Daily Brief
June 3, 2024
KU Students in Japan
Eleven Kutztown University students are currently in Japan studying at Kyorin University, Western Tokyo. They've visited museums, a nature reserve and have attended lectures with Japanese university students. Dr. Hideyuki Miura (far left, blue shirt) lectured on geo-political relations between Japan, China and the U.S. and addressed Japan's recent trilateral agreement with South Korea and China. This Kutztown/Kyorin exchange was possible thanks to Kyorin professor Michele Joel '91 (left side, red dress) and her generous colleagues. In September 2024, Joel will bring eight Japanese students to Kutztown for two weeks to complete the exchange. The Kutztown students participating in this exchange are Will McQuoid, Sarah Spranger, Kristin Taragna, Ryan Ball, Sara Hunter, Isabel Baughman, Ant Fritchman, Sophia Lucas, Jaden Barr, Haley Afif and Felicity Brown.
Derek Mace, Psychology
Art Exhibitions Open for Summer
The Miller Gallery's Summer Exhibition "Best of 2024" is open to the public through Saturday, Aug. 3. This exhibition features select artwork from 2024 graduates with BFAs in animated arts, art, art education and communication design. The Gallery is located in the Sharadin Arts Building, off the Atrium/Fountain entrance. The Atrium Gallery will be exhibiting the "Foundation Year Exhibition," showcasing the best of our first-year art students. Summer hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Karen Stanford, CVPA Galleries and Community Outreach
Weather
Weather forecasts are provided by KU's Dr. Michael Davis and "Monsoon Mike" Regensburger
A weak system passes through during the day. While the day will have a good amount of sun, there could be enough instability for an afternoon shower or thunderstorm. High temperature near 84.
Announcements
June kicks off Pride Month
June marks Pride Month, in celebration of the movement for LGBTQ+ rights and community. Pride Month began after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests in 1969, and has since spread around the world. We celebrate and appreciate the contributions our LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty bring to the Kutztown University community. The LGBTQ+ Resource Center and the Office of Admissions will be at two pride events this summer. If you are at PRIDE, please be sure to stop by and say hello; if you would like to volunteer to be at the booth for an hour or more, please contact the following:
- Reading/Berks Pride, Sunday, July 21: Jerry Schearer (schearer@kutztown.edu)
- Lehigh Valley Pride, Sunday, Aug. 18: Christine Price (price@kutztown.edu)
Jerry Schearer, Diversity and Inclusion
Caribbean American and Immigrant Heritage Month
June is Caribbean American Heritage Month and Immigration Heritage Month.
- Caribbean American Heritage Month was established in June 2006 to honor and celebrate the rich and diverse culture of the Caribbean American population.
- Immigrant Heritage Month is a celebration in the United States that occurs annually in June. This month is dedicated to honoring and recognizing the contributions of immigrants to the U.S. The campus community is enriched by the diversity of our students, staff and faculty from Caribbean heritage and all those who have immigrated to the United States. We celebrate and honor you.
Jerry Schearer, Diversity and Inclusion
New Administrative Assistant for Student Success and Academic Enrichment
Please join me in welcoming Bethany French to the Student Success and Academic Excellence team. Bethany works with the programs and services in Student Success and Academic Excellence, as well as the Department of Academic Enrichment, and is looking forward to working more directly with students. Don't hesitate to reach out to Bethany at 610-683-4007 or french@kutztown.edu.
Andrea Kirshman, Student Success and Academic Excellence
Annual Spouse Attestation for PEBTF Benefits
The annual PEBTF spouse attestation for AFSCME and SCUPA employees hired on or after Aug. 1, 2003, will be held from June 1 through July 31. Employees who do not complete the attestation by Wednesday, July 31, will have their spouse terminated effective Thursday, Aug. 1. The initial letter was mailed Thursday, May 23. The online attestation on the PEBTF website is available to employees. If you have any questions, please contact PEBTF directly at 1-800-522-7279.
Jeanette Forster, Human Resources
Leave Donations Requested
AFSCME, OPEIU, SPFPA, POA and management employees can donate annual or personal leave to designated employees with a qualifying catastrophic or severe illness/injury. Sandra Kapsa-Warren (Clerical Assistant 2, Housing and Residence Life) has qualified and requested donations. Visit the link below for the "Leave Donation Form." For more information on the leave donation program, click here.
Jennifer Weidman, Human Resources
Social Equity Policies Training
This summer, the Office of Social Equity will offer five Social Equity Policies training sessions pursuant to the university’s Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct and Amorous Relationships Policies. To register for a training, please click here.
- 9 a.m. Monday, June 10, via Zoom.
- 10 a.m. Thursday, June 20, Social Equity Training Room.
- 9 a.m. Friday, June 28, via Zoom.
- 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, Social Equity Training Room.
- 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, via Zoom.
Reminder: All faculty and staff members must take the Social Equity Policies training on a yearly basis. If you cannot recall when you last completed the training, please contact the Office of Social Equity; we will be glad to check our records.
If you would like to schedule an in-person training for your department, please send a request by email to socialequity@kutztown.edu or contact the Office of Social Equity at extension 3-4700. Please obtain approval from your supervisor if necessary.
Social Equity Policies Training Sign Up Sheet
The Office of Social Equity and Compliance
Academic Chairs and Secretaries List
The updated Academic Department Chairs and Secretaries list has been uploaded to the Provost, Academic Affairs website under "Resources" and "Forms/Faculty and Staff Resources."
Anne Imschweiler, Office of the Provost
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Event |
| June 7 | 9 a.m. | Week-by-Week Workplace Wellness 223 MSU |
| June 10 | 9 a.m. | Social Equity Policies Training Zoom |
| June 12 | 11:30 a.m. | Faculty and Staff Recognition Picnic O'Pake Fieldhouse (RSVP) |
Accommodations
Persons with a disability, and who require accommodation, should notify the Disability Services Office two weeks prior to the event at 610-683-4108 or email DSO@kutztown.edu, TDD number: 610-683-4499, in order to discuss accommodations. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations. Please note: Kutztown University does not provide wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. To discuss a complaint of discrimination, please contact the Office of Social Equity, Old Main A-Wing, Room 02, by phone at 610-683-4700 or by email at pena@kutztown.edu. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Kutztown University does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including admissions and employment. Any inquiries regarding the application of Title IX at Kutztown University may be made to Bradley Davis, the university’s Title IX coordinator, located in Old Main A-Wing, Room 02A, by phone at 610-683-4782 or by email at titleix@kutztown.edu. You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights located in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, by phone at 800-421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339), by fax at 202-453-6012, or by email at OCR@ed.gov.