It’s the end of the month, the end of the term and … the end of the year! Make sure you’re aware of updates for what’s happening over winter break and what you can do in the new year.
Here’s what was heard around campus this month:
Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture Annual Report
The Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture (EIC) is pleased to share its inaugural annual report, reflecting upon the achievements the University has made together to enhance its climate and sense of belonging, while acknowledging the considerable work that remains to be done. In a holiday message sent to the University community earlier this week, you can read Kim Gholston’s reflections on her first three years as Chief Diversity Officer and flip through the EIC annual report.
Campus Bus Service Suspended Over Winter Break
Drexel University shuttle bus service along all routes will be suspended beginning at 1 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2022, and extending through Jan. 2, 2023. The Dragon Route (Center City), Queen Lane Route and Powelton/Spring Garden Route will return to their normal operations beginning Jan. 3. If you have any questions, please contact transitinfo@drexel.edu.
Shipping & Receiving Hours Over Winter Break
The Shipping and Receiving department will operate on Dec. 27–30, 2022, from the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Jan. 3, 2023, Shipping and Receiving will return to its normal hours of 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Maximize Your Wellness (and Payouts!) for 2023
Check out A Healthier U’s Wellness Incentive Program webpage for a complete list of wellness workshops for the first quarter of 2023. Whether you want investing advice or are looking for mindfulness techniques to help you with post-holiday stress, there's truly something for everyone. Register today on Career Pathway and earn 15 points for each session you attend.
Here are some additional tips to help you make the most of the 2023 Wellness Incentive Program:
- Complete your Personal Health Profile (PHP) before Jan. 31 to receive a payout in February, the first opportunity of the year. A complete PHP is a requirement to earn payouts for the program.
- Sign up for a 15-minute onsite health screening. Appointments are taking place on March 7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in Behrakis Grand Hall. Participants will each receive 100 points ($100) for the screening. If you’re unavailable in March, you can still earn points by making an appointment directly with LabCorp, information about which is available in your Health Advocate portal.
- Review the “Who is eligible” FAQ on the program’s webpage to confirm your spouse or domestic partner's eligibility for the program. Eligible spouses and domestic partners have their own wellness portals and must complete their own PHP before you receive any spouse/partner payouts. (Spouses and domestic partners are eligible for the onsite health screening mentioned above!)
Stay SAFE With Public Safety This Winter
Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) Classes, hosted by Public Safety, focus on mindset, self-awareness and techniques you could use in the event of a physical assault, and information on how and to whom you should report incidents and safety concerns. The next scheduled courses are Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Feb. 16, 5–9:30 p.m.; and March 14, 5–9:30 p.m. Sign up on Qualtrics.
Local Diverse Supplier Spotlight: Star Fusion Express
In an effort to promote and strengthen Drexel’s buy-local strategy, Accounts Payable and Procurement Services is spotlighting local and diverse businesses for the benefit of Drexel faculty and professional staff who may want to utilize their products and/or services.
This month’s spotlight is West Philadelphia’s own Star Fusion Express, a casual restaurant offering great food with high-quality ingredients, with choices ranging from hormone-free halal burgers, salads, seafood and chicken sandwiches. Their most popular items are chicken wings and spring rolls complemented with a variety of homemade sauces and dips. Star Fusion’s cuisine features interesting flavors from across the globe, made fresh daily. Some examples include their Honey Chipotle Salmon and Crab Stuffed Salmon with a Normandy cream sauce. You can visit Star Fusion Express at their location on 5178 Parkside Avenue, 2013 N. 63rd St., or online at starfusionrestaurant.com.
Sign Up for Employee “Lights Out” Program
If you work on campus full- or part-time, you’re invited to participate in “Lights Out,” a new program designed to reduce unnecessary electricity use on campus. “Lights Out” volunteers will pledge to turn off and/or turn down electronics (lights, air conditioner units, space heaters, etc.) in their work spaces at the end of the week and report their progress to the Drexel Climate and Sustainability team. If you’re interested in volunteering for this program, please fill out the volunteer interest form.
What’s Going on at the Intercultural Center?
Did you know that the James E. Marks Intercultural Center (3225 Arch Street, lower level), home of the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture (EIC), is available to host intercultural events and exhibits? This quarter alone, EIC and the Drexel Founding Collection have partnered with Latinos for a United Campus for its Nuestra Cultura art exhibit, as well as with Art History Professor Joseph Larnerd, PhD, for an exhibit with the Museum of Where We Are. The Nuestra Cultura exhibit, which took place during Hispanic Heritage Month, showcased some of the work done by a group of Westphal College of Media Arts & Design undergraduate Hispanic and Latinx artists in an effort to bring awareness to the Latine identity while also encouraging other Latinx artists to be proud of their roots. The Museum of Where We Are exhibit, which ran from Nov. 28–Dec. 8, explored, through art, the following question: “What histories might emerge from our careful, critical, and creative study of everyday modern design?” Next quarter: EIC has partnered with the Writer’s Room to host student and local community art in the spring. If you are interested in partnering with the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture on your next event or exhibit, please contact eicprogramming@drexel.edu.
FY24 Proposed Fringe Benefit Rates for Sponsored Projects
Drexel has submitted the fringe benefit proposal to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish the fiscal year 2024 fringe benefit rates for sponsored projects. It is anticipated that the University will not receive the approved, final rate letter for at least three to six months; however, the University does not anticipate any significant changes when they are finalized. You should begin to utilize these proposed rates on any proposal submissions that will have salary and wages after July 1, 2023, to ensure that you have budgeted adequate funding. Coeus and Banner have been updated to reflect the new proposed rates effective July 1, 2023. For more information, please review the announcement on the Comptroller website.
Reminder From Comptroller
Departments that are expecting any receipts of funds (deposits): Please email General Accounting at acct11@drexel.edu with the expected receipt amount as well as FOAPAL to apply this receipt.
Message From HR’s Talent Development Team: A Year of Learning
As 2022 concludes, the Talent Development team would like to take a moment to acknowledge Drexel faculty and staff members for their dedication to professional and personal development. This year Talent Development created over 401 online courses — 181 full courses, 220 micromodules, 18 learning bundles and 34 equity and inclusion-focused courses – and they look forward to creating more content and opportunities for you to foster your skills, hold courageous conversations with colleagues and engage with their team. Want to continue your learning over Winter Break? Check out the Talent Development team’s favorite work-wellness modules highlighted in Career Pathway:
- Wendy Wood on Good Habits, Bad Habits – Next Big Idea Club, recommended by Kathrine Choy, Assistant Director, Talent Development
- Rutger Bregman Offers a Hopeful History of Humankind - Next Big Idea Club, recommended by Susan Hackett, Talent Development Partner, HR
- Ethan Kross: The Restorative Effects of Green Space – Next Big Idea Club, recommended by Kiana Porter, Talent Development Specialist