The Tower OCT 2018 by The Tower

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NJCPA General Excellence Award

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Second hold placed on student accounts

“American Latinx” art exhibit

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

A Veteran Lifestyle

Photo by Louis Valderrama

Louis Valderrama, Kean University Student Veteran

By Kelly Contreras Just a few years ago, Louis Valderrama was working on a MaxxPro vehicle designed to withstand explosive device attacks. Today, you can find him in class, taking courses in Public Administration. Valderrama was in the U.S. Army for four years and is now one of 256 veterans studying at Kean University. He is currently working on a second bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and is expected to graduate this spring. Some veterans had poor experiences in the military and get uncomfortable discussing them. But 29-year-old Valderrama saw the army as a positive experience. “[The Army] does change you as a person, I want to say, mentally because you’re so used to the culture you are living in,” Valderrama said. It even changed him physically. Valderrama went into the service at 130 pounds and came out 200 pounds. “Our sergeants were prior physical fitness trainers so they would take me to the gym every day and tell me what to eat,” Valderrama said. He credits the service with teaching him discipline, structure and improved time management skills. “... It was definitely a shock when I first went in,” said Valderrama. “because right off the bat, they try to break you down. They want you to have that military bearing so they want you to think as a team and work as a team so they can give you a bunch of obstacles to complete whether it be physically [or] mentally.” At first, the given tasks are not getting completed. But this structure was for troops to be able to work without hesitation. Hesitation can put a stop in a plan and lead to harming your team.

This system challenges you to think ahead and plan out what you are going to do and how. In the army, he was stationed in Fort Jackson, South Carolina for basic training and then went to Fort Bliss in Michigan to work with contractors at Navistar. He was in Fort Benning in Georgia for two years and he was also in Texas at one point. While in Michigan he had to work with civilians on a MaxxPro vehicle which was designed to protect those inside the vehicle from an improvised explosive device (IED) attack. He needed to take apart the vehicle top to bottom, reassemble it, and have any task given to them completed on a deadline. This kind of work forced many to become structured in a manner where they can handle a lot of pressure and having a deadline that may as well be 30 minutes from the moment they received the task. Valderrama joined the Army in 2014 after ggraduating from Montclair State University with a dual degree in animation and illustration. At that time, he was interning at Marvel Comics where he discovered animation wasn’t what he had imagined. He decided to sign up for the military because he wanted to see the world. Today, when he’s not in class, he works in the Kean University Veteran Student Services Office, where he assists veterans in applying for their benefits online and guiding them through the process. Although the Veteran Student Services Office does not provide tutoring, Valderrama, when he has free time, personally tutors any veteran who needs help, including helping veterans to pick out their classes. He is also very civil-minded. He volunteers for Project Adelante at Kean where he is the tutoring mentor for the ESL kids. During the summer, he worked in Elizabeth at Proceed, Inc., where they have a homeless prevention program. He mainly did case management work, but would occasionally do social work as well. Within this program, even if he, or anyone else in the company could not help, they would still guide them into another company with programs which would assist the family further in their situation. Like others, Valderrama sees both a positive and a negative side to being a veteran. Some pros are that all of his classes are already paid for, they receive the same first pick for classes as athletes do, and the $100 graduation fee is waived. He is currently using his GI Bill post 911, which basically covers his entire tuition. He considers this benefit, not a scholarship, but more like a promise provided by the

Unless necessary, many will not share the fact they are veterans. They don’t like the spotlight.

General Education upset about lack of privacy By Joshua Rosario General Education Studies faculty and staff are upset about a lack of privacy and other issues following a move to an open-concept office in a glass-enclosed space on the first floor of the Center for Academic Success. According to two sources familiar with the General Education department, many of

tables and café style arrangements. The space is shared among General Education lecturers, math tutors and student workers. Also, the Veteran Services office entrance is located inside the space. All of this in one place has led to a “lot of traffic,” sources said. A big issue is the distance between desk spaces, which make it easy to hear nearby conversations and difficult to talk to students who come in

Photo by Joshua Rosario

Camera inside office above the door entrance

Stickers placed to notify of cameras presence

the faculty and staff feel “disrespected” and “demoralized” by the move made in September from private offices on the second floor in CAS. Sources requested anonymity over concerns about job security. The sources also said that staff are uncomfortable with five security cameras located throughout the open space that they were told are not in use and were installed previously when the office was a public tutoring center. “We have no information about where the (camera) feed is going,” one source said. “Is it actually recording, or is it just somebody watching? We don’t know who’s watching; we don’t know if there’s sound which would be a FERPA violation.” The sources added that there was no notification that cameras existed until recently when a sticker was posted on the front door noting the cameras. FERPA stands for The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which gives students certain rights, privileges and protections relative to individually identifiable student education records maintained by universities. It prevents direct information from a student’s education record from being released without the student’s consent. The football-field sized Room 111 in CAS was redesigned and now features open cubicles for General Education staff. Also redesigned was the hallway or lobby area directly in front of the glassed-in room and it is now a modular work and meeting area for students featuring long

with sensitive topics, sources said. They are especially concerned about the upcoming advisement period. While the staff trusts each other, the sources said the students shouldn’t have to feel forced to trust everyone in the room. Another issue is designated desks for faculty are being used by students. They have come in to find items on their desks rearranged. There is also growing concern over personal belongings being left behind. “There’s no sensitivity for what we need,” said one source. The staff complained to the Kean Federation of Teachers, the union that represents faculty and professional staff, and according to KFT President James Castiglione, the General Education staff has said the workplace situation is so bad the staff feels incapable of doing their jobs. The union contacted Kean about the matter and was told the administration does not have to do anything because the union’s letter of agreement doesn’t require it, he said. Castiglione said that response violates a letter of agreement made in 1974 between the KFT and Kean, that recommends work surroundings. That agreement recommends the college set a goal of an average 100 square feet per faculty member and that faculty offices include floor to ceiling walls to allow faculty to hold private conferences, preparation of teaching materials, advisement of students, carry out research activities and consults with other professionals. continued on page 2

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Kean reducing number of credits for academic majors Wants to create opportunities for double majors

By Lena Zhu Kean University is in the process of reducing the number of courses required for academic majors. Currently, most academic majors require anywhere from 36 credits to about 50 credits. During a recent closed meeting with the University Senate, President Dawood Farahi stated that all academic majors should be reduced to about 36 credits, which amounts to about 13 courses. The changes will not apply to certain majors with state preconditions or other accreditation requirements. Dr. Jonathan Mercantini, the acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said Kean wants students to be more marketable for employers by taking other elective courses outside of their major. Elective credits can make room for students who want to double major and that will help students become more marketable in the job industry, he said.

“One of the things that I have been talking about quite a lot is the idea of using the liberal arts to develop the skills you need to succeed in the economy,” Dr. Mercantini said, “but then pair that with something else that may make you more employable.” As an example, Dr. Mercantini noted that a major in the College of Liberal Arts may want to minor or double major in business or graphic design. Khushi Sheth, a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Psychiatry Rehabilitation, said she agrees with the new curriculum change. “It would be less stressful for me considering I won’t have to take so many classes and try to balance good grades for each class,” Sheth said. “There would be less stress compared to 40 semester hours.” Helping students in the most efficient way possible was a factor that was considered when making the judgment call on the curriculum change.

“We want our students to be as prepared as possible for the workplace, for qualification exams, for graduate school,” Mercantini said. “But at the same time, we want our students to graduate in a timely manner and to put them in a position to do that. I think it is fully appropriate for us to want our students to graduate in four years. That’s a real mark of success.” This coincides with a recently signed a legislation by Governor Murphy that states, “No more than 120 credits will be required for baccalaureate degree awarded by a public institution and no more than 60 credits for an associate degree,” according to NJ.gov. Currently, Kean University requires 124 credits to graduate. Margie Rosado, a senior studying Communication, with a concentration in Media and Film, said this will help save other students money on tuition. “For me, personally, at this point in my college career, I’m about to be done,” Rosado

Photo by Joshua Rosario

Kean Hall

said. “But if it means saving upcoming students money and it helps them graduate a bit faster, then it can possibly be a good thing.”

2 THE TOWER

October, 2018

New College of Business and Public Management Building Set to Open in 2020 By Zoe Strozewski The College of Business and Public Management (CBPM) is slated to receive a new building for both its undergraduate and graduate programs in 2020. The completed building will encompass 90,000 square feet and include features such as a virtual “library in the sky,” an auditorium, and a rooftop deck where students can view New York City according to Director of Media Relations, Margaret McCorry. The approval of and pending construction of this building marks a significant step forward for one of Kean’s largest colleges and a source of change for the buildings and programs currently in place for the CBPM. According to the Fall 2017 University Profile compiled by the Office of Institutional Research, the CBPM’s Management Science major is the third largest in the university, with 880 students. This enrollment is only surpassed by the Psychology and Biology majors, which have 1,243 and 1,175 students, respectively.

The CBPM is also home to the fourth and sixth largest undergraduate programs, which are Criminal Justice with an enrollment of 773 and Accounting with an enrollment of 583. Additionally, the Finance degree has grown 76.2 percent over the past five years, with an increase from 185 students in 2013 to 326 in 2017. This consistent size and growth McCorry states is one of the reasons the CBPM was chosen to receive a new building. “The College of Business & Public Management offers some of the University’s most popular academic majors. As enrollment in those programs continues to grow, it’s essential for Kean to offer the best possible learning environment for our students,” McCorry said. The plan for this building was approved by the Board of Trustees meeting in September. The departmental headquarters of the CBPM, as well as the Michael Graves College, was moved to the Green Lane building when it was opened in 2014, but classes from the CBPM are held in a variety of buildings across

“The new building will be the headquarters for CBPM.”

Photo by Courtesy of Kean News

A rendering shows the projected finished product of the new building.

Photo by Zoe Strozewski

Green Lane is the current hub for the College of Business and Public Management.

campus. The new building will provide a form of unification for the CBPM’s programs and some unique features that will be a first for this campus. “The Green Lane Academic Building houses programming from across the University, including offices and classrooms for Michael Graves College. CBPM programs are scattered across campus. The new state-of-the-art structure will bring together all of the college’s undergraduate and graduate programs in 90,000 square feet that includes an auditorium; a “Bloomberg room” where students will work on the Bloomberg business intelligence software; classrooms; study lounges; a virtual “library in the sky” and a rooftop deck with a view of New York City,” McCorry said. When construction is completed, there will be a transition in terms of where these programs are centralized. “The new building will be the headquarters for CBPM, freeing up space in Green Lane for the Master of Architecture program, which launches in September 2019, as well as continued growth throughout Michael Graves College,” McCorry said. According to Assistant Dean, David Farrokh, this building will give students the chance to learn in ways that go beyond the textbook

and mimic real-life business situations. This is in line with the mission of the CBPM as a whole, which strives to give students handson experience and prepare them for entering their desired fields after graduation. “It underscores the president’s vision for an enhanced student experience and will help allow us to supplement the classroom experience with experiential types of learning,” Farrokh said in an article by Kean News. The construction contract was given to Natoli Construction Corp. and the building will be located across from Green Lane on a site formerly occupied by the pharmaceutical company, Merck. It will be built alongside a brand new housing and retail development currently under construction in the same neighborhood. The multi-million dollar structure will be paid for via a mix of public funds and private donations, according to McCorry. One of these private supporters is Jim Hynes, a 1963 graduate of Kean whose name adorns the school’s baseball stadium. Hynes has been a consistent benefactor of the university ever since starting his own prosperous plastics business and has already promised to lend some of his funds to the project.

History professor talks Jersey Devil in Science channel documentary By Estefani Hernandez Dr. Brian Regal, a history professor, is going to be featured in the upcoming Science Channel documentary Mythical Beasts, as well as the History Channel series, True Monsters. Regal has always been interested in history, but he is particularly interested in the relationship between professional scientists and their amateur counterparts. The author of six books, his most recent book “The Secret History of the Jersey Devil” discusses and explores the origins of New Jersey’s popular monster not in witchcraft but in the ‘political fights and religious upheavals of colonial America’, rather than just viewing the origins of the myth in some biological creature as it has been done in the past. The legend of this Jersey Devil tells the story of a witch named Mother Leeds who lived in the Pine Barrens in 1735 and gave birth to her 13th child. As she gave birth, she cursed the child and it turned into a monster that flew off. For more than 250 years, this mysterious creature is said to prowl through the marshes of New Jersey and emerge periodically to rampage through the towns and cities. ‘The Secret History of the Jersey Devil’ goes into detail on how the real story of the Jersey

Devil’s birth is far more complex than most people tend to realize. Regal explains how anger is what inspired him to write this book. He states, “Anger at how much horrible, awful writing there is out there on the Jersey Devil and so Dr. Esposito, my co-author and I, a few years back decided we should write something.” What they found was that the real story is far more interesting and exciting than any sort of monster ghost tale. Another one of Regal’s books is “Searching for Sasquatch: Crackpots, Eggheads and Cryptozoology.” This book considers the nature of monsters and monster hunting in the late 20th century. “Most of the writing of cryptozoology is awful,” Regal said. “People who claim that they were writing histories of various monsters did almost no research.” So, Regal decided he would approach this as a historian and looked for original sources in the archives. His tremendous interest in history reflects in his teaching. Regal believes in having a genuine passion for your subject and being able to convey that to your students, “I try to explain to my students how important knowledge of the past is, today more than ever,” states Regal.

A Veteran Lifestyle government as long as he fulfills his contract. And although he does receive the military discount in many other stores, he does not like to use it. He feels, “there are other veterans that deserve better,” stating that his opinion is that he did not do much to deserve the benefits and there are other veterans who have done more. Valderrama doesn’t talk much about being a veteran. Unless necessary, he said many will not share the fact that they are veterans. They do not like to be spotlighted. “We don’t like that attention... with me personally it just gives me anxiety,” he said.

Photo by Kelly Contreras

Louis Valderrama working in the Veteran Student Services Office.

continued from page 1

“I don’t see myself as I did anything great you know?” After he was discharged, he came to Kean University. “At first it was kind of rocky… I haven’t done math since 2010... for so long I felt like I couldn’t do it... I don’t think this is for me, I need to switch majors.” He made his decision, and after being inspired by one of his friends who works with helping others at Planned Parenthood, he decided on Public Administration as his major. For many, leaving the army can be a tough road. Valderrama considers himself lucky. “When you get out of the military, you are always given a test to do, but when you get out, no one’s telling you what to do anymore so you kind of have to figure it out for yourself.” Valderrama continues to explain the issue veterans face when returning back from the military. “I want to say that a lot of veterans have trouble adjusting when they come back because they don’t have that structure so I think it’s important to also continuously keep yourself busy.”

Photo by Brian Regal

“If you don’t know where you came from how can you know where you’re going.” Plenty of students realize when taking his class, that he loves what he does. Regal states, “It’s important to learn about your history, because if you don’t know where

you came from how can you know where you’re going.”

General Education upset about lack of privacy continued from page 1

“Clearly, the situation is a privacy nightmare and it undermines student advisement,” said KFT President James Castiglione. “The question is does it also violate federal law.” According to Kean Spokesperson Margaret McCorry, cameras are installed in critical locations throughout campus for security reasons. That is the case with the cameras in CAS 111. The cameras were installed in 2008 when the writing center and tutoring service occupied the space and are maintained to guarantee the safety of the General Education faculty and staff in the newly designed space. “The cameras are used solely to assist the Department of Public Safety/Police when needed for active investigations,” said McCorry. “Updating and managing security cameras is an ongoing process across campus led by campus police with assistance from OCIS, and

adjustments are made on a regular basis as the safety of our students and faculty is a top priority.” CAS is the home to the College of Liberal Arts. When asked about the situation, CLA Dean Jonathan Mercantini said he was aware of GE’s privacy concerns and that faculty advisors and students do have access to some of the private conference spaces in the event those are needed. Dr. Mercantini said the idea behind the move to the first floor was to centralize the offices to give students faster service. He said the faculty were moved there along with offices such as “One Stop” to maintain student success and retention. General Education serves mostly first-year students, he said. “Once the faculty and the students have lived in that space for a little while if we need to make additional adjustments then we are certainly open to that,” said Dr. Mercantini.

“The cameras are used solely to assist the Department of Public Safety/Police when needed for active investigations,” said McCorry.

October, 2018

THE TOWER 3

A center on Second hold placed on student accounts campus for Kean’s commuters?

By Rafaela Teixeira Undergraduates must be advised by faculty twice a semester starting this month, according to an email sent to all students by the Office of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Jeffrey Toney. The email stated that the second advisement meeting is “a complement to the Midterm Progress Reporting,” where professors post grades on Keanwise based on student performance. The midterm reports do not affect final grades, but allow students to see how they’re doing mid-semester. Students will have holds on their Keanwise accounts, restricting them from registering, add/drop courses and checking grades. This requires students to make appointments to meet with advisors and discuss future courses along with the midterm progress. The second advisement meeting, according to the email, will have an “informational hold only.” Students will not have restrictions on their accounts, but will see a “Student Restrictions Screen” that encourages them to meet with faculty again. “I think most students want to succeed. They don’t want to fail,” said Dr. Patrick Ippolito, president of the University Senate and an associate professor in the College of Education. “But a lot of times they don’t want to do what is necessary to succeed. So, we have to kind of work with them and a lot of students don’t understand the services we offer them.” Some students disapprove of the second advisement meeting and feel that it does not improve the university’s quality. “It’s really annoying,” said Gabrielle Carreon, a senior majoring in math. “It’s a lose-lose situation. If you’re trying to be a better school, you’re doing a bad job.” Joanna Pepino, a senior majoring in Therapeutic Recreation and former class president, believes advisors suffer from doing the job well because they are also focused on their full-time faculty position duties. “I understand the intent behind it and it sounds good in theory,” said Pepino. “I do believe that we as a university need to fix the advisement process because it is imperative to helping students graduate on time.” Professors will analyze how this works in the Fall and “tweak it to make it work better in the Spring,” according to Ippolito. “I don’t think this is an adequate solution to the advisement problem,” said Pepino. “It is just putting more of a strain on both the students and professors.”

By Kiara Mays

During Pepino’s class presidency, she spoke to many students in regards to their performance. “I’ve found that [students] don’t really find their advisement meetings to be helpful,” said Pepino. “Most students say their meetings are quick and that their advisors are quick to just push them out the door.” Ippolito stated that every professor has their own “style of advising” and while he prompts students to come in soon after they’ve seen him, other professors might not do the same. He makes sure to provide students with additional information regarding the services offered by the university in case they need help. Ippolito also ensures his students attend the second advisement meeting by making an appointment to see them three weeks after the first meeting while they’re in his office. “We believe the additional information and advisement that is underway this semester will be instrumental in your success at Kean University,” the email stated. “Your professors, department chairperson, the executive director of your school and dean’s office at your college are available to assist you.” Editor-in-Chief, Josh Rosario, assisted in reporting for this article.

The room is slightly larger than a standard classroom and is lined with long windows and plain, white walls aside a banner that reads “Kean Commuter Resource Center.” A few students are inside, sitting at tables sprawled about the room. Kean has a commuter center for students? “I never heard of it,” said student Lauren Milevoi, who said she spends most of her time between classes in the library or at Starbucks, located in the library. “just thought all commuters hung out at the same places I did .” Kean University’s new addition to campus, according to some students, could use a bit of a makeover. According to Kean’s official website, the Commuter Resource Center (CRC) provides a place on campus for students who don’t dorm to get some work done between classes, lounge, and engage with other students. Located in Hutchinson Hall, tucked away in Room J-130, the main goal of the CRC is to enhance commuters’ quality of life while on campus, according to Kean’s website. It is operated under the Division of Student Affairs, and came about as a result of the Office of Student Government responding to commuters’ needs, the website says. “I do believe it is useful, but I would

recommend Kean make it look more interesting,” said Olivia Siragusa, a sophomore majoring in business marketing. “My honest opinion, I think it is kind of boring!” Siragusa said there is a television, but it also needs at least a mini kitchen. Like a fridge and microwave as well as some snacks. “Commuters live in their car, so I would think people would find it more appealing if there were those necessities in there,” she commented. However, Cyanna Gomez, a freshman majoring in pre-med biology, appreciates the plainness of the room. “I do see myself using this lounge more frequently because there are no distractions and I absolutely love the simplicity about it. It also is extremely comfortable,” said Gomez. In addition to studying or just hanging out, students may rent lockers for the duration of the academic year through the CRC. The lockers are located in the Townsend Hall building. The CRC hours of operation are: Mon. and Wed. 12-8 p.m., Tues. 12-5 p.m., and Fri. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For additional information, you may contact the CRC by telephone at (908)737-4093, email: crc@kean.edu, or simply stop by the Hutchinson building, room J-130.

“I never heard of it,” said one student.

Photo by Kiara Mays

Students getting some work done in the CRC.

Photo by Kiara Mays

CRC notice and hours of operation.

Kean Professor self-publishes her second book with sights set on a third “I waited years to really find that right book that inspired me and can inspire others because books are for the benefit of others,” Salama said. The communications professor feels that her writing not only Photo by Craig Epstein Through the experience of her students, as well as herself, represents her relationship The Millennial Guide to Public Speaking came to be. with her father, but that of her illustrator Stephanie Calixto’s as By Craig Epstein well and how many females perceive their bonds with their dads to be. Kean University Professor Martha Salama’s “I would say it’s more my story and her story journey from student to author is one that and I know it’s the story for many young girls,” entails a lot of hard work, dedication, and time Salama said. “One of the speeches a lot of management. At 27 years old, not only is she girls tend to do is thanking their dad, it’s just already the author of two self-published books, a tendency with a female to sometimes have one a children’s book titled “I’ll Carry You” and that bond with their dad.” the other a public speaking book titled “The In Salama’s second writing “The Millennial Millennial Guide to Public Speaking,” but she Guide to Public Speaking,” although there are is on her way to earning her Ph.D. as well. plenty of her own thoughts and experiences “I waited years to really find that right throughout when it comes to the difficult task book that inspired me and can inspire others of speaking in a public forum, she decided to because books are for the benefit of others,” take a step back and let her students do most Salama said. “I didn’t think the children’s book of the talking. “When I was writing this book I wanted would come first but it did, meanwhile I was to not only incorporate my lessons, but still writing The Millennial Guide to Public the lessons of my students as well,” Salama Speaking.” described. “I put in homework assignments for When it came to her first writing “I’ll Carry my students and they were very intimate with You,” Salama wrote about the relationship their writing. I’ve received topics from suicide, between a daughter and her father and how, breakups, relationships with their parents, although the dynamics of the two might have moving out, their deepest fears, and things changed over time, the love that they shared they wished they’d always done in life.” was everlasting.

The young author knew that these stories were too good to be kept a secret, so she got their consent for both the pictures and the papers and put it all together. Although she was suggested to cut some stories out due to redundancy, Salama decided to have a friend rate the stories from one to five in order to gain a better understanding of what to keep in and what to take out. “I’ve been through my ups and downs in the workplace and I want to pass it on to the next generation,” Salama said. “The point of these students’ work is to show others that they are no different when it comes to public speaking, they may have their own issues but they want to become something, be inspired, and express their voice.” Juggling the task of being a professor, author, and working towards a Ph.D. is by no means easy for anybody to handle. For Salama, she tries not to think about it too much because even she does not know how she does it. “By the end of the year, month, and week I say to myself I don’t know how I did it, I just do it,” Salama explained. “My dad always taught me to never waste time, if you have that time with you then take it.” Growing up as an aspiring author, the last place that the self-professed introvert

Photo by Craig Epstein

Professor Martha Salama posing with her two books.

ever pictured herself at was teaching public speaking. The reason being, she dealt with a lot of anxiety and depression in college and hadn’t been a public speaker for most of her life. It was through counseling that Salama realized that she wanted to grow and better herself through this field. “The counselor really gave me the tactics to manage my anxiety, I was always thinking of the past and future but I never thought about today, I kept saying ‘what if’ and that’s how I would fail,” Salama said. “She helped me stay focused, organized, and positive on my speech for my master’s degree and taught me that if I didn’t do well then there’s always the next one.” For the first-generation Egyptian American, after all of her books have been written and her title changes to Dr. Martha Salama, her ultimate goal is to perform a Ted Talk. Although her topic remains a secret, she hints that it will have “something to do with students.” Salama is going back to her roots for her third book and is working hard on yet another children’s book, this time one that revolves around the relationship between a mother and her son. Her other two books can be found either on Amazon or purchased from her directly.

4 THE TOWER

October, 2018

New biology labs leave students wanting more

Photo by Emily Robles

“We wanted to expand the capabilities to our labs so that we could better utilize new technologies such as ‘app-based’ programs that students could potentially use at home on their phones if they wanted,” said Dr. Brian Teasdale, the associate dean of the school of natural science. “We also wanted to change how an instructional lab was presented.” Photo by Emily Robles

By Emily Robles Kean’s science department kicked off the fall semester with new interactive science labs. These labs, which are located in the Science Building, bring a new and fun learning environment for students taking classes ranging from human body courses to anatomy, physiology and neuroscience. “We wanted to expand the capabilities to

our labs so that we could better utilize new technologies such as ‘app-based’ programs that students could potentially use at home on their phones if they wanted,” said Dr. Brian Teasdale, the associate dean of the school of natural science. “We also wanted to change how an instructional lab was presented.” These updated labs give the new classrooms a fresh and aesthetically pleasing look. What

You can be a Code Samurai in the IT world By Jenevieve Cruz

Photo by J. Cruz

Technology can point you in the right direction.

Photo by J. Cruz

Office of Computer and Information Systems front door

Photo by J. Cruz

Office of CS second entrance

“The fact that there are multiple professors for this program who are experienced on all levels gives me confidence that I will develop my skills, talent, and character through this awesome program”

Code Samurai is a peer-mentoring/ tutoring program for computer science/ IT students. The program offers a unique and crafty approach to teaching students computer coding. Unlike other courses, there are multiple professors for each level within the courses. Code Samurai is an accredited program designed for teaching coding skills in computer science language. The structure of Code Samurai is to build up students’ skills and help them become stronger in coding. This is a step-by-step process and each level introduces a new professor. This keeps students in line with focusing on the fact that they are growing within their skills. “Computer coding is similar to learning another language and the fact that there are multiple professors for this program who are experienced on all levels gives me confidence that I will develop my skills, talent, and character through this awesome program,” enrollee John Acosta, who is a junior at Kean, said. “I plan on completing the Code Samurai course and one day creating my own code language and marketing that to major companies.” The word “samurai” originated in Japan and describes a well-trained member of a powerful military caste. Like a samurai, these computer science students gain enhanced results that will help them enter into a booming industry. There is also a peermentoring program for computer science/IT students. The coding that is being taught in these courses are Java, HTML, CSS, LINUX and Operating Systems. There are a total of 17 professors for this coding program. “Our samurais are students in the School of Computer Science who are good at computer programming skills and other subjects and are required to finish Computer Organization and Programming with good grades,” Professor Paolien Wang said. “Our samurais are required to attend the Code Samurai orientation where they need to stay in the ‘Samurai Room’ (North Avenue Academic Building room 224) during their shifts to tutor students who need help with their questions in computer science/IT subjects.” Much like the students, there is a stepby-step process for the professors of this program to follow as well. “Each semester we ask professors to recommend students who received good grades in the computer science/IT subjects and are enthusiastic in problem-solving, then we send an invitation to them for applying for the Code Samurai program,” Wang said. “We review the applications, schedule interviews with the applicants, and select the qualified candidates to join the Code Samurai Program. The samurai has to commit to working one to five hours per week.” The Code Samurai School of Computer Science program lasts from Sept. 17 - Dec. 13 for Fall 2018. You can check in at the Computer Science building in room 224 for more detailed information and to see when the next course is running.

was once an outdated science lab with old desks and chairs, no technology of any kind or pop up outlets, is now an updated lab equipped with new and improved lab tables and chairs, viewing screens and monitors so students can have a view of everything at every angle. “We plan on moving more into the Science Building next with renovations occurring on all three floors.” said Teasdale.

Sophomore and education major, Melanie Ayala, hopes these modernized classrooms will find a way into more buildings so she can experience them. “I had heard about them but didn’t have a chance to see them until a few days ago,” said Ayala. “When I finally saw one of the classrooms, I got so jealous. I wish they had these kinds of classrooms for all majors.”

Kean TV’s Fall Semester Includes a New Lineup and TV Studio

Photo by Nicole Diefenbacher

Lilibeth Sam operates the camera during filming

By Nicole Diefenbacher KeanTV is in full swing this fall semester with a new TV studio and a multitude of new shows. According to Professor Gina Gili, KeanTV adviser, the new plan for the studio was “mapped out in June, and the installation took place the first week of August.” The studio, located in Hutchinson Hall, has a brand new TriCaster 8000 Advanced Edition cameras, along with two 50-inch monitors “so everyone can see what is going on.” There are two areas to create graphics and an updated teleprompter system. “This new studio has been about three years in the making,” said Gili. “We were able to get a grant for $150,000 and upgrade the

Carlos Gonzalez, Katherine Owens and Dania Thelusma on set for the filming of “Around the World”

equipment that we had to make our studio full HD, and use the same equipment that they use in television studios everywhere.” Gili’s TV production class will produce seven of the new shows, four episodes each, which will “be up and running by midOctober.” The students in Kean’s TV production class have come up with proposals for their shows. These include “Around the World”; “Opinion Wars”; “Talking Blue”; “Jersey Flavors”; “Strangers”; “LorsQuest” and “Teacher of the Year.” “Around the World” spotlights different cultures, including the food people of those cultures eat and the holidays they celebrate. “Opinion Wars” is a show that debates opinions on everyday topics in an interactive and fun way.

“It’s a very exciting time for KeanTV,” said Gili. “Last semester, we had a solid six students who would always be there to work on the shows and participate in the events... this semester 60 plus students reached out and wanted to be part of it.” “Talking Blue” is an entertainment show all about pop culture, while “Jersey Flavors” is a show that highlights places students can get food off campus. “Strangers” is a spoof show based on the popular ‘90s sitcom “Friends” and “LorsQuest” is a show about a group of friends who play a game by the same name. “Teacher of the Year” is a satirical show that hopes to get viewers to laugh about all the different types of teachers we may have had in our lives. In addition to the shows that Kean’s TV production class is producing this semester, there are six shows that KeanTV is producing outside of the class. They are called “The Campus Calendar”; “The Inquisition”; “The Birds and the B’s”; “KeanTV Cribs”; “Dorm Delights” and “Curtain Call with Franklin.”

“The Campus Calendar” is a weekly news show all about campus events. This show, which was a part of KeanTV’s lineup last semester, will feature returning anchors Edess Damis and Tori Honore in addition to a handful of new anchors. Among the new anchors is Michael Perkins, Drew Kawalek, Amanda Fragoso and Lexii Turk. “The Campus Calendar” is being produced by KeanTV’s head of studio, Ashley Neal. “The Inquisition”, another returning show, is a talk show produced and hosted by KeanTV’s vice president, Beba Zilkic. In her show, she searches for all sorts of different and interesting people around campus to interview in the TV studio. “The Birds and the B’s” is a sex talk show produced and hosted by Ashley Neal and Rahil Ninche. This is a show that not only continued on page 5

October, 2018

THE TOWER 5

Kean and Roselle Park Celebrate ART!

Photo by Wynter Aiken

2 Volunteers

Photo by Wynter Aiken

Front view

Photo by Wynter Aiken

Art Station

By Wynter Aiken

“We’re all here to bask in each other’s creativity and just let go for the day, share a laugh with your friends and paint a canvas at the paint corner. Art isn’t just for creating but for being together. I can’t wait to be back next year!” said Maslag.

Kean TV’s Fall Semester Includes a New Lineup and TV Studio

continued from page 4

Photo by Nicole Diefenbacher

Students operating the TriCaster 8000 during filming

Kean University and the Roselle Park Arts Community came together to celebrate Roselle Park’s 4th Annual Arts Festival on Sat., Sept. 29. Chestnut Street in downtown Roselle Park was filled with festival goers, volunteers and artists participating in the day’s excitement. Roselle Park gives recognition to various artists every year by having this festival. Musical acts performed throughout the day, along with various hands-on activities for both children and adults to enjoy. Food and beverages were also available for guests in the form of food trucks and stations. Some art organizations that were present showcased live art and had art pieces on display for viewing and purchasing. Josie Laurens, two-time volunteer and assistant event coordinator, says that Kean has always been a sponsor for the festival

Photo by http://www.rplovesart.org/artists-and-crafters.html

Artist Alexandra Victoria McMaster

since its inception. “They have helped design our logo and Kean’s own dance theater has been one of the festival performers as well,” Said Laurens. “Because of Kean and our other sponsors, the festival is able to be held and it continues to remain a part of the Roselle Park community.” Volunteer and Roselle Park resident Renae Maslag says this year was her first time volunteering, though she has attended the festival every year beforehand. “They have great artists every year and I personally am looking forward to seeing the team [Kean’s dance theatre program] perform,” said Maslag. “ With Kean University giving sponsorship, the arts festival is bound to get more recognition! I’m glad the volunteers can be a part of it whether you’re a grandmother or college student.” The Youth Center and Montclair Art Museum gave their contribution to the

festival by having various artists such as cat painter Alexandra McMaster showcase their art to the public for viewing and purchasing purposes. Various artists came from surrounding areas, ranging from Woodbridge, NJ to Harlem, NY. There were first-time artists participating in the festival such as 78-year-old Idelfonso Alvarado, a retired veteran who wanted to share his 40year expertise with festival goers. “We’re all here to bask in each other’s creativity and just let go for the day, share a laugh with your friends and paint a canvas at the paint corner. Art isn’t just for creating but for being together. I can’t wait to be back next year!” said Maslag. If you wish to participate as a volunteer for next year’s event, all information is available at the Center for Leadership and Service, located in the Miron Student Center, room 219, call (908) 737-5170 or email at serve@ kean.edu.

“American Latinx” art exhibit displays reappropriation By Monica Sudfield “American Latinx,” an exhibit by artist Linda Vallejo, opened at the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery in Kean’s Center for Academic Success (CAS) building on Sept. 4 and will run until Dec. 14. Vallejo’s works include a variety of paintings and sculptures of brown individuals that were originally created white. She uses a technique called reappropriation, which is reclaiming an idea and altering it. “I tend to make people brown who I do like, like Marilyn Monroe,” said Vallejo. “I don’t make things I hate brown, I make things I love brown. I want them to be like me.” According to Vallejo’s website, lindavallejo. com, her life of study and international travel has influenced her art to be contemporary cultural, spiritual, and political. “American Latinx” is commonly categorized as political because the altering can be considered a political action, although Vallejo considers her exhibit more autobiographical. “I’m kind of like a little girl with a brown crayon painting her doll brown. I’m kind of like a little boy with a crayon painting his

action figure,” said Vallejo. “To make the work like me, the work is really autobiographical.” In her artist statement on her website, Vallejo said that she “became increasingly immersed in the Chicano/Latino/Mexican American arts and the indigenous communities” during her grounding as an artist. It is these experiences that “have informed my cultural perspectives and, by extension, my art practice.” Vallejo asked students who attended the exhibit who they would paint brown if they had the opportunity. Samantha Henry, senior majoring in public relations, chose Taylor Swift. “[Vallejo] explained that she paints people brown who she feels deserve to be. Taylor Swift is my favorite celebrity and she does a lot for others, so I think she is fitting for the part,” said Henry. A few additional pieces in her exhibit are works compiled of brown dots to create an image. Vallejo calls it “The Brown Dot Project.” During her time in Los Angeles, she met a dealer who gave her one of her first solo exhibits. With him typically being a minimalist exhibitor, she began thinking what her work would look like if it were from a minimalist point of view.

“Suddenly I started thinking about brown circles. I don’t know why, don’t ask me why,” said Vallejo. The brown dots represent data about Latinos across the nation. Vallejo says that knowing the data helps Latinos to know themselves and helps other people to see them correctly. “It takes longer to study the data than to dot the things,” said Vallejo. “American Latinx” has had 135 exhibitions, publications and special projects since 2015, Vallejo told the students. “Do you think brown is intelligent and gifted? Brown has every capacity that every color in the world has,” said Vallejo. “You must believe these things in order to change the world.”

“I don’t make things I hate brown, I make things I love brown. I want them to be like me,” said Vallejo.

Photo by Nicole Diefenbacher

The new TriCaster 8000 Advanced Edition

discusses memorable sex moments, but also delves into the taboos of sex. The goal of the show is to educate and inform students on just how important proper sex knowledge is as well as to make students aware of things that people are sometimes uncomfortable talking about when it comes to sex. “Kean TV Cribs” is a show produced by Kasi McKoy-Balmer. In this show, he will be showcasing some of Kean’s coolest dorm rooms. “Dorm Delights” is a cooking show where producer Kathy DeRenzy will show Kean students food recipes that are not only quick and delicious, but also food recipes students will be able to make in their dorm rooms. “Curtain Call with Franklin” is a show where producer Franklin Aguilar gets a behind the scenes look at Kean’s Theatre Conservatory this semester. In addition to the producers and actors, KeanTV has Michael Carfagno and Estephen Donado running a social media and editing team, vloggers Julie Queiruga, who is in charge of KeanTV’s Instagram story for the rest of the semester, and students Danae Brown, Joe San Agustin, Sheryl Romua, and Diana Lopez from Kean Ocean. “It’s a very exciting time for KeanTV,” said Gili. “Last semester, we had a solid six students who would always be there to work on the shows and participate in the events... this semester 60 plus students reached out and wanted to be part of it.”

Photo by Monica Sudfield

A re appropriation of “American Gothic” by Grant Wood.

Photo by Monica Sudfield

“Our Founders 1” by Linda Vallejo features repurposed porcelain, acrylic and handmade clothing.

Photo by Monica Sudfield

“La Mas Bella” by Linda Vallejo.

Photo by Monica Sudfield

“Young Leaders” and “Flags of All Nations” by Linda Vallejo.

6 THE TOWER

October, 2018

Unmask the mask: the power of self-love

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

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. Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk

Promo flyer for the “Unmask the Mask” event

Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk

The symbol of The National Council of Negro Women

Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk

The circle of self-love and affirmations of empowerment, created by the members and participators.

By Tasha Dowbachuk The room was filled with the warmth of rhythm and blues as 28 Kean women, all African-American, gathered in a harmonious union to discuss self love and self care at the first “Unmask the Mask” event, hosted by the National Council of Negro Women. “To me, unmasking the mask means taking off the face you give to the world,” said early childhood education major, Shakira Jackson. “I feel like being around people who are like you and being able to have people who understand your experiences throughout life truly helps.” The night began with a Powerpoint presentation, designed to inform attendees about what may cause a female student to stress or develop low self esteem. “You always have to be mindful about how you react to stress. There are physical, emotional and mental stressors and it really helps to identify what those stressors are,” first vice president, Tierra Hooker said. The first part of the presentation listed the top five life stressors including money, careers, family and health being a main factor, to which the majority of the group nodded and hummed in agreement. “Your immune system actually shuts down when you are prone to stress. Having stomach pains, chest pains or rapid heartbeats can stem from anxiety alone,” said Hooker.

“To me, unmasking the mask means taking off the face you give to the world,” After describing the effects that stress may have upon the body, the council introduced techniques that can reduce stress and improve overall mental health. Tips such as getting involved in physical activities, breathing exercises, cardio exercise, or even just taking five seconds to oneself to calm down were suggested. “You can make a date with yourself, you can praise yourself when you do something awesome, or do creative things to unleash your creativity,” said Cresaya Hester, junior majoring in biology. At the conclusion of the presentation, members of the council announced that they would be creating facial masks with Aztec Indian Healing Clay, mixed with apple cider vinegar or water. All of the activities reinforced the significance of leaving negativity behind and allowing new growth to surface. Students also created personal uplifting letters, signed anonymously, that would be distributed randomly to individuals to take home towards the end of the event. As the night came to a close, individuals formed a large circle while holding hands to give their own affirmations of self-empowerment and to speak their truth. “Today, I affirm that my energy will be an outlet of positivity and not drag other people’s energy down,” proclaimed one of the students in confidence.

EDITOR IN CHIEF: JOSHUA ROSARIO NEWS EDITOR: LENA ZHU FEATURES EDITOR: KIARA MAYS SPORTS EDITOR: CRAIG EPSTEIN ONLINE EDITOR: RAFAELA TEIXEIRA ONLINE EDITOR: PETRUCE JEAN-CHARLES SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: MONICA SUDFIELD

WRITERS WYNTER AIKEN KELLY CONTRERAS NICOLE DIEFENBACHER JENEVIEVE CAMPO TASHA DOWBACHUK ESTEFANI HERNANDEZ SALIMAH MCCULLOUGH

DANIEL PAPA VALENCIA STEVENSON GARDNER ZOE STROZEWSKI DANIELLE JUNIO EMILY ROBLES DAVID JANES

OPINION PIECES AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 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.

National council of Negro women opens chapter at Kean By Petruce Jean-Charles The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), an advocacy group for black women, opened a chapter at Kean and held its first meeting on March 14, 2018. The organization was founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune to unify black women through means of economic, social, cultural and spiritual awareness of their families and communities. Since NCNW’s chartering on March 14 this year, a chartering ceremony was held to bring awareness to the organization on April 29, 2018. NCNW is a non-profit organization which has grown into an alliance of 200 community-based sections in 38 states and 38 national organizations to advance

Photo by NCNW

NCNW National Vice Chair E. Tonya Greenwood, 2018-2020 President Naje`Sandoz, Founding President Delois Blackmon

opportunities, and the quality of life for African American women, their families and communities.

Over 3 million women and men have come together to build the organization and to bring awareness to issues such as education, economic stability, health, civic engagement and public policies for women of color. The executive board (eboard) at Kean is adamant about providing information and ways to showcase the mission of the organization. The eboard now consists of the following Kean students, president Sade GovanSmith, vice presidents Tierra Booker, Dazhane’ Gordon, and Erica Allen, secretary Biasia Young, treasurer Janalya Brown, chaplain Jenell Boykins, historian Chelsea Leon, parliamentarian Amber Burnett and advisor Lisia Aikens. President Govan-Smith, senior, studying communication understands the stigmas and issues that come along with being a woman of color and finds importance in showcasing the power of Black women. “My responsibilities as president for this illustrious organization is to advocate for this council, to play the role as a big sister, and to let the freshman, sophomore, and junior class know that I am here for them,” said Govan-Smith. “I am the face of this organization and I could not be more honored.” “This organization has opened up so many doors for me, where I have been able to meet older women inside the organization who have filled the role as a big sister to me; women who are willing to share their knowledge with me. I am forever grateful,” continued Govan-Smith. Participating in the NCNW organization, students can expect to dig deep into topics that heavily impact the African American community. “National Council of Negro Women is truly like no other organization,” said GovanSmith. “This organization is for every young

Photo by NCNW

Founding Vice President Bre’yanie Pearson, Advisor Lisia Aikens, and President Delois Blackmon

lady who has been battling with issues but never talked about it, every young lady who has been bullied because her skin is too dark, every young lady who feels like they do not belong. NCNW is that outlet for you.” Hooker, a junior transitioning into senior year, studying biology pre-occupational therapy with a minor in psychology heard about NCNW through peers who were apart of the organization prior. “There is no organization on campus like

NCNW because it encompasses components of service, empowerment, and educational development, three things that provide both community and individual-based impact,” said Hooker. “As a woman of color, I wanted to be a part of that, to create a culture that is essential and an impact that should be embraced.” Allen, a senior studying global business appreciates the tools NCNW has given her to assist in bettering the community and

“This organization is for every young lady who has been battling with issues but never talked about it, every young lady who has been bullied because her skin is too dark, every young lady who feels like they do not belong. NCNW is that outlet for you.” continued on page 8

October, 2018

THE TOWER 7

Be proactive in the fight against breast cancer By Dr. Josh Palgi and Professor Tara Bogota

Photo by Jason Meredith

Giant pink ribbon

A woman’s risk of dying from breast cancer dropped 39 percent between the late 1980’s and 2015

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, marked in countries across the world. Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month(NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. Started in 1985, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) was observed in the U.S. initially to increase early detection of breast cancer by encouraging women to have mammograms. Today, NBCAM is also about raising funds for breast cancer research and support. Being proactive in this fight is crucial. About 1 in 8 U.S. women, and 1 in 1,000 U.S. men will develop invasive breast cancer. By the end of 2018, an estimated 269,00 new cases of breast cancers were expected to be diagnosed in the United States. The median age of diagnosis in this country is 61. The median age of death is 68. Despite the stable incidence rates, improved treatment as well as earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, breast cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. There is still a large racial gap in mortality with African American women having higher death rates compared to Caucasian women. However, some positive news overall is that a woman’s risk of dying from breast cancer dropped 39 percent between the

late 1980’s and 2015. Have you noticed the prevalence of the color pink that pops up around this time of the year? The pink ribbon and color pink that has become the worldwide symbol of breast cancer and breast cancer awareness. It was first used in 1990’s and was chosen because it is a color of health and represents femininity. Pink scarves, pink socks, pink shirts, and pink coffee mugs. These sweet, pink pastels are there to nudge us to take the time for exams, checkups and increased self-awareness. Early detection is key and it is also important to know the warning signs. The most common signs are: OO Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no distinct lump is felt)

Skin irritation or dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel)

Breast or nipple pain

Nipple retraction (turning inward)

Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin

Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)

If you have any of the warning signs described below, see a health care provider. If you don’t have a provider, one of the best ways to find a good one is to get a referral from a trusted family member or friend. Dr. Palgi and Professor Bogota are professors in Kean’s Department of Physical Education, Recreation & Health.

Is What You Consume Really “Safe”? By Danielle Junio Food has a huge impact on our society today, from our health, to our relationships, and to our culture. It is fascinating how E-Coli outbreaks are becoming a bigger and bigger threat in the food industry; especially since the FDA had implemented higher standards on a food safety regulations. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) “estimates that each year STEC causes 265,000 illness, 3,600 hospitalizations and 30 deaths in the United States. Even if you refer to the New York Times, every few months there is a new article with about another E-Coli outbreak. A few examples of recent articles are “Officials Identify a Source in The Romaine Lettuce E.Coli Outbreak,” “Four More People Die From Tainted Romaine Lettuce,” and “E-Coli Outbreak Tied to Romaine Lettuce Expands to 16 States,” With these potentially lethal outbreaks becoming more and more frequent it is important for us all to be informed about what E-coli is and where it comes from. “To me when I think of E-Coli, I think of sickened animals,” Michael Rado, supply chain management and information major stated. Rado also mentioned how he also heard a “rumor” about produce becoming contaminated with E-Coli resulting from the farm workers not washing their hands after using the restroom and from being unhygienic while working in the field/industry.

According to the CDC, E-Coli is a type of bacteria that is found in the intestines of humans and animals, food, and the environment (such as the water supply). The CDC also classifies the different strands of E-Coli into two categories. One is “harmless” E-Coli, which include the various strands that are healthy and help aid the digestive systems of humans and animals and “harmful” E-Coli which is the strands of the bacteria such as STEC (E-Coli O157:H7) that result in illness and can potentially be lethal. E-Coli is most commonly noted to affect the meat industry (especially beef) but is becoming a growing threat to the produce industry. Lately, we have seen more produce such as lettuce and pre-packaged salads being contaminated with E-Coli mainly because of contaminated water. The Water Project, a non-profit organization aimed at providing water in sub-Saharan Africa has done research that has proven that “possible sources of fecal contamination include: agricultural runoff, wildlife that uses the water as their natural habitat, runoff from areas contaminated with pet manure, wastewater treatment plants, and on-site septic systems. Heavy precipitation may cause these organisms to be washed into creeks, rivers, streams, lakes, or groundwater.” Although this research explains why E-Coli contamination rates are steadily increasing, we still have to wonder why we are not making significant progress in getting this outbreak under control. One of the reasons might be

“To me when I think of E-Coli, I think of sickened animals,” Michael Rado, supply chain management and information major stated. Photo by Eric Erbe, digital colorization by Christopher Pooley, both of USDA, ARS, EMU

E. coli bacteria, magnified 10,000 times.

because we are not properly informed about what is going on or because we do not stop and take the time to think about the situation at hand. “What I want to eat would be the first thing that would come to my mind when I think about food,” Dudley Saintil, a bio-health major said. Then he continued to explain that he would only stop to seriously think about food and its importance to the society if someone made him stop to think about it. We can even take the popular restaurant Chipotle as an example. The FDA stated in a report that in 2016, 55 people who ate at Chipotle were infected with STEC and in 2015, 43 Chipotle restaurants were shut down in order to work with health officials until their restaurant met their standards. “People may just love the place too much,” Rado stated. In their report, the FDA also mentioned that Mexican chain restaurants like that are hard to conduct trackbacks on since

their food products contain a vast amount of different ingredients that come from different suppliers. As a result, it is extremely challenging and time consuming for them to pinpoint one particular food item to blame or to point the blame at one particular supplier. But even with this information being noted, Chipotle is still one of the most popular chain restaurants for this generation. “They want to chase the fashion of food,” said Dr. Dongyan Mu, professor of sustainability science. At the end of the day, food is an essential part of our life which is why we should all take the time to stop and think about where our food comes from, if it is safe, and how we can try to protect ourselves from contracting E-Coli. According to Dr. Mu, a few ways we can take action is by improving personal hygiene, drinking boiled water, washing our food carefully, and requesting stricter regulations to food industries.

Ebooks vs. Physical Books By Valencia Stevenson An ebook or a physical book? Students wonder which is better as they begin ordering books professors listed on the syllabus. An ebook is a digital version of a printed textbook and, sometimes, there are access codes that involve course content for the class. “I prefer physical books because you can highlight and take notes from the book. If you have an ebook,yeah you’re ‘on the go,” said Karen Pena, a junior at Kean. “But I wouldn’t want to throw my $300 iPad at the wall if I’m ever pissed off at whatever I’m reading.” Physical textbooks can be heavy and out of stock quicker than ebooks, as opposed to ebooks which are never out of stock and can be instantly received. With ebooks, students will need an electronic device and sometimes the device is not fully charged which may cause issues. It may also have restrictions on printing and copying. Physical books are usually found new or used, with no electronic equipment needed. You may also be able to sell back the book. Ebooks can fit on a single electronic device, are easy to search when looking for information and are environmentally friendly. “I prefer the physical textbook mainly because of the fact that you can paper clip together a good amount of pages where you can see two pages at the same time that are not next to each other,” said Michael Rado, a sophomore at Kean. “ You can get more work done like that. That way, you don’t need to

Photo by Valencia Stevenson

Green Lane building connected to Barnes & Noble

Photo by Valencia Stevenson

General Manager Guillermo “Will” Giler

Photo by Valencia Stevenson

Guillermo Giler’s contact information

“I think physical books are still the living, breathing reason for education.” said Giler. keep scrolling for that one particular page.” The general manager of the Kean bookstore, Guillermo “Will” Giler, had a lot of information involving physical and ebooks and said that the bookstore is Kean’s number one source for used and rental books for courses. “It depends on the class. We’re finding out that more of the graduate level courses are using printed books,” said Giler about the books that professors prefer to use. “When you get to an undergraduate level, they tend to use more access codes, access codes such as Connect and MyLabs from Pearson. With the larger undergrad classes, we are realizing that those professors are using more access codes.” The ebook is cheaper than a printed book and, depending on the book, you can save anywhere between 40 to 60 percent on a

digital book compared to print. Access codes are a little different because with the code, not only are students buying the digital book, they are buying a course management program, an actual item that the publishers sell that the students use. Giler said Barnes and Noble runs a focus group with about 5,000 students across the nation to see what students are thinking. As a result, ”We found out that 72 percent of the students still prefer a printed book when students were asked if they prefer a printed book or digital that is at the same price,” said Giler. Giler further said that the bookstore does take that information into consideration to accommodate students, including publishers, such as when publishers sell their access codes

with the printed book as a bundle, which is a lot cheaper. When discussing the pros and cons, Giler said an ebook is not as easy as print for notetaking and highlighting. But the pricing for ebooks is a big pro. With physical books, the con is the pricing. “As far as pros, I think physical books are still the living, breathing reason for education,” said Giler. “The book itself is still going to be number one. Nothing is going to beat it. People want that tangible object. When it comes to a textbook, the academic purpose kind of gets lost in the whole electronic thing. I still think it is the number one source for faculty and students.” Giler highly encourages students to follow @Keanbookstore on Instagram for more information on sales and other news.

8 THE TOWER

October, 2018

National council of Negro women opens chapter at Kean

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SPORTS

establishing black excellence within herself and others. Leon, a sophomore studying political science and history is a person that loves to help others so being a part of the eboard gives her a platform to build the organization at Kean. Brown, a junior double majoring in political science and criminal justice hopes to create a “homey” atmosphere for the minorities on campus. “I find that we only come together for homecoming or Meet the Greeks, but we don’t really have a place for us to just unwind and talk with each other and get connected. I personally feel as though we are the ones individuals here will look up to for guidance, help, or just a friend,” said Brown. Gordon, senior and sociology major, who heard of the organization through the founding president, found that she was able

to be a part of something that was different for black women. “Being a part of the e-board has been nothing but beneficial. For instance, being involved in the NCNW has help me find a place on campus,” said Burnett. “It has provided me with a support system and a close bond with many others who share the same aspirations as me. The goals of the NCNW are to progress and advocate fellow women of African descent; students who want to [be] involved. We will implement growth and support simply in our programs and environment we promote.” Glenne De Gonzague is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. “The main goal of the organization is to promote education focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math,” said

De Gonzague. “These concerns are called ‘Four for the Future’ which encourages entrepreneurship, financial literacy and economic stability, educating women on good health, and civic engagement.” Through workshops, activities and conversations, students can address the topics of self-care, values, esteem, mental health, confidence, and success while creating educational opportunities for themselves. “This organization is essential to this campus, National Council of Negro Women is the voice for every young lady that is afraid to speak up, that is afraid to say “ME TOO”, this organization will shed light on issues within the black community that negatively impact women of color,” said Govan-Smith. Photo by NCNW

NCNW charter party

Benisch Athletic Hall of Fame 2019 preview

Photo by Larry Levanti

Olivia Triano playing the ball against Rowan University

Photo by Larry Levanti

Mark Stanley looking to score a basket against Fairley Dickinson University

Photo by Larry Levanti

Steve Vahalla hitting the volleyball back to NJIT

“Being a Kean athlete was one of the greatest experiences of my life” By Maria Montes

many titles throughout his career like Player of the Year Honors from the Eastern College Athletic Conference, NJAC, and more. At Kean University he was honored with the D’Angola Male Athlete of the Year Award, as well as the Kean Hoffman Spirit Award. Jones is currently an assistant coach at Princeton University. Mike Moceri of the Kean University baseball team was a first team All-American and a Gold Glove award winner. He was a force to be reckoned with both defensively and offensively. He was listed in the Kean record book 25 times. Mike Moceri has also played in two NCAA Division III World Series games. Tim Sensor, Kean University’s former head athletic trainer, retired in 2013. He was recently inducted into the Eastern Athletic Training Association’s ’49 Club (Hall of Fame). Sensor was also honored with the National Athletic Trainers Association

The Benisch Athletic Hall of Fame, established in 1981, consists of former students and staff who stood out because of their athletic performance. This year Kean will honor its inductees who showed the University what it means to be truly dedicated and successful on and off the playing grounds at a ceremony on Feb. 29 in the S.T.E.M. building. “Being a Kean athlete was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” 2019 inductee Steve Vahalla said. “Each and every professor, coach, and teammate I had made me a better person every day.” Here is a closer look at the successes of the 2019 inductees: Jonathan Jones became the second AllAmerican in the history of the basketball program at Kean. He averaged 23.9 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. He earned

(NATA) Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. This won’t be his first hall of fame induction though as he was inducted into the Ramapo Hall of Fame twice, once for the role he took on for athletic training and once for playing ice hockey. He is often credited as the person who built both Kean and Ramapo from the ground up. Mark Stanley, who played in every single game during his fourth year of basketball at Kean, was a member of the 1,000-point club and made an appearance in an ECAC tournament. It was there that he was named All-ECAC second-team. He was also the winner of the Ben Johnson Award for the 1997-98 sports year. That same year he ranked second all-time in three-pointers made, racking up 187 field goals and ranked third in attempted three-point shots with 513 shots taken. Steve Vahalla is the first inductee from the men’s volleyball team. During his career at

Kean he was a two time All-American and was twice named D’Angola Male Athlete of the year. He was also recognized for his performance off the court where he was named to the CoSIDA Academic AllRegion team, as well as earning the Skyline Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year award in 2013. “We built that men’s volleyball team together and I couldn’t be prouder of how far it has come in such a short amount of time,” Vahalla said. Olivia Triano was the first person in field hockey program history to be named firstteam All-American. She was recognized for playing and excelling in three sports. Throughout her career she was named the D’Angola Female Athlete of the Year twice, as well as NJAC Midfielder of the Year and National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association All-American. She was also named NJAC first-team selection three times.

Kean football team remains confident despite rocky start By Dan Papa Kean University’s football team has had a bit of a rocky start. The team lost three out of the first five games. However, neither Head Coach Daniel Garrett nor linebacker Dante Capozzoli are shaken by this. “We hang our hat on doing the right thing,” Garrett said. “Right now the right thing is continuing to work hard and focus on getting better. Focus on doing your job and focus on the little things.” Despite the team losing three out of their first five games, there are still plenty of

games left for them to redeem themselves. They are staying the course and working very hard to continue to get better each week. Garrett has asked the team to maintain three things: “competitive excellence, competitive pressure, and competitive spirit.” Multitasking can be a difficult task, especially for football players already being students. “No one wants to be where we are record wise,” Garrett said. “We do have a tight knit group of young men who believe in our program. I am extremely proud to be their head coach because they continue to do the right things on and off the field as student-

athletes.” Garrett went on to say that there are quite a few things the team can control. Some examples being, “your hustle, your speed, your drive, and your effort.” However, not everything can be controlled. “We can’t go back and change the first 4-5 games, but we can learn from them and continue to get better,” Garrett said. “Failure is only fatal if we choose not to learn from it.” Losing might not be taken so lightly in football, but Garrett is incredibly determined to stay in the fight this season. “We are doing the best we can, we choose

to continue to fight against the easy way and stay positive,” Garrett said. “Shut out the outside (negative voices) and focus on the objective at hand and not the obstacles.” Dante Capozzoli was recently named NJAC Defensive Player of the Week. According to Kean Athletics, he was awarded the title for having the “most tackles by an NJAC player in a contest this season during the Cougars’ season-opening defeat to Springfield.” “We are taking things one week at a time and coming off a big shutout win against William Paterson was huge for us,” Capozzoli said. “We work hard every week no matter what our record is.”

“We hang our hat on doing the right thing,” Garrett said. “Right now the right thing is continuing to work hard and focus on getting better. Focus on doing your job and focus on the little things.” Photo by Kean Athletics

Dante Capozzoli

Photo by Kean Athletics

The Kean Cougars

Photo by Kean Athletics

Coach Daniel Garrett