Have you completed your annual physical since last December?  If you are on Drake’s health plan, don’t forget to take a copy of the Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form to your appointment. This form can be found on myDrake under the Employee Wellness section of Human Resources.

Those on Drake’s health plan who complete a physical with their primary care physician (PCP) between Dec. 1, 2022 and Nov. 30, 2023 and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form  to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Nov. 30, 2023, will receive the wellness health insurance premium discount in 2024, which is a savings of approximately $30 per month. 

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is a great way to receive important health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

If you have not scheduled your annual physical yet with your PCP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

Please contact linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Don’t forget to put together your team for this year’s Walk this May team step challenge.  During the month of May, teams of four to six will record their weekly step counts.  Totals and how teams rank will be shared weekly to keep the competitive juices flowing. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the month.

To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by April 26 with your team members and team name.  Grab your shoes and let’s get going!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Now that spring has sprung, it is time to go outdoors and get moving.  If you need a little nudge, we are bringing back the Walk this May team step challenge.  During the month of May, teams of four to six will record their weekly step counts.  Totals and how teams rank will be shared weekly to keep the competitive juices flowing. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the month.

To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by April 26 with your team members and team name.  Grab your shoes and let’s get going!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

You are invited to participate in this summer’s Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG).  This annual company-based competition runs June 1 through July 31.  With over two dozen events to choose from, DMCG is a wonderful way to meet new people and have fun.

Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational.  Try your hand at everything from pickleball to trivia, participating in as many events as you want.  All in-person activities (there are a few virtual options) are held in the evenings and on weekends and are free–except golf cart rental.

They even offer volunteer opportunities at Meals from the Heartland if you are looking for a team-building activity.

All full-time and part-time faculty, staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are welcome to join Drake’s team.  To participate, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

April has been designated as National Stress Awareness Month. Stress can affect anyone, it has many different symptoms, and not everyone will experience it the same way. Although not all stress is bad—chronic (or long-term) stress can put you at risk for a variety of physical, mental, and emotional health problems. From headaches and stomach disorders to depression and sleep disorders—even stroke and heart disease can be a result of chronic stress.

While there is no such thing as eliminating all stress, there are ways you can minimize and manage stress to improve mental and physical well-being.

Follow these suggestions from the CDC to find healthy ways to cope during stressful times:

• Take a Social Media Detox: Periodic breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media, is good for you—especially if this is a stressor for you. It is good to be informed, but constant information about negative events can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body. Staying physically healthy can improve your emotional well-being.  Try to eat healthy, get enough sleep (7 or more hours per night), and be physically active (move more and sit less).
• Limit alcohol intake. Choose not to drink or drink in moderation.  Moderation means two or fewer drinks a day for men and one drink or less for women.  Also avoid using illegal drugs or prescriptions drugs in ways other than prescribed.  This includes never taking someone else’s prescription.  And avoid smoking, vaping, and the use of other tobacco products.  You may think this is your best way to deal with stress, but at a great cost.
• Make time to unwind. Try deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation,  stretching, and mindfulness meditation.  And take time to do some activities you enjoy. Try a cooking class, go to a ballgame, or plan a vacation.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. And if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days, contact your healthcare provider.

Remember, too, that Drake has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which employees and their families can access. Our EAP provider is Employee & Family Resources (EFR). They offer phone-based support and in person counseling with a licensed mental health therapist.  You can reach EFR by phone (800-327-4692) or visit their website at https://efr.org/how-we-help/work/.  All EAP benefits are confidential and available 24/7/365.

EFR offers webinars (check out Drake HR’s monthly email for upcoming webinars) and posts past webinars for on-demand access. Consider checking out: What’s Your Stress Pattern, Give Yourself the Gift of Relaxation, or Stress & Burnout. You can also take a DASS-21 self-assessment (measuring depression, anxiety, and stress).

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources has been adding one Drake trivia question in each issue of OnCampus.

