Category Archives: Archive

For Students Archive

Confidential advocates available on campus

Through the help of our community partners, professional advocates are holding regular office hours on campus this academic year. The advocates are available in Cowles Library, Room 109 on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

An advocate is a confidential resource who can provide support, talk through options, and address concerns related to sexual misconduct or dating/domestic violence or stalking. These confidential advocates are not Drake employees and are not required to report any details to the University or to law enforcement.

In addition, confidential student advocates through VIP (Violence Intervention Partner) are always available 24/7 by phone or text at 515-512-2972.

Confidential advocates are also available through Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services at 515-286-3600—they can meet you on or off campus at your convenience.

Please send any questions to prevention@drake.edu or titleix@drake.edu, or contact the Title IX coordinator directly at 515-271-2982.

—Katie Overberg, Title IX Coordinator

For Faculty Archive

Snow days: A provost’s worst nightmare

It’s sunny and 90 degrees today, but I am thinking about the decision that gives everyone a headache—whether or not to cancel classes due to severe weather. You know I come from Iowa, and have lived in the Frozen Tundra, so the chance of me calling a snow day is slim (it’s probably snowing in Green Bay as we speak). However, I do recognize challenges and social justice issues related to that decision.

Changes in policy prior to my arrival allowed staff members to take a snow day when necessary, without taking a personal or vacation day. That doesn’t help faculty, particularly those who live at a distance or those with children under the age of 12-ish for whom schools are canceled. I spoke with Chris Gill, CITO, to ask how we might address this issue. He indicates that a product we currently license—the suite of Microsoft something or others (can you tell how well I understand technology)—that will allow a faculty member to hold class at a distance with no additional charge. Albeit not a perfect solution, it could help for a day here or there. It has the capability to allow lecture delivery, with handouts, PowerPoint slides, and chat questions. I’ve been told it’s easy to use, but will require testing and preparation ahead of an actual snow day. If you are a faculty member for whom this would be helpful on a snow day, and would like additional information, please send me an email. If you are willing to pilot test the process—it will take one or two faculty members to try it out (ITS will provide students to do the testing)—please also indicate that in your email. I hope the start to your academic year has gone well.

—Sue Mattison, Provost

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Education Abroad 101 for faculty & staff

Drake International will be holding an information session on Drake’s new study abroad application system and process on Friday, Sept. 9, 2–3 p.m. in Sussman Theater, located in lower Olmsted. This session will go over the application process and the new system’s features, which include the ability to search for study abroad programs by term, subject, location, and more.

—Breanne Ellis, Education Abroad Advisor

HR Information Archive

Keeping up on Drake retirement plans

Drake University sponsors both mandatory and voluntary 403(b) retirement plans. These plans, including fees and investment options available to participants, are reviewed quarterly by the Drake University Retirement Plan Review Group. This group acts with an independent advisor to review investment options and make plan design decisions as directed by the Drake University Investment Policy Statement. The Plan Review Group and Investment Policy Statement are posted on the Employee Tab in blueView.

For many years Drake has relied upon TIAA to provide appropriate products and services. The group examines these regularly, and engages with TIAA to ensure responsiveness to Drake’s evolving plans and participant needs. Nearly ten years ago, to complement TIAA’s “legacy” individually-owned annuities, Drake introduced selected mutual funds; some of which are not managed by TIAA. The prominence of these mutual funds has grown, such that plan participants now allocate a majority of their contributions to mutual funds; particularly to funds using an “index” investment strategy.

While Drake’s intent is to provide information and support, plan participants must make important decisions. Only participants may designate plan beneficiaries and allocate plan contributions. Thus, participants are encouraged to review their investment options regularly. To schedule an individual counseling session with a TIAA representative, contact Human Resources at 271-1901.

You may expect to receive more information and experience opportunities to ask questions later this fall, when we introduce further enhancements to the plans. You may likewise learn more about the Drake plans by attending the following presentation: “Get a Head Start” on Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Room 310.

—Marlene Huertz, Associate Director, Benefits

HR Information Archive

BUILD your toolkit

Start BUILDing your toolkit by attending “Winning at Work: The Bulldog Way”, presented by Sandy Hatfield Clubb, director of athletics. As faculty and staff, we are part of the Bulldog pack, a community enthusiastic about doing our best. Be energized and challenged for success by learning “The Bulldog Way”, a philosophy that guides athletics on and off the court, and can be incorporated into your workspace on campus. This session will be Thursday, Sept. 8, at 1 p.m. in Olmsted Center, Rooms 310-311. Participants will receive two credits toward their toolbox. To register for this session, email: drakehr@drake.edu .

