Briefly Noted: Campus News From Summer 2018

Catch up on the biggest news and stories from last term — and what you’ll need to know for the rest of the fall term.

Campus Security Updates: Annual Report, Student Trip Reporting

Drexel University's Department of Public Safety, in compliance with The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and The College and University Security Act of 1988, reports annually to its current and prospective students and employees the statistics for the previous three years pertaining to reported crimes that have occurred on campus, in certain non-campus buildings or properties that are owned or controlled by Drexel University, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The 2018 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report also includes institutional policies on campus security. A copy of the 2018 annual report is available at drexel.edu/cleryreport [PDF], or you may request a printed copy by calling Public Safety at 215.895.1550.

Pursuant to the Clery Act, Drexel is required to disclose annually certain reported crime statistics that occur during University sponsored/arranged domestic and international student trips. Drexel community members who are administratively responsible for these trips are expected to report this trip information to the Department of Public Safety for compliance via the Report a Student Trip Form at drexel.edu/publicsafety/forms/student-trip/.

Employees Get Free Admission to the Philadelphia Museum of Art All Month

Throughout the month of October, Drexel faculty and professional staff can enjoy the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s permanent collections and exhibitions for free by presenting your DragonCard (University ID) or business card at any Art Museum admissions desk. Faculty and professional staff may also purchase gift memberships for family and friends at a 10 percent discount. You can obtain this discount in-person at any Art Museum admission desk by identifying yourself as a Drexel faculty or professional staff member and providing the discount code MGIFTCORP. Or use the discount code when you purchase gift memberships online via the Art Museum website.

New Guidelines: Business Meeting Meals and Catering Expenses

As part of Drexel’s responsibility to be thoughtful and efficient stewards of students’ tuition dollars, the University has adopted new Business Meeting Meals and Catering Expense Guidelines outlining when University funds may be used for business meals and catering, and when such uses are prohibited. In summary, the guidelines establish the following:

• Business Meals should be pre-approved by the cost-center administrator
• Meals for frequent or routine meetings are prohibited
• Use of University funds for holiday parties, employee birthdays, weddings, baby showers, anniversaries or other occasions of a personal nature are prohibited
• Per-meal cost limits are defined
• Processing procedures are defined (itemized receipts required)
• Consequences for not adhering to the guidelines are defined

While these Guidelines are new, they align with existing University policies and procedures, including the Business Travel Expense Policy, Catering Services policies and requirements and the Travel, Meals & Entertainment Expenses guidelines that address research funding restrictions for these types of expenditures. If you have any questions about the guidelines, please send them to Assistant Vice President of Procurement Services Julie Jones at jaj358@drexel.edu.

Leading Cancer Researcher’s Resignation Highlights Importance of Disclosing Conflicts

The recent, highly publicized case of Jose Baselga, MD, PhD, is an important reminder of the need for faculty to disclose institutional and financial conflicts of interest. Baselga, a world-renowned oncologist and researcher, was forced to resign his position as chief medical officer of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center after failing to disclose payments from pharmaceutical and health care companies.

Much of the academic research and clinical trials that have led to advancements in medicine and technology, improving quality of life throughout the world, could not have been achieved without private industry support for research. However, the failure of researchers to disclose private industry relationships can lead to severe consequences, not only for the researchers, but also for the institutions that employ them. Most conflicts, once disclosed, can be mitigated or eliminated through the installation of a conflict management plan. It is the failure to disclose known conflicts that can result in ethical violations.

For more information regarding faculty obligations to disclose conflicts of interest, please refer to Drexel University’s Conflict of Interest and Commitment Policy, and if you believe you have a potential conflict, please complete and submit a Conflict of Interest Disclosure form, which can be accessed through the DrexelOne portal on the Employee tab, in the box labeled “Compliance and Privacy Program” at the top right corner of the page.

Construction Update

This fall, much of the work that has blocked streets and sidewalks in the heart of campus along Market and 32nd streets is wrapping up. Both the Armory and the former Firestone site are continuing to receive makeovers that will result in a safer and more aesthetically pleasing hub in one of the most heavily trafficked parts of the University City Campus. The work along the 32nd and Market Street intersections improves pedestrian safety and will soon provide a new, signalized crosswalk at Lancaster Walk. A second phase of work at JFK Boulevard will be undertaken by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, but in the meantime, the University community can enjoy smoother travel through this area of campus.

At the Armory, work continues on exterior restoration of the building, but many of the improvements are already visible, particularly the new windows all around the building. Funded jointly by the state and by Drexel, this project is managed by Pennsylvania's Department of General Services and will continue throughout the fall.

In addition to this exterior work on the Armory, the University in partnership with US Squash has developed a comprehensive plan that reimagines 33rd Street between Lancaster Avenue and Race Street as a locus of sports for the University community and beyond. As part of this plan, Drexel will construct a seasonal, domed athletics facility at the current site of Buckley Recreational Field at 33rd and Arch streets. The University will also continue to work with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to complete restoration of the Pennsylvania Armory in preparation for US Squash to develop the Armory as a premier venue for training and competition. 

For more updates on major capital projects around campus, visit drexel.edu/facilities/design/currentProjects.