It’s the end of November — and soon, the end of 2019. What are you doing to plan for the future? You need to complete Open Enrollment before Nov. 30, for starters. But you can also be sure to read about the below opportunities for faculty and staff to plan for their financial future, network with colleagues and be aware of policy changes for Drexel Learn and bringing presenters to campus.
Here’s what was heard around campus this month:
Open Enrollment Ends Nov. 30
Open Enrollment for Drexel faculty and professional staff ends on Nov. 30. This annual process gives you the opportunity to enroll in new benefit plans or make changes to your existing coverage for the 2020 plan year. It is also a good time to verify that your dependents are current and that we have the current information for them. Read all about plan enhancements for 2020 on the Open Enrollment webpage, and be sure to complete all enrollments and/or changes for 2020 through the open enrollment system by Nov. 30:
- Log in to DrexelOne and select the Employee tab.
- Select the link for 'My Drexel Benefits.'
- Select the Enroll button to review your current elections and/or to make changes for 2020.
If you have questions on the enrollment process, please contact Benefitexpress at 1.844.690.3992, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., or at help@mybenefitexpress.com.
Coming Soon: New Process for Engaging Speakers, Artists, and Performers
The Institutional Effectiveness Survey showed that Drexel departments wanted an easier way to engage speakers, artists and performers (“presenters”) for smaller-scale engagements. In response, the University formed a committee, made up of representatives from the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of Tax Compliance, Procurement Services and Accounts Payable, to develop a simplified user experience for engaging such presenters.
As a result of this process, the Office of Tax Compliance has updated the Independent Contractor Classification Policy to exempt certain presenters who will be paid less than $600 from the Certification for Determination of Independent Contractor Status requirement. In addition, process-related details were removed from the Policy and placed in a separate “Guidelines for Use” document, and the Certification for Determination Form was broken up into two sections. These changes will all take effect on Dec. 1.
For departments engaging presenters who are now exempt from the Certification process (as of Dec. 1), the Institutional Effectiveness Committee has developed a new, simplified process that entails less paperwork and fewer approvals. Next week, an email communication will go out to the University community with complete details and links to the revised policy and associated processes. The Office of Tax Compliance and Procurement Services will also provide training sessions on the revised policy and new process on Dec. 5, 11, and 16. Please register in Career Pathway to attend and obtain complete details.
Changes are Coming to Drexel Learn
On Dec. 20, Drexel Learn will be upgraded to Ultra Navigation, providing a new look and feel for the Blackboard environment, with a focus on responsiveness across all devices and improvements to the accessibility of the system. Details about the new Drexel Learn can be found on the IT website. Drexel students, faculty and professional staff are also welcome to stop into the Korman Center on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to meet with representatives from Blackboard and Drexel IT to learn more about the upcoming changes. The Instructional Technology Group is also offering a series of online, 45-minute Ultra Navigation Preview sessions. You can register for one of these sessions through Career Pathway – just type “ultra navigation” into the Search box at the top right to find the listing.
How to Give Back This Holiday Season
There are quite a few donation drives occurring at Drexel. Here’s how to give back in the time of the holiday season:
Drexel University’s 23rd Annual Holiday Toy Drive
This annual drive will take place through Dec. 17, with the toys ultimately being distributed to over 60 community organizations.
New, unwrapped toys can be placed in the donation boxes on the University City Campus, Center City Campus and Queen Lane Campus. Toys will also be collected at the University-wide Holiday Party on Dec. 17.
The Toy Drive Distribution Ceremony will be held in the Great Court of the Main Building on Dec. 18.
Philadelphia Camp Out for Hunger 2019
The Department of Public Safety is collecting donations through Dec. 2 for the Philadelphia Camp Out For Hunger 2019, an annual event that collects items for Philabundance. You can drop off non-perishable food items through Dec. 2, at the Drexel Public Safety suite in 3201 Arch St. (3rd floor) or Drexel Police Headquarters at 3219 Arch St. To make a cash donation, or if you have any questions, please contact Linda Moran at lmm467@drexel.edu or Officer Logan Wells at ldw52@drexel.edu.
Drexel’s Annual Active Duty Care Package Drive
From now until Dec. 4, you can drop off items like certain packaged foods, toiletries and other items at three locations on the University City Campus to be included in boxes sent to active duty service members. A full list of needed items, and where to drop them off, can be found here.
Items will be packaged during an event on Dec. 6 at the Drexel Recreation Center Lobby from 10 a.m. to noon.
Celebrating You — Administrative Professionals Networking Event
Drexel employees are invited to attend an administrative professionals networking event on Dec. 10 from 2–4 p.m. at the Three Parkway Building, Room 1043, on the Center City Campus. Come for informal networking with other administrative professionals from across the University, guest speakers, and professional development activities. The theme for this event is “Celebrating You,” with a focus on celebrating individual and team successes. Registration is limited. Please register in Career Pathway, accessed under the Employee tab of DrexelOne.
The Drexel Administrative Professionals Learning Community intends to host these types of networking events on a regular basis. Attendees will learn to increase their productivity, become better communicators, upgrade their technology skills, develop new skills and position themselves for career success. To request access to the Administrative Professionals Learning Community Office 365 Team, please contact Kristin Nestor, executive assistant for Human Resources, at ken55@drexel.edu.
Construction Update: Athletics Bubbles Have Been Inflated
With the temperatures dropping, it was the right time to inflate the two new “bubbles” on campus: one over Buckley Recreational Field, and one over three existing tennis courts at the Vidas Athletic Complex. The air-supported, dome-like structures will allow these high-quality recreational and athletic facilities to be used year-round. Both bubbles have been inflated and will be ready for use by the time students return from the Thanksgiving holiday on Dec. 2.
For a complete update on major campus projects, visit drexel.edu/facilities/design/currentProjects/.
A Woman’s Guide to Saving and Investing (15 Wellness Points)
From fewer years in the workforce to longer life spans, women saving for retirement face unique challenges. During this webinar from TIAA, you can learn what it takes to overcome these challenges and help make your retirement dreams come true on schedule. The webinar will be broadcast on Dec. 10 from 3–4 p.m. For complete details on how to register, visit the event calendar listing.
Drexel Police Monthly Meet & Greet
Stop by the Drexel Police Substation at the front desk of Gerri C. LeBow Hall (first floor, inside the A.J. Drexel statue entrance) on the third Wednesday of each month from 1–3 p.m. to ask questions, voice concerns, find resources, or just say hello. The next Drexel Police Monthly Meet & Greet will be held Dec. 18.
Sign up for the Training Session on the Journal Entry Workflow 2.0.
Date: Dec. 17
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: University City Campus, Hagerty Library L-14 Computer Lab.
Participants will learn in a hands-on environment how to submit and approve journal entries (funding transfers, transaction corrections, accruals and reversals) using the Journal Entry Workflow 2.0 in a test environment. The training will also demonstrate how to attach supporting documentation to the journal entry and how to upload journals into the tool. The session will also explain how the tool interacts with the expenditure authorization tables. Seating is limited — space is limited to 30 people — and you will need to register for the training using Career Pathway on the employee tab of the DrexelOne portal. Contact Associate Comptroller of General Accounting Sherri Welch at 215.895.6380 or via email at slw383@drexel.edu with questions or concerns.
Facilities and Administration (F&A) Rates for Sponsored Projects Finalized
The Office of the Comptroller is pleased to announce that Drexel University has finalized its Facilities and Administrative (F&A), or Indirect Cost, rate negotiation with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Cost Allocation Services. The new rates can be found on the Comptroller’s Office website along with the actual PDF of the rate agreement and the rate componentization. Please note that these rates are strictly applicable to awards made directly to Drexel University. Awards for the Academy of Natural Sciences are subject to their specific rate agreement. The Academy of Natural Sciences’ rates for FY 2020 are being finalized and we will communicate their rates separately when finalized. If you have any questions, about the rates, contact ras@drexel.edu.
Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro Recall
Apple is recalling a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units because the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk. If you have a 15-inch MacBook Pro, Drexel Public Safety advises you to follow the instructions on Apple’s website to determine if your unit has been recalled and how you can get your battery replaced through the15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program.
Free 45-minute Financial Check-ups with Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (15 Wellness Points)
On Jan. 29 and Feb. 6, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and A Healthier U are pleased to offer Drexel faculty and professional staff members a free, no-obligation, 45-minute financial check up at the University City branch of Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (located in Chestnut Square at 3200 Chestnut St.). Participants will meet a financial advisor to discuss how to meet their financial goals. This opportunity is open to all faculty and professional staff by appointment only, and space is very limited. To schedule your no-obligation appointment, call Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union at 267.298.1018.