The end of October at Drexel isn’t just about Halloween (though there is a fun Halloween-themed Makers Market event coming up). It’s also that time of year when Open Enrollment just started and all required Enterprise Learning programs are ending. Make sure you’re aware of those deadlines!
Here’s what was heard around campus this month:
Last Call to Contribute to the Annual Dragon Drive
Dragon Drive is the annual workplace giving campaign for Drexel University faculty and professional staff that takes place during the month of October. There are still a few days left — please consider making a personal pledge to the campaign by visiting the Dragon Drive website and clicking on the Donate button. You can contribute to the Annual Package or one of the seven spotlight organizations within the Annual Package, or you can view the United Way list to donate to your favorite non-profit charity. Every donation, small or large, makes a difference.
Enterprise Learning: Conflict of Interest and Commitment Course Due Nov. 1
All required Enterprise Learning programs for faculty and professional staff must be completed no later than Nov. 1, 2021, including the annual Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure, accessible via the DrexelOne Employee tab under the Compliance and Privacy Programs channel. In addition to completing the disclosure, by Nov. 1 you must also complete the three required modules located in your Career Pathway transcript: “Drexel University Information Security Compliance,” “Defining Drexel’s Culture of Inclusion and Belonging,” and “Conflict of Interest and Commitment.” Please contact hr@drexel.edu for any questions regarding Enterprise Learning.
Open Enrollment Ends Nov. 9
Open Enrollment is underway! You have until Nov. 9 to enroll or make changes to your benefits. Changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022. If you don't make any changes, your current elections will automatically rollover except: Medical Insurance Waiver, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, and Health Savings Account. Please be sure to re-enroll in these benefits if you wish to continue them into 2022.
Per IRS regulations, after the enrollment period ends, you cannot change your benefits mid-year unless you experience a qualifying life event. If you have already completed your enrollment, remember to review your confirmation statement to ensure it is accurate (available in the My Drexel Benefits portal under the Your Toolbox section). Visit Drexel's Open Enrollment website for information about your benefit options, including an open enrollment guide, checklist, plan summaries, information session recordings, and more.
Questions About Drexel’s TIAA Transition? Register for a 1:1 or Group Session
Drexel is consolidating its retirement plan administration with one record keeper, TIAA. From October through January, representatives from TIAA are hosting webinars, on-site group meetings, one-on-one sessions and a walk-up information desk. Learn more about what this transition means for you. To register for a webinar or an on-site group meeting, or to add the meeting to your calendar, visit TIAA.org/drexel/transition, then select “information events” to view location and session details, then select the group meeting you wish to attend. Schedule a one-on-one session with a TIAA consultant by visiting TIAA.org/schedulenow-drexel or calling 800.732.8353. For more information on Drexel’s Transition to TIAA, visit HR’s TIAA Transition Webpage.
Performance Development Process for Professional Staff Ends Nov. 19
Drexel is continuing with last year's performance development process, which focuses on promoting positive, strengths-based conversations between professional staff members and managers. To guide and support professional staff members and managers through the performance development process, Drexel Human Resources has provided information and resources, including a process timeline, tools, tips, examples and FAQs on the Performance Development website. The annual performance development process began on Sept. 22 and will conclude on Nov. 19, 2021. For questions regarding the performance development process or accessing required programs, please email hr@drexel.edu.
Faculty should refer to the July 20 communication from Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement and Undergraduate Affairs Erin McNamara Horvat or the Office of Faculty Advancement website for more information on electronic Faculty Annual Reviews.
Halloween-Themed Maker’s Market at the Gateway Garden
In honor of spooky season, join Drexel University during the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s weekly Makers Market at the Gateway Garden on Oct. 28, from 3–7 p.m. for pumpkin painting and a showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Drexel Business Services (DBS) sponsors food trucks for Maker’s Market and Meet the Makers at the Gateway Garden at 32nd and Market streets. Visit the DBS event page for view all upcoming events.
Donations Needed: Camp Out for Hunger
The Department of Public Safety is accepting non-perishable food donations for the Camp Out for Hunger [PDF] from now through Nov. 3. Items requested must be in boxes, cans or plastic bottles; must not require refrigeration; and should be recently purchased, in good condition and not expired. Items needed are: peanut butter, jelly, cooking oil, canned tuna or meat, canned fruit and vegetables, canned stew and soups, oatmeal/breakfast cereal (non-sugar), whole grain pasta, 100% juice and rice. Donations can be dropped off at Drexel Public Safety, 3201 Arch St., Suite 350, or at Drexel Police Headquarters, 3219 Arch St. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Moran at lmm467@drexel.edu or Officer Logan Wells at ldw52@drexel.edu.
