It’s the start of a very different academic year, and while some things have changed, other have stayed the same. Read on to learn more about updates and benefits of your Drexel healthcare plans and upcoming events highlighting minority businesses and Black entrepreneurs.
Here’s what was heard around campus this month:
Flu Shots are FREE on All of Drexel’s Healthcare Plans
Getting a flu vaccine is especially important this season to protect yourself and our healthcare system from being overloaded by cases of flu. Drexel HMO, POS and Keystone 65 health plan members can receive the flu shot at any eligible in-network provider; PPO health plan members can receive the flu shot at any eligible provider both in and out of network. To find a location for your flu shot, please visit ibx.com/findadoctor and search “flu.”
Reminder: Campus Building Access
For the health and safety of our University community, as of fall 2020 and until further notice, students, faculty and professional staff must scan their DragonCard to enter all campus buildings. While in campus buildings, please wear a mask, maintain distance from others and pay mind to signage indicating entry/exit only and one-way hallways and stairways.
Oct. 1: Black Entrepreneurs in Action!
Join the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship as they launch a virtual, three-part panel discussion series shedding light on the unique experiences of diverse entrepreneurs. The first panel discussion on Oct. 1 will focus on the experiences of Black entrepreneurs.
Close School professor and entrepreneur Roger Lee will moderate a panel discussion about entrepreneurship in the Black community for the first part of the series. Learn from panelists, Valerie Gay, serial entrepreneur, and Shane D. Nelson, co-founder of Reify Solutions, about their personal experiences and views on entrepreneurship.
This event will take place on Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. RSVP to receive a link through Startup Tree or visit the event page, where an access link will be available during the event.
Oct. 5–9: Minority Enterprise Development Week’s Virtual Events
Drexel University will be participating in Philadelphia’s 36th annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week. Running from Oct. 5–9, MED Week will highlight minority businesses and the resources that help them grow. This year, all events will be virtual; as a result, it is more important than ever that we extend our resources, relationships and knowledge to the Philadelphia business community.
Drexel’s Procurement Services & Accounts Payable team will be collaborating with the Office of University & Community Partnerships, the LeBow College of Business and Westphal College of Media Arts & Design to provide four free events:
- Navigating Supplier Diversity & Inclusion as a Latino Business Owner – Oct. 8, 5–6:30 p.m.
- B Smart with Your Business – Oct. 8, 2–3 p.m.
- Drexel and Digital Branding for Your Business – Oct. 9, 2–3 p.m.
- The Margins: But Where is the Money Going? – Oct. 9, 2–3:30 p.m.
For more details on Drexel’s MED Week events, please visit the Procurement website.
You can find more information regarding MED Week on the City of Philadelphia’s website at phila.gov/med-week.
Election Day Is Nov. 3: Make a Plan to Vote!
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 election will be unlike any other when it comes to how citizens vote. Drexel University is proud to support its community in navigating this uncharted territory with resources and reminders. Drexel encourages all eligible students, faculty and professional staff to register to vote and verify their registration status to ensure they are able to cast a ballot in the general election. The deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania is Oct. 19, and the deadline to request an absentee or mail-in ballot is Oct. 27.
For voting resources, engagement opportunities, frequently asked questions and more, please visit the Drexel Votes website.
Please also take note that on Nov. 3, the University will close at 2 p.m. to allow time for the Drexel community to vote. All faculty teaching courses that day are asked to please plan to teach asynchronously, if possible, and provide flexibility and support for students who may be working the polls.
Open Enrollment: Save the Date, Oct. 23–Nov. 15
This year’s Benefits Open Enrollment period is early and will be held from Oct. 23 through Nov. 15, 2020.
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your benefits and make changes for the upcoming year. The selections you make during open enrollment will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
If you do not make changes, your current elections will automatically roll over except for the following:
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
- Commuter Account; and
- Medical Insurance Waiver
Please be sure to re-enroll in these benefits if you wish to continue them into 2021. Otherwise, there are IRS restrictions on several of them that will not allow you to enroll at a time outside of Open Enrollment unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event.
Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks, including new benefit offerings, rate changes and upcoming virtual information sessions. Please make sure your home mailing address is up to date to ensure that you receive all communications. Changes to your home address can be made by following these instructions [PDF].
Reminder: Use Your 2020 Healthcare FSA Funds by Dec. 31, 2020
Remember to spend the money in your Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) before the end of the year. Healthcare FSA accounts are “use it or lose it.” You can carry over $550 of unused funds into 2021, but the remainder will be forfeited. You have until March 31 to submit for reimbursement claims that were incurred between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020. If you participate in the Healthcare FSA, you receive a monthly account balance statement via email from our FSA administrator, Benefitexpress. You can also review your balance at any time through the My Drexel Benefits online portal. For more information, please review the feature on FSA funds in this month’s HR @ Your Service newsletter.