Heard Around Campus — September 2024

Heard Around Campus - September 2024

• 14 Years, Immeasurable Contributions: President John Fry's Legacy at Drexel University
• ​New Dragons Welcomed to Drexel University
• Campus Construction & Renewal Update - September 2024
• A Decade of Food Education: Philly Chef Conference Returns in October

It's fall and fall term! That means there's lot to plan for with Open Enrollment, required online Enterprise Learning courses and getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Here's what was heard around campus this month:

Register for the Flu/COVID Vaccine Clinic on Oct. 23

Human Resources will be hosting a flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic for all faculty and professional staff on Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Behrakis Grand Hall in the Creese Student Center (32^nd and Chestnut streets). Pre-registration is strongly encouraged to ensure that HR can accommodate your vaccinations. There will be limited amounts of the COVID vaccines available on-site. Walk-ins are welcome with Drexel ID and insurance card. Register online.

Save the Date: Open Enrollment and Benefits Fairs

Drexel's open enrollment for health and welfare benefits begins on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Now is the time to review your current benefit elections and prepare for what benefits you'd like in place starting Jan. 1, 2025. Visit the My Drexel Benefits portal via DrexelOne, under the Employee tab. In the portal, select Benefits Profile on the left side of your screen to view your current Benefits Information (enrolled plans), Dependents and Beneficiaries.

Open Enrollment Benefits Fairs are being held on the following dates:

• 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Creese Student Center, Behrakis Grand Hall, 3210 Chestnut Street
• 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Salus at Drexel University, the Eye Institute (TEI), Toland Classroom, 1200 W. Godfrey Avenue

If you have any questions regarding the upcoming Open Enrollment process on or after Oct. 23, please call the Drexel University Benefit Center at 1.844.690.3992; a representative is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Required Enterprise Learning and Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosures Due Nov. 1

All faculty and professional staff must complete the five required online Enterprise Learning courses by Nov. 1. You can access the courses via Your Transcript in Career Pathway.

All faculty and professional staff must also complete the Annual Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure must be completed by Nov. 1. To access the Annual Conflict of Interest and Commitment report, navigate to the Employee tab in DrexelOne, and select Conflict of Interest Disclosure under the Compliance and Privacy Programs channel.

Policy Council: Call for Nominations for 2024-2025

Now through October, the Office of Compliance, Policy and Privacy Services will be accepting nominations for new members to serve on the Policy Council for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please visit the Policy Council website for details on the role of the Policy Council, eligibility to serve, and how to submit a nomination. Nominations must be received by Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. Currently there are five faculty positions, three student positions and one professional staff position open. Members of the Drexel community with an interest in university policymaking may nominate themselves or someone else to serve. Please direct any questions to [email protected].

Sleep, Spending & Sustainability: Upcoming Healthier U Wellness Workshops

Drexel's Wellness Incentive Program is here to help you learn with a series of new live/virtual wellness workshops that will earn you 15 wellness points each. Register for the workshops of your choice in Career Pathway, and make sure you've completed your Personal Health Profile, as it's required before you can earn points toward these workshops. You have until Nov. 30 to earn points for 2024.

• Get A Great Night's Sleep: Successful Tips and Tricks: Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Curbing Holiday Overspending: Nov. 12, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Linking Sustainability and Wellness at Work: Nov. 13, 12-1 p.m.

The HR events calendar has a full list of scheduled workshops related to physical, financial and emotional well-being.

Earn an Administrative Professionals Certificate on Change Management

The Administrative Professionals Certificate: Change Management is designed to equip administrative professionals with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively manage and lead organizational change. This comprehensive program offers a deep dive into the principles and practices of change management, focusing on fundamental concepts, various change models, strategies for coping with workplace change and effective communication techniques. Learn more about this certificate in Career Pathway.

Virtual Oct. 17 Q&A: "Menopause Decoded"

Join a Q&A panel on menopause, hosted by Progyny, Drexel's fertility and adoption assistance provider. In this panel, experts will break down how to identify and navigate your symptoms, common misconceptions, and how to get the care and support you deserve. Register online.

Fall Flowers and Programming at the Gateway Garden

The campus is alive again with energy that could only be the start of another academic year! As you settle into the term, check out the Gateway Garden (32nd Street and JFK Blvd) and all its fall foliage (see: "What's Growing" guide).

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which manages the garden, invites students, faculty and staff to its community programming. The weekly Meet the Brewers series returns to the Gateway Garden on Wednesdays in October from 5-7 p.m. (you must be 21+ to attend); just search "Meet the Brewers" on the Drexel Event Calendar. The weekly Maker's Market returns Thursdays in October beginning Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring Philly-made products for sale. For more information about fall events and programming at the Gateway Garden, read the related article on the Drexel Business Services website.

Fall Dates for Climate Café

Anxiety and concern about climate change are real and affect many of us, piling up on top of life's other stresses. A climate café provides a welcoming, informal and private space for all to share what they're feeling and thinking about the state of the Earth. This fall, stop by for climate café events at the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement (3210 Cherry St.) on Oct. 15 from 5:30-7 p.m. and Nov. 13 from 10-11:30 a.m. All Drexel students, faculty, professional staff and neighbors are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact [email protected].

Achieve Your Financial Goals With Expert Guidance From TIAA

A financial advisor from TIAA can help you create a financial plan that's tailored to your situation and goals, help you make informed decisions, manage your investments, and address changes in your life. Schedule a session to meet with a financial consultant on campus this fall. One-hour appointments are available on the following dates at 3201 Arch St., Suite 430: Oct. 3, Oct. 29, Nov. 7 and Nov. 21. Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible for your session by visiting tiaa.org/schedulenow or calling 800.732.8353 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Public Safety Seeks Your Feedback

Share comments, concerns and commendations regarding Drexel Public Safety's engagement in the community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy and compliance with its continued accredited status from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Through Oct. 11, you can add comments on both the Drexel Police (DUPD) portal and the Drexel Public Safety Communications Center (DUPSCC) portal.

Are You Registered to Vote?

Get ready to vote, Dragons! The 2024 general election is on Nov. 5. 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.

Reminder: DragonCard Services Relocated to MacAlister Hall

DragonCard Services recently relocated their University City office to MacAlister Hall (3250 Chestnut St.); their new entrance is visible and accessible from Chestnut Street. Guests can enter from the Creese Student Center patio behind LaScala's FIRE. For more information regarding the DragonCard Services office move and DragonCard perks, read the related article on the Drexel Business Services website.

Faculty and Staff Dining Plans and Special-priced Dining

Dining Plans for Faculty and Staff: Drexel faculty and professional staff can select from one of the two Faculty/Staff Drexel Campus Dining Plans, which can be used at any of the Campus Dining locations, including all-you-care-to-eat facilities Urban Eatery and the Handschumacher Dining Center. New as of fall 2024: Dining Dollars associated with Drexel Campus Dining Plans can be used at Aramark Micro Markets on campus. Faculty and Staff Dining Plans do not expire, are available via payroll deduction, and can be purchased through the GET Mobile app.

Special-Priced Dining for Faculty and Staff:A dining plan is optional if you want to dine in any of the Drexel Campus Dining locations (other acceptable forms of payment are cash and credit card). On Fridays, faculty and staff can dine for breakfast for $6.81, lunch for $8.97, or dinner for $10.17. Visit the Drexel Campus Dining website for location hours and daily menus.

2022 W-2 Error Impacting Some Drexel Faculty and Professional Staff

An administrative error in Drexel's employer filings provided to the IRS for 2022 has resulted in a discrepancy between the taxable income reported by Drexel to the IRS and the correct amounts recorded on employees' W-2 forms. The Payroll Department made corrections in January 2023 that they thought addressed this error, but recently learned from employees who received a notification from the IRS that the issue remained outstanding. On Aug. 22, 2024, the Payroll Department filed an amendment with the IRS through our payroll tax agent, ADP, to fully correct the issue. Please see the related announcement for additional details.

New Tool Available on the Comptroller's Toolbox

At the request of the University community, a new tool has been developed in the Comptroller's Toolbox, which houses the Journal Workflow 3.0 application and Fixed Asset Confirmation Tool used by many in the University community. This new application entitled, "Fund Financial Manager Maintenance," can be found under the application menu in the Journal Workflow. Please see the related announcement for FAQs concerning the new tool.

Routing Queue Change for Effort Reporting and Grant-Related Labor Redistributions

On Sept. 30, 2024, the Office of the Comptroller will be implementing a change to the Effort Reporting and Labor Redistribution modules of Banner. This change will affect who can approve grant-related effort reports and labor redistributions. Currently, effort reports and labor redistributions route to the grant's Principal Investigator. The updated routing queue will now route the approval to the fund's Principal Investigator. Please see the related announcement for additional details.

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 Aug. 31, 2025. This extension of time should provide ample opportunity for faculty eligible for both TFTP and the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Plan 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.