Heard Around Campus — October
During the course of the first full month of fall term, Drexel University has made a lot of changes that will change the way faculty and staff use University resources. Here's what was heard around campus during this month.
Ask Drexel
On Oct. 17, Procurement Services unveiled Ask Drexel, a service that can answer all questions regarding all things Procurement. This includes any questions regarding SmartSource, sourcing, accounts payable, surplus, diversity vendors, P-Card, vendor events and travel reimbursements. AskDrexel also features frequently asked questions for your reference.
Links to AskDrexel are on DrexelOne and on the Procurement Services website under Quick Links. Step-by-step instructions are available at drexel.edu/procurement/training/overview.
The 2016 President’s Awards
The President’s Awards for Excellence, Civic Engagement and Intercultural Engagement and Diversity will be celebrated on Nov. 3.
“The President’s Awards celebration is a highlight of the year, a night to recognize the impact that our most dedicated and innovative employees have on Drexel’s success,” said President John A. Fry in an email that went out Oct. 18. “I encourage you to attend the ceremony to recognize your colleagues who have been nominated for or awarded this honor.”
You can RSVP here.
Bruce A. Levine Named Director for the Drexel University – Washington, DC Center
Drexel has had a Washington, DC, Office since 2013 with faculty from the College of Computing & Informatics, the College of Nursing and Health Professions, the School of Education and business representatives from Drexel University Online. Additionally, faculty and University offices have used this space for alumni networking events, educational opportunities for students, and meetings with leaders at federal agencies and in public policy.
Earlier this month, Executive Vice President and Provost M. Brian Blake named Bruce A. Levine as the director for the Drexel University – Washington, DC Center. Levine is an assistant clinical professor in the School of Education and director of the Educational Policy and Global and International Education Program. He will continue to serve in those capacities while additionally focusing his efforts to develop new programming at the center.
For more information and ways to use this space, visit the Washington, DC Center website.
Fall Construction Updates
Current projects:
3101 Market St.: Renovation for the relocation of engineering laboratories and electrical and computer engineering laboratories from the third floor of Bossone Research Enterprise Center and for the expansion of the College of Engineering’s research capacities is underway. Designs have been completed for offices for the A.J. Drexel Institute for Energy and the Environment, a social sciences lab and a geographic information systems lab. Construction is expected to be complete this winter. Occupancy anticipated in early 2017.
Bossone Research Enterprise Center Renovations: Fifth-floor laboratories with new chemical fume hoods are complete. Construction is underway for repurposing the sixth floor for biomedical engineering. Occupancy anticipated in early 2017.
Center for Automation Technology (CAT): Infrastructure improvements needed to support new wet research laboratories for the Department of Chemistry, as well as the environmental engineering component of the Institute for Energy and the Environment laboratories, are in progress. Construction documents are completed and construction will take place in multiple phases over three fiscal years. Phase one — the basement demolition and construction of the floor with associated infrastructure —began in early June 2016. Substantial completion is expected in December.
Daskalakis Athletic Center (DAC) Renovations: Construction is complete for Phases 5 and 6. Renovations on the basketball court level include new bathrooms, offices, ticket booth, conference room, storage rooms and audio/visual room for TV. A new air conditioning system for the arena has also been installed.
Fox Historic Costume Collection (URBN Center): The expansion of the Fox Historic Costume Collection is moving into the design development phase. Atkin Olshin Schade is the architect for this project, which was made possible by a generous gift from Penny and Robert Fox.
Korman Center/Korman Quad Enhancements: Gluckman Tang is the architect for an addition to the existing Korman Center building that will add much needed student common space and update the building’s appearance to align more closely with the quality of the newer buildings on the Quad. Renovations to the Quad, to be named the "Korman Quadrangle," will integrate it with the existing Perelman Plaza to revitalize this core thoroughfare. The project, funded by a generous $8 million gift from the Hyman Korman Family Foundation with a University match, is expected to be complete in fall 2017. The front entrance to the building is currently closed as construction moves into full swing on the addition.
Public Realm Plan: Urban design and landscape architecture firm West 8 is completing the final edits to a Public Realm Plan for the University.
Raymond G. Perelman Center for Jewish Life: Construction was completed with a grand opening scheduled on Oct. 26.
Stein Auditorium Renovation (Nesbitt Hall): Renovations are complete to make the auditorium fully ADA-accessible with the addition of a ramp to access the stage, new auditorium seating with larger tablet arms and other cosmetic upgrades including lighting.
Thomas R. Kline Institute for Trial Advocacy at the Kline School of Law: The renovation of 1200 Chestnut St. for the Thomas R. Kline Institute for Trial Advocacy is in progress, with substantial completion targeted for spring 2017.
Classroom improvements completed for Fall Quarter: In addition to the renovation to Stein Auditorium, the following changes were made to areas on campus: The renovation of Curtis 231, a new 125-student flexible classroom at Queen Lane 104, new stadium seating in URBN 239, updated furnishings in four classrooms in Randell Hall and a newly renovated space to house the College of Nursing and Health Professions music therapy program in New College Building 3101.
Third-Party Project Updates
Childcare Mixed-Use/Residential Development (Radnor Property Group): Construction is underway on the development of Vue32, a new 16-story mixed-use residential and childcare development at 3201 Race St. Nobel Learning Communities will be the operator of the 180-person preschool facility. The childcare/residential tower will total 176,000 square feet. The project also involves the development of 12 owner-occupied townhomes totaling 13,200 square feet. Radnor Property Group is developing the project under a ground lease agreement with Drexel (similar to the third-party developments by American Campus Communities), at no cost to the University.
The Study Hotel at University City (Hospitality 3): Construction is in progress at 33rd and Chestnut streets for Hospitality 3’s 212-room boutique hotel. Substantial completion is expected in December.
University City High School Site (Drexel-Wexford Science & Technology Joint Venture): Temporary parking lots have been installed along 38th Street. Infrastructure work began in January and is in progress.
Visit the Drexel Master Plan blog for additional project updates and images from Vice President for University Facilities and Real Estate Bob Francis.