July 2023

Volume 5, Issue 12

• Academic Affairs

  What Employers Want from College Graduates
  More than 60% of employers are seeking evidence of students’ abilities to solve problems and to work in a team. In addition, at least half report looking for a strong work ethic, analytical/quantitative skills, written communication skills and technical skills on the resumes of the job candidates they consider. Also of critical importance is internship experience – both with the employer’s organization and within its industry. In fact, when two equally qualified candidates are competing for a job opening, employers cite internship experience as the top deciding factor. Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2023 survey (naceweb.org).

  KU Career Classic Golf Outing
  Please consider joining us for this year's Career Classic Golf Outing Fundraiser, Friday, Sept. 15, with a shotgun start at 10 a.m., hosted by Golden Oaks Golf Club, Fleetwood. Players of all skill levels are welcome. It is a great day of golf, food and fun. In addition to golfing, this event features a networking lunch with KU students, staff and faculty. All funds raised through both registrations and additional donations will benefit KU students directly. For questions, please contact Chad Ganley at ganley@kutztown.edu. Sponsorship opportunities available. Registration link: https://give.classy.org/KU_CareerClassic.

  Upcoming Fall Career Development Events
  Internship and Job Fair: Wednesday, Oct. 18. Graduate School Fair: Monday, Nov. 13. Job Fair for Educators: Thursday, Nov. 16.

  KUCD Students Win International Design Awards
  Twenty-one Art and Design student-designed pieces were recently selected to be included in the Graphis International 2023 New Talent Annual. There were also gold and silver medals of outstanding achievement awarded to nine students. A gold medal was awarded to Emma Pearl Smith for the diecut album cover the Expansion of Soul from the Advanced Type course taught by Professor Elaine Cunfer, the Gold Medal is recognized internationally as an outstanding honor. Silver medals were granted to Anam Khan for her album cover, website and app for Creme de la Creme and to Hannah Ross for her Right Day for the Wrong Trousers album cover also created in Professor Elaine Cunfer's Advanced Typography course. An advertising print series by Anam Khan for Professor Summer Doll-Myers' Intro to Advertising course won a Silver Medal as well. Bluepr"nt Restaurant design by Em Mirra won a silver medal and was created for the KU Restaurant Design Seminar taught by Professor Vicki Meloney. Spiked Sweets by Olivia King and Flapper Chocolate Sauces designed by Em Mirra for a Package Design course taught by Professor Vicki Meloney also received Silver Medals. Two posters from a Poster Design Seminar taught by Professor Kate Clair received Silver Medals one was for Microplastic Biomagnification by Morghan Straub and Energy of the Future by Haley Wawrzynek. These silver medals from Graphis International are clearly an award of distinction. There were additional honorable mention awards garnered by KU students: three advertising pieces for Professor Summer Doll-Myers, branding for Professors Josh Miller, Mia Culbertson and Summer Doll-Myers, editorial design completed for Professor Elaine Cunfer, wine label designs for Professor Vicki Meloney, branding for Professor Karen Kresge and 12 posters designed for Professor Kate Clair.

  Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence
  The Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence provides students with individualized success plans, study skills support and connections to campus resources. The Center offers academic skills workshops and one-on-one consultations on study skills, time management, note-taking and learning strategies to enhance success inside and outside the classroom. For more information and resources, visit www.kutztown.edu/studentsuccess.

  Starfish
  Summer Orientation Faculty Advisors are available to meet with new students. Use the Starfish scheduling link to choose the appropriate advisor: Service Catalog | Starfish (starfishsolutions.com).

  Tutoring Services
  Tutoring Services is recruiting peer tutors, academic peer mentors and first-year experience guides for Fall 2023. If your student is interested in this employment opportunity, please have them complete the Tutoring Services Employment Application. If your student has questions, contact us at tutor@kutztown.edu.

  TRIO Student Support Services Program
  Did you know that KU has a TRIO Student Support Services Program (SSSP) to assist first generation college students? The TRIO SSSP assists students with resources, advising and preparation for college and beyond. Students are eligible if they are first generation college students and income eligible. First-generation is defined as neither parent having a four-year college degree. Low-income guidelines can be found at this link Federal Low Income Levels. For more information and to apply electronically, please visit www.kutztown.edu/trio. Questions may be directed to 610-683-1347.

• Finance and Facilities

  Spring/Summer 2023 balances
  Please check MyKU to ensure all Spring (and Summer) charges are paid to remove any holds that may have been added. Fall aid cannot pay Spring or Summer charges. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard.

  Fall 2023 Tuition, Fees, Housing and Meals Billing
  Tuition rates for academic year 2023-24 have not yet been set, therefore, we are not showing any Fall charges in MyKU and we have not prepared statements (bills).

  To estimate your costs for the Fall you can do a few of the following:

  1. Use 2022-23 costs and add about 5% for a buffer.
  2. Use the estimated costs in your Financial Aid package that was emailed to students.
  3. Use this estimating calculation sheet tool we created just for you. This shows housing rates for this coming year and how to view the aid.

  We hope to prepare actual statements mid-July with a due date of Aug. 5. Please note however, that this is dependent on the tuition rates being officially approved and set by our Board of Governors in conjunction with the Governor. Statements, when produced, will include tuition, required fees, on-campus housing and meals based on the student’s enrollment/selection as of that day (changes can affect charges and aid).

  Remember, only pending aid will reduce the amount due on the statement. Aid that is not in pending status (i.e., awarded aid, or loans not yet certified) may require action and will not be considered as a valid payment type reducing charges due. Undergraduate students having 12-18 credits of enrollment will see the same tuition line item, although required fees may change based on course selections. After we prepare the statements and notify students, please don’t forget the Intent to Attend box in MyKU (the double sized tile). Billing help is found here.

  Statement/Bill Location
  MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Statements – if statements are not viewed within six days of the notice, a second reminder email is sent. Payment Plans show on the statements as well. As charges and aid change based on updates, responses etc., you can now get an updated statement online in the Payment Dashboard > Activity Details. Always get your statement from the Payment Dashboard > Statements.

  Prepare for Statements
  Using the estimate options above, students can still take advantage of the four-payment plan now, they can apply for loans as needed and complete federal loan requirements.

  1. Fall 2023 four-payment plan open now on the Payment Dashboard > Payment Plans.
  2. Stafford Loan requirements
     1. Students go to https://studentaid.gov and log in with their own FSA ID and password.

  1. Complete Master Promissory Note and Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.

  1. Additional Loan options listed below.

  Outside (non-KU) Scholarship Awards
  Many students receive scholarships either as they graduate high school or awards that they renew each year. Student Accounts will not carry these items over year to year. If you have an award that is renewed, please send an updated award letter to our office so we can add a courtesy credit to the statement that can reduce the charges due. We will only add courtesy credits for scholarships of $1,000 or more. Email these award letters to studentaccounts@kutztown.edu.

  Any award checks sent to you that are made payable to just the student do not have to come to our office and we don’t need those award letters. Only items that are payable to KU or KU and the student will need to come to our office. Call us with any questions.

  Additional Funding Options – Apply for Loans
  Many students will need additional funding after their awarded aid package from the FAFSA completion. Some will pay the difference, some will use a payment plan (see below) and some will use additional loans. Additional loans should be applied for now so that Financial Aid Services will have time to certify the loan and allow it to show on the Fall account thereby reducing the charges due.

  • Alternative Loans are loans in a student’s name with a credit-worthy co-signer (some even have a parent option now). These can take up to two weeks to show as pending aid in MyKU. Don’t delay. You can always reduce these loans before they disburse.
  • Parent PLUS loans are loans in a parent’s name they take to help a student. Approvals and denials (parent denials may offer students some additional Stafford Loans). These can take up to two weeks to show as pending on the account.
  • Apply for the full year – double the cost need for Fall and use the loan period of August 2023 to May 2024. Financial Aid will split loan evenly between Fall and Spring.

  Interest does not start until the funds are disbursed (i.e., September and February). Do not delay, apply for these extra loans today. You can easily reduce the loans later by completing a loan change form once the actual charges are on the account and you see all of the figures in one place.

  For more information on additional funding options, visit our website. You can also get more information by calling Financial Aid Services at 610-683-4077.

  The Difference Between Pending and Awarded Aid
  Once the FAFSA is completed, an aid package is prepared for a student by Financial Aid Services. This is awarded aid. This aid will not reduce charges on a bill at this point. To move from awarded aid to pending aid, students must complete all requirements, such as verification if selected, Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling (if not already completed at KU), submitted their final high school transcript, be enrolled in courses and lastly, the student must be eligible for aid (financial aid progress). Only aid that is shown as pending or anticipated will be considered as payment towards the charges due. Check to see if the student owes any items to financial aid or other areas regularly. MyKU > KU Tasks tile – click on the blue line To Do’s for more details on what’s needed and who to contact for help. Check the KU Tasks tile often – as this can be updated often.

  Fall 2023 Payment Plans
  Payment Plans remain open for the Fall 2023 semester charges. The four-payment plan is open until July 8. From July 9 to Aug. 5 due date, the plan will be a three-payment plan. A student can sign up for a plan now and adjust the plan later if charges change. There is no fee to increase or decrease the plans as need should a surprise scholarship show up or the bill increase due to a housing change for example. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Payment Plans.

  Assign a Payer – Payment Dashboard Access
  Students can sign their parents up to get their own access to the Payment Dashboard including getting the statement email notifications and even billing texts as to not solely rely on the students to share their notice. Students go to MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > My Account > Payers – Send a Payer Invitation.

  Student Accounts Summer Office Hours
  Over the summer, we are still available to help you. We recommend emails as our preferred method of communication to allow us time to research and review the account for a good answer, however, you may always call us as well – 610-683-4133. We are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  Address and Email Updates
  Now is a great time for students to review their addresses on MyKU and their personal emails. Students can update their mailing address. Home address changes must be done online with a request to the Registrar’s Office. The student must log in to do so. We also ask that students review their personal emails so that we have another way to reach them. High Schools often disable those emails after graduation and many students forget to remove these. Please review these today. Emails can be updated right in MyKU. Remember, KU email is our formal method of notification.

  Parking Permits
  We know this is always a common concern around billing season. The August Parent Newsletter will have some information regarding when permits will be available to purchase online and more. Stay tuned. Semester permits will be $50 and the annual permit will be $75.

• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Preparing for Move-In Day
  We can’t wait to welcome your student to their new home. Move-in day for most first-year students is Saturday, Aug. 26. Move-in times will be assigned based on their housing assignment; stay tuned and keep checking your KU email. Move-in times will also be posted on our website by the end of July. Your student’s room assignment (along with their roommate’s information, if already assigned) can be found on their MyKUHousing page. 

  Please encourage students to: start talking with their roommate (living expectations/habits, items to share, etc.), become familiar with our policies and follow us on social media. We can be found @LiveHereRoarHere on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. 

  To close out our summer informational series, we are hosting our final “What’s Up Wednesday” all about Move-In and Welcome Week, 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 19, Zoom.

  Welcome Home, Golden Bear! Move-In & Welcome Week: Your first days on campus are exciting, informative and incredibly memorable. We know it can also be overwhelming, though and we are here to help. Knowledge is power. We will tell you what to expect on move-in day, answer any questions about logistics and review what Welcome Week will look like. 

  What’s Up Wednesday: 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 19

  • Zoom Link: https://kutztown.zoom.us/j/93143484164  
  • Zoom Meeting ID: 931 4348 4164 

  Instagram Live: noon, Thursday, July 20

  • Follow us @LiveHereRoarHere on Instagram 

  Please note that all Zoom presentations will be recorded and posted on our YouTube channel after the session. If you do not wish for your Zoom name to be shared, feel free to change it to “Anonymous” before logging into the Zoom. As always, please email us at housing@kutztown.edu with any questions. We are excited to help your student “Live Here, Roar Here.”

  Dining Selection
  Self-service dining selection is open through Monday, July 17 for all incoming students. To self-select a meal plan, new students can use their KU credentials and log into mykuhousing.kutztown.edu. An instructional email has been sent to all new KU students and reminder emails about dining selection have been sent out. Visit our website for details on KU dining and meal plans, or our YouTube channel (@livehereroarhere) to watch our What’s Up Wednesday review of KU’s dining program. Questions? Feel free to email us at kudiningservices@kutztown.edu.

  New Student Orientation
  Welcome Weekend 2023 is August 26-27. This is part-two of the new student orientation for all first-time attending students. Class shirts should be worn Sunday, Aug. 27. A full schedule of all activities and events will be emailed by the end of July.

  Bear Essentials Pantry
  The Bear Essentials Pantry is open throughout the summer, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students can find non-perishable food and personal care items to assist in meeting their needs. The Bear Essentials Pantry is in 153 McFarland Student Union, in the office of Student Involvement.

  Student Involvement
  Students seeking more involvement on campus can explore options in Engage. This is where all registered student organization information is always available. Students will see more details when logged in. Check it out at http://engage.kutztown.edu.

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  Disability Services Office (DSO)
  A friendly reminder from the Disability Services Office (DSO) that accommodation letters for summer courses will be available to send to professors via MyKU one week before the start of each summer session. Please encourage your students to check their KU email for instructions on how to send electronic accommodation letters to summer course professors. Any questions about summer accommodations should be directed to the DSO at 610-683-4108 or DSO@kutztown.edu.

  Parents of incoming freshman and transfer students: now is the time to start the Accommodation Request Process. Please visit www.kutztown.edu/DSO and select “Requesting Accommodations” then “Student Accommodations” to review the process for requesting accommodations (academic, housing and dining). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the DSO at 610-683-4108 or DSO@kutztown.edu.