Last week’s winner was Thad Smull.  Congratulations!  The answer to last week’s trivia was Garth Brooks.

Here is the final trivia question: This famous father/son architect duo, whose creations included the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and Washington Dulles International Airport, also designed some of the buildings on the Drake campus.  Name this father/son duo.

The first faculty or staff member who correctly answers the question will receive $10 in Bulldog Bucks.  Answers should be submitted to linda.feiden@drake.edu.  We won’t accept any answers submitted prior to the OnCampus email distribution.

Good luck!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources has been sharing shout-outs submitted by faculty and staff.  Thanks to everyone who participated this month.  Even though Employee Appreciation Month is ending, we hope you continue to find ways to show your appreciation to staff, faculty, and student employees across campus.  Sharing positive energy is contagious.  When you look for the good in people, you strengthen relationships, improving both their lives and your own.

Read the final shout-outs submitted this week!

“A shout-out to Renee Sedlacek Lee for putting on an inspiring Pecha Kucha event with faculty during the Global Citizen Forum, and for her leadership in rolling out DUgood on Drake’s campus!” – Amanda Martin

“A shout-out to the Professional and Career Development Services team for putting on a wonderful career conference for the entire student body.” – Amanda Martin

“A shout-out to Laney Guintard:  Laney is a welcoming presence to all who enter Carnegie Hall to visit Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Cashier, or Registrar.  She happily greets all who come through the doors and makes them feel at ease while quickly determining which office is best suited to help the student or family.  In addition, she manages the Financial Aid Office student workers while also fulfilling other critical tasks in Financial Aid to ensure students receive their award packages.  We appreciate Laney and the work she puts in every day to help Carnegie Hall visitors feel welcome and valued!” – Kristi Fuller

“A shout-out to Drake Public Safety: On March 20 I locked my car keys in my trunk.  They were in my coat with my phone.  I removed my coat to enjoy the nice weather and put it in my trunk with my messenger bag and lunch bag and then closed my trunk.  Immediately realizing I locked my car keys in my trunk, I stopped by Harmon Fine Arts Center and asked Natalie Bayer for help calling Drake Public Safety (Thanks Natalie!).  The response from Drake Public Safety was prompt and courteous.  The public safety officer (sorry, I didn’t get your name) was able to unlock my car, then Google a YouTube video to help me break into my trunk (the built-in anti-theft system in my car disabled my trunk release).  FPM also assisted by bringing over a long screwdriver so I could pop the trunk latch from inside my car.  Thanks again to everyone who helped me out of my embarrassing predicament!” – James Wu

“A shout-out to the PCDS team:  I could not be more proud to be a part of this strong, dedicated, collaborative, and fun-loving team!  Because of their hard work and collaboration across campus, Drake has Accomplishment Rates that are consistently among the highest in the country and response rates that tower 35% higher than the national average.  Well done everyone!” – Chrystal Stanley

“A shout-out to Dan Chibnall and Erica McGowan:  Thanks for all your help in organizing the University Book Club!  Your enthusiasm makes it a pleasure to plan and attend.” – Sara Heijerman

“A shout-out to Gail Witte:  Gail is always willing to fill in to sub for GroupX classes, and does an amazing job in all formats!  I can’t wait to see what she does with the Group Exercise program at Drake.  She’s only been here a short time but is already rocking it.” – Sara Heijerman

“A shout-out to Linda Feiden:  I really appreciate all the activities you organize!  From BUILD classes to Wellness Challenges, you work hard to promote them, and make them fun and engaging.  They are always a welcome addition to our normal day to day, and I appreciate all the time and enthusiasm you put into them.  Thanks!” – Sara Heijerman

“A shout-out to Donald Severs:  Don always goes above and beyond when card access tickets come in.  He usually responds to requests before I even have time to look at them and is dedicated to making sure he understands and delivers what our ticket requesters need.  You have been a great help to me these past few years, and I appreciate you!” – Sara Heijerman

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources is adding one Drake trivia question in each issue of OnCampus in March.  The first person who correctly answers the question, once the issue of OnCampus is distributed via email, will receive $10 in Bulldog Bucks.  Answers should be submitted to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Last week’s winner was Elicia Ropte.  Congratulations!

Question of the week: What former Drake Relays competitor went from tossing javelins in the early 1980’s to topping the music charts?

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources is encouraging everyone to submit a shout-out for a faculty, staff, or student employee.  Simply write a sentence of appreciation for a colleague and submit it to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. The deadline to submit a shout-out is Thursday, March 23.

Read the shout-outs submitted this week!

“A shout-out to the Drake Online and Continuing Education team:  You guys rock! Thanks for all you have done to strengthen access to a Drake education, whether online, hybrid, or noncredit!  You are one of the hardest working teams I know.  Shannon, Kara, Nichole, Suzanne, Sarah, Bret, Bill, Pam, Dianna, and Megan.  I appreciate you!” – Christina Trombley

“A shout-out to Sara Heijerman:  Sara is our leader for all the campus walking challenges (Walk this May, Walktober, DU Well Mystery Challenge) and she does a great job of motivating and encouraging us, plus emailing all our steps in.  I appreciate her positive attitude and the impact it has on our team!” – Lauren McCarthy

“A shout-out to Jen Hinton:  Jen is always willing to help out when needed, eager to learn new things, and is a calming presence.  She relates to her students and thoroughly follows through on their needs.  We are thrilled she has joined our team and is very appreciated for her friendship and hard work.  Yay Jen!” – Rachelle Setsodi

“A shout-out to Emily Gates for stepping up while I was out.  She completed conferences and taught class one day.” – Lori Archer

“A shout-out to Patrick Bourgeacq for tirelessly recruiting amazing students worldwide to come to Drake!” – Amy Nichols

“A shout-out to Linda Feiden for coordinating fun wellness activities and such a wide range of useful and informative BUILD sessions for the Bulldog Community!” – Amanda Harris

“A shout-out to Betsy Wilson:  Betsy is the EPITOME of what it is to be a ray of sunshine.  Every single interaction I have had with her I have left in an even better and happier disposition than when I started.  Her smile and kind spirit are infectious, and I am so eternally grateful to call her colleague, and friend.” – Amber Welsh

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake University sponsors both mandatory and voluntary 403(b) retirement plans which are reviewed quarterly by the Drake University Retirement Plan Review Committee. The Committee consults with an independent fiduciary advisor to closely monitor investment performance, negotiate contracts, establish reasonable plan needs, review investment options and make plan design decisions as directed by the Drake University Investment Policy Statement.  The Retirement Plan Review Committee and Investment Policy Statement are posted here in myDrake.

For many years Drake has relied upon TIAA to provide appropriate products and services, which the Committee examines regularly.  Although TIAA representatives can provide information and make recommendations, plan participants must decide how to allocate plan contributions and designate plan beneficiaries.  Thus, participants are encouraged to review their investment options regularly.  Summary Plan Descriptions of Drake’s Mandatory and Voluntary Retirement Plans may be found here.

The annual contribution limit for Drake’s Voluntary Retirement Plan increased to $22,500 effective January 1, 2023.  Employees age 50 and over may contribute an additional $7,500 for a total maximum of up to $30,000 during the 2023 calendar year.  If you would like to change your current contribution amount, or open a voluntary retirement account, simply complete the 403(b) Salary Reduction Form here.  Please note changes to your current election will become effective the first day of the following month.

Should you wish to schedule an individual counseling session with TIAA Senior Financial Planner, Paige Philips, call 800-732-8353 or visit www.TIAA.org/schedulenow   We encourage you to take advantage of the numerous webinars provided by TIAA.  Details are provided in the HR Monthly on the first Wednesday of the month.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources