 from 9–10:30 a.m.

Watch the Drake events calendar for future dates.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Survey of Administrative Services: Your feedback is needed

The following message was sent to campus from President Martin on Monday, Sept. 30.

An important aspect of our Continuous Improvement Plan is assessing our performance in delivering services to the campus. To that end, I encourage you to complete this year’s survey of administrative services. It is completely anonymous and often takes less than five minutes to complete.

The survey focuses on six areas: Facilities Planning and Management, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Public Safety, and University Communications and Marketing. The survey was developed by the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment in collaboration with several other of our colleagues. Continuous improvement efforts such as this are meant to drive intentional and strategic action. Your feedback will help us better meet the needs of our University.

Thank you in advance for your participation by Thursday, October 10th.

Sincerely,

Marty

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

2020 Global Citizen Forum: Submit a presentation proposal

Following the successful inaugural Global Citizen Forum, Drake International and the Engaged Citizen Experience are pleased share updates for the 2020 Global Citizen Forum.

As it did last year, this year’s event will include a series of speakers, academic enrichment and professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, and students. The exciting news for the 2020 Global Citizen Forum is that Drake University, in conjunction with our partner university, the University of KwaZulu Natal (Durban, South Africa) will be co-sponsoring a conference on the theme: Struggles, Strategies, and Solutions for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education. The international conference will include inviting our international partner universities and colleagues from fifteen different institutions around the world.  The benefit of hosting an international conference on diversity and inclusion is the opportunity to learn from a broader worldview and have an opportunity to learn about work in this area around the world.  The conference will provide a platform to share new ideas, advance research, refine and develop frameworks, and influence policy development. To submit a presentation proposal, please go to the conference website for more information.

Another component of the Global Citizen Forum is a student research symposium, this year focused on International Perspectives on Privilege to complement the conference. We invite you to consider including research on the theme of the symposium or international topics which could be presented in March 2020. We also anticipate paper development workshops and research colloquia for faculty and staff doing research on diversity and inclusion issues. 

Sponsored by Drake International, The Engaged Citizen Experience, The Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Community Engagement and Service-Learning, and other campus partners, the Global Citizen Forum is an annual event meant to provide students with opportunities to explore the role of engaged citizenship in an increasingly globalized society.

— Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Something for everyone at Provost’s Drake Social

Drake faculty and staff are invited to the Provost’s Drake Social, Thursday, Oct. 17, from 4–6 p.m. at Shivers Hospitality Suite. This is a family-friendly event, and you are welcome to bring spouses, partners, and children.

There is a lot going on at the October social!

  • The Social will be preceded by a Town Hall at 3:30 p.m. regarding the upcoming Climate Assessment.
  • Colleagues who exemplify the Drake Core Value of Joyful Accountability will be recognized. To nominate a colleague, please use the Qualtrics form. From among those nominated, several will be chosen at random for prizes.
  • All Staff Council will host a Trivia Night beginning at 4:45 p.m. Enjoy the Social and then join a team for some fun competition, or just stay to watch. The ASC’s first Trivia Night was last spring and was very entertaining.

Refreshments will include wine, beer, soft drinks, and light snacks.

— Drinda Williams, Office of the Provost