Daily Brief

Fillman Named Recipient of 2026 John P. Schellenberg Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Dr. Robert Fillman, assistant professor of English, was awarded Kutztown University's 2026 John P. Schellenberg Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The award was presented during the university's Faculty and Staff Convocation and Celebration Friday, Aug. 21. The John P. Schellenberg Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was established by John P. Schellenberg, emeriti professor of physical science, faculty alumni and friends to recognize an early career faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding work.

Fillman Named Recipient of Schellenberg Award

University Relations

R.A.D - Women's Self-Defense Three-Day Training

Rape Aggression Defense Training (R.A.D.), provided by Public Safety and Police Services, is free to female students, faculty and staff. Training is scheduled 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 22A Old Main; 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, Georgian Room; and 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, Georgian Room. You must attend all three sessions to complete the R.A.D. program. Register online.

Danielle Santos, Public Safety and Police Services

Test of KU Alert System

There will be a test of the Kutztown University emergency alert systems at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. You will receive test messages through the Omnilert text message, email and Simplex mass notification systems, including campus loudspeakers. Messages will also be seen on the university website, social media and on select campus televisions. 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

Jeanne Clery Act: Campus Security Authorities

Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) include those who work in campus safety, those responsible for security and monitoring access to our buildings and those designated in our campus security policies to receive crime reports. The law also defines a campus security authority as "an official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings." If you are in a position where someone is likely to come to you with information about a Clery Act crime, you could be considered a campus security authority. To learn more about Clery Act crimes or to determine whether you are a CSA, please email clery@kutztown.edu. If you believe you meet the definition of a CSA, please let us know ASAP.

Anne Reel and Marie Fenstermacher, Clery Compliance Coordinators, Office of Compliance

Labor Day Hours for Student Recreation Center

The Student Recreation Center will be open 1-11 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

Tracy Turner, Recreational Services

Coffee with a Cop

Kickstart your morning with a caffeine boost and a little campus connection. Join Public Safety and Police Services for Coffee with a Cop 7:30-10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, Old Main Concourse. We'll have free coffee, hot tea and donut holes to help fuel your day. Whether you have questions about campus safety, want to learn more about the officer's jobs or simply want to stop by for a friendly conversation, we'd love to see you there. Come grab a cup, say hello and connect with your campus community.

Danielle Santos, Public Safety and Police Services

25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and Volunteer Sign Up

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, a day that forever changed our nation and countless lives. The Kutztown University community is invited to come together to honor the victims, first responders, military members and all those impacted by 9/11. For more information, contact Brianna Mazza.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Volunteer to Place American Flags: Help place flags across campus before the memorial ceremony as a meaningful tribute to those who lost their lives and those who served. Register to volunteer.
- Attend the 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, Alumni Plaza: Join us to honor lives lost, recognize sacrifice and reflect on our nation's resilience.
- Visit the Old Main Tree Memorial: Pay tribute to KU alumnus Gary Haag, who lost his life on 9/11.
- Spread the Word: Encourage students, colleagues and friends to participate.

9/11 Flags of Remembrance RSVP

Brianna Mazza, Military and Veterans Services

PASSHE Procurement Retreat

The PASSHE Procurement Shared Services team will provide a full-day series of in-person trainings and professional development sessions Tuesday, Sept. 22, 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 Wednesday, Sept. 16. Questions can be directed to Kelsey Arcelay at karcelay@kutztown.edu.

Kelsey Arcelay, Business Office

Digital Accessibility Update: WCAG 2.1 Level AA Deadline Extended

Kutztown University is legally required to ensure all digital content including websites, documents, videos and course materials, meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines. The original deadline has been extended to April 26, 2027.
While the deadline has moved, our commitment hasn't. Let's keep building a culture of accessibility at KU, where accessible content is simply how we work every day.
Tools to help:
- Microsoft Office: Built-in accessibility checkers in Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
- Panorama (in D2L): Accessibility scoring, remediation guidance and alternative formats.
- DocHub: For document editing outside D2L.
Training is available:
- During our weekly virtual office hours for real-time assistance through Teams, 2-3 p.m. Tuesdays, 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
- Self-paced by enrolling in Accessibility 101 through D2L. Log into D2L, select Discover in the top navigation, search "Accessibility 101," and click Enroll in Course.
- Upon request. Submit your questions/requests to digitalaccessibility@kutztown.edu or your department's Digital Accessibility Liaison.

Digital Accessibility

Troy Vingom, Information Technology

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 and Events

Center for Engaged Learning

Fall 2026 Attendance Verification

Attendance verification, required federally for awarding financial aid Policy ACA-090, is available until 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Faculty should indicate whether students have attended or never attended by utilizing one of two flags. Please be sure to verify attendance status for every student. Students who have just added a course, but a meeting has not yet occurred since that change, should be marked as attending. For additional assistance, please visit Starfish in D2L, email starfish@kutztown.edu, call 610-683-4106 or attend a Starfish Express Workshop 3-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 11-11:30 a.m. Thursdays via Zoom.

Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence

Free Walk-in Math Tutoring

The Department of Mathematics offers free walk-in peer tutoring for students in mathematics classes from MATH 017 through and including the Calculus sequence. Please encourage your students to take advantage of this valuable resource. Tutors are available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. in 207 Lytle.

Mathematics Tutoring Resources

Brian Kronenthal, Mathematics