November 2021

Volume 4, Issue 4

• Campus Announcements

  Weekly COVID-19 Testing Available to All Students and Employees
  Kutztown University offers voluntary COVID-19 testing on a weekly basis for KU students and employees. Testing occurs every Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the East Gym of the Student Recreation Center. Registration is required. While testing is voluntary for all students and employees, we strongly encourage our campus community to take advantage of this service, especially those who are unvaccinated. CDC data shows that most of the recent positive cases are from those who are unvaccinated. Registration information.

  Student Vaccination Card Submission
  Health and Wellness Services asks all students to provide an update of their COVID-19 vaccination status by completing a short questionnaire and submitting a copy of their vaccination record, if applicable. All students should complete the questionnaire, regardless of vaccination status. Students can complete the questionnaire at https://covid-questionnaire.kutztown.edu. Students will need to log in with their KU username and password.

• Academic Affairs

  Ireland Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Planning for 2022
  The Kutztown University faculty-led study abroad program in Ireland is planning to return to the emerald isle in the summer of 2022 (May-June). Professors Jason Lanter (psychology), Eric Johnson (history) and Andrew Vogel (literature) lead students through an exhilarating, monthlong tour of Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Killarney and Galway. Students enroll in one of three courses, but enjoy an integrated, interdisciplinary learning experience that takes them to the places that are truly the heart and soul of Éire – Giant's Causeway, Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange), the Hill of Tara, the Book of Kells, the Rock of Cashel, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Galway’s Latin Quarter, the Aran Islands and much more. Information and media are available on the program website. Application review will begin this month with rolling admissions running through January 2022.

  November is National Career Development Month
  Parents are invited to attend the workshop "Success in Grad School with Dr. Don Martin," 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 9, on Zoom.  Learn more about the tips and tricks of applying to graduate school. Both students and parents are invited to attend. Find the Zoom link at www.kutztown.edu/careercenter. An additional parent workshop will be held at noon, Thursday, Nov. 11, on Zoom, to learn about the internship and job-search strategies that we use at KU with your students. Find the Zoom link at www.kutztown.edu/careercenter.

  Grad School Fair
  KU's Grad School Fair will be held 1-3 p.m., Monday, Nov. 15, with 40+ graduate schools/universities. This event will be held in Handshake at www.kutztown.edu/handshake.

  Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence
  Would your student benefit from a success workshop and a venue to talk about their experience on campus? We offer weekly student success workshops at 11 a.m., every Tuesday, at 203 Academic Forum. Our topics for November include: Balancing Academic and Campus Involvement, Maximizing Tutoring and Professor Office Hours, Growth vs. Fixed Mindset and Time Management. For more information and resources, visit www.kutztown.edu/studentsuccess.

  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 us at tutor@kutztown.edu.

  Tutoring Services is recruiting peer tutors and academic peer mentors for Spring 2022. If your student is interested in this employment opportunity, please have them complete the Tutoring Services Employment Application 2021-2022. If your student has questions, contact us at tutor@kutztown.edu.

  Kutztown University Writing Center Fall 2021
  Please have your student reach out to the KU Writing Center for help and to schedule a writing session concerning papers for any subject/discipline. We have in person and online sessions available. The Writing Center is located at 100C Rohrbach Library. Please call 610-683-4733 or email wrcenter@kutztown.edu to setup an in-person appointment. To begin using the WCOnline site and schedule an online session, please go to https://kutztown.mywconline.com. Please see our website for additional helpful instructions and screenshots https://kutztownwritingcenter.wordpress.com/. Please direct any questions to: wrcenter@kutztown.edu or pytleski@kutztown.edu.

• Administration and Finance

  American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARPA)
  Most of our student body received an award of funding from this Act. These funds were released to students as refunds and not applied to any past due balances that may be due. Students were emailed a description of this funding and given options to use the funds from making a payment to a past due bill or paying up front for spring or even winter session. Ask the student for a copy of that email if you are interested. All refunds were released through BankMobile like usual.

  Payment Plans - Spring 2022 and Winter 21/22 Open
  Spring six-payment option ends Saturday, Nov. 6. Starting Sunday, Nov. 7, the plan decreases to five payments. Winter four-payment option ends Friday, Nov. 5. Starting Saturday, Nov. 6, the plan decreases to three payments and then down to two. Sign-up is located on the Payment Dashboard. This can be done from the students access or the parent access (if invited) to the Payment Dashboard. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Payment Plan

  Payment Plans – Estimating Costs
  The best way to estimate costs and needs for Spring 2022 is to review the fall semester costs and aid. Adjustments can always be made later to increase the plan or decrease the plan.
  
  Winter 21/22 Important Facts
  Winter session is unique at KU. Courses are online only. This session is not an aid-bearing session, which means any aid would go through the fall semester, not the spring. Any unused fall aid could be considered for winter, as well as Alternative Loans. Spring aid cannot be used for Winter. Since each student’s situation is different, we do encourage a discussion with Financial Aid Services to assess options. Do not delay, as winter has rolling due dates.
  
  Winter costs are online to review as well as a winter payment options webpage and the winter payment plan mentioned above. Financial Aid Services can be reached at 610-683-4077 or have your student stop by their office to discuss.
  
  Spring 2022 Billing Important Facts
  While students are starting to register for Spring 2022, the charges will not appear until closer to Thanksgiving (subject to change). Bills should be prepared about Dec. 1. Due date will be Jan. 3, 2022. Information about billing for Spring can be found online now.

  Billing Location & Format
  All billing statements are online in MyKU. The bills are maroon and gold and in pdf format. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Statements. A sample and more information can be found online. Students are emailed to their KU email when statements are prepared. If a parent is set up as a payer, they will also get those email notifications.

  Parent Access to Billing Emails and Texts
  Parents can get emails and texts when billing occurs. The student must go to MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Invite a Payer. The payer will then get emails and texts if desired and have their own access to the Payment Dashboard. Payers who are set up will use this link.

  1098-T and Year-End Tax Information
  Payments must post in MyKU, with a 2021 date (within 2021), to be reported for calendar year 2021. The office will be closed or unable to post payments received in the mail Dec. 24 through Jan. 3. If the payment posting in 2021 is critical for you, either pay online or mail any payments no later than Dec. 10. 529 payments should allow no less than two weeks for posting from the date of funding request. 529 payments only release to KU via paper checks. For more information regarding 1098-T's, click here.

  Registration Holds
  Students who still owe money for the 2021 fall semester (or before) may be blocked from spring registration and could have their room assignment canceled. Students may no longer move back into the residence halls without a class schedule. There is still time to apply for additional loans if needed, but don’t delay, it will soon be too late. Financial Aid Services is a great resource contact them at 610-683-4077.

  Bear Bucks Donations
  If a graduating student would like to donate the remaining funds in their Bear Bucks account, please contact the KU Foundation at 610-683-4110 or email info@kuf.org for more information and the donation form. Other questions about Bear Bucks and refunds from them should be directed to the KU Card Office at kucard@kutztown.edu.

  Running low on Bear Bucks or Flex Dollars?
  Bear bucks and flex dollars can be added online throughout the year. Bear Bucks do not expire, but flex dollars do at the end of the year.

• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Health and Wellness Services
  Vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly encouraged, but not required at KU. All students have been asked to update their KU medical record to assist the Health and Wellness Center with treatment planning, should the student develop symptoms or come in close contact with someone who tests positive. Testing is available at the Health Center by appointment for students experiencing symptoms. Voluntary asymptomatic testing is offered on campus every Wednesday. The Health Center performs campus contact tracing on all reported positive cases, notifies close contacts identified by students who have tested positive and determines the isolation and quarantine periods with the information provided. Close contacts who choose not to provide their vaccination status to the KU Health Center will be considered unvaccinated and will be required to quarantine. The KU Health Center considers all roommates, suitemates and housemates of a positive case as close contacts. As a reminder, students who test positive and unvaccinated students who are exposed to a positive person will be required to return home to complete their isolation or quarantine period.

  Students Can Use GivePulse to Find Service Opportunities
  During the fall semester, the Community Outreach Center officially launched its GivePulse partnership that allows students to find and track all the service opportunities and hours they participate in. We encourage your student to log on to GivePulse with their KU credentials and start participating in service opportunities that can create lifelong impacts. Visit https://engage.kutztown.edu/service-opportunities to get started.

  Upcoming Events from KUAB:
  As always, the fun continues with KUAB. Throughout the month of November, we have some great events, including Environmental Trivia with Explorer Celine Cousteau, Glow with the Flow Yoga and Scratch and Bang DJ mixes on the fly. Coming up in December, KUAB is hosting a screening of Star Wars the Rise of Skywalker and our final Make and Take, which includes sand art and messages in bottles. To learn more about KUAB’s upcoming events, visit https://engage.kutztown.edu/organization/kuab.

  Christmas in Kutztown
  Join us 1-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, for a community celebration organized by Kutztown Community Partnership. Event will be held at the train station in town; 232 Railroad St. The day features a variety of activities for all ages and interests including music performances, train rides, kid activities, vendors, food trucks and more. The event will be followed by a community tree lighting ceremony at 5:15 p.m. Interested in being a vendor? Email KCPvendors@gmail.com.

  Community Outreach Center – Work Study Positions Open
  Is your student interested in an on-campus position that is both fulfilling, provides great experience and helps give back to the community? Encourage your student to apply for one of our volunteer coordinator positions or America Reads/Counts mentor positions. Students can apply at https://app.joinhandshake.com/login.

  Mark Your Calendar – Spring 2022 Involvement Fair
  Encourage your student to get involved on campus. They can find tons of amazing campus clubs at our Spring 2022 Involvement Fair, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. Our theme is community garden "plant the seeds of involvement."

  Cops, Coffee and Conversation
  Here’s an opportunity for students to come meet and mingle with our campus and borough police officers and ask any questions they may have at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Bear's Dean in McFarland Student Union.

  Flu Vaccine Clinics for Students
  This year, thanks to a generous donation by Lehigh Valley Health Network, the KU Health Center is offering free flu vaccines to all interested KU students (while supplies last). Flu clinics are currently being scheduled throughout the remainder of the semester. Students may also request a flu vaccine during their scheduled Health Center appointment, or by specific appointment, if they are unable to attend one of the clinics.

  Nov. 9	10 a.m. to 2 p.m.	Old Main Lobby
  Nov. 11	1-3:30 p.m.	Keystone Hall
  Nov. 16	11 a.m. to 2 p.m.	South Dining Hall - Viewpoints Dining Room
  Nov. 17	11 a.m. to 1 p.m.	McFarland Student Union - Bear's Den
  Nov. 17	3-6 p.m.	Well-Being! Event - Beck Hall
  Nov. 22	11 a.m. to 2 p.m.	Rohrbach Library

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  Disability Services Office (DSO)
  The DSO Testing Center will start registering students for Fall 2021 final-exam testing sessions in mid November. Students who have accommodations for testing and plan to take their final exams in the DSO Testing Center should register for their exams through MyKU, as soon as possible. Students may contact the DSO Testing Center at DSOtesting@kutztown.edu with any questions.

• Housing and Dining

  2022-2023 Academic Year
  It's hard to believe, but room selection for the 2022-2023 academic year is right around the corner. Upon moving back on campus for Spring 2022, the Fall 2022 Housing Application Process will open for all returning students. Students should keep an eye on their KU student emails for more information and specific dates. The Fall 2022 Room Selection Process information, including the timeline and necessary steps, can also be found online.

• University Relations and Athletics

  Playoffs at KU
  The Kutztown University women's soccer team is 16-1 this season, are PSAC East regular season champions and will host a playoff game 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Keystone Field. The Golden Bear football team, back-to-back PSAC East champs, will host the PSAC Championship Game at 12:05 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, at Andre Reed Stadium. Discounted and free ticket options are available to KU students.

  Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony: Friday, Nov. 12
  The 42nd annual KU Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, at the Nancy Jean Stump Seiger '54 Multipurpose Room in the McFarland Student Union. Joining 226 former student athletes, coaches and contributors honored since 1977 will be Golden Bear greats Justine (Baer) Reading ’02 (field hockey), Chelsea (Deeter) Lovelace ’11 (women's soccer), Bobby Eberhart ’06 (men's basketball), Darin Gorski ’18 (baseball), Ziad Haddad ’18 (wrestling), Kayla Jones ’12 (women's bowling) and Charlie Young ’66 (men's basketball/men's tennis). Registration is at 6:30 p.m. and the ceremony will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be available. The event is complimentary. For more information and to register, visit our website or call 610-683-4110.

  Celebrate Marimba! returns to KU Presents! 
  The Center for Mallet Percussion Research at Kutztown University presents this 40-piece marimba orchestra, conducted by marimbist/composer Gordon Stout. Consisting of 20 invited professionals and 20 advanced marimbists selected from a round of rigorous auditions, they will perform historic works, new and commissioned works from international composers including a beautiful composition by Mexican composer Ricardo Gallardo with women’s chorale. Visit www.KutztownPresents.org for the complete listing of upcoming performances. Tickets: are $20, $18 for seniors and students and can be purchased online or by calling 610-683-4092. KU students can access $5 tickets by logging for tickets with their MyKU log in.

  KU partners with Violins of Hope Reading 
  Violins of Hope Reading tells the extraordinary stories of violins played by Jewish musicians during one of history's darkest times – the Holocaust – bringing a message of unity and inclusion for our whole community. You can experience this exhibit at multiple locations in Reading, plus concerts, lectures, interfaith gatherings and more. Experience the music, explore the history. Violins of Hope Reading is presented by the Reading Symphony Orchestra and the Jewish Federation of Reading in partnership with Alvernia University, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts and Kutztown University  

  Violins of Hope Reading will have a display in the Sharadin Arts Building Nov. 1-14. Join Violins of Hope curator, Avshi Weinstein, 7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 8, for a presentation and performance including the violins by Kutztown University faculty and student ensemble in Schaeffer Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public. Visit violinsofhopepa.org for other events across Berks County.

  KU Students can Access Discounted and Free Tickets to Events Across Campus
  Students can click here, log in with their MyKU login and create an account. Once they create an account in the University ticketing system, they will have access to discounted tickets to events across the KU Campus including Planetarium Shows, KU Presents! and a free ticket to each regular season Golden Bears football home game.

• KU Campus Store

  One Hour Sweatpants Sale – Nov. 11
  One day and one hour only. 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Nov. 11, KU Campus Store. The sale will also be 7-8 p.m., Dixon Marketplace.

• KU Foundation

  Together, We're Golden: The Campaign for Kutztown University
  On Oct. 2, the Kutztown University Foundation unveiled Together, We’re Golden: The Campaign for Kutztown University. This is a 100% student-focused initiative with two goals: to raise $40,000,000 to provide scholarships and emergency funds and enhance student experiences and double our alumni engagement. To learn more, visit www.kuf.org.

  1866 Minute Giving Challenge Breaks Records
  Give yourselves a round of applause! KU parent and family members helped to make this year's 1866 Minute Giving Challenge a smashing success. The Kutztown University Foundation would like to thank our entire KU community for your generosity. As this time, we raised more than $320,000 to support and enhance KU student experiences. Together, we’re golden! 

  Apply for the KU Legacy Scholarship
  The KU Legacy Scholarship is accepting applications through Nov. 15. This scholarship is open to any child or sibling of a KU graduate starting their sophomore, junior or senior year at Kutztown University. For details about scholarship eligibility or to apply, click here.

  KUF: Providing Scholarships & Enhancing Student Experiences
  New and returning parents 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.

• Campus Affiliates

  Free Financial Education Resources from PSECU
  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 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 isn't a member of PSECU yet, there's still time to join and take advantage of the current $100 bonus promotion. Visit psecu.com/students 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.

  Spring 2022 Web Registration by Appointment	Nov. 1-15
  Incoming Graduate Registration	Tuesday, Nov. 2
  Last Day to "W" - withdraw from a course Fall 2021	Friday, Nov. 5
  Winter 2022 - Last Day for 4 Payment Plan	Friday, Nov. 5
  Spring 2022 - Last Day for 6 Payment Plan	Saturday, Nov. 6
  Spring 2022 Open Enrollment	Nov. 16 - Dec. 1
  Residence halls close 9 a.m. for Thanksgiving Recess	Wednesday, Nov. 24
  Thanksgiving Recess - Offices Open	Wednesday, Nov. 24
  Thanksgiving Recess - University Closed	Thursday, Nov. 25
  Campus Store Closed	Friday, Nov. 26
  Thanksgiving Recess - University Closed	Friday, Nov. 26
  Winter 2022 - Last Day for 3 Payment Plan	Friday, Nov. 26
  Campus Store Closed	Saturday, Nov. 27
  Residence halls open 1 p.m. after Thanksgiving Recess	Sunday, Nov. 28
  Thanksgiving Recess Ends	Monday, Nov. 29
  Textbook Sell Back Begins - KU Campus Store	Monday, Nov. 29
  Last Day to Withdraw or take LOA from Fall 2021	Monday, Nov. 29
  Spring 2022 Billing Runs	Monday, Nov. 29