To enhance the mental and emotional well-being of faculty and staff, one day each month has been designated as a meeting-free day. The goal of no-meeting days is to give all employees a large block of uninterrupted time to focus on projects. These days are a good opportunity to recharge and rebalance.
Upcoming meeting-free days:
Tuesday, March 16
Wednesday, April 14
Tuesday, May 25
Wednesday, June 23
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
The Fiscal Year 2020–2021 University Holiday Schedule has been updated to include this year’s Juneteenth Holiday, which will be observed on Friday, June 18. Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Additional information on Juneteenth can be found at iowajuneteenth.org.
The Fiscal Year 2021–2022 University Holiday Schedule has also been posted in myDrake. Both Holiday Schedules can be found under Human Resources in the Commonly Used Apps. Click on Benefits, select Additional Benefits, and Holiday Schedule.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Check out this spring’s BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) classes. From Microsoft Teams and Excel classes to self-care, resilience, and financial health, we have you covered. All classes are being held virtually. The full list for the spring semester is available through the BUILD app in myDrake.
To register for any class, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Human Resources and the All Staff Council would like to invite you to share a picture of yourself smiling for our Drake University Smile Slideshow. It could be a picture of you alone, or with your family, friends, co-workers, or pets. The only requirement is that the picture must include you and you must be smiling in the photo. The smiling photos will be compiled into a slideshow and posted on myDrake for faculty and staff, when you need a break to see some smiles.
If you would like to help us out, please email a copy of your smiling digital image to linda.feiden@drake.edu. The deadline has been extended to Friday, March 5, to give everyone time to participate.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Samantha “Sam” Matt, MS, RDN, LDN, is Drake’s on campus dietitian and a wonderful resource for faculty, staff, and students. Sam offers free one-on-one nutrition counseling and covers nutrition topics including healthy eating, cooking/shopping tips, disease management, weight management, sports nutrition, food allergy management, and general health and wellness.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Sam at samantha.matt@sodexo.com.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
The American Lung Association (ALA) is offering a FREE one-year membership to Freedom from Smoking Plus while supplies last. This interactive online program works on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones and includes telephone, chat, and email support.
Freedom from Smoking Plus (FFS Plus) assesses your readiness to quit and guides you through a three-part process from getting ready to quit, to quit day, and finally, staying smoke free. It includes online tips and tools to keep you on track as well as access to ALA tobacco cessation counselors. You may also visit the Freedom from Smoking online support group and discussion community to interact with others who are also working to break their tobacco addiction.
To join this program, log into bit.ly/ALAFFSPLUS and set up a profile to begin the self-paced, nine-module course. FFS Plus includes 12 months of continuous support.
FFS Plus normally costs $99.95 but the ALA is offering it at no cost for a limited time. If you are a tobacco user who is contemplating quitting, now is the time to join.
Should you have any questions, please contact the American Lung Association’s National Tobacco Team at freedomfromsmoking@lung.org.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
One in five people have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Yet, unlike diabetes or other physical health conditions, the majority of individuals are fearful to talk about mental illness due to the stigma surrounding it.
Make It OK is a national campaign, which encourages individuals to talk more openly about mental illness in hopes of de-stigmatizing it so individuals will be more open to seek care.
Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 2–3 p.m. for this virtual presentation, led by Jami Haberl, Executive Director, the Healthiest State Initiative. To register, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
If you elected coverage for your dependents who reside out-of-state, you must contact Wellmark Customer Service (800-362-2230) to request a guest membership in Drake’s Health Plan. You will also need to designate an out-of-state primary care provider for your dependents to ensure access to in-network benefits. Your dependents may locate in-network Blue Card providers by calling 800-810-BLUE or visiting the National Doctor and Hospital Finder at bcbs.com. Should you have questions about this process, please contact Wellmark Customer Service at 800-362-2230.
— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources
The National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Des Moines chapter, has put together a new speaker series featuring some of the top motivational speakers in the country. Each of these virtual webinars are free. Their opening event will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 12 p.m. Check out the details and register for the speaker series.
This six-part speaker series is part of a free webinar series from NAMI in 2021. Topics range from managing stress and understanding seasonal affective disorder to problem solving and PTSD. Their goal is to ensure that mental health services and supports are readily accessible to everyone in need.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Drake has developed a new policy establishing a mandatory University-wide process for securing approval for all employee out-of-state work arrangements; this policy applies to all part-time and full-time faculty and staff of the University. All interested members of the Drake community are encouraged to review and comment on these policy revisions by Feb. 15.
— Jessica Morgan-Tate, Finance & Administration