March is always a period of transition, from Drexel University’s winter term to spring term, and, more broadly, from winter to spring. That means there are updated and/or new financial, physical and professional development opportunities for Drexel faculty and professional staff members.
Here’s what was heard around campus in March:
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 12–12:45 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.
Submit Your FSA Claims by March 31 Deadline
If you were enrolled in a 2024 health care and/or dependent care flexible spending account (FSA), this is your reminder that March 31, 2025, is the final due date to submit any unreimbursed claims for services incurred from January 1 through December 31, 2024. For details on carryover provisions, eligible expenses, and how to submit claims, review the related item in this month’s HR @ Your Service newsletter.
If you have questions on eligible expenses, what the claims process is, or need assistance for any other issue not listed, contact the Drexel University Benefits Center at 844.690.3992 or via email help@mybenefitexpress.com.
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 on Mondays (April 14 and May 12, 5–8 p.m.) and Saturdays (March 29, April 26 and May 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Register on Eventbrite. You may also request a class if you have a larger group that you would like to schedule outside of our 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 on April 1 and May 6 from 12–1 p.m. You can sign up on Qualtrics.
Upcoming Virtual Workshop: Developmental Leadership, April 22
Developmental Leadership, a virtual workshop being held on April 22, 10–11:30 a.m., is intended to encourage leaders to engage in practices that support the development of their team members. Participants will identify approaches and practices for development conversations and create a plan for using these practices with their team members. This session is a core component of the Art of Management. Please register on Career Pathway.
Meet With a TIAA Consultant and Other Financial Spring-cleaning Opportunities
Looking for advice on your retirement account? To schedule a one-on-one consultation meeting with one of Drexel’s TIAA representatives, visit tiaa.org/schedule now. Meetings are for one hour and take place on Thursday, May 1, at the HR office (3201 Arch St., Suite 430). If you need assistance scheduling an in-person investment advice session, contact 800.732.8353, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
TIAA is also offering the following free webinars:
- Quarterly Economic and Market Update: April 8 at noon
- Planning for Life’s Milestones: April 16 at noon
- Navigating the Sandwich Generation: Financial strategies for the caregiving squeeze: April 24 at 3 p.m.
And check out TIAA’s YouTube series “Financial Essentials With TIAA,” addressing topics like fixed vs. variable annuities and how to live well in retirement.
Join a Free Health Advocate Wellness Webinar
Not only does Health Advocate offer the Drexel faculty and staff community 24/7 support navigating the health care system — it also offers regular free wellness webinars. Upcoming events and registration links are listed below:
- Grow Where You Are Planted: Making the Best of Situations (April 17, 10 a.m. or 4–5 p.m.)
- Mental Health and Me (May 8, 10–11 a.m. or 4–5 p.m.)
To learn more about all Health Advocate has to offer, log in to members.healthadvocate.com.
Drexel Recognized as a 2024 Well Workplace by the Wellness Alliance
Drexel University joined 23 other organizations across the country in being recognized as a winner of the prestigious Wellness Alliance’s “Well Workplace Gold Award” in 2024. For the 2024 award cycle, Drexel was the only university in the nation to receive this honor. Read the related announcement on the HR website for details as well as ways to keep up with all things wellness as a Drexel employee!
Policy Compliance Program Updates
The following Official University Policies were recently approved:
- PO – 93: Dean Review
- PO – 94: Dean Search
- PO – 95: Distinguished Professor
- PO – 23: Course and CO – OP Registration
- UMAC – 3: Social Media (Approved as Interim Policy)
Drexel’s Policy Compliance Process has undergone some recent updates. Please note there is a new Intake Form [PDF], and both the standard and expedited review processes have been updated to reflect that Sponsoring Units must now send a draft copy of the proposed policy to the Faculty Senate and Office of General Counsel for review and signature.
Reminder: Each Official University Policy identifies a Responsible Executive, who is the primary contact for any questions or comments about the content of that policy.
Please visit the Policy Directory for a list of all Official University Policies and information about them, including their current statuses. Contact the Director of Policy Compliance Services at policy@drexel.edu with any questions about the Policy Compliance Process or policy management at Drexel.
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
Drexel Human Resources is pleased to announce the benefits available through Salus at Drexel University for vision, audiology and speech-language pathology clinics. 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 to participate in the program. Visit HR’s Salus Clinic Benefits webpage for more details on covered services now available to you and your immediate family.
Faculty and Administrator Fulbright Scholar Applications Are Now Available
Attention full-time and adjunct faculty and administrators: The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program's 2026–2027 competition is open now through Sept. 15, 2025. Explore your options and start your Fulbright journey at fulbrightscholars.org.
- Fulbright offers faculty Fulbright Scholar awards to conduct research or teach abroad, or a combination of the two, for periods ranging from the 5-month Flex Award up through an academic year. The Fulbright Specialist Program pairs highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals with host institutions abroad to share your expertise, strengthen institutional linkages, hone your skills, gain international experience, and learn about other cultures while building capacity at their overseas host institutions.
- The Fulbright International Education Administrator Award is a two-week funded seminar for U.S. higher education administrators to learn about participating countries’ higher education systems, to exchange information on best practices, or to explore the potential for partnerships with institutions of higher education and Drexel, and raise Drexel's profile abroad.
For assistance, you may contact Drexel's Fulbright Scholar Liaison Jeffrey Stanley, an adjunct in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and a former Fulbrighter, at jas657@drexel.edu, at any point during your application process.
FY26 Approved Fringe Rates — Sponsored
Drexel University has finalized the negotiations of the fiscal year 2026 fringe benefit rates for sponsored projects with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The finalized rates remain the same as the proposed rates. Coeus and Banner have been updated to reflect the new proposed rates effective July 1, 2025. For more information, review the related announcement on the Comptroller website.