Heard Around Campus — July 2024

Heard Around Campus - July 2024

• Q&A: What Happens Now After Drexel and Salus Have Merged?
• Neville Vakharia, PhD, Appointed Dean of the Pennoni Honors College
• A Message From Denis O'Brien, Drexel's Interim President
• Announcing Visionary Philadelphia Leader Denis O'Brien as Drexel's Interim President

It's almost the end of summer, and summer term. Enjoy the last of the warm weather with special events outside on campus, and make sure you're ready for the future with TIAA financial planning and the upcoming annual performance process.

Here's what was heard around campus this month.

Join Public Safety for National Night Out Aug. 6

Drexel Public Safety will once again be hosting National Night Out (NNO) on Aug. 6, 5-8 p.m., on Lancaster Walk. NNO enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. This event also provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Come out for a night of resources, food, music and camaraderie!

Schedule Your 1:1 Financial Consultation With TIAA Aug. 8

TIAA is back on campus and ready to support your financial journey. To schedule a one-on-one, in-person consultation meeting with Drexel's TIAA representative, Sabrina Evenosky, visit tiaa.org/schedulenow. Meetings are one hour and take place on Aug. 8 at the Human Resources office (3201 Arch St., 4th Floor, Suite 430). If you need assistance scheduling an in-person investment advice session, contact 800.732.8353, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Plus: Save the date for a TIAA workshop on Aug. 28, 12 p.m., in which TIAA will lay out the five steps to setting your retirement date! The registration link is coming soon and will be available on the HR events calendar.

Summer Workshops and Guest Brewers at The Gateway Garden

Summer flowers are in bloom at The Gateway Garden (32nd and JFK Blvd), and the Drexel community is invited to attend summer programs hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in the garden:

• Garden Workshop: Flowerpot Painting on Aug. 1 from 2- 4 p.m.
• Meet the Brewers: Summery Ciders with Dressler Estate on Aug. 7 from 5- 7 p.m.
• Garden Workshop: Teacup Gardens on Aug. 15 from 2- 4 p.m.
• Meet the Brewers: Runaway to the Circus with Fat Lady Brewing on Aug. 21 from 5- 7 p.m.
• Garden Workshop: Botanical Tonics and Refreshers on Aug. 29 from 2- 4 p.m.

Visit Business Services' website for more information and event descriptions.

Drexel community members are invited to join the Gateway Garden Community Group on Microsoft Teams to stay updated on changes and additions to the Gateway Garden and upcoming programs.

Barnes and Noble Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day: Aug. 21

Drexel Barnes and Noble, located at 3250 Chestnut Street, invites faculty and staff to a special shopping day on Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Faculty and staff with a valid DragonCard will receive an additional 10 percent discount on eligible in-store purchases on top of the typical 15 percent discount. The appreciation discount does not apply to discounted items and may include other exclusions; see store for details.

Did You Max Out Your Wellness Incentive Program Earnings Yet?

Full-time and part-time benefits-eligible faculty and professional staff enrolled in a Drexel medical plan, or full-time employees who waive medical coverage, are eligible to earn up to $400 ($1 per point) from the Wellness Incentive Program, which runs from Jan. 1 to Nov. 30. Spouses and domestic partners who receive medical insurance through Drexel, or spouses and domestic partners of employees who waive medical coverage, are also invited to participate and can earn up to $250, paid via the employee's paycheck.

Eligible partners will need to be listed as dependents in the benefit enrollment system, even if they are not participating in any health benefits, in order to participate. This will give them access to their own secure portal to complete activities, and, like employees, they will also have to complete a Personal Health Profile before any incentive payouts are processed.

There are many possible ways to earn 400 points. Please review the guides in the right sidebar under "How to Earn Points" on the program page, or check out the DrexelNEWS article with examples of how to earn the full $400 incentive.

Please note that you must complete your Personal Health Profile (PHP) in order to receive payouts in your paycheck. Please see Health Advocate PHP Well-being PDF Flyer to learn how to complete your PHP.

If you need help with missing or delayed wellness points, please contact the HR Service Center at [email protected] or 215.895.2850.

Share Your Opinion on Climate Change Learning Opportunities

Please take a minute to answer the latest Climate Action Plan (CAP) poll question. The CAP committee is sharing these periodic questions as a way for everybody in the Drexel community to provide feedback on the plan process, especially if you have not had the time to participate in a committee. This question is about whether you have opportunities to learn more about climate change in this region.

It's Never Too Early to Get Ready to Vote

The 2024 general election is on Nov. 5; this year is a presidential election year. Have you registered to vote yet? The deadline to register in Pennsylvania is Oct. 21, and the last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is Oct. 29. For all the information you need on this year's election and the resources available, visit drexel.edu/vote.

Important Date Change for TFTP Enrollment

The enrollment deadline for the Tenured Faculty Transition Policy (TFTP) has been extended to Nov. 30, 2024, for faculty electing to retire on August 31, 2025. This extension of time should provide ample opportunity for faculty eligible for both TFTP and the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to make an informed and considered decision. To elect to participate in the TFTP for Aug. 31, 2025, retirement date, you may now submit your Election and General Release of Claims to Faculty Affairs by Nov. 30, 2024.

Prepare for the Annual Performance Process

Each fall, faculty and professional staff undergo the annual performance process tailored to their roles. Whether as employees or managers, it's beneficial to start planning early on how to engage meaningfully in this process for maximum support.

Faculty members and department heads can find more information on the Faculty Annual Review (FAR) on the Office of Faculty Advancement website, including the timeline, instructions, and PDFs showing the sections of the FAR.

Professional staff members and managers can find information about the annual performance development process on the HR website, including the intention of the process, timeline, steps, examples and other guidance.

Resources Galore from Health Advocate

Drexel partners with Health Advocate to offer Drexel benefits-eligible employees and their families assistance with navigating the nuances of the healthcare system. Whether you're confused about a hospital bill or looking for a new provider within your network, Health Advocate representatives are ready to assist you. Health Advocate often shares timely health tips, including the following:

• Summer exercise tips [PDF]: With warmer weather and more daylight, summer is the perfect opportunity to develop healthy exercise habits.
• Building community at work [PDF]: Whether you work onsite or remotely, fostering connections with your colleagues is essential for job satisfaction, productivity and overall well-being.

For more information and resources, please visit healthadvocate.com.

Recent Policy Status Changes

The following Official University Policies recently changed their status to under review:

• EIC - 1: Discrimination, Harassment, and Bias Incident Prevention Policy
• EIC - 3: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy
• PO - 03: Absence From Class

Please visit the Policy Directory for a list of all Official University Policies and information about them, including their current statuses. Email [email protected] for any Policy Compliance Process questions.