Daily Brief

Feb. 26, 2024

Denise Pearson speaking at the Ujima Conference.

PASSHE Chief DEI Officer Speaks at KU

Dr. Denise Pearson, PASSHE vice chancellor and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, was the keynote speaker of KU’s 2024 Ujima Conference Wednesday, Feb. 21. The conference spanned three days under the enlightening theme “It Takes a Village.”

University Relations

Weather

Weather forecasts are provided by KU's Dr. Michael Davis and "Monsoon Mike" Regensburger

A very pleasant day in store thanks to a high pressure just off the eastern seaboard. Some passing clouds will make for partly to mostly sunny conditions. High temperature near 55.

Announcements

Condolences

It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of Steve Brynildsen suddenly and unexpectedly Friday night, Feb. 16. Steve is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Nancy, Student Success and Academic Excellence, and their three sons, Steven '10, Gregory '13 and Nathan, as well as two grandchildren. For more information, please view the obituary here. Messages of condolence can be sent to Nancy at PO Box 243, Emmaus, PA 18049.

Cheryl Brattley, The Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence

Open Hour with Provost

Faculty, staff and students are invited to drop by and chat with Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, during her open office hour 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, Bears Den, MSU. Faculty and staff who would like to have a conversation, but for whom this time does not work, are welcome to contact the Office of the Provost at 610-683-4155 to schedule a time to meet.

Anne Imschweiler, Office of the Provost

FAFSA Workshop

Financial Aid Services is aware there are many concerns and questions regarding the updated 2024-25 FAFSA. We are hosting several workshops to provide information, guidance and assistance with these changes. Please complete the registration form to attend one of our workshops taking place in the Boehm Science Building (BH) in the following weeks:
 - 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 5, 145 BH Lecture Hall.
 - 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 7, 145 BH Lecture Hall.
 - 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 26, 145 BH Lecture Hall.
 - 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 4, 145 BH Lecture Hall.
Click on the link below to complete the registration.

Michael Arias, Financial Aid Services

Lunch x Learn: Working with Neurodivergent Students

This workshop on Neurodiversity in the College Classroom, led by Megan Rutter, assistant director of Disability Services, will include case studies and scenarios that may be similar to what you have experienced in your classrooms. Join us for a free lunch sponsored by the DSO as we discuss some of the biggest struggles for neurodiverse students, how they may manifest within your classroom space and some suggestions on how to best support their needs. The Lunch and Learn will have two seatings: 11-11:50 a.m.; and noon to 12:50 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 6 Rohrbach Library, CEL office. A variety of boxed lunches, courtesy of the DSO, will be available for those who register. Availability is limited to 20 participants per seating. Please visit the event page for more information.

Center for Engaged Learning

Spring Commencement Speakers

Applications are being accepted through Tuesday, March 19 for student commencement speakers for the spring commencement ceremonies this May. Three students will be selected to speak before their graduating class and guests:
 - One graduate student. 
 - One undergraduate student for the 9 a.m. ceremony.
 - One undergraduate student for the 2:30 p.m. ceremony.
Please direct all questions about the commencement speaker application process to Dr. Andrea Kirshman at kirshman@kutztown.edu (undergraduate students) or to Dr. Carl Sheperis at sheperis@kutztown.edu (graduate students).

Melissa Lincoln, Office of the Vice Provost

Town Hall Hosted By APSCUF and Faculty of Color Caucus

APSCUF-KU is committed to creating a campus that supports diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. In support of addressing and fixing issues noted in Senator Haywood's recent Enough report, the Faculty of Color Caucus will be hosting a Town Hall for our students to voice their concerns 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, 183 MSU. The goal is to hear directly from students and for faculty, staff and administration to listen to these concerns. As stated in Senator Haywood's report, "It is imperative for PASSHE and the individual universities to continue listening, responding to and enacting meaningful change." Please join us in making Kutztown University a place where everyone feels safe, accepted, respected, included and supported.

Marlene Nanouh Fares, Academic Enrichment

Appointment Scheduling in Starfish-Quick Links

A quick setup guide is available for setting up appointment scheduling in Starfish: 3-Step Process for Appointment Scheduling. For more detailed information, please view the following document: Managing your Starfish Calendar. Both of these documents are also available on the KU Starfish Faculty and Staff Resources link below. For additional assistance setting up or managing your Starfish calendar, please email starfish@kutztown.edu or call 610-683-4217.

Cheryl Brattley, The Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence

TIAA Representative On Campus

Our new TIAA representative will be on campus 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, 119 Stratton. If you would like to make an appointment, please call 1-800-842-2252 or visit the link below.

Jeanette Forster, Human Resources

Upcoming Events

Date Time Event
Feb. 27 9:30 a.m. COE Dissertation Defense: Kim Kneller
105 Beekey
Feb. 27 4 p.m. Town Hall (APSCUF and Faculty of Color Caucus)
183 MSU
Feb. 28 9 a.m. COE Dissertation Defense: Mallie Culpepper-Yablonsky
245 Beekey
Feb. 28 7 p.m. Ignite Kutztown
135 Rickenbach
Feb. 29 11 a.m. Press Event: Regenerative Organic Agriculture Grant
250 MSU
Feb. 29 1:30 p.m. Open Hour with Provost
Bears Den, MSU
March 1 9 a.m.  Conference: Commission on Human Diversity
MSU
March 1 7:30 p.m. Concert: Wind Ensemble
Schaeffer Auditorium

Athletics

Date Time Event
Feb. 28 5:30 p.m. Women's Basketball vs. East Stroudsburg
Dean's List Honors
Keystone Arena (Video | Stats)
Feb. 28  7:30 p.m. Men's Basketball vs. East Stroudsburg
Golden Bear Honors
Keystone Arena (Video | Stats)
Feb. 29 3 p.m. Women's Lacrosse vs. Seton Hill
Keystone Field (Video | Stats)
March 2 10 a.m. Super Region I Wrestling Championships
Keystone Arena (Video | Stats)

Accommodations

Persons with a disability, and who require accommodation, should notify the Disability Services Office two weeks prior to the event at 610-683-4108 or email , TDD number: 610-683-4499, in order to discuss accommodations. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations. Please note: Kutztown University does not provide wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Notify the university of an accessibility concern

Non-Discrimination Statement

Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. To discuss a complaint of discrimination, please contact the Office of Social Equity, Old Main A-Wing, Room 02, by phone at 610-683-4700 or by email at . Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Kutztown University does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including admissions and employment. Any inquiries regarding the application of Title IX at Kutztown University may be made to Bradley Davis, the university’s Title IX coordinator, located in Old Main A-Wing, Room 02A, by phone at 610-683-4782 or by email at . You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights located in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, by phone at 800-421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339), by fax at 202-453-6012, or by email at .