(09/13/10 10:00pm)
The University Center is a central location at Kean University for campus organizations, activities and other facilities that focus on the needs of students. In the University Center, there are various services including the Office of Student Conduct, Student Organization, the Center of Leadership and Service, the Book Store, food court, Little Theatre, and a computer lab. Recently, the game room and Cougar's Den have been restored and improved to enhance life on campus. Kerin Lyles, the managing assistant director of the University Center, stated he wanted to update the University Center because it is the building that is most utilized by students, and so wanted it to offer the best. The game room has been expanded to four times its previous size and, unlike the previous game room, food is now permitted inside the new addition. There are eighteen televisions, six pool tables, two fooz ball tables, two air hockey tables, three ping pong systems, two Xbox 360 systems and two Sony Playstation 3 systems. Several board games are feature in the new game room as well, including chess, monopoly and decks of playing cards with comfortable lounge areas available across every corner of the room. There is also a larger Wii room featured that houses five Nintendo Wii systems.
The first Friday of the semester, September 3, the game room was immediately filled with approximately five hundred students, over the course of the day, who went into the game room, quickly becoming a popular hangout spot.
The game room hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. until 11 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon to 9 p.m.
The September 21, 2010 issue of The Cougar's Byte will feature details regarding the highlights and back story of the University Center's second major addition: the new and improved Cougar's Den.
UNIVERSITY CENTER
GAME ROOM
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday: 10 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
(09/13/10 10:00pm)
Change can be a difficult time in a person's life, especially for a beginning college student who must adjust to a new chapter in their life. Although some students believe the transition to college can be difficult, the students of Kean University seem to be adjusting very well. Sheri Malkiewicz, an elementary education major, stated that she found her way around campus easily and the transition was better than she expected. Many of the upperclassmen are very happy with their campus and constantly show pride in representing Kean. Mark Kujawski, freshman undecided major, states, "My transition has been great so far. The campus is beautiful and the people are really nice." Kujawski also stated that the student body appears very happy and proud of their university.
The university faculty and staff have been very accommodating and supportive to the needs of the incoming freshmen, and many students agree that they have been very helpful and welcoming during their transition. Michael Picariello, a freshman computer science major, commented that his professors were very nice and clear on their expectations of the class. Freshman psychology/ pre-occupational therapy major, Leanne Suero is very pleased with the class size Kean University provides for their students as she finds it easier to concentrate in a class with a more manageable size.
Although many of the students at Kean are commuters, there are various struggles that come along with it, including long commutes and parking troubles. However, numerous freshmen have already found ways to accommodate themselves despite the small obstacles of transportation. Jessica Messuri, a freshman music education major, responded, "It has been a struggle because of my two hour commute on the train but other than that I am happy with my classes." Some students are living away from home for the first time which includes a great deal of responsibilities. John Tagliareni, a freshman resident student, says "living on campus is fun but it is different being away from home". However, he has been adjusting well with his classes and professors.
Kean University has undergone a great deal of changes and expanded the campus within the past few years. These changes include the Human Rights Gallery, the Science, Technology and Mathematics building, and the University Center renovations, including the game room and Cougar's Den. Transfer student Valine Tiamsic, sophomore earth science major, believes the campus not only looks different but feels different. "Both the student body and staff are a lot more helpful than I remember." Tiamsic continued, "The student body is happier, friendlier and more extroverted than before."
Kean University is renowned for its vast diversity among the student body. It is their first year of college and Kean freshmen have already embraced several different life alterations- new curriculums, new friends, and new responsibilities and expectations. Although each is different, whether it is their major, background or residency status, they are all experiencing change; despite these changes, the freshmen have embraced the new chapter of their lives and begun the process of growing with one another, one day at a time.