Bulldogs are leaders, passionate about learning and proud of our Drake pack.  We’re constantly looking for ways to strengthen and build our future—whether by learning a new skill or getting to know a colleague from across campus. We are Bulldogs United In Learning Drake…BUILD! Beside learning new information, you will be entered in drawings and receive credits toward digital badges for attending a variety of HR sponsored events.

—Debra Wiley, Assistant Director, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Campus input needed

ITS has now completed our initial technical work on the campus wireless network.

Our goals were to:

  • Improve Wi-Fi coverage gaps within buildings
  • Improve overall network performance and reliability
  • Upgrade to the latest wireless technologies to future proof our investment

Now that the new equipment and access points have been installed, we need your help! Your input is critical to help us tune the system and provide the best Wi-Fi experience possible.

If you’re finding locations with poor performance or coverage, please let us know at its.drake.edu/wifi-form. Please provide as many details as possible so we can address concerns quickly and accurately.

Thanks for your help!

—Carla Herling, IT Communication Manager

Campus Announcements Archive

Electric car charging stations on campus

Drake recently installed two electric car charging stations on the campus. One is located in the Olmsted Center parking lot. The other is located in parking lot just to the north of the Opperman Law Library. Drake will be installing two additional electric car charging stations on campus in the future. A generous donation from John Lorentzen and Penny Fillmer made this project possible.

—Jolene Schmidt, Director or Operations and Support Services 

Campus Announcements Archive, Uncategorized

Facilities projects progress update

Welcome back to campus for the 2016–2017 academic year! Every year during the summer months Facilities Planning and Management works hard to complete key construction and repair projects in time for the beginning of the academic year. Many of these initiatives are part of the regular capital improvement budget, while others are made possible through gifts or grants. In each and every case, we take seriously our commitment to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. Below is a list the activities you may notice as we begin a new academic year.
Work is completed or nearing completion on the following projects:

  • New roof on Cowles Library
  • New roof on Goodwin-Kirk
  • New furniture and gutters on the Cultural Houses
  • New hot water heater for Ross and Jewett Residence Halls
  • New card access on Cartwright Hall, Cowles Library and west doors at Fine Arts Center
  • Upgrade to Jewett Residence Hall fire alarms
  • Replacement of two of the makeup air units on Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall
  • Replacement of sliding glass door on main level of Goodwin Kirk Residence Hall
  • Replacement of air conditioning unit in Dial Center
  • University Bookstore moving to the Olmsted Center
  • New carpeting and furniture in the Olmsted Center
  • Replacement of the carpet on the 4th Floor of Goodwin-Kirk
  • New sewer line into Harvey Ingham
  • Handrail repair and painting of exterior of Ross Hall
  • Carpet replacement in Fine Arts Center
  • Waterproofing on lower level of Crawford Residence Hall
  • Waterproofing on lower level of Herriot Residence Hall
  • Restroom renovation at Medbury Hall
  • Replacement of the Exterior Doors at Aliber Hall
  • Concrete replacement various locations of the campus
  • New Law School Student Activities Suite in lower level of Opperman
  • New windows on south side of Cowles Library
  • New offices located in Fine Arts, Old Main and Cline Hall
  • New video board in Drake Stadium
  • New track in Drake Stadium
  • New football field Drake Stadium
  • New Bright Beckwith Boathouse located in Prospect Park
  • Installation of two electric car charging stations in the Olmsted Center parking lot and the parking lot to the north of the Operman Law Library

Projects coming in the near future:

  • New chiller for East Loop of campus
  • House lighting controls at Shelsow Auditorium and the Performing Arts Hall
  • Replacement of electrical switch at Fine Arts Center
  • Replacement of the stair treads at Howard Hall
  • New roof at the Legal Clinic

Even though this list seems extensive, there is always a great deal of work and maintenance that needs to occur. Each year we update a comprehensive deferred maintenance and repair list and share it with key leaders and departments across campus. This process helps us prepare for the planning the following summer’s work. A special thank you to all the Facilities Planning and Management team members who helped complete these projects.

—Jolene Schmidt, Director of Operations and Support Services