Category Archives: Archive

Strategic Updates Archive

Maureen De Armond is new human resources executive director

Drake is pleased to welcome Maureen De Armond as its new executive director of Human Resources. Maureen will begin her position June 28.

Maureen comes to Drake after serving as the associate vice president for Human Resources at Oregon Tech, where she oversaw all aspects of human resources operations, while also serving as the University’s Title IX Coordinator. She was responsible for the development of a process improvement plan aimed at modernizing and improving human resources processes and service. She also played a key role in the development of a new chief diversity role and served on the University’s COVID-19 response team. In 2019–2020, she was awarded the Student Affairs Most Valued Partner award.

“Maureen brings tremendous experience in facing today’s higher education challenges, as well as a deep understanding of the human resources function,” said Venessa Macro, chief administration officer. “She understands the link between strategic forward-thinking human resource departments and successful organizations.”

Prior to her role at Oregon Tech, Maureen served as assistant vice president for human resources at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Her duties included providing training, support, and guidance for academic and operational leaders and campus partners, while also serving as the chief diversity liaison and deputy Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator.

Maureen’s career experience also includes time at Iowa State University where she worked as associate university counsel and served as an advisee to human resources, the senior vice president and provost, and the office of equal opportunity. Maureen earned a Juris Doctor from University of Iowa, College of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in secondary education, history, and German.

 “It is an honor to join Drake,” said Maureen. “I am happy to return to my home state of Iowa, move to a city I know and care about, and join an institution I have long respected. I am looking forward to leading the HR team as we work together to support the institution, its mission, and its employees.”

The search committee for the position included Alejandro Hernandez, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration; Michelle Huggins, design and planning manager; a representative from All Staff Council; Shannon Sanders, special assistant to athletic director; Cris Wildermuth, associate professor of education.

— Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

Updated University travel and transportation policies

Drake University has updated its Transportation Policy, University Driver Approval & Vehicle Use Policy and Student Domestic Travel Policy in an ongoing effort to provide the University community with a framework for ensuring safe and efficient travel while also protecting the University community along with its resources and equipment.  All interested members of the Drake community are encouraged to review and comment on these policy revisions by June 11, 2021.

— Jessica Morgan-Tate, Title IX Coordinator

Campus Announcements Archive

Rec hours for finals week and summer

Finals week hours:
Underground Fitness will be closed Thursday and Friday during finals week. The Bell Center will close at 5 p.m. Friday and remain closed Saturday and Sunday. All rec facilities will be closed Saturday, May 15, through Sunday, May 23.

Summer hours begin May 24:

Underground Fitness: Closed

Bell Center hours:
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

— Emily Madsen, Rec Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Major updates coming to MyDUSIS starting May 22

Drake has begun a major project to update the MyDUSIS system to Banner 9 Self Service. Beginning May 22, the look and feel, as well as some functionality, will begin changing throughout the system. This project will roll out in several phases, some functions and screens will be in the new version while others remain in the current one.  

The first change will be the temporary addition of a new app on the Commonly Used Apps section of myDrake. My Information will take you to an updated screen that’s a central location for your personal information. It will permanently be located in the Human Resources section for employees and the My Drake Profile section for students. See a sneak peek of the new screen below.  

Enlarge image

MyDUSIS will remain accessible in myDrake through the upgrade, but links will be phased out and changed as we convert to Banner Self-Service. In addition, we will be changing the header on the pages that remain in the old version so that you’re aware of their eventual transition. 

Future improvements will include updates to timesheets and leave reports, grade entry and course registration. As additional phases of the project progress, we’ll share more information with you. 

— Kris Brewster, ITS

For Students Archive

Rec Services is hiring for summer

Summer lifeguards: Flexible schedule, convenient location at the Bell Center, and you can work as a lifeguard and another Rec Services position at the same time. $10/hour for summer work. You MUST be Lifeguard Certified to apply. Email ryan.parriott@drake.edu for more information and to apply.

Summer monitors: Students are needed to staff the Bell Center this summer. Job duties include checking patrons in for reservations, cleaning equipment, oversight of fitness room, and checking in and out equipment. Hours are flexible and you only work when it fits your schedule. Email andrew.dunlay@drake.edu to learn more.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Last chance to join golf league

Registration for golf league is now closed. Registration ended Wednesday, May 12. Please note: the date shown in the OnCampus email is incorrect.

The league is a doubles league held at Grandview  Golf Course/A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines. Nine holes will be played each week on Wednesdays with tee times starting at 4 p.m. for Grandview and 4:30 p.m. for A.H. Blank. The first day of play is May 19 and will continue through July 28 (10 weeks).

— Ryan Parriott, Rec Services

For Students Archive

ITS is hiring student techs for fall semester

As a student tech, you will be able to support fellow students, faculty, and staff with day-to-day troubleshooting of campus-wide technical resources. Assistance may be needed to promote computing resources across campus and professional customer service is required every day to coordinate with those who need assistance, as well as with the others at Drake ITS Services.  

Preferred candidates have great time management and communication skills, the ability to apply learned knowledge to new and challenging situations, excellent verbal and written skills and general computer literacy. No prior IT support experience is needed since training is provided. Apply to be a student tech on Handshake today.

— Carla Herling, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Blackboard Learn Ultra: Where are we now? 

Current status 
Thank you for continuing to prepare for the shift to Blackboard Learn Ultra. All training modules have now been released in the Blackboard Learn Ultra Instructor Orientation. The CTE Ambassadors have visited every college/department to provide a quick preview and/or demonstration of what is expected for Fall 2021 courses. Fall courses are now available and ready for development. (We are still working out a few kinks, so you may currently see some duplicates. This will be remedied soon.) 

Third-party tools and Ultra courses 
As you design and test your new Ultra courses, please be sure to check that any third-party tools you plan to use have been updated. Third-party tools may include ancillaries for your textbooks, any audio or video captured content, or proctoring software. ITS has updated most of these tools, but there are likely some we are not aware of that will need to be addressed before fall courses begin.  

Videos and Blackboard 
Please refrain from uploading video files directly to Blackboard. Video files take up a significant amount of space and they can be stored on Panopto without impacting Blackboard’s storage allowance.  

Additional training opportunities 
If you are looking for additional training, please watch for offerings throughout the spring and summer terms. The Blackboard Learn Ultra Training site will provide updates on the Design Dialogs workshops as well as additional Blackboard led training. If your department wants to schedule any additional or advanced training sessions, please coordinate with your area’s CTE Ambassador or Karly Good.  

Project FAQs  
Find answers to your project questions as well as additional updates around the Learn Ultra upgrade on our project site: https://www.drake.edu/its/learnultra/. 

— Karly Good, ITS

For Students Archive

Final grades due May 19 (Law School grades due May 25)

Students, final grades for non-Law School courses are due Wednesday, May 19. Final grades for the Law School are due Tuesday, May 25.

Generally, final grades are available to view by the first calendar day following the day the grade was entered. You may view your final grades by clicking the “My Grades” link under the Student Records area in MyDrake.

— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar