Are you actually benefitting from Drexel’s benefits? You can through on-campus consultations with Drexel’s retirement plan provider, TIAA, and taking part in virtual resources and seminars from SupportLinc., Drexel’s employee assistance provider.
Here’s what was heard around campus in July:
Celebrate National Night Out at Drexel on Aug. 1
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work. And it’s coming to Drexel on Aug. 1 from 5–9 p.m. along Lancaster Walk! Join Public Safety and all other co-sponsors for an evening of resources and fun interactive activities. NNO enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community and offers an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
TIAA Is Back on Aug. 3 for On-Campus Consultations
TIAA, Drexel's retirement plan provider, can help you learn how to better secure your future. Drexel is excited to welcome TIAA back on campus for in-person consultation sessions this summer. To schedule a one-on-one consultation meeting with TIAA representative Sabrina Evenosky on Aug. 3, visit tiaa.org/schedulenow, or call 800.732.8353 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for assistance. Meetings are one hour and will take place in the Human Resources Conference Room located on the fourth floor of 3201 Arch St.
TIAA is also offering the following free virtual seminars this summer: Live With Confidence in Retirement: 5 Steps to Creating Your Retirement Income Plan (Aug. 9, noon); W2W Charting Your Course: A Financial Guide for Women; (Aug. 17, 2 p.m.); Basic Social Security Strategies (Aug. 23, 3 p.m.); and Invest for Success: Fine-turning Your Retirement Strategy (Aug. 29, 1 p.m.).
Back-to-School Resources From SupportLinc
“Navigating Return to School” is the subject of SupportLinc’s free, virtual seminar available to Drexel employees for the month of August. On Aug. 2, you can join the one-hour seminar at 8 a.m., 3 p.m. or 8 p.m. as a resource to help you address concerns your child may have returning to school, support family systems in becoming more resilient and help you identify your children’s mental health needs and ways to effectively connect with and support them.
In addition to SupportLinc’s 24/7/365 licensed clinicians available to help, SupportLinc has on-demand video trainings about homeschooling and virtual learning, referrals for tutors and supplemental learning, and other online resources such as a college prep checklist. Visit supportlinc.com (use code “drexel” to make an account) or call 1.888.881.LINC for more information.
Upcoming Dates Public Safety’s Self-protection Course
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, it’s strongly recommended that 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, which 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 Aug. 9 and Aug. 14.
- 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 Aug. 23 and Aug. 28.
Follow Public Safety on Instagram
You can follow Drexel Public Safety @drexelpublicsafety to receive safety tips, community updates, event information and so much more!
Summer Programming at the Gateway Garden
This August, there are are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the seasonal weather at the Gateway Garden (32nd and JFK Boulevard):
Drexel community members who are interested in learning more about the Gateway Garden and its programming are invited to join the Gateway Garden group via Teams, managed by Drexel Business Services.
Interested in Participating in the Farm-Fresh Box Program?
Drexel Business Services is considering returning the Common Market’s popular, bi-weekly Farm-Fresh Box Program to the University City Campus, which was discontinued during the pandemic. For $18.50/box, program members receive six to eight fresh, local produce items (approximately 10 pounds). We need to hear from you! Drexel must commit to The Common Market’s minimum box threshold to be considered for the program. Please confirm your interest in this brief Qualtrics survey.
Purchase SEPTA Key Cards at DragonCard Services
The DragonCard Services office in Creese Student Center (3210 Chestnut St.) will now sell SEPTA Key cards, the reloadable card offering seamless travel on SEPTA buses, trolleys and rail. Drexel community members can purchase the card for $4.95 and add their SEPTA travel pass or as little as $5 to their Travel Wallet. Please note: The DragonCard Services office will sell and reload SEPTA Key cards only. The office is not associated with the SEPTA Key Advantage Program administered by jawnt. To enroll in that program, follow the instructions on the HR website.
Teaching Faculty: Upload Course Materials for Fall Quarter 2023
To comply with Higher Education Opportunities Act, the Drexel Barnes & Noble Bookstore needs all course material adoptions for the fall 2023 quarter as soon as possible, but no later than Aug. 26. Course material information is due to the bookstore by Aug. 26 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.
Allen Riddick (left) and Jimmy Tran, CEO of Worldcraft Logistics LLC, at CelebrASIAN 2023.
Drexel Awarded Bronze Distinction by USPAAC
Drexel University has received the Bronze Award of Distinction by the U.S. Pan Asian-American Chamber of Commerce (USPAAC), a ground-breaking initiative that recognizes the unsung heroes of supplier diversity. The program allows U.S.-based organizations with at least 750 U.S.-based employees to assess their supplier diversity program and compare their program with itself year-over-year to nurture growth and development. Executive Director of Economic Impact and Workforce Inclusion Allen Riddick, who accepted the distinction on Drexel’s behalf at the CelebrASIAN 2023 Business + Procurement Conference, shared the following message: “It’s great how USPACC showcases organizations that are genuinely committed to doing the right thing for the right reasons. Drexel is honored to receive such a distinguished award and looks forward to going through their Supplier Diversity assessment next year with excitement that our Supplier Inclusion Program will continue to grow.”
2023 Wellness Incentive Program: Four Months Left
Drexel’s Wellness Incentive Program is still going strong but starting to wind down. Have you taken the time to check in on how many points you still need to max out? Summer is a great time of year to peruse the 2023 Wellness Incentive Guide [PDF] so that you can make sure that you are taking advantage of all the well-being opportunities offered by Drexel.
Preparing for the Annual Performance Process
Each fall, Drexel faculty and professional staff participate in the annual performance process appropriate to their role. In either role, or as a manager or department head, it may be helpful to begin preparing before September hits, to give yourself time to consider how to engage in that process to make it as meaningful and supportive as possible. Faculty members and department heads can find more information on the Faculty Annual Review (FAR) on the Office of Faculty Advancement website, including the timeline, instructions and PDFs showing the sections of the FAR. Professional staff members and their managers can find information about the annual performance development process on the HR website, including the intention of the process, timeline, steps, examples and guidance for completing it.
Upcoming Training for Journal Entry Workflow
The Office of the Comptroller will be hosting a Journal Entry Workflow 3.0 virtual training session on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn how to submit and approve journal entries in a test environment; they will also learn how to attach supporting documentation, upload journals into the tool and more. Register in Career Pathway and contact slw383@drexel.edu with questions.
Reminder for Departments Expecting Receipts of Funds
Please email General Accounting at acct11@drexel.edu with the expected receipt (deposit) amount as well as FOAPAL to apply this receipt.