• University Relations and Athletics

  Kutztown University Radio
  Is your Golden Bear looking for an award-winning campus organization to join where they will learn broadcasting in a fun and inclusive environment? Kutztown University Radio may just fit that bill. Absolutely no experience is required. The radio station will train and needs volunteers in all aspects including, but not limited to, sports broadcasting, music, disc jockeying, news and promotions. For more information, email kur@kutztown.edu expressing interest or call 610-683-4059.

• KU Campus Store

  Why purchase from KU Campus Store?
  As a non-profit affiliate of KU, our priority is student success and retention. Full refunds for materials in original condition throughout the add/drop period. We contribute our surplus to student scholarships, activities and campus athletics. Our goal is for students to have access to the most affordable course materials available to support their academic success.

  Inclusive Access – Course Materials
  Inclusive Access is a collaboration between faculty, KU Campus Store, Office of Student Accounts and publishers to provide required course materials at a reduced cost.  When a professor chooses to participate in this program, all students registered for the class automatically receive access to these materials.

  Benefits of Inclusive Access

  • Day 1 access to required course materials for all students registered in the class.
  • Digital Access on mobile and desktop devices, print copies available for select courses.
  • Lowest price available, even directly from the publisher.
  • Conveniently charged with tuition with no out of pocket expense required.
  • You do not need to source and purchase materials elsewhere. For more information, visit https://kubstore.com/access-success.
• KU Foundation

  Kutztown Folk Festival Runs Through July 9
  The Kutztown Folk Festival, the country’s oldest continuously operated folklife festival, returns this summer from July 1-9 at the Kutztown Fairgrounds. This nine-day event continues to draw visitors from all over the world, entertaining families while providing valuable insight into the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch and their fascinating way of life. Children’s activities abound and admission is free for children 12 and under. The festival also houses the largest quilt sale in America and has an internationally attended Quilt Auction of top prize-winning quilts. Learn more here.

  1866 Minute Giving Challenge Returns Oct. 25-26
  You are an important part of our upcoming fifth annual 1866 Minute Giving Challenge. For 1,866 minutes, the KU community unites as one to support all – because together, we’re Golden. 

  Save the Date: Homecoming 2023 is Saturday, Oct. 28
  We are delighted to welcome alumni, current students and their families to Homecoming 2023, Saturday, Oct. 28. Registration opens in August.

• Dates to Know

  KU Central Calendar
  A full listing of upcoming events and academic deadlines can be found on KU's central calendar.

  Last day to set up a four-payment plan for Fall 2023 semester in MyKU > Payment Dashboard	Saturday, July 8
  Residence halls open at 1 p.m. for Summer Session 2.	Sunday, July 9
  Summer Session II 2023 begins.	Monday, July 10
  Deadline to add/drop a Summer Session II course without receiving a grade of “W”.	Tuesday, July 11
  Last day to drop a course with 100% reduction or refund ends at midnight. No reduction of charges or refunds for individual courses after midnight (Summer Session II Only).	Tuesday, July 11
  Summer Session II “W” period.	July 12 to Aug. 4
  On or about this date, email notification sent to the student to login and view their Fall 2023 bills. Payment due Friday, Aug. 4.	Wednesday, July 12
  Last day for students withdrawing from the university to receive 80% reduction in charges or refund (Summer Session II Only).	Wednesday, July 12
  Last day for students withdrawing from the university to receive 60% reduction in charges or refund (Summer Session II Only).	Thursday, July 13
  Last day to set up a two-payment plan for Summer Session II 2023 in MyKU > Payment Dashboard	Thursday, July 13
  Refunds for overpayments of Summer Session II will begin no sooner than this date (subject to change).	Friday, July 14
  First day Financial Aid can disburse for Summer Session II (subject to change).	Friday, July 14
  Last day for students withdrawing from the University to receive 50% reduction in charges or refund (Summer Session II Only).	Monday, July 17
  Last day for Undergraduate and Graduate students to apply for Summer Session II 2023 graduation.	Monday, July 17
  On or about this date, the Board of Governors will release the tuition rates for the 2023-2024 academic year (subject to change).	Wednesday, July 19
  Last day for students withdrawing from the university to receive 40% reduction in charges or refund (Summer Session II Only).	Wednesday, July 19
  First day no reduction in charges or refund for university withdrawals.	Thursday, July 20
  Deadline to withdraw from a Summer Session 10 Week 2023 course and receive a grade of “W”. There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	Monday, July 31