November 2024

Volume 7, Issue 4

• Academic Affairs

  Transfer Students
  Did you know that there is a dedicated staff member at KU to support students with transfer credit? The Coordinator for Student Success and Transfer Engagement, Briana Zdradzinski, is available for individual meetings to assist students with transfer credits –including test credit and dual enrollment credits and with transitioning and acclimating to KU. Prospective and current transfer students can contact Briana to schedule an appointment. Learn more at the Student Success Center website.

  Tutoring Services
  Whether your student is struggling in a class or wants to get a better grade, Tutoring Services is here to help. Students can sign up for a tutor directly in Starfish using the Tutoring Services appointment link next to their course or by using the "I Need Help" button in Starfish. Please encourage your student to take advantage of this valuable resource.

  Tutoring Services is recruiting peer tutors and academic peer mentors for Spring 2025. If your student is interested in this employment opportunity, please have them complete the Tutoring Services Employment Application 2024-2025. More information can be found on the Tutoring Services website. Students may also contact tutor@kutztown.edu with questions.

  Winter Boost
  Winter Boost is a Student Success initiative designed to encourage first-year students to enroll in First-Year Seminar 100 during the winter session if they have not yet completed or withdrew from the course. Targeted outreach is also conducted for students who did not pass introductory courses in Fall 2024 that are being offered this winter, encouraging them to re-enroll and replace failing grades to maintain academic progress. Enrollment for winter courses is now open. Please view payment information on the Tuition and Fees website.

  Kutztown University Writing Center
  Please have your student(s) reach out to the KU Writing Center for writing help or to schedule a writing session concerning papers for any subject or discipline. Students can call 610-683-4733 or email wrcenter@kutztown.edu to set up an in-person appointment. They can also schedule an online appointment. Please see our website for additional helpful instructions and screenshots. Any questions can be directed to wrcenter@kutztown.edu or pytleski@kutztown.edu.

• Finance and Facilities

  Payment Plans – Spring 2025 and Winter 2024-25 Open
  Spring five-payment option is open. The plan decreases to four payments Thursday, Dec. 5, and to three payments Sunday, Jan. 5. Winter three-payment option ends Saturday, Nov. 23. The plan decreases to two payments beginning Sunday, Nov. 24. Sign-up is on the Payment Dashboard. This can be done from the students access or the authorized user access to the Payment Dashboard. Students: New MyKU > Student Account card > Payment Dashboard > Payment Plan Authorized Users can be accessed online.

  Payment Plans – Estimating Costs
  The best way to estimate costs and needs for Spring 2025 is to review the Fall semester costs and aid. Adjustments can be made later to increase the plan or decrease the plan.
  
  Winter 2024-25 Important Facts
  Winter session is unique at KU. Courses are typically online only. This session is not an aid-bearing session. Any unused Fall financial aid could be considered for Winter, as well as Alternative Loans taken in the Fall (August to December loan period). Spring financial aid cannot be used for Winter. Since each student’s situation is different, we do encourage a discussion with Financial Aid Services to assess options. Do not delay, as Winter has rolling due dates. Drop for non-payment will occur on a rolling basis. Winter costs are online to review, as well as a winter payment options webpage and the winter payment plan. Financial Aid Services can be reached at 610-683-4077.
  
  Spring 2025 Billing Important Facts
  While students are starting to register for Spring 2025, the charges will not appear until about Thanksgiving (subject to change). Bills should be prepared approx. Dec. 1. Due date will be Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. Information about billing for Spring can be found online.

  Billing Location and Format
  All billing statements are online in New MyKU. Navigation is New MyKU > Student Account card > Payment Dashboard > On Demand Statement. Students are emailed to their KU email when statements are prepared. Authorized Users will get emails as well if in place before billing. KU runs static statements twice a semester – at the first billing cycle and mid-semester. In between those time periods and for late registrations, students should use the On Demand Statements – these show the due dates that must be met.

  Third-Party Billing Emails and Texts (Parents)
  Parents can get emails and texts when billing occurs. Students log into New MyKU’s Payment Dashboard and click on Authorized Users.

  1098-T and Year-End Tax Information
  Payments must post in MyKU with a 2024 date (within 2024) to be reported for calendar year 2024. The office will be closed or unable to post payments received in the mail Tuesday, Dec. 24, through Friday, Jan. 3. If the payment posting in 2024 is critical for you, either pay online or mail any payments no later than Tuesday, Dec. 10. 529 payments should allow no less than two weeks for posting from the date of withdrawal request. 529 payments mostly release to KU via paper checks (some are starting to come online now). For more information, visit the Student Accounts website.

  Registration Holds
  Students who still owe any money for the Fall 2024 semester (or before) are blocked from Spring registration and could have their room assignment cancelled if not registered for Spring semester by the end of Fall semester. 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. Financial Aid Services is a great resource to call 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 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, but Flex dollars expire at the end of the academic year. We are using a store front site now, so there is a delay from the time the items are purchased and added to the students ID card.

• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Veterans Awareness Week
  Let your student veteran and military-affiliated student 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.

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  NextGen Leader Initiative
  KU students registered with the Disability Services Office (DSO) are encouraged to apply to the NextGen Leader Initiative with Disability: IN – the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. NextGen 2025 Leaders are college students and recent graduates with disabilities, including veterans, who are top talent for corporate America. Students are matched one-on-one with mentors across all industries like Google, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Boeing and Pfizer. Additionally, NextGen Leaders have the opportunity to experience an all-expense paid trip to the Disability: IN annual conference in Orlando, Florida. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. For more information and to apply to become a NextGen Leader with Disability: IN, visit the Disability IN website.

