Daily Brief

KU Faculty Member Elected to Board of Directors for National Association of Social Workers

Dr. Yasoda Sharma, professor of social work, has been elected to serve on the board of directors for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) (Region IV), the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. This organization works to enhance the professional growth of its members while maintaining high standards to advance social policies that improve the lives of individuals, families, organizations and communities around the globe.
Read more.

University Relations

2023 PEBTF Open Enrollment

PEBTF covered employees (i.e., AFSCME and SCUPA): The Open Enrollment period opened Oct. 17 and closes Friday, Nov. 4. This is your opportunity to make changes to your coverage or your covered dependents, as determined by the plan. If you wish to make changes, please go to Benefits Enrollment, on Employee Self-Service. If you do not wish to make any changes, you do not have to do anything.

https://www.pebtf.org/OpenEnrollment/Active/

Jeanette Forster, Human Resources

2023 Flexible Spending Account Open Enrollment

The 2023 FSA Open Enrollment Period, for both health care and dependent care accounts, began Oct. 17 and runs through Friday, Nov. 4. FSA elections should be made through Employee Self-Service (ESS). Employees should elect coverage in annual amounts which is divided by your pay frequency. This is the only time you can elect to enroll in a FSA for the 2023 year, except in limited circumstances.

https://portal.passhe.edu/irj/portal

Jeanette Forster, Human Resources

President's Open Hour

Faculty, staff and students are invited to stop by with President Hawkinson during his open hour 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, 301 Stratton Administration Center. President Hawkinson welcomes your thoughts, concerns and suggestions regarding KU. If you are planning to stop by, please call the Office of the President, 610-683-4101 to RSVP.

Office of the President

Faculty First Thursday Presentation: Art and Spirit in Community

Helena Domenic, associate professor, Department of Art & Design will discuss her process for writing, illustration, painting and community collaboration in the writing and artwork she exhibits and publishes. Domenic has a newly published book from Schiffer Publishing, REDFeather/Mind, Body, Spirit, "An Illuminated Guide to Wicca" and has also self-published a tarot deck book, "The Fellowship of the Fool Tarot." In her career as a fine artist, Domenic enjoys creating empowering images of everyday mortal women becoming goddesses. With all her work, she uses a collaborative process with the models who pose for her images. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=506792844789617&set=a.247792937356277

Joselyn Wynter, College Of Visual & Performing Arts

Clay Club Visiting Artist Beth Cavener

Visiting artist Beth Cavener will be demonstrating the building of a 500-pound clay sculpture and offering lectures on her process and thoughts. Cavener is known for her dynamic, emotionally charged figurative sculptures. She will share her unusual method of working with clay as well as initiate a discussion on how we transfer ideas and meaning through the language of ceramic art. Cavener will demonstrate her sculpting techniques, including building an armature, sculpting solid and hollowing out. Participants will learn how to create large-scale sculptures that capture the diversity and intricacies of human psychologies through the use of gestural forms and the poetics of clay. All demonstrations will be free and open to the community 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30-6 p.m., Nov. 7-9, 108 Sharadin. For more information, contact kuclayclub@gmail.com.

Gwendolyn Yoppolo, Clay Club / Department of Art & Design

Book Group for All: Dare to Lead

Please join colleagues in reading "Dare to Lead" by Brene Brown with in-person discussions 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
- Nov. 16 (pages 1-43)
- Dec. 7 (pages 44-117)
- Jan. 25 (pages 118-217)
- Feb. 22 (pages 219-272)
Everyone is welcome, no matter your division or position. RSVP by Monday, Nov 14 to Laurie McMillan (lmcmillan@kutztown.edu) if you will participate in the first meeting. Location is to be determined and will be shared via email.

https://brenebrown.com/hubs/dare-to-lead/

Laurie McMillan, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Collegiate Recovery and Freedom From Smoking/Vaping

Collegiate Recovery meeting for Nov. 3 is canceled this week and open meetings will resume Nov. 10 until the end of the semester. Collegiate Recovery meetings are for those who seek to live a substance-free life from personal substance use or those who have experienced substance use with family and friends. Also, students who seek to end their relationship with tobacco/vaping contact Frances at cortez@kutztown.edu to learn more about Freedom from Smoking/Vaping.

Frances C. Cortez Funk, Health & Wellness