Heard Around Campus — December

It’s almost winter break at Drexel University! But before you leave to enjoy the time off from work, take a minute to read about what was heard around campus this month — especially the important information about what’s open on campus and the winter break extension.

Winter Break Extended

Let’s just get the most important thing out of the way: Yes, Drexel’s winter break was extended by one day! Now, faculty and staff can return to work on Jan. 3, instead of coming back to campus a day earlier. The news was announced by Drexel’s President John Fry at the University’s annual service recognition luncheon — and Drexel Human Resources confirmed it in a Dec. 11 email. 

Drexel Recreation Center Winter Break and Holiday Hours

Recreation Center Break Week Hours:
Dec. 18–22: 5:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
Dec. 23: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Jan. 2: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Jan. 3–5: 5:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
Jan. 6: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Recreation Center Holiday Hours: 
Dec. 24–Jan. 1: CLOSED

Drexel Bus Service Over Winter Break

The University’s bus service along the Powelton/Spring Garden Route (University City Loop), Dragon Route (Center City Loop) and Queen Lane Route (East Falls Loop) will run on modified holiday schedules during the Winter Break.

• There will be no shuttle service on Dec. 23-25, Dec. 30-31, and Jan. 1.
• The Powelton-Spring Garden Route will operate on a modified schedule on Dec. 22.
• The Dragon and Queen Lane routes will operate on modified schedules Dec. 22, Dec. 26-29, and Jan. 2.
• All routes will return to their normal schedules on Jan. 3.

Please consult the modified schedules [PDF] for each route when planning your travel to and from Drexel’s campuses during Winter Break. Questions? Email transitinfo@drexel.edu or call 215.895.1700.

Save the Date: New Teaching and Learning Center Forums

From a Dec. 7 email sent from the Office of the Provost:

“Providing a high-quality education through excellence in teaching and learning lies at the core of what we do as a University. With this in mind, it is time for us to envision and launch a new University-wide center which incorporates our national leadership in experiential education, highlights contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning, and nurtures the culture of excellence in teaching at Drexel. All Drexel Faculty and Professional Staff are invited to contribute to the envisioning process for this new center by attending one of two University-wide Forums.”

Interested? The two events will take place on Jan. 22 from 3–4:30 p.m. and Feb. 12 from 3–4:30 p.m. If you want to learn more about this envisioning process, visit the Office of Faculty Affairs website. And if you can’t attend one of these forums, you can still share your thoughts by contacting the Office of Faculty Affairs at facultyaffairs@drexel.edu.

Construction Update

32nd and Market Street Intersections: Construction mobilization to reconfigure the intersections around the former Firestone property is scheduled to begin in late December. This work will improve pedestrian safety across Market Street and JFK Boulevard and provide a new, signalized crosswalk at Lancaster Walk. The vacation of the portion of Lancaster Avenue bordering the former Firestone site, and the University’s acquisition from the city of the vacated street and the adjacent landscaped triangle, are contingent on the completion of this work, which is expected in late summer 2018. During construction, the former Firestone property will be fenced off, the sidewalk will be closed on the north side of Market Street between 32nd Street and JFK Boulevard, and a portion of N. 32nd Street will be closed to vehicle traffic. Please use caution and expect delays when traveling through the area.

Armory (Lancaster Avenue Readiness Center): Demolition work is ongoing for exterior restoration and improvements to the Armory building. This work will include masonry restoration, new roofing and restoration of all windows along 32nd and 33rd streets, Lancaster Walk and the half-round windows along Cuthbert Street. Funded jointly by the state and by Drexel, this project is managed by Pennsylvania's Department of General Services and is expected to continue over the next several terms.

Fox Historic Costume Collection (URBN Center): Construction is in progress on the expansion of the Fox Historic Costume Collection; completion is expected in spring 2018.

Goodwin College Renovation, Gerri C. LeBow Hall: Renovations are complete on the third floor of Gerri C. LeBow Hall for the Goodwin College of Professional Studies, including new offices, a classroom and two conference rooms.

Korman Center/Korman Quad Enhancements: Construction of an addition to the existing Korman Center building and renovations to the Korman Quad are now complete, and the spaces are open for use. For details and photos of the completed projects, check out this DrexelNow article. Remedial work on the north, south and west facades of the Korman Center building will continue through spring 2018.

Thomas R. Kline Institute for Trial Advocacy at the Kline School of Law: The renovation of 1200 Chestnut St. for the Thomas R. Kline Institute for Trial Advocacy is in progress. Classes will be held in the building when the Kline School of Law’s spring term begins on Jan. 8.

Summer 12 Townhomes (Radnor Property Group): Construction began in November on Radnor Property Group’s “Summer 12” – a dozen new owner-occupied townhomes along the 3200 block of Summer Street. The townhomes are expected to be complete in spring 2018.

Visit the Current Projects page of the Facilities website for additional project updates.