Category Archives: HR Information Archive

HR Information Archive

Weight Watchers at Work Program

Weight Watchers at Work is a service that brings the No. 1 weight loss program to the workplace. Weekly sessions provide a supportive environment, tools, and the knowledge you need to be successful. Their 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.

Weight Watchers offers two programs depending on participation. With 20 or more paid participants they offer a 17-week renewable at work series for $186 per person. With a minimum of 15 paid participants they offer a 12-week renewable at work series for $156 per person. Participants may pay the full amount at once or split into three payments.

Meetings usually last 30 minutes with time for a confidential weigh-in prior to the meeting. Dates and times for the program will be determined once there are enough participants to support an on-site series.

If you are interested in participating in this program at Drake, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu. Please make sure you include your contact information and meeting date and time preference. Deadline to register is Friday, April 1.

—Linda Feiden, Assistant Director, Wellness & Engagement

HR Information Archive

Attention 2015 Flexible Spending Account users

Reimbursement claims for expenses incurred from Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015, must be submitted to Advantage Administrators by March 30. Participants may access a reimbursement claim form in the Forms Library on the Employee Tab in blueView. They may also contact Advantage Administrators at 800-383-1623, or visit the website to obtain account balance information.

—Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits

HR Information Archive

Updated policy—University Closings, Delays and Class Cancellations

Changes have been incorporated from the comment period and the University Closings, Delays and Class Cancellations policy is now final and posted.

The most significant change to the policy is compensation for most staff when classes are cancelled and campus is open. Based on history, this situation is a rare and infrequent occurrence.

President Martin said it best in his Feb. 12 email: “My firm belief is that everyone is committed to our students and our mission, and to moving toward a culture of joyful accountability where we trust each other, enjoy our work, and are committed to doing our best.” The changes to this policy foster trust and inclusion by providing employees the ability to make decisions about personal safety, without having to unduly worry about taking a vacation or personal day, in the rare instances where classes are cancelled and campus is open.

Please familiarize yourself with the updated policy. Questions? Review the FAQ, discuss with your manager, and/or contact Cindy Adams at cindy.adams@drake.edu or x3676.

—HR Team

HR Information Archive

Faculty and staff celebrate employment anniversaries

Full-time employee anniversaries in March:

Qalbi Abdi
Craig Blaker
Steven Blaylock
Kathryn Coleson Horner
Leslee Cran
Susan Dittmer
Kristi Fuller
Raymond Giacoletti
Sarah Grady
Douglas Graham
Aaron Harpold
Renee Hennessy
Patsy Johnson
Heidi Kramer
Douglas Lampe
Eric Lindstrom
Peter Lundstedt
Sharon Moran
Eric Murphy
Lori Richman
Mary Sanders
Bartholomew Schmidt
Donald Severs
Lucas Shelton
John Smith
Pamela Smith
Gareth Smith
Allen Smith
Thad Smull
Michael Spoerl
James Wu

HR Information Archive

Nominate a colleague for community service and employee excellence awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award and the Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Awards. These awards will be presented at the Faculty / Staff Recognition Event on Tuesday, May 3, in Parent’s Hall, Olmsted Center. The deadline to submit nominations has been extended to April 7 at 4:30 p.m.

Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service Award

Madelyn M. Levitt established the Distinguished Community Service Award to recognize outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. Criteria for the award include:

  • a demonstrated personal commitment to volunteerism and community service;
  • an outstanding record of leadership or substantial involvement in community projects, services and activities contributing to the quality of life in our region, state and/or the nation;
  • professional and personal values and behavior that typify the ideals of giving back to others and making a difference in the lives of others.

The nominee must be a current faculty or staff member with at least five years of service at Drake.

Madelyn M. Levitt Employee Excellence Awards

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to up to two staff employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. Criteria for the award include:

  • exceptional performance as an employee of Drake University;
  • outstanding dedication to providing courteous, prompt, and quality service;
  • demonstrated commitment to University programs, initiatives, and services;
  • professional values and behavior that demonstrate exceptional service to others and a commitment to Drake University.

