January 2023

Volume 5, Issue 6

• Academic Affairs

  Non-Credit Lifelong Learning Courses in January 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.

  Introduction to Residential Real Estate Investing
  This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the basic knowledge needed to begin investing in real estate with the confidence of knowing how to avoid rookie mistakes and costly errors. Four, three-hour sessions will be held on Zoom:

  Session #1: 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 21.
  Session #2: 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24.
  Session #3: 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26.
  Session #4: 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 28.

  Cost: $299; Northeastern Berks Chamber of Commerce members receive a 10% discount. Maximum enrollment: 20.

  So You Want to Be a Beekeeper?
  We will discuss a year in the life of a hobby beekeeper. We will discuss what is needed to get started and then maintain a honeybee colony. One session will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26, 312 McFarland Student Union (virtual if inclement weather). Cost: $25.

  Job Search the Successful Way
  A “Lunch and Learn” series on Wednesdays on Zoom. Learn strategies to:

  1. Successfully Job Search: 12-12:45 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18.
  2. Utilize LinkedIn and Create a Robust Profile: 12-12:45 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 25.
  3. Interview To Be Offered the Position: 12-12:45 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1.

  Cost: Attend all three sessions in the series for $25, which includes a complimentary resume and cover letter review by KU Career Development Center. The cost for an individual session is $10. Maximum enrollment: 50.

  The Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence
  Kick off 2023 strong with 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.

  Tutoring Services
  Utilize all your resources to achieve success with Tutoring Services; whether your student is struggling in a class or wants to get a better grade. Tutor request forms are available online in the student's MyKU account under academic services. If your student has questions, contact tutor@kutztown.edu.

  Tutoring Services is recruiting peer tutors and academic peer mentors for Spring 2023. If your student is interested in this employment opportunity, please have them complete the Tutoring Services Employment Application 2022-2023. If your student has questions, contact tutor@kutztown.edu.

  Career Development Center – Virtual Kickoff Seminars
  Do you have a senior student who is graduating this semester? Encourage them to attend one of the virtual senior kickoff seminars, where they will learn all they need to do to prepare themselves for their job search. Choose from a below date/time:

  • 11-11:50 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 31.
  • 2-2:50 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 1.
  • 11-11:50 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7.
  • 7-7:50 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8.

  All workshops are held virtually, so please visit www.kutztown.edu/careercenter for the Zoom ID.

  Spring Semester Fairs from the Career Development Center
  The Career Development Center will host four fairs this semester:

  • KU Grad School Fair: KU Programs. 11-11:50 a.m., Tuesday, March 7, 250 MSU.
  • KU Virtual Job Fair for Educators. 2-5 p.m., Monday, March 13, www.kutztown.edu/handshake.
  • In-Person Internship and Job Fair. noon-3 p.m., Wednesday, March 29, 218 MSU.
  • Virtual Internship and Job Fair. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 18, www.kutztown.edu/handshake.
• Administration and Finance

  Spring 2023 Charges, Billing and Statements
  The bill/statements are located at MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Statements. Any other billing or charge-type page you find is not the bill and may cause you confusion as the bill adds in payment plan balances, pending aid by item and more.  Interim statements are always available between statements – Payment Dashboard > Activity Details.

  Payment Plans – Still open for Spring
  Payment Plans are set up in the Payment Dashboard and should be set up by your assigned due date. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Payment Plans. If you have parent access (now called payer access) you should use this link to provide your own credentials previously set up (see below). Summer payment plans will start in March 2023. Fall payment plans will start late April 2023.

  Prior Semester Charges – Past Due
  Prior semester charges cannot be paid with Spring 2023 aid. If you have an incidental fee, such as a parking ticket, ID replacement or Health Center visit fee, you need to log in and pay the to remove that hold.

  Bookstore Accounts
  If you took more aid than needed so you could get a refund and buy books – please know aid will not disburse and post until the end of the third week of the semester, no sooner than Feb. 10. We do not want anyone to have to wait for their books, so we offer a Bookstore Account program for students who have their aid in Pending Status that exceeds their costs.  A few requirements are needed to request this online. Requests opened Jan. 9 and end Feb. 3. Purchases are made with the KU Campus Store no later than Feb. 7. For options about how to make purchases, visit their website. One request per semester (fall and spring only).

  Assigning a Payer (billing parent access)
  Students can choose to grant parents or payers access to their own version of the Payment Dashboard. Designated Access in MyKU does not include finances or billing. Student logs into MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > My Account > Payers > Send a Payer Invitation. This will also allow the payer to get the billing emails that are sent and even text messages as well – a great back up for the student if they miss the billing emails.
  
  1098-T and Year-End Tax Information
  An announcement will occur when these documents are available online to view and print, which we anticipate by mid-January. These will be in the same system we have used in the past, Vangent (now called Maximus). These documents are available online only at first. They are only mailed at the end of the month if they are not retrieved online. If you have moved or never updated your home address prior to Jan. 1, and anticipate the document being returned by mail, you will want to retrieve the document online. Update your home address with the Registrar’s Office. You will need your state ID or driver’s license to do so in some instances. For more information about the 1098T’s, click here.

  Spring 2023 – Reduce those Loans
  Did you recently cancel housing or meals? Did your bill end up smaller than you thought it would be? You do not have to take all the loan funding available to you or that you applied for, if you don’t need it to pay the bill. Simply not accepting a refund will not reduce or cancel a loan. To reduce your loan or cancel it, you must complete a form Loan Change Forms before the aid comes in. These are online and easy to complete. If you need help determining how much to reduce or refuse, we can help (Stafford and PLUS loans have origination fees to consider).

  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. Refunds start no sooner than the end of the third week of the semester.

  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.

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

  Parent Refunds
  Since students have the direct deposit option and parents do not, often parents will choose to allow the refund to go to the student. If the parent elected for the refund to go to the parent, 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, scanned or emailed to us before refunds start.

  Adding Bear Bucks Throughout the Semester
  Students can add Bear Bucks to their ID cards, in person with cash or check at 107 Academic Forum or online. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Overview > scroll down to Available Items and proceed.

  Withdrawal Information
  We know plans can change and students’ paths divert. Has your student decided to not return to KU this spring? If so, we understand and are sad to see them go. Please help to ensure they have completed the withdrawal form online to get this processed properly and closed out. This is also the same form for a leave of absence. The form can be found here.  If the student cannot remember their password, they can call the help desk business days 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 610-683-1511.

  Spring 2023 Parking Permits Now Available for Purchase
  Students wishing to park a vehicle on campus at any point throughout the academic year may now register that vehicle through their MyKU account (MyKU>Vehicle Services>Get Permits). The cost of the Spring 2023 parking permit is $50. Please click any of the following links for registration instructions:

  • Purchase a New Permit for an Unregistered Vehicle (First-Time Registrant)
  • Purchasing a New Permit for a Previously Registered Vehicle (Repeat Registrant)
  • Adding Multiple Vehicles to Your Account
  • Changing the License Plate Number on a Registered Vehicle

  Once you register and all necessary documentation has been submitted, bring your vehicle registration and driver’s license to KU Business Services, 107 Academic Forum, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

  What if my Temporary Pass Expires before I Come to Campus?
  If you register early and your pass expires before your return to campus, do not fret. Place the pass on your dash, park in one of your assigned lots in a white-lined space and the parking enforcement team will know you still need to pick up your permit during the first week of classes. For more information, contact KU Business Services, Vehicle Registration & Permits, at www.kutztown.edu/parking, 610-683-4825 or parkingpermits@kutztown.edu.

  FAFSA Reminder
  The FAFSA for the 2023-24 school year is open. It is not too early to file this and renew. We highly recommend doing so over break when there is ample time. There are strict deadlines for state grant recipients and we see too many needy, eligible students lose out on free state-grant funding because of filing too late. The FAFSA for next school year (Fall 2023 and Spring 2024) must be processed before May 1 to qualify for the state grant (need-based checks in place too).

• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Comedy Night with Ryan Erwin
  Join KU Activities Board (KUAB) and the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) for a fun night of comedy with guest Ryan Erwin 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26, 183 MSU. Whether he is talking about being raised Mormon by two deaf parents, his time spent as a middle school teacher or his fabulous gay self, audiences are sure to love him.

  Star Wars Trivia with Ashley Eckstein
  Join KUAB and OSI for a night of trivia. The fun starts at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 31, 218 MSU, with Star Wars themed trivia with fun prizes. At 7 p.m., Ashley Eckstein will be on campus for a Q&A. Ashley Eckstein is a popular voice actor, author and entrepreneur who is well known for her voice acting role as Ahsoka Tano from the hit animated TV series, Star Wars the Clones Wars, which began in 2008. The series character was so popular with fans that the show was revived in 2020 by Disney for a final season, primarily focused on this character’s story.

  January Blood Drive
  The next blood drive will take place 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 218 MSU. Sign-up information is online.

  Spring 2023 Involvement Fair
  Is your student interested in getting involved in a club? Tell them to join us at the Spring 2023 Involvement Fair, 4-7 p.m., Feb. 2, 218 MSU. There will be more than 100 organizations for students to meet and learn about.

  MSU Trivia
  The McFarland Student Union (MSU) sponsors monthly trivia with rotating themes. The next event is 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6, 223 MSU. Winners receive a $25 paw pass to be used at all accepting on and off campus locations.

  Commuter Tuesday
  The Commuter Student Association hosts Commuter Tuesdays monthly. The next Commuter Tuesday is 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7, 223 MSU. Lunch will be provided to all students.

  Health and Wellness Center Open House
  Students are invited to visit the Health Center between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 25 and 26, for a tour, light refreshments and to meet our campus nurses, medical providers, health promotion champions, recovery advocates, medical records assistants and licensed medical health professionals. The Health Center is located on the first floor of Beck Hall.

  Counseling and Psychological Services – Change to Hours of Operations
  With the start of the 2023 spring semester, the hours of operation for Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) will be changing in response to requests from students to have evening appointment times available. CPS will be open Mondays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. CPS is available to support students experiencing anxiety, depression, family and relationship troubles, substance abuse and other concerns. Students can request counseling services by calling 610-683-4072.

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  Office of Disability Services (DSO)
  Electronic Accommodation Letters will be ready for students to send to their assigned Spring 2023 course professors starting one week before the upcoming Spring 2023 semester begins. Students who are registered with the DSO will receive a friendly email reminder with step-by-step instructions about a week before courses begin. Please encourage your student to actively check their KU email as they prepare to return for the Spring semester. Incoming new and transfer students who received accommodations at a prior institution or in high school are encouraged to visit the DSO website to start the Accommodation Request Process as soon as possible.

• Housing and Dining

  Fall 2023 Room Selection
  For information and the timeline for the Fall 2023 room selection process, please visit our website.

  Spring 2023 Dining Plan Selection
  Dining plan selection is open for the 2023 Spring semester. Students who did not have a Fall 2022 meal plan or are new to KU, will have the opportunity to select a dining plan that best fits their needs. During this time, students who currently have a Fall 2022 meal plan can request to change their plan for Spring 2023. Dining selection will close online Jan. 23. More details and instructions have been sent to KU student emails. For more information on dining plans, visit our website.

• University Relations and Athletics

  February Brings Fun to KU Presents!
  Come in from the cold for engaging entertainment. Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, as featured on America’s Got Talent, brings a unique blend of classic-style circus acts with the extraordinary talents of more than 30 furry performers, all rescued from animal shelters, 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 5, Schaeffer Auditorium. The Wonder Bread Years, starring Pat Hazell (former Seinfeld writer and The Tonight Show regular), shares a fresh and funny salute to Americana 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8. This fast-paced, hilarious production gracefully walks the line between standup and theater. Tickets are available online or by calling 610-683-4092.

