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MAR | 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
Degree requirement to drop to 120 credits by Fall 2019 Change mirrors new state law By Petruce Jean-Charles On Tuesday, Feb, 5 the University Senate at Kean University held its second meeting of 2019 to update the attendees on initiatives like the 120 credit mandate. Faculty members in attendance included: Paula Avioli, Louis Beaugris, Paul Croft, David Farrokh, Daniel Gover, Sue-Ellen Gronewold, Laurie Knis-Matthews, Barbara Lee, Holly Logue, Christopher Lynch, Donald Marks, Catherine Nicholson, Yehoshua Palgi, Maximina Rivera, Robyn Roebuck, Martin Shulman, Frances Stavola-Daly and Melodie Toby. The 2018-2019 Officers of the Senate present were Chairperson Claire Mulry, Vice Chair David Joiner, Secretary J. Barry Mascari and Board of Trustees Representative Daniela Shebitz. On the agenda, deliberation of 120 credits, campus culture, elections and curriculum management system were introduced to the attendees.
Photo by Kean University
Chairperson Claire Mulry
On Aug. 17, 2018 Governor Murphy signed a bill stating that Bachelor degrees from state universities must be 120 credits. Faculty and staff from across the University are collaborating to meet the terms of the
legislation. Mulry updated the progress of 120 credit hours for graduation in placement of the current 124 requirement. Although the process was a long one, Mulry extended her appreciation to everyone involved in implementing this initiative. “The law says we must comply in 180 days,” said Mulry. “Kean is working to meet this deadline and to have all non-exempt programs in compliance prior to Fall 2019.” According to a national survey by Complete College America, a bachelor’s degree at most institutions requires the minimum total of 120 credit hours. “Nearly 50 percent of all programs, at all institutions require only the minimum number of credits generally required for accreditation,” said Nate Johnson, an article by Complete College America. Moreover, Acting Dean for the College of Liberal Arts, Jonathan Mercantini spoke of the benefits of this change. “The faculty and staff of the College of Liberal Arts have been working hard to strengthen our curriculum in response to the 120 credit mandate,” said Mercantini. “Students will benefit by having a clearer path to graduation, enhanced opportunities to conduct research with Kean faculty and expanded internship possibilities.” Student Representative Mekhia Baker was relieved to hear of the 120 credit mandate, as it gives her and other students an easier graduation. “I feel this will benefit students financially and helps them graduate quicker,” said Baker. “I feel that it took Kean awhile to implement this, because they wanted to make sure this was the right move to make.” Other advancements discussed included the campus culture statement. This statement is for the betterment of the students, faculty and community to ensure the mission of each university. “There are many cultures that could be more celebrated at Kean, but it would be better for the public to decide which cultures they want to be more celebrated,” said Baker.
“The law says we must comply in 180 days, Kean is working to meet this deadline and to have all non-exempt programs in compliance prior to Fall 2019,” said Mulry. continued on page 2
KU president is keynote on “Does civic engagement matter?” Talk is part of “Higher education in 2020” series
By Erin McGuinness Kean President Dawood Farahi headlined the second of four faculty seminars scheduled for this semester to discuss the university and civic engagement — or working to make a difference in the civic life of a community.
thinking, analytical, and data analysis skills that are necessary for students to navigate the 21st century. “Civility is what makes a university what it should be,” Farahi said, going on to say that accepting differences and telling students they are “not alone,” contributes to a campus-wide
Kean President Dawood Farahi discussed civic engagement and higher education at a Faculty Seminar on Feb 13.
Photo by Kean University Office of the President
Kean University President Dawood Farahi
About 40 faculty and staff members gathered in Kean Hall Feb. 13 for the second “Higher Education in 2020” discussion in the series themed “Does Civic Engagement Matter?” organized by Drs. Dennis Klein and Donald Marks, co-chairs of the Faculty Seminar. Assistant professor Aaron Gubi helped organize the event. After an introduction by Klein, Farahi addressed the room and began a discussion on where Kean University is on the map of civic engagement and how the university can continue to progress in the constantly changing and developing world. He outlined some problems Kean University faces, including changes in legislation, competition from superior online programs and the curriculum changes that the current market, with technology constantly improving, demands. Farahi touched on the subject of required coursework that some students complain does not relate to their major, noting that Kean’s goal is to create well-rounded students who are versed with not only knowledge of their desired career path, but also critical
sense of community. The details exclusive to Kean, such as music halls and art halls, shape the university into a community, he said. Following a 40-minute discussion, faculty and staff were invited to ask questions. Klein opened the question portion with a question about how can Kean better “bridge between higher education and the real world?” With new laws in place, such as Governor Phil Murphy’s pilot program providing free community college education, Farahi said it’s even more necessary for Kean “to explain to the students what they get here… the most robust career development program anywhere in the state of New Jersey,” Dr. Sarah Compion, director of Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, said she teaches classes on human rights and social justice, so civic engagement is an idea that she thinks about a lot. “I think it’s helpful for me to take the same conversation into the classroom. To ask students what they want out of higher education,” she said. The next Faculty Seminar in this “Does Civic Engagement Matter” series, is scheduled for March 27.
Dr. Janet Yedes, beloved professor, dies after short illness By Erin McGuinness To colleagues and friends, Dr. Janet Yedes is remembered for the life she created that was powered by genuine human connection and worldly experience. Beloved professor Dr. Janet Yedes died Feb. 28 at Kennedy Medical Center in Edison after a short illness. She was 66 years old. Dr. Yedes joined Kean University in 1999 and taught Dr. Janet Yedes spent 20 years as courses in social justice, a professor in the Department of Communication holistic health, environmental communication and more in the School of Communication, Media, and Journalism. To many of her students, though, she was more than just a professor. She was a mentor, nurturer and friend. “She is my soul mother,” said Mona Elnewihy, Kean University graduate. Elnewihy, an Egypt native, was introduced to Dr. Yedes during
a visit to campus and the pair bonded over Dr. Yedes’ love of Egyptian culture. When Elnewihy missed registration because her federal student loan was not approved in time, Dr. Yedes personally took her to the dean who was able to ensure her a spot in the semester, despite being three weeks late. Dr. Yedes helped Elnewihy understand and navigate the American education system, helped her access financial aid, and at times spoke to Elnewihy in Arabic to make her feel at home. If Elnewihy did not meet Dr. Yedes on that first day, she said she might not have started her master’s degree. At the time Elnewihy did not understand why the professor was extending so much kindness to her, but as their friendship progressed, she learned it was simply part of Dr. Yedes’ genuine empathy, passion for teaching and desire to watch her students succeed. “She was a woman who cared about others, respected their culture and had a great knowledge of other cultures. She was interested to know others,” Elnewihy said. Dr. Yedes vast cultural knowledge could be attributed to her world travels. After receiving her master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from Indiana University in 1980, she spent time teaching in Egypt, Sudan and Tunisia. “She studied with Native Americans. She studied with indigenous people in South America. I believe she even went to a large group study with the Dalai Lama. She always set her own
pace,” said Dr. Christopher Lynch, a colleague and friend to Dr. Yedes for over 30 years. Dr. Lynch and Dr. Yedes studied for their doctorates together at Temple University, where she received her Ph.D in Rhetoric and Communication in 1994. She was a person of the universe and defined her own life path, Dr. Lynch said. Dr. Yedes did not rush through completing her Ph.D., rather, she took time off and traveled the world. Her approach to research was qualitative, said Dr. Jack Sargent, executive director of the School of Communication, Media & Journalism. Dr. Yede’s took interest in observing and studying the world; human interaction, chosen rhetoric, and language, around her, he said, noting a time she spent in South America listening to women tell stories. Professor Holly Logue, colleague and friend, compared Dr. Yedes to Mother Nature, “natural, unpretentious, and real,” she said. While Dr. Yedes had many friends on the Kean University campus, one theme remains constant; her connections were genuine. Dr. Yedes did not indulge in small talk, rather, she asked sincere questions and talked of important topics, making her friends feel heard and admired in every conversation. She is remembered for being kind, smart and funny. “I think the lesson from her life is to just take advantage of every moment you have and make the best of it,” Dr. Lynch said.