Remember last year's Academic Achievement Award winners? The deadline to nominate for this
year's awards is Feb. 10. See details below.


The Daily Brief
Tuesday, February 1, 2011


 Announcements

Weather-related cancellations: The university will close at noon today.

Multicultural Initiatives:  The three culturally diverse events for tomorrow, Feb. 2, with Lee Mun Wah are canceled due to inclement weather and they will be rescheduled for a later date.
        Petritsa Chatzitziva, Multicultural Center

 Senior Orientation for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences schedule for this morning has been postponed. More information about a rescheduled date will be posted in the Daily Brief and Bear Essentials.
        Linda Lantaff, Career Development Center

 The dining facilities within the Academic Forum and Viewpoints are closed. South Side Cafe, Golden Bear Food court, and the Cub Cafe are open normal hours. (Cub Cafe hours are subject to change. Please call x3-4921 to be sure.)

ACE has cancelled tonight's appearance of comedian Kevin Bozeman which was scheduled for 8 p.m. in MSU 183.

Tonight's wrestling match against Millersville has been cancelled.

You know someone who fits this description. You have had this person in class. This student has interned with your office. Superior in every way. Always the over-achiever. Excellent projects. Unbelievable art. A thought leader. A performance that makes you wonder. A paper which is so interesting, research so in-depth. You know this person is worthy of this award.

The Kutztown University Academic Achievement Awards are presented to a select group of seniors who have achieved exceptional individual achievements in specified areas. The awards were established through a generous gift provided by Dr. Carlson R. Chambliss, who served as a member of the Kutztown University faculty from 1970 until 2003.

Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to nominate students. Areas of individual achievement are:
a) Successfully completed research projects
b) Original artwork of high quality
c) Artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.) of high quality
d) Original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields
e) Noteworthy achievements in athletics
f) Outstanding service to the Kutztown University community.  

The application is easy - takes 10-12 minutes. http://www.kutztown.edu/news/brief/2011/January/aaw_nomination_form.pdf

Send the completed form and any support documents over to the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Services and Campus Life, MSU 262 by Feb. 10. If you have any questions, please e-mail me or call me, nolan@kutztown.edu. Thanks very much for your support!
        Julie Nolan, director, Community Relations and Development Services
College of Visual and Performing Arts Faculty First Thursday:  Rose DeSiano, assistant professor, Fine Arts Department, will present the “Rwanda Project” on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. in Sharadin 120. Rose will speak about her involvement in the trial run of a new project, working to bring technology resources to instructors in Africa. It was a success, and has now spread to four countries other than Rwanda. The project was hosted by Google.org and the USAID. She will also talk about her unusual experiences dealing with business and government organizations, in a nation still restructuring after Genocide, where these atrocities continue to affect daily life. 
        William J. Mowder, dean, College of Visual & Performing Arts

Senior Orientation for the College of Visual & Performing Arts will be held on Thursday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the MSU. As  a senior, please make the commitment to maximize your chance of success in today’s job market. See all the services and resources offered by your Career Center. Learn how to avoid the “Top Mistakes of a Senior” and get a comprehensive calendar of semester events. Presented by the Career Development Center. 
         Linda Lantaff, Career Development Center

The President holds two open meetings with students each semester. The dates for the 2011 spring semester are: Tuesday, March 1 at 11 a.m. in Boehm 260 and Tuesday, April 19 at 11 a.m. in Boehm 260.
        Toyia Reed, Office of the President

 Ursa Minor's Café is a performance series of unforgettable Thursday night professional arts and entertainment in the MSU multipurpose room. These events feature a relaxed, jazz-club atmosphere, complete with tables, chairs, food and refreshments. Capacity is limited to less than 250 seats, so order early.
 
