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(02/07/11 11:00pm)
As students across the Kean University campus prepare themselves for the professional world, constant attention should always be given to the platforms they utilize while operating in this 'age of communication'. Sadly, the story of a student losing internships, leadership positions, and job opportunities to an act of unprofessionalism on a social media platform is becoming far too familiar. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and similar social outlets provide many opportunities to network for business matters; whether these opportunities are seized by the individual user is a preference. Social media users looking to advance in the professional world may not need to utilize media platforms, but "prevention" should always be practiced. At Kean University, students who become involved on campus with leadership and professional positions, and demonstrate behavior damaging or in breach of their positions rules and regulations, may be subject to have their positions revoked under the student code of conduct disciplinary measures.
Students should be proactive about not letting such accounts take place. Similar cases unfortunately occur without the person's knowledge of the content which landed them in hot water in the first place. Passivity in handling one's account on any of these social media platforms is viewed as 'allowing the punishable act to take place'. Thus, users should take time to become knowledgeable about any privacy settings, or lack thereof, available on each platform.
Facebook, one of the more popular social outlets, has expanded its privacy settings extensively since its creation. Some of the privacy settings available to Facebook users are: the ability to hide any wall comments other than the users, which avoids the possibility of unwanted embarrassing or lewd comments; management of public "tags", video and photograph alike; the option to make one's friends list hidden, which avoids any professional liability precautions taken against an individual based on "guilty by association" judgments; and the ability to remove oneself off from search results. This last privacy option is among the most unknown and is the possibly the best practice for being proactive about one's account and still allow for platform usage.
If a user decides they want to remove themselves off of search results for Facebook, the process is as follows:
Visit the 'search privacy settings page'
Under "Search Visibility", select "Only Friends". Remember, doing so will remove one from Facebook search results; users should only finalize this process if they are certain they wished to be hidden from search results completely. Otherwise, one can select another group, such as "My Networks and Friends".
Click "Save Changes"
Some of the more common actions taken by users which are deemed disciplinary-worthy are a breach of confidentiality, breach of procedure, lewd language, reputation or character damaging photos, damaging rapport, and damage to creditability.
(02/07/11 11:00pm)
Gregory Fitzgerald, the tallest unofficial member of the Kean campus family, is what some would call a showstopper. He never really attended any classes or even left his usual hang-out spot; in fact, until now, not many on campus could claim to know where he came from. Now, almost three weeks since his Thursday, January 20, 2011 appearance, only "traces" of his presence are left for students and staff to remember.Kean University's first full "snow day" was not a day off for all students; some, instead, put the carpe diem aphorism into practice and "seized the day". The result was the construction of the nearly eleven-foot tall student-made snowman. The team responsible for the creation of "Gregory" include Dan Beir, a freshman mathematical sciences education major; Joseph Celentano, a freshman science and technology major with chemistry concentration; Alison DiGiacomo, a junior elementary education, bilingual option major; Ellesa Effner, a freshman science and technology major with mathematics concentration; Harvey Minano, a freshman biology major, physical therapy-track; and Maria Yousef, a freshman science and technology major with mathematics concentration.
The remains of "Gregory", who now stands on his literal "last leg" sits on the Cougar's Green, in the center of the main campus between Townsend Hall and the Maxine and Jack Lane Center for Academic Success (CAS).
Beir and DiGiacomo brought their shared idea of building a snowman to their friends. The team, all of which are resident students, considered a potential home for their snowman to be located in the residence "quad area"- the area on the Kean University main campus which covers the distance between the four structurally-uniformed upperclassman buildings: Bartlett Hall, Burch Hall, Rogers Hall, and Sozio Hall. However, since snow clean-up was already in full effect in that area, Beir decided to utilize the Cougar Green as "Gregory's" home.
The mission, according to Beir, was approximately a two-hour feat. Some of the Kean spectators may wonder how such an enormous construction was possible.
"The ramp," said Beir, smiling. "This is my original idea; not patented yet, but still mine," he continued with a laugh. Beir instructed the team to sculpt a study ramp made of snow to transport the larger balls of snow making up Gregory's body and head. For an aesthetic finish, the team used broken chips of cement for Gregory's eyes, two large branches for arms, a short, stout stick for a nose, and finally a curved stick to create a smile.
This snowman marks Beir's third "giant snowman" project and "Gregory" is by far the largest of them yet. Beir has even received recognition near his home in Blairstown, NJ for one of his projects. A local newspaper thought the end product was so remarkable that a story was published on it.
In pure winter fashion, the Gregory Team celebrated their project's completion with hot chocolate back in the residence halls. Congratulations! The campus looks forward to the possibilities of more winter surprises and crowd-stopping awes.
(01/24/11 11:00pm)
Would it be farfetched to claim that Kean students have the opportunity to save $250 and several frustrating hours of school work, starting today? Assuming said students own a Kean ID card and sidestepped the popular Starbucks to attain a library barcode, the claim holds some weight.What many students may identify as the most frustrating step in the process of writing an academic paper is the bibliography. The Kean University Nancy Thompson Library has the solution. Kean students have admittance for free access to EndNote Web, a bibliography generator and citation manager that allows students to store, organize, and share their research. This software is available for personal purchase, normally priced at $250.
Some useful features of this program is its compatibility with some of the popular research databases, including EBSCOhost and ProQuest; these databases are among the many additional free access services offered to Kean students courtesy of the Kean library's subscriptions. Articles found using these databases are often easily exportable to a student's EndNote account. An even further convenient feature of the program is its ability to be accessed and operated within Microsoft Word. Theoretically, this capability of easy storage and organization will eliminate the "paper spread" of printed out or written down works-cited notes; and thus the time spent attempting to accurately document them at the end of a paper assignment.
The user mechanics of the program may take some adaptation for those less technologically inclined; however, the program is designed so that tutorial aids are always an easy click away. In addition, students, as well as professors, can schedule time with the library staff to have them host an EndNote workshop to increase user clarity on the "how to's" and capabilities of the program.
Students who already utilize the library's research databases may be familiar with the access of these resources off campus grounds. Kean University's EndNote access shares this availability; however, first time uses must activate their account on campus grounds prior to outside usage. This necessary procedure allows for the program to recognize the user is at "an IP authenticated workstation.After twelve months, [Kean students] are required to login again from an IP authenticated workstation to re-establish [their] association with the institution," according to EndNote Web.
If a student is finding a schedule-sync between the library staff and their own to be unsuccessful, students may seek out EndNote user guidance from their student government representatives. These workshops will still need to be scheduled, but late night and weekend hours are available to students who need the assistance. Kean University librarians, Craig Anderson and Linda Cifelli, advantageously train members of the executive board Student Organization of Kean University, the full-time undergraduate governing body, in hopes to cross-train other student leaders and spread awareness of student access to this program.
EndNote web is just one of the many of the free resources offered to students by the Kean University library to increase academic work productivity. 'Films on Demand' is a Kean student resource which allows students to search from thousands of educational videos; whether the topic is social science or physical science related, or anything in between. Students majoring in humanities may find the more concentrated movie selection in the 'Theatre in Video' option more useful, yet the earlier selection is not limited to what it has to offer any major.
For more information about the services available at the Nancy Thompson Library, please contact the library staff by calling 908-737-4618, emailing library@kean.edu, utilizing LibAnswers contact and chat capabilities via the Kean library site http://library.kean.edu, or visit their office on the first floor of the library behind the circulation desk.
(11/29/10 11:00pm)
Since its launch, The Cougar's Byte Diversity Series has locked itself on spotlighting continent regions as a whole for student representation. In order to accomplish both expansion of the series and integration of more concentrated areas to showcase, this installment shifts its focus to an area smaller in size than the any of the seven continents, but as diverse and culture-filled as the bar measures - the West Indies. The West Indies is a region comprised of more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays, along the Caribbean Sea. History and cultivation of the West Indies has made it a region of an expansive and intricate identity. Whether the focus is on the region's inclusivity of religion, physical appearance, or traditions, the result remains the same - there is no uniform. This particular 'diversity at Kean' exploration features two students from the West Indies region, each different from the other, and yet both prime agents of the diversity that makes up Kean's rich, multifarious identity.
Nivash Rampersad, junior meteorology major, spent the first 17 years of his life in his homeland of Trinidad & Tobago, in the city capital of Port of Spain. Rampersad has visited his home five times in the past seven years, keeping what he loves not just in mind, but close to heart. True blue to his metrological focused self, Rampersad shares one his first and more profound memories of first coming to the States with sentiments on the weather. "I arrived in the United States on October 4, 2003, and that winter season was the first time in my life I saw snow. I remember getting so excited that I pulled my sister out of bed to take photos of me in the snow."
As expected, resituating does not come without some damper from disunion. Rampersad expressed his pining for not only the friends and large family back home, but also for the rapport building, buoyant nature of lifestyle in Trinidad. The fast-paced, work orientated flow of the States is no new characterization; in fact, some South American countries share the same disconnect because of the integration of siestas into the average day - a time when most businesses and operations cease for a window of time dedicated to relaxation and recuperation. Rampersad nostalgically recounts the ability to enjoy 'liming' more often than not. 'Liming' is the grammatical equivalent to 'hanging out' in Trinidad, tells Rampersad. To alleviate some of that home sickness, Rampersad still enjoys some of the same foods as well as celebrates the Trinidadian Hindi traditions, such as Diwali - also known as the festival of lights, this crucial, annual festivity promotes the virtues of light over darkness and good over evil through ceremonial lighting of oil filled small clay diyas.
Lucia Maxime, a non-traditional senior accounting major, spent her entire life in the West Indies up until fours ago when she left to attend school. Maxime was born in the parish of St. John in the country of Antigua. Similarly to Rampersad, Maixme keeps home always within reach and returns every summer to visit since her move. Maxime says that while she does not tend to practice any carried over traditions, the cuisine is essential to reminiscing. "I love it when I can enjoy some real island cooking here. It reminds me of home," says Maxime. It should come to no surprise that what the two West Indies natives also share is their love for the region's beaches. "We have 365 white sandy beaches," boasts Maxime; "so I always look forward to going to the beach whenever I'm home."
Maxime has taken to Kean University with drive and purpose since her arrival. As president of The Accounting Club, a funded group of Student Organization, Maxime is aiming to leave her leadership footprint in the university. Recently, Maxime was awarded a scholarship through the Kean Scholarship Foundation - one of the many competitive awards distributed for the 2010 - 11 academic year. Maxime's hard work has carried her Kean career with little falter. Maxime expresses, "I am very proud; I was able to adjust almost seamlessly."
Rampersad, in contrast, admits that adaptation was not as smooth, but not without reward. "Leaving everything that I knew and coming to this new land was very different, but I would not change that decision for anything. I came a long way and I plan to keep pushing further." Rampersad, like Maxime, also serves as an officer on a funded group executive board. As treasurer of the Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association, Rampersad sees his group as a microcosm representation of the university's diversity as a whole. "[In my group], I met not only people that was interested in the same thing I was, but people who had very different point-of-views," detailed Rampersad in respects to diversity. "I have to admit, this past year at Kean, I've learned what no teacher can ever teach me.
(11/29/10 11:00pm)
Viridity does not always constitute an unproductive nature. The 2010 academic year brought five new additions to the Kean University's funded groups; the Accounting Club (ACT) being one of them. Since the start of the semester, the group has executed their group's duties like experts with admirable professionalism. "It's been a long journey since the summer; overwhelming sometimes," expressed ACT vice-president, Michael Bello, a junior accounting major. "But, we hit the ground running." The Accounting Club was announced October's Funded Group of the Month for being anchors of both the newly implemented 'Project Twenty-12' ambition and direct student service. ACT was among the top three funded groups at this year's Campus Awareness in regards to design and canvassing plan. The group presented themselves in complete corporate attire for the event and handled each visitor as a potential 'client' of the group. ACT's executive board officers attribute the event's success to collective planning and a group effort by dedicated general body members. The formula must have been a fortunate, strategic one; calculating from the semester's start, the group reports that their membership has more than doubled.
Since then, the group has kept to their focus on delivering a group that benefits students' professional careers; the group has hosted several programs, including a Becker CPA Review, a resume review workshop in collaboration with Kean's Career Services, and a 'success' lecture delivered by guest Robert Lane, former CFO of Kaplan, the now famed education company.
One of the group's remaining goals of the semester is to champion the title of highest funds raisers of any funded group in a bake sale. The feat will not be an easy one to tackle, for the bar on that competition was set high earlier in the fall 2010 semester. ACT treasurer, Tosin Adeogun, a senior accounting major, says with confidence that the challenge will be met.
Smiling, Adeogun stated, "I've learned that it's not about what I can do alone; it's about what we can do together working towards a common goal. I never thought I would be here, but I'm glad to be a part of a winning team." For any student looking to show their support to the group's competitive endeavor, be sure to visit the ACT bake sale on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Bruce Hall lobby. All proceeds will be donated to the 'TOYS for TOTS' program.
The group shows no sign of slowing their momentum with the semester's end. The awaited event with most anticipation will be the group's symposium. ACT plans to offer keynote speakers, a round table session discussing different possible careers in the accounting field, and an etiquette dinner. The group is also focusing their energy on inter-university collaborations. In addition to working with professional based non-funded groups, ACT is currently cultivating the leadership in Kean at Ocean County College's future accounting club. Many members of the future group already make the commute to attend ACT's meeting and pick their minds on how to develop a successful group. If October is any indication of ACT's productivity, the Kean at Ocean accounting club is in good hands.
The Accounting Club welcomes all interested students to attend their closing ceremony meeting on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, for an early look into what next semester has in store. Visit the group's CougarLink profile for more details.
(11/29/10 11:00pm)
Humanitarians and gamers alike will find themselves right at home on common ground in "Who's Got Game?" - a competition-based fundraising event for the Special Olympics. The event's collective structuring and purpose directly coincide with the mission of the Special Olympics' mission itself. According to the 1968 established program, "through the power of sport, Special Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people." With the goal to raise over $1000 for the philanthropy, event coordinator Melissa DeNoia, junior speech, language, and hearing major, is reaching out to her fellow Cougar-peers to generate an ample collection of teams. Participating teams are to consist of two members; each team must pay $10 for entry. Teams will have the choice to enter into a tournament-style competition competing in either billiards, ping pong, or the gaming systems Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, and Xbox 360, with the game choices of NBA 2010, Wii Sports, and Madden 2010. The competition within the gaming system category will generate one winning team. The three winning teams will receive $30 Cougar Dollars as a prize, in addition to directly impacting the overall contribution to the Special Olympics. The event is set to be held in the University Center Game Room on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
(11/15/10 11:00pm)
Humanitarians and gamers alike will find themselves right at home on common ground in "Who's Got Game?" - a competition-based fundraising event for the Special Olympics. The event's collective structuring and purpose directly coincide with the mission of the Special Olympics' mission itself. According to the 1968 established program, "through the power of sport, Special Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people." With the goal to raise over $1000 for the philanthropy, event coordinator Melissa DeNoia, junior speech, language, and hearing major, is reaching out to her fellow Cougar-peers to generate an ample collection of teams.
Participating teams are to consist of two members; each team must pay $10 for entry. Teams will have the choice to enter into a tournament-style competition competing in either billiards, ping pong, or the gaming systems Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, and Xbox 360, with the game choices of NBA 2010, Wii Sports, and Madden 2010. The competition within the gaming system category will generate one winning team. The three winning teams will receive $30 Cougar Dollars as a prize, in addition to directly impacting the overall contribution to the Special Olympics. The event is set to be held in the University Center Game Room on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.Competing teams will not be the only ones with the opportunity to enjoy the event and donate to the cause. The Kean community and visitors are invited to participate in viewing and cheering the event's tournaments. With an entry fee of a minimum $3, spectators will not only have access to watching the games but will also be able to enjoy food and drink with the competitors. Shoprite is the leading donator of the food and drink for the event; other contributions to the food for the event are encouraged and welcomed.
DeNoia has already found supporting Kean family members to help organize and promote the event. The Kean University Council for Exceptional Children; The Speech, Language and Hearing Association; and the Kean chapter of the Greek organization Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity Inc. are already on board with assisting with the event. Additional volunteers are asked to help with collecting donations, keeping scores during the tournament, and maintaining the food and game areas.
For those interested in entering as a competing team, volunteering, or donating food or funding to the event's cause, please contact Melissa DeNoia at denoiame@kean.edu.
(11/08/10 11:00pm)
As we enter the season of giving, we unfortunately also enter the peak season of taking. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America and no other time during the year experiences more loss than now. More than ten million Americans are affected by identity theft each year; a loss totaling more than $52 billion, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During this season's holiday hustle and bustle, shoppers need to be sharp of their actions and surroundings. The following are a list of precautions all holiday shoppers should take heed of. The biggest gateway to allowing con artists and identity thieves to get what they seek is in letting one's guard down. The holiday season offers plenty of room for shoppers, especially those on a budget, to act with a stressed or distracted mindset. Those with the worst of intentions know this; flocking to these moments is ideal. The first and foremost key to keeping one's money, credit, and good name intact is to remember to take caution.
Pay attention to early warning signs. Receiving bills or application updates from companies one is unfamiliar with may be signs that an identity thief is at work. The most common ignored piece of mail that is immediately ignored and discarded in the trash is that from banks. Most recipients of this kind of mail assume banks are reaching out to them for new customers. Often in fact, especially during the holiday times, these letters are inquiries regarding already filed applications under that individual's name. Contact bank companies if these types of follow-up letters come in order to prevent or lessen any potential damage.
For online shoppers, some of the easiest and more clever scams take place right in on the internet. Though identity theft precedes the birth of the internet, most people assume it started around the same time. Earlier acts of identity theft were most common through "dumpster diving" - the act of going through one's garbage to find personal account information and the alike. The internet, though not the starting place of such theft, has certainly made it easier to gain access to victim's vital information. Online shoppers should only use authentic websites for holiday purchases. If the site one is visiting seems sketchy, call to verify the site's credibility. Weak passwords are often a common tool for thieves to get what they want. Many sites will warn or even force users to create strong passwords consisting of both letter and number characters. Online shoppers should heed these warnings. Forgetting a password and having to take the time to rest one is nothing compared to the damage that can be done if that password is figured out by someone with ill intentions.
Shopping malls are a destination staple for great holiday deals. Shopping malls are also notorious for con artists and thieves. The holiday season generates heavy traffic and large crowds, which is ideal for the slight-of-hand thieves who use these environments to swipe wallets and checkbooks. Holiday shoppers should make sure they secure their belongings and keep important documents at home, such as a social security card. Shoppers can also write "Check Photo ID" on the back of their credit cards to ensure that if a wallet or purse is taken, cashiers will have to match photos to buyer. When at the cashier or mall ATM's, one should make sure there is no one too close of looking over the shoulder. A new trend for thieves is to take photos of one's bank card and password with camera phones.
During this holiday season, give gifts to others, but also to the self. Give the gift of caution and peace of mind. Keeping one's own identity and money safe during this crucial time will ensure happiness even after the holidays.
(11/01/10 11:00pm)
During the heart of the 2010 Homecoming half-time show, two Kean seniors waited for the results of who would be crowned Kean royalty for rest of the year. In the end, psychology major, Jennifer Da Silva, and Spanish major with teacher certification option, William Donnelly were the two to take the Homecoming Queen and Kind titles home, along with the according adornments. Da Silva and Donnelly were both finalists for their crowns, a feat Da Silva saw as a "blessing" in itself. The two students are active and continuing student leaders with a rich relationship with the university. Da Silva is currently the president on the executive board of Kean Dance Theater (KDT), a funded group whose focus is on 'performance' activities. As a member of the group in the past, Da Silva has participated in many Kean student organized programs and service activities, including the KDT Student Showcase - an annual student choreographed dance show; Da Silva is currently readying for this year's Fall semester Student Showcase taking place on December 10, 2010.
Da Silva's crowning was a picturesque moment for her father, who among all in attendance and the cheering from the crowd during the Homecoming game's half-time, Da Silva heard support from loud and clear. "I could hear his unique whistle," Da Silva said smiling. Da Silva remembers seeing friends and family rushing to the front of the crowd when the second runner-up was announced, but her father was persistent to capture the moment with his own lens. Da Silva's father is a former Kean student, so the achievement was something of pure pride. Da Silva's family link does not stop there. Jennifer's sister, Kim Da Silva, a now Kean alumni student, was a former executive board member for KDT and is now a supporting force behind the new Homecoming Queen's strive for success.
Donnelly is no stranger to achievement through work effort. As a returning student who first began his education at Kean in the mid 1980's, Donnelly now stands as one of the most involved and dedicated Kean students on campus. Donnelly admitted that the idea of actually winning the Homecoming King crown was an achievement that seemed farfetched due to his non-traditional student status. The results invoked a memory of when he first applied to return to Kean in Fall 2009; during this time, Donnelly was puzzled as to whether his age would factor into his being accepted. As Donnelly's graduation hastily approaches, he will carry with him the notion that Kean truly does embrace diversity in students and closes no doors or opportunities to them.
Donnelly currently serves as returning vice-president for the non-funded group Educators of Tomorrow, a local chapter of the NJEA. Donnelly was one of the group's founding members. He took a supporting role on the executive board with ease mainly because he "loves to see and aid others in developing as leaders", according to Donnelly. Donnelly is also the president on the executive board of the non-funded group S.E.P.I. C. - Spanish-English Partners in Communication. "It's these leadership positions and this involvement that really going to make you successful [after the years at Kean]," voiced Donnelly.
Da Silva and Donnelly both had favorite moments with the Homecoming experience. For Da Silva, seeing the camaraderie of the athletic teams as one family was the shining 'Kean Pride' moment. Of course, the actual crowning "made her Senior year", Da Silva admitted proudly. For Donnelly, the victorious outcome of the Cougar football team against William Patterson was the proud Kean moment.
The two new Kean royalty both admitted wanting to have an opportunity to give thanks back to Kean for the lives established with the university. Both King and Queen have intentions of pursuing Master degrees with the Nathan Weiss Graduate College; so their educational homes really are rooted in Kean. Kean University wishes the 2010 Homecoming Queen and King success and happiness whether their journeys continue with their Kean family or otherwise. Wear those crowns proudly!
(10/25/10 10:00pm)
The Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association (SC - AMS/NWA) has set the bar high for funded group performance during one of Student Organization of Kean University's most crucial assessment years. This professional focused funded group, originally funded for the 2008-09 academic year, already has a 'Funded Group of the Year' bout under their belt; and with the group's recent achievement of 'Funded Group of the Month' for September, the group shows no sign of slowing their momentum. A congratulatory announcement of the group's September achievement was given during the Student Organization's recent council meeting held on October 8, 2010. As front-runners for effectively executing the newly implemented 'Project Twenty-12' performance initiative, the SC - AMS/NWA funded group proved they are operating with the group's longevity and growth in mind.
The SC - AMS/NWA "helps provide an understanding of weather and its phenomenon not just to meteorology majors, but to any students interested in learning about the weather," according to the group's CougarLink profile. For students interested in joining the group for professional or personal interest, or simply curious as to how the group operates, the SC - AMS/NWA holds meetings every Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. till 4:15 p.m. in the Science Building, room 336.
During one of the more recent general body meetings, the group featured Bob Larner, a longstanding AccuWeather representative and Kean Alumnus. Larner worked with the group closely to help cultivate the group's professional practices. The collaboration with Larner is just one of the many alumni networking and development opportunities that the group engages in. During the week of October 2 to October 7, 2010, the group took nine students to the Annual National Weather Association Conference in Tucson, Arizona in order to present research fellow meteorological society members. Daniel Peck, President of the SC - AMS/NWA funded group at Kean, admitted that the trip helped to foster both professional and personal growth within the group; though, "networking was the [personal favorite]" component of the trip. Peck expressed a great deal of pride in the group having collaborated with such notables as Nick Gregory from Fox 5 NY, and Nick Walker from The Weather Channel, during the conference. The group has already organized similar professional programming to take place during the Fall 2010 semester, one of which includes a trip to Weather Works, a private weather consulting group in Hackettstown, NJ.
The most anticipated project for the funded group, according to Peck, is prospective community service project the group plans to carry out. Through affiliation with Union County, Kean Campus Police, and the National Weather Service, the group intends to get the Kean campus "storm ready". The group has already begun reviewing Kean's existing evacuation plans and emergency protocol in order to recognize and strengthen any areas of safety concern. One component of this community service is the implementation of weather radios throughout campus - the official emergency contact platform used during critical times of crisis.
In addition to the group's weekly general body meetings which are open to all Kean students, the group is actively involved in reaching out to students through other communication media. The group operates a campus weather service known as KeanCast, accessible through video updates on the Kean Television Network as well as through website; the direct link for that site is http://hurri.kean.edu/keancast/. The ambitious, developing group has now even expanded their outreach to the campus through utilizing the university's radio station - 90.3 WKNJ. The group plans to start having radio discussions during one hour segments on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. During this time, students, faculty and outside listeners may call in to pick the brains of or join discussion with a SC - AMS/NWA representative.
The SC - AMS/NWA is making great strides towards solidly establishing their presence at Kean University. If their ambition and accomplishments are any indication of the remaining year's performance, this will truly be the group's best one to date. Perhaps even, the group is looking at a potential reclaiming of a coveted ending year title; only time will tell.
(10/18/10 10:00pm)
In some cases, a photo is worth more than a thousand words; sometimes they are worth Apple electronics and some 'green' attention. The 2010 Arbordaynow.org Tree Campus USA Photo Contest is challenging zealous and professional photographers to capture an awe-inspiring image of autumn-beauty on campuses nationwide. Specifically, the contest calls for a captured image of a beautiful tree in front of an iconic building, landmark, or college monument. Winners of the contest will be honored with products from Apple and an arboricultural act of distinction. In addition to a Mac-Book, the winning photographer will have 25 trees planted in their honor. Second-place winner will win the new iPad product and have 10 trees planted in a national park in their honor. Third place will receive an iPod and have five trees planted. Participating photographers must be at least of 18 years of age.
November 25, 2010, is the deadline for the contest. After all entries have been reviewed by the Arbor Day Foundation, the organization will choose the top five of the bunch. Once the final five have been chosen, online voting from viewers of arbordaynow.org will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite. Voting will take place during the week of December 3 to December 10, 2010. Results will be announced on February 1, 2011.
The Arbor Day Foundation is the nation's largest nonprofit organization missioner seeking to better the world's 'green' health through arboriculture. The foundation's new website hosts this contest for the aspiration to engage students nationwide to plant trees and get involved with conservation focused activities.
Kean students looking to participate in this opportunity should seek strategic spots on campus with long-standing history and beautification preservation. Liberty Hall is a picture-perfect example of where photographers may find inspiration for the contest, as well as personal practice.
(10/11/10 10:00pm)
As a woman of the owl, Blanca Morales knows that wisdom equals strength. Since joining the Nu Chapter of Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc., Morales has been making her mark as a force in Kean Greek Life. Morales rushed and officially became a sister of her sorority during the Spring 2009 semester, taking her place as one of the first active, undergraduate sisters in years. Prior to that semester, Chi Upsilon Sigma's presence at Kean was only upheld by a dedicated alumni backing. Morales has since made strides to make her sorority known on campus. For the 2010-11 year, Morales represents her sisters as their vice-president - a more modest, but just as strong and dedicated a position compared to the presidency she held the previous year. Morales, a junior health information management major, will take her place as the first in her family to graduate from a university. The young Latina wishes to build a career in the health field, but is not concrete in the specifics. For Morales, the want to aid, communicate with, and nurture others is the driving force behind her future; these specifics are certain. Morales credits this 'caregiver' ambition to the characteristics of her mother - the member of Morales' family who she says is 'the protector' and 'the rock'. Family is one gift of life that holds much value, according to Morales. There should be no perplexity, then, why Morales has adopted an additional family into her life with such open arms.
With all the choices available through Kean Greek Life, one might wonder why Morales chose a sorority with such little undergraduate-peer backing. "What caught my eye was what the sorority stood for," boasted Morales. "Educational, political, cultural, social: our four awareness. Our mission is 'wisdom through education'." Morales prides on the sororities strong, independent beginnings as being the first Latin-female sorority to be established without the assistance of a male. "We are different; we believe in women being independent," states Morales. "One statement we stand by is 'sisters so strong, we need no brothers'."
This past April 2010, at a South Beach, Florida based convention, Morales celebrated the sorority's 30th anniversary with her sisters from around the country. It was there Morales met one of the 'founding mothers' of her sorority, an experience she describes as 'breath-taking'. "It brought tears to my eyes. I mean, this woman and her sisters started something that they had no idea what it would become, what it would mean to other people. The experience, well, you can't put into words," smiled Morales.
Morales has been right at work this 2010-11 year helping to coordinate and prepare for the sorority's 'Founder's Week' and 'Week of Wisdom', set to execute in November and the Spring time, respectively. Another humanitarian effort Morales is prepared to continue working with is the sorority's philanthropy - I Have A Dream Foundation. The children and education focused foundation was born in 1981, just a year after the formation of Chi Upsilon Sigma. So in essence, their paths have grown together. Today, their partnership has helped to raise significant money for low-income communities and promoted a key value of both their missions: wisdom.
Morales describes herself as a driven team player. During high school, Morales was captain of the basketball, volleyball, and softball teams. An obvious sports fanatic, Morales says her enjoyment stems from both being active with and observing the love of the game. Despite her energy, Morales thinks she has a 'chill' persona with a 'real' demeanor. "People who know me, appreciate the fact that I am 'real'. I am who I am all of the time," states Morales. As an independent, caring Latina representing the red, black, and beige of Chi Upsilon Sigma, the students of Kean University would expect no less.
