Category Archives: HR Information Archive

HR Information Archive

FINAL campus-wide benefits meeting this Wednesday

How do Drake benefits compare? What is Drake’s philosophy when it comes to employee benefit decisions? What changes are planned for this year and beyond?

The answers to these questions, and more, will be addressed in “A Report to Faculty and Staff: The Status of the Drake Medical and Dental Plans,” Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m. in the Pomerantz Conference Room (Olmsted Center).

Reminder: Benefit enrollment forms must be received in Human Resources no later than 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30.

—Submitted by Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits

HR Information Archive

Don’t forget your biometrics screening!

If you’re on Drake’s health plan, you can save $300 off your health insurance premium in 2016 by participating in the Drake Wellness Incentive. In order to qualify, you must complete a biometrics screening and online wellness assessment. Only four dates for on-campus screenings remain!

On-campus biometrics screenings will take place between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. in the Bell Center on the following dates: Nov. 3, 4, 10, and 13.

To schedule your screening, click here, and use the username DRAKEU and password SCREEN2015 to log in. Once you sign up, please make a note of your screening date and time, as you will not receive a reminder email.

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

Signed up but don’t remember your date/time? Look at your received or deleted emails for an email confirmation sent to you by unitypointhealth.desmoines@gmail.com with the subject: Health Screen Confirmation.

You can also complete your biometrics screening at a participating Hy-Vee by Nov. 13. Full details and a list of participating Hy-Vee stores can be found here. Hy-Vee will submit your screening results to Wellmark, which will automatically update your online assessment.

If you’ve already completed your biometrics screening, don’t forget to take the online wellness assessment via myWellmark by Dec. 4.

Visit the Wellness Incentive Program site to learn more about the wellness incentive, your options, and for a FAQ document. Questions may be directed to Dianna Lei-Butters at diana.lei-butters@drake.edu or 271-1871.

—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Celebrating employment anniversaries

Congratulations to the following employees celebrating employment anniversaries at Drake in October!

Cindy Adams, Human Resources
Tammy Agey, Provost’s Office
Violeta Aleman, Legal Clinic
Sandra Alvarez-Herrera, Head Start
Michael Andreski, Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Administrative Sciences
Rihana Banu, Facility Services
Jill Batten, Pharmacy and Health Sciences
LaRon Bennett, Athletics
Debra Booth, Law School
Mario Castro, Facility Services
Marilea Chase, Dean’s Office, Pharmacy
Cassandra Clyde, Head Start
Kimberly DeJoode, Head Start
John Edwards, Law Library
Kelly Foster, Finance and Administration
Naomi Gachii, Facility Services
Ryan Grams, Public Safety
David Hanson, Law Library
John Harrell, Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Ryan Harris, Athletics
William Hennan, Law School
Shelley Hurst, Student Records and Academic Information
Jessica Lang, Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Carrie Lewis, International Admission
Debra Lukehart, University Communications
Anita Mozga, School of Education
Jennifer Newton, Undergraduate Admission
Brett Niederhauser, Public Safety
Sharyn O’Connor-Beener, Chemistry & Physics
Robert Overturf, DTS
Jennifer Reitano, Business and Public Administration
Sandra Ries-Wandrey, Head Start
John Rovers, Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Administrative Sciences
Charitie Schaer, Business and Public Administration
Jolene Schmidt, Finance & Administration
Laura Schwarz, Human Resources
Sara Sommerlot-McWeeney, University Communications
Deborah Ann Striegel, Facility Services
Mary Vaske, Head Start
Marina Verlengia, Student Life Center
Rashmee Virmani, DTS
Richard White, Public Safety
Oleg Zastarinny, Physics and Astronomy

—Submitted by Laura Schwarz, Administrative Support Specialist

HR Information Archive

Want to save $300? Don’t miss your chance!

If you’re on Drake’s health plan, you can save $300 off your health insurance premium in 2016 by participating in the Drake Wellness Incentive. In order to qualify, you must complete a biometrics screening and online wellness assessment.

On-campus biometrics screenings will take place between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. in the Bell Center on the following dates:

  • Oct. 28, 29, and 30
  • Nov. 3, 4, 10, and 13

To schedule your screening, click here, and use the username DRAKEU and password SCREEN2015 to log in. Once you sign up, please make a note of your screening date and time, as you will not receive a reminder email.

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

Signed up but don’t remember your date/time? Look at your received or deleted emails for an email confirmation sent to you by unitypointhealth.desmoines@gmail.com with the subject: Health Screen Confirmation.