        - We have table service with a selection of coffees, noches and desserts
        - Bring or buy your own food. Relaxed, social atmosphere, and inexpensive fun for everyone        
        - A great date night out
        - Intimate, jazz club style

 Our next show is Thursday, Feb. 10 with The Blue Method. Tickets are $5 for students and are available at the MSU Info desk or online at www.KutztownPresents.org. See the video promo to Ursa Minor and the Blue Method at http://www.youtube.com/user/KutztownUniversity?feature=mhum#p/u/0/sgTjcfCjYTg   
        J. Andrew Cassano, director, KU Presents!
All Artists - you are invited to submit an original design in the Bearfest 33 Logo Design Contest. This year’s theme is a “Neverland Adventure” with the slogan “'Get Hooked on Bearfest 33!" All submissions are due to the Housing and Residential Services office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4. Logos need to include a bear and the slogan. Please submit your design on a CD (unless hand-drawn only) and in both black & white and color. Any questions, please contact Christine Price at price@kutztown.edu. Save the dates for Bearfest 33: Apr. 13-16!
It is time again to help out with Operation Snowflake! Grab your mittens, hats and scarves and get ready to help out Kutztown's disabled or older residents who sign up for assistance with shoveling their sidewalk and clearing off their cars. If you are interested in helping out, please e-mail ocac@kutztown.edu or drop by MSU 281 to sign up. We welcome sports teams, clubs, academic organizations and everyone else who is willing to help out! The program runs Jan 19-March 31. Please contact ocac@kutztown.edu or call x3–1524 or drop by and visit MSU 281 to sign up!
Calling all students interested in working with kids! Kids Cafe and Olivet Boys and Girls Club, two of Kutztown's exciting after-school mentoring and tutoring programs, are holding an information meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. in OM, room 123. The meeting will give interested students plenty of information about the programs, as well as how to get involved. Open discussion is encouraged and light refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact americareads@kutztown.edu or drop by the Community Outreach Center in MSU, room 281.
        Leyna Belinsky, coordinator, America Reads/America Counts 

The GLBTQ Resource Center at Kutztown University celebrates its 6th anniversary this Thursday, Feb. 3, with an open house in OM 4 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Refreshments will be made available throughout the day. At this event, the GLBTQ Resource Center will be debuting hundreds of new book titles acquired this past semester that will be made available for rental.
      


ACADEMICS
The University Curriculum Committee (UCC) will have a continuation meeting on Thursday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m.,  in MSU 312, to consider the remaining curricular proposals on its January agenda (which can be found online at http://www.kutztown.edu/committees/ucc/agenda.html  ). As always, individuals and/or departments with proposals on the agenda are invited and encouraged to attend to answer any questions that may arise. 
        R.S. Schaeffer, chair, University Curriculum Committee

ATHLETICS
KU Basketball and the KU Athletic department would like to honor you at Faculty & Staff Appreciation night.  Please join us for a complimentary dessert and coffee reception during the women’s & men’s basketball doubleheader vs. West Chester on Wednesday, Feb. 9. Women’s tipoff is at 6 p.m.; men’s tipoff at 8 p.m. The reception will be held in room 106 from halftime of the women’s game through halftime of the men’s game.  Kindly RSVP to goodhart@kutztown.edu by Feb. 4.  Remember, as faculty and staff you receive four complimentary tickets for your family.
        Erin Goodhart-Kurtz, assistant to the Athletic Director
Weekly Home Athletics Schedule 
 Wednesday, Feb. 2 - Men's & women's basketball vs. Mansfield - 6 p.m. (Keystone Arena)
Saturday, Feb. 5 - Men's and  women's basketball vs. Shippensburg - 1 p.m. (Keystone Arena)

ARAMARK

 Sysco will be holding a Food Show tomorrow in the South Side Café from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop by and meet some of our vendors and sample some of their products! 
        Heather Reinsel, marketing coordinator
Viewpoints Menu - Today:  closed. 

Wednesday: Roast pork loin with apple sage stuffing, veggie quiche, whipped red skin potatoes, corn and refried beans. Soups of the day are taco soup and cream of mushroom. 

 Thursday: Roasted chicken, black bean cake, whipped potatoes, cauliflower and peas, mushrooms and red peppers. Soups of the day are turkey vegetable chowder and cheddar soup. 

Friday: Baked whitefish polonaise, macaroni and cheese,  Caribbean sweet potatoes, stewed tomatoes and vegetable medley. Soups of the day are New England clam chowder and tomato rice soup.

In Case You Missed It:
 (Announcements and other information that have previously appeared in the Daily Brief.)

The University Writing Center, located in OM 132, opened yesterday for the Spring 2011 semester. Our open hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., and Monday & Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. Professors are encouraged to send copies of writing assignments and guidelines via e-mail (wrcenter@kutztown.edu); these provide our tutors with important context as they work with your students. Please keep in mind that the UWC does not provide editing services. Rather, we focus on working with students to provide options and strategies for revision.

 New! Find a link to our website on the Faculty & Staff section of the KU site under "Academic Resources." A link can also be found in the Current Students section under "Student Services." Visit us directly at www.kutztown.edu/writingcenter. Our site explains what to expect in a conference, resources for faculty and bios of our staff. Contact us at wrcenter@kutztown.edu or x3-4733.
        Amy Lynch-Biniek, director, University Writing Center

Creative Writing and Performance Workshop - Come and stretch your writing wings in a supportive atmosphere. Using the Amherst Writers and Artist method, Dr. Weckerle will lead a creative writing workshop that is open to all levels of experience. Writing exercises will include innovative prompts, an opportunity to read your writing aloud, and a chance to get positive feedback on your writing. You will also get ideas on how to perform your writing aloud. Bring a favorite pen and paper and your open mind to explore what you can do with words. Sponsored by Perforum:  the Forum for Performance For more information contact Dr. Lisa Weckerle at weckerle@kutztown.edu.
        Dr. Lisa Weckerle, associate professor, Speech Communication and Theatre

Creating Digital Flashcards and Other Study Aids for Your Students - The Learning Technologies Center, RL 30 in the Rohrbach Library on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m. - Noon or Monday, Feb. 7, 2-3 p.m. 

Colleagues, attend this hands-on workshop to gain experience with Studymate. Studymate is an interactive tool you can use to easily create flashcards, pick-a-letter, matching, crosswords, and other study aids that can be added to D2L or posted on your faculty website. No knowledge of programming is necessary to use Studymate.

D2L Gradebook Workshop - Wednesday, Feb. 9, 9-10 a.m. or Thursday, Feb. 10, 10-11 a.m. The Learning Technologies Center, RL 30 in the Rohrbach Library.

Attend this workshop to learn how to configure the D2L gradebook, create gradebook entries, and enter student grades.  Learn how to create letter grade schemes and configure the gradebook so the student sees an accurate running average during the course of the semester.  Learn how to use the categories feature to automatically drop the lowest score in a series of gradebook items.  

To register for either one of these workshops, please contact Eleanor (El) Ambrose, Dept. of Learning Technologies Secretary, at x3-4900 or e-mail El at eambrose@kutztown.edu.  One-on-one training can also be arranged by contacting Will Jefferson, Learning Technologies Center Coordinator, at x3-4757 or via e-mail at wjeffers@kutztown.edu. Visit our website to learn about other upcoming workshops and events at www.kutztown.edu/academics/lt.
Tuesdays in Spring are "Tuesday Talk" days here on KUR, featuring four informative and stimulating afternoon talk shows beginning at 2 p.m.

At 2 p.m., listen in for James Kastle to return to the KUR Airwaves with the best in current affairs talk.
At 3 p.m., Meghan Godorov hosts "Town and Gown on Common Ground." Meghan interviews a fraternity planning a February Step Show!
At 4 p.m., "The Show" debuts, a new sports/talk variety show, detailing Golden Bears as well as regional and national sports!
At 5 p.m., it's "Notas Latinas," for the best in Latino talk, news, and music! Tuesday afternoons are now "Tuesday Talk" days here on KUR!

Later in the week, remember to check out our popular "Diversity Rest Stop" interview segment, this year at 3:45 p.m. Wednesdays. This week, we sit down with local celebrity impersonator Stewart Brodian from the Lehigh Valley to discuss his new, nationally syndicated television program, "Double or Nutin." Then on Friday, "Makin' Waves," KUR's own exclusive GLBTQ talk/music magazine show moves to a new day and time from 2-4 p.m.
         Michael Regensburger, Department of Radio Services

The first show on the Student Union Brick Wall Exhibition Space is up! Chris Leete is showing "Man vs. Destiny" from now until Feb. 10. There will be a catered opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 3, 7-8 p. m. and you are all invited to come and see the show!  
        Alicia Bonilla-Puig and Elizabeth Emmett, gallery coordinators, Student Union Art Gallery
Financial aid requirements are changing for all students! Beginning fall 2011, major changes are being made to the Financial Aid progress requirements. Information sessions will be held to inform the campus community about these changes. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend a session if they advise students in matters of enrollment and did not attend a session in the fall semester. The final session will be held in the Academic Forum, room 102, this Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Please encourage your students to attend. 75-80% of all students at KU receive a form of financial aid! 
        Lisa Schroeder, assistant director, Office of Financial Aid