Last Call: Public Comment Period for Revised Provost Policy
The 30-day public comment period is open for PO–02: Repeated Courses and GPA Adjustments – Undergraduate Students through Thursday, Dec. 21. You may review the policy and comment on it via the links provided on the Public Comment Period webpage.
Discounts for Faculty and Professional Staff to Kick Off the New Term
Drexel Business Services is thrilled to share the following special discounts being offered by area businesses from January 8–12, 2024, to welcome you back to campus in 2024:
- Board and Brew (3200 Chestnut St.): 10 percent off, in-store only
- LaScala's FIRE (3200 Chestnut St.): 10 percent off, in-store only
- Greek from Greece (107 N. 33rd St.): $8 brioche breakfast sandwich and house brew and 20-percent off Mediterranean bowls after 5 p.m.
- Pita Chip (3601 Market St.): 15 percent off, in-store only
- Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa (3200 Chestnut St.): 50-minute Swedish massage or 50-minute Classic Facial for $63.95, valid for first-time visitors
Exclusions may apply; please see merchant for details. You may need to present a valid faculty or professional staff DragonCard.
Kickstart the 2024 Wellness Program
Drexel’s Wellness Incentive Program is closed for 2023 and will officially reopen Jan. 1, 2024. Get a jump on it by scheduling your preventative care exams (then set a calendar reminder to upload proof of visit after the event and claim your points) and registering in Career Pathway for 2024 events. Topics range from food sensitivities to digital legacy planning. Check out the complete list today! Highlighted upcoming workshops below:
Get Financially Fit With Franklin Mint: Jan 9
Join A Healthier U and Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union for a virtual presentation on credit reports and credit scoring from 2–3 p.m. The seminar covers why there are multiple credit agencies, what information is reported in various sections of a credit report, what impacts your credit store and more. You can bring a copy of your credit report to the session to follow along. Registration is required in Career Pathway. Participants will earn 15 wellness points ($15).
Navigating the Wellness Incentive Program: Jan. 17
Whether you are new to the program and have questions or just want to optimize your points for next year, you’re invited to attend “Navigating the Wellness Incentive Program.” Hosted by Health Advocate, this workshop offers support, tips and tricks directly from the source. Registration is required in Career Pathway. Participants will earn 15 wellness points ($15).
Save the Date: Onsite Biometric Screenings on Feb. 20
Drexel will once again host an onsite biometric screening opportunity for eligible employees and spouses next year, on Tuesday, Feb. 20. This biometric health screening will measure your blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference, glucose levels and cholesterol. When you attend the biometric health screening, you will be asked if you are fasting or non-fasting to ensure the best accuracy of your results. You are not required to fast for the biometric health screening, though it is recommended when possible.
Registration opens on Jan. 1. Log in at healthadvocate.com/drexel; you can access the Wellness Incentive Program directly by either clicking the purple “Points” box in the upper right or by clicking “Well-Being” and then selecting “Rewards” from the options that display. Next, click on “Biometric Health Screening” under the “Healthy Actions” section in the Wellness Incentive Program. Select the option that you prefer and follow the instructions to continue.
Can’t make it? You can also complete your biometric screening anytime at a LabCorp facility scheduled through Health Advocate, or by visiting their doctor and submitting a completed physician’s form to Health Advocate. No matter how you get your numbers, you’ll receive 100 points ($100) toward the 2024 Wellness Incentive Program!
Donate Unneeded Office Supplies to the Drexel Buy Nothing Depot
Has your office stocked up on supplies that are now sitting idle in a closet? Chances are, these supplies could be put to good use by another office, student group or individuals on campus. In an effort to divert still-useful office products from landfills and reduce spending on office supplies, the Climate and Sustainability team is piloting the Drexel Buy Nothing Depot, a free supply-exchange program for Drexel students, faculty and professional staff. We are looking to collect supplies like pens, pencils, Post-It notes, tape, standard-sized binders, printer paper, markers and folders. (Please note that the Buy Nothing Depot cannot accept: furniture, printers, binders except small quantities or 1” or 1.5”, hanging files, used toner/ink, large quantities of unused toner/ink, damaged/dirty items.)
If you have items to offer, please email sustainability@drexel.edu with a list of supplies you can donate. We will set up a time to come to your location to review what you have. The goal is to acquire enough donated supplies to have weekly operating hours in which Drexel community members could come browse the depot to stock their office space. For questions, please contact sustainability@drexel.edu.
Climate Action Plan Poll: Do You Use Hydration Stations?
What do you think about the Hydration Stations offered on campus? The Climate Action Plan co-chairs want to hear from you! Respond to this month's poll via Qualtrics, and learn more about the Climate Action Plan on the Climate and Sustainability website. As a way of soliciting opinions and priorities across the Drexel community, the Climate Action Plan co-chairs are asking short and sweet poll questions like this monthly, with the opportunity for you to also provide lengthier feedback if you wish.
‘Tis the Season to Stay SAFE With Public Safety
Public Safety’s self-protection program, Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE), is split into two sessions: SAFE I and SAFE II. Due to the hands-on nature of the class, we strongly recommend you register with a fellow Dragon. Participation in the techniques is recommended, but not required. Registration is required 72 hours prior to the class. You can register via Eventbrite for these classes. These classes are also available by request for your group.
- SAFE I classes will be offered the second week of every month on Monday and Wednesday from 5–7 p.m. Upcoming classes are on Jan. 8 and 10.
- SAFE II classes will be offered the fourth week of every month on Monday and Wednesday from 5–7 p.m. and cannot be taken until you have completed SAFE I. Upcoming classes are on Jan. 22 and 24.
Use Your Healthcare and Dependent Care FSA Funds by the End of the Year
Remember to spend the money in your Flexible Spending Account(s) (FSA) before the end of the year, since these accounts are "use it or lose it." You can carry over $610 of unused funds from your 2023 Healthcare FSA into 2024 Healthcare FSA, but any remainder will be forfeited. There is no carryover for the Dependent care FSA, and any unused/unclaimed funds will be forfeited. Do not forget that you can purchase FSA-approved products using your Healthcare FSA on fsastore.com
In addition, you have until March 31, 2024, to submit manual reimbursement requests to WEX for both your Healthcare and Dependent care FSA for claims incurred between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023, that have not already been paid for using your WEX card.
Schedule a 1:1 Consultation With TIAA
To schedule a one-on-one consultation meeting with our TIAA representative Sabrina Evenosky, visit tiaa.org/schedulenow. Meetings are one hour and take place at the HR office (3201 Arch St., Suite 430) on either Feb. 29 or March 21. If you need assistance scheduling an in-person investment advice session, contact 800.732.8353, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Make the Most of Your Tuition Remission Benefit
Did you know that Drexel's tuition remission benefits cover noncredit certification courses? Start the New Year off by taking an online, self-paced course/s and/or an instructor led certification course to help you meet your professional goals for 2024. Highlighted courses for the winter term include: Tableau Essentials , Become Your Own Boss and Introduction to Web/User Interface Design and Designing User Experiences. Email goodwin.ce@drexel.edu for more information and to connect with a CPE team member.
Help Improve the Professional Staff Performance Process
Please help HR understand your experience with the professional staff performance process by completing one or both of the following short surveys, depending on whether you participated in the process as a manager or on your own professional staff review. The surveys will remain open through Jan. 15.
Celebrate Homecoming at Drexel Jan. 19–20
This year, Homecoming will be from January 19–20, and all Drexel students, faculty and professional staff are encouraged to join in on the fun. Drexel hosts Homecoming each year as an important winter tradition — it's a celebration that instills a sense of pride within the entire Drexel community and allows us to come together to show off our Drexel spirit. Visit drexel.edu/homecoming for everything you need to know.
Reminder: Winter Pause on Policy Processing
From Dec. 21, 2023 until Jan. 12, 2024, the Policy Compliance Process will not be processing policies or holding any public comment periods for proposed policies. The process will resume on Jan. 13. If you have any urgent policy-related concerns during this time, please contact the Director of Policy Compliance at policy@drexel.edu.
FY25 Proposed Fringe Benefits Rates for Sponsored Projects
Drexel University has submitted the fringe benefit proposal to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish the fiscal year 2025 fringe benefit rates for sponsored projects. These rates are not final until the Office of the Comptroller receives the official rate letter from DHHS; however, the office does not expect any significant changes when they are finalized. Read the related announcement on the Comptroller site for details.