Heard Around Campus — March 2026

By Irene Tsikitas Lin

March 24, 2026

March is always a special month at Drexel, with the end of winter term, spring break and spring term’s start all happening within four weeks. With everything else going on, make sure that you’re keeping track of opportunities for professional development, personal wellness and more.

Here’s what was heard around campus this month:

Managing Stress During Uncertain Times

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted or experiencing strong emotions due to distressing global events, Health Advocate, Drexel's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, has a helpful resource with tips on managing stress and processing difficult feelings during uncertain times. Whether you are directly impacted by world events or simply feeling the weight of uncertainty, support is available to you and your family through the EAP. Health Advocate will connect you with the right professionals who can help with coping strategies, how to talk with children about upsetting events, and dealing with feelings of anger, fear and helplessness. Contact Health Advocate at 1.866.799.2728 or log in to the portal to access counseling and other resources available through the EAP.

New Grant Continuation Tool Launching April 1

The new Grant Fund Continuation Tool will be available from Research Accounting Services beginning April 1. The purpose of this tool is to help ensure that payroll for grant-funded employees continues smoothly when a grant is renewed or continued. When one grant ends and a new grant takes its place, the tool updates the employees paid on the original grant fund to the newly assigned continuation grant fund so that payroll is charged to the correct grant fund going forward.

Research Accounting Services will manage the Grant Continuation Tool and handle all communications with departments and Principal Investigators. This tool has been carefully tested and will be rolled out in phases to keep the process clear and manageable for departments and faculty. For details, see the Research Accounting Services announcement.

Employee Engagement Session: Student Affairs and Campus Life

Drexel University administrative units are hosting function-focused engagement sessions to create meaningful, two-way dialogue between professional staff and administrative leaders to provide stakeholders the opportunity to share insights on the processes, protocols, and systems that shape their work. This effort is designed as an ongoing, evolving conversation with feedback informing continued engagement and collaboration opportunities in the months ahead.

Invitations were based on fall 2025 performance development surveys in which staff estimated the time they spend supporting various functions. If you did not receive an invitation but believe this session is relevant to your work, please register using the link provided.

Student Affairs and Campus Life — Staff Engagement Session
April 7, 10 a.m. to noon
Gerri C. LeBow Hall Room 220
RSVP required

Dragon Path Certificates: Discover Your Next Career Step

Sometimes, the next steps in our learning journeys are completely clear, and other times less so. The Dragon Path Certificate series includes certificates that focus on a variety of topics to help in identifying and taking those next steps, each containing curated courses that approach the topic from a variety of perspectives. Examples include:

You can find more information on these and other professional development programs on the Talent Development webpage.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Calendar of Events

For Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), observed every April, Drexel’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) is teaming up with partners around campus to sponsor a series of events to honor survivors, challenge myths and stigmas, and stand against sexual violence by taking action.

Day of Action: April 7: Stop by Korman Quad between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for a free ribbon, t-shirt or sunglasses you can wear to raise awareness about sexual violence. Free treats provided by Nothing Bundt Cake.
SAAM Q&A Panel, April 8: From 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Academic Building’s lower level, join a panel discussion with experts from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Philadelphia Sexual Assault Resource Center, Drexel Victim Services and CRC about the processes of supportive measures after a report is made.
Teal Tuesdays, April 14-28: Stop by Lancaster Walk between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for tabling events with information on self-protection, consent and how to support survivors. Free snacks will be provided.
Denim Day Resource Fair, April 29: Wear denim and stop by Lancaster Walk from 3-5:30 p.m. to learn more about how campus resources and community partners can support you or someone you know. Free pizza will be provided.

TIAA Webinars: Social Security, Market Update and Sandwich Generation

TIAA is offering the following webinars in April:

What You Need to Know About Social Security, April 7, noon: Social Security is an important source of income in retirement for most Americans. It provides disability, survivor and family benefits to many Americans, too. But all these benefits are not automatic, and how and when you claim them can affect how much you get. This webinar covers the basics of Social Security; how retirement benefits work; strategies for claiming retirement benefits; spousal, survivor and disability benefits; and a checklist for maximizing your income.
Quarterly Economic and Market Update, April 15, noon: Hear from the experts in TIAA’s Wealth Chief Investment Office about key drivers of the markets and economy that are impacting investors, including the state of the U.S. economy and key market drivers; factors influencing market volatility; and investing in public markets.
Navigating the Sandwich Generation: Financial Strategies for the Caregiving Squeeze, April 22, 11 a.m: Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults are in the "sandwich generation," caring for aging parents while supporting adult children. This webinar will explore ways to navigate this challenging time without sacrificing your sanity or your retirement. You'll learn strategies to help you prioritize your own financial needs and secure your retirement; manage the costs of elder care and support adult children; create a budget to navigate competing financial responsibilities; and evolve your plan over time as life changes.

Earn Money While Improving Your Financial Fitness

In partnership with Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, Drexel’s financial literacy partner, the Wellness Incentive Program is offering multiple online workshops this spring. Register in Career Pathway for the workshops of your choice. You can earn 15 Wellness Incentive Program points ($15 in your pay) for every workshop you attend.

Women and Investing: March 18, 11 a.m.
Three Transitions to Retirement: April 7, 1 p.m.
Budgeting Hacks: April 8, noon
Financial Hacks: June 3, 11 a.m.

Save the Date: Civic X EarthFest 2026

Drexel’s annual Earth Day celebration will take place on April 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Lancaster Walk, outside of Rush Garden. (Raindate: April 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

Get Help with Hypertension and Diabetes

Employees participating in Drexel's medical plans have access to Teladoc Health, which offers real-time tools and guidance that can make it easier to stay on track with complications like hypertension and diabetes. To take advantage of the following services, visit TeladocHealth.com/smile or call 800.835.2362 and use registration code INDEPENDENCE.

Hypertension Management: Take control of your heart health with guidance and a personalized plan. With a smart blood pressure monitor, you can track, get support, set up reminders and message a coach, all in one place. Program includes: a connected blood pressure monitor; step-by-step action plans based on your goals; tips on nutrition and activity; and one-on-one support from expert coaches.
Diabetes Management: A personalized way to help manage diabetes. Get tools and support to track blood sugar levels and develop healthier lifestyle habits. Program includes: a connected blood glucose meter; unlimited strips and lancets; tips, action plans and one-on-one coaching; real-time support for out-of-range readings.

Allstate Benefits Transition to The Standard

Allstate Benefits, including Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, have been acquired by Standard Insurance Company (The Standard). Going forward, all branding and materials formerly associated with Allstate Benefits will assume the logo of The Standard. There are no changes to the plans or rates for Drexel employees. See The Standard’s press release for more information.

Important Changes to Catch-Up Contributions for 2026

Section 603 of the SECURE 2.0 Act requires "catch-up" contributions for 403(b) plan participants aged 50 or older to be made on a Roth (after-tax) basis. You may be affected by these rules if you:

Are a Drexel employee aged 50 or older
Earned W-2 wages over $150,000 in 2025
Typically contribute the maximum plus catch-up or super catch-up contributions
Contribute pre-tax and/or Roth

If you do not take action:

Pre-tax deductions will stop once you reach the standard limit ($24,500).
Employees aged 50–59 and 64+ will miss out on $8,000 catch-up contribution.
Employees aged 60–63 will miss out on $11,250 super catch-up contribution.

To take action, log in to DrexelOne, navigate to the Employee Tab > My Benefits > Retirement Plan Management. Update your contribution percentages under “Manage Contribution Amount.” Be sure that your total contribution percentage equals the sum of your pre-tax and Roth percentages. For example, if your salary deferral is 14%, it may be allocated as 13% pre-tax and 1% Roth. If you have any questions about contribution limits or how to update your elections, email drexel403b@drexel.edu.

Subaward Indirect Cost Threshold and Accounts

Effective Oct. 1, 2024, the Office of Management and Budget revised the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) to increase the Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) threshold applicable to subawards from $25,000 to $50,000. Application of the increased threshold is permitted only after it is reflected in an institution’s current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Drexel University’s institutional NICRA has not yet been updated to incorporate the revised $50,000 MTDC threshold. Accordingly, Drexel must continue to apply the $25,000 subaward MTDC threshold for indirect cost calculations until a revised NICRA is formally approved. For more information, see the announcement from the Office of the Comptroller.