It may be the end of the shortest month of the year, but there's still a lot that happened at Drexel University in February that you should know about! Upcoming events and opportunities for both your professional development and personal events were created and are now ready to be shared.
Here's what was heard around campus this month:
President’s DEIB Speaker Series Kicks Off With Women’s History Month Panel
Drexel University is hosting a Women’s History Month Panel Discussion on March 6 from 4-5:30 p.m. at Behrakis Grand Hall (Creese Student Center, 32nd and Chestnut streets). This inaugural event of the newly created President’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Speaker Series will honor the legacy of pioneering African American NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, whose critical contributions to the success of the U.S. space program were featured in the award-winning film "Hidden Figures" and inspired a generation of women and people of color to become today’s leaders in science, technology, engineering and math. For a list of speakers, registration info and more, visit the President’s DEIB Speaker Series webpage.
March 1 SupportLinc Webinar: How to Build a Productive Team
SupportLinc, Drexel’s Employee Assistance Program, offers free virtual seminars for Drexel employees each month on workplace-related topics. March’s topic is: Productive Team Building. SupportLinc is offering its Productive Team Building webinar at three different times on Wednesday, March 1. Select a time below to view a description of this topic and register for the session that works best for you. You will receive a confirmation email with information about joining your training.
Learn the Financial Essentials: Upcoming Webinars From TIAA
TIAA, Drexel’s retirement vendor, is hosting free webinars aimed to help you make the most of your savings during America Saves Week, an annual celebration as well as a call to action for everyday Americans to commit to saving successfully:
- “Opening doors to the future – Save in a 529 college savings plan” (March 1, 1 p.m.): Learn more and register.
- “Invest for success: 5 principles you need to know” (March 2, 1 p.m.): Learn more and register.
Webinar: Course Material Adoption Portal “How To”
Teaching faculty are invited to attend an informational webinar on March 1, at 1 p.m. to learn more about Barnes & Noble’s Adoption & Insights Portal for course material. Through this webinar led by Drexel Barnes & Noble General Manager Dan Knittel, you’ll learn how to access the portal and log in, “re-adopt” material, use the “guided” adoption feature, and more. Register for this webinar via Qualtrics.
The course adoption portal is now open for spring 2023 term. Course adoptions (the textbook and other learning material for their course) must be submitted to the BNC Adoption & Insights Portal to ensure course material information is available for students. Submitting your course material information early provides the best service experience for students who rely on the bookstore.
To contact the Drexel Barnes & Noble store team, please email sm457@bncollege.com.
Nominations Are Due March 1 for Drexel Leaders: Advancing Dragon Leadership
The Drexel Leaders: Advancing Dragon Leadership program (formerly called Drexel Leaders 20/20) helps experienced faculty and professional staff at Drexel University expand their leadership capabilities. Program participants attend in-person workshops where they learn from their own experiences, their colleagues' experiences, and experts in the field. Drexel Leaders consists of six full-day, in-person workshops, as well as pre- and post-work assignments and online and virtual experience-sharing between participants. The dates for the workshops will be included in candidates’ application packets, and participants will need to attend all six workshops to complete the program. The application process for the program is competitive — due to limited resources, only 20 participants will be accepted this year. To nominate an individual from your division, school or college — or to self-nominate — complete this Qualtrics form by March 1.
Campus Dining Updates for Faculty and Professional Staff
- Beginning March 3, Drexel faculty and staff can enjoy 40 percent off on Fridays at the Handschumacher Dining Center (Creese Student Center) or Urban Eatery (34th street and Lancaster Avenue). Both locations are all-you-care-to-eat locations where you pay one fee to enter, and you can stay (and eat!) as long as you’d like. With the Friday discount, faculty and staff can dine at an unbeatable value: $6.30 for breakfast, $8.25 for lunch, or $9.45 for dinner. To view daily menus and hours, visit drexel.edu/dining.
- The Café at HSB is now open. Located on the ground floor of the Health Sciences Building (HSB, 60 N. 34th St.), the Café at HSB features coffee by La Colombe Coffee Roasters and a variety of freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, and grab & go snacks. Visit the Café Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Order in-person via kiosk, or order ahead using the GET Portal or GET Mobile App (iOS | Android), and your order will be ready for pick-up.
- Pret A Manger, located at the Summit at 3400 Lancaster Ave., now delivers to the City View Lounge in MacAlister Hall. Using the GET Portal or GET Mobile App (iOS | Android), you can order your lunch by 10 a.m., and it will be delivered directly to the designed pick-up area in the City View Lounge on the sixth floor of MacAlister Hall by 11:30 a.m. The City View Lounge is a dedicated rest and collaborative space exclusively for Drexel faculty and professional staff, open during the same hours as MacAlister Hall (typically 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. during academic terms). The lounge also features a self-service market with hot brewed La Colombe coffee and traditional snack and beverage items. Please visit Business Services' feedback page to provide any questions or comments about the new lounge.
Last Call for Drexel’s On-site Biometric Screening on March 7
Drexel is hosting a biometric screening in person on March 7 in Behrakis Grand Hall, located in Creese Student Center at 32nd and Chestnut streets. By participating, you can earn 100 Wellness Incentive Program points ($100) while also gaining helpful insight about your physical health. There are still a few slots available! Visit the program website for registration instructions.
Not on campus that day? You can still earn 100 points by scheduling a screening with a LabCorp near you, or having your doctor complete and fax Health Advocate the proper form. More details on these options are available on the Wellness Incentive Program page, under the FAQ, “How do I schedule my biometric screening?”
Take an Interactive Course on Safety
Drexel Public Safety has many course offerings to keep you safe and prepared. Upcoming scheduled events are listed below, but you can also request a presentation via Qualtrics:
- Your Safety Is Our Goal: Learn how to be prepared, not scared, when moving through the city. Available at 9 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. on March 21, or by request. Register
- Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE): This hands-on self-protection class, which lasts about 4.5 hours, offers you the skills, resources and knowledge to increase your personal security. Available March 14, 5–9:30 p.m., or by request. Register
Local Diverse Supplier Spotlight: TML Communications
TML Communications is an award-winning strategic public relations, crisis communications and community engagement firm that produces results with a team of experienced professionals, led by Principal and Founder Teresa M. Lundy. Awarded the Inspiring Excellence Award in 2021 by the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the firm has the experience to develop and execute all aspects of internal and external communications for corporations and institutional clients. TML Communications is located 1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 400, and can be reached online at TMLFirm.com.
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 use their products and/or services.
Suicide Prevention Workshop Available for Faculty and Professional Staff
In partnership with the Drexel Counseling Center, Drexel HR will be offering a virtual QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Suicide Prevention Workshop on April 11 from 2–3:30 p.m. After taking this workshop, you will be more comfortable in talking about this delicate issue with those who may be exhibiting signs of suicidal behavior. Though this topic can produce feelings of anxiety, helplessness and despair, please consider registering so that you can feel more informed in helping both yourself and others.
In Case You Missed it: Watch BEAD’s Black History Month Luncheon
Over 80 staff, faculty, and students attended the annual Black History Month Celebration hosted by Black Employees as Drexel (BEAD) with the theme of "Permission to Be." The celebration included staff, faculty, and student performers and speakers who shared their insights and talents connected to the theme. Drexel President John Fry offered remarks and an inspiring keynote speech was shared by Ayana Allen-Handy, PhD, associate professor of urban education and director of the JOY Lab in Drexel’s School of Education. Attendees also had an optional remote lunch experience, with meals catered by a local Black owned restaurant available for pick up at the Center for Black Culture. Check out the EIC website for the full recording and programming list.
Learning and Development Resources for Black History Month and Beyond
Black History Month may be ending soon, but learning about and celebrating Black history should happen year-round. The Black History Month channel in Career Pathway (located on the left-hand side of the homepage, under Your Transcript) features learning modules on topics of Black excellence, the Black experience and history. Also on Career Pathway, you can explore topics of power and privilege and Drexel’s commitment to inclusion and belonging via the following learning bundles. These resources will be available far beyond the month of February:
Also, Drexel Human Resources' Talent Development team shares the following recommended readings that celebrate Black joy, wellness and excellence:
- "Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama" by Sophia Nelson
- "More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say)" by Elaine Welteroth
- "Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou
Your Policy Process Questions, Answered
Below are some questions often received by Drexel’s director of Policy Compliance:
Where can I find Official University Policies?
You can find a full list of Official University Policies on Drexel’s revamped Policy Directory, now hosted on the Office of Compliance, Policy and Privacy Services’ website and redesigned to improve the user experience and to better align with the Policy Compliance Process. On the directory, Drexel community members can browse or search by sponsoring unit or by name (A–Z).
Why isn’t every policy in the Policy Directory updated with the new template?
All Official University Policies are in the process of being uploaded to the University’s new policy management software, PolicyTech. From there, new links for each policy are being generated to populate the directory. This process is being implemented over a period of several months on a unit-by-unit basis to ensure a smooth transition from the previous method of housing policies on departmental websites.
How does it work to transfer the responsibility of a policy to another Sponsoring Unit?
If you believe that a policy is listed under the incorrect Sponsoring Unit, please work with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to identify the appropriate Sponsoring Unit and work with that Sponsoring Unit to transfer responsibility. You may contact OGC regarding policy concerns at 215.895.1433 or 267.359.5804. Upon confirmation of transfer of responsibility, please submit an email with the subject: "Formal Request to Transfer Sponsoring Unit" to policy@drexel.edu, and copy your OGC attorney and the new Sponsoring Unit's Responsible Executive. Policy Compliance will confirm the transfer of responsibility via email to all responsible parties, and then document the Policy appropriately.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the Director of Policy Compliance at policy@drexel.edu.
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.