Category Archives: Archive

HR Information Archive

2017 wellness screening and assessment information

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 2017 (to receive the incentive in 2018).
What is the Wellness Incentive Program? Those on Drake’s health plan can save approximately $300 in 2018 by completing a biometrics screening and online wellness assessment this year.

There are three biometric screening options:

  • Complete a screening with your physician and fill out a Physician Wellness Screening Results Form
  • Complete your screening at a participating Hy-Vee location
  • Complete your screening on campus through UnityPoint Health

The Hy-Vee option is available July 1 through Sept. 15, and the on-campus dates are Oct. 4–6, 9, 11, 13, 17, and 19. But you can complete a screening with your physician now. If you have a physical in 2017—with bloodwork—between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, the results can be submitted as your biometric screening.

  • Take a copy of the Physician Wellness Screening Results Form to your appointment.
  • Your physician must sign the completed form and fax it to 1-855-827-6307. Results will be forwarded to Wellmark.
  • The signed form must be received directly from your doctor’s office by Sept. 30, 2017.
  • 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 are accessible on www.wellmark.com Feb. 1 through Nov. 17, 2017.

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

—Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Get your steps in

Are you signed up for the Club Ped Program? We can help you reach your 10k steps by April! Come to the Group X Walking Group class on Thursdays from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. The class takes place on The Knapp Center track, and it is a fun way to socialize and get some exercise in to break up your busy day!

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Upcoming $5 faculty/staff lunches

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Black History Month Meal. Faculty and staff can dine for just $5. Sodexo and the Coalition of Black Students have designed a meal including succotash okra soup, country fried steak, mashed potatoes & grave, fried catfish, mixed greens, baked mac & cheese, hush puppies, red beans & rice, pecan pie, and banana pudding.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Vegan Lunch at Hubbell. Faculty and staff can dine for just $5.

—Jennifer Bowersox, Sodexo

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Pilot program: “First Friday” series

This spring, the Student Disability Services (SDS) office is piloting a “First Friday” series with the College of Arts and Sciences. The first discussion was held Feb. 3. The session provided an overview of services by SDS staff Michelle Laughlin and Leah Berte, and focused on “flexibility with attendance” as an academic accommodation. An overview of best approaches/practices was shared among SDS staff and faculty in Medbury Lounge.

If other colleges or schools are interested in joining the discussion or interested in a particular topic, please contact Leah Berte at leah.berte@drake.edu. The next First Friday will be held on March 3 from 1 to 2 p.m. with a TBA location; the topic will be preparing students for midterms and finals. The rest of the discussion is open to questions the group may have.

—Leah Berte, Student Disability Services

For Staff Archive

All Staff Council update

All Staff Council Election Updates
All Staff Council has been working hard to strengthen our presence on campus and refine our processes and structure to best serve and represent staff at Drake. Based on your feedback and the work completed this year, ASC is excited to announce two changes to the upcoming 2017–2018 election.

All Staff Council—Chair/Chair-Elect Election
Given the expanded duties of the ASC chair and the increased presence of ASC on campus, we feel it is important to provide all staff the opportunity to both nominate individuals and elect the ASC chair. Beginning this year, we will nominate and elect one individual to serve as All Staff Council chair-elect. The chair-elect will serve a three-year term on the All Staff Council Executive Committee—one year as chair-elect, one year as chair, and one year as past-chair. As we transition to this new structure, Nancy Geiger, current chair-elect, will assume the position of ASC chair for the 2017–2018 academic year. We believe this structure will provide greater continuity to the All Staff Council and gives staff the opportunity to elect an individual they believe will best represent staff to the campus community.

New All Staff Council Committee
All Staff Council would like to designate space to better address questions, concerns, and ideas from staff. This year, we will accept nominations for a newly created Special Interests Committee. This committee will be responsible for exploring initiatives, questions, and/or concerns presented to All Staff Council through research, planning, and collaboration with appropriate offices on campus. After one year, we will review the committee, and if it fits well within the All Staff Council structure, it will become a permanent standing committee.

The call for 2017–2018 nominations will begin on Feb. 15 and elections will be completed by March 31. If you have any questions regarding ASC committees or the position of chair-elect, please feel free to contact any member of ASC. For a current list of members, visit www.drake.edu/asc.

It is our hope that these changes will continue to strengthen the role of All Staff Council and its ability to represent and address issues, concerns, and ideas of staff across campus. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

—Jenny Tran-Johnson, Chair, All Staff Council

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

February phishing simulation

In January, a phishing simulation was sent to 500 random faculty and staff; 91.5 percent of those who received the simulation email either didn’t open the email, or didn’t click the link. These are excellent results that show we can identify phishing emails and avoid them.

Later this week, we’ll be sending out the next phishing simulation email to another random 500 faculty and staff members. If you receive the email and open the attachment, you’ll be sent to an informational page. If you receive an email you suspect is phishing, simulated or not, please forward it as an attachment to informationsecurity@drake.edu.

Participating in training like this is an effective and risk-free way to learn about the dangers of phishing and help protect individual and campus data. If you have questions or concerns, please contact informationsecurity@drake.edu.

Learn even more about how to secure your digital life by visiting our blog at its.drake.edu/category/security-blog/.

—Peter Lundstedt, Information Security Manager

Strategic Updates Archive

Administrative services survey update—FPM

An important aspect of Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan is to examine our processes. The administrative services survey will take place twice a year, with this year serving as an initial baseline.

Last fall the survey was issued to faculty and staff with a focus on Human Resources, Facilities Planning and Management (FPM), and Information Technology Services.

This feedback helps the departments understand where service gaps may exist and how to improve the services of our University. Continuous improvement efforts are meant to drive intentional and strategic action. Responses to this survey will shape the University’s future efforts.

Survey respondents provided largely positive feedback about FPM services. Responses were provided on a five-point scale, with five being the highest.

Satisfaction with FPM staff—Total Average 4.56
Respondents assessed their satisfaction with FPM staff including their courtesy, professionalism, knowledge, timeliness, and resolution of issues. Satisfaction with FPM staff was generally high, but was lowest for timeliness (4.36).

Satisfaction with FPM support and services—Total Average 4.47
Respondents assessed their satisfaction with FPM support and services including custodial, grounds maintenance, snow removal, moving, cooling and heating, painting, construction, carpentry, trash/recycle, and postal. Satisfaction with FPM support and services was generally high for ground maintenance (4.77), postal (4.66), and trash recycle (4.66). However, lowest for cooling and heating (3.93) and construction (4.27).

The preservation of historic buildings can be demanding when upgrading the mechanical systems. It is our goal to heat and cool to establish a comfortable environment, but understand the capacity of the system along with individual preferences. The same holds true for construction and the learning space. Moving forward we promise to service all needs on campus through collaboration and communication.

Overall satisfaction—Total Average 4.41
Overall satisfaction is above average, but FPM still has room for improvement.

In reviewing the data and reflecting on the comments provided by the respondents, it is our goal to remain consistent over time with the above benchmarks. While strong ratings were seen in FPM, we are actively developing strategies to improve our services and overall quality.

Over the coming year, FPM makes the following commitments. FPM will:

  1. Ensure that FPM meet the promised response and resolution timeframes.
  2. Collaborate to find reasonable and supportable long-term solutions.
  3. Strive to understand issues and requests before beginning work.
  4. Confirm the request was completed to your satisfaction.
  5. Improve communication related to requests and facility changes.
  6. Work as a team to provide facility-related services on behalf of Drake.

In July, FPM will be introducing a new work order system. We anticipate campus satisfaction will improve as we adopt this new system. Watch OnCampus and the FPM website for more information.

—Kevin Moran, Executive Director Facilities Planning and Management

For Students Archive

Dining update

Don’t miss these special meals:

  • Thursday, Feb. 9, 5–7 p.m.: EPIC Adventure Dinner at Hubbell Dining
  • Tuesday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Black History Month Meal

Plus, meal block conversions run Feb. 13–24. Students on the 195- and 335-block meal plans can convert meals to flex dollars. A maximum of 100 meals per semester can be converted. Click here for more information.

—Jennifer Bowersox, Sodexo