Category Archives: Archive

Contract Review Session Jan. 31

The Office of Finance and Administration wants to remind campus of the resources available for contracts and legal services. Information about the following resources can be found on its website.

  • Contracting policy
  • Contract Overview
  • Contract Process—Approval and Retention
  • Checklists
  • Independent Contractor Determination
  • Templates

A contract review session is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Rooms 310 and 311. This informational session will include a review of the contracting policy, who has authority to sign, what to look for in a contract, and answer any questions you might have.

If you plan to attend, please email Kelly Foster at kelly.foster@drake.edu to RSVP.

— Kelly Foster, Finance and Administration

Card access to campus buildings

Helpful information regarding campus card access.

Faculty and staff

  • Automatically granted 24/7 access to the building that their office is in and access to other academic buildings for the purpose of meetings and classes.

Students

  • A student’s major or class schedule determines their building access.
  • Certain majors are granted extended access to buildings related to their field of study.
  • Students living in the residence halls receive automatic access to their residence hall, and the ability to access other halls during the day.

Additional access

  • Additional card access is available when needed, and includes an approval process and manual update. Speak to your manager or main building contact, email studentservices@drake.edu, or submit an ITS help ticket to request additional access or research a card issue.
  • Once approved, it may take up to five days for card access to be enabled. Please be aware that access is based on a specific approval process, and may not be granted.

Lost cards

  • Cardholders are notified by email if their lost card is turned in to the Student Services Center.
  • If you lost your card and would like to freeze all activity until it is found, contact the Student Services Center or freeze the card yourself in the eAccounts portal. You can also add Bulldog Bucks and check card balances in the portal. Frozen cards need to be turned back on by SSC staff, if found.
  • Replacement cards can be purchased in the Student Services Center for $25. The lost card will be deactivated automatically upon printing of a new card.
  • If your card stops working, make sure you are registered for Spring classes. Cards will not function if you are not a current student or employee. Also, make sure there are no cracks in the card. Cracked cards cannot communicate with door readers, and need to be replaced at the Student Services Center.

— Scott Law, Campus Public Safety and Operational Services

Online Programs update

Online Programs has been busy working on the development of an infrastructure that will support the launch and persistence of new online programs. This work has resulted in several different work teams and processes. This information will be readily available once our website is complete, but in the meantime, here are some updates that campus might find helpful.

Several work teams have been organized to ensure that progress continues in the overall leadership and growth of the programs. The seven teams are responsible for specific areas of online programs, including leadership, program analysis and development, infrastructure, online teaching support, program assessment, student success, and alumni relations. Teams are co-chaired with other areas of campus to build synergy.

A process has been developed to launch new online programs. In working with the colleges, schools, and enrollment management, it became apparent that we needed a structured method for online program ideas to be analyzed and developed. The Program Development and Analysis Team, comprised of deans and associate deans, the deputy provost, and executive director of online programs will oversee this process. The process lays out the steps for launching an online program. Faculty and staff are encouraged to work with their department and school leadership on all submissions. The process and necessary forms are available from the Online Programs office until the website is completed.

Finally, Preview Week started yesterday, Jan. 22. Preview Week allows online students to view their online classes a week before the start of the semester. This allows students to view syllabi and look at deadlines and due dates to prepare them for upcoming weeks. This is a best practice in online learning, designed to facilitate student success by allowing students time to become better organized. It also affords adult students ample time to drop a course if they find the workload does not fit in their schedule.

If you have any questions, comments, or would like a copy of any of the documents mentioned, please contact me at christina.trombley@drake.edu or extension 2506. The documents will also be available on the Provost’s website soon. Classes begin on Jan. 29. We are ready to welcome our first online students to Drake!

— Christina Trombley, Online Programs

Land a summer internship in D.C.

Are you interested in working as a summer intern in Washington, D.C., but uncertain of how to begin the search process? The Harkin Institute can help. Our staff members have extensive experience working with members of Congress and other organizations across Washington, D.C. Answer a brief questionnaire about the type of internship you are looking to complete and a member of The Harkin Institute will respond.

Uncertain of how to cover the costs of an unpaid internship? We can help with that, too. The Harkin Institute’s D.C. Experience Scholarship provides financial support to Drake undergraduates with financial need who are pursuing summer internships in Washington.

— Emily Schettler, Harkin Institute

New concentration links the sciences and humanities

A new concentration called the Interdisciplinary Study of the Humanities and Sciences (ISHS) will launch this spring. Students from any academic discipline are welcome participate in this 18-hour concentration that explores topics in the humanities and sciences. It engages with historical, philosophical, ethical, cultural, and representational aspects of scientific and mathematical investigation. It also examines social formations, cultural objects, texts, and discourses from empirical and experimental perspectives. Students who successfully complete the ISHS concentration will be able to articulate a complex, nuanced, reflective, and informed understanding of the way the sciences and humanities interrelate.

For more information, contact Martin Roth at martin.roth@drake.edu.

— Martin Roth, Philosophy and Religion

Wellness screening results and health and well-being resources

As part of the Drake Employee Wellness and 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 2017, 97.4% of those enrolled in the Drake Wellness Incentive Program participated in a biometric screening and assessment. Aggregate reports listed our top health risks.

Top three biometric risks from the wellness screenings/physician exams:

Risk 2017 2016
BMI > 25 64% 63%
Blood Pressure Systolic > 120 40% 46%
Total Cholesterol > 200 35% 32%

Top three modifiable risks from the wellness assessments:

Risk 2017 2016
BMI/Weight Same as above  
Nutrition 57% 55%
Stress 43% 46%

If you were identified as being at risk in one or more categories, knowing your numbers is important, and giving you the tools and resources to improve those numbers and reach your goals is where change happens. Besides wellness programs and classes, there are many valuable resources available to faculty and staff.

Recreational services programs and Bell Center/Knapp Center facilities

Being active can help reduce a number of health risks. The Bell Center is a great place to start. 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 range from Zumba and Pilates, to Water Aerobics, Strength Training, Yoga, and more. The Intramural program includes sports such as basketball, racquetball, and volleyball. And, a Faculty and Staff Golf League is available during the summer months. Recreational Services also offers fitness assessments, body composition analysis, and personal training programs for a small fee. Email wellness@drake.edu for more information.

Nutrition coaching

What and how much you eat can directly impact your numbers but you don’t have to starve yourself to succeed. Contact Sodexo Campus Dietitian Lucas Flaherty at lucas.flaherty@drake.edu to get your questions answered and develop a nutritional plan. His services include one-on-one dietary consultation, allergy management, disease management, and meal ideas/recipe guidance.

Health coaching through CPHS

A health coach is a healthcare professional who partners with you to transform your health goals into action. This team of certified health coaches are also clinical CPHS faculty located conveniently on campus. A health coach will work one-on-one with you to support you in making healthy lifestyle and behavior changes for optimal health. The health coach can help you set goals in all aspects of wellness including exercise, nutrition, managing medications, stress management, and smoking cessation. Each confidential session is individualized and tailored to the client’s needs. The first consultation is typically one hour and subsequent appointments usually last 30 minutes. Typically, people meet with their health coach twice monthly. Please contact Dr. Nora Stelter for more information and pricing at nora.stelter@drake.edu.

Medication Therapy Management

Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is a group of services provided to you by the pharmacist. These confidential services include a comprehensive medication review, where you sit down one-on-one with a pharmacist and review all of your prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal or dietary supplements and any sample medications you may have been given by your prescriber. The pharmacist can help identify potential drug interactions, side effects or help with saving money on your medications. You will receive a personal medication record and medication action plan upon completion of this service. It is recommended that if you take 5 or more medications on a daily basis that you should have a medication review each year.

Additional services include:

  • Recommendations for Over-The-Counter products
  • Recommendations for Immunizations
  • Disease state management education

Please contact Dr. Wendy Mobley-Bukstein for more information at wendy.mobley-bukstein@drake.edu.

Diabetes self-management and education

Dr. Mobley-Bukstein, a clinical pharmacy faculty and Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), will sit down with you one-on-one to review diabetes as a disease and answer questions that you may have about your diabetes. She can discuss the medications that you are taking for your diabetes and how to maximize the effect of these medications. She can also discuss your nutrition and make suggestions for changes in your daily diet to improve your blood sugar. Dr. Mobley-Bukstein will send documentation to your prescriber regarding the information discussed. She can also assist in adjusting medications if the prescriber approves. Initial sessions are 60 minutes and follow-up sessions are 30 minutes. Please contact Dr. Wendy Mobley-Bukstein for more information at wendy.mobley-bukstein@drake.edu.

Health screenings

Health screenings are also available from the CPHS faculty and students. Screenings offered include: blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and bone density.  These screenings do not fulfill and are not part of the wellness screening requirement for those on the Drake medical plan who are participating in the Drake Wellness Incentive Program. Please contact Dr. Nora Stelter for more information at nora.stelter@drake.edu.

Employee Assistance Program

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 great resource. Contact them at www.efr.org/myeap or (800) 327-4692.

For more information on any of these programs, contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Couch to 5K

If you would like a special challenge this spring, then Couch to 5K 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. You just need to commit to training 30 minutes a day, three days a week at a time that works for you.

You will receive a training plan and weekly emails with tips and encouragement for those times when you may need that extra nudge. When you finish the program, a team will be formed and complete at the Drake Road Race 5K on April 22. This year’s course finishes on the iconic Blue Oval in Drake Stadium.

If you are interested in this challenge, please email linda.feiden@drake.edu. There will be an informational meeting Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 11:30 a.m. in the Olmsted Center, Drake Room.  The training program will begin the following Monday, Feb. 12.

One more note: Registration is now open for the Drake Road Races 5K, 10K, and half marathon.  Check the website for pricing. Also, if you are interested in participating in the Grand Blue Mile on April 24, registration opens on Tuesday, Feb. 6, with a one day flash sale pricing. You can sign up for only $10 at www.grandbluemile.com, which is half the regular price and includes a commemorative technical shirt. In addition, if you complete both the Drake Road Race 5K and the Grand Blue Mile (called the Bulldog Double), you will be awarded a special commemorative medal.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Changes to Wellmark ID Cards for 2018

Drake medical plan participants will notice the following changes to their new Wellmark ID Cards:

  • New member ID numbers have been assigned to plan participants.
  • The print date (12/18/17) is posted on the front of the card.
  • Reference to the WellmarkBlue PPO Network is made on the front of the card.

Due to Wellmark’s new claims processing system, member participation in a PPO Plan must be designated on the new card.  It is important to note, members continue to have access to the Alliance Select Network.

Should you have questions, please contact Wellmark Customer Service at 800-362-2230.

— Marlene Heuertz, Human Resources