Daily Brief

Test of KU Alert System

There will be a test of the Kutztown University emergency alert systems at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. You will receive test messages through the Omnilert text message and email system. Campus loudspeakers will be activated during this test. Messages will also be seen on the university website and social media. Thank you for your patience as we complete this required test. Faculty and staff must opt-in to receive messages. If you already have an account, now is the time to review it to make sure your account is up-to-date and validated. Please take note of the expiration date that is seen after you log in. To create or review your account, use your KU single sign-on credentials online.

University Relations

Ramadan

Ramadan 2025 starts on the evening of Friday, Feb. 28, lasting 30 days and ending at sundown Saturday, March 29. It is a month of fasting, prayer, giving and self-evaluation observed by Muslims. Practicing Muslim students, staff and faculty will be fasting from dawn until dusk (approximately 4:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.). Fasting means no food and no water. Ramadan celebrations often involve prayers late into the night. It is not unusual to be up past midnight for prayers and then get up at 3:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. to eat before dawn and pray. Muslim students, staff and faculty may be tired, hungry and dehydrated in your classes – especially if they in your afternoon and early evening classes, offices, meetings, events or athletic practices. Please keep this in mind during the month.

Jerry Schearer, Diversity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer

Celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week

The Disability Services Office, in collaboration with other offices and groups, is proud to host a collection of events in observation of Neurodiversity Celebration Week. The worldwide initiative is observed March 17-23, during KU's spring break, so the university will celebrate during the week of March 3, with events happening daily, Monday through Thursday. This week "aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, organizations and others around the world with the opportunity to recognize the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual." A full list of events and Engage links can be found at the link below.regrec

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Megan Rutter, Disability Services Office

Miller Keystone Blood Drive

The Community Outreach Center is hosting a blood drive Wednesday, March 5, Student Union Building Multipurpose Room. The demand for blood is a constant reality. Our community blood supply is the key to meeting this need. When we donate and support a life-saving cause, we ensure that the demand is met locally. Please sign up using the link below to reserve your donation timeslot. Thank you so much.

Sign Up

Amanda Garcia, Community Outreach Center

Science Olympiad at KU

Science Olympiad needs volunteers. Looking for something fun to do over spring break? Want to add a little something to your résumé? Volunteers are needed to help KU host the CE Regional Science Olympiad Thursday, March 20 (snow date Friday, March 21). The Science Olympiad is a competition held on campus that hosts eight middle schools and 30 high schools from nine counties. More than 600 students will compete in approximately 46 events based in science disciplines such as biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology and we need your help to make all that happen. You do not need a science background to be a volunteer. We need help with registrations, lobby info, food sales/delivery, set-up, scoring, event assistance and much more. You can judge an event or help with the Appeals Board. Club advisers: get your club involved. Please contact our volunteer coordinator, Dr. Michael Davis, at midavis@kutztown.edu or if you are interested, check out our website for more information. We look forward to having you as part of the team.

Science Olympiad

Joann Monko, Physical Sciences

Rape, Aggression and Defense Training

Rape, Aggression and Defense Training (R.A.D.), provided by Public Safety and Police Services, is free to female students, faculty and staff. Led by detective/corporal Amanda George, R.A.D. training is scheduled at 6 p.m. Monday, March 24, 22A Old Main; Tuesday, March 25, Georgian Room; and Thursday, March 27, Georgian Room. Participants must attend all three sessions to complete the R.A.D. program. To register, please email dsantos@kutztown.edu or call 610-683-4860.

Rape, Aggression and Defense Training

Danielle Santos, Public Safety and Police Services

Employee of the Month

Do you have a co-worker in your department or in any other department on campus that has gone above and beyond to support KU's mission? Acknowledge them by submitting an Employee of the Month nomination. The nomination form may be found online. Let us know about the amazing work everyone is doing at KU.

Elisabeth Manwiller, HR

CEL Workshop: Stuck in the Middle

As we approach mid-terms, what are 10 things we can do in the "middle" of our class periods and semesters to help students learn and stay motivated? As always, check the CEL Events Calendar for upcoming workshops and more.

Center for Engaged Learning

CEL Tarot of Teaching, Part 4: Make a Prediction 

This week, we offer the fourth in our ongoing Tarot of Teaching card deck series, a creative tool designed by the Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) to enrich and energize the structure of a class period. This month’s post also includes a challenge that counts toward our League of Learning leaderboard points total (TBA). If you haven't already, check out  Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the series.

Center for Engaged Learning