The following message was sent to Drexel faculty and staff on March 13.
The past few weeks have been challenging for all as we navigate uncharted territory. We are enormously grateful for the flexibility and compassion Drexel’s faculty and professional staff have all shown, and for the high standards and care you have continued to provide the campus community.
While much of the previous communications have focused on students and courses, we know many of you have questions about the expectations for your own work going forward. In line with CDC guidelines, and effective Monday, March 16, we strongly recommend that faculty and professional staff members who do not need to be on campus work remotely to support social distancing. While the University remains open and must sustain normal operations to support our students, managers are asked to evaluate their division to determine which professional staff members can work from home and which are needed for onsite core operations.
More details about this recommendation, as well as other resources for faculty and professional staff, are detailed below:
- Flexible Work Arrangements/Telecommuting: Limiting the number of individuals on campus will assist in social distancing. All managers should consider the following:
- Effective immediately, each unit should have (or develop) their business continuity plan. Your HR Business Partner will be in contact with leadership to consult on each unit’s plan prior to implementation. You should consider any CDC guidelines/recommendations when evaluating the plan.
- Those required to support onsite operations and who currently utilize public transportation will have the option to park at Drexel during this period without enrolling in parking services. Please contact parking@drexel.edu to let them know you will require a parking spot during this time.
- Manager Information Sessions: The Human Resources Business Partners will be hosting an online information session open to faculty and professional staff with direct reports. This session will be held on Monday, March 16, at 2 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions to the HR Business Partner team. An Outlook Calendar invite will be forthcoming.
- Service Center: In response to coronavirus (COVID-19) reaching pandemic status, an external Service Center has been established to offer additional support to our campus. This Service Center is available to the entire Drexel community and is staffed with individuals who can respond to your questions and concerns. Representatives are available 24/7 via telephone at 215.703.2335.
- Security: Effective Monday, March 16, you will be required to use your DragonCard to access all Drexel buildings. Buildings will only be accessible to those who are issued DragonCards.
- Travel: Effective immediately and until further notice, domestic and international University-related travel is prohibited.
- FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been posted to Drexel’s Response to the Coronavirus website. These FAQs will be consistently reviewed and updated as we receive additional information. We encourage all faculty and professional staff to review this information as you continue to develop your business continuity and staffing plans.
- Policies: We encourage you to review and become familiar with the following policies that are especially applicable during this time:
- Emergency Conditions (HR-43)
- Essential Personnel (HR-18)
- Family and Medical Leave (HR-33)
- Flexible Work Arrangement (HR-61)
- Life-Threatening Diseases (HR-10)
- Non-FMLA Medical Leave of Absence (HR 39.01)
- Sick Leave (HR-32)
- Social Distancing (HR-19)
As previously communicated, a modification to the current sick leave policy is in effect to allow the use of future leave accruals/negative balance to ensure professional staff will be paid while remaining home when ill.
If you have questions related to specific circumstances in your work environment and/or the resources available to you, contact your HR Business Partner. Please continue to monitor Drexel’s Response to Coronavirus for the most current official information, including the CDC's prevention tips.
In the event that you are feeling ill, please stay home and contact your primary care provider for guidance. Please also send an email to covid19health@drexel.edu, providing your name and phone number, if you believe you have come in contact with or have COVID-19. It is imperative that we are aware of any exposure risk to the members of the Drexel community.
We hope that you all continue to remain healthy. Thank you again for your patience, flexibility and compassion during this time.
Sincerely,
Paul E. Jensen
Interim Nina Henderson Provost
Helen Y. Bowman
Executive Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Operating Officer
Megan Weyler
Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer