March 2024

Volume 6, Issue 8

• Academic Affairs

  New MyKU
  We are excited to announce that New MyKU is live for advising for the Fall 2024 semester. This system will provide you with enhanced features and improved functionality for managing your academic journey. Early registration for returning undergraduate students, along with returning graduate students, begins Thursday, March 21. You'll find important information on how to access the system, training materials and support resources on our website.

  Your KU Student is Getting Closer to a Fantastic Career
  KU ADVANCE, KU’s brand for professional and continuing education, can help your student unlock their potential through non-credit courses and certificates. This month, your KU student will have free access to Coursera’s Career Academy. They can take self-paced courses from top tech companies like Google and IBM, earning valuable certificates to boost their resume. It's all tailored to fit around their class schedule, with no extra costs. This opportunity is unique in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Encourage your Golden Bear to join Coursera’s huge global learning community of more than 90 million. Their journey to career success starts with KU ADVANCE. Questions can be directed to Lori Lentz.

  First-Year Experience Success Coordinator
  If you have a first-year student at Kutztown University who could benefit from assistance, please refer them to the Student Success Center to schedule a meeting with Alyssa Oakley, coordinator for Student Success and First-Year Experience. Alyssa offers personalized one-on-one meetings to help students identify the most effective strategies for success. Students can reach out to Alyssa to schedule an appointment.

  Art and Design Students Recognized
  The Healing Through the Arts Juried Art Show includes six winners from Kutztown University. The artworks are currently on display at the Allentown Art Museum through Sunday, March 31. Elizabeth Frost won fourth place for her digital painting titled "The Sleepy Time Bear." Additionally, six Community Awards were presented to Patricia Defelice, Monica Dull, Arlo Lao, Madaline Malitas and Neo Safouan. Assistant professor Dannell MacIlwraith and instructor Sarah Sterner-Hausknecht submitted the student artwork for the competition. 

  Communication Design holds Annual Designathon
  On Feb. 23, teams of volunteers from communication design students, along with professors and alumni, designed and produced pro-bono creative works for local non-profit organizations. Through this volunteer event of time and talents, the department provides graphic design services to help the community at large. Kutztown University’s communication design program has conducted this successful event for more than a decade and over that time, has successfully donated more than $1 million of free design services for our non-profits. Visit the Designathon website to learn more. 

  Miller Gallery Presents Scholastic Art Awards
  In February, we celebrated 100 years of the longest running, most prestigious art competition for grades 7-12 in the country – the Scholastic Art Awards. This year, we had 662 submissions from 396 students from 74 schools. We awarded 247 Honorable Mentions, 163 Silver Keys and 86 Gold Keys. The show exhibition ran Feb. 17 to March 3, with an awards ceremony for students, teachers and families Feb 25. 

  Council of Education Club
  Dr. Rebecca Burns, dean of the College of Education, has formed a council of education club leaders to share ideas to support and engage our education students. Stay tuned as this council begins to share its ideas and initiatives.

  Inclusive Access at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
  Dr. Chris Bloh, associate professor of special education, has been working with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary to make their facility more inclusive for people with autism spectrum disorder. He worked with special education majors Page Athey, Joe Tiwold and recent graduate Hallie Page to create video narratives enabling visitors to successfully navigate Hawk Mountain's extensive settings.

  Writing Center
  Please have your student(s) reach out to the KU Writing Center for help and to schedule a writing session concerning papers for any subject or discipline. We have in-person and online sessions available. Call 610-683-4733 or email wrcenter@kutztown.edu to setup an in-person appointment. To begin using the Writing Center online website and schedule an online session, please go to https://kutztown.mywconline.com. Please visit our website for additional helpful instructions and screenshots. Direct any questions to wrcenter@kutztown.edu.

  Tutoring Services
  Tutors are available for most 100- and 200-level courses and some upper-level courses. Students can sign up for a tutor through Starfish using the tutor link next to their course, or by using the "I Need Help" button. An Academic Peer Mentor (APM) is a trained undergraduate student who offers academic readiness assistance like time management and academic organizational skills. For example, rather than helping to understand math homework, an APM might help them plan time to do homework, connect with a math tutor or lab and suggest testing strategies for success on an upcoming math exam. Students can sign up with APMs in Starfish under “My Services.” Please encourage your student to take advantage of these resources. More information about Tutoring Services can be found on our website. Students may also contact tutor@kutztown.edu with questions.

• Finance and Facilities

  Spring 2024 Balances
  Spring 2024 balances are past due, unless the student is participating in a valid payment plan that covers the balance or they have pending scholarships noted in their KU Tasks > Positive indicators. Please address any uncovered balances. If you are unsure of how to pay, we can always assess the account to be sure you have received and know all available options. Did you know if a parent is denied a parent plus loan, the student might be eligible for additional Stafford loans? Email Student Accounts for guidance studentaccounts@kutztown.edu.

  2024-2025 FAFSA
  The FAFSA for next year is open and required if you want to use any federal aid for next school year. To be considered for any state-grant funding, the FAFSA must be filed and processed before Wednesday, May 1; this means file and sign by Monday, April 15 to be safe. Do not delay any longer. FAFSA’s are required every year.

  Summer 2024 Registration and Costs
  Summer 2024 registration opens shortly in MyKU Legacy. Summer costs are published online as well as page dedicated to Summer session payment information. Due dates are assigned based on the date the registration occurs. A payment plan is now open for summer in the current “Payment Dashboard.” We encourage planning in advance to get the most payments. Students do not have to be enrolled in classes yet to sign up for the payment plan and take advantage of the four-payment option.

  Internships
  Internships are credits a student earns and receive a grade for, which affects their GPA. These credits have a cost just like any other credit does at KU. They have less fees for these experiences as they are off campus, but there are costs associated with them. Please budget accordingly for summer internships.

  Special Undergraduate Non-Resident Pricing for Summer and Faculty-Led Experiences
  Last summer, we announced a special pricing structure to all non-resident students in the summer sessions and for their participation in faculty-led experiences. This helps our non-residents get ahead, fix shortfalls from the fall and spring or just to get credits needed. Non-residents will be charged the following rates (courses average as three credits, but some are more or less). More information can be found online: $625 per credit for on-campus courses (II’s and IS’s); $574 per credit for off-campus courses (internships); $391 per credit for distance education as a part time student remains.

  Fall 2024 Payment Plan Update
  Fall 2024 will be using our New MyKU student information system for course enrollment and billing/payments. Billing for the Fall 2024 semester will occur in mid-July; however, we anticipate a payment plan opportunity to open sooner with our new payment provider, TouchNet. Follow our website for more information as it becomes available here regarding payment plans. While costs are not billed until July, you will be able to use this year’s costs as an estimate to set up a plan and adjust the amount later when you have the actual costs. Fall 2024 bills will be due Friday, Aug. 2. 

  Graduating Seniors - Exit Interviews
  Students planning to graduate in May will want to ensure that they have cleared all balances in MyKU; including recent ones such as health center visits, parking tickets and ID replacements. Students who received federal aid may have requirements to complete, such as an exit interview for Stafford Loans, if Stafford Loans were used.

• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Returning and Incoming Student Room Selection
  It’s hard to believe we are getting close to on-campus housing and room selection for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please remember that Kutztown University has a two-year residency requirement. Process and timeline for on-campus housing for the 2024-2025 academic year can be found online.

  Special Interest Housing Communities
  Did your student miss the window to indicate their interest in any of our Special Interest Housing Communities for the 2024-2025 academic year? No problem – they can still apply by emailing slichter@kutztown.edu. Options include:

  • Freedom Place: Available to incoming and returning students interested in a community committed to a substance free lifestyle.
  • Social Justice: Available to incoming and returning students who are interested in engaging in conversations and actions that address social, economic and political disparities that are impacting their local, campus and global communities.
  • Neurodiverse Community: Available to incoming and returning students who identify as being neurodiverse, whether traditionally diagnosed or self-diagnosed. The Neurodiversity community includes diagnoses of attention deficit disorders, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, post-traumatic stress disorders, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and others.
  • Physical Sciences Community: Available to incoming and returning students with a major or an interest in the physical sciences (Physical Sciences majors include Astronomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Marine Science and Physics)

   

  Veterans Priority (Early) Registration for Fall 2024
  Priority registration helps ensure that student veterans and eligible military-affiliated students using their parent’s transferred military benefits can graduate before their military benefits are depleted. Students using VA GI Bill and other military benefits, as well as self-identified veterans who are enrolled, can register for their Fall 2024 classes before the main student body. Eligible students are notified of their priority registration appointment through their student account. To register early, students must meet with and be cleared by their advisor before their registration appointment. Early registration occurs in March. Students should schedule an advisement appointment with their advisor. Student veterans who are not using benefits this semester can self-identify by completing a Veteran Priority Registration Form. 

