The Poplar House has a wonderfully rich history - read about it below.



The Daily Brief
Monday, May 31, 2011



 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reminder: The shredder, located in the storage area of the South Dining Hall, is available for university employee business use. Please contact Administrative Services for information and instructions at x3-4143.
        Susan Fusco, Administrative Services
The Poplar House, (once also known as the Spanish House), is a 2½-story brick Victorian residence built in 1892 by William S. Kutz, a great-grandson of Kutztown’s founder, George Kutz, to replace an earlier house on the site.  The parcel was once part of the vast tract along the north side of the Kutztown Road that had been in Kutz's possession since 1732, when Swiss native Jacob Kutz established a farmstead behind what is now Brooklyn.

The house boasts Eastlake-style detailing in the front door, rake boards, and window hoods. The interior retains the original plan with a central hall, Eastlake-style stairway, art glass, and impressive woodwork.

KU already owned the Kutz residence by 1931, when its Board of Trustees minutes show a reduction in monthly rent to its tenant, Wilson B., William’s son, who worked at Keystone State Normal School as a custodian and was a highly respected local historian who contributed much lore to the 1915 Centennial History of Kutztown.

According to period Kutztown Patriot articles, on June 18, 1937, "the historic Kutz house," as it was labeled, was moved 140 feet in three stages using jacks, rollers, and iron plates to its current location as part of a WPA project, utilizing federal tax dollars to preserve a structure recognized even then as important to the area’s culture.

The move was completed to align the home with the recently constructed President’s house and campus library (now the Graduate Center), which allowed in turn for the widening of the Kutztown Road through campus, accompanied by the grading of College Boulevard, until then a dirt lane extending back to the Deisher farm in Maxatawny Township.

The back part of the original structure, containing four rooms, did not survive the move. The building was dedicated on January 5, 1938, with the keys to the house given to Alvin F. Kemp, representing the Board of Trustees.  

ARAMARK

The Cub Cafe will be open:
May 31 - 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grille Works at the Golden Bear Food Court will be open:
May 31 - 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Please see Kutztown Dining Services website, www.kutztown.campusdish.com, during the summer for updated hours of operation and contact us if you have any other questions.

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

Healthy U Phase 4 (Not for AFSCME & SCUPA employees) - The deadline for completing Healthy U Phase 4 requirements and earning the lower participant contribution rates is May 31, 2011.   If you and your covered spouse/domestic partner have not yet completed the 70-point requirement, detailed information including a Screenshot Tutorial and Virtual Employee Meeting can be found on H.R. website at:  http://hr.dept.kutztown.edu/.  In addition, information regarding entering completed programs for points can be found on the website under the FOCUS Series.  If you experience login issues, the number for technical support is 877-298-3918. 
        Jean Adam, benefits manager

Please share this information with your students who are taking summer session classes:

 Attention Summer Students:  Please join us Tuesday, May 31, noon - 1:30 p.m. at the MSU Portico for a fun summer picnic. Enjoy a light lunch, music, Dippin’ Dots, lawn games and more. Please bring your KU ID with you. ID’s will be "swiped" at the event. This event is paid for out of student activities fees and is therefore only open to KU students currently enrolled in summer classes. We look forward to seeing you there.
                Kristen Snyder Gallagher, assistant director, Student Union & Involvement Services


 The following camps/conferences will be on campus this week:

5/29/11 – 6/02/11     Notre Dame Rugby
6/02/11 – 6/05/11     Academy of Spiritual & Paranormal Studies
6/02/11 – 6/05/11     NE Regional Baton
6/03/11 – 6/04/11     ACS Relay for Life
6/04/11                         Jugglefest

 Please welcome them to our campus. If you have any questions, please let us know. Thanks!
        Laura Jones, Conference Services


 KUR Radio - On Tuesday, May 31, it's Latino music, news, and commentary, 5-6 p.m. with "Notas Latinas."  

At 2:45 p.m., on Wednesday, it's "The Diversity Rest Stop Radio Program," this week sitting down with Bethlehem-based alternative musical artist Dennis Christman to discuss his new album and endeavors.

 Later in the week, don't forget to check out our weekly broadcast of "Fifty One Percent," a women's issues talk show Fridays at 5 p.m. and "This Way Out," a gay/lesbian talk show Fridays at 5:30 p.m. All this in addition to the rest of the week's amazing programming which can be found by clicking on our "Schedule" link at FSRN.org website.
Construction Updates:
The sidewalk access through the area in front of the library will be closed off until Wednesday or Thursday. The rainy weather has slowed the excavation progress. The barricades will be moved as soon as possible. We apologize for the continued inconvenience.
        Tom Green, director, Facilities Energy Management and Campus Utilities

 Old Main: Main front entrance will be closed for repainting and refinishing starting May 25 through June 30. Please use the other entrance, at E-wing. Thanks!
        Mitch Finsel, manager, Facilities

 There will be an electrical shutdown in University Place on Thursday, June 2 starting at 7 a.m. in support of the HVAC Upgrade project. This shutdown is expected to last no more than four hours. Emergency services including Fire Protection will remain online and operative.
        Patrick J Antonio Jr , project manager, Facilities Project Services
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH!