Heard Around Campus — March

March is almost over and Drexel University’s winter term is finished. Now that it’s break week on campus, take the time to look forward at future events and deadlines as well as look back at news you might have missed this month.

Here’s what was heard around campus:

Inspire A Child to Dream Day 

April 4 is the deadline to sign up your child for Inspire A Child to Dream Day, which is Drexel’s version of the national "Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work" program. On April 26, those little Dragons will have fun all over campus — and the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Meet the New Director of the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships

John D. Kirby, Jr, started as the director this month. He comes from Drexel’s College of Nursing & Health Professions (CNHP), where he most recently led the community health and wellness programming at the Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services Center. He brings years of hands-on experience with user-focused health programming, along with a demonstrated commitment to authentic engagement with Drexel’s faculty, students and community partners.

Drexel Green Update

• Save the Date for EarthFest 2018: Drexel’s annual Earth Day celebration will be held April 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Lancaster Walk with food, fun, games and giveaways. Visit the Drexel EarthFest website for more information, including details on the #DrexelEarthWeek Instagram photo challenge.
• Plastic Film Recycling Project: Arlene Anderson, a retiree from Drexel IT, is piloting a project to encourage the recycling of plastic film materials like grocery bags, food storage bags, plastic wrap and packaging. These items are not recyclable by many recycling vendors, including Drexel’s, but Arlene has identified a company that will accept these materials and turn them into plastic lumber for decks, benches, and LEED construction projects. You can drop off your plastic film recyclables (click here for list of accepted materials) in designated collection boxes located in the lobbies of the Recreation Center and the Bellet Building through July 2018.
• RecycleMania Winds Down: Thanks to all who participated in the annual RecycleMania competition, which ends this week. Drexel’s recycling data will be analyzed and compared with other colleges and universities around the country, so stay tuned for updates on how we fared.

2018 Student Life Impact Award Nominations

You have until April 9 to nominate graduate and undergraduate students, advisers and student organizations for the 2018 Impact Awards, which are presented by Student Life and celebrate positive contributions to the Drexel Community.

To view the complete list of awards and their descriptions or to nominate deserving candidates, click here.

Tip from Accounts Payable 

Does your job involve submitting payments and invoices for goods and services? If so, stay up-to-date with helpful tips on the Accounts Payable website.

Construction Update

32nd and Market street intersections: Construction on the reconfigured intersections around the Firestone property began in March. This work will improve pedestrian safety across Market Street and JFK Boulevard and provide a new, signalized crosswalk at Lancaster Walk. Completion of this work is expected in fall 2018.

Armory (Lancaster Avenue Readiness Center): Work continues on exterior restoration of 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 into the fall.

Bernhardt Memorial Courtyard at Thomas R. Kline School of Law: Construction is nearly complete on the Bernhardt Memorial Courtyard, located on Market Street between the Kline School of Law and Hagerty Library, which provides an intimate outdoor space to study and socialize.

Fox Historic Costume Collection: Construction is in progress on the expansion of the Fox Historic Costume Collection in the URBN Center. Completion is expected in late spring 2018.

Korman Center Façade: Remedial work on the original Korman Center façade is in progress, with completion expected in late May 2018.

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

Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight: Human Resources

Fostering a welcoming, inclusive, respectful, engaging and diverse workplace is central to Drexel Human Resource’s mission, and the department takes a multi-pronged approach to fulfilling this goal. Some of their most impactful efforts include:

• A Healthier U: HR fosters a holistic culture of wellness among faculty and professional staff with programs and events geared toward physical, emotional and financial wellness. Popular programs include the Wellness Incentive Program, Drexel Walking Club, Drexel Meditation Group and Financial Fitness Series.
• Employee Home Purchase Assistance Program: The program has provided a total of 58 home-purchase loans and 10 home-renovation loans in Drexel’s West Philadelphia footprint since its inception in 2010, representing a $12.7 million investment in the community ($11.8 million in employee home value and $929,986 in Drexel-provided funds).
• Open Hours with Drexel HR: HR offers West Philadelphia residents free career guidance, support and resources via one-on-one sessions with a workforce development specialist at the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships.
• Professional Development Opportunities: In fiscal year 2017, the HR Learning and Development team delivered 184 instructor-led and online professional development sessions, with 1,442 faculty and professional staff members participating in one or more offerings.

This Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight was excerpted from the FY2017 Diversity Achievement Plan Accomplishments Supplement, an annual report celebrating the diversity and inclusion-related achievements of each of Drexel’s academic and administrative units. You can view the FY2017 Supplement here. For general questions about diversity and inclusion initiatives at Drexel, please contact the Office of Equality & Diversity at oed@drexel.edu.