October 2021

Volume 4, Issue 3

• Campus Announcements

  Oct. 15: Get Vaccinated for COVID-19
  Kutztown University will host a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination clinic 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15, at the East Gym of the Student Recreation Center. Clinics are free of charge and are open to students, employees and community members ages 18 and older. Registration is required. Participants must bring valid photo identification and health insurance identification card (participant health insurance will not be charged). 

  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.

  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

  Internship and Job Fair
  It's time for students to think about attending an Internship and Job Fair. This fall, the Career Development Center will host two Internship and Job Fairs. Encourage your student to participate in one or both. The in-person fair will have more than 65 employers attending noon-3 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 218 McFarland Student Union. The virtual fair is scheduled 1-4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 26. Register at www.kutztown.edu/handshake.

  Advising Appointments
  Please remind your student to schedule an advising appointment for discussion of spring courses and other aspects of their education. Many advisors utilize MyKU to set up appointments for meetings. Students can click Advising Appointments to review step by step instructions.

  Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence
  The Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence provides students with individualized success plans, study skills support and connections to campus resources. The Center offers academic skills workshops and one-on-one consultations on study skills, time management, note-taking and learning strategies to enhance success inside and outside the classroom. 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.

  Fall 2021 Kutztown University Business Idea Competition
  Kutztown University's Entrepreneurial Leadership Center (ELC) is seeking students of all disciplines of study who have a business idea. The Business Idea Competition provides students with an opportunity to explore their creative business ideas, receive valuable feedback from accomplished business owners and win cash prizes. Submissions are due Monday, Oct. 11. All finalists will present their business idea to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs. For more information: Business Idea Competition.

  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.

  Degree Audit
  The Degree Audit can be a powerful tool to help your student effectively plan for courses before registration. This is a helpful tool to reflect a student's progress toward graduation. The report indicates whether the student has completed all the requirements needed to graduate or whether the student still needs to satisfy outstanding requirements. To access the degree audit tool, log in to MyKU (myku.kutztown.edu) and click on the "KU Academic Progress" tile. Click Degree Audit to review step by step instructions.

• Administration and Finance

  Payment Dashboard – New Look
  The payment dashboard has gotten a facelift! Students were sent an email about this Friday, Oct. 1. The same functionality is there, but the navigation will be easier, including the ability to add Bear Bucks. Parent PINS – is now Payers. Students can send a parent a Payer Invitation, so that they can get their own access to the dashboard and get billing emails and texts (more details below).

  Payment Plans
  Spring 2022 plan opens today, Oct. 7. Winter 2021-22 opens Thursday, Oct. 15. The best plans available for Spring 2022 and Winter 2022 are opening this month. The sooner you sign up, the greater the number of payments you can make. The six-payment plan for spring is open through Saturday, Nov. 6. The best way to estimate costs and needs for Spring 2022 is to review the fall semester activity showing costs and aid. Adjustments can always be made when the actual bill is prepared.

  MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard or Parents who have a PIN can go to this site directly use this link.
  
  Winter 2021-22
  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. Financial Aid Services can be reached at 610-683-4077 or have your student stop by their office at 209 Stratton Administration Center.
  
  Spring 2022 Billing and Due Date – Plan Ahead
  Spring 2022 advisement opens soon, with registration right after. Please know that charges will not appear until billing occurs the day before Thanksgiving (subject to change). Due date is Jan. 3, 2022. Payment plan option is above.

  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.

  KU Tasks Tile - Registration Holds
  Students who still owe any money for the Fall 2021 semester (or before) may be blocked from Spring registration and their Spring housing assignment will be at risk for cancellation. There is still a short window of time to apply for additional loans if needed, but don't delay. Payment plans for Fall 2021 are closed at this time. Financial Aid Services is a great resource found at 610-683-4077. Now is a great time to review the MyKU account activity, with October bills processing. The Advisor Registration hold will be released by the student's advisor once they are advised for Spring – only the advisor can do this. Be sure the student sets up their advising appointment early; their advisor will send dates and times to them directly.

  Payment Dashboard Access to Parents
  Parents can be given access to the Payment Dashboard and even get email and text reminders about the bills. The student can do this easily. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard > Payers – send a payer invitation.

• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Food Pantry
  KU students in need of food are welcome to visit the Lutheran Center Food Pantry, located at 15175 Kutztown Road, to grab fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, dry foods and canned foods. This is a completely free service available to students 4-6 p.m., Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to noon, Thursdays. The Office of Student Involvement's food pantry, located at 153 MSU, is also available, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. Students can pick up nonperishable foods, personal hygiene products, clothing and school supplies.

  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.

  Spring 2022 Early Class Registration for Students Using Military Benefits
  Priority registration enables students to maximize their military benefits through timely enrollment of degree-required classes. Students certified to use military benefits and enrolled veterans who self-identify can register for Spring 2022 classes early. Eligible students are notified of their priority registration appointment through their MyKU student account. To participate in early registration, students must meet with, and be cleared by, their advisor before their registration appointment. Advisor meetings should begin in early October. Student veterans not using benefits this semester can self-identify by completing a Veteran Priority Registration Form.

  Admissions
  Do you know a high school senior who might be interested in attending KU? The admissions application is live at www.kutztown.edu/apply. Remember to share with them our fee waiver code GOLDEN and encourage them to visit our campus. Our Open House dates are Oct. 9, Oct. 30 and Nov. 20.

  Financial Aid Services
  It's that time again – fall foliage, apple picking, visiting the pumpkin patch, warm smells of fall. Now, it's FAFSA completion time. The FAFSA is open for the 2022-23 academic year and our office encourages students and families to file their application early to maximize your financial aid potential. Log on to the Federal website, https://studentaid.gov, and complete the information. If you are a Pennsylvania resident, you will need to complete your information before May 1, to qualify for a possible state grant. We're here to help, contact us either by phone (610-683-4077), email (financialaid@kutztown.edu) or a virtual appointment.

  Mark Your Calendars: Homecoming 2021 is Coming Soon
  It is never too early for alumni, friends, students and family to make plans to attend homecoming at Kutztown University. We are excited to share that our annual Homecoming will take place the week of Oct. 25. We have a week full of events, community service and opportunities to get into the Golden Bear spirit. Full details can be found on the Homecoming page: https://www.kutztown.edu/events/homecoming.html.

  Submit Your Photos to the #TogetherWereGolden Mosaic
  The Offices of Student Involvement and Alumni Relations have embarked on a yearlong project for the campus community. The Kutztown Mosaic is a living photo presentation of all things Golden. To submit a photo, please visit www.kutztownmosaic.com.

  America Reads/Counts Mentors and Tutors Needed
  The Community Outreach Center's America Reads/Counts program is looking for student volunteers to join our youth mentor programs. Students who qualify for work study can also be paid to participate in these activities. Students who are social work or education majors are highly encouraged to join the mentor team. To learn more and to become a mentor, please email americareads@kutztown.edu.

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  Disability Services Office
  Students who are registered with the Disability Services Office should watch their email accounts for Spring 2022 registration and advisement materials sent from the Registrar's Office in early October. Students are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisors early in the process to ensure they are cleared to register on their assigned registration date.

• Housing and Dining

  Message from Dining Services
  We are delighted to have the opportunity to serve Golden Bears on campus at Kutztown University. Unfortunately, Dining Services is facing unprecedented labor and supply chain challenges due to the effects of the pandemic. Our staff is being pushed in their roles, with responsibilities and work schedules. We need to balance the desire to provide the level of service you expect and the welfare of our staff. As a result, we have modified our dining schedule and offerings to better focus our team in areas that can serve the greatest number of students. We are uncertain how long our hours would be modified, but we continue to work to strengthen our staff as quickly as possible. Kutztown University Dining Services and the university recognize that this is not the dining experience your student expected, as it is not the dining program that we expect to deliver to our guests. We are working together to determine a course of action in terms of compensation with details forthcoming as soon as they are available. Read More.

  Introducing True Balance at South Dining Hall
  Our True Balance station is designed specifically for guests who are allergic to one or more of the most common food allergens. It's easier to make appropriate meal selections here as our chefs prepare carefully-crafted flavorful recipes while focusing on guest safety, never sacrificing flavor. Stop by True Balance on the second floor of South Dining Hall and enjoy dining without restrictions.

  The recipes served at True Balance are specially selected, reviewed and vetted by a team of experts. We only use products with ingredient statements that exclude the following:

  1. Eggs
  2. Milk
  3. Peanuts
  4. Tree Nuts
  5. Fish
  6. Shellfish
  7. Soy
  8. Wheat/Gluten

  If you have food allergies or special dietary needs, our goal is to provide you with the tools and support you need. Michelle Richard, registered dietitian and our on-site teams will work with you to enable you to dine with us safely and to be active in the management of your food allergy or food-related medical condition. Please reach out to us to schedule a tour at kudiningservices@kutztown.edu.

• University Relations and Athletics

  Fall 2021 KU Athletics Update
  The Kutztown University football team (4-1 overall, 2-0 PSAC East) has won three games in-a-row since its lone defeat, a three-point setback at No. 15 Indiana (Pa.) Sept. 11. KU defeated Seton Hill Sept. 18, followed by a victory on the road at No. 10 Shepherd the following week and a win against East Stroudsburg in its latest contest. The third-ranked women’s soccer team is undefeated at 9-0 overall and 7-0 in the PSAC, its best start to a season since winning a program-record 13 straight to open the 2017 season. The Golden Bears won all three of their PSAC games, including two 1-0 victories on the road at Bloomsburg (Sept. 29) and at Mansfield (Oct. 2), before netting a season-high five goals in a 5-0 shutout of Shepherd Oct. 4. The fifth-ranked field hockey team won three games in a span of four days, including a 1-0 victory over No. 9 Bloomsburg in double overtime Sept. 29. KU then defeated Frostburg State (2-0) and Lindenwood (4-2) in Frostburg, Md.

  KU women's volleyball split two PSAC matches against Shippensburg, the first win over the Raiders since Nov. 1, 2014, and first-place Shepherd. Head coach John Gump is one victory shy of 400 for his career at Kutztown. The men's and women's cross country teams competed in the 47th annual Paul Short Run at Lehigh, featuring several hundred teams and thousands of student athletes. The KU women finished third overall out of 32 teams and took home a trophy for their success. Kutztown women's golf competed in its annual Fall Invitational at Moselem Springs, finishing fourth overall. KU had a season-best finish of second out of nine teams at the Dickinson Invitational Sept. 25.

  Fireworks Display to Cap Full Saturday of Home Athletic Events Oct. 16
  Kutztown University will put an entertaining stamp on a full day of Golden Bear home athletic events Saturday, Oct. 16, with a postgame fireworks show following the football team's matchup against Shippensburg. The action-packed Saturday begins with the nationally-ranked KU field hockey team hosting its Senior Day game against Slippery Rock 11 a.m., at Andre Reed Stadium. Women's soccer, also nationally ranked, is home to face East Stroudsburg 1 p.m., at Keystone Field. Golden Bear football, currently receiving votes in the national poll, concludes the day with a 5:05 p.m. kickoff against the Red Raiders at Andre Reed Stadium. Football tickets and parking can be purchased in advance by CLICKING HERE. There is no charge for admission to the field hockey and soccer games.

  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.

  How to Follow Kutztown University Athletics in 2021-22
  Make sure you can follow along with the Golden Bears all year long by accessing live video, audio and statistics, the official athletics website and the KU athletics social media channels. Learn more about each of these services and stay up-to-date whether the Maroon and Gold are on campus or on the road. How to follow: https://bit.ly/3DtYJJr.

  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.

  Kutztown University Radio
  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, go to www.kutztown.edu/KUR.

• KU Campus Store

  Homecoming Sale
  KU Campus Store and Dixon Marketplace will have a special Homecoming sale, $10 off $49, $20 off $99, or $40 off $199. The sale will begin Friday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Oct. 31. On Saturday, Oct. 30, KU Campus Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  Graduation Festival
  The Fall Graduation Festival will be held 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 26, in 218 McFarland Student Union. The Graduation Festival is a one-stop-shop for graduates to verify the status of their applications, purchase their cap and gown, receive graduation tickets and much more. Please encourage your graduating seniors to attend. For more information, click here.

• KU Foundation

  Together, We’re Golden: The Campaign for Kutztown University
  On Oct. 2, the KU Foundation announced Together, We’re Golden: The Campaign for Kutztown University. This 100% student-focused initiative has two goals: to raise $40,000,000 to support KU and engage with our alumni for 40,000 hours, strengthening our network for tomorrow’s graduates. Help us ensure our students earn their degrees and make their mark on the world. Learn more.

  1866 Minute Giving Challenge Returns 10/26-10/27
  You are an important part of our upcoming third annual 1866 Minute Giving Challenge, Oct. 26-27. For 1,866 minutes, the KU community unites as one to support all. Because Together, We're Golden. Learn more here.

  Save the Date: Homecoming 2021 is Oct. 30
  We are delighted to welcome alumni, current students and their families to Homecoming 2021. Click here to see the schedule of events and register.

  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.

• Campus Affiliates

  Family Members Are Invited to Join PSECU
  Throughout the early weeks of the Fall 2021 semester, PSECU has been delighted to assist student account holders with their banking needs. The credit union is happy to extend an invitation of membership to KU parents and family members whose students are currently PSECU members. Membership perks include easy member-to-member transfers, cash back rewards, competitive loan rates and more.

  Parents and individuals from the same household are eligible to join PSECU if their KU student is a PSECU member. There is currently a $250 bonus offer for new members. Visit psecu.com/promo and enter code “250OFFER”. To qualify for this offer, open a free checking account with debit card, sign up for mobile banking once the account is approved and add a monthly payroll direct deposit of at least $200. For full promotional rules, visit psecu.com/promo. Call KU's PSECU office at 610-894-4814 with 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 Payment Plan Opens	Thursday, Oct. 7
  Last Day to Apply for Fall 2021 Graduation	Friday, Oct. 8
  Fall Break. No Classes. Offices Open Oct. 11-12.	Sunday, Oct. 10 - Tuesday, Oct. 12
  Winter 2022 Registration Begins	Tuesday, Oct. 12
  Mid Term	Wednesday, Oct. 13
  Winter 2022 Payment Plan Opens	Friday, Oct. 15
  Undergrad Advisement	Monday, Oct. 18 - Monday, Nov. 15
  First Half CDE courses end	Tuesday, Oct. 19
  Second Half CDE courses begin	Wednesday, Oct. 20
  First Clinical Exp. Ends in Schools	Friday, Oct. 22
  STEM Open House	Saturday, Oct. 23
  Second Clinical Exp. Begins in Schools	Monday, Oct. 25
  Graduation Festival	Tuesday, Oct. 26
  Current Graduate Registration	Tuesday, Oct. 26
  Early Registration for Spring 2022 for Special Groups	Thursday, Oct. 28 - Friday, Oct. 29
  Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 Undergraduate Incomplete work deadline	Friday, Oct. 29