Club Ped 10,000 Step Program
The idea of this program is to get moving! Walking, running, exercise classes—anything that creates steps. You don’t have to be an exercise enthusiast. It will work for beginners or fitness gurus. The ultimate goal of Club Ped is to reach 10,000 steps a day. Don’t worry, we will work up to it.

Club Ped begins Monday, Feb. 13 and lasts 10 weeks, ending April 23. All you need is a pedometer, activity tracker, or smart phone app to track your steps, and the desire to succeed. The rest is easy. You will receive a walking journal and weekly emails with helpful tips.
If you are ready to “step it up,” please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “Club Ped.” Deadline to register is Thursday, Feb. 9.

Couch to 5K (C25K) Program
If you would like a special challenge this spring, then Couch to 5K (C25K) may be for you. This program is designed to take almost anyone from the couch to completing a 5K (3.1 miles) in nine weeks.

There will be weekly training groups and motivational emails for when you need that extra kick. You can download a training app or receive a hard copy of the program. You just need to commit to training 30 minutes a day three days a week for nine weeks.

And when you finish the program we will form a team and complete the Drake Road Races 5K on April 29! Ellen Lowe and Linda Feiden will be your C25K coaches.

Couch to 5K begins Monday, Feb. 20. There will be an information meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16 at noon in the Paul Morrison Room of The Knapp Center. To register for this program please send an email to Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu with the subject line “C25K.” Deadline to register is Thursday, Feb. 9.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Bulldogs United In Learning Drake (or BUILD) began Fall 2016, replacing the Excellence in Learning & Development program. To date, 186 faculty and staff have participated in at least one session. Each session is worth one or more credit hours. At certain credit hour levels, employees earn digital badges. A total of 17 employees earned badges during the fall semester. Fourteen employees earned a Level 1 digital badge, two earned a Level 2 digital badge, and one employee earned a Level 3 digital badge.

In addition to the digital badges, two names were randomly drawn from those who attended at least one class. The winners are Susan Dittmer and Pam Smith. Each will receive an email with a link to a catalog where they can select a prize of their choice.

All faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in sessions this semester where you may learn a new skill, improve your health, or strengthen your professional knowledge. As you participate, you will continue to earn credits toward digital badges that can be placed in your email signature to recognize your commitment to learning. And we will have another drawing at the end of the semester to give away more prizes! Registration forms for all BUILD classes are accessible through blueView’s Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources, or by clicking here. For more information, contact Human Resources at drakehr@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

There are three upcoming BUILD classes you won’t want to miss!

Did U Know: Information Technology Services
Feb. 2, 11 a.m.–noon, Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311.
Learn more about the services provided by ITS, how you can get assistance if needed, and where to find out what’s happening in technology on campus. Carla Herling, Jerome Hilscher, James McNab, and Clayton Mitchell will be presenting.

Get Up: Stand Up
Feb. 8. 10–11 a.m., Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311
How much time do you spend sitting at your desk, commuting, and relaxing at home? Learn how to get moving throughout the day to boost your physical and emotional health. Traci Stumbo from Employee & Family Resources will be presenting.

Healthy4U – Small Changes, Big Impact (Part 3)
Feb. 15, 10–11 a.m., Olmsted Center, Rooms 312/313
If you have ever tried to read a food nutrition label, determine how big a serving of meat really is, or wondered how to eat healthy at a restaurant, this class is for you. Dietitian Lucas Flaherty along with Ellen Lowe will cover exercise and protein + water in the third class of this four-part series. Attendance at prior sessions is not required.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester.

The registration form for these classes is accessible through blueView’s Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources, or by clicking here. Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

To access your electronic W-2 statement, sign into blueView with your Drake ID (Banner) number. If you need to reset your password, contact the Help Desk at 515-271-3001.

OPEN: Employee Tab
CLICK: Electronic W-2 (under Payroll Information)
SELECT: Tax Year 2016
CLICK: Display
SELECT: Printable W-2 Button (bottom left); Through the web browser, select File/Print to print the W-2 Statement.

Please note that 1095-C Forms will be available on/before March 1. Per the IRS, employees are NOT required to attach this form to their tax returns.

Should you have questions, please contact Human Resources: 271-1901.

—Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources

Drake offers many opportunities for new and established faculty and staff. This academic year the University is introducing a series of “Did U Know” classes that will spotlight departments and services across campus.

Our next class in the series will highlight Information Technology Services, or ITS, on Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311. Carla Herling, Jerome Hilscher, James McNab, and Clayton Mitchell will be presenting.

Learn more about the services provided by ITS, how you can get assistance if needed, and where to find out what’s happening in technology on campus.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester.

The registration form for this class is accessible through blueView’s Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources, or by clicking here. Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

How much time do you spend sitting at your desk, commuting, and relaxing at home? Excessive sitting is directly related to heart disease, Type II Diabetes, and various cancers. Learn how to get moving throughout the day to boost your physical and emotional health. You will identify health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, learn ways to ‘accidentally’ exercise throughout the day, and set S.M.A.R.T. goals and strategies to increase physical activity.

Join us Feb. 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310/311 for this ‘moving’ presentation! Traci Stumbo from Employee & Family Resources will be presenting.

Participants will earn BUILD (Bulldogs United in Learning Drake) credits and be entered into drawings for prizes each semester.

The registration form for this class is accessible through blueView’s Employee tab, in the Learning and Development Channel under Human Resources, or by clicking here. Please email Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Now is the time to take care of your most important project–YOU!
Weight Watchers at Work is holding an informational session TODAY, Monday, Jan. 23, at 12:30 p.m. in the Olmsted Center Drake Room (upper level). All interested faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.

During this meeting, a Weight Watchers instructor will go over the program and answer questions. If 15 or more employees join that day, Weight Watchers will complete everyone’s registration and collect payments, and meetings will begin the following Monday at 12:30 p.m., with weigh-ins beginning at 12:15 p.m.

The cost is $132.60 for a 12-week renewable series, which is a 15 percent savings. You may pay the full amount up front or split into three payments. Series fees are due at the informational session. You may pay with cash, credit or debit card, or check(s) made out to Weight Watchers.

If you are already a Monthly Pass or Online member, your membership can be transferred by calling 866-204-2885 and telling the operator that you are joining an At Work Meeting Series. You will need to pre-pay for the series and get an eTools voucher prior to calling.

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 participants lose as much as eight times as much weight as those who try to lose weight on their own. If you are interested in more information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Three new Bulldogs joined Drake in December: Carly Grenfell, Athletics; Aneisha Parrish White, Public Safety; and Amelia Klatt, University Advancement.

As we announced in August 2016, Drake is partnering with the company Royal Recognition, Inc. in celebration of our faculty and staff as they reach many milestones in their years of service to the University. With this collaboration, we now have access to a platform that automates service anniversary and retiree gifts. This allows all employees celebrating their 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35+ year anniversaries, and retirees to choose their gift of choice from an expansive online catalog.

Employees receive an e-card on or about their service anniversary or retiree date with information on how to select their gift, which is then mailed to their home. Employees with 20, 25, 30, 35+ year anniversaries and retirees will still be recognized at our annual anniversary and retiree event in the spring.

This online platform has taken the place of the former award system and was effective with all service anniversaries and retirements on or after Sept. 5, 2016. So far the response from employees has been extremely positive. An employee who recently celebrated a service anniversary said “The service anniversary gifts look great, and I was impressed with the wide selection of items.”

We look forward to what the future has in store for our organization and all of our dedicated employees. For more information, contact Human Resources at drakehr@drake.edu.

—Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

As part of the Drake Employee Wellness & Engagement initiative, a biometric screening and wellness (health risk) assessment is offered once a year to those participating in Drake’s Medical Benefit Plan. The screening includes a full cholesterol profile, blood glucose, blood pressure, height/weight, waist circumference, body composition, and a consultation with a health care professional.

In 2016, 98 percent of those enrolled in the Wellness Plan participated, and 89 percent of those enrolled in Drake’s Medical Plan participated in a biometric screening and assessment. That is compared to 97 percent and 82 percent, respectively, in 2015.

Our top three biometric risks (from the biometric screening):

Our top three modifiable risks (from the wellness assessment):

LDL, Blood Glucose, Sleep and Exercise were also listed in the top ten.

Knowing your numbers is important, but giving you the tools and resources to improve those numbers and reach your goals is where change happens. Beside wellness programs and classes, there are many valuable resources available for faculty and staff.

Fitness Facilities
Being active can help reduce a number of the risks listed above. The Bell Center may be the answer. Facilities include a fitness room, gym, pool, racquetball courts, fitness studio, indoor track, and locker rooms. The Roger Knapp Tennis Center is also open to employees and features six indoor and six outdoor courts. Group exercise classes are offered throughout the year by certified instructors and include Yoga, Pilates, Bootcamp, and Zumba. The Intramural program includes sports such as basketball, racquetball, and volleyball. And a Faculty and Staff Golf League is available during the summer months.

Nutrition Coach
What and how much you eat can directly impact your numbers, but you don’t have to starve yourself to succeed. Contact Lucas Flaherty, Sodexo dietitian, for a one-on-one appointment to get your questions answered and develop a nutritional plan.

Health Coach
You may want to make positive changes in your health and wellness but don’t have the resources or guidance to succeed. A health coach can be your partner in taking charge of your health, recognizing bad choices, and helping you to make better choices that are sustainable. If that sounds like you, we have certified health coaches available on campus. Contact Nora Stelter or Wendy Mobley-Bukstein for more information or an appointment.

Medication Therapy Management
If you are on multiple prescription medications, you may benefit from Medication Therapy Management. A member of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences can give you a comprehensive review of all your medications. Contact Nora Stelter or Wendy Mobley-Bukstein for more information.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
To discuss issues affecting your day-to-day health and productivity, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, substance abuse, and legal and financial concerns, the Employee Assistance Program at Employee & Family Resources is a valuable resource. Contact them at www.efr.org/myeap or (800) 327-4692.

Wayne Gretzky (Hall of Fame hockey player) said “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” Is it time to take a shot at making a change in your life for the better? Feel free to contact Linda Feiden (linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880) for more information.

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources