There’s a lot to squeeze in before the start of winter break! Learn more about faculty and professional staff perks in campus dining and at the Drexel Barnes & Noble bookstore as well as ways to give, learn and share your thoughts in the next couple of weeks.

Here’s what was heard around campus this month.

Nov. 30: Winter Market at the Gateway Garden

On Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will host a Holiday Market featuring Philly-made art, ceramics, apparel, skin care and more. There are even a few student makers selling their creations. Stop by the Gateway Garden (32nd and Market streets) for some holiday cheer and to support local vendors!

Donate to Drexel’s 27th Annual Toy Drive Through Dec. 8

As you begin your holiday shopping, consider picking up a toy (or two) to contribute to Drexel’s 27th Annual Toy Drive, which supports over 50 community organizations. You can donate new, unwrapped toys (no weapons) from now through Dec. 8 at the following collection box locations:

• Main Building, 3141 Chestnut St., President’s Office, Outside Suite 103
• 3020 Market St., Suite 104 (Office of Government and Community Relations)
• 3201 Arch St., First Floor Lobby
• New College Building, Lobby
• CAT Building, Suite 170, Dean’s Suite
• Daskalakis Athletic Center, Lobby
• Korman Center, Lobby
• Health Sciences Building, 60 N. 36th St., Lobby
• 3225 Arch St., Outside Suite 011 (Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture)
• Pret a Manger, 3400 Lancaster Ave.

Volunteers will be needed to help with the Toy Drive Community Celebration on Dec. 19. For more information or to volunteer, please email Karen Lewis at kal376@drexel.edu.

Teaching Faculty: Upload Course Materials for Winter 2024 Quarter and Spring 2024 Semester 

To comply with Higher Education Opportunities Act, the Drexel Barnes & Noble Bookstore needs all course material adoptions for the winter 2024 quarter and winter 2024 semester as soon as possible, but no later than Dec. 8 via the BNC Adoptions& Insights Portal on the "Faculty" tab in DrexelOne. If you do not require any materials, the bookstore must display that information for students; please confirm in the portal. Providing course material information by the deadline helps students who need financial assistance to estimate costs. The team at Barnes & Noble at Drexel University is committed to supporting you and your students. If you have any questions regarding course adoption material, please contact the store team via email at sm457@bncollege.com.

Faculty and Professional Staff Appreciation Day at Drexel Barnes & Noble 

On Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Barnes & Noble Drexel University Campus Bookstore at University City (3250 Chestnut Street) will host an all-day Faculty & Professional Staff Appreciation Day. Faculty and professional staff receive an additional discount of 10 percent off (in addition to the typical 15 percent off); you must present you DragonCard and make your purchase in-store at 3250 Chestnut St. Other restrictions may apply; see store for details.   

Perks for Faculty and Professional Staff in Campus Dining   

Drexel Campus Dining offers two dining plan options for faculty and professional staff that makes dining on the University City campus convenient and affordable: the Block 15 + 25 Dining Dollars plan and the Block 25 + 50 Dining Dollars plan. Although a dining plan is not required to dine in any of the Drexel Campus Dining locations (cash and credit card are accepted), there are benefits to purchasing a plan. Learn more on the Business Services website.

Not ready to commit to a dining plan? Drexel faculty and professional staff can enjoy 40 percent off on Fridays at the Handschumacher Dining Center (Creese Student Center) or Urban Eatery (34th Street and Lancaster Avenue). Both locations are all-you-care-to-eat locations where you pay one fee to enter, and you can stay (and eat!) for as long as you’d like. With the Friday discount, faculty and staff can dine at an unbeatable value: $6.60 for breakfast, $8.70 for lunch, or $9.90 for dinner. To view daily menus and hours, visit drexel.edu/dining. 

Ready, Set, Wellness! 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 2024 wellness by scheduling your preventative care exams (then set a calendar reminder to upload proof of visit after the event and claim your points). And register 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. Register 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 Wellness Incentive 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. Everyone who attends will earn 15 wellness points ($15).

The SAFE Program Teaches You to Protect Yourself

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 Dec. 11 and Dec. 13.
• 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 Dec. 18 and Dec. 27.

Public Comment Period Open for Policy on Repeated Courses and GPA Adjustments

The 30-day public comment period is now open for PO–02: Repeated Courses and GPA Adjustments – Undergraduate Students. Any student, faculty or professional staff member may review the policy and comment on it via the links provided on the Public Comment Period webpage. This public comment period ends on Dec. 21, 2023.

Policy Compliance: Winter Pause on Policy Processing

From Dec. 21, 2023, through 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. 

Recent Policy Status Changes: 

• PO-53: Learning Management System – Approved as Interim Policy
• PO-103: Academic Integrity as it Pertains to Artificial Intelligence – Approved as Interim Policy
• PO-85: Non–Tenure Track Faculty – Approved as Official University Policy
• PO-86: Non–Tenure Track Faculty Paid Professional Leave Policy – Approved as Official University Policy

Please visit the Policy Directory for a list of all Official University Policies and their current statuses.

Download and Post the New Drexel Compliance Hotline Poster

The Drexel Compliance Hotline Poster [PDF] is available for download! Please help cultivate a culture of compliance by displaying one in your office or common area. 

Save the Date: ProcureExperience and SupplierExpo on March 27

Drexel University’s ProcureExperience & SupplierExpo is a unique opportunity for you to engage with the University community and Drexel’s Accounts Payable and Procurement Services team. The event will offer informational and educational sessions. Save the date — March 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Health Sciences Building — and stay tuned for details!