(10/04/10 10:00pm)
Kean University is quickly becoming the school of choice for many prospective higher education students. The 2010 Undergraduate Open House event marked one of the most successful in Kean's history. On Saturday, September 25, the open house hosted 1,980 attendees - a 44 percent increase from the September 2009 open house attendance. Kean University President Dawood Farahi delivered the 2010 open house welcoming address in one of the institutions most recent years' structures, Harwood Arena. There, Farahi highlighted the campus's continuous effort to expand and cater to the current and future generation of students. The turnout set the bar high for the 2010 Open House Program Series. Those in attendance were made up of representatives from every New Jersey County. High school senior students from neighboring states joined the open house, as well. Among the states in attendance were Delaware, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. New York was also widely represented at the program featuring students from even the Staten Island and Long Island sections.
Though those in attendance composed a strong local image, the visible aesthetic was one of diversity - a value that is no stranger to Kean's campus. In 2009, international students made up more of the Kean population than of out-of-state students. Approximately 70 countries are currently represented in the identity of the Kean population; perhaps, with this most recent open house success, Kean will be home to an even broader spectrum of the already celebrated diversity on its campus.
Visiting, prospective students and their parents filled the campus with wandering eyes and inquisitive minds. To welcome their college-bound ambitions, departments from all across campus came out to table their purpose and their services. The University Center atrium served as one of the hot-spots for campus information during the open house. The Kean Service Corps promoted volunteer opportunities to prospective students with a heart for humanitarianism; and President of Student Organization, Dare Thompson, mingled with the ambitious student leader potentials. Student ambassadors led crowds through campus tours demonstrating their vast knowledge and Kean pride. Even the Cougar, Kean's energetic mascot, took time out of his busy schedule to scout some new cougar blood among the crowds. Families gathered round the dancing cougar for photo opportunities and even to join in dance themselves.
With the campus's recent expansion to its resident housing, the 2010 fall semester broke records in the amount of students living on campus. The Office of Residence Life and Housing opened its doors to student tours of their facilities. Resident assistant students conducted tours of both freshman and upperclassman residence halls, showcasing each building's highlights, history, and camaraderie. During tours, prospective Kean students and their families were given tours of actual rooms of Kean University residents. The tours allowed the attendees to ask questions regarding living benefits and residence life culture, but also allowed for inquiry about Kean experience. If the tour reactions are any indication of what Kean's 2011-2012 year will bring to campus residency, the registration process will be prove to be at its most competitive.
As Kean continues to be home to one of the most affordable universities in the state and a country-wide contender for most diverse, next year's incoming student populations will prove to be reflective of the university itself - prolific and prosperous.
(09/27/10 10:00pm)
The freshman class candidates for Student Organization of Kean University's Class of 2014 governmental spots have officially launched their campaign spirit. A week of tabling and school politic driven discussions has passed, and now the eager presidential candidates are geared towards a new element to the election - debates. Monday, September 27, 2010, is the day these potential freshman class presidents will speak on the issues urgent to them. Debates will be held in the University Center's Little Theater during the campus's college hour, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.The seven running positions for freshman class president mark this particular election as one of the largest in Kean's history. Charles Curtis, Carl Holley, Danielle Ingram, Rob Lerner, Brian Mizeski, Anthony Viera, and Jonathan Wortman are the seven who will be competing for the chance to call themselves the voice of the freshman class. Since each candidate has their own history, ambitions, values, and unique personality, this article details some the stances they wish to share with their peers. Freshman students are encouraged to join these candidates on debate day to find their best potential leader.Charles Curtis
As the president representative for his team, 'Fresh Perspective', Charles Curtis is all about the optical stance in this election. "Most don't see the importance of the freshman class," says Curtis. "Yet, [the freshman class] is the one that sets the bar." Listening, says Curtis, is more about not having a narrowed vision than it is about auditory capabilities. Curtis believes that listening makes one more flexible in their goals, thus, listening is an attribute of a leader.
Curtis, a political science major, derives his competitive debate skills from early trainings in 'Practical Politics', a high school based group that utilizes speech strategy and mock trials. Hailing from Camden, NJ, Curtis wants his peers to know that any conclusions prematurely drawn connecting his origins and his character need be rethought. "It's not about where you're from," quotes Curtis, "it's about where you're going."
Carl Holley
Camaraderie amongst diversity is the primary goal for Carl Holley, president representative for the 'Leaders With Purpose' (L.W.P.) ticket. When scouting for running mates, diversity was important to build strength, noted Holley. It was while walking Kean's grounds that Holley realized, despite Kean's celebratory status as a diverse institution, there is still self-segregation among the student body. "I want to accomplish a kind of 'family feel' among them," stated Holley. Holley brings experience with new student integration having been in a leadership program that works with incoming high school students; the program was entitled 'Prestigious Leadership".
Holley says he is ready for the challenges that come with freshman class president. Similarly, Holley is out to prove that pursuing a biology degree is one step closer to becoming a doctor; an occupation many tell him is out of his reach. To that, Holley says smiling, "I love the challenge."
Danielle Ingram
As the only independent running candidate for freshman class president, Danielle Ingram admits, "I have my work cut out for me." Tired of being a spectator, Ingram wants to switch gears in her life and try to take a more proactive role in student leadership. "Kean is a beautiful establishment, but there is always room for improvement," says Ingram. Though Ingram is technically running solo in this election, Ingram says she can rely on friends, her 'troops' as she calls them, for assistance with networking opportunities and canvassing.
Ingram says she is determined; but from an outside perspective, many may not see that often serious portrayed persona that comes with determination. Ingram says, "I am the average student; that's why I'm relatable." Approachability is a component Ingram says is important in a leader, and with a self-proclaimed 'bubbly' personality, she is more than approachable; she is inviting.
Rob Lerner
"Small thinkers end up having small results," says Rob Lerner, president representative for his self-titled ticket. Lerner, a business management major, wants the freshman class to know that he thinks 'BIG'. The prospective plans that Lerner is eager to tackle are long-standing issues within the university. The issue of constructing a new parking area is on Lerner's list of hot topics, not just as a commuter student himself, but as a potential student leader voice. Another issue of concern for Lerner is the strengthening of inter-departmental promotion.
Lerner hopes that by taking on issues that are seemingly large scale, the progress will physically 'snowball' to a better campus for the class of 2015. Lerner wants his value for persistence to be known. In a passionate proclamation, Lerner quotes the legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi, "Winners never quit and quitters never win."
Brian Mizeski
Having just invested time into school politics during his senior year of high school, Brian Mizeski says he feels a though he missed an opportunity, but is looking to make up for it by seizing want Kean's student government has to offer. Mizeski says he has always had an interest in politics. For Mizeski, however, it is not about what you know, but rather what you can learn. In preparing for the freshman class debates, Mizeksi says he has been doing his research on Kean. In addition, Mizeski says he has been making an effort to consult with his freshman peers on what issues have already impacted them. Appropriately, Mizeski represents his team, 'Voice of Kean'.
As an athletic training major, Mizeski believes in having an active lifestyle. Mizeski helped to initiate a flag football league on Kean, an accomplishment he says is the direct manifestation of his ticket's belief - 'Work + Fun = Success'.
Anthony Viera
As president representative for the ticket "Get It Done", Anthony Viera says he is out to make even the "small things" a big deal. "People are most likely to invest themselves in something that is a big deal," commented Viera. Most students will take small change for granted, which is unfortunate, thinks Viera; according to the self-proclaimed "natural born leader", attention to seemingly smaller details sparks true progress. Viera says that he recognizes the fault that lies with blind ambition. "A lot of candidates will make broken promises," warns Viera. He comments on the responsibility that freshman class candidates need to uphold. "Everything [Get It Done] says and does now is painting a path for the next class."
Viera, a public administration major, knows the possibility of 'blind voting'. He wants to freshman class to get to know their choices for president, even if that results in a loss. "I want them to know they are making the right choice."
Jonathan Wortman
"As a leader, I know when to follow," stated Jonathan Wortman, physical education major and president representative for the ticket, 'Team 14''. Wortman says he embodies many of the attributes associated with leadership: drive, charisma, and compassionate. Being able to listen to wiser words when they are presented though, is the true test of a leader, thinks Wortman. Though leadership has been his mind prior to the start of the semester, Wortman says he is not above lending a supportive hand. Wortman has volunteered in the Kean recording-breaking blood drive, movie night event, and culture fest thus far. Wortman is also a participant in the Bronze Leadership Program.
Wortman wants to focus his first initiatives on bridging the gap between commuter and resident students. Even as a commuter student, Worton feels that Kean should be the place that its students call 'home'.
(09/27/10 10:00pm)
Though the Maxine and Jack Lane Center For Academic Success has housed its new writing center for some months now, the Fall 2010 semester officially kicks-off the center's grand opening. The Kean University Writing Center is the product of a long-term ambition to provide tutoring services in an area with interdisciplinary importance and personal development. Writers from the Kean University student body, faculty, and staff are welcome to utilize the writing center's tutoring sessions and resources. With the center's ongoing training development and expanding ingenuity, traffic within the center is steadily building.The Kean University Writing Center is much more resourceful than most might assume. Writing in any stages is welcomed for discussion during the one-on-one sessions offered with peer writing coaches. Whether the writer is brainstorming or finalizing, organizing excessive content or trying to become "unstuck", or even fishing for strategies for their writing, they can find solace in working with the writing center. Subject matter, too, is open as to what can be discussed during the sessions. Lauren Pettit, a peer tutor within the center, has coached writers with a broad range of writing interest. Psychology, nursing, ecology, and social work are just some of the professional writing areas that surface in the writing center. Pettit, a senior biotechnology major, recognizes that not all writing has a Liberal Arts subject emphasis; it is many times geared towards statistical structuring, grant writing persuasion, and the alike.
The writing center wants to best utilize its hours for writing that is active, urgent, and of concern to its writers. Because the Center places a high priority on meaningful work with writing, they generally do not encourage students to come to the Center with writing that they do not intend to revise.
Writers can schedule an appointment via Kean's online scheduling program, 'tutorTrac'; the direct link is http://www.kean.edu/cas/tutortrac.html. Writers also have the option to make an appointment by phone at 908-737-0317, or by visiting in person during the writing center's hours of operation: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sessions last 50 minutes. To make the best use of their time, writers should bring any materials being used for the writing, an electronic or paper copy of any drafts completed, and a copy of the writing assignment, if applicable to the session.
When student writers schedule an appointment with the center, they may feel at ease that they are among familiar, relatable faces. The Kean University Writing Center's sessions are peer-coached - a system the center and its coaches feel is strategic when working with writing. Writing Center coach, Erin Krieg, a senior English writing major, confesses that there is a level of expectancy when student writers work with non-peer coaches. "We do not want our writers to fear to ask questions," remarks Krieg.
For the writing center, the peer-to-peer coaching sessions transcends the likelihood of neighboring age groups. One of Krieg's writers, Jodi Handler, is a post-baccalaureate student who sought assistance with a demanding research paper. Handler, a senior psychology major, is a returning student after a 30 year absence from education. Handler admitted that her biggest challenge was overcoming her 'paralysis by analysis' state; with help from Krieg, Handler tackled the paper with new confidence. Handler recalls the same confidence behind the encouraging words "we will make a writer out of you", a gesture given to Handler by the Director of the Kean University Writing Center, Dr. Sally Chandler. Like something of a success story, Handler now serves a writing coach within the center.
Angela Castillo, a student in the Master of Arts in English-Writing Studies, and a graduate assistant at the Center, notes that the benefits offered with the position are vast. Castillo's affiliation with the center has helped to align her with research opportunities as well as professional travel opportunities; Louisville, Kentucky and San Francisco, California are just two of the writing conference locations Castillo has participated in.
Timothy Longman, one of the center's newest coaches, appreciates the opportunity to work with peers who he can directly connect with. Longman, a senior English writing major, recognizes that there are few black male tutors; he hopes his desire to write will impact his peers. The center also offers other student job opportunities. Raul Salas, sophomore internal business major, works as the center's receptionist and data processing personnel and is referred to by his co-workers as "The Glue" of the writing center.
Writing coaches are trained before coaching sessions begin. As one track option for the training, Dr. Chandler currently offers an undergraduate and graduate integrated English course entitled Writing Center Theory and Practice. The other track option offered for those who do not take the course is to enter into a kind of apprenticeship within the writing center. Through theory lessons, journaling, and session observations, coaches taking this track will gradually step into working with peer writers. Students interested in working at the Writing Center are encouraged to apply; the opportunity holds both measurable and intrinsic value.
(09/13/10 10:00pm)
The Human Rights Institute at Kean University opened the doors to its new gallery located in the Nancy Thompson Library on May 26 with a commencement dedicated to acknowledging universal human rights. As its first displayed exhibition, the gallery featured Kerry Kennedy's almost ten year-long touring exhibition - Speak Truth To Power; Kerry Kennedy is the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, and was also the night's keynote speaker. Dr. Dawood Farahi, President of Kean University, opened the night's speeches with welcomes and a saddened recalling of past violations in human rights. Farahi, upon discussing the severity of these violations made the comparison: "Acts of hatred are not bacterial infections; you cannot treat them with antibiotics. They are a virus." Following the president's opening remarks was a speech by Janine Rivera, senior psychology major and President of the Human Rights Club at Kean University. Rivera began by saying she is "personally excited by the potential that the institution offers". Rivera remarked on her presidency of the young group and highlighted some of the efforts it is tackling, such as raising awareness of child soldiers in Uganda through the campaign "Invisible Children".
Kean University has been involved in several human rights projects over the years. Several departments and groups throughout the campus, such as the Adjunct Faculty Federation, KUAFF, have contributed funds in order to donate solar-cookers to women in Darfur. These units enable the women to provide food without risk of travel outside safety zones and also allow them to operate the units as a form of business to generate a primary income. More recent human rights efforts include the year-long relief fund for the Haiti earthquake devastation which contributed over $15,000 to the cause. Kean University also houses its Holocaust Resource Center in the Nancy Thompson Library, since 1982.
During the commencement, President Farahi presented the World Humanitarian Award to Sam Halpern, a survivor of the Holocaust and avid defender of the Jewish community. Other awards were distributed to founders of the Holocaust Resource Center.
Kerry Kennedy, author of Speak Truth To Power and co-founder of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights, talked about her early beginnings as an intern for Amnesty International where she was given the opportunity to work with refugees from El Salvador. She described their endeavors by saying, "They had nothing to rely on but their hearts and nerves - it looked like they were up against goliaths." It was in that work, Kennedy says, that she decided to spend the rest of her life with human rights defenders. Today, Kennedy and the RFK Center for Human Rights work with the only medical doctor born in Darfur in efforts to provide aid to the countries' human rights violation victims. Kennedy went on to acknowledge the importance of the gallery's grand opening, in that "huge, sweeping changes" are made by small groups with dedication.
The Speak Truth To Power exhibition is a two year span collection of dramatic portraits, interview, and biographies of human rights defenders from all over the world during. The photography is the work of Eddie Adams, a renowned Pulitzer-prize-winning photojournalist. According to speaktruth.org, the site designated for Kennedy's movement, the exhibition is an "extraordinarily felt and insightful body of work" and "examines issues of human rights around the world covering everything from nuclear disarmament, to children in war, environmental activism, religious self-determination and sex slavery."
One of the ending statements by Kerry Kennedy to close the night was a reflection on the exhibit itself. "When I look at all the people in these photos," says Kennedy, "I see that they teach us not to be saints, but how to be living, breathing human beings.
(09/13/10 10:00pm)
The Division of Academic Affairs will soon undergo reorganization partly in response to the State's recent budget cuts, but also geared towards a growing effort to increase enrollment and retain students. Dr. Mark Lender, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, proposed the final document for this academic reorganization on May 16, 2010; the document, which highlights key areas of the university in need of progressive action, is the product of long-standing evaluation and Lender's initial recommendation for reorganization given in May of 2009. Students might take notice in the proposal's most apparent change to the Division of Academic Affairs with its consolidations within the colleges. Certain departments within the colleges will either become a school solely or conjointly. In the College of Education, for example, the current Departments of Early Childhood, Elementary and Bilingual Education, and Middle and Secondary Education will consolidate into a single entity called the School of Curriculum and Teaching. In contrast, the Department of Psychology, "given its large and growing number of majors" will become a school without the joining of any other department, according to Lender's proposal.
Not all departments are expected to change, however. The Department of Communication, for example, will remain a department presently as any reorganization to it seems "problematic", according to the proposal. The document states that "The Department of Communication is in a state of flux, still adjusting to the re-integration of Media and Film. Moreover, the Communication curriculum has moved rapidly away from the humanities and is now much closer to the social sciences." The department is, however, under a year-long study to determine if any change is needed in its reorganization. Earlier drafts of the reorganization proposal joined the Communication Department with English.
In reorganizing the Division of Academic Affairs, an executive director would be assigned to each school instead of the current department chair. The change in the amount of needed positions is expected to generate almost two million dollars in savings.
The reorganizing plan will not only generate strategic groupings of departments, but will conversely "phase out" departments that have overtime dropped significantly in new enrollments. The proposal states that the reorganizations are a "normal and necessary part of academic planning" and will "bring new, modern and fresh perspectives to curriculum that can become stale, dated and, in some instances, obsolete." Graphic Communication is an example of one of the programs that is the process of being phased out due to consecutive low
enrollment rates.
Students should not worry, however, about the current state of their enrollment if they are in the in one of the majors being phased out. The proposal states, "Students will not be adversely affected by the program consolidations. In programs phased out during reorganization, the University will make arrangements to assure all students currently matriculated in these programs will be able to complete their degrees." In addition, students should not be concerned that the phasing out of these programs is concrete and final. The affected programs are, in most cases, in a state of hiatus. If the circumstances of needing these programs change in the future, they can be reintroduced.
One crucial area that the document calls attention to is general education (GE) courses. The courses often taken by freshman within the first two semesters, such as English Composition and college algebra, are going to be monitored and aided to produce better success results. Currently, data for these courses indicates a troubling failure rate. For many students, these GE courses are the stepping stones to a successful college career, and the success or failure in them paves their continued route. The effects do not only remain with the students; as the document states, the university suffers in these cases, as well. "Failure in GE courses not only affects the overall student outcomes, but it is the primary contributor to student attrition, especially from freshman to sophomore status."
One solution to the general education concern is already in motion; in fact, it has been for two years now, and the results are favorable. The "A-Team" initiative is a pilot program that was launched to tackle general education failure by building better guidance and advisement standards from the course's instructors, as well as limiting those instructors to teaching only the specified course. The program "Adjuncts Teaching English and Math", or A-Team, utilizes adjunct professors and trains them on how to provide tools of success to their students. The adjuncts in this program must be available to their students through office hours and can only teach courses in either English composition or college algebra. The students chosen to sit in an A-Team classroom were completely random; the courses were available for registration under no additional title and were open to all students. Since the data of this program has been a great gain to the university, the program will serve as a foundational model for the general education focus of the academic reorganization proposal.
This change from departments to "schools" should not be taken as a temporary condition to fade out with a bettering economy, and its development is not positioned to adversely affect students at all. In fact, a large part of the mechanics in this reorganization is geared towards bettering scheduling and proper enrollment management, two areas largely aided by helpful advisement. Two common errors in enrolling are the sequence of which courses are taken and taking courses that are incompatible with some degrees. How the reorganizing will improve upon the academic advisement system is yet to be seen, but the proposal acknowledges and urges the need for improvement in that area.
(09/13/10 10:00pm)
Kean University President, Dawood Farahi PhD, delivered his opening address on September 1, 2010, just prior to the grand opening of Kean's newest facility, the New Jersey Center for Science Technology and Mathematics (STEM). Representatives from all departments, both faculty and student alike, gathered to hear the school year's beginning words. Though the speech detailed diverse advancements in almost every area of the university, the speech was a proud proclamation of two congruent themes: investment and success. Though the first of those themes may seem out of place to some, particularly due to New Jersey's current state of budgeting, President Farahi highlighted the measurable payoffs of investment. Rather than let the hardships suffered by institutions around the state lead the address, Farahi made clear that Kean University continues to prosper in saying, "These days, when so many institutions around us cannot locate their destination, Kean University knows EXACTLY where it's going."
Recent year's additions to Kean University have generated great, measurable progress, such as last year's opening of two new residence halls on campus. As a result of their construction, the capability to have more distant-commuting students make Kean their home away from home has expanded; now, every one in four undergraduates enrolled in Kean University is a resident student. The increased capacity helped to elevate enrollment to new record.
To highlight the rewards of student investment, President Farahi showed a short video during his address of recent years' alumni students who have made success out of their stay at Kean. Following the video, Farahi proclaimed, "Their success is the best measure of our success." Later, Farahi would go on to list remarkable students whose education at Kean would earn them prestigious placement in multiple PhD programs. This student-centered attitude of President Farahi's is not foreign to most. He even gave the honor of cutting the ribbon to Kean's newest facility to the students themselves, an honor often given to mayors or other city officials. During his address, President Farahi noted that though the architecturally-green building's official opening meant progress for the university, the emphasis lies deeper than its design. "It's NOT about the building, it is about what happens in building:" spoke Farahi, "Excellence in teaching, superb scholarship and learning."
President Farahi also spoke of another component of Kean's investment and successes. At the side of every successful higher-education student exists a dedicated member of that student's institution. President Farahi dedicated a great deal of his address to the praise of many members of his faculty. Congratulations were given to two of Kean's newest Deans: Dr. Kathryn Martell, Dean of the College of Business and Public Management, and Dr. Steven Lorentz, Dean of the Nathan Weiss Graduate College. President Farahi proudly noted last year's achievement of Kean University having received more than $8.2 million in grant funding for research and sponsored programs. These grants cover areas of medicine, education, and over-seas study, to name a few. For some faculty- recipients, these grants mark their second, third, and even fourth award! Scholarship and publication, new program development, and humanitarianism were some of the additional, astounding faculty achievements highlighted during the address.
One always true valuable investment is that of community service - a Kean achievement left for the closing of the President's address. Almost always with community service, the success surpasses the investment. For 2009, Kean University received a President Obama's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll placement.
President Farahi joined the audience after his address to the official grand opening of the STEM building. With an address highlighting great achievements of the recent past and present in mind, together, members of Kean University cut the ribbon to a piece if the institutions future.
(09/13/10 10:00pm)
In response to the Gulf of Mexico's recent devastating impairment, a direct result of the now infamous, history-making BP oil spill, one Kean University professor and seven students crossed state lines to take action. On the morning of July 26, 2010, Dr. Norma Bowe proudly rested herself next to the seven assembled students, who having joined hands for an embarking picturesque moment, photo-documented the first of many community-building moments that would occur throughout the week-long journey. Together, these members of Be the Change, a community service group fashioned by Dr. Bowe, took to the road in search for active humanitarianism. The students, sophomore theater major, Rebecca Bowe; junior chemistry major, Mario Da Costa; senior communications major, Kayla Duncan; senior biology major, Elissa Hyer; senior psychology major, Nicolette Maggio; alumni student Alexandra Bastos; and an accompanying The Cougar's Byte student-correspondent, all based their involvement loosely on the hopeful expectation that the trip to the Gulf would bring the opportunity to help wildlife and the communities affected by the spill. Though research for the journey had been conducted and networking destinations noted, the actual course was nothing that could be planned for. For some of the student leaders, intuition of the trip's nomadic nature swept in early. "I had an open mind going on this trip. I didn't know what specifically to expect," said Maggio. "I've always wanted to do something like this, but was never given the opportunity. When I found out about it, I knew how much I would learn, and also in turn, how much I could give. I was signed up in my mind before my pen hit the paper."
The first official stop set the tone for the South-bound expedition. Though the known destinations of the group were Alabama and Louisiana, the group collectively decided that a visit to the memorial site at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) would be an opportunity greatly missed if passed. When they arrived, a self-conducted tour led them to a place on the campus the entire group agreed was a fated destination for them.
Virginia Tech's Norris Hall, a place having just less than four years ago experience great loss during the student shootings of April 16, 2007, is now home to the new Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention - a student-centered facility fostering cross-disciplinary research, education, and development of leadership opportunities. Here, the Be the Change group met with the missioners of that ambition, including the director of the center, Dr. Jerzy Nowak, professor of horticulture at Virginia Tech. Nowak, having experienced personal, familial loss during the shootings, felt a need to transform the space into something of hope. Nowak expressed his healing grief to the group. "I sometimes come [to the center] on weak knees." During the visit to the semi-circle of 32 engraved Hokie Stones, each one designated to a lost member of the Virginia Tech family, Rebecca Bowe gravitated towards a stone bench engraved with the word "Survivors". As she lay there, she described the experience as one which air was hard to breathe, and a sense of appreciation for life would soon follow.
The group soon after arrived at their original destination, The Alabama Coastal Foundation in Mobile, Alabama. Though prospective volunteer opportunities were available just three weeks prior to the actual departure date, the group learned volunteer service was now limited to pre-authorized contribution. The group needed a new direction, a new course of action. It was here the group explored both the streets of a city that had clearly taken a hit to its economy, and the minds of those faithful residents that still called the city their home.
Though the origins of their intended community service had been jeopardized, the group adopted a new ambition - touch hearts and learn the stories masked beneath the news media of the spill. For the group, a blinded journey did not mean defeat. Appropriately, The Alabama Coastal Foundation sponsors an artist who, due to two optical injuries, had become fully blind. The artist, having passion and drive for his profession, continues to paint even today.
One original plan set prior to the departure that remained intact was the volunteer opportunity to join Louisiana's non-profit organization, The United-Saints Recovery Project, in an effort to aid in Hurricane Katrina recovery work. The group was paired with a senior citizen's home that received no state funding after the hurricane devastation. Through the hot summer hours, Dr. Bowe and the seven students worked heavily to restore the home. There, residents of the home greeted the group with smiles, gifts, and sincere gratitude. Though the group may have helped the elder residents, the group in turn expressed how much the residents helped them.
"I felt the true actions of community service [here]," stated Da Costa. "It almost felt instinct to me, not because it was one of the main goals of our venture here, but because it NEEDED to be done. My body switched gears from being tired to being full of energy and eager to aid in any possible way- that's the true spirit of community service."
For Duncan, it was the group's next and last destination that marked true community service. During the return home, skillful mapping and intuition by Dr. Bowe and Duncan lead to a beach in Mississippi. Here, the group came face to face with the original element that sparked the already incredible journey: oil. Hundreds of decomposed jellyfish lay washed-ashore next to small clumps of coagulated oil. A group of fully geared men worked at the cleanup. Duncan, mastering the elements of her communication degree, took quickly to the workers to hear their voices.
"Questioning cleanup crews subcontracted by BP on the beaches of Pass Christian Mississippi felt like true community service to me. I say this because I was probing and digging for information regarding the workers current health conditions, the state of the water and their perceived effectiveness of the cleanup efforts," expressed Duncan.
That Mississippi beach visit landed the group in yet another opportunity to help the community around them. A local park, not too far off from the beach, was occupied by almost a dozen young children who ran through sprinklers to cool off from the heat. The beaches were no longer a safe place for them. The Be the Change group knew that even the smallest contribution of time and heart, would mean the world to these children. The journey ended with shared smiles between young Mississippi locals and the kind strangers who wore t-shirts with that funny word: Kean.
The Be the Change group has already orchestrated a returning trip to Louisiana for more Katrina recovery work and is already positioned to attend Virginia Tech's Peace Conference as panel presenters in November. The pursuit of true, impactful community service remains the primary effort of the group.
(04/26/10 10:00pm)
Kean Dance Theatre (KDT) sought to end the school year on a successful note with their presentation of Spring Works 2010. The show, a year long effort in perfecting, was a collection of student, faculty, and guest choreographed dance performances that made the "diversity" in dance a paramount component. Collaboration with guest company, The Well Performance Project, added to the diversity of the show with its dynamic African influenced dance, Hangover, among others. The show's opening night was nearly packed as the crowd flooded Wilkins Theatre on April 16, 2010; the show ran three additional times: an April 17 night show and an April 17 and 18 matinee. President of KDT, junior marketing major Jahir Calderon, attributes the success of the show to the different styles of the funded group's members. "This season, KDT has a very diverse group of dancers which helped make the show one of the best ones we had thus far," says Calderon. "I am so proud of everyone because all of their work paid off at the end. I am definitely looking forward to next semester and to seeing new faces!"
For students and faculty that closely follow KDT's performances, "new faces" were ever present in this performance. Kelly Bachovchin, a freshman newcomer to the KDT lineup featured her choreographed solo, Unattainable, in two of the performances. Spring Works 2010 also featured non-KDT member students; sophomore graphic design major, Raul Marca was asked to come on board with the show after demonstrating potential in his Latin dance class. Though Marca says his participation in the piece Muchacha' cha came with "some nervousness", he saw the opportunity as a first step towards a bigger aspiration: to pursue dance professionally.
This year's performances were heavily littered with world issues, both critical and emotional. One solo, Gravity, tackled the issue of alcoholism with a dance of resistance to a vodka prop on stage. Another performance, Bailout, portrayed the nature of greed in society and even featured Luis Martinez, Kean University's Dance Specialist and Advisor to KDT, as a shifty Uncle Sam character. Bailout was a favorite to senior English education major, Roberto Rodriguez. "The humorous tone of the performance made it less preachy and more memorable," he said.
The show also featured popular, modern music that generated an audience relatability and connection to the choreography; applause followed a provocative, Latin dance to Michael Buble's Sway, a symmetrical duet to Kings of Leon, and an acrobatic, break dance performance to the music of the rock band, Disturbed. The finale of the show was a hip-hop performance to the theme of a "marriage on the rocks" and appropriately began with Lady Gaga's Bad Romance, intertwining other popular hits as it progressed.
Selection for the show started with the Student Showcase performance back in February. The Spring Works 2010 show featured 13 performances with two alternating. As an added element to the show, proceeds from the opening night were donated to the Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund.