February 2023

Volume 5, Issue 7

• Academic Affairs

  Non-Credit Lifelong Learning Courses in February 2023
  Please register for the following workshops at https://commerce.cashnet.com/KUnoncredit. Follow Extended Learning and Senior Scholars at https://www.facebook.com/SeniorScholarsKU.

  Quilt Design through the Years
  2 p.m., Sunday, March 5
  PA German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University
  Cost:  $10

  Cyndi Hershey, the Quilt Education and Development Director for the Kutztown Folk Festival, will look at some traditional quilts and quilt blocks from Berks County. This seminar will feature both quilts and a PowerPoint presentation. Limited to 15 registrants.

  The Silent Service

  2 p.m., Thursday, March 9
  223 McFarland Student Union
  Cost: $5

  Submariners from the Lehigh Valley Submarine Veterans Base will present information about submarines and life on a submarine. Presented by: Kathleen Dolgos and George Dolgos - Commander of Lehigh Valley Veterans Group. Limited to 15 registrants.

  Applique Anyone?
  2 p.m., Sunday, March 12
  PA German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University
  Cost: $25

  Cyndi Hershey, the Quilt Education and Development Director for the Kutztown Folk Festival, will review the basic steps including preparation and hand-stitching. A small kit will be provided to get you started. Limited to 15 registrants.

  Career Development Center
  If your student is still deciding on a major or is saying that they are unsure if their current major is for them, please encourage them to make an appointment with the Career Development Center. We specialize in helping students start their career path by choosing a major. All appointments can be made in Handshake. www.kutztown.edu/handshake

  Tutoring Services
  Tutoring Services offers support for more than 150 courses and have implemented additional labs to offer more availability! For the spring 2023 tutoring lab schedules visit our website. For a course list, visit our website. Students can also request academic support for courses not on this list. We will make every effort to match students.

  Students can request a Peer Tutor or Academic Peer Mentor (APM) through the Starfish app or KU homepage using the “I Need Help” drop-down menu. Our office is located in 26 Rohrbach Library and our hours are as follows:
  - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
  - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
  - Closed Saturday and Sunday.

  The Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence
  The Center for Student Success offers academic skills workshops weekly at 11 a.m., Tuesdays, 203 Academic Forum. For the workshop schedule visit www.kutztown.edu/studentsuccess.

  Starfish
  Featured tools include the “I need Help” feature for students, allowing them to proactively connect to needed resources and information. For more information, visit https://www.kutztown.edu/starfish.

  MBA Program
  Have you considered going back to school for your MBA? Kutztown University has reconfigured the MBA program to provide increased flexibility and a focus on practical skill development. Students complete two certificates, choosing from Data Analytics, Business Decision-Making and Leadership, as well as taking two core courses and a capstone. Our flexible model has students take a mix of online synchronous classes, combined with hybrid courses that meet alternating weeks face-to-face and via Zoom. All of our business programs are accredited by AACSB, the top business school accreditation in the world. Most students complete the program in 1-2 years with in-state tuition and fees, totaling only $18,650 for the entire program. Register for an information session at www.Kutztown.edu/MBA.

  Art and Design
  Hanging 40 feet tall on the facade of New York City’s oldest and most iconic buildings, Federal Hall, professor Rose DeSiano’s Unsung Heroines series is a part of “Women In The Face of History,” a group exhibition curated by MacArthur fellow Dr. Deborah Willis that push back on antiquated ideologies that devalue women and push contemporary society to have more equitable representation. DeSiano’s Solo Exhibition “Unsung Heroines: Virtual Monuments” at the Bronx Community College displays over a dozen photographic documentations of virtual monuments. DeSiano developed an interactive web interface that invites viewers to create monuments dedicated to their own unsung heroines. Visitors upload portraits which she then maps onto 3D renderings of sculptural forms. These renderings are then inserted into 3D photo maps in the location of the submitter's choice. Included in this exhibition of photographic prints are reflective artworks that allow the viewer to place themselves into their own monument. Reflections, selfies and snapshots create an interactive, immersive conversation about monuments, designed to open up the celebration of a community as a whole, over the honoring of a select few.

  Equity and Awareness in the Arts
  The Department of Art and Design’s 2023 Equity and Awareness in the Arts lecture series is being kicked off in Professor Noel's class with artist Clarity Haynes at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28. All lectures are available for live streaming on YouTube.

• Administration and Finance

  Payment Plans
  Payment Plans are set up in the Payment Dashboard. There is one plan left for Spring 2023 (only two payments for late registrants). MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard. Parents who were set up as a payer can set up a plan and can use this link to provide your own credentials. Summer payment plans will start in March/April 2023. Fall payment plans will start late-April 2023.

  1098-T and Year-End Tax Information
  Just a reminder that these tax documents were made available online and were mailed to the permanent home address if not retrieved online; not the mailing address. We have had some returned for old addresses, so you may need to get the item online and then take a minute to update your home address with the Registrar’s Office for future use. You may need your state ID or driver’s license to do so. For more information about the 1098T’s, click here.

  Adding Bear Bucks Throughout the Semester
  Students can add Bear Bucks to their ID cards, in person with cash or check in 107 Academic Forum or online. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard – scroll down to the Bear Bucks box and enter how much you want to buy.

  Spring 2023 Aid Disbursements Start No Sooner than Friday, Feb 10
  Spring 2023 aid will start disbursing the end of the third week of the semester; once add/drop has ended and Attendance Verification is completed. The aid disbursement may result in an overpayment. If this occurs, please understand we do not reduce loans for you or roll this credit to a future semester; we refund the overpayment. If you do not want to get a refund, the loans need to be reduced by the student or parent immediately, depending on the loan holder. Simply not accepting a refund will not reduce or cancel a loan. Loan Change Forms are online.

  Refunds
  Overpayments that are the result of student-funded aid will be released to the student through the BankMobile refund program selection the student made online. Overpayments that are the result of parent-funded aid (i.e., Parent PLUS loan or parent alternative loan) will be released to whomever the parent designated on the loan application. If the designation was the parent, the overpayment will be a paper check mailed to the parent. If the designation was the student, the overpayment would go through the student’s preference at BankMobile.

  Refund Preference Selection
  Students who never selected a refund preference should go to http://www.refundselection.com/ to make this selection. Students who have previously made a refund preference will find that remains in place unless they change it. We encourage reviewing it at www.bankmobilevibe.com and verifying address information, banking information and more.

  Parent Refunds
  Since students have the direct deposit option and parents do not, parents will often choose to allow the refund to go to the student. If the parent elected for the refund to go to them, but  now want the refund to go to the student, the parent can complete a Parent PLUS Release Form allowing us to refund the student regardless of what aid causes the overpayment.  This form requires a signature and can be faxed or scanned and emailed to us before refunds start. If the refund has already been released, we are unable to process this request.

  Summer Tuition Inquiries
  Summer tuition rates will be posted by early March for students to peruse the costs and determine if summer enrollment is desired. The only aid a student would have for summer would be if they did not use all of their available aid in the fall and spring, they were making progress after spring grades post and are enrolled in the number of credits needed for the aid (such as minimum six credits). Some students may find it safest to take an additional spring loan to get the funds when they are meeting eligibility or if they only want to take three credits in the summer. Summer payment information will be on this page by mid-March.

  Internships
  Just a reminder that internships are credits which a student earns with a grade that affects their GPA. These credits have a cost just like any other credit does at KU. They have less fees for these experiences as they are off campus, but there are costs associated with them. Please budget accordingly for summer internships.

  Special Undergraduate Non-Resident Pricing Announcement for Summer and Faculty-Led Experiences
  We are pleased to now offer a special pricing structure to all non-resident students in the summer sessions and for their participation in faculty-led experiences effective Summer 2023. Non-residents will be charged the following rates (courses average as three credits but some are more and less). More information will be found online by the end of February.

  • $625 per credit for on-campus courses (II’s and IS’s).
  • $574 per credit for off-campus courses (Internships).
  • $391 per credit for distance education as a part time student remains.
• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Multicultural Center’s 2023 Ujima Conference: Reimagining Cultural Authenticity, Feb. 15-16
  Join us for this year’s Ujima Conference with the theme of Reimagining Cultural Authenticity. “Ujima” is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa meaning “collective works.” Each year, the Multicultural Center hosts this conference to honor and celebrate Black history and culture. This year’s keynote speaker is professor Cornell William Brooks, 18th president and CEO of the NAACP at 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, 218 McFarland Student Union. All are welcome. Other events include presentations from faculty and staff, bingo, a Beauty Pop Up Show with demonstrations from local professionals and a session honoring our veterans on campus. Please visit the Multicultural Center’s website for more information and please feel free to contact multicultural@kutztown.edu with any questions.

  Valentine Make and Take
  Students can join us at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14, 218 MSU to make a stuffed conversation heart for yourself or someone special. First come, first served. More details can be found here.

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  Office of Disability Services (DSO)
  The DSO is excited to announce a new Neurodiverse Community Special Interest Housing group for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year. Students in the Neurodiverse Community Special Interest Housing group will have access to a sensory-reduced study space, direct contact with student services offices, programs designed for neurodiverse awareness and easy access to the Sensory Room on-campus. The Neurodiverse Community will be in Rothermel Hall. If your student is interested in learning more about the Neurodiverse Community Special Interest Housing group, please encourage them to email DSO Assistant Director Megan Rutter at Rutter@kutztown.edu or call the office at 610-683-4108 to request more information.

  Kutztown University Public Safety and Police Services
  Chief of Police John Dillon retired Jan. 14, after serving Kutztown University as Chief for 11 years, 32 in years in total. Ret. Chief Dillon has been in law enforcement for 42 years where his career started in Kidder Township. On behalf of the men and women of the Kutztown University Public Safety and Police Services, we wish you nothing but good health, happiness and a long retirement. We salute you one last time, Chief Dillon.

• Housing and Dining

  2023-2024 Room Selection
  Please remember that Kutztown University has a two-year residency requirement. Information on our two-year residency requirement can be found here: Residency Requirement. You may find the process and timeline for on-campus housing for the 2023-2024 academic year by going to: Room Selection Process. Returning students, the 2023-2024 Housing Application is now open. If you have any questions, please reach out to housing@kutztown.edu.

  Special Interest Housing for Next Academic Year
  It is time to select your special interest housing on your Housing Application for 2023-2024. The Housing Application is now open for returning students until March 3. Within this application, your student can indicate their interest in one of the below communities for upperclass students:

  • Freedom Place: Available to incoming and returning students interested in a community committed to a substance free lifestyle.
  • Social Justice: Available to incoming and returning students who are interested in engaging in conversations and actions that address social, economic and political disparities that are impacting their local, campus and global communities.
  • Neurodiverse Community: Available to incoming and returning students who identify as being neurodiverse, whether traditionally diagnosed or self-diagnosed. The Neurodiversity community includes diagnoses of attention deficit disorders, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, post-traumatic stress disorders, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and others.
  • Physical Sciences Community: Available to incoming and returning students with a major or an interest in the physical sciences (Physical Sciences majors include Astronomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Marine Science and Physics)
  • Honors students, Military Affiliated and those interested in Gender Inclusive Housing will select their respective option from the “Special Interest Housing” dropdown menu as well.

  Link: The Housing Application is found on your student’s MyKUHousing page under “Forms.”

• University Relations and Athletics

  Music and Magic coming to KU Presents!
  Join London’s Kingdom Choir March 9 for an evening of gospel music that bring love, hope and inspiration. March 19 brings state-of-the-art magic performed by Jason Bishop with a totally modern energy and an outstanding rock and pop soundtrack. We close out the month March 29 in partnership with the Berks JazzFest by presenting legendary jazz guitarist and singer, John Pizzarelli, and stunning vocalist, Catherine Russell who pay homage to Nat King Cole and the Ladies of Song who appeared on his popular TV show. Tickets are available online or by calling 610-683-4092. 

  Celebrate 50 Years of Women’s Basketball Feb. 18
  Get your tickets for the Kutztown Golden Bears. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students and seniors when purchased in advance. Prices increase at the door. KU students can access one free general admission ticket per game by logging for tickets with their MyKU login. KU Basketball Parents: Your student can reserve their four free player passes up to four hours before game time. Do not let them forget to add you. 

  Kutztown University Radio (KUR)
  Is your Golden Bear looking for an award-winning campus organization to join where they will learn broadcasting in a fun and inclusive environment? Kutztown University Radio may just fit that bill. Absolutely no experience is required. The radio station will train and needs volunteers in all aspects including, but not limited to, sports broadcasting, music, DJing, news and promotions. For more information, email kur@kutztown.edu expressing interest or call 610-683-4059.

• KU Campus Store

  One Hour Sweatshirt Sale
  Don't miss out on getting your paws on a $22 crewneck sweatshirt. Tuesday, Feb. 21; 11 a.m., KU Campus Store; 7 p.m., Dixon Marketplace. One hour and in store only. All sales final.

  Customer Appreciation Event – March 2
  KU Campus Store would like to thank all its customers for helping support KU students. As a thank you, KU Campus Store will have 40% off apparel and gift, a prize wheel to win exciting prizes and special discounts on HydroFlask.

  Graduation Festival: March 20-21
  Graduation Festival is a "one-stop-shop" for graduates to purchase caps and gowns, order class rings, purchase diploma frames and learn more about KU Alumni engagement. Please encourage your graduating seniors to attend. For more information, click here.

  Dixon Marketplace
  Dixon Marketplace is a retail store comprised of student goods including convenience items, health and beauty aids, dorm and school supplies, logo apparel and trendy gifts. Located on the ground level of the Dixon Residence Hall and open until midnight, seven days a week. Additional information can be found at https://www.kutztown.edu/about-ku/administrative-offices/kussi/dixon-marketplace.html.

• KU Foundation

  Connect with the KU Foundation
  New and returning parents and guardians of KU students: do you want to learn about the Kutztown University Foundation's impact on student scholarships, athletics and experiences? Complete this form and return it to info@kuf.org to receive communications that show the impact of philanthropy and how you can get involved to help today's students. Check out our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

• Dates to Know

  KU Central Calendar
  A full listing of upcoming events and academic deadlines can be found on KU's central calendar.

  Last Day to Apply for Spring 2023 Graduation	Friday, Feb. 10
  Spring 2023 Refunds	Friday, Feb. 10
  60% Refund Period Ends Spring 2023	Friday, Feb. 10
  Spring 2023 Late Registration Bills Due	Friday, Feb. 10
  First Day Financial Aid can disburse	Saturday, Feb. 11
  Priority Deadline for filing FAFSA (New Students)	Wednesday Feb. 15
  50% Refund Period Ends Spring 2023	Friday, Feb. 17
  President's Day - Classes Held	Monday, Feb. 20
  40% Refund Period Ends Spring 2023	Friday, Feb. 24
  First Day No Reduction Spring 2023	Saturday, Feb. 25