Support Our Closet With Community Coat Drive
The Lindy Center for Civic Engagement and Drexel Men’s Basketball are teaming up to support Our Closet – Powered by JFCS, a volunteer-driven program with the goal of providing the basic need of clothing to vulnerable individuals and their families throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. They distribute clothing free of charge by operating pop-up shops as well as providing emergency response packages to community members in crisis. There are no eligibility requirements to receive clothing. The drive is running now through Nov. 17. Participants are welcome to drop off gently used coats for donation at the following sites:
- The Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, 3210 Cherry St.
- Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, 3509 Spring Garden St.
Participants are also invited to join the Lindy Center for an information session with Our Closet on Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Great Court Ceiling Restoration Begins This Month
Work to repair and restore the interior ceiling of the Main Building Great Court began this week and will continue into January. Despite the scaffolding that will be put up, the Great Court will remain open to foot traffic, and access to all entrances, stairs, corridors, offices and classrooms in the Main Building will be maintained for the duration of the project.
The Winter (Employee) Olympics Come to Drexel This December
Get ready to warm up and be active — Employee Olympics is back, with a winter spin! The event will take place on Dec. 15 from 2–5 p.m. This year’s games promise cozy hot chocolate with outdoor fire pits, 25 points toward Drexel’s 2022 Wellness Incentive Program, and a commemorative Employee Olympics scarf for those participating on campus. Please note that masks are required for in-person participants to keep the community safe and healthy. Registration opens Nov. 1 on the Employee Olympics website. You can register for one of four events: the Fun Walk (virtually or in-person), baggo (teams of two), dodgeball (5-on-5), or basketball (3-on-3).
Public Safety Advisory: Bike Thefts
There has been an uptick in bicycle thefts on and around Drexel’s campuses. Follow these tips for added bicycle safety, and watch a video on how to properly lock your bike.
- Lock your bike with a quality U-lock and cable.
- Replace quick releases with locking skewers.
- Register your bike and property with Drexel Police at 3219 Arch St.
- Report suspicious activity near bike racks.
- Have a photo of your bike/property including serial number.
Reminder: Drexel’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Climate Survey
As part of Drexel’s ongoing commitment to assess and improve Drexel University's climate of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), you received an invitation via e-mail to participate in a very important survey to help University leadership gauge how students, faculty and professional staff perceive the University's climate and level of support for DEI. Drexel has contracted with a reputable organization — the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium (HEDS) — to administer the survey, gather the results and guarantee complete anonymity for all who participate. It should only take you 10-15 minutes to complete the survey, and you are invited to answer thoughtfully and honestly.
Drexel will use the information from the survey to help us reimagine the Office of Equality and Diversity, and to inform and improve support, policies and practices related to diversity and equity, including those to prevent or respond to discrimination and harassment. Your voice matters in how the University continues to build a culture of equity at Drexel. If you have any questions about this initiative, please email deiclimate@drexel.edu.
Retailer Spotlight: Greek From Greece
Drexel Business Services recently sat down with Greek From Greece owner Jimmy Gouliaberis for a Q&A on his experience and the new restaurant. Read all about it on the Business Services news feed — ideally, with a freddo cappuccino in hand! And when you check out Greek From Greece, keep in mind that Drexel students and employees receive a ten-percent discount.
Next Month’s Situational Preparedness Workshops and Cocoa With Cops
The next installments of “Your Safety Is Our Goal,” Drexel Public Safety’s monthly, interactive, virtual trainings on situational preparedness, are taking place on Nov. 16 and Dec. 16 at noon and 6 p.m. each of those days. Sign up for one of these scheduled events, or if you have a community or group you would like Public Safety to present to, or would like to propose an alternate presentation time, please contact Officer Tom Cirone at tjc94@drexel.edu or Officer Kim McClay at kam556@drexel.edu to schedule based on your availability.
The next installment of Cocoa With Cops, a meet-and-greet hosted monthly outside Drexel Police Headquarters at 3219 Arch St., will be held on Nov. 3 from 5–6:30 p.m.
General Accounting Reminder About Deposits
Departments that are expecting any receipts of funds (deposits): Please email General Accounting at acct11@drexel.edu with the expected receipt amount as well as FOAPAL to apply this receipt.