The Tower-November 2019

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Police activity at homecoming

Kean women climb higher

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NJCPA General Excellence Award

NOV 14 | 2019 WWW.KUTOWER.COM

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

Spring: How to Get Away with Murder.

By Kelly Contreras

To Get Again With Murder,” is worth 3 credits and is being offered from the A killer course is set to bloom this upcoming Biology Department. There is a prerequisite Spring; How to Get Away with Murder. requirement of at least 20 biology credits as The course was developed by Dr. Maria well as the option of a petition.

“If the students talk to me [and] they tell me that they are interested, I am more than willing to wave that r e q u i r e m e n t ,” Gemmellaro said.

“There’s not going to be any heavy science in the course. It’s going to be the science that is discussed “Courtroom Illustration” by Adrien Stanziani License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 and interpreted New How To Get Away With Murder course for the Spring Semester. in criminal cases that do not qualify as heavy.”

The course is currently offered as a special topic and Dr. Gemmellaro aims for it to become part of the curriculum for the forensic option within Biology and Denise Gemmellaro, an assistant professor in Chemistry majors. forensic science who originally developed this The majority of the prep work for this course at Rutgers University. course has already been conducted thanks to “A lot of real criminal cases are given a lot the grant Gemmellaro obtained to develop of attention but people do not focus on why the course at Rutgers. However, due to the such cases are given that attention,” said nature of the course, the syllabus is always “in Gemmellaro. development.”

The class will analyze certain cases to New criminal cases are added and therefore decipher what stands out, including scientific new types of evidence will be discussed. evidence such as ballistics, entomological and Gemmellaro taught this course for the first DNA. In some cases, mishandling DNA would time at Rutgers only for one semester towards make the evidence inadmissible in court. the end of her Ph.D. She said it attracted Students will learn how important analysis students from several departments, including of a crime scene is in order to have any type of Criminal Justice, Biology, Entomology, resolution in court.

Psychology and Business Administration.

Though How to Get Away With Murder is a Gemmellaro said that the reviews were biology course, other majors, such as criminal only positive. justice and psychology, could benefit from Eight students have already registered for the course content, Gemmellaro said. the course for the upcoming Spring semester.

She will discuss the interrogation “Just don’t be shy. [If] they want to come techniques that have been used to get a and see me, I am happy to talk to them,” confession out of someone.

Gemmellaro said. “Even if they don’t have the “The class encompasses a few disciplines 20 credits, they should have a chat with me that could play a role in criminal and I will be happy to add them to the course investigations,” Gemmellaro said.

The course is BIO 4913 Section 02, “How if they decide to do so.”

“A lot of real criminal cases are given a lot of attention but people do not focus on why”

NJ Supreme Court to hear property tax case about Ursino restaurant.

By Erin McGuinness The battle over whether Ursino Steakhouse and Tavern is subject to property taxes is now going to the state Supreme Court.

The New Jersey Supreme Court will hear the Township of Union’s appeal in the case of Gourmet Dining LLC vs. Union Township.

Ursino, a full scale restaurant attached to Kean University’s New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics, was exempt from property taxes when opening in 2011 because of its location on a state college campus. As a public university, Kean and all government properties in New Jersey are exempt from local property taxes.

The restaurant space is leased from Kean University by Gourmet Dining LLC in tandem with the Kean University Foundation.

Representatives from Union Township argue that since the restaurant is leased to a for-profit entity, it should be subject to property taxes like other Union eateries.

Ursino is not one of the university’s regular dining services for students.

“We look forward to the Supreme Court clarifying this issue and ensuring all public

property taxes,” according to Justia US Law. The foundation and the university have been in a management agreement over the restaurant since 2011. The foundation is in a Management Subcontract Agreement with Gourmet Dining LLC, which operates the restaurant on a day-to-day basis.

The restaurant was assessed for $53,915 in taxes, according to nj.com.

Gourmet Dining LLC challenged the assessments to the Union County Board of Taxation for 2013 and 2014 and was later taken to Tax Court, where Kean University and the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority joined the litigation. Tax Court did not reconsider.

The case was heard by the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division in May 2019. It was concluded that Ursino serves a public purpose and is exempt from local property taxation. Employed students and scholarship funds were taken into consideration when making this decision, according to Judge Joseph Yatonni.

Gourmet Dining pays a portion of revenue to the foundation to be used for Kean scholarship programs. Six Kean students are

As a public university, Kean and all government properties in New Jersey are exempt from local property taxes.

Photo courtesy of Kean University

universities of their important tax-exempt status,” said Margaret McCorry, Director of Media Relations for Kean University. “It is vital that public universities retain the ability to utilize their property for university purposes.”

In 2012, the Union County Tax Assessor declared it would be “assessing Gourmet Dining local property taxes for the restaurant facility because it is operating the restaurant on property leased from the University and the subject property is not exempt from local

Photo courtesy of Y. Smishkewych

The Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division concluded in May that Ursino is not subject to property taxes.

employed at the restaurant, according to a Ursino employee.

“We are pleased on behalf of the Township of Union that the New Jersey Supreme Court has agreed to hear our appeal and look forward to having the opportunity to address the Court on the important issues presented by this case,” Robert Renaud, Counsel for Union Township.

The New Jersey Supreme Court will hear the case and confirm a final decision.

Five tenure-track professors may lose their jobs after not recommended for reappointment

By Siobhan Donaldson Five tenure-track professors have received letters from the Office of Academic Affairs not recommending their return next year despite having the full support of their departments.

The affected faculty will lose their jobs on June 30 unless President Dawood Farahi chooses to overturn the decision, said James Castiglione, Kean Federation of Teachers President.

The KFT said in an email to their members on Oct 22 that a ‘disturbing’ number of probationary tenure-track faculty members received letters stating that the administration is not recommending them to President Farahi for tenure positions. Those who received the letters were in various years of the five-year process to achieve tenure. No reason was given for the non-recommendations.

“Many of these junior faculty members had the unanimous, or near-unanimous, support of their colleagues,” the email

reads. “This means the administration is overturning decisions made by faculty who know first-hand the professional achievements of junior faculty.”

Margaret McCorry, Director of Media Relations for Kean, said in an email that the University Provost “carefully and equitably” reviews each tenure-track faculty member’s record to determine if they will be recommended to the president.

“President Farahi reviews all of the

class education to our students.”

To appeal non-recommendation, recipients had to turn in their substantive appeals by Nov 1, two weeks after receiving the letters. On Nov 15, President Farahi forwards the nomination to the Board of Trustees Academic Policy and Personnel Committee.

Castiglione said it is a travesty to lose those teachers for both the students and the departments.

“Many of these junior faculty members had the unanimous, or near unanimous, support of their colleagues” recommendations and any appeals to make his final recommendation to the Board of Trustees,” McCorry said. “That process is still ongoing. The tenure process is designed to ensure each faculty member is treated fairly and the faculty with the strongest records achieve tenure and deliver a world-

“Even if they try to replace those instructors,” Castiglione said. “It’s hard to recruit new candidates afterward.”

When the staff members leaves, Castiglione said that “sometimes they are replaced, some are replaced with nontenure track Lecturers, and some are left

unfilled.”

In May, 12 GE lecturers were not reappointed by the university. Those let go alleged they were let go after publicly criticizing the university for moving them into an open office space, which they thought would compromise students’ privacy. Kean has denied the accusation.

Jan Balakian, a tenured professor in the English Studies Department, said the importance of a tenured teacher is in their “commitment to the university and students.”

Balakian spoke on how much potential Kean has in their student population and opportunities, advocating for certain adjunct professors being hired full-time.

“We have a beautiful campus in the best location with the most diverse student population, with a Distinguished Speakers Series, and renowned faculty who run valuable programs,” Balakian said. “If we had a ratio of 15 students to 1 faculty member, students would come from all over the country to study at Kean.”

2 THE TOWER

November, 2019

The Child and Family Empowerment Project:

The Crucial Impact of Divorce

By Wynter Aiken

Dr. David Brandwein, Associate Professor in Psychology, also gave his perspective on the psychological trauma that children deal with during their parent’s divorce. Divorce

parents and the value of being loved by both parents can be crucial to a child’s A Kean University sorority and local development. nonprofit teamed up to advocate for For the majority of families, children and families experiencing separation and divorce provoke a time negative effects of divorce. of confusion for children, Scout Hartley, President according to Brandwein. of Pi Alpha Alpha, said Court proceedings can he understands the also escalate emotional educational value and sensitivity, resulting in awareness FAN-PAC long-lasting effects. raises for social issues “Why should the kids go such as divorce because through this,” said David strong public interest and Kalen, Legislative Director advocacy can translate of FAN-PAC. into change.

“You fight for custody, Kean University’s Pi cause distress for the Alpha Alpha sorority and kids, send loads papers to nonprofit Family Advocate the court, and the judge Network Political Action won’t even look at them.

Committee hosted Through advocacy, we The Child and Family can prevent a lot of this, Empowerment Project but we need bipartisan event on Oct. 29 from legislation.”

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the New Jersey Assembly Miron Student Center.

Representatives Annette Photo by Wynter Aiken The event was held Chaparro (D-33) and “Left to Right: Scout Hartley-Pi Alpha Alpha President, David Kalen-Legislative to discuss the current Director of FAN-PAC, Lori Lynn-Executive Director of Peaceful Healing, NJ Linda Carter (D-22) have issues with custody Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro” both made it their duty to proceedings in divorces, see that sister assembly the ways these issues bills A1091 and S273 affect children negatively recognize that children and the importance of need emotional and having legislation in financial support from divorce proceedings so both parents regardless children are less harmfully of the family structure. impacted.

Though it has been in “Aside from these the works for a few years, educational merits, the bill is still being built I believe that child upon. and family wellness is “The bills would entail important to have an for there to be a 50/50 open, multi-stakeholder custody, but we need to dialogue,” Hartley said. make sure it’s powerful “I work as a child welfare and has the right tools. We advocate and consultant don’t want to pass it as-is with foster care systems, Photo by Wynter Aiken through legislation and so issues like the ones “Audience” when it gets to the system, FAN-PAC represents are the supreme court says it’s salient to me.” too much for the judges to “Stop the blame game” The event opened with take,” Chaparro said. “ We a viewing of the “Erasing got to make sure we do it Family” documentary that right.” emphasizes the real-life The bill would benefit impact of families being both the court system separated after divorce, and families, providing a and how families can be clear understanding and erased from a child’s life guidance in family court thus negatively impacting matters according to FANtheir development into PAC.org. Both parents adulthood. would stay involved postGinger Gentile, the separation with their filmmaker, and an children so there is less of advocate expressed how a parent using the system the film focuses primarily for leverage. on the emotional aspect of “It’s important for a child’s extended family everybody to call their and other parent being legislators, let them know erased from their lives for that this is a bill that you long periods of time. support and would like “Decisions are made, the to see not get stuck in blame game is played and the system,” Carter said. children are caught in the Photo by Wynter Aiken “We have to make sure conflict. Let’s get rid of “Information on the event” it’s a policy the public the incentives, so a judge understands and can get won’t just focus on one enacted into law in order for there affects children in different stages of parent getting custody and the other to be real change in the court system losing out,” Gentile said. “Stop the development, he said. The importance because it’s the children who are blame game.” impacted the most.” of the child’s relationship with both

Kean’s PRISM educates about period poverty and transgender issues “We want to help break the stigma behind talking about something that is so natural”

By Siobhan Donaldson PRISM, the Kean University LGBTQ+ activism club, will be running a tampon drive with the American Medical Women’s Association to collect menstruation products and educate students about period poverty, the Pink Tax, and healthcare for transgender individuals who menstruate.

The event will be held between Oct. 21st-25th from 12-4 p.m., in various locations including the Nancy Thompson Library, Miron Student Center and Miron Student Center Atrium.

Club President, Patrick McEachern, views period poverty as an “extreme

lack of access to the proper hygiene products they need for their period.”

“We want to help break the stigma behind talking about something that is so natural,” McEachern said.

PRISM member, Oliver Vivian, specified on how the club has been a wonderful experience and how excited they are to educate others on menstruation.

“With this Tampon Drive, we’re going to be able to educate a lot of students about menstruation and the effect it has on people who menstruate,” Vivian said. “I think is really important because there’s not that much education on the whole of menstruation, and people should really know more about it.“

In an Op-ed published this month

by Teen Vogue’s Courtney Roark, the Alabama policy and movement building director at URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, wrote that menstruation is not just a women’s issue. Roark said that gender non-conforming individuals, nonbinary individuals, and transgender men are also affected by a lack of access to products and education for menstruation.

“When we consider that trans folks are more likely to live in poverty than cisgender people,” Roark said. “It’s easy to see how a lack of access to period products falls especially hard on trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people.”

Renovations underway at the Miron Student Center

By Breanna Palzer The Miron Student Center, a well-known place on campus, is undergoing a series of renovations with the goal of making it better for the students and organizations that meet there.

The construction on the Miron Student Center started in April 2019 and is scheduled to be completed by January. The construction will be done in three phases throughout the building.

“The bathrooms were done in September, the Greek Lounge and Miron Student Center

Photo by Breanna Palzer

Carpeting ripped up behind Information desk.

Photo by Breanna Palzer

Construction in Hallway.

“It’s good that they are renovating because those areas are due for an update” Offices are concluded in January 2020, and new wooden flooring in the main hallway will be done also in January 2020,” said Miron Student Center Director Kerrin Lyles.

“There is also now an additional genderneutral bathroom that was finished this fall.”

Both the male and female bathroom received a complete makeover including new tiling as well as new sinks and mirrors.

“The bathrooms by the Miron Student Center Game Room will also be finished getting new tiling and such in January 2020,” said Lyles.

“The new bathrooms look really nice,” said senior Business major Roman Bellanger.

“The sensors on the sinks are a little touchy and it’s hard to get the water started, but other than that, everything looks amazing.”

Along with the bathrooms, the Greek Lounge is also getting an upgrade. The room will be made bigger so that the Greek organizations have more rooms for their meetings and can all fit in the room comfortably. Since Greek life does a majority of their events in MSC it only makes sense they make the room they meet in bigger and much nicer.

“I’m not part of Greek Life, but the preview of the design of the room looks amazing,” said Senior Z Nash, “It’s good that they are renovating because those areas are due for an update.”

The flooring in the main hallway leading up to the MSC Food Court is also getting renovated. The flooring will no longer be tiling and instead be wood laminate flooring, similar to that of the hallway that leads up to the Cougars Den. “I did not know that they were going to be adding new flooring,” said Bellanger.

“That is going to look really nice and very professional. I am excited to see all these new changes in the building.”

The back offices where Miron Student Center professional staff resided is also getting an update. Their offices will be given new carpet along with new office space due to the renovation done on the Greek Lounge.

The information desk will also be getting brand new carpeting as a part of the renovations which was not part of the original plans.

November, 2019

THE TOWER 3

Homecoming produces multiple medical emergencies despite reduced activities

By Zoe Strozewski Despite a reduced Homecoming weekend this year, with fewer activities and no featured musical act, police reports showed four medical emergencies including one where a student suffered a head injury in a fight during tailgating.

The Homecoming tailgate and football game took place Oct. 26 where at least four police cars were seen on campus as well as various police officers walking around.

Despite the presence of police, Kean’s daily police blotter documented four medical emergencies. These medical emergencies dealt with attendees suffering from vomiting, abdominal pains and intoxication and resulted in two of

the subjects being transported to medical centers.

Additionally, the police blotter documented that a male suffered a head injury while attempting to break up a fight that broke out in the Harwood Arena parking lot during the tailgate. He reportedly refused medical attention afterwards.

Rachel Domke, a student and sister of Delta Phi Epsilon who was tabling at the tailgate with her sorority, witnessed the end of the fight. She said that it took place between two males whose fight ended up encroaching on the sorority’s area and knocking down part of their setup.

“I was trying to move my sisters out of the way,” Domke said. “Then the cops jumped in and the Greeks tried to stop them [the

“I tried to move my sisters out of the way.”

Samantha Power: The State Of The World in Lecture Series

By Tasha Dowbachuk A former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations addressed the Kean community with a reflection of human rights through

“I had a front row seat to how difficult it is to integrate human rights at the highest levels,” she said. “But we have never gone through a period where there’s such affection shown for abusive leaders without

“My message to reach and assure Kean University students, is that everyone feels like they are just one person, even Barack Obama when he was president felt that way”

fighting males].”

Apart from three events open only to Kean alumni, events for this year’s “Cougars Climb Higher” Homecoming were limited to Student Organization’s 90’s-themed roller skating party, a pep rally in Harwood Arena Photo by Lena Zhu and the annual tailgate Police were present at this year’s Homecoming events. before the football team took on Salisbury University.

Last year’s Star Wars-themed Homecoming lacrosse game, a performance by singeractivities were much more expansive. They songwriter Gina Chavez and a concert by included a party in Downs Hall organized popular rapper Lil Baby.

by Student Organization, a pep rally, ghost The Lil Baby concert sold out all available tours at Liberty Hall, a production of Kean space in Wilkins Theatre and became the Theatre Conservatory’s “Blood Wedding,” scene of multiple altercations and a large fight. the student tailgate and carnival, an alumni continued on page 8

The helping hands of Kean: A Night for Hope

By Alexander Valdes For those that suffer from feelings of intense depression and suicidal ideation (ideation - the formation of ideas or concepts), there are those who wish to help you on campus.

A Night For Hope is a way for Campus Ministry and the Kean Gospel Choir to connect to those that seek help. It’s a night for encouragement and spiritual wellness.

The Kean Gospel Choir sing songs about God and how you can find love and hope in the arms of Jesus Christ, and guest speakers coming upfront to give their stories about their experiences with thoughts of suicidal ideation or stories from close friends or

session with peers aimed to let students be open about their thoughts and feelings and learn about combating these issues with the help of friends or with the help of the Lord through prayer and self reflection through the lens of religion.

Jackson spoke a little more about the growing issue with depression and anxiety amongst this generation of students and provided a message to them.

“In general, students just don’t know what resources are there for them, so they deal with it on their own. They don’t know that Christ is there to help them out, but there are also professionals that are willing to help,” Jackson said. “Just know that you’re not alone and there’s always someone out

Photo Courtesy of Tasha Dowbachuk

The promotional poster of The Distinguished Lecture Series event with Samantha Power

her engagement in American politics.

Samantha Power, an internationally recognized influential leader, presented in the Distinguished Lecture Series on Oct. 28 in Kean University’s STEM Building.

Inside the development of her presentation, “The State of The World: Challenges and Opportunities,” Power introduced three central ideas: the role of technology in domestic politics, the question of whether democracy is facing danger, and shrinking the change.

Power’s discussion of national security and foreign policy navigated through the diplomacy of the future of human rights.

The importance of leadership is emphasized through her chronicles of advocacy in the themes presented in democracy.

Power also provided insight into her latest New York Times bestseller “The Education of an Idealist” while discussing her progression in politics.

After covering the Yugoslav Wars as a war correspondent, Power later became the first Anna Lindh Professor of Practice of Global Leadership and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Law School.

Through her engagement in international politics, her strides lead her into becoming the senior foreign policy advisor of U.S. Senator Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.

As an Irish immigrant who grew up in the U.S., Powers’ involvement in foreign policies has influenced her approach to handling refugee processing procedures as well as discussion about minority groups.

“One of my favorite things in the Obama administration was seeing CIA Director John Brennen at the White House during Obama’s second term wearing pride colors,” Power said.

In 2002, Power released her Pulitzer prize-winning book “A Problem From Hell” which illustrates the examination of how America has turned a blind eye to the country’s repetitve failures in ending genocide.

“The human rights policies of foreign governments are not of much interest to our current administration,” Power said.

“So I’d say we walked away from alliances and from the integration of human rights and our values in the conduct of our foreign policy.”

As the former human rights advisor to Obama, Power emphasized that the previous administration was not “perfect” in its efforts to coursing through process.

Photo Courtesy of Tasha Dowbachuk

Former U.S. Ambassador, Samantha Power presenting the introduction of her lecture at Kean University

seeming regard for human rights at all.”

While discussing the impact of technologies in relation to the rights of marginalized groups around the world, such as Burma with surfacing violent hatespeech from Facebook, Power also reflected on the Russian infiltrations within social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Discussions upon the prevalent events in China, through the operation of buying pre-existing social media accounts from YouTube and Facebook to spread misinformation in order to discredit the Hong Kong critics, protesters, and citizens surfaced in the presentation.

“None of the actors in our democracies are going to take these issues as seriously as they might unless all of us are raising our voices and demanding that the human consequences of the platforms are taken into account,” Power said.

Power expressed that the “durability of liberal institutions, the status of science as a foundation for the decision-making in government, and the attachment to facts” has been taken for granted in democracy and became much more “imperial” due to the reality of the nation becoming “more divided.”

“I think it’s really important to take note of the potential regime for resilience and the ability to deliver for one’s people, [where] the possibility of self-renewal of democracy should be taken over the alternative model of counter trends,” Power said.

In spite of the unknown, the idea of being the change to advocate for the liberation of our nation is encouraged by becoming the change through the means of action.

“My message to reach and assure Kean University students is that everyone feels like they are just one person,” Power said.

“Even Barack Obama when he was president felt that way.”

The fight for equality and human rights continues and Power notes that it’s important to shine a light on abuses within its earliest stages.

“The only way you can make a dent in any of the challenges is if lots of people can overcome that inhibition and do their best to make a small difference,” she said.

Photo by Alexander Valdes

Kean Gospel Choir’s introductory performance

“The program is more for encouragement, not for those just suffering but also the peers close to those suffering.”

Photo by Alexander Valdes

A Night for Hope’s welcome to students.

family that may suffer as well.

The event was hosted by Shakira Jackson, senior and president of the Kean Gospel Choir and Mariama Rolda, Catholic Campus Minister for Kean University.

Jackson had some things to say about what her inspiration for this event was and why she wanted to host this event for others.

“I’ve had two close friends attempt suicide, so, as a Christian myself, it was very hard to process that. I didn’t know what it’s like to be suicidal or even what to do when that comes up in life,” Jackson said. “The program is more for encouragement, not for those just suffering but also the peers close to those suffering.”

The event had a sign-in table with all sorts of pamphlets, detailing certain issues such as depression, self-harm and even suicidal thoughts and attempts. It was a very open

there that is there to help you.”

Nowadays, most students who suffer from depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation, tend to keep these issues away from others. A Night For Hope is meant to act as a safe space for those that wish to tell their story and receive the encouragement and motivation from their peers and professionals.

Mariama Rolda spent a bit of time going over the purpose for A Night For Hope in greater detail.

“The purpose for A Night For Hope is to give people an outlet to address suicidal ideation and mental health issues and bring awareness through the speakers we have, myself being one of them,” said Rolda. “It also gives an outlet in a spiritual way, that there is hope, that there are resources.”

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November, 2019

Kean public relations students take their campaign from the classroom to the boardroom

By Tiye Bracy Edwin Smiley, Michael Moran, and Shawn Dominguez, students from Professor Sullivan’s Public Relations Campaigns course, win over their client, The Kean Foundation. The Spring semester three-student team was given the opportunity to pitch their campaign, “The Future Begins Now,” at the Kean Foundation monthly meeting in August this

“I think as their client will attest, it was clear early on that the students had the signs of a strong campaign” Photo by Jeremiah Sullivan

Kean students were invited to discuss their campaign project with President Farahi at the YWCA Union County’s Event.

how we are preserved by the student population as well as awareness with regards to charitable contributions from our students to Kean.”

Still, the campaign is implemented by the Kean Foundation staff.

“While I was happy with how their plan turned out, the future of it still remains to be seen,” Sullivan said.

However, DiScala remains optimistic towards the project and even had follow up conversations with the students.

Photo by Jeremiah Sullivan

Photo by Jeremiah Sullivan

Before Kean students pitched their PR campaign to Kean Foundation.

Kean students presenting the opportunities that their campaign offers.

year. Then once again, to The Kean Foundation board at the beginning of October. In November, the student team will be pitching their campaign during the President’s Cabinet Meeting.

“The meeting in August was attended by the entire Foundation staff,” said Alissa DiScala, director of Annual Giving. “At that point, it was the second time I saw the presentation, still blown away with their presentation and findings.”

In addition, the students were invited by their client to the YWCA of Union County’s Empowerment and Domestic Violence Awareness Reception. The evening gave the team time to discuss their campaign directly with President Dawood Farahi and other attendees.

“We really look for our students to not only show a senior-level understanding of the theories, practices and tools they’ve learned about during their time studying within the program,” Sullivan adds. “But also the confidence to provide counsel to their clients and the ability to strategically plan on their behalf.”

“The Future Begins Now” campaign was successful. As a result, the winning team received recognition from the Kean Foundation.

“I think as their client will attest, it was clear early on that the students had the signs of a strong campaign,” Sullivan said.

As DiScala expressed, this campaign helped the Kean Foundation by giving the staff “valuable insight on

Kean’s Internship Fair provides students with job and internship opportunities

By Emily Robles Kean University held an internship fair for students on Oct. 16 in Dougal Hall to introduce companies that are in need of student interns and are currently hiring.

Over 60 companies attended including Sherwin Williams, Enterprise and Bed Bath and Beyond who provided students with internship and job opportunity information.

While open to students of all majors, there was a wide variety of establishments that students could learn about and take an interest in including “Hands in 4 Youth” an educational, non-profit organization, the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic and Wakefern Food Corporation.

“There are lots of opportunities here,” said Chevelle Ogbonna, a junior and accounting major. “This can give you a head start on

“I found out about internships that I never knew existed and have so many more opportunities now.” jobs and its kind of like a mini-interview.”

The event was packed and busy with students and companies connecting with each other and building relationships. Some booths even gave students free items such as t-shirts, hats and pop sockets. Students were able to give out their resumes, sign up for email alerts and even apply for job positions.

“I was impressed with the number of booths that were here,” said Naheid Shahsamand, a senior and communications major. “I found out about internships that I never knew existed and have so many more opportunities now.”

“Additionally, I’m very happy to share that alum Shawn Dominguez, a member of the student team behind the campaign, was offered and accepted a job with the Foundation stemming from the project” Professor Jeremiah Sullivan said.

Sullivan explained the original assignment given to his students.

“While all Communication majors take research seminar, this class acts as a capstone experience for the School of CMJ’s PR majors,” said Sullivan. “As it pairs them with real-world clients and challenges them to craft a strategic plan that uses PR to help solve a problem or take advantage of an opportunity.”

Kean professors want students to learn and gain hands-on experience from their curriculum.

“It was so effective that we have had some follow up conversations with the team of students who worked on the project,” said DiScala. “We are looking into some of their suggestions on ways we can become more visible to the students.”

These students took a class assignment and were able to turn it into a life-changing plan that their client, the Kean Foundation, continues to utilize today.

“Edwin, Michael, and Shawn are the reason we, the Kean University Foundation, are working harder than ever to raise the philanthropic funds to create scholarships so more students at Kean can have a chance to gain the world-class education each student deserves,” DiScala states.

Kean’s new minor: Yoga!

By Emily Robles Education, Psychology and Communications are just some of the academic programs Kean University is known for. African Studies, Environmental Justice and Women and Gender studies are just some of the minors students can take an interest in. Kean is expanding its minors and starting in the new spring semester, students now have the opportunity to minor in Yoga.

Along with creating the yoga certification program, Professor Tara Lynn Bogota from the school of Health and Human Performance within the College of Education, also initiated the start of the yoga minor.

Holistic Health, Wellness, Eastern Religions, Positive Psychology, Human Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology.

“I just got into yoga I would say about a year ago,” said History major Taylor Davis. “I was afraid to try it because I am not as flexible, but I soon learned that yoga is more than the poses, in fact, it is about doing what feels right for your body.”

Davis will be pursuing the Yoga minor and went on to say that after she took her first yoga class last spring semester she quickly fell in love with the practice.

“My goal is to hold my certification and teach, while I pursue my master’s degree, and eventually PhD and JD,”

“They should minor if they want to develop or deepen their own practice and if they want to share the vast benefits with others.”

When asked what students can do with a yoga minor after they graduate, Professor Bogota gave a plethora of options.

“Yoga instructors have a wide range of job options both part-time and full-time,” Bogota said. “In addition to entrepreneurial opportunities, certified yoga instructors are employed in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, health and fitness clubs, yoga and Pilates studios, country clubs, resorts, universities, public and private schools, hotels, therapeutic recreation settings

“Students should minor in yoga if they are curious about themselves and their place in the world.”

“Yoga changed my life; I want students to understand that yoga is a lifestyle, it’s not an exercise where you twist your body into a pretzel,” said Bogota. “It teaches us how to live in harmony with our surroundings and to work with one another not against.”

Professor Bogota has been teaching at Kean for two years but has been teaching yoga for 15 years.

The yoga minor is an 18-credit program and just as in the certification program, students can earn their Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) title. The classes students will have to take for the minor include: EXSC 2023 Yoga II, EXSC 3023 Foundations of Yoga, EXSC 3024 Yoga Teacher Training and Methodology and EXSC 3025 Yoga Teacher Practicum.

Students will also have the option of choosing certain electives. Such as,

said Davis. “I want to be able to help those find their inner yogi and inspire them to go about every day with a positive intention.”

This new minor seems to be exciting many students who are invested in yoga and want to do something more with it.

“Yoga and holistic health have always been my passion so getting this minor while I’m at Kean is so exciting,” said Communications major Jenna Jones.

“With being a busy college student, yoga helps allow me to relieve stress and spend some time quieting my brain down.”

Jones expresses that in the future she hopes to own a wellness center that focuses on all aspects of yoga, mindfulness, and holistic health.

“Students should minor in yoga if they are curious about themselves and their place in the world,” said Bogota.

and private homes.”

The yoga minor can help many majors as well. Some majors that Professor Bogota thinks could benefit from this minor include Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, Exercise Science, Nursing, and even Business.

“Yoga is everywhere; my mission since I started here at Kean has been to share yoga with as many people possible,” Bogota said. “I am a firm believer in the power of community, it’s exciting to see where it will take us.”

Professor Bogota also runs free weekly community yoga classes. They take place on Fridays in the Library common located in room 116 from 12:00-12:45p.m. and encourages students to participate.

November, 2019

THE TOWER 5

Women’s Entrepreneurship Surviving my abuser Panel discuss their journey to success

By Salimah McCullough

By Lena Zhu Joan Verplanck, the current Wenzhou-Kean University Board of Director, had a difficult early life as a young bride married to an alcoholic.

“I had the great opportunity, in hindsight, to have been married young to an alcoholic with two children from a previous marriage,” Verplanck said.

By the age of 25, she became the mother of small children with no one to support her. Despite this, Verplanck remains upbeat and even thanks her early marriage as a way to start a fire beneath her.

“I grew up very, very quickly,” Verplanck said. With the advantage of three children to support and an underperforming spouse, it does put the fire under your pot. Someone had to support the family, so it was going to be me.”

Verplanck now works for the Kean Wenzhou campus as Board Director, having served her time as President

trials and tribulations as a young black female in the construction business, a career dominated mostly by men.

“When I started construction, I knew nothing. I just had a dream to be successful. I failed a million dollars a few years in. I faced female racism as well as regular racism,” Perry said. “‘What is a female doing in this [career]? And you happen to be a chocolate girl? Are you confused? Get out!’”

These were the types of comments that Perry had to face during her journey. However, she held her head up high and continued to get an education, eventually obtaining her civil engineering degree and has now started Harvard University in May of this year.

“Education never stops if you are going to stay relevant,” Perry said.

Another panelist, Monica Smith, founder, owner and CEO of MarketSmith Inc., focused on failure and what motivates her as an

Photo by Lena Zhu

Slide of panelists and their companies.

Photo by Jessica Nazario

Panelists from left to right: Joan Verplanck, Elisa Charters, Marjorie Perry, Monica Smith discussing their tips, tricks, and journey to success.

of the United States Chamber of entrepreneur.

Commerce from 1995-2010.

“I was never a great student, but I This was the type of story that had a great desire to be extraordinarily inspired four women to discuss their empowered,” Smith said. “Back journey and lives of success at the when I went to school, women in Women Entrepreneurship Panel entrepreneurship was not even Discussion on Oct. 25 in the Dave discussed. You were either a teacher Gibbons Conference Center in Kean or nurse or maybe go into finance if Hall. you knew someone. There Three other panelists, were so many limitations.”

Marjorie Perry, an alumna Growing up learning of Kean, Monica Smith, disabled with six brothers CEO of MarketSmith Inc., and a lower-middle-class and Elisa Charters, cofamily, failing was not an “Education founder and CEO of Latina option for her. As a young never stops Surge. child, she saw how hard Marjorie Perry, an alumna her parents worked for if you are of Kean University and the the life they gave her and going to stay current President and CEO could not bear the idea of of MZM Construction and failing. relevant” Management Company After having quite a Inc., grew up in a poor success reviving her old family living in the college newspaper, she was projects of Newark. recognized and thrown “I did not like that we into the corporate world. were broke all the time,” There, she always made mistakes Perry said. “I just knew that the girl and had a fear of being fired at every next door could buy a pair of cute moment. She asked her brother, who shoes and I had to go in the basement was well versed in the corporate world, of Bamberger’s or Kresge’s and get my what she could do to become better. little two-dollar shoes off the table.

He responded with one word: Read.

The girl next door would get a pair “So, I never stopped reading,” Smith of $100 shoes. That was always the said. “Anything that I could get my culture.” hands on, I read. That helped me and However, she was exposed to a better gave me perspective and knowledge of and different life at a young age. She all these people who struggled before did not give up hope. me.”

“I just knew that I had a dream,” With entrepreneurship, Smith is Perry said. “I lived in the projects at able to live in the moment rather than night and they [her Jewish teachers] wait for old age. would take me to their homes in “We all grew up in a world where we Livingston and Short Hills. So, I saw were taught ‘you do good, you work two worlds pretty early.” hard, you do right by your kids, you Perry emphasizes the point of getting retire and then you do all the things exposure to a different life. Perry faced you really want to do,’” Smith said. continued on page 8

Olake Muhammad, 22, was one in four women in America who experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Only she didn’t realize it until she was already seeing doctors and therapists from the aftermath of her abuser.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “one in four women experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, post-traumatic stress disorder, use of victim services, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases.”

“I didn’t realize I was in an Photo by Herald Post via Creative Commons abusive relationship until I told my therapist what happened Purple domestic violence ribbon . during the relationship,” Muhammad said. “My therapist “I didn’t realize I was in then proceeded to show me a flyer on the cycle of abuse in an abusive relationship an abusive relationship. I then until I told my therapist had realized that I was being abused.” what happened It is common for many during the relationship” victims to not notice or acknowledge that they are in an abusive relationship. Many times the abuser has so much control over the victims’ life that they Muhammad addressed her abuser. begin to affect all aspects of their life.

“There were multiple signs of abuse.

Some ways that abusers affect their My abuser joked about beating me victims’ lives include making their until I bled and even threatened to victims feel helpless, have anxiety, and beat my sister up,” said Muhammad. deny or minimize the abuse, which is Muhammad said that in the span of also known as gaslighting, to name a her relationship, there was one physical few. assault where she ended up having a “I found myself making excuses for bruise on her arm. After addressing her her multiple times. My abuser isolated abuser, all she did was tell Muhammad me from my family and friends causing to keep quiet about it. Not knowing me to stay in the house all day just what to do, Muhammad decided to watching movies and talking on the keep it to herself. phone [to her] due to her request,” said Feelings of isolation and distancing Muhammad. themselves from family or friends Oftentimes, Muhammad would make is something that happens to the excuses for abusive behavior. Even majority of DV victims. One of the after her sister noticed that something biggest effects is being hopeful that one was wrong, Muhammad would say that day their abuser will change and stop she was just upset or in a bad mood. the abuse.

