May 2023

Volume 5, Issue 10

  • Academic Affairs

    Career Development Center
    Summer break is a great time for students to work on their career development through job shadowing, informational interviews and working to gain related experiences. Encourage your student to think about what they can do to prepare themselves for a career they will love. We host student appointments during the summer, so encourage your student to schedule one today. Appointments are made through Handshake: www.kutztown.edu/handshake.

    Starfish
    Fall 2023 incoming freshmen, transfer students and returning students can log into Starfish with their KU login and password. Students can use the “I Need Help” feature to ask questions or connect with a Student Success Coordinator in their Success Network. Student Success Coordinators are available to provide students with accurate information and help students navigate KU resources.

    Summer Reboot Program
    Freshman year is a challenge for many students. Students completing their first year who have not obtained the required GPA (2.0 overall) and possibly have not yet reached the credits (24) required for financial aid may be eligible for Kutztown University Summer Reboot program. The program offers a $750 scholarship per course and requires participation in an online Success Academy Course and Academic Recovery coaching. Outreach to students who may qualify will begin after the conclusion of the spring semester. Please contact success@kutztown.edu with any questions.

    Welcome to the new Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research
    The Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research held a series of events between April 18 and April 22 with featured guests from universities in Greece, Ohio and New York to commemorate the opening of the new building on campus at Kutztown University. This first-of-its-kind facility and organization is a special advancement in the promotion of the mallet percussion art form. With a storied and unique history over the last 120 years and beyond for this musical art form, the Center houses almost 100 instruments and many archives and collections of historical documents and recordings. It also has seven museum exhibit rooms and a beautiful performance hall. Museum hours will begin later this summer. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in September – the don't miss the announcement of the 2023-2024 season for museum and performance events. To learn more, visit https://www.kucmpr.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/kutztownmalletcenter.

    Exploring National Security in Washington, D.C.
    Dr. Marco Ehrl will represent the Department of Communication Studies as faculty leader for a National Security Seminar by the Washington Center, May 16-24. 29 KU students have been awarded fully funded scholarships from the commonwealth to participate in the seminar. Students will meet policymakers and national security experts to explore the protection of U.S. interests at home and abroad. The cohort for the seminar include students from Communication Studies, Political Science, History, Criminal Justice and Information Technology. Link: https://twc.edu/programs/national-security-seminar.

    Communication Studies Faculty Present with The Berks Alliance
    The Berks Alliance is a community development organization focused on Berks County and Greater Reading. Its mission is to "provide a clean, safe and green environment while improving the health, wealth and education attainment of our citizens." Dr. Massie (Communication Studies) and Dr. Folk (English) were invited by David Myers and John Weidenhammer to talk to the Berks Alliance. They presented to an audience of approximately 25 community members about the Social Media Theory and Strategy (SMS) program at Kutztown. The presentation included not only the major and minor, but the two SMS certificates – one in Strategies and the other in Analytics (beginning Fall 2023) – as well as a thorough discussion of the Social Media Analytics Strategic Hub (SMASH). The presentation was recorded via Zoom. The recording was posted on the Berk Alliance website to reach a larger audience. The presentation can be found at https://www.berksalliance.org/community-resources/video-archive/.

    Freshman Foundation Exhibition May 29 to September 8
    Select freshman in all the visual arts majors will be presenting the work made in their first-year foundations courses at the Atrium Lobby in Sharadin. The exhibition of work was juried and hung by senior level art majors in their Professional Practices course. The exhibition continues over the summer and is available to view during the week 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Applied Digital Arts Senior Exhibition
    Students graduating with a degree in Applied Digital Arts are presenting their final character drawings, story boards and animations in the Miller Gallery in Sharadin May 6-13. Opening reception in the Miller Gallery is 2-4 p.m., Sunday, May 7; there will be a showcase premier of films at 4 p.m. in 120 Sharadin (Art History Auditorium).

    Kutztown Art Tour
    Local artists, KU art students and local businesses got together for a townwide art tour April 20-22. Artwork was on display in 25 restaurants and boutiques during this three-day event. This event was sponsored by Kutztown Rotary, Kutztown Community Partnership and the Kutztown University Arts Society in support of the Strand Theater Renovation Project.

    Congratulations to Our Summer Craft Workshop Grant Recipients
    Congratulations to art students Natalie Schappell, Madisyn Evans, Aspen Moreno, Madison Jackson, Isabel Conlon, Haley Dunkelberger, Melody Inostroza, Kasey Rompallo and Resse Siegfried. These students were selected to receive highly competitive full scholarships offered by a KU donor to attend summer art workshops on specialized topics taught by professional craftsmen at Arrowmont School of Craft in Tennessee, Penland School of Craft in North Carolina and Peter's Valley School of Craft in New Jersey.

    Field Experience at the Kutztown Community Library
    Over two weeks in April, teams of pre-service art education students in Art for Alternative Settings, taught by Dr. Carrie Nordlund, have been facilitating Reggio Emilia centers at the Kutztown Community Library. Designed for two-to-five-year-olds, the centers are inspired by Reggio Emilia Ateliers (studio workshops), an approach to education that emerged in Reggio Emilia, Italy after World War II, to afford children a means to find their own curriculum, based on their interests. The center is designed to provoke the child into discovery. Reggio Emilia educators view the child as strong, competent and rich in resources capable in producing culture, competent in their living and learning.

    Field Experience at Lorane Elementary
    On March 30, Dr. Hovanec’s ARU 210 Learning in the Visual Arts: Childhood class visited Ms. Cosgrave's art room art class (a KU alum) at Lorane Elementary for Arts Day. The students created lessons for kindergarteners through fourth graders that taught art using picture books as a hook. They also connected their lessons to contemporary artists. It was a wonderful day full of learning, collaboration, discovery, experimentation, growth and teamwork. The learners explored color mixing, shapes, nature, design, how people learn differently, kindness, identity, painting, dreams and more. They had the opportunity to be playground, hat and crown designers, sculptors, cartoonists and gardeners. Everyone involved had an amazing time.

    Department of Music
    KU percussion students will be traveling to the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, Greece as part of the ongoing chamber music exchange with KU from May 26 to June 2 and playing concerts together as part of the exchange.

    Department of Art and Design
    Congratulations to the following students: the awardees for the Art History Student Award are Marissa Brunt and Victoria Baron; the awardee for the Art History Intern Award is Sophia Stefanowski; the awardee for the Art History Leadership Award is Kiran Sullivan.

    High School Students Visit KU
    Recently, a group of high school students from Bethlehem Vo-Tech School had the opportunity to visit Kutztown University to learn more about the fields of Communication Design and Cinema, Television and Media Production. The students were eager to explore these areas of study and gain insights into what a career in these fields could entail.

    During the visit, students met with professors and current students in these programs who shared their experiences and offered valuable advice. They also had the chance to tour the facilities and see the state-of-the-art equipment used in these fields.

    The High School Recruitment Committee in the College of Visual and Performing Arts had an exceptional year, excelling in both in-person and virtual visits to high school. The committee is chaired by professor Dannell Macllwraith (Communication Design) and professor Jonathan Joy (Cinema, Television and Media Production) and has included Dr. Peg Speirs (Art Education) along with professor Michael Covello (Studio Art and Applied Digital Arts), professor Aileen Razey (Music), Dr. Lisa Weckerle (Communication Studies), Dr. Julie Hovanec (new representative for Art Education) and Dr. Amy Pfeiler Wunder (interim associate dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts).

    Kutztown University Writing Center - Fall 2023
    Parents of KU Golden Bears: please have your students 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 WCOnline site and schedule an online session, please go to https://kutztown.mywconline.com. Please see our website for additional helpful instructions and screenshots on our website at https://kutztownwritingcenter.wordpress.com/. Direct any questions to wrcenter@kutztown.edu or pytleski@kutztown.edu.

    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.

    Fall 2023 Recruitment
    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 tutor@kutztown.edu.

    TRIO Student Support Services Program
    Did you know that KU has a TRIO Student Support Services Program 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. For more information and to apply electronically, please visit www.kutztown.edu/trio. Questions may be directed to 610-683-1347.

  • Finance and Facilities

    Online Billing Notifications and Texts for Payers
    Students can easily set up parents to receive billing emails and texts. The student navigates to MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Your Account > Assign A Payer. Students chooses Add a Payer and follows the prompts. The parent (called a payer) will be emailed a special link to their version of the Payment Dashboard and they will now receive emails and texts. Remember, bills are statements, showing charges and payments. Please check every time a notification is made. The student remains the fiscally responsible party even if the is access is granted.

    FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
    This Act requires that we keep students records private and only release to whom they have released permission. To avoid the delay in getting assistance, be sure your student completes the online FERPA release each year – this will allow you to call in and get assistance. The prior item above helps with access to financial records and getting billing notifications.

    FAFSA Reminder
    While the May 1 deadline for filing the FAFSA for any Pa. state-grant eligibility has passed, you can still file your FAFSA for next year for federal aid awards. If you want or need aid, do not wait until the summer. File the 23/24 FAFSA now. This will require your 2021 taxes.

