Heard Around Campus — September 2025

What was heard around campus this month? Fall term has arrived, which means the performance development process has begun, all required enterprise learning for the year is available on Career Pathway, and Open Enrollment and Election Day are right around the corner.

Check out those important deadlines and reminders, plus exciting upcoming events, new benefits and opportunities and more for Drexel faculty and staff.

The 2025 Performance Development Process Is Underway

The 2025 performance development process began on Sept. 12 and extends through Nov. 11. During this process, professional staff members and their managers should discuss:

• the accomplishment of collaboratively set goals and additional achievements;
• areas for learning and growth for the future, including both development and improvement opportunities; and
• ways the manager can support learning and growth.

The professional staff step is due Sept. 30; the manager step is due on Oct. 21.

New for this year, you must complete a survey within the performance review form in Career Pathway, which will be used to help President Merlo invite relevant stakeholders to function-focused engagement sessions. This step was added in response to feedback he received during office hours with professional staff.

For additional information on the performance development process, including timeline and access instructions, visit the HR website and/or email hr@drexel.edu.

Stop by Public Safety Day on Oct. 1

Public Safety Day events on Oct. 1 will start at Greek from Greece café (107 N. 33rd St.) from 8:30–9:30 a.m. with National Coffee with a Cop, for which the café is providing free coffee and pastries for the community as they enjoy conversation with Drexel police officers. In the afternoon, check out the Public Safety Fair on Perelman Plaza from noon to 2 p.m. and meet several members of Drexel Public Safety and other community partners while enjoying resource tables, giveaways and snacks. Stay tuned to Drexel Public Safety’s social media channels (@DrexelDPS on X and @drexelpublicsafety on Instagram) for more information.

Official University Policies Open for Public Comment

The following policies are currently open for public comment. All Drexel community members are encouraged to review and comment on them via the Public Comment SharePoint. 

• PO-101: Visiting Faculty: Establishes expectations and outlines the appointment process for visiting faculty. Comment Period: Sept. 12 through Oct. 12.
• IA-01: Gift Acceptance: Provides standards for the review, acceptance, processing, and receipt of gifts to Drexel University. Comment Period: Sept. 12 through Oct. 12.
• PO-106: Endowed Academic Positions: Defines expectations for holders of Endowed Academic Positions and details the appointment and review procedures. Comment Period: Sept. 16 through Oct. 16.

Register by Oct. 20 to Vote in the Nov. 4 PA General Election

Ever year is an election year — are you ready to vote? In Pennsylvania, you must register by Oct. 20 to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 4 general election. If you’d like to request a mail-in ballot in PA, you must do so by Oct. 28, 5 p.m. You can request a mail-in 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). 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. For more information pertaining to this upcoming election, and civic engagement in general, visit drexel.edu/vote. 

You’re Invited: Oct. 21 Veteran Colleague Resource Group Lunch Social

Please join the Veteran Colleague Resource Group on Oct. 21 from 12–1 p.m. for a lunch social, open to all faculty and professional staff. The event will take place at Masci Family Student Veterans Lounge (Goodwin College Suite 370, room 344) in Gerri C. LeBow Hall (3220 Market Street). Kindly RSVP by Oct. 20 via Qualtrics. If you have any questions or hope to share ideas for the social, please contact Jess Wilson at jw3893@drexel.edu.

Veterans Colleague Resource Group is one of the many Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) Drexel has to offer. A CRG consists of 10 or more faculty and professional staff members who work together to promote the mission of the University and to foster a sense of community and belonging among colleagues. CRGs are open to all faculty and professional staff members. If you are interested in joining one, please complete this short form or contact the CRG directly.

Save the Date: Open Enrollment Begins Oct. 22

Please note that Drexel’s open enrollment season for 2026 benefits starts on Oct. 22, 2025. As this enrollment period approaches, please take a moment to review your current benefit information. In DrexelOne, under “Employee” tab, click "My Drexel Benefits" to access the benefits portal. On the left side of your screen, select "Benefits Profile” to see your benefits information, dependents and beneficiaries.

New: Long-term Care With Life Insurance, a two-in-one benefit that can help pay for your future care needs and financially support your family, will be offered during this year’s open enrollment, including Guarantee Issue (no medical questions) for select options. Details will be available on the open enrollment website beginning Oct. 22.

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, all faculty and professional staff must annually complete enterprise learning in Career Pathway. There are four courses required this year:

• Understanding Title IX at Drexel
• Drexel University Protection of Minors and Reporting Child Abuse
• Drexel University Information Security Compliance
• CR-1 Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (NOTE: Many faculty and professional staff members completed this module by spring 2025. If it does not appear in the active tab on Your Transcript in Career Pathway, check the completed tab to confirm that you have already fulfilled this requirement. If it’s on your completed tab, you do not need to take any further action.)

All enterprise learning, as well as your annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure, must be completed by Nov. 3.

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.

When Should HR Host the Next Employee Olympics?

Please take HR’s one-question survey to help determine when the next Employee Olympics will be. Please note: You must be signed in to your Drexel account to respond. Thank you for your feedback!

Did You Know Saxbys Now Has Three Cafés Open on Campus?

Stop by the Saxbys café on 34th Street across from the Summit, in the LeBow College of Business, or in the Health Sciences Building (a new location, open Sept. 30) for a cold brew, grilled cheese, or matcha latte. All locations will accept DragonDollars and Dining Dollars associated with Campus Dining Plans.

Adobe Digital Products Available at No Cost to Drexel Employees

Drexel holds an institutional license for Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Adobe Stock and Adobe Firefly (their generative AI tool). These products are available to most Drexel faculty and staff at no cost. You can find detailed information about accessing Creative Cloud apps on IT's Drexel Software webpage.

This Creative Cloud license is not available to non-employee associates, per diem/casual employees, retirees (excluding Emeritus faculty), union custodians, volunteer faculty, or employees on long-term disability. However, departments can purchase a discounted license for these employee types through Drexel IT. The cost is $155 person/year, which also includes Drexel email, Microsoft 365 apps and services, and Zoom. (For comparison, Adobe charges $24.99/month for the first year and $39.99/month after that for students and teachers.) Departments can request a license for these employee types via Drexel IT’s service desk. 

IT also provides discounted subscriptions for student employees, work-study employees, and co-ops for $35 person/year. For student employees, departments can request a license via the service desk.

Two Months Left to Earn $400 From the 2025 Wellness Program

Drexel’s Wellness Incentive Program runs annually through Nov. 30, which means you have about two months left to maximize your $400 payout (and $200 for eligible spouses/domestic partners). Still need to get started, or looking to finish strong? Here are some ways to earn right now:

• Complete your Personal Health Profile (PHP), which is not only required before receiving payouts, but it’ll also earn you $50. Your PHP provides a glimpse into your overall health. To complete the PHP, log in to the Health Advocate Portal.
• Did you visit the dentist, eye doctor, or your primary physician this year? Did you get your flu vaccine yet? Each preventative care exam or vaccine is worth $50. For instructions, visit the program webpage and review the FAQ, “How do I receive points for preventative care exams and vaccines?”
• Browse the offerings in the Health Advocate portal and discover easy ways to earn points—like syncing your Apple Watch or Fitbit, logging participation in Ten at 10, or joining a wellness challenge. There are more than 800 points available, so it’s easy to find a good fit for your health and wellness needs.

If you need help getting started, please visit the HR website for a program overview, and review the 2025 Wellness Incentive Program Guide [PDF] to learn about the many ways to earn points.

Progyny x ŌURA: A New Partnership in Women’s Health

Progyny, Drexel University’s fertility and adoption assistance provider, has partnered with ŌURA, maker of the world’s leading smart ring, to bring wearable health data into clinical conversations -- from preconception to menopause. This collaboration empowers members with personalized, proactive care while giving care teams valuable insights to guide smarter decisions. Oura Ring and Oura Membership will be available to Progyny clients beginning in early 2026. For more information, read Progyny’s press release.