Heard Around Campus — March 2016

The coming of spring means changes, and this March is no exception. From updates to the P-Card policy to workshops you can use to improve yourself, change is all around. In case you missed them, here are some campus developments that might just be the change you need.

New Procurement Card Policy and Guidelines 

A new procurement card (P-Card) policy with associated guidelines has been approved and became effective March 1, 2016. The existing P-Card policy has been significantly enhanced and separated from the P-Card guidelines, so that updating or modifying one will not affect the other. The new policy clarifies appropriate and allowable P-Card purchases and uses, updates cardholders’ and approvers’ responsibilities, and enhances the auditing process and accountability. Here are PDFs of the new P-Card Policy and the new P-Card Guidelines.

An adjustment period began on March 1, in which no consequences will be applied for not following the new policy and guidelines. This adjustment period will continue until sufficient time has been given for all cardholders and approvers to be trained on the new policy.

Meet the 2016 Dornsife Global Development Scholars 

Seventeen students have been chosen as 2016 Dornsife Global Development Scholars, a program that affords students the opportunity to work alongside international non-governmental organization, World Vision, to implement water, sanitation and hygiene development programs in many of the 24 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where World Vision works. Funded by a gift from Dana and David Dornsife, the Dornsife Global Development Scholars program is open to Drexel graduate and undergraduate students from all majors through co-op opportunities and graduate and undergraduate summer research and field experiences.

These students will complete their Dornsife Global Development Scholar experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa during the spring/summer co-op cycle (April–September) or during the summer (June–September).

Assessment Workshops

The Office of Assessment, Accreditation and Effectiveness is offering 14 workshops beginning in the spring term and continuing throughout 2016 on topics ranging from developing or refining course level outcomes to direct assessment of program level outcomes and course level outcomes. These workshops are available to all programs/departments, schools and colleges. Here is a list of offered workshops. 

To schedule a workshop or a series of workshops, contact Joe Hawk, director of operations for the Office of Assessment, Accreditation and Effectiveness.

Construction/Renovation Updates

219 N. Broad Street – Berman Main Lobby and Mezzanine Renovations – The new suite for the Family Medicine practice is complete. Construction is in progress on the lobby renovations, which are expected to be complete later this summer.

Pearlstein Business Learning Center Renovation (Close School of Entrepreneurship) – Construction is substantially complete on renovations to the fourth floor of the Pearlstein Business Learning Center for the Close School of Entrepreneurship.

Public Realm Plan – Urban design and landscape architecture firm West 8 is completing the overview of a Public Realm Plan for the University. Phase 2 of the plan is in progress and will be completed in September.

Childcare Mixed-Use/Residential Development (Radnor Property Group) – Radnor Property Group is preparing to break ground on the development of View32, its new 16-story mixed-use residential and childcare development at 3201 Race St. Nobel Learning Communities will be the operator of the 180-person preschool facility, and the childcare/residential tower will total 176,000 square feet. The project also entails the development of 12 owner-occupied townhomes totaling 13,200 square feet. Radnor Property Group is developing the project under a ground lease agreement with Drexel (similar to the third-party developments by American Campus Communities), at no cost to the University.

 For a full list of major capital projects currently in progress, visit Facilities’ Current Projects page.