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For Kean Students By Kean Students

Student Organization of Kean University works to better the university campus for students each and everyday

By: Kim Sherwood

Posted: 4/28/09

Working as a liaison between the students and the administration of the university, Student Organization of Kean University carries a heavy workload. A true voice of and for the students, whenever there is a problem or concern that arises on campus, it is addressed by the members of the organization. Since meetings are open, they are available for any student to attend and voice their opinion.

Student Organization is the governing body of the full-time undergraduate population. Originally recognized in 1941, the governing body has grown and adapted to the needs of the campus community to become one of the most reputable student governments in New Jersey. The executive board of the organization is comprised of 13 positions, including president, vice president of funded groups, vice president of committees, vice president of student affairs, treasurer, assistant treasurer, secretary, assistant secretary, and director of public relations. As well, all four class presidents are part of the executive board. In addition to the president, each class is represented by a vice president, treasurer, secretary, and nine representatives. Each of the 61 positions changes over after elections every April, according to how students vote. Any full-time undergraduate student can run for a position in Student Organization.

Operating with a budget of approximately one million dollars, Student Organization supports funded groups and allocates money to all types of groups on campus. All funded groups on campus fall under one of the following categories: cultural, performing, academic, service, or government. By supporting funded groups, students have access to many different events on campus they might not have gone to in the past. Two annual successful funded group events that would not have been possible without the help of Student Organization have been the Black Love Affair, put on each Valentine's Day weekend by the Pan-African Student Union (PASU), and the publication of Parenthetical, Kean University's literary magazine, put out each year by the funded group, Parenthetical.

Each year, Student Organization awards special project money that is available to any group on campus that is looking for funding for a particular event. This money goes to groups, funded and non-funded, looking to produce spectacular events for the Kean community. In the past, many fabulous events have been available to students, staff, and faculty because of this. Some of these events include Psi Sigma Phi's Multicultural Fest, Beta Kappa Psi's "Night of a Thousand Laughs" among many others. One recent special money project that was an excellent use of resources was the distribution of roadside kits by the Commuter Club. Every morning for a week, members of the Commuter Club gathered in the University Center to pass out the kits, which were full of materials, including jumper cables, screwdrivers, a tire pressure gauge, a flashlight, gloves, and red electrical tape, and would aid in any emergency situation.

One major event that Student Organization had a large leadership role in was Rock the Vote in the fall of 2008. Working with many different offices campus-wide, Student Organization was able to put together an entire week of promoting student involvement in the national election. Within Rock the Vote, many different events went on to promote the upcoming presidential election, such as the Crocs Tour, featuring Yung Joc, MC Lars, and Cartel, which Student Organization was responsible for. Also during Rock the Vote, they were able to work with different offices, such as the president's office, to spread the word about politicians being on campus to speak on behalf of their respective party.

Student Organization provides a milieu of services to the campus community, including scholarships, programming, community services, fundraisers, and professional experience. One exceptional and exciting program that was sponsored by the organization was the Lifehouse concert, during Homecoming Week 2008. Bringing in an immense amount of students, the band performed their hit songs and rocked the campus. Another successful event that was sponsored by Student Organization was the food bank luncheon in November 2008. Bringing together staff and students, the event opened the door for networking, and most importantly, student involvement in charity awareness.

One of the services provided each semester to students are the memorial, endowment, and freshman scholarships. Each fall, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to receive a memorial scholarship from the organization. During the spring, freshman scholarships are given out to deserving students. To be eligible for one of the many memorial or freshman scholarships, students must maintain a 2.5 grade point average, have at least two letters of recommendation, and complete either a typewritten essay or poster with their application. To be eligible for the endowment scholarship, students must have completed at least 18 credits at Kean, maintain a 3.0 grade point average, demonstrate good character, and participate in extracurricular activities that showcase their leadership abilities. Preference is given to students that show financial aid. Once all of the applications are received, a committee is formed of Student Organization members and reviewed. Eligible applicants must also complete an interview with the committee. Each semester between ten and fifteen eligible students are rewarded for their academic excellence.

Student Organization offers professional experience to not only those involved, but those who would like to be involved. By going to meetings and interacting with other members, a professional relationship is developed. Also, because of the working relationship with the administration, students involved learn how to conduct themselves professionally with people they may have never conversed with otherwise. There are plenty of opportunities for professionalism within the organization. With the requirement of serving on various campus committees, members learn to interact with the professional staff at Kean. Student members have served on many different committees in the past, such as the tenure committee, which decides whether or not to extend tenure to different professors on campus, the curriculum committee, which decides what classes should and should not be included in each major, the bookstore committee, which decides on prices and inventory of merchandise in the bookstore, and the food services committee, which discusses concerns that students hold with any cafeteria on campus.

Soon-to-be former President Scott Herman, senior management science major, says that he has high hopes for the incoming executive board. In the future he would like to see them reach out to the commuter population and have them become one with the residential population. As well, he would love to see a surge of school spirit around the campus. Of course, the next executive board should work to represent the students the best they can, to the fullest extent possible. He wishes them luck and hopes that all of their events and funded group events are incredibly successful.

The best thing about Student Organization is that any student can be involved, no matter their year, involvement in any other group. Scott explains, "There is nothing holding anyone back, except themselves. It's not hard to get involved and be a leader on campus." Take the initiative and become involved today. For more information about Student Organization, visit their website: www.kean.edu/~stuorg.