Office of Student Assistance Brochure: Accessible Version

The Office of Student Assistance

The Office of Student Assistance holistically empowers students to thrive through connection, care, and self-determination.

The office collaborates with campus and community resources to help students reach their full potential. We foster a supportive, student-centered space where students are empowered to advocate for themselves, overcome challenges, and build resilience—promoting academic success, well-being, and the skills to thrive at college and beyond.

Our Values

1. Connection
The Office of Student Assistance at Kutztown University serves as a vital support hub, connecting students with essential resources both on campus and within the broader community.

2. Care
The Office of Student Assistance at Kutztown University is dedicated to supporting the whole
student through personalized care and guidance. By addressing individual needs, the office helps students navigate challenges, whether academic, personal, or emotional.

3. Self-Determination
The Office of Student Assistance at Kutztown University empowers students to become confident self-advocates by providing guidance, resources, and support tailored to their needs. Through personalized assistance, the office helps students navigate university policies, communicate effectively with faculty and staff, and access on- and off-campus resources.

What We Do

• Listen intently and discuss conflicts, disputes, concerns and complaints that students have about the functioning of the University, including its policies and procedures, the actions of others, and potentially unfair treatment.
• Promote the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills by helping students
understand their rights and act on their own behalf in resolving conflicts.
• Help students evaluate and select among a variety of options to address their concerns.
• Provide a safe and caring space where students feel respected.
• Answer questions or make referrals to University staff and/or faculty to seek further information.
• Assist students in connecting with both on- and off-campus resources to help them build a
supportive network.

When should I contact Student Assistance?

You have choices at Kutztown University regarding what resources you can use for assistance. Keep in mind that you can always talk to your professor, department chair, academic advisor, academic dean, or staff members in any of the university administrative offices. Many valuable resources are available to you within these departments.

Contact the Office of Student Assistance if:

• You are unsure about which rules, policies, or procedures apply to your situation.
• You need someone to help clarify an academic or university-related matter which is affecting you, such as extenuating health matters.
• You require assistance with an academic matter, such as a withdrawal, grade appeal, or academic misconduct.
• You require someone to help facilitate communication between you and a member of the
administration, faculty/staff, or another student.
• You need someone to work with you in order to achieve a solution to your problem.
• You are unsure where to go – connect with us!

When Unexpected Challenges Occur

Student Assistance works with students experiencing extenuating circumstances who may need to explore options available to them at the university.

Academic Exception Committee Petition
Examples of requests include, but are not limited to:
• An additional semester of academic probation following academic dismissal
• A backdated withdrawal from (year/semester) to W grading
• A backdated withdrawal from (year/semester) to remove courses

Leave of Absence
A Leave of Absence (LOA) from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania allows students to take a temporary break from their studies; a leave of absence may be granted for one semester, with the possibility of renewal for a consecutive semester, upon approval of the Registrar, all while maintaining their status as a KU student. Eligible students include those in good academic standing who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and need time away for personal, medical, financial, or other reasons.

Withdrawal from a course or the university
Withdrawing refers to one of the following scenarios:
• Withdrawal from a course or courses, while staying enrolled in at least one credit for that term or session.
• Withdrawal from the entire semester or session, or from KU completely.

Phone – 610-683-1396
Email – studentassistance@kutztown.edu
Office – 119 Stratton Administration Building

Schedule a meeting with a team member

• Go to our website
Click on the “Form” tab. You can refer yourself or another student for assistance.
• Call our office – 610-683-1396
Call our office and schedule a meeting with a team member. Our team member can meet via
phone, Zoom, or in-person.

Hours of Operation

• Academic Year – 8:00am – 12:00pm; 1:00pm – 4:00pm
• Summer and Winter Breaks – 8:00am – 12:00pm; 12:30pm – 4:00pm