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

Please join Human Resources in welcoming 11 new full-time employees to the Bulldog family during the month of July.

Nicholas (Nick) Remmes, Recreation Facility Coordinator, Athletics
Katelyn Sobotka, Assistant Director, Athletic Compliance, Athletics
Leah Groe, Athletic Trainer, Athletics
Maggie Baumert, Assistant Head Volleyball Coach, Athletics
Ryan Arnold, Neighborhood & Community Engagement Manager, Alumni & Development
Gesine Gerhard, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences
Cody Coffin, Public Safety Dispatcher, Public Safety
Lisa Friesth, Admission Counselor, Office of Admission
Veronica McLaughlin, Assistant Director, Admission, Regional, IL, Office of Admission
Suzan Pritchett, Executive Director, DU Legal Clinic & Exp.Prog./Assoc.Prof., Law School
Gillian (Jill) Gremmels, Dean, Cowles Library / Professor, Librarianship, Cowles Library

Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

Human Resources is exploring the possibility of offering an on campus meditation class. If you are currently a meditation instructor, or know of an instructor who leads meditation classes, please email linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Meditation has many benefits. It reduces stress, improves concentration, increases self- awareness, and may improve your sleep and help control pain. If you are interested in participating in a meditation class, please contact Linda Feiden as well.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

In June, Drake welcomed seven new, full-time employees to the Bulldog family.

Christine Urish, Professor, Occupational Therapy, CPHS
Sara Johnston, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, CPHS
Molly Halverson, Administrative Assistant/Communication Coordinator, CPHS
Kristin Economos, Director, Student Leadership Programs, Student Life
Tabitha Choquette, Program Coordinator, The Robert D. & Billie Ray Center
Jeffrey McVey, Campus Public Safety Officer 1, Public Safety
Jeffrey (Jeff) Currie, HVAC Mechanic, Facilities Planning & Management

— Laura Schwarz, 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 now through Sept. 15)
2. On campus through UnityPoint Health (online registration opens Sept. 4 with screening dates in October)
3. With your physician, and fill out a Physician Wellness Screening Results form.

Note: If you have a physical with bloodwork between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, the results can be submitted as your wellness screening. Be sure to take a copy of the Physician Wellness Screening Results form to your appointment. Your physician must sign the completed form and you or your physician must fax it to 1-855-827-6307. Results will be forwarded to Wellmark. The signed form must be received by Sept. 30, 2018. To determine whether your paperwork has been received, contact Wellmark on their 24/7 helpline at 1-877-252-8412.  It is your responsibility to ensure the form is submitted on time.

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

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Weight Watchers is holding a special “Deal Days” promotion. Current or new members who complete an “intent to commit” form, in person, during the July 17 or July 24 class will receive a discount off their next series. All payments will be due the first week of the new meeting series.

• For a 12-week series, the price is reduced from $156 to $132.60 per member (minimum 15 members), which is a 15% discount.
• For a 17-week series, the price is reduced from $186 to $158.10 per member (minimum 20 members), which is a 15% discount.
• For a 26-week series, the price is reduced from $242 to $217.80 per member (minimum 20 members), which is a 10% discount.

Our current weekly Weight Watchers at Work series ends Aug. 28. Tuesday meetings include a confidential weigh-in from 12—12:15 p.m., followed by a 30 minute class. Classes are currently held in Cartwright Hall, Room 202.

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

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Join dietitian Anne Cundiff and chef Stacey Wertzberger on Thursday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Hy-Vee’s Club Room at 4605 Fleur Drive to make some healthy recipes.

During this entertaining hands-on class, you will be the cook, making three lunch and snack recipes. You will learn new cooking tips and how to reinvent standard recipes. When you are done, you can sample your work and enjoy.

Deadline to register is July 11 at 12 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. A minimum of 20 participants is required.

Please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu to register.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

During the academic year, 175 faculty and staff participated in at least one Bulldogs United In Learning Drake (BUILD) session and many attended multiple classes. Congratulations to the following individuals for completing at least eight hours of BUILD class credit. This shows a true commitment to learning.

Level 1 (8 – 11 credit hours): Sandra Alvarez-Herrera, Donna Blunck, Sonja Brightwell, Doris Brunnette, Mindy Clem, Merrie Frentress, Victoria Haugen, Marlene Heuertz, Sara Hughes, Sharon (Cookie) Moran, Pam Smith, Shari Tenney, Valerie Thacker, Sofia Turnbull, and Drinda Williams.

Level 2 (12 – 15 credit hours): Chris Ditter, Linda Feiden, Caron Findlay, Sheila Goodwin, Kris Magill, Diana Newman, and Debra Wiley.

Two names were randomly drawn from those who attended at least one class. The winners are Drinda Williams and Pam Smith. Each will receive an email with a link to a catalog where they may select a prize of their choice.

BUILD sessions are available to all faculty and staff. These sessions, lasting from one to three hours, assist individuals with learning a new skill, improving health, or strengthening professional knowledge.

If you have suggestions for sessions for the 2018-2019 BUILD program or would like additional information, please contact Human Resources at drakehr@drake.edu. The BUILD program will resume this fall. Watch the HR Monthly Minute and OnCampus for the registration announcement.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources