January 2025

Volume 7, Issue 6

• Academic Affairs

  Kickstart Your New Year with Career-Boosting Skills
  As the new year unfolds, students can take advantage of their time to invest in themselves. KU Advance’s online, self-paced certificates through Coursera are completely free for all KU students. Whether you're looking to dive into high-demand fields like Data Science, Graphic Design or Business Analytics, or you want to earn new certifications from industry leaders such as Microsoft and ADP, now is the perfect time to get started. Take the first step and start the year off strong.

  Career Development Center
  The Career Development Center's calendar of events will feature four sessions of Senior Kick-Off. These virtual sessions are designed to provide valuable insights, resources and networking opportunities to help senior students successfully transition from their academic journey to their professional careers. Sessions available 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4; 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5; 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6; and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12.

  University Writing Center
  The KU Writing Center opens for the 2025 spring semester Monday, Jan. 27. Please have your student(s) reach out to the KU Writing Center for writing help or to schedule a writing session concerning papers for any subject or discipline. Students can call 610-683-4733 or email wrcenter@kutztown.edu to set up an in-person appointment. They can also schedule an online appointment. Please see our website for additional helpful instructions and screenshots. Any questions can be directed to wrcenter@kutztown.edu or pytleski@kutztown.edu.

  Transfer Students
  Briana Zdradzinski, coordinator for Student Success and Transfer Engagement, is here to support transfer students through their transition to KU. From credit evaluations to navigating campus resources, Zdradzinski is ready to provide personalized guidance to help your student succeed. Click here to schedule a meeting and learn more.

  Tutoring Services
  Is your student taking a winter class? Support is available for winter courses through Tutor.com, a virtual 24/7 tutoring platform. For instructions on how to use this service, please have your student visit the Tutoring Services website. We encourage students to take advantage of this free tutoring resource. Contact tutor@kutztown.edu with questions.

  KU Achieve
  This academic recovery program is available for first-year students that received below a 2.0 GPA this past fall. Requirements include two individual meetings with Student Success, along with their choice of five weekly group meetings throughout the semester that involve info sessions and designated study hall. In the Spring 2024 semester, 85% of students that completed the KU Achieve program improved their cumulative GPA. Please encourage your student to sign up for the program if eligible.

  KU Student Success Navigators
  Every new Kutztown University student has a dedicated Student Success Navigator providing personalized support. The Student Success Navigator is a full-time staff member specifically assigned to assist students as a go-to person, focused on helping students succeed at KU. Working alongside the academic advisor, they ensure that students’ needs are met. The Student Success Navigator is listed in the student’s Starfish portal and MyKU dashboard. Visit the website for more information and details on scheduling an appointment.

• Finance and Facilities

  Spring 2025 Charges, Billing and Statements
  The bill/statements are located at New MyKU > Student Account card > Payment Dashboard > Statements. The On-Demand Statement is the most recent and up to the minute for activity.

  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. New MyKU > Student Account card > Payment Dashboard > Payment Plans. If you have Authorized User Access you should use this link to provide your own credentials previously set up to log in. Summer payment plans will open late March.

  Prior Semester Charges – Past Due
  Prior semester charges cannot be paid with Spring 2025 aid. If you have an incidental fee, such as an ID replacement or Health Center visit fee, you need to log in and pay that 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 won’t disburse and post until the end of the third week of the semester – no sooner than Friday, Feb. 14. We don’t 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 started Jan. 13 and end Friday, Feb. 7. Purchases are made with the KU Campus Store no later than Tuesday, Feb. 11; for options about how to make purchases visit their website. One request per semester (fall and spring only).

  Authorized Users (Billing Third-Party Access)
  Students can choose to grant parents or others authorized user access to their own version of the Payment Dashboard. Student navigates to New MyKU > Student Account card > Payment Dashboard > Authorized User. This will also allow for the user to get the statement 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. They will be online approximately Friday, Jan. 31. These will be in the same system we have used in the past (Vangent/TRA, now called Maximus). These items are only available online at first. They are only mailed at the end of the month if they are not retrieved online. If you want them sooner, you will want to get them online. If you have moved or never updated your home address prior to Jan. 1 and anticipate the document being returned by the 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. We do use home address, not mailing. For more information and updates on availability regarding the 1098T’s, click here.

  Spring 2025 – 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 won’t reduce or cancel a loan. To reduce your loan or cancel it, you must complete a form 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 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, parents will often choose to allow the refund to go to the student. If the parent elected for the refund to go to the parent, but now wants 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 as well as staff and faculty will continue to use the online storefront to purchase Bear Bucks and Flex Dollars for the Spring semester. Allow at least one business day for processing and availability on the ID card (weekends and holidays are not business days). Flex Dollars will expire at the end of Spring semester. This online store gives you the option to select Bear Bucks or Flex Dollars.

  FAFSA Reminder
  The FAFSA for the 2024-25 school year remains open if you never filed it for Spring 2025. The 2025-26 FAFSA is also open. It is not too early to file the 2025-26 item. Remember, there are strict deadlines for state grant recipients; we see too many needy eligible students lose out on free state-grant funding because of simply filing the FAFSA late. The FAFSA for next school year (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026) must be processed (not just submitted) before May 1 to qualify for the state grant (need based checks in place too). Do not wait and risk losing out if you would have otherwise been eligible.

  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 online. If the student cannot remember their password, they can call the IT Help Desk 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 610-683-1511.

  Spring 2025 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 Vehicle Services account (New MyKU > Resources > Vehicle Services). If you purchased a full year permit in the fall, you are ok for the Spring. If you just purchased a Fall-only permit, then you must get a Spring permit now for $50. 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 the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  What If My Temporary Pass Expires Before I Will Be On 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 Business Services at 610-683-4825 or parkingpermits@kutztown.edu.

• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Residence Life, Housing and Dining Service Job Opportunity for 2025-2026
  If your student is looking for a job and an opportunity to have a positive impact on campus, Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services is hiring Community Assistants (CAs) for the 2025-2026 academic year. CAs serve as a key component in the creation of a welcoming and inclusive environment within the residence halls. CAs are essential in the community-building process as they help the residents adjust to their new surroundings, solve problems, develop skills and establish relationships with others living on their wing, their floor as well as within the hall. More information and applications can be found online. Deadline for applications is Friday, Feb. 7.

  Special Interest Housing for the Next Academic Year
  It is time to select your special interest housing on your Housing Application for 2025-26. The Housing Application is open for returning students until Wednesday, Feb. 26. 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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

  Community Outreach Center
  Every Spring, the Community Outreach Center of Kutztown University takes a group of students to volunteer in an area of need for Spring Break called "Alternative Spring Break." This year, volunteers will be heading to Asheville, N.C., to help with hurricane relief efforts due to the vast amount of damage and devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Only spending money is needed to attend. Link to sign up is online. Questions can be directed to Amanda Garcia at agarcia@kutztown.edu.

  February Blood Drive
  KU is hosting a blood drive Wednesday, Feb. 5, 218 MSU. Click here to reserve your spot.

  Commuter Student Association
  The Commuter Student Association is hosting February Commuter Tuesday with a free hot lunch for all attending commuter students 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, 223 MSU (while supplies last).

  McFarland Student Union
  America’s Famous Landmark Trivia will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 223 MSU. Free food and prizes.

  Food Pantry Services
  The Bear Essentials Pantry can be accessed 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Come to the Office of Student Involvement in 153 MSU, across from the KU Campus Store. The pantry is stocked with a variety of non-perishables, including canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, snack bars, crackers, rice, sauce, pastas, etc. Personal care items, clothing, food preparation supplies and school supplies are also available. No appointment necessary.

  The KU Student Food Pantry is a satellite of Friend, Inc. and is located at the Lutheran Center, diagonally across the street from Golden Bear West, 15175 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. Students may access fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, dry foods and canned foods. There are also personal care items available such as menstrual hygiene products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and shampoo. This pantry can be accessed 4-6 p.m. Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays.

  Pop Into Involvement at the Annual Involvement Fair
  Be sure to visit the Involvement Fair 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, to meet and chat with representatives of all the student organizations on campus, ask questions, get info on their meetings and events and how to join. If you can't make the involvement fair, check out Engage, where you can view upcoming events on campus, connect with student organizations you are interested in joining and see additional opportunities to get involved. Students can log in with their KU account and learn how to get involved. Pop into the Office of Student Involvement, located in the McFarland Student Union across from the KU Campus Store, to ask questions about the student organizations or how to get involved.

  Ivan Pecel: Make Juggling Tolerable
  The most tolerable of the Welcome Week events! Leave every notion of what you “thought” a juggler was at the door and join Kutztown University Activities Board and the Office of Student Involvement for a memorable evening full of comedic juggling fun. This show will leave you laughing and thinking, “wow, juggling isn't so bad!” Show is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 153 MSU. Additional details can be found on Engage.

  Spring Poster Sale
  Check out the poster sale 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 29-31, 223 MSU. Grab some new posters to decorate your dorm, apartment, room or office. Additional details can be found on Engage.

  Silly Size Bingo
  The biggest and smallest wins with fun bingo prizes. Join the Office of Student Involvement at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, 183 MSU, for this fun night of silly sized bingo. Additional details on Engage.

  Sexpert Bingo
  Hosted by sexpert Dr. Justine Shuey, this bingo includes learning about safe and consensual sex and winning fun prizes relating to the topic at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 218 MSU. Additional details can be found on Engage.

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  Accommodations for Spring 2025 Semester
  The Disability Services Office (DSO) is excited to welcome students back for the spring 2025 semester. Starting one week before spring courses begin, students registered with the DSO will be able to send their electronic accommodation letters to assigned course professors via their Student Accommodate Portal. Please encourage your student(s) to actively check their KU email; students registered with the DSO will receive a friendly email reminder with step-by-step instructions on how to send letters to course professors. Incoming students (new and transfer) who previously received academic accommodations in high school or at another institution are encouraged to visit the DSO website to begin the Accommodation Request Process as soon as possible.

  KUPD Welcomes Officer Tyler Todora
  Kutztown University’s Department of Public Safety and Police Services welcomes Officer Tyler Todora to our campus community. Officer Todora is a graduate of the Allentown Police Academy, where he received his MPOETC Act 120 certification. Please welcome him to KU. We wish him nothing but success. 

  Student Employment Opportunities
  Data shows that students who work on campus remain in college at a much higher rate than other students. Students who work on campus learn valuable skills and earn extra money under flexible schedules that accommodate their class schedules and academic needs, while building strong connections with staff and faculty. Student job opportunities are listed in Handshake. Students working on campus for the first time will need to complete payroll paperwork and background checks and present I-9 documents, so your student will need to bring their original unexpired document(s) to Human Resources before they can begin to work.

  Faculty/Staff Employment Opportunities
  KU is a great place for your students to learn and grow, but did you know our beautiful campus is also a great place to work? Eligible employees are offered a wide range of benefits, career growth and development opportunities and tuition waiver. Current opportunities are listed on our website.

  2025 Keystone Title IX and Education Law Summit
  Kutztown University welcomed 150 educators and school administrators from across the commonwealth for the Office of Social Equity's inaugural Keystone Title IX and Education Law Summit Friday, Jan. 17. At the Summit, Title IX, employment and school law experts gave presentations on the recent changes in Title IX, Title IX investigations, Athletics Compliance, First Amendment in Schools and Protections for Pregnant Employees and Students.

• University Relations and Athletics

  Grow Pennsylvania Scholarships
  Pennsylvania’s Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) established two new scholarship programs to provide more opportunities for students to pursue affordable post-secondary education and career preparation programs. Scholarships up to $5,000 are available for eligible students. Learn more at the PHEAA and PASSHE websites.

• KU Campus Store

  Purchase Course Materials
  Your student’s custom Virtual Shelf for the 2025 spring semester is ready to view, which has been created with the required course materials for their spring semester. We have included all our affordable options, which includes Inclusive Access, used and digital materials. To view your Virtual Shelf: sign into our website with your KU email and password; review your Virtual Shelf; 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.

  Why Purchase from KU Campus Store
  As a non-profit affiliate of KU, our priority is student success and retention. We offer full refunds for materials in original condition 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. 10-14. The 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 unique. 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.

• Dates to Know

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

  Spring 2025 Orientation billing process will run electronically. Due Friday, Feb. 7.	Friday, Jan. 24 (approx.)
  Residence halls open at 1 p.m. for the Spring 2025 semester.	Sunday, Jan. 26
  Add/Drop Period for Spring 2025 Full Semester and First Half of Term Courses	Jan. 27 to Feb. 3
  Welcome Weeks	Jan. 27 to Feb. 15
  First Half Communication Design Courses begin	Monday, Jan. 27
  Clinical Experience Orientation Program, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 218 MSU	Monday, Jan. 27
  Spring 2025 semester classes begin.	Monday, Jan. 27
  First Clinical Experience Assignment begins in schools.	Tuesday, Jan. 28
  Last day to drop a first half of term course with 100% reduction or refund ends at midnight. No reduction of charges or refunds for individual courses after midnight (Spring only).	Wednesday, Jan. 29
  Last day to drop a five-week A course with 100% reduction or refund ends at midnight. No reduction of charges or refunds for individual courses after midnight (Spring only).	Wednesday, Jan. 29
  Last day for five-week A students withdrawing from the university to receive 80% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Thursday, Jan. 30
  Last day for first half of term students withdrawing from the university to receive 80% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Friday, Jan. 31
  Saturday classes start at 8 a.m.	Saturday, Feb. 1
  Last day for five-week A students withdrawing from the university to receive 60% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Saturday, Feb. 1
  Last Day to Add/Drop for Spring 2025 Full Semester and First Half of Term Courses in MyKU for all students.	Monday, Feb. 3
  Last day to drop a full semester course with 100% reduction or refund ends at midnight. No reduction of charges or refunds for individual courses after midnight (Spring only).	Monday, Feb. 3
  Last day for first half of term students withdrawing from the university to receive 60% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Tuesday, Feb. 4
  Spring 2025 “W” period	Feb. 4 to April 25
  Last day for five-week A students withdrawing from the university to receive 50% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Tuesday, Feb. 4
  Second round application deadline for the M.Ed. in Secondary Education Teaching	Wednesday, Feb. 5
  Last day for five-week A students withdrawing from the university to receive 40% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Thursday, Feb. 6
  Orientation billing due for Spring 2025	Friday, Feb. 7
  Spring 2025 Late Registration invoicing processes run electronically. Due Friday, Feb. 21.	Friday, Feb. 7 (approx.)
  Last day for first half of term students withdrawing from the university to receive 50% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Friday, Feb. 7
  Last day for full semester students withdrawing from the university to receive 80% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Friday, Feb. 7
  Last day to request a bookstore account for Spring 2025 through Financial Aid Office.	Friday, Feb. 7
  Last day to exchange/return textbooks to KU Campus Store without an Add/Drop slip.	Friday, Feb. 7
  Spring 2025 Inclusive Access Opt-Out Deadline.	Friday, Feb. 7
  First day no reduction in charges or refund for university withdrawals for five-week A students.	Friday, Feb. 7
  Last day to make purchases for an approved Bookstore Account based on approved pending aid.	Tuesday, Feb. 11
  Last day for first half of term students withdrawing from the university to receive 40% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Tuesday, Feb. 11
  First day no reduction in charges or refund for university withdrawals for First Half of Term students.	Wednesday, Feb. 12
  Refunds for overpayments of Spring 2025 will start no sooner than this date.	Friday, Feb. 14
  Last day for full semester students withdrawing from the university to receive 60% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Friday, Feb. 14
  First day Financial Aid can disburse for Spring 2025.	Friday, Feb. 14
  Last day for undergraduate and graduate students to apply for Spring 2025 graduation.	Friday, Feb. 14
  President’s Day – classes will be held.	Monday, Feb. 17
  Due date for Late Registration billing.	Friday, Feb. 21
  Last day for full semester students withdrawing from the university to receive 50% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Friday, Feb. 21
  First Day of Spring 2025 10W Courses	Monday, Feb. 24
  Add/Drop Period for Spring 2025 10W Courses	Feb. 24-28
  Last Day to "W" withdraw from a Spring 2025 five-week A Course and receive a grade of “W”. There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	Tuesday, Feb. 25
  Last Day to Add/Drop for Spring 2025 10W courses.	Friday, Feb. 28
  40% Refund Period Ends Spring 2025 Full Semester Students	Friday, Feb. 28
  Last day to drop a 10W course with 100% reduction or refund ends at midnight. No reduction of charges or refunds for individual courses after midnight (Spring only).	Friday, Feb. 28
  Five-Week A Courses End	Saturday, March 1
  First day no reduction in charges or refund for university withdrawals for full semester students	Saturday, March 1
  First round interviews for doctoral applications	Saturday, March 1
  Five-Week B Courses Begin	Monday, March 3
  Last day for 10W students withdrawing from the university to receive 80% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Monday, March 3
  Last day to drop a five-week B course with 100% reduction or refund ends at midnight. No reduction of charges or refunds for individual courses after midnight (Spring only).	Wednesday, March 5
  Last day to "W" withdraw from a Spring 2025 First Half of Term Course and receive a grade of “W”. There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	Thursday, March 6
  Registrar to create grade rosters for first half of classes.	Thursday, March 6
  Last day for five-week B students withdrawing from the university to receive 80% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Thursday, March 6
  Last day for 10W students withdrawing from the university to receive 60% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Friday, March 7
  Last day to return Spring 2025 textbooks with a drop slip.	Friday, March 7
  Last day for five-week B students withdrawing from the university to receive 60% reduction in charges or refund (Spring only).	Saturday, March 8