    Financial Aid Eligibility
    Students must be making progress in order to continue to receive federal aid (and state aid). This means they must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and a completion rate of 66.67% at the end of summer for fall eligibility. If a student is struggling and won’t meet these needs, the student has the summer to try to improve. Do not delay and contact Financial Aid Services for assistance in determining what is needed to regain or maintain federal-aid eligibility – 610-683-4077. For those that have lost federal aid (Stafford, Pell, Parent PLUS), there are alternative private loans available www.elmselect.com.

    Summer 2023 Registration and Costs
    Summer 2023 registration opened in March. Summer costs are published online as well as a page dedicated to Summer session payment information. Due dates are assigned based on the date the registration occurs. A payment plan is now open (MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Payment Plans). We encourage planning in advance to get the most payments. Students do not have to be enrolled in classes to sign up for the payment plan. 

    Fall 2023 Registration and Holds
    Students who have outstanding charges on their MyKU account may be prohibited from registering for the Fall 2023 semester until these balances are paid in full. We don’t want to see students miss their registration appointments and encourage all students and families to check their MyKU accounts now to clear any balances. If the student misses their appointment, they can still clear their balance and register later. However, the longer students wait, the more the classes they may want or need can fill up. Email Student Accounts for help and guidance on payment options today at studentaccounts@kutztown.edu or call 610-683-4133.

    Fall 2023 Billing and Payment Plans
    Fall 2023 bills are scheduled to be prepared mid-July, but the actual rates may be advertised before that on our website. Remember Fall 2023 payment plans opened April 6 for the six-payment plan. The six-payment plan closes May 8, then the plan will be a five-payment plan, and so on. The sooner you sign up, the more payments you can break the amount due into. You can use today’s rates as a guide to set up the plan and then adjust once the actuals are published or the bill is ready online. Do you need help calculating the amount you need the plan for – this estimating sheet will help. Email studentaccounts@kutztown.edu or call 610-683-4133.

    Graduating Seniors
    Students planning to graduate in May will want to ensure that they have cleared all balances in MyKU. Diplomas and transcripts will be blocked if any funds are due, including those that may be assessed from hall charges after move out, watch your account.

    Bear Bucks Refunds
    Students who are graduating or withdrawing from Kutztown University may request a refund of the unused funds in their Bear Bucks account. The student will need to complete the “Bear Bucks Account Closure” form and mail it to the KU Card Office located in 107 Academic Forum or they can request one from their KU email account by emailing the KU Card Office at kucard@kutztown.edu. There is typically a $10 processing fee. Once the form is approved, the refund will be processed and mailed to the home address on your MyKU account within two-to-four weeks.

  • Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

    2023 Spring Commencement Coverage
    More than 1,100 students will be awarded degrees during Kutztown University's spring commencement ceremonies May 12-13, at O'Pake Fieldhouse. Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, university president, and Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will preside. Commencement coverage (pictures, video, links).

    Fall 2023 Room Selection
    For information and the timeline for the Fall 2023 Room Selection Process, please follow the Fall 2023 Room Selection Process Link.

    Virtual Summer Series for Incoming Housing Residents
    Is your student living on campus for the first time in Fall 2023? Participate in virtual Q&A sessions over both Zoom and Instagram this summer. From May to July, we are offering five informational sessions (including live Q&A) on various topics to help answer your questions about room selection, residence hall policies, move-in day and more. There will be Zoom-based “What’s Up Wednesday” presentations on select Wednesdays at 7 p.m., followed by Instagram Live sessions on the same topic the next day (Thursdays) at noon. Incoming students and their families are invited to attend both the Zoom presentations and the Instagram Live sessions. The full schedule for these summer sessions can be found online. Through these conversations, we look forward to sharing campus knowledge with you, answering questions big and small and engaging with our newest Golden Bears. We can’t wait for you to see what “Live Here, Roar Here” means here at KU.

    Special Interest Housing Community
    Is your on-campus student interested in participating in a Special Interest Housing Community but missed the deadline to apply? Please have them email slichter@kutztown.edu to see if they can still join events and meetings with any of the below communities, regardless of which building they are living in next year. These communities offer opportunities to connect with faculty and staff, learn more about the subject areas and connect with peers of similar interests/studies – all at no cost. Please visit www.tinyurl.com/KUsihc for more information.

    • Freedom Place*
      • Available to incoming and returning students interested in a community committed to a substance-free lifestyle.
    • Mathematics and Computer Science Scholars Community
    • Neurodiverse Community*
      • Available to incoming and returning students who identify as being neurodiverse, whether traditionally diagnosed or self-diagnosed.
    • Physical Sciences Community* (New)
      • 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)
    • Social Justice Community*
      • Available to incoming and returning students.

    Dining Selection
    Dining selection for returning KU students is currently open and will close June 16. To select a dining plan, go to your MyKU Housing account and click the dining tab. For more information and more detailed instructions, students should check their KU student email.

    Butterfly Garden
    Join KUAB and OSI as we host a Butterfly Garden 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, May 5, MSU Lawn. Take the time to de-stress from studying for finals and surround yourself with more than 150 beautiful butterflies. You’ll have the chance to walk around the enclosed butterfly garden as the butterflies fly around you and possibly even land on you. More information can be found here.

  • Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

    Public Safety and Police Services
    Kutztown University Public Safety and Police Services is pleased to welcome Officer William Schumann to the KU campus community. Schumann received his Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from KU in December 2022. He graduated and received his Act 120 police training from the Allentown Police Academy. On behalf of Chief David Drezek and all the KUPD staff, we welcome him to Kutztown University.

    Office of Disability Services
    Accommodation Letters for Summer Session I courses will be ready to send to summer course professors starting Wednesday, May 24. Please encourage your student to check the KU email for instructions on how to send electronic Accommodation Letters to summer course professors.

    Additionally, the DSO staff would like to congratulate all DSO students who will be graduating this May. We are so proud of our students and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

  • University Relations and Athletics

    Be An Advocate for Funding KU and PASSHE
    The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is requesting a state-funding package that provides an inflationary increase of $21 million (3.8%) that – in combination with $112 million in targeted student support – would strategically increase financial aid for students preparing for jobs with worker shortages (teachers, nursing and physician assistants, social services, business and STEM fields, including computer science and engineering). Governor Shapiro’s initial budget provided a 2% increase with no additional student support. The State System will continue to advocate for public higher education in Pennsylvania and has created resources for parents to help toward the cause. The online Advocacy Resource Center includes a ready-to-print, two-page document that outlines the State System’s needs and how it will benefit the commonwealth. As the budget nears its completion June 30, please consider using this document and become an advocate for KU and the State System.

  • KU Campus Store

    Regalia Available for Purchase
    Regalia will be available for Spring 2023 graduates to purchase at KU Campus Store May 1-12. Shop in-store and online. Purchase of regalia includes tickets and tassel.

    Textbook Sellback
    Textbook Sellback will take place May 1-12 in the KU Campus Store. Textbook sellback is a great opportunity to get cash back on course materials.

    Commencement Flowers
    Celebrate with flowers for commencement. Shop here: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/kutztown/.

  • 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.

    Do You Have Spring Fever?
    While we can’t boost the temperature here in Kutztown, we can boost the funds that are so important to the education and enrichment provided at KU. Gifts to the KU Annual Fund are directed to wherever the need is greatest. This is crucial in creating educational and enriching opportunities for both current and future students. Gifts of all sizes make a great impact, especially when we make a collective effort. Click here to donate.

    Save the Date for Homecoming 2023
    We are delighted to welcome alumni, current students and their families to campus for Homecoming 2023, Saturday, Oct. 28. Registration opens in August. Stay tuned for more information.

  • Dates to Know

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

    Textbook Sellback KU Campus Store

    May 1-12

    Last day to set up a six-payment plan for Fall 2023 semester in MyKU > Payment Dashboard (subject to change)

    Thursday, May 4

    Registration for Fall 2023 closes; reopens Aug. 14

    Friday, May 5

    Last day of regular classes

    Saturday, May 6

    Final Examinations begin

    Monday, May 8

    Second Clinical Experience Assignment ends

    Thursday, May 11

    Commencement for masters-level and doctoral-level students in all colleges at 5 p.m.

    Friday, May 12

    Residence halls close at 6 p.m. Anyone with Saturday examinations or graduating seniors must make special arrangements with Housing and Residential Services in advance.

    Friday, May 12

    Commencement for undergraduate students in Colleges of Education & Liberal Arts and Sciences at 9 a.m., Colleges of Business and Visual and Performing Arts at 2 p.m.

    Saturday, May 13

    Final Examinations end

    Saturday, May 13

    Last day of Spring 2023 semester

    Saturday, May 13

    Spring 2023 grades available through MyKU at 8 p.m. unless notified

    Tuesday, May 16

    Final decisions for cancellation of classes for the Summer I & 10 Week 2023 sessions

    Friday, May 19

    Memorial Day – University Closed

    Monday, May 29

    Summer Session I 2023 begins

    Tuesday, May 30

    Summer Session 10 Week 2023 begins

    Tuesday, May 30

    Deadline to add/drop a Summer Session I course at midnight without receiving a grade of “W”

    Wednesday, May 31

    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 I only)

    Wednesday, May 31

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.

Notify the university of an accessibility concern

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 University’s Title IX Coordinator located in the Office of Social Equity, Old Main A-Wing, Room 02, by phone at 610-683-4700 or by email at pena@kutztown.edu or 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.

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