The Tower- Feb 2019

visit us at kutower.com 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18

@KeanTower

Kean logo

Baseball preview

Page 3

Page 9

NJCPA General Excellence Award

FEB | 2019 WWW.KUTOWER.COM

TH E I N DEPEN D EN T VOI C E O F KE AN U N IV E R S IT Y

KFT goes public with demands for change

By Joshua Rosario Kean Federation of Teachers wants the university to move resources from “administrative bloat” and “never-ending construction” in a unanimously-approved resolution, according to flyers posted at KFT members’ office doors around campus.

In the resolution, the KFT is seeking for the university to move towards channeling funds that will directly support and improve the student experience at Kean. The resolution was passed on Jan 24.

“The issues raised by the collective bargaining unit are best discussed at the bargaining table, not on the doorways of faculty offices that are spaces for student learning and collaboration,” said University spokesperson Margaret McCorry.

The KFT wants the university to: ■■ Increase the size of the the tenured and tenuretrack faculty to 400 ■■

Hire three full-time advisors in each college

■■

Build a parking deck on the main campus sufficient to meet all parking needs

■■

Re-staff the library with enough full-time librarians for 16,000 students

■■

■■

Fix and upgrade the campus Wi-Fi and other technologies Implement a program providing laptops to all faculty, staff and students

■■

Reverse last year’s class size increase

■■

Hire five career counselors

■■

Provide resources necessary to restore all lost and compromised program accreditations

“The idea is to get the university to re-center it’s focus on the student’s priorities,” said KFT President James Castiglione.

The KFT flyer claims management at Kean has engaged in “ unprecedented” and “ unethical” actions. Tactics are being used to force faculty and staff into accepting duties that affect their academic freedom, the delivery of an educational experience and the need to attract quality faculty and staff.

“The university has been on a bit of a rampage in attacking the terms of conditions of employment of faculty, professional staff and librarians,” said Castiglione.

The latest of “attacks” started with the Professional Development Days. PDDs are five days of uncompensated mandatory training for faculty and staff.

In 2017, McCorry stated faculty are required to attend 32 sessions of professional development each academic year.

The university has imposed an increase in faculty office hours from eight hours a week to 12 hours a week.

“This flies in the face of the data we presented to the university which is that students don’t come to offices they prefer to email,” said Castiglione. “So you’re forcing faculty to be in their offices when they could be working more effectively working elsewhere.”

Photo by Josh Rosario

KFT flyer about their resolution

The University is also asking faculty to call recentlyaccepted high school seniors to congratulate and welcome them to Kean. This job was often tasked to student assistants. continued on page 2

Fraternity supports member battling cancer

Governor Murphy pilots tuition-free community colleges in NJ

By Petruce Jean-Charles

Photo by Sigma Beta Tau

Meet the Greeks is an event that Sigma Beta Tau attends every semester.

“I’m accepting that I have it but I’m not accepting that it’s going to stay with me,” Lamotta continued.

“That’s one thing that all of my friends are helping me with.”

By Shannon Sheehan At this semester’s “Meet the Greeks” on Jan. 31, fraternity Sigma Beta Tau gave a special speech dedicated to one of their members battling cancer, Anthony Lamotta.

Lamotta’s girlfriend explained to the crowd that he has what they thought was stage three but is now stage four metastatic malignant melanoma. She explained that she is striving to fundraise as much money as she can all while raising awareness for his case.

Lamotta is a senior at Kean majoring in information technology with a minor in computer security. Prior to attending college, Lamotta was concerned that he might not be able to connect with his peers due to him being antisocial. He decided to attend “Meet the Greeks” his freshman year to see what Greek Life was like and to try and get to know the students of Kean.

“When I went to ‘Meet the Greeks’, I ended up meeting a bunch of people,” said Lamotta. “I ended up becoming closely acquainted with my fraternity and that’s basically where I found all of my friends at Kean.”

“I’m anti-social, but once I met my brothers, I basically broke out of my shell and I found who I am,” Lamotta continued.

“If it wasn’t for me going Greek, I wouldn’t have met all of these wonderful people.”

After attending Meet the Greeks, Lamotta became a brother of Sigma Beta Tau and has been a member of the organization for the past four years. He held the position of secretary until recently due to not being able to dedicate enough time to it because of his treatments.

Lamotta’s story and his experience at Kean have almost come full circle at Meet the Greeks as it was there where he met his brothers years ago and is now where they informed the community of his diagnosis.

“It really touched my heart because after that I felt such a sense of joy and a sense of how close people actually are to me at Kean and I didn’t know it, you know?”, said Lamotta “Like I felt like I had support from every single person that night, not just my organization but when I got off of that stage, every single person that I’ve acquainted with in the past, they were all feeling for me.”

The cancer started off as a lump under his shoulder, which the doctors thought was a continued on page 4

Some 13,000 students in New Jersey will go to college for free this spring as part of a pilot program to provide tuition-free community college.

“Today, we are putting the dream of higher education within reach of more students and more families,” said Gov. Murphy. “Making community college tuition-free will help New Jersey’s young people and working adults... and it will help build the talented workforce that is the engine of our state’s economy.”

In order to build the educational system in NJ, Gov. Murphy set an investment for the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. This initiative planned to support students and the economy through testing the first year of tuition-free community college.

Moreover, Gov. Murphy implemented a $45 million budget for community college opportunity grants, $5 million for planning grants and $8.5 million in Tuition Aid Grants and the Educational Opportunity Fund expansion.

Planning grants will assist all 19 colleges by improving completion rates, while the CCOG will cover any tuition or fees that was not covered by other financial sources.

Although 19 colleges applied to participate in this pilot, only 13 were selected: Atlantic Cape Community College, Bergen Community College, Camden County College, Cumberland County College, Hudson County Community College, Mercer County Community College, Middlesex County College, Ocean County College, Passaic County Community College, Rowan College at Gloucester County, Salem Community College, Union County College and Warren County Community College.

In addition to those 13 colleges the other six colleges will receive a $250,00 grant for recruitment, financial support, student outreach and the expansion of the program come fall 2019.

“Our hope is that all 19 community colleges will benefit from the learnings during this pilot phase...Each and every college identified students within their communities who could be eligible for assistance through this program, and I hope we are able to learn from the pilot cohort,” said New Jersey’s Secretary of Higher Education, Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis.

Photo by: Wikipedia Commons

Gov. Phil Murphy

“[But] nothing is free, someone will indefinitely pay for free education ...and since the majority of Americans satiate those salaries with taxes, it would seem that all Americans will pay for free education,” said Hamilton.

Among the students that attend Kean, 5462 out of 16,125 were transfer students as of fall 2018.

Kean University’s student population of continued on page 2

2 THE TOWER

February, 2019

NJ’s Cory Booker announces run for president

Governor Murphy pilots tuition-free community colleges in NJ

By Lena Zhu

continued from cover

Senator Cory Booker, former mayor of Newark, announced run for president in the 2020 election. The first New Jerseyan to do so in more than a generation.

Booker timed his announcement on the first day of Black History Month to maintain a sense of unity and pride with his campaign.

In an email to supporters, the U.S. Senator from New Jersey wrote of the history of the Civil Rights Movement that, “channels our common pain back into our common purpose.”

An active user of social media, Booker posted a video on his Twitter account along with his announcement. https://bit.ly/2WWWwRB The video, about two minutes in length, showcased his beliefs and values, as well as his career history.

A Democratic nominee, Booker wants to change the system and beliefs on childcare and the criminal justice system. In his video, he calls for a country where “our criminal justice system keeps us safe, instead of shuffling more children into cages and coffins; where we see the faces of our leaders on television and feel pride, not shame.”

Booker will now be among the most diverse group of Democratic contenders running for the presidency. The contenders include Booker, Kamala Harris (California), Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Tulsi Gabbard, Julian Castro, who worked under Obama, as well as Pete Buttigieg, current mayor of Indiana.

The last time a person from New Jersey ran for president was in 1992 when then U.S. Senator Bill Bradley ran in the primary as a Democrat. At that time, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton won that primary and went on to become president and served for two terms.

community college transfers was 1098 out of 1460 in fall 2018, meaning 75.2 percent had associate degrees upon entering Kean.

With the pilot in motion, the Kean community has become aware of the benefits and issues that may arise if this pilot deems successful.

Joseph Hamilton, a senior studying Communication is a Raritan Valley Community College graduate, who said his classes there were at a higher level than Kean University. “[Community college] is an affordable alternative to the universities that have taken the approach of big business rather than the educational service industry they are in,” said Hamilton. “[But] nothing is free, someone will indefinitely pay for free education...and since the majority of Americans satiate those salaries with taxes, it would seem that all Americans will pay for free education.”

Hamilton’s main concern was the quality of teaching that could change if this pilot were to succeed. “[Free tuition] may lower the quality teachers that the community college receives,” said Hamilton. “Teachers on a government salary, like public school teachers, have always suffered through egregious compensation for the incredibly important jobs that they do, so if salaries suffer, then quality

Photo by Lena Zhu

Booker announces his plan to run for president on Twitter on Feb. 1

Race in the American Classroom: A Needed Conversation

By Wynter Aiken Over the years, it has become the norm for the news –whether it’s TV, online or print, to show stories relatedto race or racism. But in a classroom setting, this can be uncomfortable and it may simply not be discussed.

Rutgers African American Cultural and Intellectual History Specialist Dr. Melissa L. Cooper gave a lecture at Kean about Race in the American Classroom. Held on Feb. 8 at the Miron Student Center, the event drew educators, from neighboring schools like Roselle High School and Union County Community College. They came together to discuss how the education curriculum should incorporate race dynamics, social justice, inclusion, and diversity to make an impact on the classroom environment.

Race division in education stretches back to both before and after the Jim Crow era in the South where inequality was everywhere and racism was alive and thriving.

However, despite the Black Freedom Movement, even in today’s society, headlines reveal the continuous divide that exists among the races because the topic is not being fully addressed in schools. Dr. Cooper discussed how education was used as a weapon against blacks, and how Jim Crow was designed to keep black people uneducated.

“There was a thin line between blacks, minorities and education. Having education meant you had the opportunity to think for yourself and help others. It was a move that slave owners could not afford to happen,” said Cooper. “Education was seen as enterprise, having slaves work on university campuses, hearing a lecture take place while cleaning the floor was the only way blacks

courses, and have productive class discussions about race. Joanne Laws, a Math teacher who teaches at a predominantly white high school in Springfield, NJ spoke about how she plans on having more involved discussions with her students on race.

“After witnessing some shocking instances in not just my school but outside of it as well, I plan on including a diversity statement in my syllabus explaining my personal background and any previous experiences with diversity,” said Laws. “ Some may not want to admit openly to racial biases or lack of racial literacy but in today’s society, educators and our students need to be more aware.”

Social issues have unfortunately been constructed around race and it’s not something that tends to be thoroughly dissected and thought about. Minorities on the lower scale can be overlooked and like in the Jim Crow era, if the topic is not discussed then it can open doors to more systems of oppression in all levels of education.

Conversations involving race and diversity can be a hard topic to understand and lecture on with students but if faculty and students come together using perhaps class activities, lecture PowerPoints, meetings, etc. the subject of race could be easier to digest “Universities like Kean should take the initiative to incorporate more lectures and classes that focus on the issues of race. You don’t have to be an education major in order to discuss these issues. Students should be encouraged to raise their voices and ask the right questions,” said Cooper.

Dr. Cooper noted that faculty aren’t the only ones who have the power to put ideas into the curriculum; students

Photo by Wynter Aiken

Educator Introductions

Photo by Wynter Aiken

Dr. Melissa Cooper and Teacher

“Universities like Kean should take the initiative to incorporate more lectures and classes that focus on the issues of race” Photo by Council on Global Education and Citizenship

Topics of Discussion

could get a taste of that kind of freedom.”

The lecture discussed how teaching about racial awareness could be beneficial to not only students, but faculty as well. Recognition of racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in the classroom informs the teacher/professor that they are aware of what’s going on not just in their institution but the outside world, too. Educators can exhibit cultural consciousness, using inclusive teaching strategies, incorporating racial diversity into their

who are passionate about these social issues can make a difference as well.

“Students are important to our institutions and they should be allowed to speak up on an environment that needs changing.”

If you wish to know more about Dr. Melissa L. Cooper’s background and activism on these social issues please visit https://sasn.rutgers.edu/about-us/faculty-staff/ melissa-l-cooper

Photo by: Wikipedia Commons

Union County College, one of the schools in the pilot program.

might suffer as well.”

Small Group Communication Professor, Malcolm Evans has also worked at community colleges, where his students have saved money and obtained degrees.

“Many of the students I teach at community colleges enroll there because it is a way to save money,” Evans said. “It will probably result in higher numbers of transfer admissions, as students look for institutions to continue their education and Kean is one of the more affordable four year colleges in the state.”

Moreover, Evans noted that the number of incoming freshman would decrease, impacting adjunct professors teaching intro classes.

“I would be interested in knowing how it impacts enrollment at four year colleges,” said Evans. “[Because] this is a way of addressing the crippling student debt we have in our country.”

However, Evans then acknowledged that transfer students would have completed most general education requirements.

“An increase in transfer admissions could mean an increased focus on upper level electives and major courses instead of providing general education courses at four year colleges,” said Evans.

Director of Media Relations Margaret McCorry, noted that affordable college is important for all students in NJ. “Kean...offers numerous financial aid options and scholarships to ensure students receive the maximum amount of support possible, whether they enroll here directly from high school or transfer from county colleges in New Jersey,” said McCorry.

KFT goes public with demands for change continued from cover

In response, the Kean Federation of Teachers’ resolution also seeks for the University to stop mandating uncompensated Professional Development Days, return to the five faculty office hours per week as directed, and cease and desist from imposing the faculty “sales calls” to new students.

“We know that our faculty are the University’s best academic resources, so we’ve asked many of them to share their enthusiasm for Kean with prospective students,” said McCorry. “We can’t think of anyone better to address questions about our programs than the people who teach and support our students every day.”

According to the university’s institutional research, the amount of tenured and tenure-track professors for fall 2018, is currently 224.

February, 2019

THE TOWER 3

First-semester freshmen awarded for attaining 4.0 GPA

Photo by Kelly Contreras

Dean Mercantini discussing with the awardees.

Photo by Kelly Contreras

(left to right) Kyjahn Taylor, Dayna Dobkowski, Dean Mercantini, Joelle Francisco, Gianna Leonen, and Gianna Lepanto

By Kelly Contreras Kean University held its first award ceremony on Thursday, January 31 for five freshmen who were able to attain a 4.0 GPA after their first semester.

This event took place in the Center for Academic Success where Dean Jonathan Mercantini presented Kyjahn Taylor, Dayna Dobkowski, Joelle Francisco, Gianna Leonen, and Gianna Lepanto with a certificate of achievement.

“I never got a 4.0 which means you are already more qualified to be dean than I am.” said Mercantini.

The five students to receive the 4.0 GPA award, along with small “swag” gifts such as a water bottle, phone attachment, and a hundred kean bucks, were all also residents. Two of whom were roommates.

The award itself would not have been possible had it not been for the idea provided by President Dawood Farahi.

According to Mercantini, Farahi wanted to present this opportunity at the convocation but had forgotten to.

Regardless of President Farahi thinking it was “too late,” Mercantini told him, “Why is it too late? We can still do it.”

They then worked with the GE faculty and the GE staff in terms of promoting the event to all of the GE1000 classes.

Mercantini went on to highlight that the award was for students with a “4.0 GPA. Not 3.9! Not 3.95! A 4.0.” and

he also said “Our students that are successful early are the kinds of students that are going to continue to make the progress that we need.”

Psychology major, Joelle Francisco said, “I’m actually pretty proud of myself. It was difficult to achieve but satisfying.”

The students had similar opinions in regards to their achievement.

“There were some days where it was a little overwhelming but I found that taking things one assignment at a time really helps … being recognized for this definitely makes you feel like all your hard work paid off.” said History major, Gianna Leonen.

Mercantini also announced that more opportunities will be made available and how the president is “happy to give money away.”

He also wanted to address that this award was not meant to discourage any students who have not received a 4.0 because “it doesn’t mean that your semester was a failure.”

Mercantini went on to say, “[Don’t] be too hard on yourself. The things that stand out is time management and maximizing use of time management but then also take advantage of the resources on campus.”

“I was not expecting a 4.0. I think it’s sometimes better just to go out and give it your all and then come out with whatever you have,” said History major Dayna Dobkowski.

“I never got a 4.0 which means you are already more qualified to be dean than I am.” said Dean Mercantini.

Photo by Kelly Contreras

Kelly Contreras Dayna Dobkowski and Dean Mercantini at the 4.0 GPA Award Ceremony

Petition Wants Students to Design New Kean Spirit Logo

Photo by Kean University Twitter Page

Photo by Nicole Diefenbacher

Kean University’s new spirit logo

Screenshot of petition urging Dr. Farahi to let design students redesign logo

By Nicole Diefenbacher

with that message.”

The head of media relations at Kean University, Margaret McCorry, said that the response towards the new logo has been “overwhelmingly positive”.

But within days of the launch, an online petition urging Kean President, Dawood Farahi to allow graphic design students from the Robert Busch School of Design to redesign the logo began circulating. By mid-February, the petition had some 338 signatures, although some signatures were anonymous. Others identified themselves as students, professors, or alumni.

Deana Abdou, a junior and graphic design major at

This semester, Kean University revealed a new “spirit” logo along with a new spirit campaign, themed “Cougars Climb Higher”.

But the new Cougar image that will make its debut this spring on Kean athletic wear is getting some mixed reviews.

The spirit logo depicts the shape of a “K” for Kean University. From the upper right-hand side of the K emerges the face of a cougar, teeth bared, face tilted upward and ears back. The lower right-hand side shows the cougar’s paw.

According to a Kean press release, “many people who voted on the logo proposals online and at Homecoming said it is important for the new Cougar to look fierce but not overly aggressive or frightening.”

“So many people told us that Kean Cougars are fierce, resilient and determined both in winning athletic competitions and overcoming obstacles to achieve their degrees,” said Karen Smith, vice president of university relations in a Kean press release. “We incorporated that feedback into the final design of the logo and went one step further in launching our new branding campaign

come up with a new spirit logo,” said Abdou. “The logo... is not an accurate representation of our school. There is no spirit or strong emotion in it, and it does not feel like something our student body can rally behind.”

“Overall, I am so happy to be going to school here and I want to make sure that the school is represented in a prestigious and well-crafted manner,” she added.

“Therefore, I think Dr. Farahi needs to consider the idea of redesigning the spirit logo and giving the graphic design students a chance at doing that.”

According to the press release on Kean University’s website, “more than 2,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni provided feedback on three proposals for the new spirit logo, which is designed to replace a variety of Cougar images used over the years.”

However, Abdou said one problem was that the voting only offered three logo options.

“We were only offered three options to choose from, and among the choices, there was no option for ‘none of the above,’” Abdou said. “Therefore, many people did not vote since they did not like any of the three options presented to them.”

McCorry did not reveal who created the winning logo despite repeated requests from The Tower.

“I am so happy to be going to school here and I want to make sure that the school is represented in a prestigious and well-crafted manner,” Abdou added.

Kean University created the petition, but she said that she did not want others to misinterpret her intentions as malicious in any way toward Kean University. In fact, her passion for Kean led her to post the petition to push for a change.

“I was very disappointed that the president did not consider asking the Robert Busch School of Design to

4 THE TOWER

February, 2019

New Jersey Educators, Students Encouraged to Participate in Holocaust Research

Photo by U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Photo by U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Photo by U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Students of Jennifer Goss, teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, Virginia at the Staunton Public Library

Minnesota teacher Katie Murr stands in front of an article her students submitted to History Unfolded at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

From left to right; Keelin Wolf and Victoria Nay, students at Robert E. Lee High School do research for History Unfolded in Staunton, Virginia at the Staunton Public Library.

By Erin McGuinness

the ones that make a difference,” said Dr. Adara Goldberg, Director of Kean Holocaust Resource Center.

New Jersey is one of few states to require Holocaust and genocide education in school districts and charter

Stebbins, a New Jersey teacher from Clark High School, gave a presentation to explain the initiative from a teacher’s perspective. Attendees were given a demonstration on the process behind finding articles to submit to History Unfolded. Hands-on research was offered so that the educators at the workshop could utilize the research of History Unfolded under the guidance of the workshop’s presenters.

Among the educators who attended the workshop were two Kean University undergraduate students who are pursuing careers in education, as well as current educators who are enrolled in Kean University graduate programs.

Schmalz encourages Kean students to participate in this research because there is a need for more material on New Jersey, he said.

“We really encourage Kean students to participate, to take advantage of the programs because it’s not common to have something like (The Holocaust Resource Center) on a university campus, and everything that we do is free, and no student will ever be turned away,” Goldberg said.

If Kean students wish to do research for History Unfolded, resources at the Holocaust Resource Center can be utilized at anytime, she said.

“One of our greatest goals is to make sure that anyone who leaves the space is armed with new ideas (and) is armed with resources, but also the knowledge that we are here to support them, not only on this day but through their entire journey as an educator,” Goldberg said.

New Jersey educators assembled at the Kean University Holocaust Resource Center Jan. 25 to learn an innovative way to bring Holocaust education to classrooms throughout the state.

History Unfolded: US Newspapers and the Holocaust is an initiative through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which invites students, educators and history lovers to research how the Holocaust was reported on in the United States, said Eric Schmalz, Citizen History Community Manager at the museum.

Participants are asked to look into their local newspaper collections to find articles regarding events during the Holocaust.

The initiative was launched in 2016 and will be open for submissions through 2021. So far, over 17,000 submissions have been collected, and there is representation from every state, Schmalz said. The research is being used in the museum’s Americans and the Holocaust exhibition.

The Jan. 25 workshop was created by the Kean University Holocaust Resource Center in tandem with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to teach New Jersey educators how to do research for History Unfolded, how the initiative can be used to teach Holocaust history and how to encourage students to perform the research themselves.

“In the hopes that we reach (teachers), they are going to reach their students, and their students are going to be

New Jersey educators were invited to the Holocaust Resource Center to learn an innovative way to teach Holocaust education.

schools, according to the New Jersey Department of Education.

When Goldberg and Sarah Coykendall, Managing Assistant Director of the Holocaust Resource Center, contacted Schmalz to propose this workshop at Kean, they were surprised to learn New Jersey is underrepresented in the History Unfolded submissions, Coykendall said.

“When Adara found out about the project and contacted me and said she would like to consider having me up for a workshop, I was thrilled, because we have been trying to work in a number of different ways to encourage more teachers in New Jersey, students and lifelong learners to do this project,” Schmalz said.

The workshop was a five-hour long event. In addition to a presentation explaining History Unfolded and the purpose behind the initiative by Schmalz, Franklin

New Year, New You?

By Valencia Stevenson

“My new year’s resolution is to be more organized,” said Juquan Willis, senior and psychology major. “[And to] just keep “New Year, New Me” or “I’m going to things more situated than I did in the devote myself to doing this” is the mantra previous year.” every new year and students at Kean Willis did not write notes prior to University are no exception. this year but now he does. He also types “My new year’s resolution is to be whatever he needs to get done on his happier and make other people happy,” computer for a backup. said Lashea Wilson, junior and psychology Some students said they are going major. “I feel as though people walk around to focus on their bodies this year while and they’re just not smiling and no one’s others are continuing their resolutions happy. If you just smile at someone in the from previous years. street, some of them smile back. So I was Courtney Coleman, junior majoring like, maybe that can make someone’s day. in communication with a concentration I just want to see people happy.” in media and film, is continuing her While Wilson plans to be friendlier resolution to go to the gym more. She to strangers and give out at least five has had this resolution since last year and compliments a day, some students want chose it again because she was not happy to focus on a resolution that will help with what she saw on the scale. their organization skills for school and “I have a membership at Retro Fitness work. and I have a couple friends I usually meet up with three days a week. Sometimes I go by myself,” said Coleman.

Tiara Muslim said this year is all about continuing to be successful in her business.

“My new year’s resolutions are to be successful with my new business I just recently opened up called ‘Queen Decorations & Treats’,” said Muslim, junior, communication major.

“The services I provide are” decorations, sweets, food, Photo by Courtney Coleman event planning, balloons Courtney Coleman and more,” The ambitious Muslim also said she promised herself to “keep doing well on my grades and passing all my classes with honors.”

When asked why she chose these resolutions, Muslim said she tries to do something positive and different every year. All she wants to do is to stay true to herself and keep working hard.

“Lastly, I just want to stay healthy and be happy and give back to the community.”

Photo by Lashea Wilson Lashea Wilson said Muslim.

Fraternity supports member battling cancer continued from cover

Photo by Sigma Beta Tau

Lamotta and his fraternity brothers at Meet the Greeks on Jan. 31, 2019.

cyst. While Lamotta was taking medicine to aid in the cyst going away, he also noticed behavioral changes about himself, so he decided to get checked out. He was advised to get a biopsy and the next day, three more lumps appeared. Lamotta immediately went to the emergency room and they told him that he has cancer.

“At first it was stunning to me, I couldn’t believe it. But I have such a big support group that I kind of thought nothing of it for then up until now,” said Lamotta. “My mind is completely off of it, I’m just trying to stay positive throughout this whole time because I already know I have it.”

“I’m accepting that I have it but I’m not accepting that it’s going to stay with me,” Lamotta continued. “That’s one thing that all of my friends are helping me with.”

While Lamotta is looking toward the bright side of things, he is still faced with setbacks.

On Feb. 8, he experienced a seizure, causing him to be unable to work or drive anymore.

The doctors are too concerned that his vision will go blurry again, since he almost lost his vision that day. This means that Lamotta’s family will be helping him get to and from school in order for Lamotta to complete his last semester and earn his degree.

“Yes, that’s what I plan on doing and that’s what I’m hoping on doing,” said Lamotta when asked about graduation. “I feel like if I graduate and I can beat this I can almost conquer anything.”

To learn more about Lamotta’s story or to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/ lamottastrong

February, 2019

THE TOWER 5

The Inspiration for Olivia Pope, Judy Smith Speaks at Kean University

By David Janes The Spring Semester Distinguished Lecture Series kicked off with Crisis Manager and Fixer herself, Judy Smith. Smith has represented Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick, Enron, and worked under George H. W. Bush’s administration as his Deputy Press Secretary, dealing with the investigation of Iran-Contra and 1991 Gulf War. Smith is also known for serving as the inspiration for ABC’s Scandal and the main character of Olivia Pope, a crisis manager and fixer for Washington D.C.

Photo by David Janes

Judy listening from an audience member

Sitting down with Karen Smith, Vice President of University Relations, Judy Smith tells an audience in the STEM auditorium, an inspiring and empowering message, ‘Determine who you’ll become,” as well as defining certain values, ethics and lines for themselves.

“It’s going to determine who you become. And I think the second thing that’s important for me is having the

confidence that you can do what you set your mind to, I always tell people life requires action,” Smith said, “Third thing is to take risks, and don’t place limits on yourself.”

Smith, then touched on how to make the world a better place by giving advice on focusing on something near to the heart.

“Focus on that and figure out your skillset, how can you use what you even love or what you’re good at to pass it on and move it on. For me, it’s trying to help as many people as I possibly can,” said Smith.

Smith, even opened up an info-line last year to the public which received 50,000 emails from as many people who have issues, problems, and answering as many as she can.

“Seeing someone who looks like you on TV and doing all these great things but also based off someone who was real that’s how I was drawn to it. I’m starstruck by her,” said Kaveena Bullock, Graduate student, English and Writing Studies major. “What she was actually doing with her life, not that it’s rare but it’s admiring to see.”

“She was very inspirational, and it makes me want to go into the world with that,” said Senior Lucrece Meronvil, Public Administration major.

Smith has her own firm, Smith and Co. with branches in New York, Los Angeles and Washington D.C., that specializes in crisis management, fixing reputations and brands of the client.

Smith recalls meeting with Shonda Rhimes, Creator of Scandal, and how the meeting ended up being longer than initially planned.

“My meeting with Shonda was only supposed to take 15 minutes and ended up talking for about an hour and a half,” Smith said.

Smith found her entrance into television a different kind of challenge as at the time but recounts it was huge growth on her part.

“I didn’t know anything about entertainment, I wasn’t really trying to do a show but I find the greatest growth for me personally has been when I step out of my comfort zone,” said Smith.

Photo by David Janes

Judy answering questions

Scandal was the first show in 35 years to have an AfricanAmerican lead on network television. Recently, Smith sold two television shows currently in development.

Smith was asked if she’d ever consider running for office as the audience erupted in cheers and clapping.

Smith said that working in the White House “killed all of that”, as the audience bursted into laughter.

“There are so many ways to create change,” said Smith, “There are so many ways we can help each other.”

As the lecture comes to an end, Smith left an inspiring message to take away. She believes everyone has a path and that everyone lands where their supposed to be.

This piece of advice conveys the essence of the speech’s message: “I think that people end up where their supposed to be, based on the decisions you make. My path would be something I could have never predicted,” said Smith.

“She really said a lot of things about stepping out your comfort zone, what you actually love to do, what matters to you and how to use that help other people and that really inspired me,” said Bullock.

Smith ends with one last message, “You take some wrong turns, but you can always course correct.”

Why it’s important for Kean students to celebrate Black History Month

By Salimah McCullough When the calendar changes from January 31 to February 1, many people mark that as the official start of Black History Month. Black History Month is a month-long celebration where people acknowledge the achievements and hardships of African Americans.

In celebration of Black History Month, Kean has various events on campus giving students the opportunity to learn about the history and experience the culture of African Americans.

Dr. James Conyers, director of Africana Studies at Kean University, shared his thoughts on why we should celebrate black history month.

“Many Black Americans outside of Africa have been taught not to think of themselves as African,” said Dr. Conyers. “That in and of itself is one of the reasons why Black History Month is important.”

Black History Month is bigger than knowing just about the well-known activist and playing “black music” for 28 days. Black History Month should be a time to celebrate the culture and reflect on the past.

“It’s the time of the year where every black person should be able to reflect on a serious level about our history and culture,” said Dr. Conyers. “…it’s during that month that black people should expand their consciousness to study who they are, what they are, where they’ve been, and where they are going.”

Knowing more about black people as a whole and learning about the history is also important when it comes to everything going on in the black community such as Black Lives Matter and racism. Black History Month gives people of all races the chance to learn about the history and culture.

“The number one issue that affects the entirety of the African American community is racism in the form of white supremacy,” said Dr. Conyers. “It affects everything that we do in all areas of activity.”

Looking at KeanWise, some will notice that there

“It’s the time of the year where every black person should be able to reflect on a serious level about our history and culture,” said Dr. Conyers.

Photo by Salimah McCullough

Information board for the Office of Africana Studies

Photo by Salimah McCullough

Dr. Conyers, director of Africana Studies

isn’t a big selection of courses to take involving African American History except for the ones that are under the Africana Studies minor. That reason being that there is a limited number of professors to teach those courses.

“Most of our courses come out of different departments, not just Africana Studies,” said Dr. Conyers. “Courses in African History aren’t being taught right now because there is no one to teach them.”

Coming next spring, there will be more courses available to take in African history outside of the minor. This gives students a bigger opportunity to take classes that teach about the history and culture of African Americans.

The new course that is in the works is going to be called Music of the African American Experience. The course will be discussing music tracing back to Africa up until today’s music.

Some of the bigger events being hosted in recognition of Black History Month by the Office of Africana Studies include a lecture and film with Ms. Neomi Burch on February 19 that will talk about how to use DNA to rename yourself using African names.

If you want to know more about upcoming events that are being hosted in honor of Black History Month, you can find more information by visiting Cougarlink.com.

The Double Edged Sword of Social Media, Insight from the Netflix Series “You”

By Alexander Valdes

Photo by You, Netflix Series

“Insight into the truth...”

Though social media can be a wonderful tool in the general lifestyle of the average college student, it can be used as a weapon for means of destruction.

A great example of this form of destruction can come from one of the newest hit shows on Netflix called “You”. The story of the critically acclaimed show is about a young

and brilliant New Yorker named Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley) as he exploits today’s technologically connected world in order to win the heart of Beck (played by Elizabeth Lail), an up and coming author.

Social media is a great tool for staying connected with friends, keeping tabs on the latest trends and even expressing oneself freely on the internet. However, what “You” tells its audience is that the internet and online privacy mean virtually nothing to anyone that wishes to cause harm.

Ariana Romero, a writer for refinery29 had an opportunity to interview the creators of the show: Sera Gamble and Greg Berlanti. They both acknowledged the message that the show is sending to its audience: the

“So maybe the internet isn’t a black void that’s going to tell a stalker our apartment number.

Maybe it might just get us our dream job instead.

But while we wait for that delightful DM, we should all probably go private” world we live in is so heavily dependent on social media that everyone is a potential target. The terrifying aspect is that Joe Goldberg seems to be an average, ordinary guy who simply has access to the internet like most.

“Anything he does on the computer, you could do on the computer,” said Gamble during the interview. “A lot of it is stuff I do actually do.” continued on page 8

6 THE TOWER

February, 2019

Sustainable wellness

Department of Communication Kean University Center for Academic Success 1000 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083 Telephone: (908) 737-0470; Fax: (908) 737-0465 Email: thetower@kean.edu; www.kutower.com

By Tara Bogota & Dr. Josh Palgi Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of and make choices toward a more healthful and fulfilling life. Everyone has their own personal definition of what wellness means and since we are all unique individuals this definition can be quite different.

Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the Photo by Atti Vitoso National Wellness Institute, ascertains that wellness is consists of six dimension: emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual and spiritual.

By applying the six dimensional model, a person becomes aware of the interconnectedness of each dimension and how they contribute to healthy living. We can view wellness as finding balance between these dimensions and working toward improving our situations.

When one area feels deficient the imbalance sets off an effect that throws off the entire equilibrium and poise to one’s life. It is from the place of awareness that we can begin to take control of our lives and wellbeing. We understand that we all have choices and we live from a place of action. We take charge of our life and make things happen rather than allow life to happen to us.

The New Year is the ideal time to reset, plan and incorporate healthier habits into one’s routine. It takes commitment and effort to achieve a healthy lifestyle and to feel good -- body, mind and spirit.

Here is a term that you need to embrace as your best friend this year. It is called “sustainability”.

What does sustainability mean when it comes to embracing a healthy lifestyle?

It’s simple. Embrace any positive changes as a way of life. You will not just do something healthy for a few months and then go back to any self-defeating behaviors, instead you will make small steps toward incorporating these changes into your daily life Look at the 6 dimensions of wellness, and identify the areas where you feel lack or dissatisfaction and then work to make achievable, measurable goals that you can commit to. And remember it is more about progress than perfection.

We like to live by the 80/20 rule. We are human, we do our best to stay on track with healthy goals for at least 80 percent of the time. Then of course we can cut ourselves a little slack and indulge or take a break without the guilt.

Here are some tips to living a life of sustainable wellness: ■■ Just start, stop making excuses and commit to lifestyle changes that can last.

The Tower is an independent, laboratory newspaper of Kean University’s journalism option in the communication major program. It is published monthly through the regular academic year and supported by advertising and the Department of Communication. The Tower is not responsible for claims made by its advertisers. The Tower is a public forum and is free from censorship and advance approval of content by the university administration. The Tower staff is responsible for its content.

EDITOR IN CHIEF: JOSHUA ROSARIO NEWS EDITOR: LENA ZHU

“We live by the 80/20 rule.

We are human, we do our best to stay on track with healthy goals for at least 80% of the time.”

■■

If you need some motivation and accountability in the beginning or during times when you need the support, find someone who can help hold you accountable or embark on a wellness journey with you

■■

Do periodic check-ins. Making adjustments are totally acceptable.

■■

Stay educated and connected.

