Category Archives: Archive

HR Information Archive

Open Enrollment ends Nov. 30

The annual open enrollment period for Drake University benefits ends at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 30

Medical/Dental/Wellness Benefits
Current medical, dental, and wellness participation will automatically be continued for the 2016 Plan Year. Employees who wish to change their current participation must complete a new enrollment form.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Employees must complete a new election form each year to participate in the flexible spending plans. Current Health Care FSA participants will be allowed to carry over up to $500 of unused contributions to the 2016 Plan Year.

Enrollment forms must be received in Human Resources no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30. Enrollment forms are located in the Human Resources Channel’s Forms Library on the Employee Tab in blueView.

—Submitted by Marlene Heuertz, Assistant Director, Benefits

Campus Announcements Archive

Important campus operations update

Thanksgiving break door access

Due to the University closing at noon on Nov. 25, we will be locking doors to most campus buildings at 1 p.m. Card access will still allow you to access your authorized buildings, they will just be locked to the general public. Regular door schedule will resume on Sunday, Nov. 29.

Please contact Public Safety (515-271-2222) if you have a door access emergency during this time, or email studentservices@drake.edu if you have a general (non-emergent) card access question or concern.

Happy Thanksgiving!

—Submitted by Sara Heijerman, Manager, Campus Card Office

 

Building heating for 2015–2016

Campus is now set for the heating season with all systems up and running and cooling generally shut down and being winterized. Because the bulk of campus is cooled with water based cooling systems, they must be drained and in many cases winterized to prevent freezing. Once this is done they cannot be turned back on until warm temperatures in the spring. Facility Services begins this process prior to temperatures dropping below 32 degrees.

The University has adopted uniform temperature settings for heating and cooling: heating temperature is 68 degrees and cooling temperature is 77 degrees. In 2003 the University Sustainability Committee recommended energy efficient temperature set points for University buildings to the President’s Cabinet, which ratified the recommendation at that time. The set points were guided by the federal recommended set points, those used in federal buildings, and those recommended by MidAmerican energy for maximum efficiency and energy sustainability. These set points are intended for common spaces, classrooms and labs, offices and administrative spaces, athletic facilities, and auditoriums. Residence hall rooms are still on their own control and can be regulated to suit the resident’s liking.

—Submitted by Mark Chambers, Director Facility Services


Scheduled electrical shutdowns

On Nov. 25, a scheduled electrical shutdown will occur from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., affecting the following buildings: The Knapp Center, Fieldhouse, Bell Center, and Shivers Basketball Practice Facility. This scheduled shutdown is part of the electrical project that needs to be completed prior to the construction of the new School of Education/Computer Science and Mathematics Building and the new Science Connector Building.

Another scheduled electrical shutdown will occur on Nov. 27, from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., affecting the Fine Arts Center and Olin Hall. This scheduled shutdown is a routine shutdown that occurs ever year the day after Thanksgiving. This allows Facilities Services to clean the electrical transformer on campus.

—Submitted by Jolene Schmidt, Director, Operations & Support Servi

Campus Announcements Archive

New interdisciplinary minor

The Department of World Languages and Cultures (WLC) will offer a new plan of study, the Interdisciplinary Minor Language and Culture, beginning in spring 2016. It will be available in each of the languages WLC offers with the exception of American Sign Language. The new interdisciplinary minor will require 18 credit hours and will replace the Certificate of Competence in Language and Culture, which required 14 hours. For more information, please visit the WLC website.

—Submitted by Marc Pinheiro-Cadd, Associate Professor, Director of World Languages and Cultures

Campus Announcements Archive

New website for Drake University Archives & Special Collections

Cowles Library is pleased to announce a new website for the Drake University Archives & Special Collections at https://archives.library.drake.edu. Located on the second floor of the Library, the Archives collects and preserves documents, artifacts, and images related to the history of Drake.

The new website features a search box for the Special Collections; Archives Finding Aids; links to the Drake Digital Collections; as well as the Political Papers Collection, which includes the congressional papers of Sen. Tom Harkin, Rep. Neal Smith, and the Iowa Caucus Collection. The site also provides links to eScholarShare, the scholarly repository for the University, and information about current exhibits and information regarding use of the collections.

University Archives and Special Collections welcomes students, scholars, and members of the general public to view and use the University’s historical primary source documents, including original letters and diaries, photographs, oral histories, and publications. Students are especially welcomed and encouraged to conduct research within these collections. University Archives and Special Collections staff are happy to work with instructors at Drake to incorporate primary source materials into the learning process. Arrangements can be made for classes or tours to be held in the Archives and staff are available to make presentations about the holdings or to work with faculty interested in including archival materials in the curriculum. For more information contact archives@drake.edu.

—Submitted by Marc Davis, Cowles Library

Featured Events Archive

Drake community health screenings

Free Health Screenings!
Where: Drake University Olmsted Center (free parking off of University Avenue)
When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
What: Screenings of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol as well as informational booths and giveaways. Come without eating for 8 hours
Put on by the Operation Diabetes Committee of the Drake student chapter of the American Pharmacist’s Association (APhA).

For Students Archive

Study in Jerusalem

Study at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This top-ranked university co-founded by Albert Einstein is located on historic Mount Scopus and has a secure, campus-based environment.  Hebrew U offers a comprehensive curriculum at its Rothberg International School and extensive coursework in English. Notable alumni include Ariel Sharon and Natalie Portman.

Students interested in pursuing studies like business, journalism, peace and conflict studies, Middle Eastern languages, performing arts, and studio and design should stop by the Olmsted Breezeway today, Nov. 9, between 12:30 and 2 p.m. to talk with staff visiting from Israel.

This program is administered through the Institute For Study Abroad at Butler University, which offers extensive scholarship opportunities and gold-standard safety and security measures.

—Submitted by Jen Hogan, Associate Director, International Programs & Services and Education Abroad

For Staff Archive

Called to be True Blue Award

Frank Pucher, assistant athletics director—development, received the Called to Be True Blue Award from the All-Staff Council for “truly living the Bulldog Way.”

As his nominator said, “Frank is a True Blue Bulldog! He had a great career here at Drake playing football and is truly living the Bulldog Way by adding value to the University on a daily basis. His personality & fund raising energy has helped our athletic department & the University continue to provide an excellent experience for our students! Excellence, integrity & fiscal responsibility all in one!”

Do you know of a staff member or department that has gone above and beyond to exemplify True Blue spirit? Nominate him or her today!

—Submitted by All Staff Council Communications Committee

Campus Announcements Archive

Mailing for the holidays?

Please prepare early for all your mailing and shipping needs for the holiday season, as this is a busy shopping and shipping season. We encourage everyone on campus to ship early when at all possible. To ensure timely delivery of cards, letters, and packages within the United States by Dec. 25, Drake’s Postal Operations is recommending shipping by the following dates:

  • Dec. 14 for standard post-ground service for less than urgent deliveries and oversize packages
  • Dec. 16 First Class Mail
  • Dec. 21 Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express

—Submitted by Jolene Schmidt, Director, Operations & Support Services

Campus Announcements Archive

Nominations open for Global Practitioner in Residence

Nominations are open for the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship (PFGCGC) Global Practitioner in Residence. These experienced professionals will engage with the campus and community through teaching, public lectures, and joint research projects while drawing upon their professional networks to help our faculty, students, and the institution as a whole develop new and fruitful external collaborations.

Global Practitioner candidates should be nominated by the academic unit to which they will be attached. Nominations must be accompanied by appropriate supporting materials, including a nomination letter that addresses the qualification of the candidate and the expected contributions the candidate would make to the life of the University, biographical information about the candidate, a letter of interest from the candidate, and a letter of support from the dean. Nominations should be directed to the vice provost for international programs, who will review nomination packages in consultation with Global/International Programs Academic Council (GIPAC). Upon the vice provost’s recommendation, the University president will send a letter of invitation to successful candidates. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with PFGCGC Director David Skidmore.

Among the criteria to be considered are:

  • A record of recognized international leadership and distinguished professional accomplishment in any field
  • A documented commitment to international understanding and global citizenship
  • An ability to bring unique perspectives and experiences to bear in relation to relating to Drake faculty, staff, students, and members of the local community
  • A willingness and ability to offer courses that complement the existing curriculum and meet rigorous academic standard

Nominations are due Dec. 1. Additional information is available on the PFGCGC website. 

—Submitted by Drake International