Category Archives: HR Information Archive

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

HR Information Archive

Miss the flu vaccine clinic for faculty and staff?

There are 50 free flu vaccines left that have been reserved for faculty and staff through Drake’s Wellness program.

Vaccines will be given by appointment at the Student Health Center, 3116 Carpenter Ave. Please contact Drake Student Health Center at 271-3731 to schedule an appointment on or before Oct. 30. Vaccines will be given on a first come, first serve basis through Oct. 30, unless they run out before that date.

—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Don’t forget your biometrics screening

The deadline for completing a biometrics screening with your physician or at a participating Hy-Vee location is next Monday, Oct. 19. Completing a biometrics screening plus an online wellness incentive will quality those on Drake’s health plan for the Wellness Incentive Program, which can save participants $300 off their health insurance in 2016.

Read more about completing your screening with your physician or at a Hy-Vee location. You can also still schedule an on-campus screening, with dates available Oct. 23–Nov. 13.

Please note, NO extensions will be granted. Find full information, a FAQ, and instructions here. (You may need to log in with your Drake ID and password.) Questions may be directed to Diana Lei-Butters at diana.lei-butters@drake.edu or 271-1871.

—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

October policy highlight

Over the summer Drake formed a workgroup headed headed by Jerry Parker, interim dean of students, to review Drake’s existing policy related to sexual misconduct and ensure Drake’s compliance with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Clery Act, and other applicable law.

The policy on Sexual and Other Discriminatory Harassment has been replaced with the Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct and Notification of Complainant’s Rights and Discriminatory Harassment (Non-Sex Based).

Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these important policies.

—Submitted by Cindy Adams, Associate Director, Human Resources