Learn more about what happened for Women's History Month (in March) and the upcoming Sexual Assault Awareness Month (in April), as well as events before and during Mental Health Awareness Month (in May).
Here's what was heard around campus this month:
Women’s History Month Roundup
In case you missed it, here are some of the highlights from Drexel’s celebration of Women’s History Month this March:
- Women's History Month Panel Discussion: The President's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Speaker Series kicked off with a panel discussion honoring the legacy of pioneering African American NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson. The distinguished guest speakers discussed the value of role models, representation, intersectionality and allyship in encouraging young people to pursue their dreams. Watch the recording on the series’ webpage.
- Learning Resources from Human Resources: The Talent Development team recommended the following learning resources from the Next Big Idea Club, highlighting the engaging and insightful perspectives of women in various professional fields:
- Harnessing Emotions in the Workplace With Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy (launch in Career Pathway)
- Maria Konnikova on Poker, Decision-Making, & Human Psychology (launch in Career Pathway: Part 1 and Part 2)
- Shellye Archambeau on Being Unapologetically Ambitious (launch in Career Pathway)
- DUPD Signs the 30x30 Pledge: The Drexel University Police Department (DUPD) has signed the 30x30 Pledge, a commitment to increase the representation of women in the department to 30 percent by 2030. This initiative represents a coalition of police leaders, researchers and professional organizations joining together to advance the representation and experiences of women in policing agencies across the United States. Interested in joining the DUPD team, or know someone who might be? Learn more at careers.drexel.edu.
Upcoming Campus Events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
During national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), which runs throughout the month of April, individuals, organizations and communities are called upon to raise awareness of sexual violence and promote methods for prevention. The Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture, in collaboration with other Drexel departments and organizations, is building a robust calendar of SAAM events for April 2023, which will be updated as new events and learning opportunities are scheduled.
Be a Voter! Register for the PA Primary by May 1
Make your voice heard in the May 16 Pennsylvania municipal primary! This year, Philadelphians will be voting for a new mayor, district and at-large City Council members, city commissioners, controller, sheriff n and register of wills, as well as various judicial races. The deadline to register to vote is May 1, and the last day to request an absentee or mail-in ballot is May 9.
To request a mail-in or absentee ballot, check your registration status, register to vote or download a registration form, and find information about your polling place, visit vote.pa.gov, or call the Pennsylvania Department of State's toll-free hotline at 1.877.VOTESPA (877.868.3772). Information for other states can be found at vote.org. For more information, visit drexel.edu/vote.
April 5 SupportLinc Webinar: Work-life Balance & Avoiding Burnout
Each month, SupportLinc (Drexel’s employee assistance program provider) offers free virtual seminars on workplace-related topics. April’s topic is: Work-Life Balance. In this workshop, offered at three different times on April 5, participants will learn how to balance their work life with their personal life to avoid burnout. Register for the time that works best for you:
Upcoming Wellness Events and Workshops
In preparation for and during Mental Health Awareness Month (occurring each May), HR brings you several wellness events to foster your mental and emotional well-being, all worth 15 points ($15) toward the Wellness Incentive Program:
- Certified QPR Gatekeeper Training: Suicide Prevention (April 11, 2–3:30 p.m.): Learn lifesaving skills to help you understand how to communicate with someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Space is limited. Please register in Career Pathway.
- Introduction to Insight Dialogue (May 3 and 17, 12–1 p.m.): This two-part series will help you cultivate kindness, self-compassion and increased awareness of yourself and others. Register in Career Pathway for one or both sessions.
- Managing Mental and Emotional Health (May 9, 11 a.m. to noon): Health Advocate will present strategies to increase your awareness of how to seek help to support your mental and emotional well-being.
For a full listing of upcoming events, check out the HR Events Calendar.
Spring Is Here at the Gateway Garden
The Philadelphia Horticultural Society will refresh the Gateway Garden (located at 32nd Street and JFK Boulevard) with spring blooms in early April, and Drexel Business Services is excited to share the garden event lineup for this spring. The Maker’s Market returns, beginning April 13, and runs every Thursday from 2–5 p.m. The weekly market features Philly-made art, ceramics, jewelry, skin care and more.
The weekly Meet the Brewers series also returns to the Gateway Garden beginning April 12, from 5–7 p.m., featuring Succession Fermentory, a farmhouse brewery located in Cochranville, Chester County. The Fermentory uses a method called spontaneous fermentation, where wild (as opposed to cultivated) yeast and natural microflora in the air are used to produce complex beers filled with character. Come out to the garden and learn about this fascinating process and try some wildly delicious beer (available for purchase to be enjoyed at the Garden or to go). You must be 21+ to attend.
Introducing the Neurodivergent Employee Colleague Resource Group
Drexel’s newest CRG, Neurodivergent Employee Colleague Resource Group, aims to provide a space and community for Drexel faculty and staff who identify as neurodivergent (e.g., autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, dyslexia, etc.). The group will be hosting its first event, an employee panel discussion and luncheon, featuring Drexel staff from across the University who will share their experiences and raise awareness in the Drexel community about neurodivergence. The event will be held April 13 at noon in Skyview on the 6th Floor of MacAlister Hall (3250 Chestnut St.). Lunch will be provided, and the entire Drexel community is welcome to attend. Please RSVP by April 7 via Qualtrics.
Now Until April 14: Public Comment Period Open for Two Proposed Policies
To increase community engagement in Drexel's policy-making process, all proposed new and revised Official University Policies are required to undergo a 30-day public comment period before they can move to final approval. The first policies to go through this process are now open for public comment by any student, faculty or professional staff member who wishes to do so:
- PO-85: Non-Tenure-Track Full-Time Faculty
- PO-86: Non-Tenure-Track Full-Time Faculty Paid Professional Leave
Please visit the Public Comment Period webpage and follow the links provided to review each of the proposed policies and provide your comments via Qualtrics by April 14.
Take (or Instruct!) a Self-Protection Class With DPS
Drexel Public Safety (DPS) has many course offerings to keep you safe and prepared. The next scheduled course is Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) on April 16 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This hands-on self-protection class offers you the skills, resources and knowledge to increase your personal security. Register on Qualtrics. You can also request a presentation via Qualtrics for SAFE or any other of Public Safety’s prevention program offerings.
DPS is looking for faculty or staff assistant instructors for SAFE of all gender identities, but particularly woman-identifying folks as part of their larger goal for advancing representation of women. Interested parties must be in good physical shape and willing and able to attend a rigorous physical training program. This is not a paid position, so if you enjoy volunteering your time for a good cause, this could be a great opportunity! For more information, please contact Linda Moran at lmm467@drexel.edu.
1:1 Sessions and Webinars From TIAA This Spring
Looking for consultation on your retirement fund? TIAA’s Senior Financial Consultant Sabrina Evenosky will be on campus April 20 for all your financial needs. Email sabrina.evenosky@tiaa.org to schedule an appointment.
TIAA is also hosting the following webinars next month to help you build financial security in retirement:
- Fine-tuning your retirement strategy: Investing toward a secure future (Register for April 12 at 3 p.m.): Learn how to move beyond investing basics to help fine-tune saving and investing strategies for retirement and build a more secure future.
- Take Control of Your Financial Life; 5 Steps to Managing Money & Debt (Register for April 13, 11 a.m.): Learn how to improve day-to-day financial skills, including how to manage money and balance priorities to help enjoy life and save for the future.
Alumni Weekend Registration Is Live
Attention Dragons: Registration is now live for Alumni Weekend 2023, happening May 19 and 20, for both Drexel University and the College of Medicine. For detailed information on programming and how to register, visit the Alumni website.
Mark Your Calendars for the 2023 Employee Olympics
Employee Olympics will return June 21, from 2–5 p.m.! New this year: a table tennis option! Come for the Fun Walk, the therapy dogs, the competition, or simply for the snacks. Registration opens May 17. Visit the HR website for more information.
Local Diverse Supplier Spotlight: A. Pomerantz & Co.
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.
Pomerantz & Co. offers interior products including office furniture, furnishings, millwork, laboratories, healthcare furniture, accessories, artwork, demountable walls, glass partitions, A/V and more. A. Pomerantz & Co. Owner and CEO Garry Maddox was the 1980 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies center fielder. Recently, the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia Partners recognized A. Pomerantz & Co. as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware for 2021 and 2022! Headquartered in Philadelphia, A. Pomerantz & Co. also has offices in Chicago, Illinois and Cherry Hill, NJ. To find out more on A. Pomerantz & Co. visit their website at pomerantz.com.
FY 2023 Approved Fringe Benefit Rates for Sponsored Projects
Drexel University has finalized the negotiations of the fiscal year 2024 fringe benefit rates for sponsored projects with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The finalized rates remain the same as the proposed rates, and Coeus and Banner have been updated to reflect the new proposed rates effective July 1, 2023. For details, please review the March 9 announcement on the Comptroller website.
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.