There are a lot of deadlines coming up that could affect both your professional and personal lives, from voting to Open Enrollment to performance reviews. Don't miss out! Here's what was heard around campus this month:
Election Day Is Nov. 3: Get Ready to Vote!
Drexel encourages all eligible students, faculty and professional staff to cast a ballot in the general election. The deadline to request an absentee or mail-in ballot for Pennsylvania is TODAY, Oct. 27. For voting resources, upcoming virtual events, frequently asked questions and more, please visit the Drexel Votes website.
Please also note that on Nov. 3, the University will close at 2 p.m. to allow time for the Drexel community to vote. All faculty teaching courses that day are asked to please plan to teach asynchronously, if possible, and provide flexibility and support for students who may be working the polls.
Oct. 28: Safety & Survival Speaker Event
Please join the Office of Equality & Diversity and Women Against Abuse on Oct. 28 from 3–4 p.m. to learn about safety planning and hear from a survivor about their experience with domestic violence. This virtual event is free and open to all. Register by following this Eventbrite link. For any questions or accommodations requests, please email OEDProgramming@drexel.edu.
Open Enrollment is Here!
2021 Open Enrollment is here! From now through Nov. 15, you have the opportunity to enroll in new benefit plans or make changes to your existing coverage for 2021.
Review the Open Enrollment Guide and visit the 2021 Open Enrollment website for more helpful resources.
Complete your benefit enrollment online through the My Drexel Benefits portal or by phone with the Drexel University Benefits Center, powered by benefitexpress, at 1.844.690.3992. To access the enrollment portal:
- Log into DrexelOne and select the Employee tab.
- Scroll down to the My Benefits heading on the left-hand side of the screen and select the link for “My Drexel Benefits,” which will take you to the benefits enrollment portal.
- Next, click the “Enroll” button at the top of the page to review your current elections and/or to make changes for 2021.
If you take no action, current elections will automatically rollover except: Medical Insurance Waiver, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account and Commuter Account.
Please be sure to re-enroll in these benefits if you wish to continue them into 2021, otherwise no changes can be made after Open Enrollment unless you experience a qualifying life event.
2020 Healthcare FSA Reminder
Don’t forget that healthcare and dependent care FSA accounts are “use it or lose it.” You can carry over up to $550 of unused funds into 2021. You have until March 31, 2021, to submit for reimbursement claims that were incurred between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020. For more information, please review the feature on FSA funds in last month’s HR @ Your Service newsletter.
Performance Development & Required Learning Reminders
Oct. 30 is the due date for all faculty and professional staff to complete Annual Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure (available in DrexelOne) and Returning to Campus Safely – Drexel’s Response to Coronavirus (available in Career Pathway).
Nov. 19 is the due date for professional staff members and their managers to complete the Performance Development Process, including meetings and signatures. For resources and support for the Performance Development Process, please visit the Human Resources website.
November Wellness Events About Teleworking With Children
A Healthier U is curating three conversations during the month of November about how to overcome or manage the challenges of teleworking while having kids at home. During these facilitated Zoom discussions, we will share tips, tricks and resources. You can select which session (or sessions) are right for you!
- Teleworking With Babies and Toddlers: Nov. 4, 12-1 p.m.
- Teleworking With Elementary School-Aged Children: Nov. 11, 12-1 p.m.
- Teleworking With Middle School and High School-Aged Children: Nov. 18, 12-1 p.m.
As a bonus, all attendees may receive 15 wellness points per session. To learn more and to register, please visit the Events Calendar in Career Pathway. Please contact Wellness Administrator Monica Fauble at mfauble@drexel.edu with questions.
Nov. 19: Red Cross Blood Drive
Drexel Public Safety is sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Nov. 19. The drive will take place at Red Cross House on 400 Powelton Drive and run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sign up by following this link or visiting the American Red Cross website and entering the sponsor code “Drexel Police.” Want to save time on donation day? Visit the Red Cross site to learn about RapidPass.
Other helpful resources from Red Cross:
Update From the Payroll Department
This year and going forward, faculty and professional staff on monthly payroll will receive their final pay of the year on Dec. 31 instead of the day before Winter Break. Please feel free to contact payroll@drexel.edu with any questions.
Lights for the Fight
Wondering why Drexel’s Bossone Research Enterprise Center is lit up pink? It’s part of Komen Philadelphia’s Lights for the Fight campaign in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check out the display in this short video on CBS Philly’s website.
Tips for Preventing Package Theft
Drexel Public Safety and the Philadelphia Police Department are working together to ensure community members are aware of ways to prevent package theft. Please review the following tips, which have been distributed via flyers in and nearby the Drexel community:
- Leave instructions to put your package out of view, over a fence, or somewhere secure.
- If ordering from Amazon, choose a locker as the delivery address at checkout.
- Require a signature upon delivery.
- Have your item shipped to a store near you for pick-up.
- Have your package delivered to a different, but trusted, location.
- Instead of delivery, try curbside pick-up.
- Monitor delivery alerts/updates.
- Purchase a package lock box for your home.
- Install cameras to deter thieves and keep an eye on your property.
Recycling Notice From Real Estate & Facilities
Drexel's plastic film program is temporarily suspended until further notice. To find an alternative drop-off location, please visit plasticfilmrecycling.org.
Powelton/Spring Garden Shuttle Route Resumed With Modified Schedule
Effective Oct. 19, 2020, campus bus service along the Powelton/Spring Garden route has resumed on a modified schedule. The first departure from Nesbitt Hall at 33rd and Market streets takes place at 6 a.m., and the last departure from Vidas Athletic Complex occurs at 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. This schedule will be in place through, Nov. 25. You can view the entire schedule on this PDF, which is also posted on the Real Estate and Facilities website. Please email questions to transitinfo@drexel.edu.
VPN Sign-in Required for Labor Redistribution/Effort Reporting
Last month, security for the Effort Reporting and Labor Redistribution System was enhanced. To use Labor Redistribution/Effort Reporting from off campus, you must be signed in to Drexel’s VPN. (Have your phone ready when you sign into the VPN, as you’ll need to approve sign-in or enter the Multi-Factor Authentication code within two minutes.)
Installation instructions for the Cisco AnyConnect VPN app that’s used with Drexel’s VPN are at drexel.edu/it/help/a-z/VPN/.
Reminder: Flu Shots Are FREE on All of Drexel’s Healthcare Plans
Getting a flu vaccine is especially important this season to protect yourself and our healthcare system from being overloaded by cases of flu. Drexel HMO, POS, and Keystone 65 health plan members can receive the flu shot at any eligible in-network provider; PPO health plan members can receive the flu shot at any eligible provider both in and out of network. To find a location for your flu shot, please visit ibx.com/findadoctor and search “flu.”