If you’ve already completed your biometrics screening, don’t forget to take the online wellness assessment via myWellmark by Dec. 4.

Visit the Wellness Incentive Program site to learn more about the wellness incentive, your options, and for a FAQ document. Questions may be directed to Dianna Lei-Butters at diana.lei-butters@drake.edu or 271-1871.

—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Campus-wide benefits meeting tomorrow

“A Report to Faculty and Staff: The Status of the Drake Medical and Dental Plans.”
Oct. 27
10 a.m.
Olmsted Center, Room 310

Drake benefit consultant, Mark J. Becker, will provide a history of Drake’s philosophy and approach to employee benefits, a comparison of current Drake benefits to benchmark data, and address the positioning of Drake’s plans for the future.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield will also provide a brief overview of the transition to CVS/Caremark. If you can’t make this meeting, two more presentations are scheduled:

Nov. 6
1 p.m.
Room 301, Olmsted Center

Nov. 11
3 p.m.
Drake Room, Olmsted Center

Also mark your calendar for the Annual Benefits Fair:
Nov. 6
8:30–11:30 a.m.
Parent’s Hall, Olmsted Center

—Submitted by Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits

HR Information Archive

Schedule your on-campus biometrics screening today

While the deadlines to have your biometrics screening complete at Hy-Vee or with your physician are today, Oct. 19, you can still schedule a free on-campus biometrics screening.

On-campus screenings will take place between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. in the Bell Center on the following dates:

Oct. 23, 28, 29, and 30

Nov. 3, 4, 10, and 13

To schedule your screening, click here, and use the username DRAKEU and password SCREEN2015 to log in. Once you sign up, please make a note of your screening date and time, as you will not receive a reminder email.

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

Visit the Wellness Incentive Program site to learn more about the wellness incentive, your options, and for a FAQ document. Questions may be directed to Dianna Lei-Butters at diana.lei-butters@drake.edu or 271-1871.

Signed up but don’t remember your date/time? Look at your received or deleted emails for an email confirmation sent to you by unitypointhealth.desmoines@gmail.com with the subject: Health Screen Confirmation.

—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Invest your time during National Retirement Security Week

Today marks the beginning of National Retirement Security Week. Because retirement savings create retirement security, you are encouraged to spend some time each day this week to review your savings progress. Please note that the following links will prompt you to download Word files directly from the TIAA-CREF website.

Monday: Time for a retirement savings checkup!

  1. Introduction: Checkup time for your retirement savings

Tuesday: Do this today, for your financial well-being tomorrow.

  1. Today’s checklist to-do: Take advantage of your retirement savings plan.

Wednesday: You should have a personal action plan for retirement.

  1. Today’s checklist to-do: Meet with a financial consultant.

Thursday: Review your beneficiary designation.

  1. Today’s checklist to-do: Double-check your beneficiary designation.

Friday: Complete the retirement savings checklist. 

  1. Conclusion: Did you complete the retirement savings checklist?

—Submitted by Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits

HR Information Archive

Are you halfway there yet? Discover how TIAA-CREF can help you get there!

Halfway There: A retirement checkup

When: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2 p.m.

Where: Levitt Hall

Now, more than ever, it is imperative you have the information necessary to plan effectively for your retirement. TIAA-CREF Senior Consultant Paige Cook will demonstrate how to:

  • Complete a mid-career financial checkup
  • Evaluate your current savings
  • Formulate a plan to reach savings goals
  • Manage life demands competing with retirement savings

Reservations are not required.  

—Submitted by Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits

HR Information Archive

Drake’s annual open enrollment period begins tomorrow

The annual open enrollment period for Drake University benefits will begin Oct. 20.   Tomorrow, faculty and staff will receive information regarding benefit elections for the 2016 plan year. Enrollment instructions for Drake’s medical, dental, and flexible spending account plans will be provided via email. Please watch for upcoming benefit communications from the DrakeHR email address.

—Submitted by Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits

HR Information Archive

New! Independent contractor determination—review and approval procedure

Accounting, Contracts, and Human Resources teamed up to streamline and improve the review and approval process for determining independent contractor status. These changes will ensure compliance with IRS regulations and improve efficiencies for the end user.

Departments need to submit all potential independent contractors through the new process prior to services being provided. Please review the Independent Contractor Determination Procedure for complete details.

Contact Cindy Adams at cindy.adams@drake.edu, x3676, Debra Wiley at debra.wiley@drake.edu, x3741, or Gary Johnson at gary.johnson@drake.edu, x4804 with any questions regarding the process.

—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources