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Mar 25 | 2021 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
Students Caught Cheating Using GroupMe App By Davaughnia Wilson A group of students were caught cheating on a test using GroupMe and told to drop the class ASAP, according to a student involved who asked not to be named. While the exact number of students involved in the incident could not be determined, Keanwise indicates 19 available seats in the class. The class has a maximum capacity of 50 seats, and it is unknown if the class was filled before the incident. Students in Psychology 2100 used a group chat, GroupMe to ask, and share answers to a test issued by their professor. The professor was sent the link to the chat by another student in the class. He then entered the GroupMe and informed the students that asked for answers; and those
“... Academic dishonesty in any form - written or non-written, media or technology - seriously compromises the Kean University mission to provide quality programs and opportunities for the optimum development of all students and employees,” the policy states. who participated in sharing and usage of the test answers to drop the class ASAP. The professor stated that he cannot ethically comment on the issue and that he is unable to indicate when he will be able to. Kean’s University Relations said that all academic disciplines follow the University's Academic Integrity Policy.
“Each semester, the policy is included in syllabi for individual courses so that students are fully informed about the academic integrity expectations and consequences for their behavior,” according to University Relations. Adding that, "The University does not comment on allegations of academic integrity violations involving specific
continued on page 5
Photo by Photo taken from Kean University’s Academic Integrity Policy.
The Academic Integrity Policy cover
ICE Facility in Elizabeth Becomes Center of Protest at Kean By Ruben Nieves
held company that contracts with the government, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to run private prisons and detention centers. Core Civic is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CXW. “It’s deeply disheartening that Kean University has leadership profiting from the immigration system that has destroyed and separated families in the Kean community,” the petition states. The group said detainees rights are being
A protest group is calling for Kean to end its relationship with two longtime supporters of the university because of its business connection to a controversial ICE facility in Elizabeth that has been accused of mistreating immigrant detainees. About 12 protesters, which included Kean students and alumni, held a rally on March 2 at the campus calling for Kean to remove Dave Gibbons from the university’s board of trustees and take away the title of his mother, Anne Evans Estabrook, as vice chair of Wenzhou Kean University in China. Estabrook and her son Gibbons run the family owned Elberon Development Group, which leases the ICE detention facility in Elizabeth to CoreCivic, which runs private prisons and detention Photo by Emma Yorra centers. Signs created in protest of ICE Estabrook serves as the chairman of the Elberon company and Gibbons holds the title violated and that during the pandemic they of President and CEO. were not protected from COVID-19. They The rally organizers have also started a said there was no social distancing and no petition on change.org that has over 1,500 masks were provided. signatures. According to insidernj.com, the Elizabeth CoreCivic is a $1.98 billion publicly detention center “is known for immigrant
suffering and death for 27 years.” Insidernj. com is a website that provides daily news throughout New Jersey. “We have a lot of Kean students and alumni and community members, so almost 1,500 people are saying they want Estabrook and Gibbons off the board,” Emma Yorra, a Union county resident who was also an organizer of the rally said. The protesters began at Green Lane and Morris Avenue, and marched to Kean Hall where the office of the college president is
on equity, safety, and academic safety for all students, according to Stacey Callahan, coorganizer of the rally and a Kean alumnae. “It is important to listen with respect to all voices on important issues facing our university community, our state and our country,” Repollet said according to audio of the event. “It remains my focus and that of the Board of Trustees.” A box with the petition was left outside of Kean Hall, as the protesters were not allowed to enter. Dr. Repollet came outside, retrieved the box and addressed the protesters. He said he would make the situation known and that he would talk to the board about the concerns of the protesters. Callahan and Yorra hope to get more signatures and more attention paid towards their cause. “The petition was created in the summer Photo by Emma Yorra A sign created in support of Immigrants of 2020. We were planning to attend the board meeting for located. President Lamont Repollet walked Monday,” said Callahan. “We’ve been going to outside the building to see the protesters, board meetings and we made it an event and according to video footage. are hoping to attend the next board meeting.” Dr. Repollet went outside to talk to the Both Callahan and Yorra, as well as other protesters and told them that his focus since protesters also spoke out in March during the becoming president at Kean has always been Board of Trustees meeting.
“A lot of Kean students and alumni and community members, so almost 1,500 people are saying they want Gibbons off the board”
Economics Program Switches From BA to BS “With a greater focus on Mathematics, Science and Analytics, the new B.S. program in the College of Business and Public Management is a more marketable degree and provides students with the skills demanded in today's job market.” Photo by Kean University Website
College of Business and Public Management
By Cindy Lazo The Bachelor of Arts in Economics in the College of Liberal Arts is becoming a Bachelor of Science in the College of Business & Public Management starting in the fall semester. Margaret McCorry, the associate vice president for University Relations, said that the Kean Board of Trustees voted to create a BS in Economics to better prepare students for success in the field. “With a greater focus on Mathematics, Science and Analytics, the new B.S. program in the College of Business and Public Management is a more marketable degree and provides students with the skills demanded in today's job market.” McCorry said. The general difference between a B.A. and a
B.S. is that while a B.A. focuses on humanities and arts, a B.S. focuses broadly on math and science, according to Dr. Veysel Yucetepe, director of the MBA Program for the Global Business School and Associate Professor of Marketing, As a result, the changes will impact two tenured Economics faculty who will be retrenched. Neither professor could be reached for comment. Kean Federation of Teachers-AFT President James Castiglione said that the KFT was unable to include the Economic faculty in a negotiated settlement last fall that saved the positions of 21 faculty members. “We were, however, able to get the employment of the two faculty in Economics extended through the end of the spring semester instead of losing their jobs in January,” Dr.
Castiglione said, noting that the affected faculty have the right to pursue legal remedies on their own. “We have continued to advocate for a better resolution for the affected faculty in the weeks and months since we signed the settlement and will continue to do so.” Dr. Yucetepe said in an interview last month about the new program is more relevant and beneficial to students because it is in line with what companies are looking for now. “It is good for the job prospect and for the market,” Dr. Yucetepe said. Dr. Jonathan Mercantini, acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said he was not directly involved in the planning, but suggested that enrollment in the Economics program had a factor in the decision.
“I think the concern was that enrollment in the Economics program had been declining and the B.S. program, as I understand it, is a little bit more Math and quantitative heavy” Dr. Mercantini said, “and I guess it was the determination that was the direction that the field was largely going in.” McCorry said that students who are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program and graduating this Spring are not impacted by the decision. They will complete their coursework and receive their degrees, she said. She also said that full-time faculty teaching in the B.A. program may apply for positions in the new B.S. in Economics program. Tower reporter Christian Grullon contributed to this report.
2 THE TOWER
March, 2021
University Enters One-year Anniversary of Remote Learning By Christian Grullon One year after the university moved to online remote & hybrid learning due to the pandemic, students have had mixed reactions since the transition. Remote learning had been recently
students to go about their classes and also some classes were offered for the hybrid phase as well. “I think discussion boards got better but I am honestly missing the normalcy of just using the library and seeing people in class,” Chevon Williams, a junior majoring in
Political Science, said remote education will benefit students ‘in terms of prioritizing health concerns.’ Senior Criminal Justice Major John Paul said that he’s ‘loving the remote classes.’ The University was originally going to start the hybrid phase in mid-February but the
rather have live labs.’ Gabriella Lapointe, President of the Graduate & Part Time Student Council said that she thinks remote learning has become second nature at this point and that ‘everyone has made the necessary adjustments to continue working and upholding our typical
“I think discussion boards got better but I am honestly missing the normalcy of just using the library and seeing people in class”
Photo by Kean University Website
Return to Campus
extended to March 1st because of the outbreak. The university has been operating remotely since the Spring 2020 semester. Students and staff have been going about their classes online and hybrid since the outbreak. Assignments and tasks have been given online as well along with discussion questions. Blackboard Collaborate and even the Zoom app have been used for staff and
Photo by Kean University Website
Cougar Restart Guide
Political Science and History Pre-Law, said. Jasmine Taylor, a sophomore, said she is tired of remote learning, but she is ‘trying to play it safe’. Cecilia Torres, a sociology sophomore, said that although she is not the ‘biggest fan’ of remote learning, and that she’d rather be ‘safe at home than be back on campus too soon’. Kesi Alejandro, a Senior majoring in
University had extended the remote phase because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The semester is scheduled to end on May 5. Professor Oleh George Kolodiy said “For the courses I teach do not require a whole lot of discussion so remote learning is really good”. Kolodiy however said that as far as labs remote is not so good and that he ‘would
responsibilities’. The transition to remote was announced through e-mail on March 16, 2020 in order to follow social distancing guidelines, lines and keep students and staff safe from COVID-19 risk. President Lamont Repollet recently sent an email that informed students and faculty that the university plans to go back to inperson learning in the fall..
Breaking the Societal Norms in the Beauty Industry By Tiye Bracy We live in a world where presentation is everything and beauty is not just a six letter word, it can translate to perfection. For women, it means spending expenses on makeup, hair, and nails. We think of pretty
as the new way of having to fit into what society says beautiful is. We are constantly looking for affirmations in others. Is my hairstyle okay? How do I look in this outfit? These are the many questions we are constantly asking to ourselves. Abbey Christensen, Residential
Assistant of Social Services opened up her panel discussion about how influencers on social media are detaching themselves for what is considered the standard of beauty. The Beauty without Boundary event took place online via Google Meet on February 28th at noon.
“The entire focus of this program is to highlight how people are shaking up the beauty industry and changing societal norms.” Photo by Tiye Bracy
Screenshot of the Beauty without Boundary Event
Photo by Tiye Bracy
Ashley Graham Official Instagram Account
Photo by Tiye Bracy
Winnie Harlow Official Instagram Account
“The entire focus of this program is to highlight how people are shaking up the beauty industry and changing societal norms,” Christensen said. “Seeing everybody represented, people with disabilities…” Christensen talks about her role models that she looks up to in the beauty industry. Following that I talked about Khloe Kardashian’s Good American brand that features plus size models. Or Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty brand that showcases natural skin types and various melanins. Christensen proceeds by mentioning her Top 5 social media influencers that are going against the grain. First was Ashley Graham which is known for her plus size modeling. “The first model I would like to highlight is actually one of my favorites, Ashley Graham,” Christensen said. “She is a plus size model that actually has her own lingerie brand and swimsuit line that she made to be inclusive for everyone.” Ashley Graham normalizes working moms and what it is like to be a mother in the middle of a pandemic. The second social media influencer she mentioned was Iskra Lawrence who is a British straight model. She is known for modeling for Aerie, the American Eagle lingerie brand. She started modeling in her teenage years and wore a size zero to two typically. She has been open to the public about her constant battle from an anorexia eating disorder. She is an activist for body acceptance. “As you can see by her images, she does alot of modeling, but she also lets you look into her life,” Christensen said. “She talks about period bloating, here she is breastfeeding her son.” The third model she showcases is Winnie Harlow, which is known as a vitiligo model. The discoloration of the skin forms a beauty in its own way. She emphasizes on the importance of blocking out negative comments. “For a while this was looked down upon and seen as revolting in the media and agencies,” Christensen said. In today’s society, vitiligo is becoming more widely accepted. The modeling agencies are more versatile in their selection of models. “She is a Canadian model, of Jamaican descent,” Christensen said. The fourth model featured was Myla Dalbesio, she is up and coming known for her artist photography modeling. She is a happy medium size 10 model. “She considered herself to be an in between body,” Christensen said. “Which means she's not a plus size or in the super skinny spectrum.” The last but not least model presented was Andreja Pejic, also known as an actress of German descent. She is a rebel in the LBQT community, as a transgender model. She is candid about her expereince in the transgender realm. “She was a male and in 2014 transitioned into being a female, and because of that she wasn't accepted in a lot of places in the beauty industry,” Christensen said.
March, 2021
THE TOWER 3
RELATIONSHIPS
Student Relationships with Friends and Family during Quarantine
By Emily Robles Since Covid-19 started, everything has changed. Our lives went from having absolute freedom to not even being allowed to go to most places. This includes students being ripped away from their college life and back into the homes of their parents, which isn't the best of plans. Imagine, who would've thought we’d still be in the same place a year ago today? As a student who had lived on campus since the very beginning of their college career, leaving was the last thing I wanted to do. It’s very hard to get my work done from my bed rather than in a classroom, but I’m trying my best. It’s even harder for most parents to understand that we students aren't just relaxing all day. This is not a vacation for us. We, too, are working from home and still struggling with the transition. The hardest thing for me was the transition from living on campus and being on my own, to moving back home with my parents. In some ways, I’ve reverted back to my teenage self: constantly behind my closed door and listening to old Taylor Swift songs. I’m back in my old, teenage room, no friends next door to me. I can't just get up and go to Tropicana at midnight with my friends anymore and United Hands honestly it makes me upset most days. Some things I miss the most is being in a college environment, surrounded by my friends. Since covid, it's been hard keeping in contact with the people I’d see on campus or the friends I’ve made while living in the dorms. My relationships with some friends have changed drastically because I really only saw them on campus and now I only get to see my best friend and boyfriend. I miss having that constant social interaction and being
around people my age. Now, I am always around my parents, specifically my mother. During the week, my mother is home since she is also working remotely and she can be extremely loud sometimes, especially when she’s talking on the phone with someone, on a zoom call, or worse, vacuuming the house. Despite all that, I can't complain about having my mother around, she beats having a messy college roommate and who can hate on the home cooked meals since I didn't get much of that while living at Kean.
together. Josephine O’Grady, a community health education major, says that quarantine has strengthened her and her familys’ relationship. “As a family, we’ve all gotten much closer,” O’Grady said. “With everyone home, our lives are very much intertwined.” O’Grady is a junior and has always lived at home while going to school. She lives with her parents and three other siblings and even though they are all home with each other, she says things stay calm and cool for the most part.
become so much more versatile,” O’Grady said. “Our physical presence is not a prerequisite of the intimacy that comes with relationships.” Other students have also expressed their relationships improving with people while in quarantine. Brianna Ruiz, a speech and hearing sciences disorder major, says that quarantine has made some of her relationships change for the better. “Covid and being in quarantine has changed my relationship with my younger brother a lot,” Ruiz said. Now, Ruiz and her brother spend time doing homework together and have time where they do fun things together like watch movies and shows. “Before covid I was living at home, but I was planning on living on campus for my last year,” Ruiz said. “Being around my parents more often now is definitely different. It gets frustrating sometimes and I miss being able to have my own space.” When it comes to being with her parents more often, she says it can get difficult. Ruiz said the most frustrating part of being home with her family all the time now is not being able to go out and get away from it all if she needs too. “It’s fun until you start arguing about something,” Ruiz said. “Then you’re stuck in the house until things get better.” This can be a frustrating time for students and parents alike, but we’re getting through it. Hopefully, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we can all get back to a normal life sooner rather than later. All I know is that, once the world opens up again, I'm never coming home.
“It’s fun until you start arguing about something, then you’re stuck in the house until things get better.” Photo by The R Family - 2, by RebeccaVC1 is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
While living back at home wasn't my preferred way of finishing my last year of college, it hasn't been as bad as I could have imagined. As the one year mark of quarantine in New Jersey draws near, It seems that other students don't mind being home with their parents and families. Some feel as if their families are getting closer than ever since they’re stuck inside
“Seeing so much of each other has never inherently been frustrating,” O’Grady said. “We respect each other’s personal space.” When it comes to her friends, O’Grady says that her friendships have strengthened during quarantine. She says she talks on the phone alot with her friends and co-workers very often. “The “catching up” part of friendship has
Capturing Change at Kean University By Chelsey Jaipersaud
extra step to learn about one’s differences and then embracing that person with love and acceptance. When this is done, that is when we can move forward, but until then we have to stay educated and dismiss ideas that are only acceptable to a portion of the world. “I think people think the work is done
A thirteen year old’s first protest captured by an artist who led the protest was given a bullhorn and the opportunity to speak her truth, chanting “can I get a Black lives matter, when I say Black lives, you say matter” and from that moment carried the next fight against injustice. The Capturing Change virtual event which took place on February 25th demonstrated and examined the power of visual art including painting and photography to express the experiences of oppression. Academic departments of Fine Art, Psychology, English, Political Science and others were encouraged to invite faculty and increase student engagement. “We have to use our voice in life and we have to be able to find it and underline it even if it’s a little scary,” artist and performer Daryl Stewart said. The event featured a guest panel including artist and Black lives matter of Paterson, Sir Moore, Kean student Jada Bautista, artist and performer Daryl Stewart, artist Carolina Rodriguez Meyer, HRI Director Lauretta Farrell, and former Kean Professor of the year Dr. Mia Zamora. “We have to make inclusion a part of the conversation,” Stewart said. T hese ar tists, although different, work to inspire change and find ways to break away from boundaries that have been set forth to exclude those who are identified as different in the eyes of the same people Photo by Sir Moore who’ve created separation over “Her Voice With In” the years. Stewart explained this idea of diversity and inclusion by using his own when they bring a few faces that don’t look artistic analogy. “If you’re invited to a party, like theirs into a room and say okay we were diversity is the invitation, but inclusion is kind, we remembered, but the idea of really when you ask someone to dance,” he said. listening is not an easy thing,” Zamora said. This idea of inclusion involves taking the It is so easy to do the bare minimum and
call it a day. It is so easy to say “who am I to provoke change?” People think that they need to be someone of high status to create change, but the most robust leaders were once ordinary people. These artists are all leaders in their own way. They willingly go out and generate a piece of work crafted with their hands and
into their lifestyle. That uncomfortability is their excuse to act out in certain ways that resemble unjust behavior. “The truth isn’t always beautiful,” Moore said. Moore shared that when it comes to capturing truthful moments it can be strenuous and uneasy, but it is important to capture these moments at different angles. They can include someone feeling distraught and tired during a protest. That tiredness isn’t just a representation of how someone may be feeling that day, but how they’ve been feeling for years after fighting for their lives and all aspects of equality that tie in with it. Kean University takes pride in the diversity that is so prevalent. This diverse community has been able to teach thousands of students powerful lessons through moments like this where they can join an event and hear stories about the importance of being a part of change. “ You can kill a revolutionary person, but you can never kill a revolution,” Moore said. If you’re interested Photo by Sir Moore in viewing more of the artist's work, please visit the links below. Sir Moore: https://www.kean.edu/offices/ human-rights-institute/human-rightsinstitute-gallery Carolina Rodriguez Meyer: http://www. coralinameyer.com/
“You can kill a revolutionary person, but you can never kill a revolution,” Moore said.
“Black Excellence vs. Everything”
mind to demonstrate the dark moments in a more captivating way. The world is forever changing and the reality is, people do get uncomfortable with having to make changes that don’t fit
4 THE TOWER
March, 2021
Resilience in Age of Atrocity: Holocaust Survivors Speak to Kean Students
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EDITOR IN CHIEF: VALERIE SANABRIA
By Tyler Clark
connections which helped their recovery. Blaikie was born in France a year before the Dr. Dennis Klein, Director of Master of Arts start of World War II. She mentioned that in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, invited her earliest memories in life were of being hunted. During the war, she and her mother were hidden on a farm with false identities which stated that they were not Jewish and that her mom was her aunt. Even though Blaikie was only five years old, she had to remember her false identity. She was constantly reminded that if she made a mistake, it could result in death. Blaikie’s fighting spirit kept her resilient. She spoke about revenge being the motivating factor that kept her mentally strong during the war. Stokes was born in Walldurn, Germany in 1939. Her family was deported to a Jewish internment camp in France called Camp de Gurs at the start of the war. She and her sister were separated from their Photo by Kean University Website Dr. Dennis Klein parents. After a year in the internment camp, Stokes and her sister were taken to a Dr. Don Marks, Director of Clinical Training children’s nursery named La Pouponniere. for the Psy. D Program at Kean, to his virtual After that, Stokes and her sister were Zoom class for a presentation called “Exploring Psychological Resilience: New Insights from Contextual Behavioral Science” on Feb. 23, 2021. Dr. Klein also invited three Holocaust survivors Evi Blaikie, Hans Gesell, and Felice Stokes to speak about their experiences with resilience. The presentation was a part of Dr. Klein’s “History of the Holocaust Part 2” course. He prefers to call the class by the informal name “Resilience in the Age of Atrocity”. It is one of the courses in the Master of Arts Holocaust and Genocide Studies program at Kean University. “He [Dr. Marks] does work in traumatic and post-traumatic studies. He’s actually taught me a great deal Photo by Kean University Website about that area. I myself do research Dr. Don Marks on the survivors' memoirs and how they cope with the post-traumatic separated and Stokes was hidden with a sequence,” Dr. Klein said. non-Jewish family in a small town called La In the past, Dr. Klein was able to publish Caillaudiere, France. some things because of information provided Stokes spent three years in hiding until by Dr. Marks. Dr. Klein felt Dr. Marks was the she was reunited with her sister at the end of natural choice for this presentation. During his presentation, Dr. Marks spoke about how the term resilience was insufficient in explaining how an individual recovers from trauma. “I’m kind of trying to critique the idea of resilience. I don’t think that’s a useful way of talking about how people respond to traumatic events because it’s too superficial,” Dr. Marks said, “There are always opportunities for nurturing community and people will thrive in conditions of nurturing community, so if we create those conditions, people will likely do well.” Dr. Marks’ presentation was followed by a conversation with three Holocaust survivors: Blaikie, Gesell, and Stokes, who were children at the time. “I got to know two of the three of them through another program that I was asked to moderate a few weeks ago,” Dr. Klein said. “One of the three, Felice Stokes is someone that I happened to know beforehand. That program was so successful that I asked them if they wouldn’t mind joining our class.” While each survivor had a Holocaust Remembrance different account of their time during the holocaust, learning to the war. They stayed in orphanages for about heal from their trauma involved sharing their three and a half years before being brought to individual stories. This allowed them to find America. others who had experienced similar traumatic Stokes learned that in 1942, both of her events and allowed them to form positive
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OPINION PIECES AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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parents were taken to Auschwitz and killed. Gessell was born in 1935 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He had a happy childhood before World War II started. In May 1940, the Nazis attacked
followed by the sounds of explosions. Gessell’s father owned a business in Rotterdam, which became destroyed in the bombing. Since Gessell’s building was the tallest in the city, the Nazis used it as a lookout during World War II. Gessell constantly lived in fear of the Nazis who occupied his building. Despite the horrendous circumstances, a sense of community formed in Gessell’s building. There were constant raids by the Nazis to uncover Jewish people in hiding, yet the occupants of the building never betrayed one another. Resources were scarce and everyone protected and helped one another. Gessell mentioned that his parents were his support system and seeing them overcome extremely difficult situations gave him strength. In his old age, Gessell has realized that talking about traumatic experiences during the Holocaust can be helpful to others who have experienced trauma in their lives. He feels it is important to share these experiences because in the future there will not be anyone alive who has directly experienced the Holocaust. “Soon there won’t be anyone Photo by By U.S. Army Europe marked under CC PDM 1.0 directly involved with these experiences. It’ll only be the people that we talk to who will Rotterdam by bombing the city with a huge know what happened and it’s important for bombardment. Gessell lived in the tallest those people to realize that these were real apartment building in Rotterdam and events. This is not something that was made could see the planes flying towards the city, up. This actually did happen,” Gesell said.
“There are always opportunities for nurturing community and people will thrive in conditions of nurturing community, so if we create those conditions people will likely do well,” Dr. Marks said.
March, 2021
THE TOWER 5
OPINION
I am Latinx and I don’t celebrate Women’s Day By Valerie Sanabria
When the world is celebrating International Women's Day, in Latin America women are fighting to stay alive. As a Latinx person I woke up on March 8 – International Women’s Day – feeling powerful, but sad at the same time. I chose to wear a green jumpsuit I got for christmas and a purple scarf. I decided to wear makeup. It was simple, purple glitter and purple eyeliner. While parts of the world celebrate International Women’s Day to “commemorate the cultural, political, and s o c io e conomic achievement of women,” in Latin America women are marching in protest of patriarchy and femicide. There is a femicide crisis in Latin America. Femicide is the killing of a woman just because she is a woman. In the United States, Women’s History Month The Source is celebrated in March. International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8. I personally don’t celebrate it when women in Latin America are fighting everyday to stay alive. Women in and from Latin America don’t celebrate. Women in Latin America go out and protest against patriarchy’s oppression. Women in Latin America go out wearing green to demand sexual and reproductive health and abortion rights. Women in Latin America go out to demand to be safe in countries that
instead of protecting them, accept their killing. According to the official Global Americans website, “In the first two months of the year, Chile registered five femicides and 17 attempted homicides on women, 30 femicides in Peru, and a horrifying approximate of 160 femicides in Mexico.” The abuse, violence and killing of women in
American culture that it promotes femicides. At a young age men are taught to believe they are superior while women are taught to believe they were born to serve a man. I will never forget when I was only eight years old and men began to shout at me in the streets things that I did not even understand. I will never forget when I was told by a man to dress
killing of women is so natural that you don’t see it in the news. It’s not news that a woman is brutally killed and mutilated, it is an everyday thing. The international community hears the stories but nothing changes and nothing gets done. As Vivir Quintana said in her feminist anthem “Canción sin miedo” (Song without fear), “we sing without fear, we ask for justice, we scream for every missing, let it resonate loudly: we want each other alive!” In Latin America feminists are fighting for women to stay alive, but feminism is not culturally accepted. Feminists receive more hate than rapists. Women should be celebrated but also respected. Women should not have to be afraid of getting killed. Women should not have to ask for justice. While some people celebrate women, others are killing them. It won’t be a happy day until instead of killing us we get recognized, not as women, but as humans. Photo by Laura González @lauragonferstudio My Ride or Die On March 8, I received many messages from friends and coworkers saying “Happy modestly because men look at you and they Women’s Day.” How could I say that it was not a want you. I will never forget when I was told by happy day? Where I was born women get killed my grandmother that I got a flat tire because I so easily. am a woman. I currently live in a country where as feminists Growing up in Guatemala, a small country we fight to get equal payment, but I was born in in Central America, I saw signs of machismo a country where women are beginning to wake everyday. I saw acts of violence against women up and are fighting to stay alive. everyday. This never stopped and I don’t think While I fight for equal payment I am also it will soon. dreaming about the day Latin American women In Latin America the violence, rape and won’t have to dream about staying alive.
While some people celebrate women, others are killing them. It won’t be a happy day until instead of killing us we get recognized, not as women, but as humans. Photo by Laura González @lauragonferstudio
Latin America is natural. Thousands of women in Latin America, even during a pandemic, marched on March 8 with posters asking why should they celebrate? They won’t be able to celebrate or be happy until all women are safe. It sounds impossible, but in an area where machismo kills women and the government protects those killers a change is necessary. Machismo is so immersed in the Latin
Students Caught Cheating Using GroupMe App continued from page 1
SPORTS
students due to privacy concerns.” The University’s Academic Integrity Policy says that cheating is prohibited and could result in suspension for one semester and a permanent notation on the student’s academic file in addition to other disciplinary actions. The policy can be located under Important University Academic Integrity Policies and Information on any course syllabi and can also be found on the university’s website. A section of the syllabus states, “students are responsible to review and understand the University Academic Integrity Policy available via the following link: https://www.kean. edu/academic-integrity.” According to the policy, work provided by the students should reflect their own efforts and achievements. Sanctions and disciplinary actions are required when students violate the policy through cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and academic misconduct. “As the first line of support, faculty shall ensure that the Academic Integrity Policy
cheating scandals among college students since its rise to fame during the pandemic. According to a 2019 article written by Elin Johnson on Insider Higher Ed, 70 Texas Students Accused of Cheating, about 70 students at the University of Texas at Austin were in a GroupMe chat when information
Photo by Academic Integrity, by giulia.forsythe is marked with CC0 1.0
is discussed to an appropriate extent in every course section, with emphasis on the elements that pertain particularly to that class,” the policy states. The new era of remote education has brought about changes in how examinations are administered, assignments, and quizzes. It has also changed how students communicate with each other outside of classes. GroupMe, a mobile messaging app, has gained popularity among students during the Covid-19 pandemic. They use it to communicate with each other since there is no classroom student-to-student interaction. GroupMe has been involved in many
Photo taken from Kean University’s Instagram page
Remote Education
about an upcoming test was allegedly leaked and shared. The professor indicated that he told the students that discussing the course work via group messages was not allowed. Kean’s policy outlines four violation levels in which cheating is a level two and three offense. Level two classifies cheating as copying another student’s work, allowing another student to copy one’s work, and unauthorized assistance to complete work. The recommended sanction for level two violation is that the student shall receive a failing grade on the assignment. Level three constitutes cheating as using unauthorized materials during an examination, joining with another student to exchange information during an exam, and using someone else’s computer account or files without authorization. Sanctions include probation or suspension for one semester, a failing grade in the course, and “disciplinary suspension” placed on the student’s academic record. “... Academic dishonesty in any form - written or non-written, media or technology - seriously compromises the Kean University mission to provide quality programs and opportunities for the optimum development of all students and employees,” the policy states.
Kean Athletics Sets Returning to Play Process in Covid Talks Episode By Steven Merrill With spring rapidly approaching, Covid-19 protocols are changing and shifting as Kean’s student-athletes continue to return to the court and field. Kean student-athletes are starting to compete against other schools now, mainly thanks to the efforts of the university and athletic department. A long process of setting up a plan to return to play finally came to fruition on Feb. 6 when Kean hosted its first NCAA sporting event in 333 days. “It was an unbelievable experience to see the studentathletes run around and compete and once again have that gleam in their eyes,” Kean Athletic Director Kelly Williams said as part of Kean’s Covid Talks series. “That was very rewarding. It wasn’t about the outcome, it was about the fact they had an opportunity to compete. That's what it was really about.”
As part of “Kean Covid Talks”, the University held a “Returning to Play for New Jersey’s Student-Athletes” panel on the school’s YouTube channel that included President Dr. Lamont Repollet, athletic director Kelly Williams, and director of sports medicine Denise Wujciak. Also on the zoom were Kean football player Leo
Kean holds a “Returning to Play for New Jersey’s Student-Athletes” panel
Cruz and Kean soccer/lacrosse player Emily Bretschneider. The panelists said the process began last year in September when the NCAA sent resocialization guidelines. Kean went with the pod systems within teams where small groups of players stay together during activities. This was phase one, restarting slowly but surely. This included limiting contact drills and making sure
players and coaches were getting tested for Covid-19. The teams never went near the maximum numbers of gatherings when practicing. Williams said they kept the numbers at 25 or 30, even if they were allowed to have 50 athletes together outdoors at once. It was a cautious, safe approach but it paid off as 2021 got underway. Phase two came in January when competing against other schools was allowed to take place. “We are managing 14 sports at this moment and trying to have an abbreviated season in 90 days,” Williams said. “We’re doing an unbelievable job as an administrative team as well as student-athletes and coaches making sure that safety message is a daily conversation throughout our department.” Kean athletics are not using locker Photo by Kean University’s YouTube channel rooms for games, and visiting teams have to go to a designated area when they arrive on campus for a game. Players have to sit six feet away from each other. There are many other protocols in place, whether it be from the state, NCAA, NJAC, or Kean. Transportation to and from away games is another challenge, Williams said. Eating and drinking on buses are not allowed and there is only a certain capacity you can have on a bus. continued on page 6
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6 THE TOWER
March, 2021
Kean Athletics Sets Returning to Play Process in Covid Talks Episode
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Denise Wujciak, who was an athletic trainer at Kean for almost 20 years before being promoted to Director of Sports Medicine last fall, saw her responsibilities change quickly with the advent of Covid-19. Wujciak became as educated as possible on the virus by becoming a contact-tracer, learning more about testing, and sitting on bi-weekly meetings with the chief medical officer of the NCAA. Wujciak was able to play a big role in helping Kean’s athletes return safely and still is hands-on. “The student-athletes have been wonderful,” Wujciak said. “Dr. Repollet is very much about making sure the athletes are as safe as possible. We are testing above the recommendation of the NCAA.” The athletes have all signed a pledge
that they won’t have social gatherings and will do whatever they can to keep their teammates safe. Protocols for the athletes include being tested once a week, daily screenings, temperature checks, other readings, and getting wristbands to show they are clear for the day. “They (the student-athletes) come in and do everything that is required of them,” Wujciak said. “All of the stress and anxiety that I have had to get them to this point has been so worth it to see them out there playing.” The men’s and women’s basketball programs are currently going about their seasons. There are NJAC tournament games to be played for both. Men’s volleyball is in the midst of an 11-game season plus postseason tournaments while women’s volleyball
Field Hockey Returns to the Field
By Dorian Alerte As spring begins, so will the season of the Kean field hockey team. After much anticipation from the team and coaches, on Feb. 24 the NJAC officially announced the return of field hockey for a shortened season that began on March 9. This shortened season consists of eight regular season games, in a round robin format against conference opponents. Following the regular season, the five participating teams will compete in a single-elimination tournament for the league championship. The field hockey team returned to campus in January of the spring semester in order to prepare for this upcoming season. “Practices this spring have been fantastic,” head coach Leslie Lafronz said. “Everyone is so excited to play and just be together again. The team is young but very talented. We are just really eager to compete again.”
individual skills. “We couldn’t really do anything contactwise,” junior forward Ja’Carra Jackson said. “It was really drill and skills based. It was kind of frustrating at times because we wanted to do more, but we couldn’t with all of the protocols.” The competition in the NJAC has changed since the last time any field hockey team took the field, but that excites Jackson. When last seen, the team had a record of 19-4 and advanced into the third round of the NJAC tournament. “I’m honestly excited just to play again,” Jackson said. “It’s been over a year since we’ve played a real game. We don’t know what the competition is anymore. You could say you know a team, but you really don’t. People stayed and people left so you really don’t know. Hernandez shares the same level of excitement as both her coach and teammates. “I’m looking forward to some competition,”
“All of the stress and anxiety that I have had to get them to this point has been so worth it to see them out there playing”
has a five-game season scheduled for March. Last month it was announced Kean’s football team would be playing three games this spring, replacing their usual fall season. Men’s and women’s lacrosse, field hockey, and men’s and women’s soccer all have a schedule set to begin this month. Games for all sports will be against schools in New Jersey. Baseball and softball seasons are underway at Kean, starting a month later than usual. Williams had a positive approach and thinks Kean Athletics will come out better because of this experience. “I’m so excited to say that the message on every level has been consistent of making sure the overall goal is that we’re dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s as it relates to the safety and well being of our student-athletes, our coaches, and more importantly just making sure they have an opportunity,” he said. “It has done wonders for the morale of the students as well as the coaches.”
Women’s Volleyball Back in Action at Kean By Ruben Nieves
for all sports to have some type of season, I’m excited to see where this season takes us.” “Kean women’s volleyball will once again be Due to the pandemic, Perkins and the rest taking the court this spring after not having of the team will be working with a much a season during the fall and having their first smaller roster this season compared to game of the season be cancelled due to health previous seasons. and safety protocols. “We’re down to 12 players,” Head coach Don Perkins, Perkins said. “We have also despite the first game of the had three players that opted season being cancelled due out of this season.” to NJCU having some health Jaskot describes playing issues, is still confident the with a smaller roster as season will be completed. different. “The NJAC is going to “No one is sitting on the hand a trophy to somebody,” side in practice anymore Perkins said. “I do think all the because we do not have extra teams are trying to do what is personnel, that gives us extra best.” reps in practice,” said Jaskot. After not having the season “Sometimes players have to start in the fall, Britni Jaskot, miss practice and we would a senior setter, is ready to have to adjust and possibly compete once again. have the assistant coach jump “I am very grateful to have a Photo by Kean Athletics in.” season this year,” Jaskot said. Women’s volleyball head coach Despite it being difficult “I am also very grateful to have Don Perkins
“I think we can win the NJAC. We are a hardworking team with experience and competitiveness.” “I’m honestly excited just to play again”
Photo by Kean Athletics
Ja’Carra Jackson, middle, forward for the Kean Field Hockey team
Much like the rest of fall sports, the offseason for the field hockey team was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Last spring, we were never able to practice together as a team,” Lafronz said. “I just told our players to stay positive, follow all safety protocols, try to be safe and healthy and that we needed to keep training and to be ready for when we would be able to be together again.” When the fall semester started, the team was still not playing, but they participated in the strength and conditioning sessions that were held for Kean athletes with coach Graff. “It was definitely getting back into our routine,” junior defender Mia Hernandez said.
Photo by Britni Jaskot
Photo by Kean Athletics
Mia Hernandez, defender for the Kean Field Hockey team
Photo by Kean Athletics
Kean Field Hockey advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament in 2019
“We didn’t just jump right into everything. We were taking it a day at a time. The fact that we were able to practice was just a blessing in itself.” Due to the restrictions during the fall, a majority of the practices were held to working out in small, socially distanced pods and
Hernandez said. “We have a name to represent and we just need to keep it up. I 100% believe our team is just as good as we were two years ago and we’re ready to go out there. I’m looking forward to playing and being able to play against the teams and have that competitiveness between us-- we’re ready.”
Photo by Michelle Froehlich
Jaskot serves the ball to the opposing team
Froehlich hits the ball
my senior season, it could have disappeared, but instead I have five games and five is so much better than none.” Jaskot looks to stay positive during her final year of college volleyball. “My expectations for this season are to stay positive no matter what happens,” Jaskot said. “This is my last year of college volleyball and I am very grateful to have this opportunity to still play.” Despite the ongoing pandemic, Perkins does not believe it will affect the mindset of the team going forward. “They’re not too concerned about it,” Perkins said. “Once the ball goes in the air I think it feels incredibly normal compared to everything else.” Just like the rest of her team, Michelle Froehlich, a senior outside hitter, has been taking the necessary precautions to stay safe during the season. “We all take the necessary precautions to make sure we are all safe and healthy,” Froehlich said. “It’s been tough having games canceled and missing players due to COVID, this season is about adapting and being able to perform in any situation we’re put in.” Froehlich looks to be a better leader for her team this season. “This season I want to lead my team as best I can,” said Froehlich. “I want to make a difficult year a little better.” With other schools cancelling their sports, Froehlich feels lucky that her team is having a season. “We’re extremely lucky to have a season,” Froehlich said. “Kean has created a safe way
having a smaller roster, Froehlich believes it brought the team much closer. “Some days we won’t have enough players to scrimmage because girl’s have class and other obligations, we also have to be careful when we play to avoid injury due to a limited roster,” Froehlich said. “This year has made us closer considering we have a smaller team.” After having their first game postponed, Perkins considers getting into the gym a win for his team. “Every time we get into the gym I consider it a win,” Perkins said. “I’m not going to take anything for granted, every time we get a chance to play, whether the scores say we won or lost just getting to play is a win.” Despite the setbacks and a smaller roster, Froehlich believes her team can end the season with a championship. “I think we can win the NJAC,” Froehlich said. “We are a hard-working team with experience and competitiveness.” Jaskot is coming into this season working hard in practice and treating it like it is her last. “My expectation for my team this season is to come into practice like it could be our last,” Jaskot said. “We can get shut down due to the virus or we can finish this season and if we can play our hardest in practice it will not be for nothing.” Just like her teammate, Jaskot believes her team can win a championship this season. “We play our hardest in practice everyday making ourselves and our teammates better to win the NJAC,” Jaskot said.