Category Archives: HR Information Archive

Open enrollment informational meeting Thursday

An overview of upcoming benefit plan changes will be provided by Mark J. Becker, Drake benefit consultant, on Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Room 310. During the meeting, Wellmark representatives will also demonstrate how to conduct cost comparisons and prescription drug searches on the Wellmark website.

For more details on open enrollment, see the Oct. 17 article in OnCampus.

—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

‘Did U Know’ course to highlight campus departments and services

This past year, Drake held a series of Did U Know classes that highlighted University departments and campus services. Based on positive feedback, Human Resources will be offering the class again with new topics.

The first presentation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m., in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311. It will cover Public Safety, Event Management, Campus Mail Operations, and Card Operations. Scott Law, director of public safety and operational services; Matt Miller, university events manager for the office of conference and event services; Tim Reger, mail service manager of postal operations; and Sara Heijerman, student services center manager, will present.

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

Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, is accessible under the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning & Development section of Human Resources.

Email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Work/life balance class

The demands of work and family share importance in our lives but how do we budget our time? Join presenter Johanna Dunlevy from Employee and Family Resources on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311, as she shares how effective life skills can help to make informed decisions and manage stress. Attendess will learn how to develop a blueprint for time management and sort out what is and isn’t important in order to restore balance in everyday living.

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

Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, is accessible under the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning & Development section of Human Resources.

Email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Last day for biometric screenings Thursday

Time is running out to participate in the Drake Wellness Incentive program. If you’re on Drake’s health plan and wish to save approximately $300 off your health insurance premium in 2018, you must complete a wellness screening and online wellness assessment.

Log into the UnityPoint Health online registration form with the username DRAKE and password SCREEN (in all CAPS). The only day left to receive an on-campus screening is Thursday, Oct. 19 between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in the lower level of the Olmsted Center. If the appointment schedule is full, contact Linda Feiden by Wednesday, Oct. 18. There will be no make-up dates­­––this is your last chance.

If you registered for an on-campus screening but don’t remember your appointment date and time, check your received, spam, or deleted email folders for an email confirmation from UnityPoint with the subject: Health Screen Confirmation. It would have been delivered to the email address you entered on your registration. Questions regarding the on-campus UnityPoint screenings should be sent to unitypointhealth.desmoines@gmail.com.

If you need to cancel an on-campus screening, send an email to jennifer.umphfleet@unitypoint.org with your name, date, and time of appointment you wish to cancel. You will need to re-register online for a new appointment. Changes can be made up to 48 hours prior to the appointment, if slots are still available.

If you have already completed your biometric screening, don’t forget to complete your online wellness assessment on wellmark.com by Nov. 17.

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

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Open enrollment begins Friday

The open enrollment period for employee benefits will begin Friday, Oct. 20. Look for an email from Human Resources on enrollment instructions for Drake’s medical, wellness, dental, and flexible spending account plans.

Medical and dental rates will remain unchanged again this year. In the current health care environment, this is certainly good news. Plan participants should be commended for taking care of their health, participating in wellness programming, and using their benefits wisely. Human Resources and the University Benefits Committee also deserve thanks for making key changes over the past several years, resulting in a more stable plan with less volatility and greater predictability.

The open enrollment period is a good opportunity to reflect on the guiding principles of Drake employee benefits, which is to provide:

  • Quality benefits that are responsive to the needs of employee’s and their families
  • A total benefit package that is competitive with our peers and other Iowa employers
  • Straightforward, efficient benefits that maximize our resources for the most impact

One of the key features of the Drake medical plan is protection in the event of a catastrophic illness. For example, the out of pocket maximum that any participant will pay in any plan year is lower than the median of other institutions of higher education and Iowa employers. To hear more about plan features and decisions like these, plan to attend one of three informational meetings on:

  • Oct. 26, at 3 p.m.
  • Nov. 1, at 12 p.m.
  • Nov. 14, at 2 p.m.

All three meetings will be held in Olmsted Center, Room 310.

—Venessa Macro, Finance and Administration

‘Did U Know’ course to highlight campus departments and services

This past year, Drake held a series of Did U Know classes that highlighted University departments and campus services. Based on positive feedback, Human Resources will be offering the class again with new topics.

The first presentation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Room 310/311. It will cover Public Safety, Event Management, Campus Mail Operations, and Card Operations.

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

Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, is accessible under the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning & Development section of Human Resources, or click here to access the form.

Email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Don’t forget to schedule a biometric screening

Two names were drawn from those who completed their screening and assessment by the early bird date. The winners are Carolyn Hill and Nalina Thandayuthapany. Congratulations! You will get to choose a prize from the Drake online wellness catalog

If you are on Drake’s health plan and still have not completed your screening, time is running out to register for your on-campus screening appointment.

Log into the UnityPoint Health online registration form with the username DRAKE and password SCREEN (in all CAPS). The remaining screening dates are Oct 11, 13, 17, and 19 between 6:30 and 10:45 a.m. in the lower level of the Olmsted Center.

If you registered for an on-campus screening but don’t remember your appointment date and time, check your received, spam, or deleted email folders for an email confirmation from UnityPoint with the subject: Health Screen Confirmation. It would have been delivered to the email address you entered on your registration. Questions regarding the on-campus UnityPoint screenings should be sent to unitypointhealth.desmoines@gmail.com.

If you need to cancel an on-campus screening, send an email to jennifer.umphfleet@unitypoint.org with your name, date, and time of appointment you wish to cancel. You will need to re-register online for a new appointment. Changes can be made up to 48 hours prior to the appointment, if slots are still available.

If you have already completed your biometric screening, don’t forget to complete your online wellness assessment on wellmark.com by Nov. 17.

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

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Join Weight Watchers at Work

Now is the perfect time to get into the habit of making healthier choices. If your goals include losing weight, Weight Watchers at Work may be the solution.

Weekly meetings include a confidential weigh-in prior to the meeting, 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 have helped faculty and staff be successful in their weight loss goals.

The cost is $156 for a 12-week renewable series with a minimum of 15 participants. Payment may be made in a lump sum or split into three payments.

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

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Restore your work/life balance

The demands of work and family share importance in our lives but how do we budget our time? Join us Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311 and learn how effective life skills can help us make informed decisions and manage our reaction to stress. Develop a blueprint for time management to help sort out what is and isn’t important and help restore balance in everyday living. Johanna Dunlevy from EFR will present.

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

Additional BUILD information, including an online registration form, is accessible under the blueView Employee tab, in the Learning & Development Channel of Human Resources.

Email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources