Daily Brief

Schlicher Named 2026 Employee of the Year

Congratulations to Michael Schlicher, Facilities, on being named the 2026 Kutztown University Employee of the Year. Schlicher was named the Employee of the Year during KU's Faculty and Staff Convocation and Celebration Friday, Aug. 21. Schlicher, Employee of the Month for August 2025, was 1-of-12 finalists for the annual award. Schlicher has been with the university since 1999. As Employee of the Year, Schlicher received a $300 monetary award, an engraved crystal award and reserved parking for one year in their preferred parking spot.

Schlicher Named 2026 Employee of the Year

University Relations

Roadway Repairs at Risley Hall

UGI will be on campus to make roadway and landscape repairs behind Risley Hall Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 1. Access between the F1 (Stratton) and F4 (basketball courts) parking lots will be closed. Parking may be minimally impacted in the F4 lot along the stadium fence. Please enter and exit F1 from the Normal Avenue entrance. If the project is to last beyond Sept. 1, we will provide updates. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Will Meeker, Facilities

Open Auditions for New Play

An informational meeting about auditions for the play "Centralia: The Fire Below" will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 120 Rickenbach Learning Center (the Communication Research Center). Seeking four actors: two M/F ages 40-70, and two M/F ages 18-22. Rehearsals start the last week of September and all acting roles are paid. The world premiere will be Oct. 15-17, Schaeffer Auditorium Main Stage. For more information, email centralia@kutztown.edu.

Deryl Johnson Playwright/Director, Communication Studies

University Senate Meeting

The next University Senate meeting is 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 202 Academic Forum. The agenda can be found on the University Senate website. Minutes and documentation are available in the September 2026 SharePoint folder. Please email any Senate representative changes to senate@kutztown.edu.

Lisa Frye, University Senate President

Social Equity Policies Training

The Office of Compliance will offer six Social Equity Policies training sessions this fall pursuant to the university's Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct, Accommodations, and Amorous Relationships policies. All sessions are at 9 a.m. via Zoom. Register online. Dates include Friday, Sept. 4; Thursday, Sept. 17; Wednesday, Oct. 14; Monday, Oct. 26; Wednesday, Nov. 11; and Tuesday, Nov. 24. All faculty, staff and volunteers must complete the Social Equity Policies training on a yearly basis. If you cannot recall when you last completed the training, please contact the Office of Compliance and we will be glad to check our records. Training can also be completed through D2L in the Social Equity Policy Training 2026 module. If you would like to schedule an in-person training for your department, please send a request by email to compliance@kutztown.edu or jdixon@kutztown.edu, or contact the Office of Compliance at extension 3-4700. Please obtain approval from your supervisor if necessary.

Office of Compliance

PASSHE Procurement Retreat

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, the PASSHE Procurement Shared Services team will provide a full-day series of in-person trainings and professional development sessions focused on procurement processes and the procurement tool, SourcePoint. All sessions are designed for both new and experienced employees to enhance understanding, build proficiency and provide support to effectively navigate campus procurement activities. All employees involved in the procurement process, including requesters, approvers and stakeholders (leadership, administrators, academic leaders, faculty) are encouraged to attend. Session times and descriptions are available on the Procurement Retreat Agenda. Register now through the Procurement Retreat RSVP. Registration will close on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Questions can be directed to Kelsey Arcelay at karcelay@kutztown.edu.

Kelsey Arcelay, Business Office

Updated Reservation Process for the Hampton Inn

When making university reservations at the Hampton Inn & Suites Kutztown for stays approved through SourcePoint, departments must contact the front desk of the Hampton Inn at 484-641-8800 and select option 4. The direct contacts for reservations are Lynn Fehn, General Manager, and Ryan Miller, Operations Supervisor. In the event our university specific contacts are not available, departments may now speak with any representative at the front desk of the Kutztown Hampton Inn to create, confirm and cancel reservations. As a reminder, all university expensed hotel stays must be processed and fully approved through SourcePoint prior to the stay. Please forward all invoices to Accounts Payable for payment. Questions about this process may be directed to apinvoice@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4135.

Kelsey Arcelay, Business Office

Free Faculty/Staff Membership to Student Recreation Center

We are excited to announce that we will continue to offer the employee well-being initiative. KU employees have been granted free access to the Student Recreation Center. We will offer annual memberships at no charge.  Employees must sign up for their free membership at the Student Recreation Center Information Desk and sign a waiver. Membership also includes access to group exercise programs. Questions can be directed to Recreational Services at 484-646-4202 or recservices@kutztown.edu.

Tracy Turner, Recreational Services

Accessibility Furniture in Classrooms

You may notice desks, chairs, or other classroom furniture marked for accessibility purposes by the Disability Services Office (DSO). This furniture has been placed in specific classrooms to ensure access for students with disabilities. Please do not remove marked accessibility furniture from the classroom or relocate it within the room to an inaccessible location. Keeping this furniture in its designated, accessible location helps ensure that students who need it can access and use it when they arrive for class. Thank you for helping us maintain accessible classroom spaces for all members of the KU community.

McKenzie Hollenbach, Disability Services Office

Join the 2026-27 CEL Book Group

The first gathering of the CEL Book Group meets 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 6 Rohrbach Library.
Our shared text is "Joy-Centered Pedagogy in Higher Education" (link to the free eBook).
For our first meeting, we’ll discuss the Preface and Chapter 1. We’ll continue throughout the semester at a pace of approximately one chapter every two weeks.
Join your colleagues for conversations about how joy can shape teaching, learning and classroom experiences. You can join at any time.
Would you like to receive emails about book club meeting dates, times or chapter reminders? Contact cel@kutztown.edu with the subject 'Book Group' and we’ll add you to the email list. 

Center for Engaged Learning Programs & Events

Center for Engaged Learning

Maximize What Starfish Can Do for You

Join us for drop-in Starfish Express Workshops, 3-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, now through Tuesday, Sept. 29 on Zoom. Learn how to navigate Starfish features, set up your profile, manage consultation hours, raise flags, referrals and more. Please contact starfish@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4106 if you are unable to attend a scheduled session.

Nancy Brynildsen, Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence