Daily Brief

Push Back for Higher Ed

Join your campus community 11-11:50 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, Alumni Plaza, to rally in support of quality and affordable public education in Pennsylvania. Express yourself by making a sign, writing a postcard to your legislators or listening to students and faculty describe the impact that potential cuts to education may have. Don't sit this one out. Push back, speak up and stand together.

Amy Lynch-Biniek, APSCUF-KU

Open Hour with Provost

Faculty, staff and students are invited to drop by and chat with Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, during her open office hour 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, MSU Bears Den. 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.

Office of the Provost

Anne Imschweiler, Provost Office/Academic Affairs

Graduate School Fair

The Career Development Center is hosting a Graduate School Fair 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 218 MSU. Multiple KU graduate programs and outside graduate schools will be attending. Please assist with promoting this event to KU's students.

Jenelle Henry, Career Development Center

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

Kutztown Sustainability Summit - Energy Efficiency Pays

Discover how "Energy Efficiency Pays" at this year's Kutztown Sustainability Summit, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, de Francesco lobby. Come connect with fellow students, teachers and professionals who are passionate about building a more sustainable future. The evening will feature inspiring speakers, thought-provoking discussions and student-led poster presentations that highlight fresh ideas for tackling today’s energy challenges. Network with peers and industry leaders; gain insights on energy-smart strategies for success; and see how small actions can create big impact. The event is open to the campus and local communities. Don't miss this chance to learn, share and be inspired.

Gary Chao, Business Administration

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. Let us know about the amazing work everyone is doing at KU.

Elisabeth Manwiller, Human Resources

CEL Workshop - Playing the Funding Game

The Center for Engaged Learning is hosting its next workshop, Playing the Funding Game, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6 Rohrbach Library. KU has many funding opportunities, from mini-assessment grants to KU Bears grants. By starting small, you can support your scholarship and teaching. We'll explore the different types of grants available at KU, discuss effective grant applications, share resources and develop an action plan.

Center for Engaged Learning

Gonzalez Reaches Milestone, Earns Second PSAC Athlete of the Week

Senior forward Erin Gonzalez of No. 1 KU field hockey couldn't have asked for a better week on the field, as she helped lead her team to two victories to remain unbeaten during the regular season. For the second time in three weeks, Gonzalez was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week. Gonzalez had an important week for No. 1 Kutztown and herself, individually. Gonzalez assisted on the game's opening goal in a 3-1 victory over No. 5 West Chester last Tuesday night, Oct. 14. The captain then had an historic day for her career in a 7-0 win against Slippery Rock on senior day Saturday, Oct. 18. Gonzalez netted a career-best four goals and eclipsed the 100-point mark for her career.

Gonzalez Named PSAC Athlete of the Week

Sports Information