Heard Around Campus — August 2023

It’s the last newsletter of the academic year! Make sure you’re ready for what is coming up next — including the 2023 performance development process.

2023 Performance Development Process Begins Sept. 6

Performance development is essential to creating an environment that fosters regular and productive conversations, recognition of accomplishments, and expanding leadership capabilities. The 2023 annual performance development process will take place between Sept. 6 and Nov. 9 this year. Now is the time to have meaningful conversations and feedback before the process begins. View the Performance Development process timeline on the HR website. You can also learn more about performance development via the online course “Your Guide to Performance Management,” available on Career Pathway.

Donate Professional Clothing to Help Drexel Students

In the fall, the Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion (SCDI) will be opening a new flex/private space in which students can reserve time for Zoom job interviews. Within the space will also be a professional attire closet from which students can borrow clothes to wear during their interview. SCDI is seeking donations of gently used dress shirts, blouses, business jackets, blazers and ties for this closet. If you’d like to donate, please email jt3424@drexel.edu.

Interested in Participating in the Farm-Fresh Box Program?

Drexel Business Services is considering returning the Common Market’s popular, bi-weekly Farm-Fresh Box Program to the University City Campus, which was discontinued during the pandemic. For $18.50/box, program members receive six to eight fresh, local produce items (approximately 10 pounds). We need to hear from you! Drexel must commit to The Common Market’s minimum box threshold to be considered for the program. Please confirm your interest in this brief Qualtrics survey.

SupportLinc’s September Webinar Topic: Suicide Awareness       

Each month, Drexel’s Employee Assistance Program provider, SupportLinc, offers free virtual seminars on workplace-related topics, and this month’s webinar, happening at 8 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sept. 6, is “Suicide Awareness.” Suicide is a serious public health problem that causes immeasurable pain to individuals, families and communities nationwide. The purpose of September's virtual training is to raise awareness of suicide and other serious emotional health concerns, as well as provide important information about getting help. You will receive a confirmation email with information about joining your training.

Featured Online Workshops From Talent Development

• Guiding Change and Transition (Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-noon): This course will help supervisors understand their own reactions to change and transition and learn how to guide their employees through the changes and transitions they share. It counts as an elective for Supervisory Certificate Program participants.
• Animated Book Summaries (anytime): Gain key insights from these non-fiction books in 10 minutes or less: “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey; “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek; and “Eat That Frog” by Brian Tracy.

Prep for Open Enrollment With Progyny

Open enrollment is coming up soon, so Progyny, Drexel’s fertility and adoption assistance provider, is hosting the following webinars to help you better understand Progyny’s fertility offerings:

• Open Enrollment Planning (Sept. 21, 3 p.m.): Learn more about the Progyny fertility benefit, how it works, and what to consider during Open Enrollment. Register
• Emotional Wellness and Support (Oct. 19, 3 p.m.): Learn about available resources and the steps you can take to support your mental and emotional wellness as you navigate the stresses that can come with fertility treatment. Register

Upcoming TIAA Webinars to Help Secure Your Future

Reserve your spot and learn more about any of the below webinars by visiting TIAA.org/webinars:

• “Attention to detail: Financial finishing touches for women,” Sept. 7, 2–3 p.m.
• “The starting line: Beginning to save for retirement,” Sept. 12, 3–4 p.m.
• “Make the move toward long-term security: Your midcareer retirement check-in,” Sept. 20, 12–1 p.m.
• “Avoiding fraud and scams: Learn how to protect yourself and your family,” Sept. 26, 3–4 p.m.

Policy Compliance Reminders and Updates

• PO-25: Course Withdrawal Policy has been revised and is now called Course and Co-op Withdrawal. The content has been revised to apply the policy to co-op placements. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Provost.
• Coming up soon for Public Comment: revisions to PO-01: Academic Standing: Undergraduate Students and PO-02: Repeated Courses and GPA Adjustments: Undergraduate Students. Look for the announcement in DrexelNow, the It’s Okay to Ask e-newsletter and/or the Public Comment Period webpage, where you will be able to review the revisions and comment.
• Change to monthly Intake Form processing date: Thedirector of Policy Compliance Services is now processing Intake Forms for new and revised Official University Policies only on the first Tuesday of every month (previously, it was the second Tuesday of the month). Sponsoring Units may submit Intake Forms at any time, but requests will only be processed on the first Tuesday of the month. (For example, on Sept. 5, all Intake Forms received between Aug. 2 and Sept. 5 will begin to be processed.)
• Policy Council 2023–2024: Nominations to serve on the 2023-2024 Policy Council are currently being reviewed. Selectees will be notified via email, and members of the new Council will be listed on the Policy Compliance website.

Earn $200 for Preventive Care Exams

Did you know that you can log your preventive care exams in the Wellness Incentive Program portal and earn up to $200 ($50 per preventive care exam)? New in 2023: you can log in to the Health Advocate website and upload the date of your visit and proof of the visit yourself; no need to wait for the insurance provider to do it.

• Proof could include: an appointment confirmation, a co-pay receipt, a screenshot showing the visit in your provider’s website, or an explanation of benefits from your insurance company.
• Preventive exams eligible for points include: annual physical, breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, colon cancer screening, osteoporosis screening, prostate cancer screening, skin cancer screening, or even your annual vision exam.

The deadline to earn and log points for the 2023 wellness program is Nov. 30. Any points earned in December 2023 for biometric screenings, dental exams, preventive exams or flu shots will count towards the 2024 program (opening on Jan. 1, 2024). Consult the 2023 Wellness Incentive Guide [PDF] for more information.

Learn How to Protect Yourself With SAFE

Public Safety’s self-protection program, Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE), is split into two sessions: SAFE I and SAFE II. Due to the hands-on nature of the class, it is strongly recommended that you register with a fellow Dragon. Participation in the techniques is recommended, but not required. Registration is required 72 hours prior to the class. You can register via Eventbrite for these classes; they are also available by request for your group. 

Want a sneak peek into what a class is like? Check out the video feature created by Drexel students, on the Public Safety website.

• SAFE I classes will be offered the second week of every month on Monday and Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. Upcoming classes are on Sept. 11 and Sept. 13.
• SAFE II classes will be offered the fourth week of every month on Monday and Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. and cannot be taken until you have completed SAFE I. Upcoming classes are on Sept. 25 and Sept. 27. 

Save the Date: Drexel Public Safety Day on Oct. 4

Oct. 4, 2023, is Public Safety Day! Stay tuned for more information on three events that Drexel Public Safety will be hosting during the day throughout campus. The day will start with National Coffee With a Cop, followed by a Public Safety Resource Fair and finally a community event to end the festivities.

Upcoming Training for Journal Entry Workflow 

The Office of the Comptroller will be hosting a Journal Entry Workflow 3.0 virtual training session on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn how to submit and approve journal entries in a test environment; they will also learn how to attach supporting documentation, upload journals into the tool and more. Register in Career Pathway and contact slw383@drexel.edu with questions.

Reminder for Departments Expecting Receipts of Funds

Please email General Accounting at acct11@drexel.edu with the expected receipt (deposit) amount as well as FOAPAL to apply this receipt.