Heard Around Campus

It’s officially summer! That means that all of the commencement festivities are over and summer term (with Summer Fridays!) has already started. But before the month ends, faculty and staff should make sure they're up to date with all of the deadlines, updates and news that occurred.

Here’s what was heard around campus this month:

Procurement Services Launches Amazon Business Catalog

On June 4, Drexel Procurement Services launched Amazon Business as a punchout catalog in Smart Source. The Amazon Business punchout catalog has quickly become a popular choice among Smart Source users and provides a convenient, user-friendly shopping experience for Drexel’s business needs. Amazon Business purchases must comply with the Drexel University Purchasing Policy, and certain product categories are restricted due to contractual or policy reasons.

If you have not yet set up your Amazon Business account and would like to learn more, please refer to the Amazon Business Registration Guide, Buyer Guide and FAQs on the Procurement Services website. For account setup questions, contact Amazon Business Customer Service directly at ab-services+drexel@amazon.com or 888.281.3847. For Drexel purchasing or policy questions, contact Procurement Services at sourcing@drexel.edu or 215.895.2876.

University City Campus Clean-up

Real Estate and Facilities is coordinating the annual University City Campus Clean-up from July 1 through Aug. 30. The Clean-up is an opportunity for departments and offices to dispose of obsolete or broken equipment, furniture and other large, non-hazardous materials.

To participate, submit a WebTMA work request noting “Campus Clean-up” and provide a description of the items to be removed in the action requested. (Some oversized pieces of equipment and sensitive items may not qualify for the Campus Clean-Up and will require special handling for disposal.) Be sure to clearly identify the items to be discarded, marking items with the work order number (FM-XXXXX) if possible. Email facilities@drexel.edu or call 215.895.1700 with any questions.

Items being disposed of from laboratories may not include hazardous waste or dangerous chemicals; for all hazardous waste, contact Environmental Safety & Health at 215.895.5891 to arrange a special pick-up. For items that have residual value but are no longer useful for the University, please contact drexelsurplus@drexel.edu to see if they can be sold through the Surplus Sales program.

Tuition Remission Process Improvements and Upcoming Information Sessions

Drexel HR has listened to your feedback and is streamlining the tuition remission application process. Full-time, benefits-eligible faculty, professional staff, and family members should now submit their online application annually, once per academic year. You no longer have to submit this application every academic term.

If you plan to make use of tuition remission at any point during the 2019–2020 academic year, please submit your application online for that year by July 1, 2019, if you have not done so already.Instructions on how to complete the tuition remission application and links to the updated Tuition Remission Policies are available on the Drexel HR website.

Representatives from Drexel HR and First-Year Admissions are offering an information session on the University City Campus on July 1 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (AJ Drexel Picture Gallery, Main Building, Third Floor). The session will review the tuition remission benefit process for University employees who want to learn more and parents of incoming first-year Drexel students. A similar session is expected to be scheduled for the Center City Campus soon. Please register to attend in Career Pathway.

Please reach out to Drexel’s HR Service Center with questions at 215.895.2850 or hr@drexel.edu.

Summer Farm Stand at Urban Eatery

Drexel Campus Dining is proud to partner with The Common Market to host a farm stand every other Wednesday, from June 26 through Sept. 4, at Urban Eatery (34th Street and Lancaster Avenue). DragonDollars, cash and Drexel Campus Dining Plans can be used to purchase fresh, local produce and assorted artisanal food items.

Register for the R.A.D. Self Defense Program

The summer R.A.D. series begins on July 8. Registration is required, and you must attend all four weekday classes to complete the program. Visit the Drexel Public Safety website for the complete schedule and to register.

Slideshow: What’s Under Construction This Summer?

The summer months are a busy time for Drexel Planning, Design and Construction. With fewer students and faculty on campus, it’s the ideal time to tackle construction and renovation projects both big and small. The slideshow below highlights some of the most significant projects that will be taking place this summer. For a complete update on major campus projects, click here.

Bentley Residence Hall Renovation and Expansion

With the help of a $5 million gift from Greg S. Bentley, CEO of Bentley Systems, and his wife Caroline, the University is renovating and expanding Bentley Hall (formerly Calhoun Hall), with American Campus Communities serving as the developer. This summer, all of the spaces in the former Calhoun Hall are being renovated as phase one of the project. The first-floor student spaces in the new Bentley Hall are receiving new flooring, ceilings, lighting and furniture; a new central laundry room will also be created. The residential rooms on floors two through eight are receiving new finishes, furniture, windows and HVAC units, and all bathrooms are being completely renovated with all new fixtures and tile. New social and study lounges are being added on each residential floor. Occupancy will start fall 2019. Work has also begun on phase two (pictured) — the approximately 11,500 square foot, two-story addition to relocate the Pennoni Honors College to the heart of the campus. The addition, as well as a complete renovation of the landscaping in front of Bentley Hall, is anticipated to be completed in spring 2020.

Center for Automation Technology (CAT) Renovations

Demolition is nearly complete, and new framing and infrastructure work has begun (pictured) for approximately 5,685 square feet of wet research laboratories and technical support spaces for the College of Engineering in the CAT. The renovations include two new wet research laboratories on the first floor for Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering; one on the second floor for Materials Engineering; and two on the third floor for Chemical and Biological Engineering. Substantial completion is expected in winter 2020.

Vidas Bubble

Construction will begin this summer on the foundation work for a seasonal, air-supported structure over the three existing, southernmost tennis courts at the Vidas Athletics Complex, allowing year-round play. The “bubble” is expected to be ready for inflation in late November (see rendering in slideshow).

URBN Center Mechanical Systems Upgrade

The HVAC system for the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design's URBN Center is being upgraded to address the shortage of cooling capacity in the existing system. Interior work for this project was approximately 95 percent complete as of mid-June. The two west-side rooftop air handling units have been replaced (pictured in slideshow), and the new chiller has been installed.

Schuylkill Yards — Bulletin Building Façade (Brandywine Realty Trust)

The grand opening of Drexel Square, the large public realm space serving as the gateway to Schuylkill Yards, was held on June 10. Spark Therapeutics has possession of floors one, two and three of the former Bulletin Building, now known as 3025 Market Street, adjacent to the new park. In mid-June, Brandywine will begin erecting scaffolding for the demolition and installation of a new façade for the building (see rendering in slideshow), which will be completed in the first quarter of 2020. This work, and the removal and construction of a new SEPTA head house (to be started in January 2020), will form the Schuylkill Yards Gateway.

Arlen Specter US Squash Center (US Squash)

Construction will begin this summer on renovations to convert the Armory into a national center for US Squash. The project involves renovation of the interior of the Armory, creating 20 courts, athletic training facilities, audience amenities as well as spaces for community use (see rendering in slideshow). Construction is expected to be substantially complete in early fall 2020 to host the US Open Squash Tournament.

Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight: A Welcoming Place for the LGBTQ+ Community

In honor of Pride Month, we’re spotlighting a few ways you can get involved to make Drexel a more welcoming place for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Join the LGBTQA+ Faculty & Professional Staff Network: The Drexel University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Allies+ Faculty & Professional Staff Network is a visible association of employees who work together to promote the interests of our diverse community. Through social events, educational initiatives and civic engagement, the group fosters a campus climate that is welcoming, inclusive and safe for all at the University. For more information, visit the group’s webpage or email the president, Giuseppe Salomone, PhD, at salomojj@drexel.edu.
Join the LGBTQA+ Alumni Network: The mission of the Drexel University LGBTQA+ Alumni Network is to provide a space for Drexel’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and ally alumni to connect and share their passion for Drexel’s unique educational experience, while exploring ways to support the future of our University and its LGBTQA+ community. The network aims to: establish and maintain a relationship between Drexel's LGBTQA+ alumni, students and other members of the University community; provide resources and opportunities for alumni to network and engage with topics of importance to the LGBTQA+ community; and continuously identify opportunities to enhance the LGBTQA+ experience at Drexel. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page or email salomojj@drexel.edu.
Take the “Being an LGBTQ+ Ally” Class: This online educational module is intended to help participants understand some of the experiences of LGBTQ+ people and master best practices for creating a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment by focusing on up-to-the-moment vocabulary, delineation of best practices, and exploration of common scenarios. The content and imagery were reviewed by student, faculty, and professional staff members of the LGBTQ+ community. The training is available to faculty and professional staff via Career Pathway and to students via Blackboard Learn. To request an in-person version of the training, please email Reema Malhotra at rrm73@drexel.edu.

For general questions about diversity and inclusion initiatives at Drexel, please contact the Office of Equality & Diversity at oed@drexel.edu.