- Drexel Students Plan for Election Day
- Drexel History 102: How Well Do You Know Drexel University?
- St. Christopher's Hospital for Children Receives Second Round of Financial Support from Prominent Philadelphia Organizations
- Drexel to Launch Direct Admission Transfer Pathway Program with Community College of Philadelphia to Support Local Students Pursuing a College Degree
A lot is happening in November! There are required courses and disclosure to complete, Open Enrollment to fill out and a presidential election to vote in!
Here’s what was heard around campus this month:
Required Enterprise Learning and Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosures Due Nov. 1
All faculty and professional staff must complete the five required online Enterprise Learning courses by Nov. 1. You can access the courses via Your Transcript in Career Pathway.
All faculty and professional staff must also complete the Annual Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure by Nov. 1. To access the Annual Conflict of Interest and Commitment report, navigate to the Employee tab in DrexelOne, and select Conflict of Interest Disclosure under the Compliance and Privacy Programs channel.
Last Call for Policy Council Nominations for 2024-2025
The Office of Compliance, Policy and Privacy Services will be accepting nominations for new members to serve on the Policy Council for the 2024-2025 academic year until Oct. 31. Please visit the Policy Council website for details on the role of the Policy Council, eligibility to serve, and how to submit a nomination. There are five faculty positions, three student positions and one professional staff position open. Members of the Drexel community with an interest in university policymaking may nominate themselves or someone else to serve. Please direct any questions to policy@drexel.edu.
Election Day Is Nov. 5: Make a Plan to Vote
Get ready to vote, Dragons! The 2024 general election is Nov. 5; in PA, polls are open on this day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and mail-in ballots must be received by your county election board by 8 p.m. To double-check your polling place and mail-in ballot return locations, visit pavoterservices.pa.gov. Benefits-eligible professional staff members may use Civic Engagement Time if they wish to take one hour of paid time off to vote. Classes are cancelled for Drexel students on Election Day to provide time for them to vote. For all the information and resources you need to make a plan to vote, visit drexel.edu/vote.
Opening Nov. 4: Private Dining Room for Faculty and Staff
A private dining room dedicated to faculty and professional staff will open in the Creese Student Center on the lower level (Creese 037) on Nov. 4. Offering the privacy of eating in a space dedicated to faculty and staff, the private dining room is located next to the Handschumacher Dining Center, which offers all-you-care-to-eat dining for lunch and a unique order-ahead concept for dinner. As a reminder, although a dining plan is not necessary to dine in any campus dining location, there are dining plans for faculty and staff available, which offer discounted entry to the dining facilities and do not expire. Visit the Business Services news feed closer to opening for further details.
Open Enrollment Is Underway Through Nov. 14
Drexel’s open enrollment for health and welfare benefits is happening now through Nov. 14. Open Enrollment is your opportunity to enroll in new benefit plans or make changes to your existing coverage for 2025. No changes can be made to your benefits after Nov. 14, 2024, unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event such as marriage, birth, divorce or gain/loss of coverage from another employer plan. If you do not make any changes, your current elections will automatically roll over except: Medical Insurance Waiver, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account. If you are currently enrolled in any of these options, you are still required to re-enroll for 2025.
Please visit the Open Enrollment website for everything you need to know, from how to enroll to what’s new for 2025. If you have any questions regarding the upcoming Open Enrollment process, please call the Drexel University Benefit Center at 1.844.690.3992; a representative is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
Brush Up on Your Cybersecurity Knowledge with Drexel IT
Cybersecurity threats are always changing and adapting, which is why it’s so important to stay up to date on the latest best practices and potential pitfalls associated with information technology. In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Drexel IT’s Information Security team held a lecture event on Oct. 18, where they shared important cybersecurity information with the University community. A recording of the event is now available (use passcode: ?K3rX&i0).
To help further support students, faculty and professional staff bolster their understanding of cybersecurity, the Information Security team is sharing the following resources:
- Guidance on Cybersecurity Best Practices regarding student job posting scams, working remotely, passwords, accounts, operating system updates, antivirus, and firewalls
- Drexel University Security Training: A comprehensive resource for cybersecurity awareness, mandatory for faculty and professional staff, and highly recommended for students
- Additional training opportunities, particularly the Palo Alto Academy
If you have questions or are seeking more information about cybersecurity, please contact the Information Security team at informationsecurity@drexel.edu or 215.895.1984.
Updates From Public Safety: Scooter Safety, Halloween Event, and Free Steering Wheel Locks
- Park Your E-Bike or Scooter Safely: Drexel’s Office of Fire and Emergency Services prohibits e-bikes or e-scooters to be connected to any electric outlet within Drexel buildings for the purpose of charging. There are marked, designated scooter racks throughout campus to properly secure your device. Do not lock your device onto trees, railings, or any other property. View a full list of scooter rack locations.
- Halloween on the Row, Oct. 31: Join the Drexel University Police Department and Fraternity and Sorority Life as they partner for the third annual community trick-or-treat event for the children of Powelton Village on Oct. 31 from 5–7 p.m. at 34th Street and Powelton Avenue.
- Free Steering Wheel Locks for the Drexel Community: Are you the owner of a Hyundai or Kia vehicle in the Drexel community? Stop by Drexel Police Headquarters at 3219 Arch St. and secure your vehicle with a free anti-theft steering wheel lock! Bring your valid driver’s license, proof of vehicle registration, and proof of residency.
Visit the Climate Café on Nov. 13
Anxiety and concern about climate change are real and affect many of us, piling up on top of life’s other stresses. A climate café provides a welcoming, informal and private space for all to share what they’re feeling and thinking about the state of the Earth. Stop by for the climate café event at the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement (3210 Cherry St.) on Nov. 13, from 10–11:30 a.m. All Drexel students, faculty, staff and neighbors are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact sustainability@drexel.edu.
Log Your Wellness Points by Nov. 30 to Earn Up to $650 in Your Paycheck
Drexel’s award-winning Wellness Incentive Program wraps up for the year on Nov. 30. Be sure to log all of your points before that date to maximize your points (AKA, money in your paycheck) for 2024. As always, you must complete your 2024 Personal Health Profile before Nov. 30 to be paid out for any points earned. Eligible employees can earn up to $400, and their eligible spouses/domestic partners can earn an additional $250.
- Do you love learning alongside others? See the HR events calendar for a complete listing of workshops related to physical, financial and emotional well-being.
- Prefer to follow your own goals? See the “How to Earn Points” chart on the sidebar of the program website to learn all the ways you can earn points for your existing wellness goals.
- Still not sure how the Wellness Incentive Program works or if you might be eligible? See the FAQs and program description on the program website.
Achieve Your Financial Goals With Expert Guidance From TIAA
A financial advisor from TIAA can help you create a financial plan that's tailored to your situation and goals, help you make informed decisions, manage your investments, and address changes in your life. Schedule a session to meet with a financial consultant on campus this fall. One-hour appointments are available on Nov. 7 and Nov. 21 at 3201 Arch St., Suite 430. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible for your session by visiting tiaa.org/schedulenow or calling 800.732.8353 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Drexel Compliance Hotline Reminder
Compliance at Drexel is a shared responsibility – everyone is expected to do the right thing in compliance with Drexel policies and the law. If you become aware of situations that are in violation of University policy, are illegal, or constitute improper conduct, please do the right thing and contact the Office of Compliance, Policy and Privacy Services at compliance@drexel.edu or file a Drexel Compliance Hotline Report.
How do I file a report?
Reporting to the Drexel Compliance Hotline is easy. Visit the Drexel Compliance Hotline website or make a report over the phone by calling 866.358.1010. All reports are completely anonymous, handled through a secure third-party vendor, and thoroughly investigated by the appropriate University department.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Drexel Compliance Hotline should not be used for immediate threats to life or safety. If you are aware of any incident that may constitute such a threat, or criminal conduct, including sexual assault, child abuse or other similar misconduct (whether on- or off-campus), report the incident immediately to the Drexel Police Department at 215.895.2222, or the Philadelphia Police Department at 911.
If you have questions about the Drexel Compliance Hotline, please contact Compliance Program Services at compliance@drexel.edu. Remember, it's okay to ask!