Nominees must be a current staff member with at least one year of service at Drake.

NOMINATION PROCESS

Submit a letter of nomination to the Levitt Award Committee c/o Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent via campus mail or to laura.schwarz@drake.edu.

A nomination letter detailing specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria is desirable. Additional letters of support are not necessary. A review committee will make award recommendations to the President’s Council. Nominations must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7.

—Submitted by Laura Schwarz, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Balanced scorecard overview, Tuesday, Feb. 23

During the last several months, many areas on campus have been reworking their strategic plans. Instead of operating through habit (we’ve always done it this way, so let’s continue doing so), leaders are examining their areas’ practices and processes through the Balanced Scorecard. The Balanced Scorecard provides an approach for reviewing progress against strategic goals. Join Matthew Mitchell, assistant professor of international business and strategy and Nate Reagen, balanced scorecard consultant as they discuss the steps that Drake has accomplished thus far, and how it positions us for continued strategic success. This two-hour session will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. in Olmsted Rooms 310–311.

The complete Excellence in Learning & Development Program is available online on blueView’s Employee tab, in the Learning & Development Channel.

HR Information Archive

Free financial consultations

Avoid the tax season blues! As part of your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee and Family Resources offers financial counseling. Drake’s EAP provides you and your family members with one 30-minute financial consultation per issue at no cost. Just call 800-327-4692 to schedule a consultation at locations around the metro. Click here for more information on this service. Questions? Contact Marlene Huertz, assistant director benefits, at x1901.

—Marlene Huertz

HR Information Archive

Save $300 on your Drake health insurance in 2017

Thank you to everyone who participated in last year’s Wellness Incentive Program. It was a great success and we will be offering the same program again in 2016 (to receive the incentive in 2017).

What is the Wellness Incentive Program? Those on Drake’s health plan can save approximately $300 in 2017 by simply completing a biometrics screening and online wellness assessment.

There are three options for completing your biometric screening:

  • Complete a screening with your physician
  • Complete your screening at a participating Hy-Vee location
  • Complete your screening on campus through UnityPoint Health

Dates for the Hy-Vee and on campus screenings will be announced in the coming months but you can complete your screening with your physician now. If you have a physical in 2016—with bloodwork—by Aug. 31, the results can be submitted as your biometric screening.

  • Take a copy of the Health Care Provider Biometric Screening Form to your appointment.
  • Your physician must sign the completed form and fax it to Summit Health. Results will be forwarded to Wellmark.
  • The signed form must be received directly from your doctor’s office by Sept. 30, 2016.
  • It is up to you to ensure your physician’s office submits the appropriate paperwork by the Sept. 30 deadline. To determine whether your paperwork has been received, contact Wellmark on their 24/7 help line at 1-877-252-8412.

After the completion of your screening, you will also need to take the online wellness assessment. Assessments will be available for access on www.wellmark.com Feb. 15–Nov. 15, 2016.

Questions may be directed to Linda Feiden, assistant director, wellness & engagement, at linda.feiden@drake.edu or 271-1880.

—Submitted by Linda Feiden

HR Information Archive

Drake welcomes new employees in January

Please join the Human Resources Department in welcoming the following new full-time Drake employees:

Giovanna Brookhart, Head Start
Derma Rivera-Aguirre, Head Start
Linda Feiden, Human Resources
Meghan Settje, Finance & Administration
Tracy Warren, Finance & Administration
Keren Fiorenza, ITS
Kyle Smith, Athletics
Hannah Bildstein, International Center
Ana (Lorena) Sagastume Dahl, Law School
Luis Fernandez-Menchero, Arts & Sciences

HR Information Archive

Looking for a new home? Check out the recently enhanced Drake Neighborhood Homeownership Program!

Bankers Trust Company and Neighborhood Finance Corporation have partnered with Drake to provide eligible employees access to various mortgage products and services. Additionally, per the program enhancement, Drake can now provide up to $3500 in down payment and/or closing costs for homes purchased adjacent to campus.

To learn more about the benefits available to you, visit the HR website.