As a reminder to existing Drake employees and a “good to know” to new employees, Drake has two standing committees that help support Drake employee benefits:

The Drake University Investment Review Committee focuses on retirement benefits. It kicked off the academic year on Aug. 23. The committee includes faculty and staff and long-term outside consultants, Well and Good (who recently merged with PlanPilot). One of the hot topics discussed is a new federal law, called the Secure Act 2.0. While some specific aspects of the law, and its implementation timeline, remain in the air, it will likely offer high income earners additional avenues to save for retirement (such as shifting to a Roth IRA for catch-up contributions for those over the age of 50 who earn more than $145,000). As soon as there is more certainty to the “what” and “when” of the Secure Act 2.0 changes, TIAA will partner with Drake University on communications. To learn more about the likely changes this law will make, visit TIAA’s Secure Act 2.0: What You Need to Know page.

The second standing committee is the Drake University Benefits Committee, which is also comprised of faculty and staff and long-time consultants: Mark Becker & Associates (who recently merged with Gallagher). This committee focuses on our self-funded health insurance plan, dental plan, vision plan, flexible spending accounts, life insurance policies, long-term disability insurance, and other related benefits and perks. During this time of year, Drake HR is meeting with our vendors and consultants to anticipate what changes, if any, may be appropriate or needed for the following plan year. Due to our Open Enrollment schedule, by November 1, when Open Enrollment starts, we have to have all decisions for January 1 set in stone. More information to come about the work of the Benefits Committee in the coming months.

If you would like to learn more about Drake’s employee benefits and perks, please visit Drake HR’s new internal website and checkout the pages linked below the Employee Benefits tab! As always, you can reach out to Drake HR with any questions or suggestions that you have. You can best reach us at drakehr@drake.edu.

— Maureen R. De Armond and Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Bulldogs United in Learning & Development (BUILD) provides faculty and staff learning opportunities throughout the academic year that address technical, soft, philosophical, and very practical skills. BUILD is a great platform for learning new ideas as well as an opportunity to collaborate with others from across campus.

The Fall 2023 schedule is now available for viewing and registration is open. Please take a moment to check out the classes on the new Drake HR website under Learning & Development. Click on BUILD – Upcoming Sessions for the full list, including detailed descriptions.  There is an online registration link to a Qualtrics survey that makes signing up easy.

Most classes are only an hour in length, and many are facilitated by our own faculty and staff.  This is a great way to invest in yourself, support your colleagues, and take in the culture that Drake has to offer.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Have you completed your annual physical since last December? Please remember that the premium discount physician form must be filled out annually to continue to receive the premium incentive.

If you are on Drake’s health plan, take a copy of the Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form to your annual exam. This form can be found on the new Drake HR website in the DU Well–Wellness and Wellbeing section. Simply click on Wellness Premium Discount to find a link to the form. Please save a copy of the form to your own computer before filling it out.

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 completed 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. 

If you have not yet scheduled your annual physical with your PCP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to guarantee you make the Nov. 30 deadline.

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

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Have you completed your annual physical since last December? Please remember that the premium discount physician form must be filled out annually to continue to receive the premium incentive.

If you are on Drake’s health plan, take a copy of the Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form to your annual exam. 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. 

If you have not yet scheduled your annual physical with your PCP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to guarantee you make the Nov. 30 deadline.

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

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Join us in July for HealthyU BINGO.  The goal is to fill up a blank BINGO card (or two), during the month, with healthy activities completed from a provided list and then play some games of HealthyU BINGO for prizes.

To get started, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. Deadline to register is Friday, June 30.  All participants will receive a packet that includes a list of HealthyU BINGO activities, and a blank BINGO card.

Please feel free to reach out with questions.  This is a great event for the whole family!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

There is still time to be a part of Drake’s team for the Des Moines Corporate Games.  These games are a great way to have fun with colleagues, get a little activity, and represent Drake while doing so.  All events are held after work and on weekends.

We need help filling these teams with upcoming deadlines.  Please consider joining us.

Bowling (coed, women’s, men’s). Deadline to register is June 28.  The coed team plays Tuesday, July 11, and the men’s and women’s teams play on Wednesday, July 12, at Bowlerama Lanes, beginning at 8 p.m. Five players per team. Plenty of openings on all teams.

4-Person Best Shot Golf (women’s, men’s).  Deadline to register is July 5. Event held Sunday, July 16 at 8 a.m. at A.H. Blank Golf Course.  This differs from the coed date, time, and location.  Need two more men for the men’s team and four women for the women’s team.

Bags.  Deadline to register is July 5.  Event held Friday, July 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Greenbelt Landing at Clive Aquatic Center.  Need one more person for our second team.

Disc Golf (women’s, men’s).  Deadline to register is July 12.  Event held Sunday, July 23 at 12:30 p.m. at Ewing Park Disc Golf Course.  Need two men and two women.  Must provide own discs.

Tug of War.  Deadline to register is July 12.  Event held Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. (must be weighed in by 6 p.m.) at Raccoon River Park Beach. Plenty of openings.

In addition to the team events, there are several individual events coming up in July that you may be interested in, including a cycling tour ride, 4K and 8K cross country race, a duathlon and triathlon, and a 5K road race.  If you are not into sports, they also have an opportunity for you to donate blood or package meals at Meals from the Heartland.

Signing up is easy—email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu if you are interested in participating in any (or many) of the events above.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake HR is pleased to announce that Suman Rose joined the HR team on June 5. We retooled the position vacated by Trevon Smith. Suman will be working as an Onboarding and Engagement Specialist.

Suman previously worked in the Drake Financial Aid Office as a Financial Aid Coordinator. She is very grateful for the knowledge and skills gained in the Financial Aid Office and is thankful for everyone on the Financial Aid team for their support in her transition to the new role in HR.

As our new HR Onboarding and Engagement Specialist, Suman will play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition for new hires, facilitating their integration into our university community, and fostering a positive employee experience. Suman brings with her a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for making a positive impact on the lives of students, faculty, and staff. Suman is already demonstrating outstanding customer service, is a quick study, and has already become a vital member of the HR team.

We are thrilled to welcome Suman to the Drake HR family. We look forward to the valuable contributions she will make. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Suman as she joins our team.

— Drake HR Team

Drake Human Resources is receiving free consultations through a state-funded grant on developing age inclusive practices, particularly in recruitment. Age-Inclusive Management Strategies (AIMS) is funded by the state and spear-headed by Professor Brian Kaskie at the University of Iowa, College of Public Health.

As part of the AIMS consultation process, we learned about the option of taking the AARP Employer Pledge. The AARP Employer Pledge is a nationwide group of employers that have expressed allyship in standing with AARP in affirming the value of experienced workers and are committed to developing diverse organizations. By signing the pledge, we further commit Drake to offering equal employment opportunities for all workers, to recognize the value of experienced workers, to recruit across diverse age groups and consider all applicants on an equal basis, and to believe that workers aged 50+ should have a level playing field when applying and competing for jobs.

To show appreciation for Drake’s commitment to age-inclusivity, AARP offering discounted membership to both active and retired Drake employees. Right now, you can sign up for a two-year AARP membership at a discounted rate of only $20. This is an amazing deal—AARP offers its members a wide range of perks, including discounts on travel, restaurants, technology, and much more. A full list of membership benefits can be found here. You can use this AARP Membership Link to take advantage of this amazing perk.

— Maureen De Armond & Marli Jefferson, Human Resources

This past academic year, 445 faculty and staff participated in at least one Bulldogs United in Learning & Development (BUILD) class. These classes assist individuals with learning a new skill, improving their well-being, or strengthening professional knowledge.

We are now in the process of planning for our 2023–2024 academic year.  If there are topics you would like to see addressed in BUILD sessions this fall or you would be interested in facilitating a BUILD class, we would like to hear from you.  Please take a moment to fill out this short Qualtrics survey with your suggestions or send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As we approach the end of Mental Health Awareness month, how can we continue to shine a light on this important topic and break the stigmas surrounding it? Here are some ways to create more understanding and positive action.

Learn more about mental health.  Read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or attend webinars on various topics related to mental health.  NAMI Iowa and the Healthiest State Initiative’s Make it OK campaign are good resources, as well as Employee & Family Resources.

Spark conversations and support others.  Initiate open, compassionate dialogue about mental health with loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Create a safe space where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences and struggles. Show others that you care and support them by listening to them without judgement, offering encouragement and empathy, respecting their boundaries and privacy, and helping them find resources and assistance if they want it.

Don’t contribute to mental health stigmas. Unfortunately, our society still has a lot of stigma and discrimination around mental health.  This can prevent people from seeking help or speaking opening about their issues.  You can help break the stigma by educating others about mental health facts and myths, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, and fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding. Mental health is health—just like diabetes, hypertension, or other health related conditions.

Check in with yourself and prioritize self-care. To help others, you must also help yourself.  It is important to take some time every day to check in with yourself and notice your emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. Embrace self-care as a crucial aspect of mental well-being.  Discover activities that bring you joy, peace, and rejuvenation. Practice them regularly to replenish your energy and nurture your emotional balance.

Seek support.  If you are navigating your own mental health journey, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.  Drake health plan participants can access mental health services and take advantage of virtual care visits with Broadlawns providers. Broadlawns Medical Center offers a comprehensive delivery system for mental health services in Central Iowa. Virtual Care Visits provide a safe and convenient way for you to access care through your existing provider or to establish care with a new healthcare provider. Broadlawns also offers Outpatient Mental Health Services.  And Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of resources, including free confidential counseling, self-assessment tools, and a mobile app.  EAPs are an often-under-utilized employee benefit available to Drake employees and anyone living in their households.

Let’s create a culture that fosters empathy, understanding, and support—where everyone feels valued and empowered to prioritize their mental well-being.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources