Heard Around Campus — April 2025

Last Call to Register to Vote in the PA Primary

Every year is an election year! The 2025 Pennsylvania primary election is on May 20. The last day to register to vote in the primary isMay 5, and the last chance to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is by 5 p.m. on May 13. You can 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 at vote.pa.gov, or call the Pennsylvania Department of State's toll-free hotline at 1.877.VOTESPA (877.868.3772). Information specific to Philadelphia, including mail ballot drop-off locations, is available from the Philadelphia City Commissioners at vote.phila.gov. Information for other states can be found at vote.org.

Wondering what's on the ballot? The Committee of Seventy's Voter Guide allows you to see the candidates and questions you will encounter when you vote, so you can research and plan ahead.

Vote for Your Favorite Campus Tree

Nominations are in and voting is now open for the second annual Tree of the Year program, in which students, faculty and professional staff are invited to crown their favorite campus tree. Everyone in the Drexel community can vote for their favorite nominee from April 28–May 2. The winning tree will be celebrated with its own plaque and a party. For more information on when and how to nominate and vote, visit the Climate and Sustainability website.

Upcoming Free Rec Center Classes for Faculty and Staff

University Recreation is offering free, mid-day group exercise classes at the Drexel Recreation Center during the 2025 spring term for all faculty and professional staff. You do not have to be a member of the Rec Center to take advantage of these offerings. Classes run from noon to 12:45 p.m. and include strength classes on the first Tuesday, cardio classes on the second Wednesday, and movement classes on the third Thursday of each month through May. To register for these classes, follow the step-by-step process on the University Recreation website or, if you are a member, sign in to the Rec Center portal and search within “Group Exercise.” The Drexel Recreation Center is located at 33rd and Market streets and is accessible by the Drexel shuttle bus service.

Get Paid up to $200 to Learn More About Your Health

Preventive care is a great way to know your numbers, evaluate your risk for chronic illness and improve your overall well-being. Benefits-eligible faculty and professional staff (as well as their eligible spouse/domestic partners) participating in the Wellness Incentive Program can earn 50 points ($50) per preventive care visit, and up to 200 preventive care points total ($200). Eligible preventive care exams include an annual physical, vision exam and screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, osteoporosis, prostate cancer and skin cancer. Claim points for these preventive care exams quickly and easily by self-reporting on Health Advocate: Simply upload proof of your visit, which may include an “Explanation of Benefits” from Independence Blue Cross, a receipt, a bill or other documentation that demonstrates that you received a preventive care exam.

Reminder: The Personal Health Profile (PHP) on the Wellness Incentive Program at healthadvocate.com/Drexel must be completed each year before you are eligible to receive any payouts in your paycheck. Your PHP will provide a glimpse of your overall health. If you aren’t sure about your cholesterol levels or other health indicators, Health Advocate makes it easy to fill in your best estimate so that you can receive a snapshot of your overall health.

Earn Wellness Points for Attending Self-Protection Courses

Drexel Public Safety’s self-protection program, SAFE (Self-Awareness for Everyone), aims to give Drexel students, faculty and staff the practical skills, resources and knowledge to increase their personal safety and protect themselves in an unsafe situation. These three-hour courses are each worth 15 points ($15) toward the Wellness Incentive Program and are being offered from 5–8 p.m. on Monday, May 12 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. Register on Eventbrite. You may also request a class if you have a larger group that you would like to schedule outside of the monthly class dates.

“Locking in the SAFE Mindset” is a virtual preparedness presentation from Drexel Public Safety that provides participants with resources and knowledge to increase their personal safety and protect themselves in an unsafe situation. Part of this presentation contains information on sexual assault, what to do and resources available if you or a loved one are the victim. Please note: Some of the material covered in this presentation is sensitive in nature. This presentation, worth 15 Wellness Incentive Program points ($15), is being offered from noon to 1 p.m. on May 6. You can sign up on Qualtrics.

Learn How to Lead Across Differences on May 14

Drexel Human Resources’ upcoming virtual workshop, “Leading Across Differences,” teaches participants to critically examine their own and others’ viewpoints and use leadership actions at the personal, interpersonal, community and organizational levels to work through challenging situations. This session is open to faculty and professional staff and counts as a core component of the Art of Management. Register on Career Pathway.

Webinars to Cultivate Self-compassion and Courage During Uncertain Times

The Drexel Meditation Group, in partnership with A Healthier U, is pleased to announce two special webinars offered on Zoom this May to help you work through stress, anxiety and uncertainty:

• Finding Steadiness in Uncertain Times: Noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20.
• Compassion in the Midst of Change: Meeting the Moment With Kindness: Noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21.

Participants will receive 15 Wellness Incentive Program points for each course. Please register on Career Pathway.

Alumni Weekend Is Coming Up May 1–3

Calling all Dragon alumni! If you haven’t yet already, be sure to register for the upcoming Drexel Alumni Weekend, taking place from May 1–3. There are many fun events to choose from, whether you’re a Drexel University, Drexel College of Medicine or legacy institution alumni. Visit the Drexel Alumni website for all the details, including how to register, a full weekend calendar, parking and hotel information and much more.

Reminder: Submit Your Leave Reports

Drexel University requires all leave reports to be submitted on a timely basis. Exempt professional staff should submit time within three business days following the close of the month to their supervisor for review and approval. You must complete this step even if no leave time was taken during the period. Supervisors are required to approve leave reports in a timely manner.

To submit your leave report for April (or any other outstanding month), log in to DrexelOne and navigate to the Employee tab, then click “Time Reporting.” Managers will receive an email when their direct reports’ leave has been submitted, and staff members will receive email confirmation when their reports are approved. You are encouraged to help each other remember to complete these steps each month. If you have any questions, please contact payroll@drexel.edu.

Update Your Payroll Information for 2025

To assist with maintaining accurate payroll records to ensure the timely and secure delivery of compensation, please review and update your payroll information in DrexelOne. For instructions on how, please review the related announcement on the Comptroller website.

Explore Development Offerings from Goodwin College of Professional Studies

At Goodwin College of Professional Studies, you can complete short professional certificates in project management, web design and/or data analytics and earn industry certifications such as Lean Six Sigma and Project Management. Drexel's tuition remission benefits cover the costs of enrollment for professional noncredit professional certificates and online, self-paced courses to help you achieve your professional goals. Learn more by visiting Goodwin College’s website or email goodwin.ce@drexel.edu. 

Vision, Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic Benefits from Salus at Drexel

All active University benefits-eligible full and part-time faculty, professional staff and their immediate family members, as well as stationary engineers, Salus union staff members and Salus retirees, are eligible for new benefits available through Salus at Drexel University for vision, audiology and speech-language pathology clinics. Visit HR’s Salus Clinic Benefits webpage for more details on covered services available to you and your immediate family.