  Golden Bear Basketball Tickets
  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. Don't let them forget to add you.

  KU Alert System
  In the event of an emergency, timely and accurate communication of information is critical. Kutztown University has developed a plan for emergency communication that utilizes multiple and redundant methods of communication and notification to maximize the effectiveness and reach of the emergency information. Students are automatically registered for KU Alerts via text message and email. If parents would like to receive alerts, their student will need to add secondary contact information. Information can be found online at https://www.kutztown.edu/safety-and-emergency/ku-alert-system.html.

• KU Campus Store

  How to Purchase Course Materials?
  Your student’s custom Virtual Shelf for the spring semester is ready to view, which has been created with the required course materials for the Spring semester. We have included all affordable options, which includes Inclusive Access, used and digital materials.

  To view your Virtual Shelf: 

  1. Sign into our website www.kubstore.comwith your KU email and password.
  2. Review your Virtual Shelf.
  3. Complete your order.

  What are the benefits of Virtual Shelf? With a simple click of the mouse, this tool will allow you to conveniently locate all your course materials and affordable options. Manually searching your course schedule to find your materials will no longer be necessary. Virtual Shelf will do the work for you as your official course materials assistant.

  Are You Paying for your Course Materials with Financial Aid?
  If you are receiving financial aid in excess of your tuition, fees, meals, etc., you may qualify for a bookstore account to purchase course-required books and supplies. Submit your request online by clicking here. Purchases can be made in store or online at KU Campus Store with a bookstore account until Feb. 7.

  Why Purchase from KU Campus Store?
  As a non-profit affiliate of KU, our priority is student success and retention. Full refunds for materials in original condition are available throughout the add/drop period. We contribute our surplus to student scholarships, activities and campus athletics. Our goal is for students to have access to the most affordable course materials available to support their academic success.

• KU Foundation

  Do you Have a Heart of Gold?
  We celebrate I Heart KU week Feb. 6-10. Kutztown University Foundation will host student activities throughout the week that include Heart of Gold messages from our students, faculty and staff. Stay tuned to Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to see all that makes KU special. The week will peak with gratitude to our generous supporters while celebrating the friends, departments, programs and initiatives that make a difference on our campus. Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to embrace how we’re individually unique, but Together, We’re Golden!

• Campus Affiliates

  PSECU Offers Free Financial Education Resources
  Would you like to help your student manage their money more effectively? As a not-for-profit credit union, PSECU is committed to offering financial education resources to members of our communities. Visit https://www.psecu.com/learn to access a free online Learning Academy featuring short educational modules. Here, students (or anyone) can learn more about the basics of checking accounts, online banking, loans, credit and more. These resources are available to members and non-members of PSECU. If your student hasn’t had a chance to open a free checking and savings account with PSECU yet, there’s still time to take advantage of the current “Up to $250” new-member promotion. Visit We Make Student Banking a Breeze (psecu.com) for application and rules. Contact PSECU campus manager, Kelly Ann Ryan at kryan@psecu.com with any questions.

• Dates to Know

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

  All Winter 2023 semester session grades must be electronically submitted by 3 p.m.	Thursday, Jan. 19
  Winter 2023 grades available through MyKU at 8 p.m., unless notified.	Thursday, Jan. 19
  Spring 2023 Add/Drop and Late Registration.	Monday, Jan. 23
  Spring 2023 semester classes begin.	Monday, Jan. 23
  On or about this date, hometown listings of undergraduate and graduate students completing Fall 2022 graduation requirements sent to University Relations office for distribution.	Wednesday, Jan. 25
  Saturday classes start at 8 a.m.	Saturday, Jan. 28
  Last day to add/drop a course from Spring 2023 in MyKU for all students.	Monday, Jan. 30
  Spring 2023 “W” period.	Tuesday, Jan. 31