November 2022

Volume 5, Issue 4

• Academic Affairs

  Starfish
  Featured tools in Fall 2022 will include the “I need Help” feature for students, allowing them to proactively connect to needed resources and information. For more information, visit https://www.kutztown.edu/starfish.

  Tutoring Services
  Utilize all your resources to achieve success with Tutoring Services. Whether your student is struggling in a class or wants to get a better grade, tutor request forms are available online in the student's MyKU account under academic services. If your student has questions, contact us at tutor@kutztown.edu. Tutoring Services is recruiting peer tutors and academic peer mentors for Spring 2023. If your student is interested in this employment opportunity, please have them complete the Tutoring Services Employment Application 2022-2023.

  Career Development Center
  November is National Career Development Month. It is time to get your student thinking about their future. Is your student (or maybe even you) thinking about graduate school? We have a few events this month:

  • Nationally known graduate school speaker, Dr. Don Martin, will host a virtual workshop 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8. He will discuss making the search for graduate school successful and less stressful. More information is available at www.kutztown.edu/careercenter.
  • The KU Graduate School Fair will be held virtually 1-3 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, in Handshake. Multiple KU departments and many other colleges and universities will be in attendance. Learn more at www.kutztown.edu/handshake.

  Get your student thinking about their own finances. PSECU and the Career Development Center have partnered to bring “Your Future, Your Finances” to our students. The event will be held virtually at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15. Zoom link can be found at: www.kutztown.edu/careercenter.

  Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence
  Would your student benefit from a success workshop and a venue to talk about their experience on campus? We offer weekly student success workshops 11 a.m., every Tuesday, 203 Academic Forum. Our topics for November include Turn Stress into Success, Goal Setting, Growth vs. Fixed Mindset and Time Management. For more information and resources, visit www.kutztown.edu/studentsuccess.

  Visiting Artist Beth Cavener
  Visiting Artist Beth Cavener will demonstrate the building of a 500-pound clay sculpture and offer lectures on her process and thoughts Nov. 7-9. Cavener is known for her dynamic, emotionally charged figurative sculptures. She will share her unusual method of working with clay as well as initiate 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 using gestural forms and the poetics of clay. All demonstrations will be open to the public. 10 a.m. to noon, and 1:30-6 p.m., 108 Sharadin. For more information, contact kuclayclub@gmail.com.

  Field Trip to visit Illuxcon Fantasy Illustration Show
  Every year in October, the Illuxcon show at Goggleworks in Reading attracts 90 of the most prestigious Fantasy Illustrators in the country to display their work and converse with anyone interested in their process. On Oct. 21, Professor Gurney drove a van full of students to spend an afternoon viewing the work and chatting with the artists. They had an up-close look at work in a variety of traditional media, including oil paintings, watercolor, colored pencil, scratchboard and resin sculpture. They even attended a scratchboard presentation and workshop. For more information, contact Gurney at gurney@kutztown.edu.

• Administration and Finance

  Winter 2022-23
  Winter session is unique at KU. Courses are mostly online (an exception would be any internships or independent studies that may be approved). This session is not an aid-bearing session, which means any aid would go through the fall semester, not spring. Any unused fall aid could be considered for winter, as well as alternative loans taken in the fall. Spring aid cannot be used for winter. Since each student’s situation is different, we encourage a discussion with Financial Aid Services to assess options. Do not delay as winter has rolling due dates. Winter costs are online to review as well as a winter payment options webpage. The winter payment plan is mentioned above. Financial Aid Services can be reached at 610-683-4077 or have your student stop by our office to discuss.

  1098-T and Year-End Tax Information
  Payments must post in MyKU with a 2022 date (within 2022) to be reported for the calendar year 2022. The office will be closed or unable to post payments received in the mail from Dec. 24 through Jan. 3. If the payment posting in 2022 is critical for you, either pay online before Dec. 31, or mail any payments no later than Dec 10. 529 payments should allow no less than two weeks for posting from the date of the funding request. 529 payments mostly release to KU via paper checks, although some are now online. For more information regarding 1098-T’s, click here.
  
  Payment Plans – Spring 2023 and Winter 2022-23 Open
  Spring semester six-payment option ends Sunday, Nov. 6. Starting Monday, Nov. 7, the plan decreases to five payments and so on, down to three payments. Winter four-payment option ends Sunday, Nov. 6. Starting Monday, Nov. 7, the plan decreases to three payments and then down to two. Sign-up is located on the Payment Dashboard. This can be done from the student's or parent's (if invited) access. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Payment Plan.

  Payment Plans – Estimating Costs
  The best way to estimate costs and needs for Spring 2023 is to review the fall semester costs and aid. Adjustments can always be made later to increase or decrease the plan.
  
  Spring 2023 Billing Important Facts
  While students are starting to register for Spring 2023, the charges will not appear until about Thanksgiving (subject to change). Bills should be prepared around Dec. 1. Due date will be Jan. 3, 2023. Information about billing for Spring can be found online now.

  Billing Location and Format
  All billing statements are online in MyKU. The bills are maroon and gold and in pdf format. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Statements. A sample and more information can be found online. Students receive an email to their KU email account when statements are prepared. If a parent is set up as a payer, they will also receive those email notifications.

  Parent Access to Billing Emails and Texts
  Parents can get emails and texts when billing occurs. The student must go to MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > My Account > Payer – Send a Payer Invitation. The payer will then get emails and texts if desired and have their own access to the Payment Dashboard. Payers who are set up will use this link.
  
  Registration Holds
  Students who still owe any money for the Fall 2022 semester (or before) may be blocked from spring registration and could have their room assignment canceled. Students may no longer move back into the residence halls without a class schedule. There is still time to apply for additional loans if needed, but don’t delay, it will soon be too late. Financial Aid Services is a great resource – contact them at 610-683-4077.

  Bear Bucks Donations
  If a graduating student would like to donate the remaining funds in their Bear Bucks account, please contact the KU Foundation at 610-683-4110 or via email at info@kuf.org for more information and the donation form. Other questions about Bear Bucks and refunds from them should be directed to the KU Card office at kucard@kutztown.edu.

  Running Low on Bear Bucks or Flex Dollars?
  Bear Bucks and flex dollars can be added online throughout the year. Bear Bucks do not expire at the end of the academic year, but Flex Dollars do.

• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Required Form to Use Military Benefits in Spring 2023
  Students planning to use their military benefits (e.g., VA GI Bill, TA, EAP) in the Spring 2023 semester must submit their KU Veterans Services Enrollment Certification form after they enroll for spring semester classes. Benefits may be delayed if this form is not submitted before the last day of the fall semester. Students can access the Enrollment Certification form from the Brochures, Publications and Forms section of our website at www.kutztown.edu/veterans.

  Veterans Awareness Week
  Let your student-veteran and military-affiliated know how much you appreciate them. KU greatly appreciates our students and will be celebrating our KU military and veteran community during Veterans Awareness Week. Learn more.

  Admissions
  The Office of Admissions will host its final Open House Saturday, Nov. 12. If you know of someone who is thinking about applying for admission, invite them to join us so they can see for themselves why It’s Good to be Golden. More information and registration can be found here. Prospective students can also register for one of our daily campus visits here. The admissions application for Fall 2023 is open. Tell any future Golden Bears you know to use the code GOLDEN to waive the $35 fee.

  Financial Aid
  The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available for the 2023-2024 year. Students and/or parents can log on at https://studentaid.gov and complete the application using your FSA ID and password. Please be reminded that Pennsylvania residents must have a completed FAFSA on file before May 1, which is the deadline for state grant eligibility.

  Our KU scholarship portal is open for current students only. Students can log in to complete their profile placing them in consideration for one of our Foundation scholarships. The portal will remain open until March 1, 2023.

  For assistance, please contact Financial Aid Services by email at financialaid@kutztown.edu, phone at 610-683-4077 or visit our website to either chat with us or schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with one of our team members.

  Turkey Bowl
  Kutztown Fraternal Council’s annual Turkey Bowl is noon, Sunday, Nov. 6, Andre Reed Stadium. The cost is $3 to come out and watch. All proceeds will benefit the Fraternal Council.

  Courageous Conversations
  College Panhellenic Council will host its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion speaker from its Housing and Dining office at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 9, 200 Academic Forum. They will come in and speak about how to discuss the harder topics such as racism and language.

  Cops, Coffee and Conversation
  Come meet and mingle with officers from both on and off campus at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, MSU Bears Den. Learn more about what they do and how they are here to assist. Free coffee and donuts available for attendees.

  Disney Trivia
  MSU sponsors monthly trivia with rotating themes. The next event is at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, 218 MSU. Winners receive a $25 paw pass to be used at all accepting on and off campus locations.

  Culture Kahoot
  College Panhellenic Council will host a culture Kahoot at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, Schaeffer Auditorium, where we will quiz our Panhellenic women on the cultural backgrounds of our councils as well as educating them on these cultures.

  Anti-Hazing Week
  Our United Greek Council will come together to show their support of anti-hazing Nov. 28 to Dec. 2.

  Operation Snowflake
  Is your student staying in town over winter break? Do they live off campus and in the area? Are they in need of service hours? We are looking for students and local area residents to assist us with our Operation Snowflake program that provides support to senior and disabled residents of Kutztown during winter storms. Shovels are provided by the Community Outreach Center. To commit to volunteer, students or residents can sign up on GivePulse at https://www.givepulse.com/event/331331. 

  Midterm Election is Coming
  The midterm election is quickly approaching and will take place Tuesday, Nov. 8. Be sure to have a conversation with your student about their plan to vote and make their voice heard in the election. Students can learn more by visiting our Kutztown Votes voter information website.

  Alternative Spring Break Experience
  Students can now sign up on Engage to participate in the Alternative Spring Break experience for Spring 2023. Students are sent to various locations throughout the Northeast to participate in service-learning opportunities where they not only give back to the community but also bring home experiences with them. Sign-ups will remain open through Nov. 14. https://engage.kutztown.edu/submitter/form/start/542573.

  Spring 2023 Involvement Fair
  Is your student interested in getting involved in a club? Tell them to join us at the Spring 2023 Involvement Fair, 4-7 p.m., Feb. 2, MSU. There will be more than 100 organizations for students to meet and learn about.

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  Disability Services Office
  Students registered with the Disability Services Office are encouraged to become a NextGen Leader with Disability:IN! The NextGen Leader initiative is designed for college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are interested in corporate employment. NextGen Leaders are matched one-on-one with corporate partners and will also have the chance to network with companies like JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Boeing and more. Applications open in November and close Jan. 7. Learn more.

  Public Safety and Police Services
  The Department of Public Safety and Police Services is proud to announce the hiring of Officer Jakob Kerby. Officer Kerby graduated from the Lackawanna College Police Academy Sept. 15, 2022. He was sworn in by the Honorable Judge Gail Greth Oct. 20.

• Housing and Dining

  Spring 2023 Dining Plan Selection
  Dining plan selection will open for the Spring 2023 semester Monday, Nov. 28. Students who do not have a Fall 2022 meal plan or are new to KU, will have the opportunity to select a dining plan that best fits their needs. During this time, students who currently have a Fall 2022 meal plan can request to change their plan for Spring 2023. More details and instructions will be sent to KU student emails Nov. 28. For more information on dining plans, visit our website.

  Fall 2023-Spring 2024 Room Selection
  The first step in the Fall 2023-Spring 2024 Room Selection Process is to complete the Fall 2023 Housing Application, which is available now. All students who will reside on campus next academic year need to complete the housing application. The housing application also allows a student to be eligible for room selection, which occurs during the spring semester. Students will have until March 3, 2023, to complete the housing application. Reminder, Kutztown University has a two-year residency requirement.

  Fall 2023-Spring 2024 Room Selection Process

  • Step 1: Students complete the online housing application and fee (October 10 - March 3). This can be found on a student's MyKUHousing page under “Forms and Applications.”
  • Step 2: Complete My College Roomie profile (Feb. 1 to March 15).
  • Step 3: Match with Roommates - Complete roommate groups of 2,3,4,5 or 6 students through My College Roomie (Feb. 6 to March 15).
  • Step 4: Participate in room selection during your specified time. Selection times will be granted in a priority order based on the number of completed credits per group (March 28-30 for groups, April 4-6 for individuals).
  • January to February 2023 - Students with DSO-approved housing accommodations should contact Derek Hess at dehess@kutztown.edu to coordinate Fall 2023 housing.

  Employment Opportunity for 2023-2024
  Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services is hiring Community Assistants (CAs) for the 2023-2024 academic year. Community Assistants are on the front lines and serve as a key component in the creation of a welcoming and inclusive environment within the residence halls. CAs are essential in the community-building process as they help the residents to adjust to their new surroundings, solve problems, develop skills and establish relationships with others living on their wing, their floor, as well as within the hall. Community Assistants are considered leaders on our campus who foster community develop and influence positive change. The application process opens Monday, Nov. 7. Applications can be found here.

  Special Interest Housing for Next Academic Year
  It is time to select your special interest housing on your Housing Application for Fall 2023-Spring 2024. This can be found on a student's MyKUHousing page under “Forms and Applications.” Video details.

  • 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.
  • Honors students, Military Affiliated, and those interested in Gender Inclusive Housing will select their respective option from the “Special Interest Housing” dropdown menu as well.
• University Relations and Athletics

  Watch the 2022 KU Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Live
  Tune in 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, as Kutztown University athletics inducts its 2022 Hall of Fame class. This year’s inductees include Howie Cuff '95 (cross country/track & field), posthumously, Al Fitch '04 (baseball), Kim Kelty '08 (soccer), Jordan Morgan '16 (football), Erin (Reynolds) Bastida '14 (field hockey) and Adriane (Willmer) Power '07 (softball). Legacy Award winner Dr. Robert “Bob” C. Ziegenfus will also be recognized during the ceremony.

  Visit https://KUBears.com/watch on your web browser or download the PSAC Sports Digital Network App on your television or mobile device. The app can be found and installed by searching for the PSAC Sports Digital Network on the following platforms: Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku (TV), iOS, Android (mobile) and Amazon Fire Tablet.

  KU Presents! An Emerald Isle Christmas and Celebrates Marimba
  Heartland Marimba Quartet, North America’s premiere marimba quartet continues to give a platform to the music of American composers and expand its repertoire worldwide. Hear original pieces written for marimba and well-known tunes adapted for the instrument Nov. 7. The Reading Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Willis Rapp, will join in the second half of the concert for music by Joplin and Gottschalk. Enjoy the sounds inspired by nature, video games and ragtime in this celebration of a mallet percussion instrument found all over the world.

  Start your holiday season Thursday, Dec. 1, with Danú: An Emerald Isle Christmas. Hailing from historic County Waterford, Danú is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today, well-known for a vibrant mix of virtuosity, energy and empathy featuring high-energy performances and a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire.

  Tickets are available on line or by calling 610-683-4092. KU Students can access discounted tickets by logging for tickets with their MyKU log. 

  Golden Bear Football Tickets
  Get your tickets for the Kutztown Golden Bears. Tickets, tailgate permits and parking passes are also available. KU students can access one free general admission ticket per game by logging in for tickets with their MyKU login. KU Football Parents: Your student can reserve their four free player passes up to four hours before game time. Don't let them forget to add you.

• KU Campus Store

  One Hour Sweatpants Sale – Nov 10
  There will be a sweatpants sale for one day and one hour only 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Campus Store and 7-8 p.m. at Dixon Marketplace.

• KU Foundation

  Thank You for Supporting the 1866 Minute Giving Challenge
  The KU Foundation would like to thank everyone who participated in the 1866 Minute Giving Challenge Oct. 18-19. With your support during the challenge and through Homecoming, we broke last year’s record, raising more than $383,197.13 for academic organizations, athletic teams and student clubs.

  Apply for the KU Legacy Scholarship
  The KU Legacy Scholarship is accepting applications through Nov. 15, 2022. This scholarship is open to any child or sibling of a KU graduate starting their sophomore, junior or senior year at Kutztown University. For details about scholarship eligibility or to apply, click here.

  Mentoring Opportunities Available for Students – Alumni Mentors Needed
  Did you know students can be paired with KU alumni for mentoring through the KU Future Emerging Leaders (FUEL) initiative? Are you a KU alum interested in mentoring a student interested in your field? Through FUEL, current students connect with KU alumni to build professional skills, network in their field of study and see the power of a KU education firsthand. Learn more here.

• Campus Affiliates

  PSECU Offers Free Financial Education Resources
  Would you like to help your student manage their money more effectively? As a not-for-profit credit union, PSECU is committed to offering financial education resources to members of our communities. Visit https://www.psecu.com/learn to access a free online Learning Academy featuring short educational modules. Here, students (or anyone) can learn more about the basics of checking accounts, online banking, loans, credit and more. These resources are available to members and non-members of PSECU. If your student hasn’t had a chance to open a free checking and savings account with PSECU yet, there’s still time to take advantage of the current “Up to $250” new-member promotion. Visit We Make Student Banking a Breeze (psecu.com) for application and rules. Contact PSECU campus manager, Kelly Ann Ryan at kryan@psecu.com with any questions.

• Dates to Know

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

  Incoming Graduate Registration	Tuesday, Nov. 1
  Spring 2023 Open Enrollment	Tuesday, Nov. 15
  Last Day to "W" Withdraw from a course Fall 2022	Friday, Nov. 18
  Last Day to Withdraw or take LOA from Fall 2022	Friday, Nov. 18
  Thanksgiving Recess - Offices Open	Wednesday, Nov. 23
  Thanksgiving Recess - University Closed	Nov. 24-27
  Spring Registration Closes	Wednesday, Nov. 30