The Tower - The Independent Voice Of Kean University - October 2022 Issue

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Yes to Hess: The Political Campaign

of an Ocean County College Student

By Logan Germano

A tall adolescent male dressed in a blue suit and red tie greets his neighbors with an important message vital to the upcoming municipal election.

“If you have 30 seconds of your time,” said Ocean County College sophomore Eric Hess. “I can tell you what I can do for our community.”

Hess is running for Town Council of the borough of Pine beach at the age of 19.

Pine Beach is a tiny borough in central Ocean County with a population of 2,169, as per the 2022 census.

Having grown up in Pine Beach his entire life, he has seen what makes the small town a great place to raise a family, and what changes need to be made to keep the community Hess Campaign sign thriving.

Hess, who has been a Republican voter, is running as an Independent

against a strong Republican block of incumbents. His inspiration to run for town council began with his connections to members of the Pine Beach Yacht Club.

As he developed close relationships with elected officials who he met at the yacht club, he got an understanding of how the system works, and realized he can do it too.

“The members of the yacht club, some of whom are mayors and councilmen, are people who I look up to and are doing what I want to do,” Hess said. “Since I have a high interest in politics, I got to know these people well, and I realized that I am not so far off from politics considering my age.”

In order to run, Hess had to go to Photo by Eric Hess the Ocean County Republican Headquarters and

“They did not think it was real until I showed up at their door.”

continued on page 11

Author of best-selling banned book meets with Kean students on National Coming Out Day

By Julia Strugala The Common Read program at Kean University held its book talk event on National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, in Wilkins Theater. This year, best selling author George M. Johnson graced the stage for a reading and discussion about his award-winning memoir-manifesto, “All Boys Aren’t Blue”.

The young adult nonfiction was first released in 2020 and follows the upbringing of Johnson through a series of essays. Growing up as a queer Black man in New Jersey and later moving to Virginia for college, they experienced a multitude of trials and tribulations throughout their adolescence.

In 2021, the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom named it the third most banned and challenged book in the United States of the year. Because of its LGBTQIA+ content and profanity, the memoirmanifesto has been banned from schools across the country.

Abriana Jetté, Kean English professor, said the program did not find out the book was banned until after the selection process, which made it stand out that much more. A student recommended, “All Boys Aren’t Blue” to be the common read book of the year and it received the most votes because of the deeply important message it conveys.

The purpose of the common read is to bring students together around a given

“The genius of being a writer is that you don’t know everything every time you write one. Books should be unapologetically about your truth.”

Photo by @keandeioffice on Instagram

All Boys Aren’t Blue in front of the rainbow balloon arch on National Coming Out Day

text to discuss relevant and timely topics to create a shared intellectual experience for students in their first semester at continued on page 9

2 THE TOWER

October, 2022

Let’s BeReal

By Steven-Ross Bugayong Social media is supposed to be fun, yet people stress too much about how they portray themselves online. People spend hours on filters, perfect snapshots, and curated moments to pretend our thoughts and lives are worth living. But what's the point?

Is anything authentic in how we portray ourselves on social media? With every app that comes and goes, none preaches realness as much as the social media app BeReal.

BeReal is a french social media app that was released in 2020. After a couple of years of obscurity, the app rose to popularity in the middle of 2022.

The app encourages authentic moments by giving users two minutes to capture an image, otherwise the post is flagged as late. The hope is to have the users be their true selves.

The popularity of BeReal is undoubtedly on the rise among people, including students at Kean University.

Andrea Velaquez, a sophmore communication major, has a following of 32 thousand on TikTok. She says that BeReal feels more authentic than apps like Instagram or TikTok. "I like how I don't have to overthink what I have to post or try to have a special point of view to make my page more exciting," Velaquez said. “Some days, the BeReal alert goes off when I'm doing homework or in bed. Even though it doesn't seem as exciting as posting a pic at a concert, it still shows a different side of my friends who also use the app and me.”

Norman Ayala, a senior communication major, has also become entirely fond of the BeReal app, saying that the app is more relaxing compared to other forms of social media.

Photo by Andrea Velaquez

Photo by Andrea Velaquez

BeReal post while in line for the gabriel iglesias show

BeReal post while walking through campus

"I like how spontaneous it is," Ayala said. "The post requires no effort. They're completely random, and seeing other people's posts is fun. It's like we get a closer glimpse into our friends' lives.”

With all new forms of social media, comes criticism. Even though BeReal is

a newly popular thing, it doesn't mean everyone is on board.

Justin DosSantos, a senior psychology major, feels that BeReal is boring.

"It's pointless and just as fake as the other social media apps," DosSantos said. continued on page 10

Delta Beta Chi celebrates Dia de los Muertos with memory boxes

By Brittany Fuentes

Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a holiday which originated in Mexico, meant as a celebration to honor the dead.

This tradition was established to rejoice and remember friends and family that have passed away as a way to continue to celebrate them.

Celebrations typically begin on Nov. 1 and can extend up to a week, depending on where it is celebrated.

The event, Dia De Los Muertos Memory Boxes, hosted by the Sigma Beta Chi Sorority is a way to commemorate Dia de los Muertos as well as Hispanic Heritage Month. It is a way to contribute to the sorority’s mission and theme for the year, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation”.

The event was introduced by Rebecca Blaier, Sigma Beta Chi’s president, in hopes of celebrating one of her favorite holidays with others.

Along with spreading awareness about the cultural traditions that

“The purpose of this event is to educate others on a holiday that is important and recognizable to many Hispanics. Not only will they understand the significance and history of Día de los Muertos, but they will also be introduced to ways that they can celebrate as someone who may or may not be Hispanic,” says Blaier

Photo by Rebecca Blaier

Decorating Sugar Skull memory boxes

Photo by Rebecca Blaier

Participants standing around Dia de los Muertos decorations

come with Dia de los Muertos.

“The purpose of this event is to educate others on a holiday that is important and recognizable to many Hispanics,” Blaier said. “Not only will they understand the significance and history of Día de los Muertos, but they will also be introduced to ways that they can celebrate as someone who may or may not be Hispanic.”

The event started off with a brief presentation by Blaier, educating the attendees about Dia de los Muertos and how and why it is celebrated in Mexico. She focused on highlighting the cultural significance of the holiday.

The presentation included ways in which people can celebrate the holiday and honor their loved ones in a respectful manner even if they have no cultural ties to Dia de los Muertos.

“This event aims to help others start a tradition within their family to honor their loved ones on this holiday and engage in conversations about Día de los Muertos,” Blaier said. continued on page 13

October, 2022

Kean and NY Red Bulls Support Pediatric Cancer Patients

By Jalen Gaynor Kean University and the New York Red Bulls partnered up to help families staying at Ronald Mcdonald House in New York by putting together breakfast bags with encouraging words.

Ronald Mcdonald House’s mission is to provide temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families in a strong, supportive, and

do not go unnoticed.

Nikye Jennings-Jackson, a senior computer science major, let it be known that he values these events and the opportunity to participate in them was a contributing factor to his decision to attend Kean.

“Kean has a lot more service events and fundraisers versus a lot of other universities in the area. It’s actually one of the main reasons why I joined Kean,”

Photo by New York Red Bulls

Kean president Lamont Repollet and chief marketing and revenue officer Joe Stetson

caring environment which encourages and nurtures the development of childto-child and parent-to-parent support systems.

Tonilynn Taranto, New York Red Bulls community relations manager, acknowledged Kean’s value due to their desire to help the community.

“Kean is a fantastic partner because of their commitment to the community,” Taranto said.

Kean and the Red Bulls announced a multi-year partnership earlier this year on March 23. When the deal was disclosed on the university’s website, they teased it would provide students with experiential learning and career opportunities.

They also included plans for students to be able to participate in community service projects with the organization. These community service projects are appreciated by students and

Photo by Kean Instagram

Kean students working on bags

Jennings-Jackson said.

Susan Figueroa, managing assistant director for the Center for Leadership and Service has an understanding of Kean students and how passionate they are about helping their communities.

“The Kean student isn’t a student who looks at themselves as something separate from the community. They are the community,” Figueroa said.

Figueroa believes that Kean students feel something when they volunteer and are participating in these activities because they have a deeper connection to the work they are doing.

“For Kean students volunteering is a way of life. They’re not participating to learn something. Kean students are participating because they feel something,” Figueroa said. “They’re

“They’re not participating to learn something.

Kean students are participating because they feel something.”

continued on page 9

THE TOWER 3

University Senate Discuss Faculty Seminar Series & New Dashboards

By Tyra Watts

could get that to those sub-group leaders or co-chairs.”

A lot has been discussed at Kean Later in the meeting, Dr. Dean Casale, University’s senate meeting that took associate professor in the English studies place on Tuesday Oct.4 via Zoom. program, presented to the senate a At the beginning of the meeting, presentation about the faculty seminar the members of the Senate agreed to series of 2022-2023. the motion that Craig Anderson, who According to Dr. Casale, the seminar currently works at Kean’s Learning series is in its 22nd year and was initiated Commons at the Nancy Thompson by Dennis Klein, a history professor Library, be Vice Chair for the and director of the master senate this year. of arts in holocaust and According to Sucheta S. genocide studies as well as Ahlawat, Ph.D., a member of the director of the Jewish the Senate, and professor in studies program. the school of management “It usually functions as and marketing, the senate a reading discussion group meeting transitioned to the that centers on a particular task force on advising, which theme, issue, or problem,” was previously discussed at Casale stated. “Some of the the senate executive meeting past issues have been the twice. Members of the faculty diaspora empire and cultural wanted the senate to discuss Photo by Kean University Learning Common conquest and recently we’ve Craig Anderson, this issue. been thinking in a more The New Vice Chair Senate Ahlawat decided to metacritical way about the not work on this issue university in itself.” because she noticed that a Since Klein is on a lot was going on in terms sabbatical, Casale was of the members and subasked to run this year’s committees. faculty seminar series. The “Maybe we will ask the cotheme for this year’s event chairs of the presidential task is authenticity and care in the contemporary research force to come to the senate at university. some point with the feeling T his theme is in that they have made enough connection with K ean progress, probably at the Photo by Kean University University President end of October or beginning Dr. Dean Casale L amont O. Repollet , of November,” Ahlawat Ed.D. challenge to explained.

Her reasoning for this was that there the stakeholders of the higher wasn’t an opportunity for the faculty to education community, students, faculty, administration, and staff to “reflect, share before the decision was made.

Despite this, David Farrokh, who is the reexamine, and re-imagine” the practices assistant Dean of the College of Business of Kean culture.

This year’s faculty seminar will consist and Public Management, spoke on this of shared readings and discussions issue.

He stated that he has one of the sub- regarding the aspects of the 21st-century groups on advising structure and models public higher education experience in and that the sub-group is made up of a America.

Casale explains that they will be representative body of faculty, students, focusing on a lot of issues and questions staff, and administrators.

“It is a pretty diverse group,” Farrokh such as identity politics and the challenges said. “So faculty input would certainly of inclusion, as well as intellectual labor be encouraged in the sub-group, and I and intellectual capital.

The seminar will also look into the think for each sub-group, there is faculty in each of those areas, so if people have monetizing of knowledge, the university’s continued on page 12 certain comments or suggestions, they

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October, 2022

Kean Students Aid in Volunteer Service for the Hillside Community Food Bank

By Keyon Gardner Many of us are fortunate enough to have three or more meals a day. Though we don’t think about it, there are a great number of children and adults that go days and even weeks without food.

Whether poor or homeless, the number of people that continue their lives without the proper amount of food to consume is quite alarming.

According to the Action Against Hunger Organization, “Around the world, more than enough food is produced to feed the global population—but as many as 828 million people still go hungry. After steadily declining for a decade, world hunger is on the rise, affecting nearly 10

Photo by Keyon Gardner

Photo by Keyon Gardner

Making a difference

Kean students

percent of people globally.”

Everyday a hungry person is looking for

just one meal a day, but isn’t even getting just that.

Students at Kean University decided to help volunteer for the Hillsides' Community Food Bank hosted by the Center for Leadership and Service.

The Community Food Bank of New Jersey has its largest warehouse stationed in Hillside,where volunteers regularly participate in daily duties to help assist in packaging and distributing food.

The Community Food Bank of New Jersey has wonderful staff and associates that helped the Kean students prepare for their role in helping the community.

Troy Turner, the lead and coordinator for the repack area at the warehouse shared his feelings about what he does there and why.

“What I found awesome about this job continued on page 10

“Stronger Together” Poster Making for Breast Cancer in the Miron Student Center at Kean University

By Josephine Carrillo Kean University’s Center of Leadership and Service (CLS) hosted a poster-making event for Breast Cancer in the Miron Student Center at Kean University, on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Tiffany Anelle, a graduate student assistant for CLS, and Iklhas Lahlou, undergraduate student staff member of CLS, prepared a google slide presentation. It gave the students that attended the event accurate information on breast cancer and people currently battling against it.

It was shown that one of the main reasons people do not get the treatment they need is due to not getting checked from a young age.

This leads to being diagnosed at an advanced stage.

“My mother is currently fighting breast cancer for the second time,” said Anelle. “Seeing how my community at Kean is supporting people currently fighting against breast cancer certainly hits home and it is such a warm feeling to know that we are being supported and heard just gives me a peace of mind.”

Anelle and her colleagues have hosted a poster-making event

“I believe even the smallest thing as making a poster for the breast cancer walk can help those currently fighting against the disease know that they are being heard, supported, and that we cared, they will win this fight!”

Photo by Josephine Carrillo

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022

Photo by Josephine Carrillo

“Let’s Cross Cancer Out”

previous to this one in the Greek lounge, where many Kean students showed their support by making posters and shared their personal stories with breast cancer.

Susana Pardo, a junior majoring in biology, attended the event and shared her aunt’s story, who suffered from breast cancer and passed away from the disease about three years ago.

“I believe even the smallest thing as making a poster for the breast cancer walk can help those currently fighting against the disease know that they are being heard, supported, and that we care, they will win this fight!” Susana said while drawing her poster that consisted of a pink butterfly and pink ribbon, with encouraging words for those fighting the disease, as well as their families.

The poster making event for breast cancer has been hosted every year at Kean University for the past ten years as well as their bake sales for breast cancer. Their next poster making event will be held on Oct. 18 in the Miron Student Center Room 315B from 5p.m. until 6p.m.

“Attending this event is beyond important, since you gain knowledge on what the disease is about and how continued on page 11

October, 2022

Kean Ocean’s Connection Club is Officially Instated on Campus

By Elaine Amico

their time here at Kean Kevin Woodworth, a senior at Kean Kean Ocean’s Connection Club is Ocean also believes student growth can officially in full swing and welcomed be fostered through on-campus activities. students to their first meeting on October “As a Kean Ocean student, I would like 4. The club aims to help bring students to see more opportunities with clubs on across all majors together, and give them campus so myself and many others can the opportunity to network, volunteer, learn and grow in our school with endless and showcase their talents. opportunities,” Woodworth said.

Maggie Lambusta, a Kean Connection senior public relations got its name from major at Kean Ocean, something that we all initiated the club with do with one another, the hope that it would without even realizing give students more onit…connect! campus opportunities.

“People connect and “After seeing the form relationships lack of clubs available daily without even on our campus, it was thinking about it. When my idea to inquire I thought of the idea about beginning a club of a club that allows that showcases these people to increase their values,” Lambusta knowledge and interests said. “Students deserve in different cultures and topics, I thought the the opportunity to word connection was create long-lasting appropriate,” Lambusta relationships with said. “Being connected each other and will enable us to expand the community, to on our intellect over and better their personal over again and prepare development and us for the outside enhance our local world.” community.”

Kean Connection Professor Courtney already has two events Atkins is the faculty planned for this advisor for Kean semester, with many Ocean Connection and more in the making. In believes that students the last week of October, at Kean Ocean should they are organizing a get the opportunity to scarf and hat donation set goals, and achieve drive for Breast Cancer positive outcomes with Awareness Month. For one another.

November, national "Helping students gratitude month, Kean find a zone where they Photo by Kean Ocean Campus Life Instagram Connection is holding can volunteer in the Founder of Kean Connection, a tabling event where community, create fun Maggie Lambusta students and faculty can events and moments, and build their resume with activities always makes write thank you cards to anyone they are me smile. It's what college is all about, grateful for.

As for the future of Kean Connection, networking and learning together," Lambusta believes that the more people Atkins said.

Students at Kean Ocean feel strongly who join the club, the more opportunities about getting the same opportunities it’ll have.

“Our number one goal for the that the Kean Union campus offers. While Kean Ocean is much smaller, students organization is to allow a safe space for still have the same end goal of achieving students, staff, and the community to

“Our number one goal for the organization is to allow a safe space for students, staff, and the community to join together to benefit each other's goals, create friendships, and overall promote positivity and kindness.”

academic success and making the most of

continued on page 13

THE TOWER 5

Kean’s Holocaust Resource Center Holds Testimony Tuesdays in Honor

By Adaora Nnakwe Kean University honors its 40th anniversary of the Holocaust Resource Center in hosting a bi-weekly Testimony Tuesdays event in the Visor Lab at the Nancy Thompson Library. Testimony Tuesdays is a program event that

during the war, and the loss of her 45 family members that were killed during the Holocaust.

Sarah Coykendall, M.A., managing assistant director of Holocaust Resource Center brings foward the passion to connect the history of the Holocaust with today’s world.

“Holocaust education is a fundamental component of combating this hatred. The fight against antisemitism is not easy, but is necessary for our shared humanity,” said Coykendall.

Photo by Adaora Nnakwe

Laura Kaufman interviewed by Dr. Sidney Langer

showcases Holocaust survivors, liberators, and rescuers giving their testimonies as a historical feature to the Holocaust Resource Center. Students can visit the event to research and learn about the Holocaust suvivors from watching their shared testimonies for personal or educational purposes which can help those get a better understanding of the history.

On Oct. 11, Testimony Tuesdays featured a taped interview featuring Luna Kaufman, a Holocaust survivor, author and speaker.. The 1983 interview held by Dr. Sidney Langer discussed Kaufman’s childhood before World War II and the German invasion of Poland. Kaufman reflected on her parents, life before and

“Holocaust education is a fundamental component of combating this hatred. The fight against antisemitism is not easy, but is necessary for our shared humanity,” Coykendall said.

According to Adara Goldberg, Ph.D., director of Holocaust Resource Center, the Holocaust was the systematic statesponsored murder of six million Jews and approximately two-thirds of all Jews in pre-World War II Europe by Nazi Germany and its allies and collaborators.

“As such, I encourage students to remember that each of the six million people whose lives were stolen had a name, a family, hopes, and dreams. They are not merely a statistic,” Goldberg continued on page 14

6 THE TOWER

October, 2022

The Internet Rages When “Little Mermaid” Trailer Reveals a Black Ariel

By Isaiah Joseph

movies by Asian, Russian, and mixed-race individuals, her cartoon depictions are During our early childhood, we built typically pale. relationships with fictional characters that Controversy arose when Disney we watched on television. showcased the trailer on different social These characters are special to us media platforms where they give you because as we see them on television, we a glimpse of a mysterious immersive also see ourselves being represented on undersea world, and at the end of the screen. As a child trailer, viewers sees a character see Bailey with that looks like her luscious red them, it gives braids flowing them a sense of under the water importance to beautifully be proud of who singing before they are. the trailer comes T hroug hout to a close. the years we Social media have seen was outraged. more diversity People cracked in television their fingers and readied as original their opinions characters are to unleash being depicted onto posts that as other races involved the such as Black, Photo by Disney black actress and Hispanic, Halle Bailey starring as the lead role of Ariel her new role.

Asian, etc., and As many were audiences have frenzied, many also rejoiced in shock and had their different perspectives on it.

One instance of this is the rising happiness, and many young Black girls controversy over the new live-action and older women were excited to see depiction of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”, themselves being portrayed on screen.

Bailey applied and where the main protagonist auditioned for the role when Ariel is portrayed by a Black Rob Marshall, the director of actress and singer, Halle the film, suggested that she Bailey. should go for it.

Chelsea Gray, Kean According to Deadline graduate and Nu Theta Chi Hollywood, Marshall was (NOX) alumnus believed that interviewed during Disney’s the actresses who auditioned 25th-anniversary expo for the role all had a fair stating that he went through chance to express their talent every actress who auditioned and their version of Ariel. for the role giving everyone a “I like it, it's not forced,” chance.

Gray said. “And being forced Marshall knew the ideal is like they are just throwing choice for the position and he Black people on the screen to chose Bailey. appeal to a Black audience, “They weren’t aiming to she worked for the role and cast a Black woman,” said Gray “They were earned it.”

Ariel, a fictional character, with no aiming to find the best fit and she was the defined skin color in her original material best fit.”

The Little Mermaid trailer didn’t only was originally written by a Danish author attract the excitement of viewers who are in the 1800s.

“They were aiming to find the best fit and she was the best fit.”

She has been portrayed in ballet and

continued on page 16

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

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EDITOR IN CHIEF: DAVAUGHNIA WILSON NEWS EDITOR: JULIA STRUGALA FEATURES EDITOR: ELAINE AMICO SPORTS EDITOR: RUBEN NIEVES ONLINE EDITOR: ANDREY NALBANTOV SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: VICTORIA CIFELLI STAFF WRITERS CAMRYN AURIEMMA

STEVEN-ROSS BUGAYONG

HECTOR MORALES

WAYNE DAWES

LENNY MATA CUEVAS

JUSTIN MCDANIEL

KERVIN COLEMAN

JALEN GAYNOR

EDIZ MONROY

ISAIAH JOSEPH

ANTHONY REYNA

LOGAN GERMANO

KEYON GARDNER

JOSEPHINE CARRILLO

VICTORIA CIFELLI

ADAORA NNAKWE

BRITTANY FUENTES JA'BRIA LASTER TYRA WATTS 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.

October, 2022

THE TOWER 7

Kean Pep Rally

By Justin McDaniel The Kean Pep Rally is always a good sign that homecoming is right around the corner and this year it did not disappoint!

The event held on Sept. 30, was organized and hosted by Kean Pulse, Kean Student Government, and the Kean Athletic Department. The event featured DJ Drewski, a social media influencer and Hot 97 DJ, performances by the Kean dance theater and the Kean University top-notch group, and fun games with activities.

“I had a great time, they had all these different games set up and had these cool videos for all the sports teams to introduce them,” Johan Civil, a communication/ media and film major student said. “I love seeing Kean do different things and find

Photo by Justin McDaniel

Photo by Cougarsbyte Instagram page

Photo by Kean University Instagram page

Students playing “Hungry Hippo” at Pep Rally

View of the Hardwood Arena court filled up with over 1000 students

Shows the crowd for the Pep Rally

different ways to ensure everyone has a great time.”

Over 1000 students according came out to have a great time before the big

homecoming football game the next day. Kean Pulse had Hardwood Arena filled with different servings of food and giveaways throughout the long hallway

that led to the gym.

Jessly Gomez, a psychology major, and Kean Pulse employee co-hosted the event continued on page 10

Keans Mental Health Fair

By Ja’Bria Laster Life as we know it could take a big toll on our mental health and could affect anyone, especially college students. The older we get, the more responsibilities we have to take on whether it's with school, family, bills, or even our personal lives.

Kean University ensures that students are being recognized and heard.

Chantonette Lyles, Associate Director for Student Retention and Educational Innovation, is in charge of the Mental Health Fair for all students.

This event is a part of Kean’s first ever, junior’s week which is the week of Oct. 10 to Oct. 14. Its focus is on juniors, making sure that they’re connected to campus resources and also other students as well.

“Mental health affects all of us in many different ways and it is very important that students make their mental health a priority, which is why we wanted to incorporate this mental health fair during juniors week,” Lyles said.

Not only is this a Kean University event that will have students participate, but the mental health fair will have several other collaborations on campus that will include tables outside and also outside resources will be attending.

Every year there is a Mental Health Awareness month event here at the university, this year the event was held

on Oct. 12. The conversation on mental health should be much bigger and have much more exposure.

“I want to make mental health day a priority, referring students to the counseling centers to make sure that they know that there are campus resources

When you’re at peace everything flows effortlessly. The mental health event on Oct. 12 touched important factors that we need in our everyday lives.

Students may not often feel as though they are heard enough, or sometimes cared about. Each day is a different day

“I want to make mental health day a priority, referring students to the counseling center to make sure that students have a long way to go, that they know that there are campus resources here to assist,” Photo by Kean Student Retention Instagram page

Mental Health Fair Flyer

here to assist,” said Chanonette.

All students go through tough times, especially when it comes to mid-terms that are approaching quickly. The purpose of this mental health fair is to let students know that it is okay to take a deep breath and just relax for a moment.

Peace is a very important factor that should be taken into consideration.

that we go through whether it starts off good and ends bad or starts bad and ends good, it's just unpredictable.

Kayla Hodges, a student here at Kean, has been attending for three years now.

She has faced some hardships throughout her time here.

“How I deal with my mental health is if I don’t have anyone to talk about it with,

I would use music as an escape, shop, watching youtube videos, cleaning, and painting,” Hodges said.

As the school year develops and incoming students come in, it is very important for them to not feel as if college is an overwhelming place, they should feel comfortable in this environment.

Being able to talk to one another and share your hobbies could help the next person. Some people just may need that listening ear or someone to be around when times are tough.

“It's not easier said than done, the gray cloud does not always last forever.

It may feel like that at the moment but always be open to resources and advice. Just keep pushing yourself to be a better you,” Hodges said.

At the mental health fair there were several tables placed outside of the Miron Student Center. Each table had information on how to access different resources on campus for dealing with mental health issues.

There was also food, games, prizes, and lots of smiling faces. It was a great turn out, students made sure that they received the help they needed even if it was for a friend. n

8 THE TOWER

October, 2022

Kean’s Architecture Program Awarded Three Year Accreditation design to graphic and architectural design,” Dean David Mohney said in his public position letter on the Michael Graves College.

The college is home to two schools, the Robert Busch School of Design, as well as the School of Public Architecture.

The School of Public Architecture released a statement regarding the Master of Architecture program via their official website.

“The [Master of Architecture] program addresses the increasing level of professional design services required in the 21st century, and the increasing globalization of architectural design. It utilizes its two locations in major urban areas — the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region, and Wenzhou, China — as resources for access to professional employment and training,” the statement said.

The relatively new program, which began holding classes at Kean’s Union Campus in Fall 2015 requires juniors to study abroad during their spring Semester in Rome, Italy.

In the time since, The Michael Graves College has produced alumni who work in a wide variety of fields for some of the world’s most notable corporations such as

“Accredited status is a signal to students and the public that a program meets basic standards for its faculty, curriculum, student services and libraries”

Photo by Michael Graves College

Students in Kean's Green Lane Design Studio

The NAAB Logo

By Anthony Reyna Kean University’s Michael Graves College has been awarded a 3 year accreditation term by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB).

According to the NAAB, “NAAB accreditation is the primary means by which professional degree programs in architecture assure quality to students and the public.

Accredited status is a signal to students and the public that

a program meets basic standards for its faculty, curriculum, student services and libraries.”

Kean’s Michael Graves College gets its name from renowned Architect and Professor Michael Photo by The NAAB Graves who is most well known for his influential work as member of the “New York Five”, a prominent group of architects in 1970’s New York City.

“The association with Michael Graves is profoundly appropriate for this new college. Graves redefined an idea of professional practice in the late 20th century by addressing design at multiple scales, from urban and building to object and artifact. The varied programs that comprise the Michael Graves College at Kean University represent this idea well, from industrial and interior

continued on page 13

Greek Organizations Kick Off the Fall 2022 Semester

By Victoria Cifelli

“We get to know them for who they truly are”

===Greek Life Greek Life is important to many college students, and Kean University has over 20 Greek Life organizations to offer. Every semester, students are given the chance to make new connections by joining fraternities and sororities on campus.

With 20 Greek organizations on campus, Photo by @dphie_ku on Instagram students have the Delta Phi Epsilon sisters at a service and fundraising event for opportunity to mingle with Breast Cancer Awareness Month everyone.

Recruitment happens every semester, and Photo by @msu_mosaic on Instagram students are able to join an organization University,” Leonardo Ribau, a Members of Mu Sigma Upsilon giving back to the Kean if they qualify, after one completed senior criminal justice major in Nu University community by helping out during Freshman Orientation, just before the Fall 2022 semester started semester at Kean.

Delta Pi said. “Those that show true Personal and academic growth are some “We look for those that show the will qualities of brotherhood. We all in things that this organization thrives on. to take the chance of finding out how this fraternity are one big family.”

With recruitment being the one time great they can be, and how much good Nu Delta Pi is a fraternity that focuses on brotherhood and academic success. they can give back to others and to Kean to learn more about new individuals for

Greek organizations, there are many ways they go about their recruitment process.

“The process is a time period where new members familiarize themselves with Delta Phi Epsilon’s history. It follows the same guidelines and traditions every semester but sometimes we like to add in fun twists,” Bryanna Hankins, a junior forensic psychology major said.

Delta Phi Epsilon is big on philanthropy and giving back to the community.

Success is also an important part of Delta Phi Epsilon, and there are often study sessions with the sisters events to help members of this organization keep up with their academic success while in a sorority.

While students show interest in getting to know a particular organization, organizations will also get to know potential new members.

“In our recruitment process, we like to hang out with all of those who are interested in joining our fraternity. We get to know them for who they truly are,” continued on page 14

October, 2022

THE TOWER 9

Author of best-selling banned book meets with Kean students on National Coming Out Day continued from cover

Kean. As part of the transition to Kean course, all freshmen are required to engage with the common read text picked for that school year.

The program was created by Jonathon Mercantini, acting dean of the college of liberal arts. It is something he has wanted Kean to incorporate into the freshmanyear transition course for a long time.

“To me, I think the stories that George tells, I can imagine, would resonate with a lot of our students. Even if they haven't had that exact same experience, I think that was something we wanted them to share,” Mercantini said.

Mercantini feels it is highly important to pick a book that students of all backgrounds would be able to connect to. Johnson’s story makes for a great Common Read selection because of the diversity of essays it contains, ranging from themes of family to gender identity.

“One thing with the Common Read that I’ve espoused from the beginning is that we want to make sure that we’re embracing a diversity of viewpoints.

Having the students read something that’s different and takes you out of your comfort zone in a classroom setting,” Mercantini said.

Johnson began their career in writing because they wanted to make sure Gen Z had the knowledge and tools to understand the countries' origins. In elementary school, Johnson was not taught about events in history such as the Emancipation Proclamation in its entirety. Gaps and chunks were missing from the historical timeline that they wanted to fill in for not only Black readers, but all readers.

The creation of All Boys Aren’t Blue was them freeing the 10-year-old version of

ean University

George M. Johnson on stage at Wilkins Theater

themself that had something to say.

At the same time, Johnson knew that there were still kids who were similar to those versions of themself who did not have anything to grab onto to make them feel heard.

Everything came full circle for Johnson when they found out Kean was the first college to choose the book as their common read. The Meet the Author flyer Since they are from Plainfield, New Jersey, it was very exciting to know that their best seller was going to be read, studied, and reviewed at a university not too far from home.

When Johnson was asked if there were moments in their life that they wished to include but had to take out, Johnson shared that four chapters were removed from the memoir.

These later became a part of their second book, “We Are Not Broken”.

“The genius of being a writer is that you don’t know everything every time Photo by Julia Strugala you write one.

Books should be unapologetically about your truth,” Johnson said. “You'll never finish writing if you wait until you know everything.”

Chapter 7 was one of the chapters that

almost got cut out, but Johnson refused to let it be removed because it is about one of the most influential people in their life, their grandmother Nanny. Johnson’s grandmother was diagnosed with cancer right as they signed their book deal.

Johnson rewrote Chapter 7 from a different perspective, one where their grandmother was no longer around. The book was getting ready to be released as their grandmother was slowly passing away. “[Nanny] was one of the best storytellers. I think that’s part of oral tradition in Black folks. I felt it was important to put Nanny’s stories onto paper so they never go away,” Johnson said. “If you don't put stories like hers into the world, we lose them.”

Johnson’s grandmother lived through the Jim Crow Laws in the 1940s and experienced first-hand the racial segregation Black Americans endured during that time. Johnson felt it was crucial to publish her stories out into the world.

“We Are Not Broken” started being written when Johnson’s grandmother passed; their agent said to write about their grandmother and see where it takes them.

“It has been really cathartic to see people tweeting things she has said. Grief is love with nowhere to go, so I put it into my writing. Sometimes I talk about her and I well up and I know she's around.

She's around today because I can feel it, like a wave of emotion comes over me,” Johnson said.

Johnson hopes the memoir gives queer people the ability to use the book as a bridge to form a much stronger connection with their families. n

Kean and NY Red Bulls Support Pediatric Cancer Patients continued from page 3

interested in the impact.”

Lindsay Capehart, Ronald Mcdonald House volunteer coordinator let it be known that families and kids in Ronald Mcdonald House can be brought joy from acts of kindness like these.

“You’ll see some kids up on their toes going through the bags trying to figure out which one they want

bartering their siblings. That brings them a lot of joy and comfort to know that the community is rallying behind them,” Capehart said.

This community service project is among the first chances for students to collaborate with the Red Bulls. Their partnership with Kean is bringing many opportunities for

students including a mentorship program beginning this semester.

The program was developed to match undergraduate students from specific majors with a professional mentor from the team who works in their chosen field and can provide valuable guidance and career support. n

Photo by Kean Instagram

Volunteering Kean students

10 THE TOWER

October, 2022

Let’s BeReal

continued from page 2

“Some days, the BeReal alert goes off when I'm doing homework or in bed.

Even though it doesn't seem as exciting as posting a pic at a concert, it still shows a different side of my friends who also use the app and me.”

"I had the app for two weeks and then deleted it. I get what the message of the app is. But realistically, no form of social media is ever natural. It's become saturated within the next few months; people will find another thing to post and do."

Social media has become a place where

people let their insecurities run. However, it's also a place where people can express themselves. The majority of college students have a form of social media. In the digital age, it's hard not to.

The lines have been drawn to what is real and what is fake. As social media comes and

goes, the post becomes more fabricated, and the fixture of the world becomes a blurred line. It's important to have apps like this where we sit back without thinking and be real about who we are.

n

Photo by Norman Ayala

BeReal post with friend Kevin Cruz

Kean Students Aid in Volunteer Service for the Hillside Community Food Bank continued from page 4

is the fact we get to package up all this food and we get to feed a lot of people that’s less fortunate and don’t have anything,” Turner said.

Turner’s a man who understands the value of what he does and never takes his position for granted.

“At the end of the day, we can end up on the receiving end of these boxes ourselves,” Turner said. “So I love coming here and working faithfully here for long hours just to see the smiles on people's faces.”

The Kean University students enjoyed Photo by Keyon Gardner themselves as most of them said they were Here to help there for class assignments and wanted to help give back to the less fortunate.

“I feel like it's only fair I'm giving back what I receive in advance,” Basma Marghany, a Kean student majoring in Early Childhood Education said.

Basma talked about how necessary it was for her as a student at Kean and also being in Union county more than where she is originally from, that it would be fair for her to

give back to a community that has people who are less fortunate than others.

Amira, a community food bank of New Jersey warehouse associate, expressed her gratitude, “to have the Kean students come here today was a blessing because they were able to help senior citizens that they’ll never meet. We encourage them to come back because we can’t do this great work without our volunteers. I also encourage them to plant seeds of goodness throughout their life.”

The Community Food Bank of New Jersey gave students a chance to experience volunteering on another level.

Students began to express their feelings on how the event gave them a new perspective as well as it being educating. A sorority group from Rutgers attended the event to also volunteer and assist some Kean students.

“I'm here because it's my girlfriend's birthday weekend and she wanted to volunteer so I brought her here and now I'm happy that I get to volunteer as well as see her happy too,” Diego Mendoza, a junior majoring in communications media and film said.

One student described her experience there as motivating and she came here to find her purpose.

Brittney Kennedy, the event coordinator for the Center for Leadership Services and an elementary education major said, “I love giving back and I know the work they do goes into our communities, after volunteering, it's very fulfilling that we packaged 350 of boxes and I know it's going to be put to good use.” n

Kean Pep Rally continued from page 7

with Tracy Snorton.

“Hosting the pep rally was really exciting and different,” Gomez said. “I had never really spoken to a large group of people before and this was just something I can just cross off my bucket list.”

The football team, swim team, track, and field team, volleyball team, and cross country team were all present at the pep rally and sat in their respective groups.

Each team prepared a short video prior to the event, that described their players and personalities on teams.

Throughout the night, the videos were played and all the teams got their moment in the spotlight.

“The different group activities and games really stood out to me. Especially the “hungry hippo” game when each pair of teams competed to collect the most balls,” Stephanie Tande, psychology and psychiatric rehab major said. “I loved being able to come out and have fun with my friends out here.”

Even though most students did enjoy the pep rally there were still those who

“At the end of the day we can possibly end up on the receiving end of these boxes ourselves.” felt like they could have done more.

“While still a great event I do wish they had something else added with the games, maybe something like a dance battle next

time,” Civil said. “Besides that, the guess the lyrics and wheelies game was super fun to watch other students play,”

n

Yes to Hess: The Political Campaign of an Ocean County College Student

THE TOWER 11

October, 2022

continued from cover

inform them about his interest in running for town council of his municipality. He was then given a nomination petition from the Ocean County clerk.

When he received his petition, he announced that he was running on the Independent ticket, and went around Pine Beach to gather signatures from registered voters. Once he got all of the signatures needed, he became nominated on the ballot. Despite leaning more conservative than liberal, he said that his first few signatures came from Democratic voters.

“The idea was not that you agree with me or you think that all of my solutions would work,” Hess said. “It was the question of if you thought I had the right to be democratically elected.”

He started out by going around town and introducing himself at the front door of homes. Eventually, he became the talk of the town which caused his popularity to rise. The campaign slogan he created is “Yes to Hess”.

“They did not think it was real until I showed up at their door,” Hess said.

Hess’s parents, who are apolitical, did not expect his campaign to grow as fast as it did.

“At first they did not think it was a big deal and wished me good luck,” Hess said.

“But suddenly, their friends around town started to ask them questions about why I was running. Their only answer was that I was up for the challenge.”

Hess plans to go above and beyond to keep the town in its best shape. One of these plans, which he thinks is a concern that has not been looked into, is to prevent the beach degradation along the Toms River shoreline.

“I live right on the waterfront and I see it slowly slipping away each day,” he said. “It is my main concern

Photo by Eric Hess

Eric Hess, Independent nominee for Pine Beach Town Council

Photo by Eric Hess

Eric Hess at Toms River Huddy Park

in town because I am afraid we will lose our beach if we don’t do something about it.”

He envisions a long-term plan on what he thinks the town will look like in 50 years, and believes it is important for today’s youth to get involved in the community and start voting.

“At some point, the youth need to take over Pine Beach because if they keep leaving, there will be a problem down the road,” Hess said. “I have even told kids that if I can run for office, you can do it too.

You may not win, but it is still a good thing to get involved in politics early on.”

His campaign is preparing for the big day on Nov. 8 by the use of social media, yard signs, donations, and the overall support from people he encounters each day. Hess loves the enthusiasm and excitement from his neighbors who are eager to see a new, young individual be a part of the Pine Beach Town Council.

“People like the energy that I have,” Hess said.

Hess continues to gain support every day, and went as far as campaigning during Hurricane Ian as he approached front doors of houses wearing rain boots and an umbrella. He expects the election to be close because his opponents are incumbents, and knows there is more work to be done to contest the election with all his support.

“I’m doing much better than when I first started,” Hess said. “Even if I get one more house, one more vote, we’re still growing.”

n

“Stronger Together” Poster Making for Breast Cancer in the Miron Student Center at Kean University continued from page 4

to prevent it by being early diagnosed. They also teach you how to support those currently fighting the disease” said Alexa Quinones, a freshman majoring in chemistry.

Alexa lost a dear family friend back in Peru due to breast cancer, which is why attending and contributing by making a poster for the breast cancer walk on Oct 23 meant a lot to her.

Photo by Josephine Carrillo “There are a lot of awareness “Hope, Faith, Love” disorders in October, yet Breast Cancer is the most common people that know about it, the faster the one, October is wear pink month. Students are not fully aware of cure will get to those in need”.

It is truly appreciated when students symptoms of the disease, how to prevent part of the Kean University community it, and what the people suffering from it attend these events and show their go through” said Anelle, “That is why we are here, to spread awareness, the more support by helping each other and send

fighting breast cancer, or any type of cancer, we are the future” said Lahlou.

Lahlou lost her grandmother a few years ago to cancer. For her, helping out and informing others of ways on how to help those suffering from the disease, showing them her support and spreading awareness is beyond important and necessary.

Photo by Josephine Carrillo If you know someone Breast Cancer Posters by Kean Students for the Breast Cancer currently suffering from breast walk on October 23th. cancer, motivate them to keep the message that they are present and fighting and support them along the way. listening to those in need.

“The more people that know, the more Lastly, remind them that “Pink is stronger the awareness is spread throughout our than you think.” and everyone cares and university’s community and the more stands by their side while they fight volunteers we get to support those breast cancer. n

12 THE TOWER

October, 2022

University Senate Discuss Faculty Seminar Series & New Dashboards continued from page 3

role in shaping, determining, and hosting public discourse, and much more.

After Casale’s presentation about the Faculty Seminar Series, English Professor Daniel Gover, Ph.D. asked if Dr. Casale is going to focus on the university and its issues concerning authenticity and care.

Casale confirms this by stating that authenticity and care are very powerful ideas that you can investigate.

“You can investigate institutions, you can investigate the sense of the trajectory of yourself as a human being in some way,” Casale said.

Casale uses the issue of care as an example, and how he began to think

where to find accurate information about their department, college, and the university as a whole.

“So over the past year, multiple units have worked together and come together to form a new division,” Salvatore said.

“These are not new units, but they have a new landing place.”

This new division is called strategic analytics and data illumination, also known as SADI for short. It is easily accessible to everyone. When you go to the Kean website, you can search SADI and the first result comes up. You would need your KeanNet ID to sign into the SADI Data Hub.

visualize data according to equity gaps.

Every couple of weeks, the data hub will add a new dashboard until they reach 28 full dashboards. At the time of this meeting, there have been around 8 dashboards uploaded.

Salvatore showed one of the dashboards during the senate meeting titled, “In Which Courses Do They Struggle?”, which showed courses that students might have had difficulty in.

You can sort this data based on the college, department, major, and academic year.

“It allows us to see opportunities by identifying which courses children have not been successful in the past by any particular college,” Salvatore explained.

“This is not to pick on any particular college.”

topic of institutional research. It is sorted by categories such as student enrollment, employee data, degrees awarded, graduation, and retention trends.

He also wanted everyone to know that the data hub is more than just a tool for individuals to see data; it is more so a source for you to start analyzing it.

“It’s for you to start analyzing some of our data, to ask big questions about your department, the success of students in your particular area, and to start setting goals or conduct some research to dive deeper into potential problems, or even more important, potential solutions,” Salvatore explained.

Later on in the meeting, Ahlawat brought up the topic of having the senate meetings in-person. She explained that some members felt lost that the meetings

“You can investigate institutions, you can investigate the sense of the trajectory of yourself as a human being in some way,”

Photo by Kean University SADI

“In Which Courses Do They Struggle?” Dashboard

of himself as a professor and how his students are within his care.

He explained how he would take into consideration how his students feel that they are in his intellectual care and what it means to be authentic in that particular relationship.

Ahlawat then decided to make the motion that the senate should co-sponsor and support the Kean faculty seminar series for this year with the Center for Teaching & Learning, and as a result, the majority of the members motioned to agree.

After the motion, Ahlawat passed the attention to Dr. Michael Salvatore, senior vice president for administration.

Salvatore presented to the senate a presentation on strategic analytics and related dashboards.

Salvatore stated that the reason behind the dashboards was that a lot of people were misquoting data and did not know

Photo by Kean University SADI

“What Are Our Historical Graduation Rates?” Dashboard

According to the data hub, its mission is to provide transparency through data visualization and strategic analytics that support excellence, equity, and research.

Salvatore gave credit to the Association of Institutional Research for their work on most of the dashboards and the research being accessible.

“They’ve been working hard over the past twelve months to create data in a visually appealing way, so you can access and ask questions about it,” he said.

One of the interesting features of the SADI data hub is that you can look at the Kean student success dashboard and data, as well as submit a data request form. The data hub states that it will take 48 business hours for the team to review any requests.

With the student success dashboard, Salvatore explains that it is a collaboration with California State University. Kean is one of four universities in the country to

Photo by Kean University SADI

“Which Early Academic Behaviors Help Most With Closing the Gap?” Dashboard

For example, based on the dashboard, it has shown that the top three courses that students have not been successful in the college of business and public management are business law I, principles of accounting I, and principles of marketing.

Another dashboard that Salvatore highlighted was titled “What Are Our Historical Graduation Rates?”. Just like the “In Which Courses Do They Struggle?” dashboard, you can also sort out the data.

It is based on the status of the graduating class and the year of retention.

Salvatore highlighted a third dashboard called, “Which Early Academic Behaviors Help Most With Closing the Gap?” It is important to note that the Data Hub mainly focuses on data at Kean campuses in the United States, and does not include the Wenzhou Kean Campus.

To wrap up his presentation, Salvatore showed a dashboard that related to the

were not in-person, since they are currently held online.

Robyn Roebuck, director of operations at Kean skylands, stated that she would be the only person that’ll be affected if the Kean senate meetings end up in-person.

“I am the only person that’s on the Skylands campus full-time,” Roebuck said.

“That’s my only issue, but that shouldn’t impact what the rest of the group feels or does.”

Matthew Halper, DMA, one of the senators who is also a music professor, suggested making a motion that the senate meetings should be in-person with the Kean community being able to watch it online, starting Tuesday, Nov. 1.

“My motion is that all in-person meetings should have an electronic format for all people to attend,” Halper said. “I want people to be able to attend electronically or remotely when we have in-person meetings.”

October, 2022

THE TOWER 13

Kean Ocean’s Connection Club is Officially Instated on Campus

University Senate Discuss Faculty Seminar Series & New Dashboards

continued from page 5

There was also a second motion for making every other senate meeting inperson with the virtual option, starting with the next meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

join together to benefit each other's goals, create friendships, and overall promote positivity and kindness,” Lambusta said.

Photo by Kean Ocean Connection Instagram

Hat and scarf drive for breast cancer

continued from page 12

For more information on events and upcoming meetings for Kean Connection, you can check them out on their Instagram page @koconnection. n

Photo by Kean Ocean Connection Instagram

National Gratitude Month flyer

As a result, the senate agreed that the full senate meetings will have every other senate meeting in-person, with the first in-person meeting starting on Nov. 1.

n

Photo by Kean University

Institutional Research Front Page

Delta Beta Chi celebrates Dia de los Muertos with memory boxes continued from page 2

Participants received sugar skull boxes which they could decorate to their liking with stickers and other Dia de los Muertos decorations provided by Sigma Beta Chi. Students were asked to bring pictures of loved ones they wished to honor along with any items or artifacts they wanted to include in their boxes. They were also encouraged to

write messages for their loved ones.

“I enjoyed it because on my busy day, I get to sit and think and reflect on someone I love. I recently lost someone close to me and it’s a nice way to commemorate them and think of them,” says Gina Marconi, a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority.

Participants were able to sit and bond as

they engaged in conversations about their loved ones and the person they chose to commemorate.

Celebrating cultural events are inclusive to all people from different cultures that come from different places. It’s also a great opportunity for students to expand the knowledge that they receive while they

attend university.

“It is a diverse community and college is meant to broaden our perspectives and our knowledge of different cultures. Events like these are inclusive to everyone who is here on campus, it’s a great way to connect us all,” says Elizabeth Molfetto, a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. n

Kean’s Architecture Program Awarded Three Year Accreditation continued from page 8

Google and Disney. It also features members of its faculty who have past ties to Harvard, Princeton, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and other prestigious institutions both nationwide and abroad.

The NAAB recognizes 3 types of degrees in the U.S., The Bachelor of Architecture, The Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture.

Most state architecture registration Boards

Photo by Kean University

A student and Professor at The Robert Busch School of Design

Photo by Kean University

Kean Architecture Students Studying Abroad in Rome

require that all applicants for licensure have graduated from an NAAB accredited program as a prerequisite.

An NAAB accredited degree is the first step for all prospective architects to receive their National Council of Architecture Registration Board (NCARB) certification, which permits them to work in all 55 U.S. states and territories.

The Michael Graves College which currently has locations in Kean’s Union and Wenzhou campus is scheduled for its next visit for continuation of Accreditation by the NAAB in 2024. n

14 THE TOWER

October, 2022

Greek Organizations Kick Off the Fall 2022 Semester continued from page 8

Riabu said.

With some organizations such as Delta Phi Epsilon, Nu Theta Chi, and Nu Delta Pi having already started the recruitment process for this semester, students are getting into the swing of recruitment and induction of new members.

“I decided to join Delta Phi Epsilon because as a commuter I found it harder to meet new people,” Lorena Rodrigues, a new sorority sister of Delta Phi Epsilon said.

“I was very drawn to everyone’s personalities on the first day of recruitment and I felt like if I went through with joining this sorority, it wouldn’t be something I would regret.”

As recruitment goes on for organizations, some have started inducting their new members, as well as putting them in leadership roles in their organizations.

“We are based on the principles of academic excellence, unity amongst all women, and to be active in the university and community,” Reda Medford,

Photo by @nudeltapi on Instagram

Nu Delta Pi Fraternity members at Meet The Greeks, Fall 2022

senior psychology major and vice president of Mu Sigma Upsilon said.

Mu Sigma Upsilon started as a collegiate organization, focusing on the success of the sisters in an academic setting. Support of one another and bonding is also a big part of the organization, and individuals bring their best to the group.

New members of Mu Sigma Upsilon have been inducted into executive board positions, developing their skills through conferences and workshops.

There are also specific academic requirements an individual must meet to qualify for organizations.

“Anyone who is applicable with Kean’s GPA requirements, has the adequate amount of credits, and is interested in our sorority can come out for Delta Phi Epsilon. We do not discriminate against race, religion, gender, sex, or national origin,” Hankins said. n

Kean’s Holocaust Resource Center Holds Testimony Tuesdays in Honor continued from page 5

said. “Events like Testimony Tuesdays help to humanize the experience of the Holocaust and promote empathy, understanding, and awareness of the experience of the other in students.”

Holocaust survivor Laura Kaufman is one of the 3.5 million survivors of the Holocaust and her voice helps speak for the millions who are silent to come forward and instead suppress the painful memories.

Many survivors like Kaufman are resilient and have made a better life for themselves

Photo by Adaora Nnakwe

Laura Kaufman, Holocaust Survivor

through higher education and successful careers in hopes of a better future.

With antisemitism still prevalent, it’s important to educate students of the history on the Holocaust and the stories behind it.

“One thing that I want students to know when they learn about this history is that antisemistism existed before, during, and after the Holocaust,” Coykendall said. n

The Internet Rages When “Little Mermaid” Trailer Reveals a Black Ariel continued from page 5

excited to see it but that brought out the bitterness of those who scold it.

The audience of fictional films tends not to accept diversity within new depictions or remakes of the source material.

For example, fictional races (elves and dwarves) within the original “Lord of the rings” are seen with lighter or white skin whereas the new amazon original rings of power introduce us to a more diverse world where the audience encounters Black elves and dwarves and/or other races with a more diverse cast.

If you are used to seeing something for years it is hard to accept new changes.

“People don’t like change, but on top of that some are just racist,” Gray said.

Kean senior and global business major Sarah Clamp opposed the casting of Bailey being selected as the leading role for the film.

Clamp stands her ground to express that Disney’s decision to cast a Black woman as Ariel is absurd and shouldn’t happen.

“I was enjoying the trailer, and was on the edge of my seat filled with excitement until I saw the character,” Clamp said.

Clamp was disappointed when she found that one of her favorite Disney princesses was being depicted as a Black woman.

According to the daily campus, the report explains that people of color remained only 25.4 percent and 25.9

percent of film directors and film writers in 2020, respectively.

Similarly, in 2020 women only accounted for 20.5 percent of film directors and 26 percent of film writers.

“This version is not to my liking, since I was little Ariel was white with bright red hair,” Clamp said. “I prefer that they don’t mess with the originals and keep it as they are,” Gray interjected to educate Clamp on the understanding of representation Disney portrays in their film and why it is important.

“Being represented in media means a lot, especially to children seeing themselves on the big screen,” Gray said.

“It's not the story that's changing, it's

the character.”

Clamp retaliates to tell Gray that representation is good but they don’t need to change the classics to do it.

“I'm sure Halle will do an amazing job but it all seems forced,” Clamp said.

With the two going back and forth about their takes on the controversy it displays that the two sides may never come to a common ground.

Their interaction shows the perfect example of how social media also won’t come to a common ground as the battle between the two parties continues to wage until the release of the film.

“Ariel should’ve been left as it is but I guess Halle will do an ok job,” Clamp said. n

SPORTS

October, 2022

THE TOWER 15

Coach Garrett inspires the Kean university football team to strive

By Wayne Dawes For 17 years, Head Kean Football Coach Dan Garrett has worked to teach his football players “both” how to dominate on the field

sleeping habits”.

Developing These habits are good physically and mentally. “Physically”, eating a good meal before the game can give you energy to go out and perform well”. Mentally

those championship habits and traits, then you have a great chance of winning games” As Kean university’s football season got underway on Sept. 3, Garret expressed that the team is filled with fifth year players and a

“I love watching them come in as freshman and leaving here as better people”

Photo by Kean athletics.com

The Kean University football team picked up their first win of the season by topping host Catholic University 33-14 on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action

and become better men off of the field.

During the off season, Garrett and his players have discussed how to become a champion in every aspect of their life such as “in their” work ethic, eating habits, “and``

Photo by Kean athletics.com

The Kean University football team has been tabbed third and the Dark Horse selection in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll

you have to maintain a strong work ethic.

“It takes a lot of hard work, practice and dedication”.

“A champion is not something you get, it's something you become, If you can develop

few that returned to Kean to complete their graduate degrees.

Having fifth year players and seniors as players is a big advantage because continued on page 18

East Campus Weight Room is the gym of use while the reconstruction of D’Angola continues

By Kervin Coleman The D’Angola weight room is closed for the Fall 2022 semester as it undergoes renovations. It is estimated to re-open for the Spring 2023 semester.

Renovations have been made to the football field, a new track was constructed, along with a new scoreboard and a titantron. The athletic department also received new uniforms.

While the D’Angola weight room undergoes reconstruction, the East Campus weight room is the new interim gym.

The gym is open for daily use but has been criticized for its hours of operation and its size. The hours vary daily but a constant is the faculty hour rule.

“Better and more equipment, more space, and a more lively atmosphere is the goal for the gym when it opens” Photo by Kervin Coleman

Students working out in the East Campus Weight Room

On Mondays through Thursday’s students can use the gym as early as 9 a.m. but must leave by 4 p.m. Faculty members

then have access to the gym from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.. Students may then return from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Michael Giovanelli, a sophomore, has been using the East Campus gym since continued on page 18

16 THE TOWER

October, 2022

Kean Swimming in Sync and Ready to Compete

By Ruben Nieves

The swim season is officially underway here at Kean University. The team who was ranked fourth in the NJAC preseason poll and chosen as a dark horse team in the conference looks to continue where they left off from last season.

Despite getting ready in less than three weeks before their season opener against Stevens Institute of Technology, head coach Chris Swenson believes the team has been able to come together in their short time of preparation.

“In a short amount of time the team has gelled together pretty nicely,” Swenson said.

“Watching the way they come together, train well together, and push each other, I’m really excited.”

Head coach Chris Swenson Last season, the team did not have a full roster, there were only nine swimmers on the roster, now they have 14 swimmers on the roster including nine freshman swimmers. With a full roster, the team will be more competitive.

“It’s a different energy in practice and in meets and different expectations in terms of what I think we can do in dual meets and by the end of the season,” Swenson said. “It allows for endless possibilities, and we’ve prepared them as best as we can as a staff and I’m just excited to watch them race.”

In their first Kean swim team selected as dark horse in NJAC preseason poll

Photo by Kean Athletics

Freshman Emma Bellars

meet of the season, Kean defeated Stevens in a 172-89 victory, freshman’s Ashley Konz and Emma Bellars and sophomore Teagan Powell all captured two events in their season opener. Bellars captured first place in the 50 and 100 freestyles.

With less than three weeks before the season opener, Bellars and the team went right to work preparing for the season.

“We started working hard from day one,” Bellars said.

“We knew we only had three weeks for the first meet, so we got right into it working hard every day.”

After their first win of the season, Bellars hopes to accomplish her own personal goals she set for herself this Photo by Kean Athletics season.

“I want one of our relays to win at our conference meet and break a school record and have fun,” Bellars said.

After winning their first meet, Swenson has a lot of expectations for the team this season.

“We’re going to take it week by week and just keep them excited and motivated,” Swenson said. “The goal for our team is to always be the team who is having the most fun and also swimming the fastest and I think when you have those two things together it’s a pretty special Photo by Kean Athletics season.” n

“The goal for our team is to always be the team who is having the most fun and also swimming the fastest and I think when you have those two things together it’s a pretty special season.”

October, 2022

THE TOWER 17

Kean Women’s Volleyball Strong Start: Sian Seeger Wins NJAC Award Twice

By Hector Morales

as a senior means a lot to her.”

Senior right-side hitter Morgan Hall and senior setter Gwen Hangey were proud of Seeger’s’ performance and her getting the award.

“She’s always in the right placement to get that dig when we need it the most,” Hall said.

her hardest to pass the best balls for the team overall.”

Hangey is from Marlton, New Jersey and she is also majoring in Elementary Education. She loves the talent that Seeger and the rest of her team has, even when half of the team are from out of state. Hangey looks forward to what’s

Kean University Women’s Volleyball Cougars are having an exceptional season as they are grinding out in the New Jersey Athletics Conference. The Cougars have a 13-8 overall record, and they are 5-1 in the NJAC. W o m e n ’ s Volleyball Head Coach Don Perkins looks forward to his Cougars being a stronger team and having a bounce-back season after overcoming injuries last season and losing to Rowan University Professional Owls in the semi-finals of the NJAC Tournament last year.

Photo by Kean Athletics The Cougars made Sian Seeger winning NJAC Defensive Player of the Week Ashley Smith so many moments during the course of this season, but one Cougar is having a season she will never forget and that is Sian Seeger, senior libero and defensive specialist.

Seeger has recently won NJAC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 3 and Oct. 17. The first time she earned the award, her reaction Photo by Kean Athletics Morgan Hall Gwen Hangey was emotional.

“I cried and I Hall is from Toms River, New Jersey about to come in the last few weeks of the called my mom,” Seeger said. “It’s my last year playing for myself and with my and she is majoring in Elementary season.

Another Cougar that has been grinding teammates and playing in front of my Education. She enjoys playing with Seeger mom and my family members makes me and the rest of her teammates and she out lately is junior outside hitter Ashley always stays motivated on the sport she Smith. Smith now leads the team with motivated.”

215.5 points and 185 kills this season.

Seegar is from Leesburg, Virginia loves playing in.

“Sian is greatly deserving of this award,” “It's always good to hear and it's majoring in Global Business. She had notched her new career-high with 25 Digs Hangey said. “Being her roommate encouraging,” Smith said. “It helps me freshman year, I know how hard and long push me harder, but then I also want against the Stockton University Ospreys.

“I’m just happy for her,” Perkins said. she's been working for the libero position more to be better for our team.”

Smith is from Lake Villa, Illinois and “All the stuff she has to endure over the that she finally got this year. She has been having a great season and is truly working she is majoring in marketing. Smith is course of her career to have this success

“This is as much of a family as it is as a volleyball team,”

now in the top ten in most points in the NJAC as she is ranked 8.

“Ashley has been a key player to our team,” Hangey said. “Along with being extremely talented on the outside and defensively, she is a great teammate and leader as the only junior on this team.”

The team’s chemistry has really been the key point for this season. They worked together and faced many obstacles and challenges such as facing tough teams like their NJAC rival Stockton University, who are second in the NJAC standings.

“This is as much of a family as it is as a volleyball team,” Photo by Dakota Moyer Perkins said.

The Cougars are looking forward to facing new challenges ahead of them as they are preparing to face competitive teams like the Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks, the New York University Violets and their NJAC rival Rowan University, who currently hold Photo by Kean Athletics first place in the NJAC. “I think that this season we have the capability of going all the way,” Hangey said. “We are 5-1 in the NJAC and have so much farther to go before playoffs and we are super excited about it.”

Perkins hopes his team can stay consistent as they are weeks aways from playing in the NJAC tournament.

“We are in striking range and hopefully we can pull through in the playoffs,” Perkins said. n

18 THE TOWER

October, 2022

Coach Garrett inspires the Kean university football team to strive

East Campus Weight Room is the gym of use while the reconstruction of D’Angola continues

continued from page 15

continued from page 15

they are experienced and can lead the underclassmen, The experienced players mentor the freshman or sophomores about the team’s culture, which is about trust, discipline and family This year, Garrett and the Kean football team all have the same goal.

“On and off the field, the Kean University football team prides itself on setting big objectives, and its main objective for this season is winning the New Jersey Athletic Conference,” Garrett said..

The word culture has been overused now for the past couple of years especially when it comes to sports.

Your Kean football staff

Building a culture takes years to develop but Garrett knows that sometimes the right culture can get your team to the top. “ I think culture is about relationships, trust, and culture develops relationships; I think culture beats schemes any day of the week,” Garrett said.

Building a culture and identity in sports is not easy, you have to have the right personnel, the right coaching staff and players who have the determination and mindset to follow that culture that is being built. “ I don’t care what the stat sheet says, the only stat at the end of the game that matters is the win or the loss,” Garrett said. “So as much as we played better this week, we’ve gotten better from week one to week two, week two to week three and I can see this team consistently getting steadily better week to week. The level of consistency for us is really two things,

it's the level of focus and our level of execution because our effort is never going to be in question”, Garret said when asked about the big win over catholic university and how they can keep up that level of consistency.

This year's Kean university football team has a lot of potential to win a lot of games and win the new jersey athletic conference. As of October 13, the football team has a record of 2-4, four games left to go in the season the cougars have an opportunity to have more games won then the previous year which was 4 wins.

Anthony Bassani, a graduate student and defensive back, was asked what he loves most about playing for the Kean football team is the chemistry among the players and the feeling of a brotherhood.

Under Garrett’s tutelage, he has learned to watch football films and do assignments for the game. He prepares for a game by eating a good breakfast and hydrating with water and Pedialyte.

Photo by Kean athletics.com He also listens to his music, which he said, “pumps me up and keeps me locked in until the game.” “ The most important thing coach Garret has taught us is our culture, everything he taught us in our player manuals isn’t just about football or how to become a champion, it’s about how to become better men in life”, Bassani said.

When it comes to a team sport there is no, “I” in team, but everybody has their own personal goals they go for each season and for Anthony he has one goal of his he wants to reach.

On October 8 the Cougars got the win over Montclair State University 2322 and For Bassani he knows what the team needs to do to keep up the level of consistency.

“To keep winning games our team needs to continue to get better day by day and keep believing in ourselves”, Bassani said. n

the beginning of the semester and he is annoyed that faculty is using the gym too because 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. is when most students get out of classes.

“I wish the faculty hours could’ve been earlier, since 4-6 is right when most people get out of class,” Giovanelli said.

Azure Jones, a freshman, and member of the women’s field hockey team has only experienced working out at the East

Photo by Kervin Coleman

Itinerary of East Campus Weight Room hours along with notice addressing D’Angola Weight Room being closed for the semester, with directions to East Campus

Campus gym.

“If I were in charge I feel that I would improve by putting the hours out there.

I’m not even sure what the hours are and people that are looking for a gym to go to need to be informed,” Jones said.

“The people [in the gym] should be respectful enough to put away their stuff as well as clean the weights,” Jones said.

East Campus has a good atmosphere and I’d hope that would continue into this new gym.

Students have asked why the reconstruction of the D’Angola weight room is happening during the semester instead of over the summer.

Kean Recreation Director Paul Williams said the reconstruction project began as soon as it was approved.

During the 2021-2022 school year, a proposal to renovate the weight room in D’Angola was drafted. It went through a series of approvals and is now seeing an estimated opening in the Spring 2023

semester.

“We’re making a million-dollar reconstruction of the gym for the betterment of student health but the concept took a long time to get approved,” Williams said. “That’s why renovations didn’t take place in the summer”.

There wasn’t much information disclosed regarding what the gym will look like after the renovation and

Photo by Kervin Coleman

Construction Outside of D’Angola Weight Room

reconstruction is complete. The doors are covered and locked shut so no one can see the progress.

Williams described the new weight room to be bigger, to be more properly managed. In his opinion, the previous weight room was viewed as too cramped and had little space to maneuver as well as an overall limitation when it came to machines.

The department decided to create more space by tearing down the Gymnastics room and adding it to the weight room. More common machines will be built and in use and another new feature will be the addition of a turf area.

Another new feature is an access area for the handicapped to make their workout experience easier.

“Better and more equipment, more space, and a more lively atmosphere is the goal for the gym when it opens” Williams said. “I hope everybody enjoys.,” The target date for completion is January 3, 2023. n