Daily Brief

The 1866 Minute Giving Challenge is On: Oct. 15-16

For 1,866 minutes, Golden Bears everywhere rally to power what they love at KU: scholarships, experiential learning, academics, arts, athletics and more. Every gift, big or small, adds up to make a huge impact and creates golden opportunities for students and the campus community. How to join in: make a gift online, by phone or send a check in person or by mail. Advocate for your college, program or team and watch for matches and donor challenges that can maximize your impact. This is a team effort: alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends of KU. Share the link, tag a friend or step up as an advocate to help unlock bonus funds and inspire others. Don't let the timer run out - make your gift today.

1866 Minute Giving Challenge

KU Foundation

Chamber Music Concert with Guest Artist, Grammy-Nominated Flutist Carol Wincenc and KU Faculty

KU Flutes Instagram

Maya Strava Kokkinou, Music

Mariachi Herencia de México brings a Bicultural Take on Mexican Music

KU Presents! will kick off its Performing Artists Series with the Chicago-based Mariachi Herencia de México 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, Schaeffer Auditorium. Fusing traditional instruments with other genres, they give a contemporary twist to traditional music while retaining the essence of mariachi. The band is known for their energy, virtuosity and innovative approach to their arrangements. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 610-683-4092. KU students can access $15 tickets by logging for tickets with their MyKU login, or get all performances for just $25 with our new Student Membership.

KU Presents!

Vision Program's Dine in the Dark Highlights Students First and Community Engagement

The KU College of Education's visual impairment program, Department of Special Education, in collaboration with the Vision Resource Center of Berks County, hosted its annual Dine in the Dark Thursday, Oct. 9, Berkshire Country Club. With 150 attendees, the event raised $1,500 through the efforts of the Braille Bears student organization to support outreach and travel initiatives. Dine in the Dark offers guests a powerful opportunity to experience dining without sight, fostering empathy and raising awareness about the lived experiences of individuals with visual impairments. This immersive format encourages deeper understanding and dialogue around accessibility and inclusion. The event stands as a shining example of KU's commitment to students first, showcasing how students lead meaningful initiatives that connect academic learning with real-world impact. It also reflects the university's dedication to building strong partnerships with community organizations in our backyard to advance shared goals in education and advocacy.

College of Education

Flexible Spending Account Open Enrollment

It is time to sign up for your 2026 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plan(s). This is for anyone that would like to sign up for the first time, or if you already have an existing account for either the Health Care FSA or the Day Care FSA. An email from PASSHE Employee Benefits was sent to everyone Monday, Oct. 13, with a video, link below and a link to sign up for this plan via your ESS portal. Click here for video. You must sign up for your FSA every year. Your plan does not automatically renew. Open enrollment is only for three weeks: Monday, Oct. 13 to Friday, Oct. 31. Coverage will be effective Jan. 1, 2026. You will not be able to sign up outside of this three-week window, even if you have an active plan for 2025.
- If you currently have a plan for 2025, please check your balance now.
- For the Health Care FSA, you are only able to rollover up to $640 to 2026.
- If you have more than $640 in your Health Care FSA account, you will lose the difference in the new year. Any amount less than $5 will not be carried over. You still have time to spend it.
- The rollover will not be in your Health Care FSA account until April 2026.
- For the Day Care FSA, there is no rollover to 2026; you must spend all funds in 2025. 
Please visit the PASSHE website for FSA details and the 2026 FSA handbook, which lists all of the items you are eligible to purchase with your FSA funds. If anyone has any questions, please contact Elisabeth Manwiller at emanwiller@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4879.

Elisabeth Manwiller, Human Resources

Make Stuff at Creative Royale 2025

Take a break from the pressure of classes and life. Join us 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, Sharadin Atrium, for our third annual Creative Royale. This is an annual art-making extravaganza open to all students. All KU creators are welcome, so bring a friend. There will be refreshments, music, inspiration and stress-free interaction with others. It's the perfect way to get back into the joy of making and spread the message "Stay Alive…Make Art!" Register online.

News Coverage (2021)

Kate Clair, Art and Design

Temporary Faculty Committee Office Hours

The Temporary Faculty Committee will hold a series of open office hours throughout the semester. These are for temporary faculty to consult with union representatives about any issue they might need help navigating. Please feel free to stop by if you need to talk.
- Mike Covello: 2-3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Zoom.
- Dr. Amy Lynch-Biniek: noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, Zoom.
- Mike Covello: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Zoom, or in person at 7G Sharadin if scheduled in advance.
- Dr. Kathleen Stanfa: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, Zoom.
- Mike Covello: 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, Zoom, or in person at 7G Sharadin if scheduled in advance.
Please reach out to us with any questions at covello@kutztown.edu; stanfa@kutztown.edu; lynchbin@kutztown.edu.

Michael Covello, Art and Design