Drexel Business Services welcomes you back to campus for the start of the 2021-2022 Academic Year – whether you are returning from a term break or coming back from a longer hiatus due to the pandemic. We’ve been busy over the summer, and indeed throughout the past year, making improvements to campus facilities and programs. Keep reading for a full list of events and enhancements debuting this fall, including new outdoor amenities, an additional student center, and changes to the on- and off-campus dining and retail scene. As always, these improvements are informed by the invaluable feedback we receive from the University community.
The Gateway Garden at Drexel University Is Open
Drexel University and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society partnered on a new garden space that is now open for the Drexel community and the public. Located at 32nd and Market Streets, The Gateway Garden at Drexel serves as a vibrant entrance to campus. The project transformed a once-vacant space into a hub of horticultural excellence and will provide engaging activities year-round. Event space reservations at the Gateway Garden are available for private events, programming activities, performances and other special events (subject to space use approval and availability). Drexel-affiliated departments and student groups can visit Drexel Event Services website or email reservations@drexel.edu for instructions on how to reserve the garden for their event.
Fall Events at the Gateway Garden
The Maker’s Market at the Gateway Garden (located at 32nd Street and JFK Boulevard) returns on Sept. 16, and will run every Thursday from 3–6 p.m. during the fall term through Oct. 28. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society presents this weekly market featuring Philly-made art, ceramics, jewelry, skin care and more!
Meet the Makers also returns to the Gateway Garden on Sept. 29, from 5–7 p.m., featuring “Autumn Apple Harvest” with Dressler Estate. At Meet the Makers, you'll meet local brewers and taste a selection of your favorite beer and cider (must be 21+ to attend). On Sept. 29, meet Drexel alumnus Brian Dressler ’11 and Olga Dressler from Dressler Estate and enjoy some of their beautiful cider as they chat about the local orchards they work with, apple harvest and cider fermentation. Cider will be available for purchase to be enjoyed at the Garden or to be taken to go. In the case of inclement weather, the rain date will be one week following.
Other upcoming Meet the Makers events include Dark Beer With Conshohocken Brewing on Oct. 6 and Saisons With Sacred Vice on Oct. 20.
Drexel Business Services sponsors food trucks for the Maker’s Market and Meet the Makers events. Visit Drexel Business Services Event page for upcoming events.
Introducing the Rush Student Center
Drexel Student Life invites you to visit our newest Student Center in Rush Building (Rush). Rush is home to the Center for Black Culture, Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Student Organization Resource Center, and Drexel's food pantry, Mario’s Market.
The Center for Black Culture, located on the first floor of RUSH, was recently renovated to include new furnishings to Lounge 101, Lounge 137, and Library 105 — anticipated completion fall 2021. Stop in and check out the artwork from local Black artists that will be on display in fall 2021.
A fourth food and beverage vending location, Avenue C Micro Market by Canteen, was added to Rush on the first floor in the Center for Black Culture.
Restaurants and Retail on Campus
The following is a summary of retail news on campus.
- Boba King (3200 Chestnut) opened in spring 2021 in the former Joe Coffee location offering unique milk teas like “Fruit Loops and “Mango Tango.”
- Board & Brew (3200 Chestnut) opened in early 2020.
- Use the code BBDELIVERY to receive 15% off your delivery order. View the menu or start your online order.
- Drexel Pizza (107 N. 33rd St.) renovated its interior and is re-opened as Greeks from Greece. Fall term hours of operation are 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Landmark Americana expanded its outdoor seating options, including a colorful makeover.
- The local businesses on and near campus are open, and some even offer Dragon Specials. For a list of dining and retail businesses that accept DragonDollars, consult the directory on the Drexel Business Services website.
Barnes and Noble at Drexel University
The Barnes and Noble at University City location was remodeled and expanded this summer. Students and faculty receive a discount when a DragonCard is presented at check-out.
Drexel Campus Dining Updates
Urban Eatery, (3400 Lancaster), is now an all-you-care-to-eat location. Students with Dining Plans use just one Meal Swipe for all-you-care-to-eat access, and discounted Dining Dollar door-rates.
At the Handschumacher Dining Center, (at the Creese Student Center), Drexel Business Services added arcade-style game consoles such as Pac-Man and Donkey Kong.
NEW for Fall 2021 – Swipe Plus! Swipe Plus is a new feature included with select Dining Plans. Use “Swipe Plus” at the Smoothies & Shakes station at the Hans, or at Street Fare’s Restaurant Rotation (customize meals with flavors from across the globe) at Urban Eatery.
Reusable Containers via the Ozzi Program are back for fall 2021! Students check out a container, fill with their favorite food, then return the empty container at the Hans or NDT Kiosk for sanitizing. Ozzi containers can be used at the Hans.
Outdoor Seating and Activities on Campus
Students, faculty and professional staff looking for places to enjoy the seasonable weather can reference this map of outdoor seating areas on the University City Campus. Seating options include a variety of tables and chairs as well as shaded and non-shaded.
New Outdoor Campus Games
Table tennis games are installed at Race Lawn, Spangler Walk, Millennium Hall, and the Creese Student Center. Shuffleboard and chess & stool sets will be installed in fall 2021. Students can rent table tennis equipment from the front desk of their residence hall, the Creese Student Center information desk, or the Recreation Center Front Desk.
We at Drexel Business Services want to wish all students a fun, enlightening, and of course safe and healthy start to the academic year!