Drake has challenged Des Moines University and Wesley Life to a step challenge. We are putting together a team and want you to participate.

During the month of October team members from all three institutions will track their daily steps. You may use a pedometer, fitness tracker, or smart phone app. Any movement that records steps counts, including walking, running, and fitness classes. You will be provided with a journal to make recording easy and receive fun facts and tips along the way.

At the end of the month the institution with the highest average step total will win a traveling trophy and bragging rights for the year. Individual prizes will be awarded as well. We need your help to win that trophy!

This event is open to all faculty, staff, and students so spread the word. To register, email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. The deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 28.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Chances are you are already making some healthy choices: Getting a dental check-up, participating in BUILD classes or wellness programs, sending a Peerceive kudos, or attending a Drake Social. Now you have the opportunity to win some great prizes for those choices. The Bulldog Pack Wellness Scorecard is a points-based spreadsheet dedicated to helping you enhance your quality of life in seven areas: physical, emotional, financial, community, social, occupational, and intellectual. Simply check items off on the scorecard as you complete them.  If you reach 100 points between Sept. 3, 2018, and May 31, 2019, you will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a prize.

The Bulldog Pack Wellness Scorecard is available to all current Drake full-time and regular part-time employees, regardless of enrollment in the Drake Medical Plan. Download a copy of the scorecard and get started today.

For more information, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 515-271-1880.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

The Drake University Occupational Therapy (OT) program will be providing wellness educational opportunities for Drake faculty, staff, and students. The booth will run weekly, on Tuesdays, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the main level of Olmsted, starting Sept. 25. Occupational Therapy students will be available to provide education, tips, and strategies to support wellness among the Drake University community.

Faculty and staff who visit the booth four or more weeks will earn Bulldogs United in Learning Drake (BUILD) credits and be entered into a drawing for prizes at the end of the semester.

Wellness Topics
Sept. 25: Backpack Awareness Week — proper lifting and carry techniques/examples
Oct. 2: Nutrition quiz/visual on sugar consumption, health literacy, how to read a nutrition label
Oct. 23: Memory games — information on brain health
Oct. 30: Sleep Hygiene
Nov. 6: Technology Detox-unplug
Nov. 13: Balance Tests/Flexibility
Nov. 27: Work/life balance mindfulness/stress management
Dec. 4: Winter health/handwashing

For more information, contact Rachel Allen-McHugh at rachel.allen-mchugh@drake.edu or Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Those on Drake’s health plan can save approximately $300 in 2019 by completing a wellness screening this year. If you are on Drake’s health plan and currently enrolled in the Wellness Premium Incentive Program, you must complete a wellness screening annually to retain your savings. New this year: You will not be required to complete an online wellness assessment. You only need to complete the wellness screening to receive the premium incentive.

There are three ways to complete your wellness screening:

1. At a participating Hy-Vee (available through Sept. 15).
2. With your physician and fill out a Physician Wellness Screening Results form (available through Sept. 30).
3. On campus through UnityPoint Health (online registration opens Sept. 4 with screening dates in October).

There are a set number of spaces available for the on campus screenings so we recommend as many employees as possible consider the physician or Hy-Vee option.

As an incentive, HR is offering an early bird prize. If you complete your screening through your physician or at a participating Hy-Vee by Sept. 30, your name will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win your choice of a prize from an online wellness catalog. That said, you are welcome to use any of the three options that work best for you.

For questions, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 515-271-1880.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Drake’s current weekly Weight Watchers at Work series ends Aug. 28, and the program is looking for faculty and staff who may be interested in a new series later this fall.

Meetings are held Tuesdays and include confidential weigh-ins from 12 to 12:15 p.m., followed by a 30-minute class.

Weight Watchers’ unique mix of face-to-face interaction with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace has been a winning combination for many Drake faculty and staff.

The cost is $156 for a 12-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 participants, or $186 for a 17-week series with a minimum of 20 participants. Payment must be made in a lump sum, or it can be split into three payments.

If you are interested in joining the next Weight Watchers at Work series, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

This past year, Drake held a series of Did U Know classes that highlighted University departments and campus services.  Based on positive feedback, HR is bringing it back with new topics.

This year’s series is kicking off with Did U Know: University Archives on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. in Cowles Library, Room 201.

In University Archives you can find everything from the Ding Darling Collection and Tom Harkin Papers to unique items such as half a gold medal mounted on a plaque to commemorate the first gold medal won by a Drake athlete in an individual event at the Drake Relays.

The presenters, Claudia Frazer, archives director; Hope Bibens, University and political papers archivist; and Katherine Lincoln, archives associate, will cover what they do, what they have, and what they collect during this one-hour presentation. In addition, they will share some of their most interesting artifacts.

Participants will earn Bulldogs United in Learning Drake (BUILD) credits and be entered into a drawing at the end of the semester.

To register, email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, will be available soon in myDrake. Click on the human resources app at the top of the page and the BUILD information can be found in the Learning & Development section.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

If you are in a regular, full-time position at Drake and you and/or your dependents are taking classes, you may qualify for the Tuition Rebate program. The tuition rebate program allows eligible faculty and staff to carry a maximum of eight credit hours of free tuition during each fall and spring semester, and no more than eight credit hours during the interim term and summer terms combined. Your eligible dependent children and your spouse/partner may also be eligible for this benefit. View information and eligibility regarding the Tuition Rebate Policy.

As a reminder, each term you and/or your dependents are taking classes at Drake, you must submit a Tuition Rebate Form and submit it to the Office of Student Financial Planning located in Carnegie Hall prior to the first day of class.

Debra Wiley, Human Resources

Drake’s current weekly Weight Watchers at Work series ends Aug. 28, and the program is looking for faculty and staff who may be interested in a new series later this fall.

Meetings are held Tuesdays and include confidential weigh-ins from 12 to 12:15 p.m., followed by a 30-minute class.

Weight Watchers unique mix of face-to-face interaction with a trained leader, group support, accountability, digital tools, and the convenience of meetings in the workplace has been a winning combination for many Drake faculty and staff.

The cost is $156 for a 12-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 participants or $186 for a 17-week series with a minimum of 20 participants. Payment must be made in a lump sum, or it can be split into three payments.

If you are interested in joining the next Weight Watchers at Work series, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Human Resources is pleased to announce that, effective July 1, 2018, Paid Parental Leave is available to full-time, benefit eligible Drake University faculty and staff.

Paid Parental Leave provides paid time away for new parents. For the birth parent, the policy is in addition to paid time off under medical or sick leave and vacation policies. For non-birth and adoptive parents, the policy provides paid time off to bond with their new child without having to use accrued leave balances or elect modified duties. This policy works together with the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides employees with 12 weeks of job protected leave upon the birth of a child.

During the course of the semester, Human Resources will provide opportunities to highlight the Paid Parental Leave policy and other opportunities that may assist you with creating a healthy work life balance. If you have questions or are expecting, please don’t hesitate to contact Debra Wiley at 271-3741 or via email at debra.wiley@drake.edu  to arrange a time to discuss.

View Paid Parental Leave FAQ

Debra Wiley, Human Resources