Other University Policies

The following Policies are under the jurisdiction of offices or departments other than Student Conduct & Care. Alleged violations of any of the Policies can be resolved through the Student Conduct Process.

Two-Year Residency Requirement

The Drexel University Two-Year Residency Program has been developed to provide a living environment that complements the Student's educational experience and contributes to the Student's growth as a member of the University community and beyond. Full-time undergraduate Students whose permanent address, as stated in their official University Record, is approximately outside of a 10-mile radius of the University City Campus are required to live in a Drexel Residence Hall for their first (freshman) year and in a Drexel Residence Hall or University-Affiliated Housing for their second (sophomore) year.

Additional information about the residency requirement and exceptions can be found on Housing and Residence Life.

Student Life Policies and Guidelines

Student Life, comprised of the offices of Student Centers and Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Recreation Athletics, and the Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion, can establish policies and/or guidelines for recognition, funding, event registration, and other privileges granted to Student Organizations. Students and Student Organizations are expected to familiarize themselves with and adhere to the policies and guidelines of their affiliated office. Failure to adhere to the policies and guidelines may result in disciplinary action under the Code of Conduct in addition to any action taken by the affiliated office.

DragonCard Policy

The DragonCard is the official identification card of Drexel University. It serves to identify Students, faculty, and professional staff of the University and is a tool to access buildings, dining plans, Dragon Dollars, and other on-campus services. The DragonCard is the property of Drexel University and is governed by University regulations.

DragonCards are issued only to Students who are registered for classes (or are on an official co-op assignment) for the current term. The DragonCard must be carried at all times while on University-owned property, as Students may be required to produce proper Drexel identification to a Public Safety officer or University official.

All members of the University community can immediately mark their card as "lost" via the GET Portal to prevent unauthorized usage. More information about these instances can be found on the DragonCard website. Temporary identification cards are issued as a service at the request of the Student. These temporary cards are valid for a maximum one-week time frame and Students may only receive one temporary identification card per term.

Each year, it is the responsibility of the Student to bring their DragonCard to one of the validation locations to have their registration status verified and receive a validation sticker noting the current calendar year. Students without validated DragonCards are not permitted access to most buildings and services on campus.

Every Student should familiarize themselves with the applicable Policies in the Code of Conduct [PDF] regarding DragonCard use/misuse.

More information about the DragonCard can be found on the DragonCard website.  

Health Insurance Policy

All full-time Students are required to demonstrate proof of coverage under a health insurance plan each academic year that they are enrolled. Domestic Students may satisfy the requirement by purchasing the Drexel Health Insurance plan or by submitting an online insurance waiver form. Failure to complete an online waiver form or purchase the University-sponsored plan will result in a default enrollment into the University-sponsored plan. The charge for this plan will subsequently appear on the University bill. Once this charge has been placed on the Student's account, it cannot be removed and Students will be enrolled in Drexel Student Health Insurance for the full academic year.

All undergraduate international Students must purchase the University-sponsored plan (the only plan accepted in lieu of the Drexel plan will be Embassy-sponsored coverage). Graduate international Students holding a J-1 visa must also purchase the University-sponsored plan so that federally governed J-1 mandates are met.

Information about the Health Insurance Policy can be found on Counseling and Health.

Immunization Policy

Drexel University requires all entering full-time undergraduate and graduate Students and all full- and part-time international Students (includes all visa holders and permanent residents) to complete the following immunization schedule:

• MMR vaccine: measles, mumps, rubella (2 doses)
• Hepatitis B vaccine (2 doses, 3 preferred)
• Tuberculosis screening by all full-time Students and testing if necessary (information available on the immunization form sent to Students)
• Varicella (chicken pox; either history of disease or two doses of the varicella vaccine)
• TDAP (within the past 10 years)
• Meningococcal (only required for all Students 21 years or younger or any student living in University housing)

The immunization form requires a doctor's signature.

