Heard Around Campus — October
The month of October is almost over — isn’t that a scary thought?
Besides being Halloween month, it was also the first full month of Drexel’s academic year. Here's what was heard around campus in October.
November Is Benefits Open Enrollment Month
Open enrollment for calendar year 2018, the annual process during which faculty and professional staff can enroll in new benefits plans or make changes to existing coverage, will take place from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30.
Here’s what you need to know about open enrollment, including how to sign up and when you can attend open enrollment fairs.
Drexel Quarterly’s Fall Issue Is Out
After transitioning from a print publication to an e-newsletter this summer, Drexel Quarterly published its second e-newsletter earlier this month to share stories and personnel information relevant to faculty and staff members. Stories included a Q&A with Drexel’s archivist, the case of some mysterious hats in the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection that was solved by two high school students and faculty highlights from last term.
New and Revised Human Resources Policies
On Oct. 17, Drexel Human Resources sent an email updating faculty and staff on new and updated policies and procedures. Since there’s a lot of information there that could apply to your future at Drexel, here’s the text of the email, if you didn’t open it:
Drexel Human Resources (HR) proactively develops and reviews policies and procedures to ensure we offer competitive benefits to our faculty and professional staff. Below is a summary of the most recent new and revised HR policies that were approved by Cabinet and took effect in October 2017. The full text of these and all other HR policies can be found on the Human Resources website.
Non-FMLA Medical Leave of Absence Policy (HR-39.01) — New
This new policy identifies the conditions under which eligible faculty or professional staff members may take a medical leave of absence that is not covered by another policy (for example, Family and Medical Leave or Personal Leave). Faculty and professional staff members who are eligible under this policy may request a medical leave of absence for up to 90 calendar days in a 12-month period for such reasons as a chronic or serious health condition, the birth and care of a newborn child, the placement of an adopted or foster child, or the care of an immediate family member. Once all available paid time is exhausted, approved medical leaves of absence are offered without pay; however, benefits will continue to be provided for the duration of the approved leave.
Promotion Policy (HR-55) — New
This new policy establishes guidelines and procedures for the promotion of a faculty or professional staff member who assumes an administrative supervisory role. The policy specifies that in order to be eligible for a promotion, the individual must have been in their current position for at least six months and have received an overall performance rating of at least “Fully Achieved Expected Results” in their most recent annual performance review. The policy also requires individuals who assume an administrative supervisory role to complete the online Essentials of Management Certificate Program.
Short-Term Disability Policy (HR-72) — New
This new policy establishes the Short-Term Disability (STD) program offered when a faculty or professional staff member is unable to work for a continuous period of 30 days or more due to a non-work related illness or injury. The STD program is an employee-paid, voluntary benefit offered to all full- and part-time faculty and professional staff members. Election must be made for the plan year in which a disability commences.
Personal Leave of Absence Policy (HR-39) — Revised
This policy has been revised to eliminate the one-year waiting period and to increase the maximum leave time from 30 to 90 days. Once all available sick and vacation time is exhausted, approved personal leaves of absence are offered without pay and with COBRA benefits.
Tuition Remission for Faculty and Professional Staff Policy (HR-22) — Revised
This policy has been revised to allow tuition remission for the online master of business administration (MBA) program. In addition, the new doctorate of business administration program has been added to the list of programs not covered under the benefit.
Tuition Remission for Family Members Policy (HR-23) and Tuition Exchange Policy (HR-24) — Revised
These policies have been revised to allow the tuition remission and tuition exchange benefits to continue in the event of the death of a faculty or professional staff member for a student currently enrolled during the time of death.
If you have any questions regarding the policies, please contact your HR Business Partner.
Last Chance to Sign Up for Winter Farm Share!
Registration for the winter season of the Common Market Farm Share at Drexel ends on Nov. 1.
Visit cmfarmshare.org/pages/mid-atlantic to register, and choose Drexel University (University City) or the Academy of Natural Sciences (Center City) as your pickup location. There are a variety of shares available, and you can choose to pay monthly or in one single payment. For more details, visit the Drexel Green website.
Korman Projects Update
The newly renovated and renamed Korman Quad will reopen this week, allowing members of the community to once again take advantage of this bustling thoroughfare through the heart of the University City Campus. Be sure to stop by and admire the beautifully redesigned walkways, seating areas and plantings, and help us bring the Quad back to life. You’ll also get a sneak peek at the Korman Center addition (at least the bright, modern exterior). Furniture will be installed in November, allowing the Korman Center addition to be open and available for student use the week before fall term finals. These projects were made possible by a generous gift from the Hyman Korman Family Foundation, and a University match.
Here’s more information on Drexel’s current projects.