Heard Around Campus — August 2025

It’s that time of year again: end of summer, and end of summer term. New beginnings are coming up with the start of fall and the new academic year, such as important deadlines and opportunities. Plus: there’s a new transit update for the Drexel Shuttle in Center City. 

Here’s what was heard around campus this month: 

Deadline Extended to Aug. 29 to Enroll in New Long-Term Care With Life Insurance

The long-term care with life insurance benefit is a new, two-in-one benefit that can help pay for your future care needs and financially support your family. During the special enrollment window, now running through Aug. 29, you will receive guaranteed issue, meaning no medical questions for eligible employees ages 18-64 at $200,000 coverage or less. (Please note that employees aged 65–75 and ALL spouses [regardless of age] will be required to complete medical underwriting.) You can enroll yourself and/or your spouse in the WEX portal up until Aug. 29. To access this benefit, visit DrexelOne and navigate to the Employee Tab, select “My Benefits,” “My Drexel Benefits,” “Your Toolbox,” then “Dragon Perks Year-Round Voluntary Benefits Enrollment Portal.”

Enjoy Exclusive Discounts at Rally House — Drexel University's Official Store 

Rally House at Drexel University is now open at 33rd and Chestnut streets on the University City Campus — and online at shopdrexelu.com. Stop by or shop online to gear up with Drexel and Philadelphia-team merchandise. Faculty and staff receive 10% off their full in-store purchase when presenting a valid DragonCard — includes Drexel and local team gear! (Exclusions may apply, such as clearance items.)

Additional Online Offer: Rally House invites all faculty and staff to register for the Rally House Loyalty Program to receive a one-time 20% discount code for a full online purchase at shopdrexelu.com. Plus, enjoy a 20% birthday discount during your birthday month after joining the program.

Enjoy More for Less With a Faculty & Staff Dining Plan

From September 8–26, Drexel faculty and staff who purchase a Drexel Campus Dining Plan will receive five complimentary meals as part of a special limited-time promotion. This offer is a great opportunity to enjoy convenient, delicious campus dining while maximizing value. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite between meetings or enjoying lunch with colleagues, the dining plan makes it easy and affordable. Drexel Campus Dining invites all eligible faculty and staff to take advantage of this exclusive offer — don’t miss out!

Call for Nominations: Compliance Ambassadors Certificate Program

Compliance Program Services (CPS) is accepting nominations from now through Nov. 10 for the Compliance Ambassador Certificate Program, a professional development opportunity that prepares Drexel faculty and professional staff to serve as liaisons to CPS and as proactive compliance and ethics partners for their colleges, schools or administrative units. The mission of the Compliance Ambassador Program is to spread awareness, communications and educational materials to advance compliance and ethics standards at the unit level. Visit the Compliance Ambassador Program SharePoint for full details on the program, how to get nominated, and session dates. The next orientation workshop is Nov. 12, via Zoom. Email compliance@drexel.edu with any questions.

Transit Updates: SEPTA Service Cuts; Drexel Bus Stop Relocated

• Drexel’s Dragon Route (Center City Loop) bus stop at 19th and Arch streets has been permanently relocated to the northeast corner of 19th Street and JFK Boulevard, next to Old Nelson Food Company. Visit the Real Estate and Facilities website and download/check the TripShot app for the latest Drexel transit updates.
• SEPTA is implementing service cuts and fare increases, which are expected to continue if funding is not secured to close its budget gap. For up-to-date information on SEPTA routes, schedules and fares, please consult septa.org and the SEPTA mobile app.

Required Enterprise Learning and Conflict of Interest Disclosure Due Nov. 3 

As part of Drexel’s commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and informed workplace, employees must annually complete enterprise learning in Career Pathway. So far, employees have been assigned “Protection of Minors and Reporting Child Abuse” and “Understanding Title IX.” All enterprise learning as well as your annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure must be completed by Nov. 3.

Your Guide to All Things Career Pathway

Want to learn about all that Career Pathway has to offer for your professional development? Check out the DrexelNEWS article “How Does it Work?: Career Pathway” in which the Talent Development team breaks down the platform’s many features and functionalities aimed to support you and your career.

Donate (or Gather) Supplies and Save the Planet at Drexel’s Buy Nothing Depot

The Climate & Sustainability team is accepting donations for Drexel's Buy Nothing Depot, located on the first floor of the PSA Building. Buy Nothing Depot is a resource for the Drexel community to donate and accept used items in good working condition for use on campus or at home. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to browse the depot’s inventory on Wednesday afternoons during academic quarters between 2–4 p.m. (The Buy Nothing Depot is closed during break and finals weeks.) 

Inventory includes office supplies like pens, pencils, filing materials, computer monitors, binder clips, staplers, etc. There is also a rotating selection of small home items like mugs, small appliances, decor items, books and lamps. The student organization Drexel Reworn offers good quality used clothing in the space as well. (Imagine a very small thrift store, but the items are free for you to take!)

Does your office or unit have unused supplies lying around? Email sustainability@drexel.edu to see if they’re eligible for donation. Please note: Because the world has largely moved to digital information sharing and storage, the depot cannot accept donations of items like hanging file folders, binders and filing cabinets. 

New Mamava Lactation Pod Available in the URBN Center

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design has installed a new Mamava Solo lactation pod on the first floor of the URBN Center at 3501 Market St. for use by the Drexel community. Mamava lactation pods provide a private, comfortable space for pumping or nursing.

The URBN Center pod is located in the hallway outside room 123, to the left of the door, on the west side of the first floor. Users can manage access and open the pod using the Mamava app (download for iOS or Android). If you are an employee seeking to use the Mamava pod but do not have existing access to the URBN Center building, please complete the Request URBN Center Access form at least three business days before your access start date to ensure enough time to process your request. URBN Center access is not guaranteed, and is at the discretion of Westphal staff leads. Contact Laurel Hostak Jones at lgh28@drexel.edu with any questions. 

A complete list of lactation spaces on campus is available on the New and Expecting Parents resource page on the HR website. And if you are a new or expecting parent — or a caregiver of any kind — please consider joining the Drexel Parents and Caregivers Colleague Resource Group.