Provost Updates and Stories of Partnership

This message was sent to faculty and staff on April 18, 2024.

Dear Colleagues,

I’m pleased to share the following updates, important policy reminders, and stories of our colleagues leading innovative work in teaching, research and partnership.

General Updates

• In February, the deans from each college and school came together to share their visions for their units, opportunities for collaboration and hiring needs related to future areas of growth. This inaugural Faculty Hiring Summit — the first in an ongoing series — marks a shift in our approach toward more collaborative, integrated hiring strategies that align with academic priorities and provide opportunities for cluster hiring.
• A Climate Pedagogy Incubator and new student project fund were among the awarded projects of The Environmental Collaboratory’s Climate Hub Grant Program, supported by the Waverly Street Foundation.
• Further signaling the breadth of expertise in one of Drexel’s Areas of Excellence and Opportunity, four colleges and schools have teamed up with Johnson & Johnson to host an interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Symposium on “The Race to Health Equity” on May 15.

Policies and Systems

• A reminder about the Absence from Class policy: Due to federal regulations on privacy (HIPAA and FERPA), faculty should not request medical documentation from students under any circumstance, including those who have missed class(es). We are currently reviewing the policy for any needed clarification.
• As part of her ELATES Fellowship, Associate Professor Maureen Tang collaborated across the University to create this Faculty Flowchart for Student Disengagement and Mental Health, providing guidance and suggested language for referring students to a range of support services.
• A new committee has been formed to review the University’s course evaluations system and consider a replacement for the current vendor, AEFIS.

Mark Your Calendar

• Join Drexel Global tomorrow, April 19, at 11 a.m. for a Fulbright program information session with former Fulbright Scholar and Fulbright Ambassador Jeff Stanley, visiting assistant professor at the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.
• Celebrate the continuous improvement of Drexel’s academic programs at the virtual Drexel Assessment Day on May 28. Submit a proposal to share the assessment work happening in your college or school.
• The Promoting Research, Innovation and Diversity Education (P.R.I.D.E.) 4 LGBTQ+ Symposium will take place on June 6 in MacAlister Hall. Submit a poster proposal to present research or a creative topic that centers LGBTQ+ perspectives or experiences.

Partnership in Action

• At COP28, the United Nation’s 28th annual global climate meeting, The Environmental Collaboratory co-established a first-of-its-kind higher education pavilion, and several faculty and staff across the University led sessions with partners.
• A team of experts from Drexel and the Academy of Natural Sciences partnered with FMC Corp. to bring safe, clean water to Indian villages, establishing a blueprint for future collaborations.
• Days after presenting at the National Academy of Sciences, Psychology Professor Naomi Goldstein cohosted a convening of experts and funders to map a research and policy change agenda at the intersection of the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

I look forward to announcing this year’s Provost Awardees for pedagogical and research excellence later in May, and continuing to share stories of our dedicated colleagues.

Sincerely,

Paul E. Jensen
Executive Vice President
Nina Henderson Provost