  Community Outreach Center
  Opportunity House 4:45-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7 and Tuesday, March 26. We will host a collaborative town clean-up 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 24. We have a variety of town cleanups Thursday, March 21 and Thursday, April 25. All signups are online.

  Music Trivia
  Music Trivia is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 223 MSU.

  Food Bingo
  Food Bingo is set for 4 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 183 MSU. The Office of Student Involvement and the Bear Essentials Food Pantry invite students to play bingo in hopes of winning one of many themed food baskets, including all the treats to achieve the perfect movie night, easy-grabbing breakfast snacks, taco and pasta meals, gluten free snacks and more.

  Folds of Honor Scholarships
  VA Chapter 35 students may be eligible for this scholarship. Interested students must apply by Sunday, March 31. Military, veteran and military-affiliated students should visit our website for more information.

  Military Benefit for Students Receiving Chapter 35 VA GI Bill Benefits
  Pennsylvania’s Educational Gratuity program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict, or children of veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict. Payment will not exceed $500 per semester per qualified child to each approved educational institution. Educational gratuity payments are paid directly to the educational institution and may not be made for longer than four scholastic years. The application process is simple. Contact veterans@kutztown.edu or call 610-683-4228 for more information.

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  Neurodiversity Celebration Week
  Please encourage your student(s) to join the Disability Services Office (DSO) for Neurodiversity Celebration Week March 18-21. Events include guided mindful yoga, self-advocacy workshops, Lehigh Valley therapy dogs, Barbie movie showing with ASL Captions, activities facilitated by various clubs and organizations, mindfulness practice workshops, free sensory items, neurodiversity pride panel and more. Students can view the full list of activities and events on the DSO Engage webpage. Please contact the DSO at DSO@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4108 with any questions.

• University Relations and Athletics

  Legendary Del McCoury Band at KU March 20
  Emerging from humble beginnings in York County, Pa., more than 80 years ago, influenced by the banjo playing of Earl Scruggs, joining Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in early 1963 and now helming the Del McCoury Band, with sons Ronnie and Rob, the Del McCoury Band comes to KU 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, Schaeffer Auditorium. No surprise that contemporary, bluegrass-bred stars like Vince Gill and Alison Krauss, country-rock icon Steve Earle and jam band royalty Phish sing his praises. The Del McCoury Band continues to be a peerless torchbearer for the entire sweep and scope of bluegrass history. Tickets can be purchased online. Students can access $10 tickets by logging in for tickets with their MyKU login.

• KU Campus Store

  Graduation Festival
  Graduation Festival is a "one-stop-shop" March 18-19 for spring graduates to purchase caps and gowns, order class rings, purchase diploma frames and learn more about KU alumni engagement. For more information, click here.

  Order your Official Kutztown University Ring
  Balfour is bringing the tradition to you. Shop Balfour’s collection of class rings here or stop at their table at Grad Fest.

  Schedule Senior Portraits
  Don’t miss this opportunity to be photographed at Grad Fest. Portraits will be taken in your own business attire and cap and gown. Sign up here.

• KU Foundation

  Honor your KU Grad's Achievements
  Looking for a way to celebrate your Golden Bear? Consider having your graduate's name engraved on a brick in Alumni Plaza. Click here to learn how to purchase a brick in the plaza, one of the most popular spots on campus.

• Dates to Know

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

  Residence halls close 6 p.m. for Spring Break	Friday, March 8
  Spring Break	March 10-17
  Summer Session 2024 Registration	Tuesday, March 12
  First Clinical Experience Assignment ends	Friday, March 15
  First Half Communication Design Courses end	Friday, March 15
  Residence halls open 1 p.m.	Sunday, March 17
  Second Clinical Experience Assignment begins in schools	Monday, March 18
  Second Half Communication Design Courses begin	Monday, March 18
  Graduation Festival, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 218 MSU	March 18-19
  Incumbent Graduate Registration begins for Fall 2024	Thursday, March 21
  Early Registration for Fall 2024 classes for Special Groups online by appointment times only begins	Thursday, March 21
  Web Registration for Fall 2024 classes by appointment times only	March 25 to April 29
  Advisement and registration of newly accepted Graduate, new Post-Baccalaureate Certification and Professional Credit (non-matriculated) students for Fall 2024	Thursday, March 28
  Last day for undergraduate students to make up “Incompletes” from Fall 2023 and Winter 2024	Friday, April 5