Heard Around Campus — February
The month might have been shorter than others, but February contained a multitude of events on campus and responses to outside forces that were packed into this short 28-day period.
Here's what was heard around campus this month.
Drexel Responds to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order Banning Travel
On Jan. 27, President Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending entry into the United States for refugees, immigrants and visa holders from seven Middle Eastern and North African countries.
In the wake of the executive order on travel and immigration, Drexel has created a resource hub chockfull of information on U.S. policy changes and University resources to help those who may be affected.
A panel of Drexel experts held a discussion on Feb. 8 to discuss the national and international impacts of the order. If you haven’t already, check out the DrexelNow event recap.
Reaffirming Drexel's Support for Restroom Access for Transgender Individuals
On Feb. 22, President Trump, the Justice Department and the Education Department rejected the Obama administration's position allowing transgender students to use the bathrooms relating to their gender identity. The next day, Drexel's Office of Equality and Diversity sent a University-wide email highlighting Drexel's protection of the right of individuals to use the facilities that comport with their gender identity and expression, rather than their sex assigned at birth — a commitment described in further detail in Drexel's non-discrimination policies and Philadelphia's Fair Practices Ordinance. Questions or concerns about the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals can be directed to the Office of Equality and Diversity.
University Receives Prestigious U.S. Department of State Grant
Drexel was named one of 38 host universities across the country that were awarded a U.S. Department of State and IREX grant to host a Mandela Washington Fellowship program this summer — and thus became the first Philadelphia institution to host a Mandela Washington Fellowship. From June 16–July 30, 25 Young African Leaders will convene for workshops, seminars, civic engagement and cultural exchange under the theme of civic leadership through the program, co-facilitated by LeBow College of Business’s Institute of Strategic Leadership and the Office of International Programs. Here’s the LeBow story with more information if you’re interested.
Help Keep Drexel Green During RecycleMania 2017
Drexel is continuing its annual tradition of participating in RecycleMania, a friendly benchmarking tool for colleges and universities across the country to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. Check out the page on Drexel Green’s website for additional information, including an infographic and recycling guide related to recycling at Drexel.
The competition kicked off on Feb. 5 and continues through April 1. The first of three special recycling collection events will be held on the University City Campus on March 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Recreation Center, with events following on March 7 at the main entrance of the Queen Lane Campus (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and March 14 at the New College Building on Drexel’s Center City Campus (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). All members of the University community are invited to bring paper, plastic, aluminum, glass, cell phones and computer equipment to be recycled.