Drexel University currently does not require the Meningococcal B vaccine as the American College Health Association, our guiding body, has not yet endorsed this vaccine as required for University Students. We do recommend that all Students speak with their family physicians about the advisability of getting this vaccine, and if necessary, we will assist Students in finding Philadelphia locations where the vaccine is available.

The immunization requirement is based on the recommendations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health Immunizations and the American College Health Association. Students can satisfy this requirement by completing the immunization form that is mailed to Students prior to entering Drexel.

Students can access the form on Counseling and Health.

Failure to comply with this Policy will result in an administrative hold being placed on the Student's record, which will prevent registration for the next term's classes. Residential Students who have not complied with the stated Immunization Policy will also not be able to remain in their residence hall until completing this requirement.

Information about the Immunization Policy can be found on Counseling and Health.

Photography For Official University Use

Drexel University reserves the right to photograph and/or film members of the University community including, but not limited to: its Students, faculty, and staff, in situations appropriate to the image of an academic institution, and to publish likenesses in Drexel University publications, video, websites, news media, social media, or other recruitment or promotional materials.

Social Host Policy

Drexel University supports safe social hosting practices by individual Students and Student Organizations. Hosts, individuals, and student organizations are expected to take reasonable measures to discourage alcohol abuse and to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as the Code of Conduct.

The following guidelines are intended to help hosts understand their responsibilities when hosting a social event. These guidelines are not intended to absolve a host of liability and can be supplemented by additional measures, as the host sees fit. Allegations of misconduct may be issued, despite a host's best efforts to follow these guidelines. These measures are suggestions and are not meant to be exhaustive.

• Do not host an "open" event. An open event is one that permits entry to Students, guests, and any other member of the community who wishes to attend. Hosts should know who is in their space to ensure crowds do not become too large and those attending can be held accountable for their actions.
• Hosts, whether individuals or organizations, should never sell alcoholic beverages. Additionally, "common source" alcohol — including kegs, bulk quantities of alcohol, or jungle juice/alcoholic punch in any form — is not permitted under Drexel's Code of Conduct [PDF], regardless of the age of individuals consuming the alcohol.
• When hosting a BYO (bring-your-own) event, it is recommended that hosts place a limit on the quantity of alcohol brought by any given attendee. For example, an attendee should not be allowed to bring more than a six-pack of beer. The host should also consider limiting the types of alcohol brought to their space based on the alcohol-by-volume rating of a given beverage. Hard liquor should be discouraged or banned completely.
• A comparable supply of food and non-alcoholic beverages should be provided by a host and placed in plain sight for attendees to consume.
• The Code explicitly prohibits individuals from providing a space for individuals under the age of 21 to consume alcohol. Hosts should confirm the age of every attendee by checking their state-issued identification card. Please note that checking identification cards does not absolve the host of responsibility in the event that someone under 21 years of age is found intoxicated at the event.
• The host should have designated individuals at an event who will stay sober and monitor the event for safety of all attendees. These individuals should be familiar with the signs of alcohol poisoning and understand the appropriate steps to seek professional assistance in the event of an emergency. Sober monitors serve mainly to contact professional help and should not be expected to perform CPR, intervene in verbal or physical disputes, or any other action that may endanger their well-being or the well-being of others. The host should clearly outline the sober monitors' role at the event as any actions by the monitors will directly impact the host.

Social hosts should be familiar with the Responsible Dragon Amnesty Policy found within the Alcohol and Drug Policies above.

Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Policies

Drexel University academic policies are listed on the Office of the Provost website, and these policies guide Students' decisions about their progress and performance. Some policies apply only to undergraduate or graduate students, and colleges and schools may have published policies and procedures that are consistent with University policies but impose more stringent requirements or provide greater detail consistent with the major/program. Academic policies are subject to change, and Students will be responsible to comply with the most current published policy on the respective websites unless an exception has been granted by the proper authority.

Graduate students should review the information on the Graduate College website. Policies are subject to change, and Students will be responsible to comply with the most current policy unless an exception has been granted by the proper authority.