Drake added four new employees in December.
Jeremy Ray, Drake Technology Services
Nicki Kimm, Alumni Relations
Kimberly Jones, Alumni Relations
Heather Hendrix, Alumni Relations
—Submitted by Laura Schwarz, Human Resources
Category Archives: Archive
Prudent purchasing
It is always a good idea to attempt to negotiate shipments to be Free on Board (FOB) Destination, freight paid by the vendor, and not charged back to Drake. This equates to free shipping. You can let them know that we are a nonprofit, typically do not pay for shipping, and cannot have the responsibility for the shipment while in transit. This works particularly well for capital equipment purchases. I can help you to negotiate with any of your vendors on this aspect. You may be surprised how much you can save on shipping costs simply by asking.
—Submitted by Caron Findlay, Director, Purchasing and Business Services
Changes to mileage reimbursement
Drake reimburses mileage for use of personal automobile by employees for actual miles driven during business travel. The reimbursement rate is based on the current standard mileage rate issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
Please note that the IRS has recently issued the 2016 standard mileage rate. Effective Jan. 1, 2016, the standard mileage rate is $0.54 per business mile driven, down from 57.5 cents in 2015.
The standard mileage rate is evaluated annually by the IRS and is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile.
If you have any questions regarding the reimbursable mileage rate, please visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/Tax-Professionals/Standard-Mileage-Rates or contact accounting at accounting@drake.edu.
—Submitted by Andrea McDonough, Senior Administrative Services Specialist
Beware fraudulent calls
Drake staff members have received a number of fraudulent calls in the past several months with a caller attempting to sell them toner or to obtain P-Card numbers to buy toner. They know enough about our program and names of individuals on campus to appear as though know what they are talking about. Please do not give out your P-Card number to anyone over the phone for toner or anything dealing with Multi Functional Devices or printers. All supplies are included in our current contract so we do not buy them separately. Please also transfer all calls to me in regard to toner purchase requests. The caller will likely hang up before they are transferred as they are scams. Thank you!
—Submitted by Caron Findlay, Director, Purchasing and Business Services
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18
In honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday, campus buildings will be operating on a holiday access schedule. Faculty, students, and staff will need their Drake Card (ID) to access those buildings they are authorized to enter throughout the day. Cowles Library, Carnegie Hall, and Athletics facilities are on a separate schedule and not affected by this holiday closing.
—Scott Law, Director, Drake Public Safety
Olmsted Lot parking notice
The Olmsted Parking Lot will be closed from noon on Monday, Jan. 25 to noon on Tuesday, Jan. 26 for special event parking.
—Scott Law, Director, Drake Public Safety
Policy update
A change has been made to the existing University Closings, Delays, and Class Cancellations policy to recognize that when classes are cancelled, conditions are such that travel is difficult. Situations may vary based on where someone lives and proximity to plowed roads or public transportation. In those cases where classes are cancelled, but offices remain open, we want to ensure that employees are able to make decisions about personal safety without having to unduly worry about taking a vacation or personal day.
The updated policy is posted on the University-wide policy website for your review. Please forward comments and concerns regarding the policy to dupolicies@drake.edu. In keeping with the policy on Policy Development, Approval and Communication, the comments will be submitted as a part of the president’s review and approval process.
You can view the existing (not updated) policy here.
—Submitted by Andrea McDonough, Senior Administrative Services Specialist
Drake Law announces new dean
Jerry Anderson, the Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law, has been named dean of Drake University Law School, effective July 1, 2016. He succeeds Ben Ullem, who is currently serving a two-year term as dean of the Law School.
“I am honored to be selected to lead the Law School during an important time in its history,” said Jerry, who has served on the Drake Law faculty since 1991. “We are in the midst of a transformative period in legal education, and Drake is well-positioned to creatively adapt to the changing needs of students and the profession.” To learn more about Jerry, visit the Drake Newsroom.
Ray Center panel on civility in politics
At a time when many Americans believe civil discourse has declined in American politics, the Ray Center at Drake University and The Des Moines Register will co-present a panel discussion on the state of civility in politics. Panelists for the free Jan. 13 event will explore what voters can do to demand respect and civility from their candidates and elected officials, and how all Americans can create a political system in which civil debate is the expectation and not the exception. Titled “Election 2016: Will voters choose civility?” the panel will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Des Moines Register Community Room, 400 Locust St., Des Moines.
Panelists will include:
- Michael Josephson, founder of CHARACTER COUNTS!
- Kathie Obradovich, political columnist, The Des Moines Register
- Dennis Goldford, professor of political science, Drake University
- Eric Woolson, Republican political strategist
- Jessica Vanden Berg, Democratic political strategist
- Brandi Dye, student, Drake University
Visit this link to RSVP and submit your questions for the panel.
The panel is hosted in conjunction with the Ray Center’s “Show Some Respect” campaign, which promotes respect and civility. The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, and the Greater Des Moines Partnership are co-presenters of the campaign and the panel discussion.
DTS campus update
As we approach the end of the year and my first semester as CITO, I want to provide you with a status update on some of the DTS accomplishments this fall as well as a sense of our priorities for 2016.
- We have reallocated funds and returned to a model of direct support for schools and colleges and have hired a new classroom improvement specialist. Searches are also underway for a project manager and a help desk manager.
- Budget planning has resulted in detailed, itemized information on current and future expenditures and the creation of a high-level infrastructure replacement plan.
- Technology in seven classrooms and the Legal Clinic have been renewed with plans and funding in place to renew an additional seven to eight classrooms in the Spring semester.
- We have built a redundant data center environment in Shakopee, Minn., for disaster recovery purposes, which should result in fewer future Internet outages. We have also worked with 24 departments to review their business-continuity plans.
- In order to improve our Banner system, new, robust hardware has been installed. In collaboration with our campus partners, we have implemented a new campus scheduling system and phases 1 and 2 of an online housing management system.
- Finally, management of Blackboard was moved off campus to increase reliability and availability.
As we end our calendar year and look towards 2016, we will be focusing on:
- Building a culture of service excellence
- Increasing collaboration across campus
- Improving our accountability
- Communicating better with campus
- Ensuring a reliable and robust technology infrastructure
- Reducing risks related to information technology
Thank you for your warm welcome to campus. I’m dedicated to continuing to improve DTS communication and service. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of my staff to let us know how DTS can better serve you and your area.
I wish you a holiday season filled with happiness, and I look forward to working with you in 2016.
Chris Gill
Chief Information Technology Officer