Briefly Noted: Campus News From Winter 2019

Catch up on the biggest news and stories from late winter and early spring — and what you’ll need to know for the rest of the spring term.

Why Drexel Accounts Use Multi-Factor Authentication

To provide a higher level of security for the accounts holding our personal information, Drexel uses multi-factor authentication (MFA), a cyber security best practice that is standard among many financial institutions as well as some colleges and universities. Here’s what you need to know.

• What is multi-factor authentication? You’ll need two factors to access your Drexel computer account. The first factor will remain something you know: your account password. The second factor will be something you have: a phone or phone number that’s associated with you. 
• Why is this needed? Cyber criminals regularly target university computer accounts. The typical attack directs users to enter personal information on a webform that looks legitimate but provides the password to the criminals. MFA is an extra layer of protection.
•  How do I set up MFA on my account? You have probably already received emails from Drexel IT with the subject line containing, “Drexel account security improvements”. These emails provide instructions on how and when to set up MFA; the process takes about five to 15 minutes. For security reasons, these emails do not contain clickable links. Visit drexel.edu/it/mfa to see the latest official information on the MFA project.

Thank you for your cooperation and your understanding of the importance of protecting the University community from cyber threats.

Revisions to P-Card Policy and Guidelines

Procurement Services made additional updates to the recently revised P-Card Policy and Guidelines based on feedback from the University community. Below is a summary of the changes to each document:

P-Card Policy

• Transaction notes are no longer required when reconciling international transaction fees.
• A threshold of $25 (per transaction) has been added before a cardholder is required to document unsuccessful waiver of sales tax.
• Cardholders going on sabbatical may retain their P-Card at the discretion of their supervisor.

P-Card Guidelines

• Public Bike Share: The use and expense of this service is allowable at the discretion of the department. Use of these programs for local business travel is at the user’s own risk.

The updated versions of the Policy and Guidelines are posted on the Procurement Services website. For more information, contact Procurement Services at askprocure@drexel.edu.

Drexel Public Safety Honors Its Dispatchers

Drexel Public Safety (DPS) works hard to keep you safe. You see Drexel Police and Allied security officers on campus daily, but there is another group of individuals you may rarely see, and they play a vital role to our campus safety 24 hours per day, seven days per week — the dispatchers at Drexel’s Public Safety Communications Center. DPS honors our dispatchers this week (April 14–20, 2019), during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

The team of dedicated and skilled dispatchers not only handle emergency calls quickly and perceptively, but they also provide moral support to callers in distress, field questions and complaints regarding multiple disciplines and juggle many priorities to serve the community in the best and most efficient ways possible.

Drexel is the only university in the world to have its public safety communications center accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), and this is further testament to the skill and professionalism of its dispatchers.

We encourage you to take some time this week to reflect on the individuals who provide you with vital services that may sometimes go unnoticed. DPS dispatchers play an invaluable role in keeping our community safe, and while we are grateful for their service every day, recognizing their work is important.

To learn more about Drexel’s Public Safety Communications Center, visit the Drexel Public Safety website.

Plastic Bag Recycling Now Available on Campus!

Drexel’s Real Estate and Facilities has teamed up with the Fresh Grocer supermarket to provide two recycling bins on the University City Campus for plastic bags and plastic film, which cannot be recycled through the regular University single-stream recycling program. The bins are located in the Recreation Center Lobby (33rd and Market streets) and by the Information Desk in the Creese Student Center (32nd and Chestnut streets). Check out the DrexelNow article for more details, and please remember these items cannot be placed in Drexel’s regular comingled recycling containers.

Supplier Expo and Merchant Fair

Procurement Services and Business Services will host the 2019 Supplier Expo and Merchant Fair on April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Behrakis Grand Hall (Creese Student Center) on the University City Campus. Drexel suppliers and local merchants that participate in the DragonDollars program will display information regarding their goods and services. Attendees may participate in a gift card raffle and participating business may have giveaways or samples. For more information, email Procurement Services at purevent@drexel.edu.

R.A.D. Public Safety Training

Drexel Public Safety hosts free R.A.D. Self-Defense Courses for Drexel students, employees, and the immediate community, teaching the basics of hands-on defense training taught by certified R.A.D. instructors. The next R.A.D. for Women course series is held as a one-day class on April 27. There is also a one-day refresher class on April 25 for those who have previously completed this 8-hour course. For additional information, please visit Public Safety’s website or contact Karen Sams at 215.895.1609. To register, complete the form on Public Safety’s website.

Coffee with a Cop

Enjoy free coffee and pastries while getting to know members of Drexel Police and the Philadelphia Police Department! Join them April 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Starbucks at The Summit (34th & Lancaster).

Construction Updates

Recently Completed on Campus:

• Armory exterior renovations (interior renovations and minor punch list items are continuing).
• Bossone Research Enterprise Center: third floor laboratory renovation.

Construction in Progress:

• Bentley Residence Hall Renovation and Expansion: With the help of a $5 million gift, the University is renovating and expanding Bentley Hall (formerly Calhoun Hall), with American Campus Communities serving as the developer. The renovation will address the needs of the building envelope and modernize the building throughout to provide an improved living experience with occupancy in fall 2019. The renovation will also include a two-story addition to provide critical space to relocate the Pennoni Honors College into the heart of the campus, anticipated to be completed in spring 2020.
• Buckley Bubble: A seasonally used inflatable structure is being constructed over Buckley Recreational Field that will allow for year-round use of the field. First inflation of the structure is expected in late fall 2019.
• College of Computing and Informatics at 3675 Market St.: Renovations of the 10th and 11th floors were completed and ready for students by the beginning of the spring term. Renovations of Drexel’s leased space on the 9th floor will be completed before the start of the fall 2019 term.
• Fabric Discovery Center (3101R Market St.): ​Construction is complete, and the space is ready for equipment installation.
• School of Education Consolidation in 3401 Market St.: Planning is underway for minor renovations to accommodate the consolidation of the School of Education in 3401 Market St., with move-in expected in spring 2019.

Mechanical Systems Upgrades in Progress:

• Bossone Research Enterprise Center Chiller Plant: The chiller plant is being upgraded to optimize the chilled water and ice plant cooling systems and reduce equipment vibration harmonics.
• Queen Lane HVAC: Existing rooftop air handling units are being replaced with new custom units serving the vivarium space, including new building automation controls for enhanced temperature and humidity control. Existing HVAC components in the cage wash and vivarium areas are being upgraded for more accurate pressurization control.
• URBN Center Mechanical Systems: Significant upgrades are being made to the existing air conditioning systems that serve the core of the building. Substantial completion is expected in early summer 2019.

For a complete list of major current projects, visit drexel.edu/facilities/design/currentProjects.