FEATURES EDITOR: KIARA MAYS SPORTS EDITOR: CRAIG EPSTEIN ONLINE EDITOR: RAFAELA TEIXEIRA ONLINE EDITOR: PETRUCE JEAN-CHARLES SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: SALIMAH MCCULLOUGH ASSOCIATE EDITOR: KELLY CONTRERAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR: W YNTER AIKEN COPY EDITOR: ALEX WISNIEWSKI WRITERS NICOLE DIEFENBACHER TASHA DOWBACHUK VALENCIA STEVENSON GARDNER ZOE STROZEWSKI DANIELLE JUNIO DAVID JANES BREANNA PALZER STEVEN MERRILL

ERIN MCGUINNESS VALERIE SANABRIA CHELSEA GRAY ANASTASIA ZHELEZOVA ALEXANDER VALDES BIANCA BELLAMY TAJHEE SHAW SHANNON SHEEHAN

OPINION PIECES AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

■■

Surround yourself with others who have similar goals and mindset.

■■

Remember that you are your number one priority and it is crucial to carve out time for self care.

■■

It is great to seek out advice from others but at the end of the day you know yourself best. Always take time to check in a listen to whatever it is that you need.

The Tower welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor from any source.

Such material should be submitted to thetower@kean.edu or left at The Tower’s offices. To verify sources of written material, submissions must include the writer’s name and contact information. Students should include their class (sophomore, graduate, etc.) and major. Faculty and staff should include campus title or position. On request, names may be withheld from publication if The Tower staff determines there is a legitimate reason to do so, but no anonymous letters will be accepted for publication. The Tower reserves the right to edit, and refuse publication of any submission.

Professor Bogota & Dr. Palgi are faculty members in the School of Health and Human Performance

What’s The Value of a Human Life?

By Tasha Dowbachuk The discussion of gun violence, feminism and sex emerged within the Human Rights Institute at Kean University. Linda Lighton’s exhibit titled, “Taking Aim: power, gender and firearms” highlights the effect of gun ownership as “increasingly violent, deracinated and unstable” within American culture and how it has shaped the artist, as well as its influence upon our society.

Twenty two of the abstract ceramic pieces illustrates a visual presentation of the national debate on human rights versus the right to bear arms. While the public indulges in the persuasively seditious nature of the gallery, it is encouraged to build their own perception of what the elements of gun violence means to them.

Lighton creates her art through political advocacy with the hope to engage with her community in social commentary. Living and

Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk

Linda Lighton, the artist behind the “Taking Aim: power, gender and firearms” exhibit

working in Kansas City, Missouri, her passionate concern for the progression of this country rests at the ideologies held on gun culture.

“In 2010 while driving through a busy intersection, just a block from my studio, my husband witnessed six guys with guns drawn and two people getting shot dead,” Lighton said in front of her viewers inside the gallery.

“So, I started looking into gun violence in Kansas City, which is where I’m from, and it was the fifth most violent city in the country with three murders a week. I felt responsible for my neighborhood and I wanted to make some kind of effects of change” While shining a light upon domestic violence and the explicit nature of sex, one of her pieces states that, “over six thousand women were murdered by an intimate partner using a gun between the years 2001 and 2012, more than the total number of US troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined”.

Most pieces address the similarity in misogyny and unfettered consumption through the infatuation held for guns. One of her pieces titled, “Love and War: The

Ammunition”, describes this concept as “the conflates the weapons used by men and women in love and war, and the ways that they look at protection and power differently”.

Metaphorically, the belief explores the idea that women often use cosmetics to feel a sense of power, while men often conceive guns or bullets in a similar concept.

One of the informative blurbs inside the space details that, “Researchers estimate that gun violence costs the American economy at least $229 billion every year, including 8.6 billion in direct expenses”.

By bringing a connection between the ideas of capitalist greed and the hunger of human power, control and status, it proposes the question if our safety rests in the handle of firearms.

“We must learn to speak to our fellow citizens, even if we disagree with them. We have a responsibility to speak up to tragedies when no one else will,” Lighton said “The most effective thing you can do, is keep the conversation alive.”

Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk

Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk

“I don’t want a bullet to kiss your heart”, ceramic, glass and steel piece made in 2012

“My Desire” in the center while her presentation of creating art is displayed

February, 2019

THE TOWER 7

‘Roma’: Childhood memories that teach lessons and open opportunities

By Valerie Sanabria “Roma” is a district in Mexico City where Alfonso Cuarón’s Academy Award-nominated film was shot. It reflects Cuarón’s childhood in 1970 Mexico through the life of Cleo, a maid and nanny for a middle class family. The film has captivated many people around the world such as Yalitza Aparicio, the actress who plays Cleo and whose been a victim of classism and racism in Latin America, but mainly in her country Mexico.

What Cuarón captures through his lens is more than the story of an indigenous domestic worker and an unstable family. According to nbcnews.com, “Cuarón captures a sense of social and class inequalities in subtle ways.” Cleo lives with the family in a small room outside of the main property and on some occasions, she must accept being mistreated by the family simply because of their social status differences.

According to theguardian.com, “Roma is a masterpiece, and Aparicio’s performance is astonishing.” Cuarón’s black and white story has had a strong impact on the Latinx community because of its similarities with many people’s real-life experiences.

“The movie took me back in time,” said Rosa Huanchi, a Kean student from Perú majoring in early childhood education. “Fortuna was my nanny’s name and I learned from her and her stories. She is always present in my memories and she taught me values.”

Huanchi believes Cleo’s story is a reminder of the hard work done by maids and nannies.

Aparicio is a 25-year-old indigenous woman whose been attacked after her success in “Roma.”

“In Latin America, indigenous people are seen in a negative way,” said Huanchi. “The stereotype against them is shocking as if they don’t belong to this world simply for being indigenous.”

Beatriz Garcia, a Mexican student at Kean, believes that Aparicio is being judged and discriminated against by all the people that envy her fame. Garcia also believes that Aparicio’s story is to be admired because regardless of where she was born, her life has changed for good.

“I’m glad she is moving forward in life,” said Garcia. “Yalitza is a role model.”

Aparicio is the first indigenous Oscar nominee for the Best Actress Award. She’s up against big name stars such as Lady Gaga for “A Star is Born” and Melissa McCarthy for “Can You Ever Forgive Me.” Karem Castillo, a junior majoring in bilingual education believes that Aparicio was nominated because she deserves to be recognized for her high

Photo by Wikimedia Commons

Logo Roma

Photo by Wikimedia Commons /Milton Martinez

Yalitza Aparicio

Photo by Wikimedia Commons

“Roma” filming locations in Mexico City

performance.

“It’s time for other people to show their talent,” Castillo said. “There is a lack of diversity and we need diversity.”

Before her Oscar nomination, in an interview with Laura Tillman for The New York Times, Aparicio explained how receiving an Oscar nomination would break “the stereotype that because we’re Indigenous we can’t do certain things because of our skin color.” She also mentioned that it would open many doors for indigenous people.

“There is a misrepresentation of indigenous [people] in Hollywood,” said Garcia. “Indigenous people are usually excluded from famous movies.”

The film has garnered much attention because of how similar the story can be to reality. “Roma” has also broken stereotypes and has given an opportunity to those who, according to Castillo, “society has detracted their talent just for their physical appearance or ethnicity.”

“The movie took me back in time,” said Rosa Huanchi, a Kean student from Perú majoring in early childhood education.

“Fortuna was my nanny’s name and I learned from her and her stories.

She is always present in my memories and she taught me values.”

Cafeteria receives good reviews other informative pieces as such.

Just like the main room in the cafeteria, the management for the cafeteria also got a makeover as well. The crew now has a new supervisor, along with a couple new cooks, for the day shift whose name is Michael Georgei.

Georgei has been making sure the cafeteria runs smoothly behind the scenes and aims to improve the quality of both the cafeteria and the food. Roman Bellanger, a junior who lives on campus, also likes the improvements.

“I think the food has gotten better,” Bellanger said. “I mean, it’s not the best but it’s definitely better than it was last year.”

Ashley Acupina especially likes the new addition of booths to the cafeteria.

“I really like how they added booths though, that was a pretty cool idea. My friends and I like to sit there when we go to the cafe to eat,” said Photo by Breanna Palzer Photo by Breanna Palzer Photo by Breanna Palzer the Kean Student.

New wall decor added to the Upper Residence New booths added to the Upper Residence Hall Upper Residence Hall Cafeteria adds new cook As for the menu, she said the french fries are Hall Cafeteria cafeteria. your own food station much better. “The food is better,” she said. “The fries taste a lot better too, those are my favorite.”

The cook your own meal station is a small area with two electric stoves that allows students to cook whatever their minds can come up with.

Students can make items such as their own bowl of pasta, such as penne, or spaghetti, for instance, and add their own toppings like “It’s gotten better,” said Piorkowski.

“I still don’t really

By Breanna Palzer marinara and imitation crab. enjoy eating there but I like the fact that we can make In the morning, students can enjoy any type of eggs our own food. I make some tasty food over in the cooking It’s not exactly Gordon Ramsay’s at The London in with toppings that change every day, and creative cooks station.”

New York, but the redesigned new Upper Residence Hall can make any meal from an array of resources supplied by Last semester, the Kean campus underwent many cafeteria is getting decent reviews. the cafeteria. changes.

One of the biggest changes, was a complete Junior Katelyn Piorkowski, a Communication/ To Piorkowski, the cafeteria, however, does come up makeover to the school’s new Upper Residence Hall Public Relations major, has been taking up on this new short in one area: vegetarian options.

Cafeteria. opportunity. Piorkowski was seen making her own “Even though I am not a vegetarian there seems to be It now has new furniture, including brand new booths homemade macaroni and cheese at the new cook-youra small amount of options and it must be hard for those for larger groups of students along with new tables and own-meal station, saying she also enjoyed making other that are vegetarian to find something to eat besides salads chairs as well.

The cafeteria was also given new wall decor homemade items such as grilled cheese and even Chicken and tofu,” she said. showcasing where the cafeteria food is sourced from and Alfredo.

“... I like the fact that we can make our own food.

I make some tasty food over in the cooking station.”

Valentine’s Day dance party for moms and their sons

By Tahjee’ Shaw Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University held their third annual mother & son event, “My Little Man & Me: Valentine’s Day Party!” on Saturday, Feb. 9.

The event was hosted by Isbett Checo and was assisted by Hannah (Last Name). Checo said that there were many events aimed towards young girls such as the upcoming Frozen Ball, which will be held the following Saturday on the 16th. She wanted to put together an event where young boys and their mothers could spend a fun day together.

The event had 21 kids alongside their moms as well as aunts and grandmothers. They were all excited for the beginning of what the lovely afternoon had in store. There was music playing with songs such as “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey, “I’ll Be There For You” (Friends theme song), “All You Need Is Love”

by The Beatles, and “L.O.V.E” by Frank Sinatra.

The first event was an arts and crafts project where the kids made heart-shaped Valentine’s Day cards. Guests then

Photo by Tahjee’ Shaw

Kids playing Simon says

had tasty treats and refreshments, each of them having cute titles. Examples being H♥2 (h2o or water), “Love Potion Fruit Punch,” “Stick” With Me Valentine (pretzel sticks), “You O’Fish Ally Stole My Heart” (goldfish snacks), and more. There was also a kissing booth where guests took photos using Valentine’s Day props.

The games then began. The first game they played was “Pin the Heart On Cupid” which is based off the classic game, “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” To follow, they played the very special Valentine’s Day Bingo event; players who won received various prizes. Another game that was played was sack toss which used red beanbags that had to be thrown on a heart shaped point board. “Simon Says” as well as “Hot Potato” were also played at the event.

Finally, there was the Mom & Son dance party where sons brought their mothers to the floor and danced together.

Upcoming events to be held at the Liberty Hall Museum include the “Frozen Ball”, “Dr.Seuss Birthday Party”, “Superhero Day”, and the “Annual Easter Egg Hunt”.

8 THE TOWER

February, 2019

The Double Edged Sword of Social Media, Insight from the Netflix Series “You” continued from page 5

Photo by You, Netflix Series

“You’re being watched from miles away...”

Photo by You, Netflix Series

SPORTS

“Predator lying in wait in the shadows”

Ariana Romero shared her thoughts on the influence of social media.

“So maybe the internet isn’t a black void that’s going to tell a stalker our apartment number,” said Romero. “Maybe it might just get us our dream job instead. But while we wait for that delightful DM, we should all probably go private.”

Students were asked about their opinion of the show in general and how it may have affected their viewpoint on today’s social media centered world. When asked about their opinion on the show itself, student McCabe Gallagher had this to answer: “It’s really good and it really educates [you] about what’s safe to

put on the web and how every small detail of you is on the web,” said McCabe Gallagher.

“I’ve always been skeptical about social media, been paranoid about who looks at my stuff and careful about what I post because you never know who could be watching you,” continued Gallagher.

“My viewpoint of social media after the show got deeper and it had me go and change/delete my passwords every so often.”

Another student by the name of Amanda Lopez was asked what her initial opinion of social media was before watching the show and she had this to say: “It can easily be hacked, I’ve had my info hacked on facebook so I feel things aren’t truly 100%, I feel like there’s a possibility that we’re being watched and sometimes you gotta cover the lens of laptops just to stop some hacker from watching you.”

Amanda Lopez was then asked after having watched the show if her opinion of social media had been altered or if it had been enhanced due to the show’s message and her response is as follows: “I feel like maybe it’s changed a little bit and made me worry more, it’s scary that anyone can manipulate your social life, the show is a reminder that there are weird people out there and you got to protect yourself by not leaving passwords around.”

“I thought it was private enough where you had an option to keep your information to yourself,” said Jariel C. Solis, student at Kean. “Whatever you put online, everyone can see it, you’re screwed, have fun with that.”

Despite past success Kean Men’s volleyball looks to keep focus on what lies ahead

Photo by Larry Levanti

Photo by Larry Levanti

Jay Bynum (junior) knocking the ball over the net Kean Men’s volleyball 2019 team picture

Photo by Larry Levanti

Ian Capp (junior) setting the ball up for Kamil Garbowski (senior)

“Our goals remain the same each and every season, that being to continue to move in a positive direction with success and failure being teachable moments”

By Craig Epstein

Coming off of a historic 2018 season in which they won a conference title, the Kean Men’s Volleyball team enters their second season in the Continental Valley Conference (CVC) with a target on their back.

Picked to finish first in the CVC preseason poll, the Cougars were victorious in a program record 34 matches last season and set a new longest winning streak at 28 matches and made their seventh straight appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Although it is difficult to describe their season as being an unsuccessful one, the Cougars fell short of the ultimate prize of an NCAA title, failing to get past Vassar College in the quarterfinals. So although being picked to finish first in just their second season in a new conference is a high honor for Kean, they see this season as a new opportunity that presents new challenges as well.

“It means a lot to be picked to finish first in the conference, but words mean nothing, actions speak louder than words,” junior setter Ian Capp said. “The challenges it presents is that we have a chip on our shoulder, which means people will want to play harder against us and have more incentive to beat us. Every game will be a battle, in and out of conference, especially since we have a much tougher schedule than in years past.”

Capp represents one of the 12 members from the Kean men’s volleyball team that were named to the 2018 CVC All-Academic Team, a record amongst schools in the conference.

Even though Kean’s ultimate goal is to hoist an NCAA title and continue their now storied success, there is a little more added incentive for the Cougars to do it this year considering the fact that both the final four and championship game will be hosted in Harwood Arena.

“Our goals for the season are to win the conference and to make the final four at the least because we are hosting the NCAAs this year,” Capp said. “A lot of work in practices and staying disciplined during matches is the only way we will be able to make a run for the championship.”

Since handing the head coaching reins from Don Perkins over to Charlie Ginex, the men’s volleyball program has

posted a 148-33 record ranging from 2014-18. And now 15 matches into the 2019 season, the Cougars have jumped out to a 12-3 record with a key win on Feb. 1 when they defeated the #2 team in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Stevens Institute of Technology.

Even though his teams have been so successful yearafter-year, the 2018 CVC Coach of the Year still sees every season as a brand new journey that will present new opportunities along the way.

“We are still in the beginning stages of what is a long journey each year,” Ginex said. “So far we have grown in many ways and each day presents a new opportunity to move forward.”

Now in his sixth season as head coach, Ginex looks to add to his resume and lead the Cougars to an NCAA championship that they can celebrate on their own home court. He also wants to turn everything that comes to be into a teaching moment so that they can become even better than they were before.

“Our goals remain the same each and every season, that being to continue to move in a positive direction with success and failure being teachable moments,” Ginex said. “If we learn from each we will find ourselves in a good place when we need to be.”

Kean men’s basketball sees bright future with new coach

By Steven Merrill

I probably would’ve laughed,” Kerr said.

“It’s an unreal feeling.”

Freshman point guard Jailen Jamison Adam Hutchinson had little time getting is leading almost every stat category for the Kean men’s basketball program freshmen in the NJAC. He also ranks fifth together in his first season. in assists for all players in the conference.

Hired in October as the 19th head coach “All of the hard work is paying off and in the program’s history, Hutchinson I couldn’t have done it without great needed to quickly adapt to the university. coaching and my teammates believing in “It has been enjoyable, it’s been a me,” Jamison said. whirlwind,” Hutchinson said. “More than Jamison has averaged 16 points per good or bad, it has just been really busy.”

Photo by Larry Levanti Photo by Larry Levanti Photo by Larry Levanti game since Jan. 12 and been named NJAC Born and raised in New Jersey, Senior Micah Kerr boxes out for Freshman Jailen Jamison dribbles Senior Micah Kerr finishes off a Rookie of the Week seven times this the ball up the court slam dunk Hutchinson spent 14 years as the head a rebound season. coach at Washington and Lee University in “I honestly had a lot of fun out there Virginia. Last year, he returned to his alma and it was a great learning experience,” mater, Amherst College, as an assistant Jamison said. “At the same time, I felt coach where he played from 1989-1993. like I got to prove that I belonged on Hutchinson credited Matt McDuffie, the court.” assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, Hutchinson is impressed by how for running the offseason and bringing quickly Jamison learns on the court, players to Kean while the program was in taking ideas and schemes a step the process of hiring him. further.

“Matt did a tremendous job completing that,” Kerr said.

“Juju [Jailen] sees stuff before it happens,” Hutchinson that recruiting assignment,” Hutchinson said. “It was The 6-foot-5 forward earned honorable mention for said. “He’s able to retain something you tell him and hard to do. He brought in multiple players with bright Division II-III by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers execute it at game speed. He’s getting a lot of wellfutures.”

Association and NJAC player of the week for Jan. 21-27. deserved recognition.”

Although the Cougars are 7-17 on the year and 5-12 in “Micah’s a player,” Hutchinson said. “He can post, he The team has also received contributions from the conference play, senior Micah Kerr has been a dominating can run, and he can shoot.” rest of their freshman group. Along with Jamison, Jared force on the court. Averaging 16.1 points per game and On Jan. 26, he dropped a career-high 42 points against Latane, Nate Lyles, and Kendall Blount have accounted ranking sixth in scoring in the New Jersey Athletic Rutgers-Camden. It’s the most points in a game by an for over 50 percent of the team’s scoring.

Conference (NJAC), Kerr attributes his outstanding NJAC player this season. Two days later against Montclair Hutchinson is excited to be working with these guys for season to his teammates and acknowledges them for State, Kerr became the 33rd player in Kean history to the next three years. putting him in the right spots to succeed. record 1,000 career points.

“I think Nate Lyles is a tremendous player,” Hutchinson “They understand that I have the advantage on a lot of people who guard me so we try and take advantage of “If you told me as a freshman that I’d score 1,000 points said. “I think Kendall has a bright future.”

“All of the hard work is paying off and I couldn’t have done it without great coaching and my teammates believing in me,” said Jamison.

February, 2019

Despite coming off a losing season, Kean baseball confident they can return to winning ways “Coming together as a team to achieve a goal, win championships and create a bond with brothers that will last a lifetime.”

Photo by LarryLevanti

Photo by Larry Levanti

Photo by Larry Levanti

Coach Neil Ioviero

Pitcher Tyler Hopman #43

Pitcher Justin Diefenbach #27

By Chelsea Gray

When the Cougars lose, Ioviero feels they did the best they could, claiming “there’s a way to win a game.”

Ioviero realizes that one pitch could throw the whole game off at times since baseball is a domino effect sometimes caused by routine errors. Although they want to win every game, Ioviero tries to teach the team work ethic and team skills during practice.

The players describe practice as a learning experience. A lot of focus goes into each practice making them very effective.

Practices may be long and intense, but as pitcher Tyler Hopman says, “it’s all worth something and means something.”

Along with Hopman, fellow pitchers Christopher Rossi and Frank LoGiudice are looking forward to the upcoming season as well.

LoGiudice is most looking forward to

“coming together as a team to achieve a goal, win championships and create a bond with brothers that will last a lifetime.”

When discussing his coaching staff, Rossi had nothing but glowing things to say about them.

“They don’t look at it as a job, it’s what they love to do,” Rossi said. “They’re very effective at personalizing and really focus on each person.”

Rossi feels that the coaches are all on the same page and knows what has to get done.

“They can figure out how to win a game with plays the other team never heard of by playing the game within the game” LoGuidice said.

Kean’s baseball season begins on Feb. 15 when they take on Drew University at 2:30 p.m.

This upcoming season, the Kean University baseball team is looking to bounce back to their winning ways considering last season was the first losing one under Head Coach Neil Ioviero.

While he doesn’t make excuses for the losing season, injuries were part of the reason for it. This season, with the injured players back and new pitchers ready to roll, the players are motivated and ready to get back to the game.

This season, the coaches are putting extra focus on the players and keeping them healthy. They do not want any new or recurring injuries popping up.

When it comes to motivating the players, Ioviero’s belief is to not “pick and choose what’s important, everything is.”

OPINION

By Joe Hamilton

Photo by Christopher Amrich

THE TOWER 9

Five nights a week I shave my face, hop in the shower, get cleaned up, slick back my hair, throw on my black polo and black jeans, lace up my shoes and head off to work.

I am a drug dealer and people come from all over to gather at my doorstep. They wait all day until we

For 65 years, America has led the world in a failing war on drugs that has seen no success and no end in sight, but countries like Portugal and The Netherlands may have found solutions off the battlefield and in the research departments of science and psychology. open, and then file in one by one or in groups ready to partake in my drug. They never stop coming. They meet friends or sometimes make new ones, and some even take too much and have to go on their merry way.

I am a bartender and the drug I peddle happens to be the Number One recreational drug used by Americans. In

A War We Can’t Win (OP-ED)

fact, the top five recreational drugs used in America are; Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Vicodin, and Adderall. Not far behind are Cocaine, Oxycontin, and Xanax.

The simple fact is that human beings have a long history of recreational drug use that dates back 50,000 years ago when Neanderthals still roamed the planet. In 10,000 BC Cannabis, as well as coffee beans and tobacco, were being cultivated. In 3,000 BC there is evidence of cannabis cultivation in Eastern Asia. In 1450 AD there was widespread use of coca leaves by the Inca people. And in 1850s, New York City bartenders created the drink commonly known now as “the cocktail”.

For 65 years, America has led the world in a failing war on drugs that has seen no success and no end in sight, but countries like Portugal and The Netherlands may have found solutions off the battlefield and in the research departments of science and psychology.

The statistics alone prove the failure of America’s war on drugs. The Drug Policy Alliance, a coalition for drug reform, reported that in 2017 over 1.6 million Americans were arrested for drug law violations, helping to make America the highest incarcerated country in the world with over 2.2 million citizens serving jail time. This means that over 50 percent of American citizens in jail are for a drug law violation, according to the Alliance.

With such high incarceration rates and scientific theories published in professional journals about the negative effects of incarceration, one might want to stop and question if incarceration is the answer to drug law violations. Some of the effects of incarceration are; disruption to the nuclear family and prison induced mental health problems, which have common links to suicidal thoughts or suicide. Suicide accounts for onethird of prisoner deaths in the United States, according to The British Journal of Psychology.

Not only does the war on drugs take a mental toll, but also it’s expensive. The War on Drugs costs American citizens $58 billion every year and the loss on untaxed drugs accounts for up to $47 billion. That’s over $100

billion of losses each year.

Ironically, between marijuana and alcohol, almost all Americans say they have tried a recreational drug at least once in their lives. Any military general worth his stars will tell you those are statistics for the losing side.

It was in the early 1970s when the language used in the war on drugs shifted to demonize its victims. The verbiage went from treatable social disease to criminal activity and started being addressed with aggressive criminal justice policies. This has had a long-standing impact on the perception of addiction globally, but attitudes are finally starting to change. Two countries and 90 percent of Americans are now changing their tone and are shifting the perception and solutions to the global drug problem.

The solution: realizing that there isn’t a global drug problem. As history tells us drug use is inherent to who we are. Portugal took a radical approach and decriminalized all drugs, and saw a drop in its drug use by about 10 percent, but not only did drug use go down so did incarceration, transferable drug-related illnesses, and drug deaths. Instead of turning single time users into criminals they created a system that evaluated the person’s use and implemented community service summons or invitations to treatment centers where sick patients are allowed to get the treatment they need to get better.

The Netherlands took a similar approach to the treatment of drug users offering safe spaces and clean tools to consume their narcotics with.

Any psychologist or communication scholar could tell you that humans inherently crave what they are not allowed to have, it is rooted deep down in our genetic makeup. So if you tell a teenager drugs are bad, you can’t have them, they will, in fact, want them even more, which has been the driving force of over-consumption and abuse globally. It’s time to demystify drugs as glamorous and show drug addiction as it really is -- a disease that requires treatment and prevention programs.

Change in AP style; they’re all about pronouns

By Petruce Jean-Charles Imagine this: you identify as non-binary but one day you are interviewed by a journalist and because you look feminine, you are automatically referred to in her report as” she.” The reporter is now unknowingly disrespecting your desire to? not be addressed as she, and now an issue of gender pronouns arises within journalistic writing.

“One way of being affirming and supportive of nonbinary identities is to avoid these assumptions and always ask or provide an option to disclose preferred gender pronouns,” according to The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.

As of May 31, 2017, the Associated Press permitted journalists to use “they” as a singular pronoun. Following many years of confusion, editors and reporters can now rest at ease on addressing people that identify as nonbinary correctly.

Non-binary refers to gender identities that are not exclusively masculine of feminine, individuals who identify as such may have both of neither characteristics.

For those who lack understanding on this topic, Poynter Institute issued an entry on the usage of these pronouns.

According to Poynter Institute Journalist Kristen Hare, “They/them/their is acceptable in limited cases as a singular and-or gender-neutral pronoun...however, rewording usually is possible and always is preferable.”

Hare wrote. “...explain in the text that the person prefers a gender-neutral pronoun.”

On Oct. 17, 2018 the Women’s and Gender Studies hosted its first International Pronouns Day: Gender Bender Workshop in the Human Rights Institute to spread awareness on non-binary identities within the workforce.

As prospective journalists in today’s society, we should

Photo by Dave Bleasdale

“I would definitely shy away from any assumptions or trying to single anyone out.

Be willing to learn, apologize if you mess up and continue to foster meaningful conversations like this one,” Wickline said. be immersed in new innovations like gender pronouns.

Of course, using other pronouns like ze, xe are puzzling, but taking the effort to use “they” or getting to know the interviewee before assuming pronouns is essential as well.

I have friends and colleagues that identify as nonbinary and express themselves through “they”, as a way to fit outside of the gender norms. Being a part of the LGBT community is not just about sexuality but about gender as well, and having the option to self-identify as something other than “she” or “he” is a huge step for AP style.

Regina Wickine, a full-time Residential Student Services worker and staff for PRIDE opened up about her gender expression as a cisgender female.

“The importance of understanding non-binary pronouns comes from wanting to understand the people around us fully,” said Wickline. “A lot of times pronoun assumptions are based on the way we perceive a person... how you perceive someone is not necessarily that person’s reality. That’s why I think it’s important for those who feel comfortable to introduce ourselves by name and pronouns - making it more likely that others will do the same.”

“For most of us it isn’t really much of a thought and that is a major privilege, so the least we can do is make it easier and safer for others to be able to be themselves,” Wickline said. “Believe people when they tell you who they are, be kind and believe people when they express themselves to you. If someone in your life tells you they go by pronouns that differ from what you assigned to them, correct yourself and continue to move forward in that way.”

As for interviewing, Wickline advises reporters to introduce your name and pronoun A simple, “Hi my name is Gigi and I go by she/her pronouns,” will make anyone feel comfortable explaining their pronouns.

“I would definitely shy away from any assumptions or trying to single anyone out. Be willing to learn, apologize if you mess up and continue to foster meaningful conversations like this one,” Wickline said.

10 THE TOWER

February, 2019

OPINION

The Government Shutdown and its impact on our environmental health and safety

By Danielle Junio

As a majority of us know, the United States welcomed the New Year with one of the longest government shutdowns in history due to a border wall debate between President Trump and congress.

Just after twenty—one days of the shutdown Times magazine noted that it had affected about 800,000 workers and American citizens who depend on our government’s services. Times magazine also mentioned “the shutdown has meant that national parks are filling up with trash and many are closed, that some government loans and grants are not being processed, that Coast Guard members and others have been forced to work without pay, and that the Food and Drug Administration has stopped its routine food safety inspections, among other consequences.”

“I feel like the government is not thinking about the people and how to keep them safe. I really feel sad and sorry for the parents who have kids because since no food inspections were performed the food that was sold in the store would have made someone’s child sick,” Ijeoma Akpu, a senior environmental biology major at Kean University.

The routine food safety inspections performed by the FDA key role is to prevent foodborne-illness from reaching consumers. Without the Food and Drug administration being able to perform their routine inspections on products such as fresh produce and meat (including seafood) there is a greater chance of a foodborne-illness outbreak such as E-Coli and even Vibrio.

However, according to the New York Times article “Government Shutdown Curtails F.D.A. Food Inspections,” written by Sheila Kaplan, Sarah Sorscher (a Deputy Director of Regulatory Affairs) mentioned that the FDA made an announcement stating that they had tried their best to continue these safety inspections on products that are known to be a “high-risk” throughout the shut-down.

Although the FDA had tried their best to perform these inspections on high-risk products, this should still be a major concern to consumers since within the past year there has been a massive E-Coli outbreak in romaine lettuce. The E-Coli outbreak from the romaine lettuce alone hospitalized about 197 people, killed a handful of people, and even left 26 patients with kidney failure, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control). The

As De Palma stated, the EPA’s tests also play a key role in making sure the country’s people are safe and healthy by enforce the regulations such as the “Clean Water Act” and the “Clean Air Act.” These standards aid in keeping people safe and healthy because it makes sure that people are receiving uncontaminated drinking water and monitors the amount of air pollution our country produces.

The EPA also keeps track of hazardous waste disposal to ensure that hazardous wastes are being discarded properly to prevent contact with people.

Without the EPA enforcing these regulations and monitoring quality control, people could become very sick. For example, there was a time where hydraulic fracking companies would discretely discard their hazardous waste in dump sites where the toxic “fracking fluid” was seeping into people’s fresh drinking water; as a result the residents in those areas became very ill.

Photo by Richard Klotz It has been proven that some of the known effects of the contamination of air and water from hydraulic fracking can lead to testicular toxicity, CDC also states that “foodborne diseases in the United malformation of the embryo, bone marrow depression, States send about 128,000 people to the hospital each hemolysis, and a countless amount of other symptoms year, and kill 3,000.” Shockingly, all of that has happened while the FDA was fully running their routine food safety (LifeGate 2016). For more information there is a whole inspections. video about hydraulic fracking and how the contaminated Along with the FDA, the government shut-down water and air as a result from it can negatively affect also had a negative impact on the EPA (Environmental people’s health titled “Gasland.”

Protection Agency). According to the Environmental “People should be aware and understand all things that Protection Network, during the 2019 government could risk their health and their children’s health,” Akpu. shutdown the EPA stopped “most activities related to It is extremely important for people to become more hazardous waste cleanups under the national Superfund cautious/aware about their environment and what they program, inspections to ensure regulated activities are are consuming when there is a government shut-down being done safely and lawfully, enforcement work such as due to the fact that the FDA and EPA cannot fully perform case development, and administrative or court hearings, their safety inspections or enforce quality control. approvals for the importation of pesticide products, even As mentioned previously, this government shutdown if products awaiting approval back up in the ports, reviews affected over 800,000 American citizens during that few or approvals for sale of toxic substances, Responses to week time and Donald Trump even stated himself that Freedom of Information Act requests, processing state this government shutdown could have possibly lasted grants and auditing how federal money is being used, and for “months or even years,” (which was quoted in the issuance of federal permits, although states issue many Time magazine article). If that happened then thousands permits that would not be directly affected.” of more people could have been affected and the food “This particularly makes me nervous because these manufacturing companies and the other companies could tests are here to avoid us getting sick and for our safety. have gotten away with not meeting the proper quality Without these tests who knows what is getting passed us standards and not following the proper regulations for a and how this can damage our health,” Maura De Palma, a longer period of time. junior geoscience major at Kean University.

Family matters: College student and caregiver

By Danielle Santiago Of all the things I had imagined for myself at age 23, moving back home was not one of them.

I graduated in 2013 from Kingsborough Community College in New York with an associate degree in broadcast technology and was looking forward to furthering my education as a transfer student at Brooklyn College.

All of that changed after I received a phone call from my mother in a broken voice explaining that my grandmother had suffered a stroke. This was my then 78-year-old grandmother’s third massive stroke, leaving her completely immobile and dependent on the care of my 77-year-old grandfather (who was already showing signs of dementia) and my 49-year-old mother.

It was an impulsive decision to leave New York in Fall of 2013 but being my mother’s only child, and the eldest granddaughter (who was practically raised by my grandparents), there was a sense of obligation to go back to my childhood home in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

During the duration of that year, I was assisting my mother, Jeanette Rodriguez, and grandfather, Geronimo Rodriguez with developing a care routine for my grandmother, Elsa Rodriguez. This meant scheduling everything from meals, medications, diaper changes, baths, and finding a doctor to make in-home visits.

According to The National Alliance For Caregiving, “the typical millennial caregiver is a 27-year-old adult, equally likely to be male or female.” I began my duties as a caregiver at a much younger age. It has been three years now that I moved back home. I am also a 26-year old part-time student at Kean University majoring in communications. And juggling the two hasn’t been easy.

Over the course of the three years that I have been in New Jersey, I’ve had to learn how to manage my time as a caregiver, a student, and an employee of Chanel. Many times my social life has taken a backseat to my responsibilities. I’ve lost a lot of friends who grew impatient with my inability to hang out but, it is extremely difficult to balance full-time work, part-time education, and caregiving. I have realized there are others who share my struggles, so I’ve put together a list that might help those along.

Here are some tips that helped me cope with being a full-time caregiver in college: 1.) Find a mentor or trusted advisor.

Having someone (or multiple people) to talk to is essential because caregiving is an emotional journey. The goal is to find a trusted advisor (preferably someone older with more life experience) who can be beneficial to have as part of your support system. In my case, I have my Godmother Maria Molina who is a 53-year-old woman with strong family values. She has already experienced caregiving for multiple members of her family and endured the pain of losing those loved ones. Her empathy, compassion, and understanding of long-term care has made her

Photo by Pexels

“Many times my social life has taken a backseat to my responsibilities.” my ‘go-to’ for advice and vent sessions.

2.) Do your research.

You can always start with your state’s website, where you should be able to find more about the National Family Caregiver Support Program in your area. This can be most helpful to you when having questions regarding healthcare, transportation and workshops.

3.) Find a support group.

Isolation is often a result of peer groups and friends who cannot identify with your situation.

However, you can easily check with local organizations for the elderly and ask if they know of other young caregivers who may want to form a support group.

4.) Consider hiring in-home care.

Coming from a very traditional Latinx upbringing, placing our elders in an assisted living facility was not an option, in part because they may be too proud to admit that they need care. To ease the workload, you may want to consider hiring

a nurse or companion for your grandparent(s).

Care.com is often a great place to start. you can post your specific needs while looking for help in your local area.

5.) Find time for you.

Caregiving is a 24/7 job and it’s usually nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster. It is imperative to remember to take a time out for yourself to do what you love and for the sake of your mental health. Treating yourself to life’s simple pleasures are necessary to cope with your hardships as a caregiver. Your grandparent(s) may not be in the physical or mental condition to tell you but, you should not feel guilty or let guilt keep you from living your life.

6.) Remember why you’re a caregiver in the first place.

I’ve learned to live for every smile and laugh I can muster out of my grandparents because I know they won’t be in my life forever. There will be a day when all you have left are the lessons and memories that they leave behind, so make the most of them.