  Student Employment Opportunities
  Data shows that students who work on campus remain in college at a much higher rate than other students. Students who work on campus learn valuable skills and earn extra money under flexible schedules that accommodate their class schedules and academic needs, while building strong connections with staff and faculty. Student job opportunities are listed in Handshake. Students working on campus for the first time will need to complete payroll paperwork and background checks and present I-9 documents, so your student will need to bring their original unexpired document(s) to Human Resources before they can begin to work.

  KU is a great place for your students to learn and grow, but did you know our beautiful campus is also a great place to work? Eligible employees are offered a wide range of benefits, career growth and development opportunities and tuition waiver. Current opportunities are listed on our website.

  Green Dot Bystander Intervention Workshops
  Kutztown University's Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training Program is a research-supported strategy shown to reduce interpersonal violence, including sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking on college campuses by equipping students and university employees with the skills needed to intervene in high-risk situations and model behaviors that create and strengthen healthy campus norms. During the month of October, two Green Dot Bystander Intervention Workshops for Students were hosted on campus. Is your student interested in attending a Bystander Intervention Workshop in the future? Information on upcoming workshops will be posted in Bear Essentials and on our Instagram page. 

• University Relations and Athletics

  KU Presents
  KU Presents! shares classics in November. Join Vienna-based musician, Daniel Adam Maltz, as he presents an evening of fortepiano 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, Schaeffer Auditorium. Experience works by Mozart and Beethoven as they were originally composed and performed on the predecessor of the modern-day piano. The concert will culminate with an extraordinary performance of Haydn’s Concerto in D major with the KU Orchestra. Bring the whole family 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, Schaeffer Auditorium, for Pinkalicious The Musical! This family-friendly favorite, based on the popular children’s books, is sure to be a fun adventure for everyone. KU students can access $10 tickets by creating an account for tickets with their MyKU login. 

  Golden Bear Basketball is Here
  Get your tickets for Kutztown University Golden Bears basketball. Advance tickets are $8, $4 for seniors and non-KU students. Gameday tickets are $10 and $5. Pick three games and save. KU students can access one free ticket general admission ticket per game by logging in for tickets with their MyKU login. KU basketball 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.

  Celebrate Vibraphone and Xylophone at the Wells-Rapp Center
  Enjoy an evening of music featuring Heather Thorn and Jonathan Silva 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research. They will be joined by Vivacity Trio and special guests Gordon Stout, Garry Kvistad, Jeffrey M. Moore, Willis Rapp and Lauren Vogel Weiss. Jonathan Silva works to develop new repertoire for the vibraphone with other artists and fellow musicians. Featuring commissions from exciting young composers and previously composed pieces, he brings some of the most exciting musical creations for vibraphone from Portugal to Kutztown. Traveling from Orlando, Heather Thorn is a professional freelance percussionist and teacher who performs regularly with her band Vivacity. The Vivacity Trio, with Dave MacKenzi and Greg Zabel, are known in the Orlando area and beyond for their swing and jazz inspired presentations. They will be joined by the Vivacity Marimba Band featuring luminaries in the percussion arts genre. Tickets for this memorable event are available at www.kucmpr.org. KU students can access one free ticket by logging in for tickets with their MyKU login.

• KU Campus Store

  Veteran's Awareness Week Sale: Nov. 4-11
  Save 40% off apparel and gifts. Eligibility: KU military, veteran and military-affiliated students, faculty and staff. KU students using military benefits – present your KU ID to the cashier to receive your discount. KU military and veteran alumni – contact the Military and Veterans Services Office to receive discount code. All others must provide proof of service (military ID card, DD214, driver's license with a veteran identifier).

  Mystery Bundles – Nov. 25 to Dec. 2
  Shop this exciting deal to get your paws on more KU apparel. Excludes other sales and promotions. Online only. Final sale on items.

  Cyber Monday – Dec. 2
  Save 30% off apparel and gift and 20% off technology Monday, Dec. 2. Excludes other sales and promotions. In-store and online.

  Goodbye to 2024, Hello to 2025 Sale – Dec. 3-13
  Save 25% on apparel and gift. In-store and online. Excludes other sales and promotions.

  Textbook Sell Back – Dec. 2-13
  Sellback your textbooks for cash.

• 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. 23-24. In just 1,866 minutes, the KU community raised more than $525,000 to support academics, athletics, capital projects and student clubs and organizations. Gifts through Homecoming weekend brought the total to more than $569,000. Thank you for helping us build a culture of philanthropy here at KU.

• Dates to Know

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

  Attendance due by 3 p.m. (Full Semester Courses)	Tuesday, Nov. 12
  Spring 2025 Open Enrollment	Nov. 14 to Dec. 4
  Last day to withdraw from Fall 2024 Full Semester & 10-week courses and receive a grade of “W.” There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	Friday, Nov. 15
  Admissions Open House	Saturday, Nov. 16
  Undergraduate Orientation Program (Transfer Program)	Thursday, Nov. 21
  Last Day to "W" withdraw from a Fall 2024 Second Half of Term course and receive a grade of “W.” There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	Wednesday, Nov. 27
  Residence halls close at 9 a.m. for Thanksgiving recess.	Wednesday, Nov. 27
  Thanksgiving Recess – No Classes – Administrative Offices Open	Wednesday, Nov. 27
  Thanksgiving Recess – University Closed	Nov. 28-29
  First round application review for M.Ed. in Secondary Education Teaching	Saturday, Nov. 30
  Residence halls open at 1 p.m. after Thanksgiving recess.	Sunday, Dec. 1
  Application deadline to Spring 2025 for Graduate Studies. Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for specifics as some programs fill courses prior to the application deadline.	Sunday, Dec. 1
  Textbook Sellback KU Campus Store	Dec. 2-13
  Spring 2025 Registration closes; reopens Jan. 8, 2025.	Wednesday, Dec. 4