It wasn’t just verbal abuse that According to an article from Muhammad experienced from her thehotline.org, The National Domestic abuser. Throughout the four-month Violence Hotline website, the relationship, she experienced verbal, percentage of abusers who truly change physical, emotional, and mental abuse. their ways is very low. But a lot of Even though at the time, she didn’t victims hold onto that small percentage realize the signs, thinking back she of hope. caught onto many things that counted “I stayed because I thought that as huge signs of domestic violence. we could build something. She would continued on page 6

Kean Afro Latinx Dance Project Hosts Performance Challenge

By De’von Mitchell Kean University is a campus that has many students from different backgrounds and cultures. With this in mind, the president of Kean University’s Afro Latinx Dance Project, Kristine Leslie has come up with a new event idea.

The Afro Latinx Dance Project is teaching free dance lessons each month for all Kean students with no prior experience needed. Students are allowed to wear anything that they feel comfortable dancing in.

With each month the style of dance being taught changes. For the month of November the group will be teaching any participating Kean students, African style dancing.

“Cultural appreciation a blend of everything I’ve learned so far,” said Kristine Leslie, president of the Afro Latinx Dance project.

According to Cougarlink, the organization is an “inclusive, openlevel dance group hosted at the Union Campus.”

The styles of dances explored within the classes are as widely diverse with an emphasis on Afro-Latin, and Latin

based genres. Some of the dances include: bachata, merengue, salsa, soca, kompa, kizomba.

Originally, Kristina Leslie and the founding vice president Andres Ramirez of the Afro Latinx Dance project taught classes off campus at NJ Fitness until the founding of the dance project here at Kean in February 2019 due to the inspiration that Ramirez gave Leslie.

For the organization’s first performance challenge on Oct. 30, students were taught Cuban and American style salsa.

“Learning new styles of dance is always progress,” said Kenneth Bautista, member to the Afro Latinx Dance project.

Bautista is one of the students to participate in the performance challenge learning the choreography and performing the dance on Oct. 30 at the fiesta mambo where students were taught columbian style salsa.

The last Wednesday of every month from 8-9:30 p.m., a dance social called “Fiesta Mamba” will be hosted. The performance challenge will be hosted in the D’Angola gymnasium.

6 THE TOWER

November, 2019

SURVIVING MY ABUSER

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

continued from page 5

break up with me every other day but I always ran back even after the physical assault and joking about beating me up,” said Muhammad. “I was scared of what she would do. I kept telling myself that maybe she would change and that love would be proven to come out of the relationship somewhere if I just tried hard enough.”

Financial abuse can also be a symptom. According to breakthecycle. org, financial abuse is exerting power and control over a partner through their finances, including taking or withholding money from a partner, or prohibiting a partner from earning, or spending their money.

Muhammad’s partner controlled her money to the point that she would make excuses about why she didn’t have any money.

LGBTQIA community to feel as though they aren’t being paid attention to.

According to research from ncadv.org, it shows that LGBTQ members “fall victim to domestic violence at equal or even higher rates compared to their heterosexual counterparts.”

Some 44 percent of lesbian women and 61 percent of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime, as opposed to 35 percent of heterosexual women.

Research from the NCADV also goes into the racial backgrounds of DV victims. According to their site, LGBTQ Black/African American victims are more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence, compared

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

EDITOR IN CHIEF: CRAIG EPSTEIN NEWS EDITOR: ERIN MCGUINNESS FEATURES EDITOR: LENA ZHU SPORTS EDITOR: STEVEN MERRILL ONLINE EDITOR: KELLY CONTRERAS ONLINE EDITOR: W YNTER AIKEN SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: SALIMAH MCCULLOUGH

REPORTERS Photo by National Domestic Violence Hotline

LGBTQ relationship violence chart showcasing similarities and differences of abuse in heteroseual and in LGBTQ relationships.

“I would just tell my family that I had bills [to pay],” said Muhammad. “My money (or a majority of my checks) would go to my abuser. I would have to tell her how much money I made and then give most of that money to her.”

According to HuffPost, 60 percent of Americans know of someone who is a survivor of domestic abuse. Many victims of DV abuse know someone that has also been in an abusive relationship whether that be a parent or a friend.

“I saw my mom go through abuse with my dad among other family members,” said Muhammad. “In some cases, if you saw abuse you’re inclined to be in an abusive relationship yourself.”

The majority of the domestic violence awareness movement is focused on heterosexual relationships which can lead to members of the

to those who do not identify as Black/ African American.

“I was in a same-sex relationship where I was mentally, emotionally, financially, psychologically, verbally, and physically abused,” Muhammad said. “If my story can help, that’s all I want to be done. Rightfully, I want the most to be done in the Black and LGBTQIA communities because our stories matter.”

Now that Muhammad is out of her abusive relationship, she feels as though she can notice red flags much quicker and pay attention to them more.

“Making excuses for someone who is abusing you in any way should never be tolerated,” Muhammad said. “I learned from this that I deserve better than what was happening to me.”

TIYE BRACY

BREANNA PALZER

SIOBHAN DONALDSON

EMILY ROBLES

TASHA DOWBACHUK

TAHJEE’ SHAW

DAVID JANES

STEPHEN STROM

DE’VON MITCHELL

ZOE STROZEWSKI

JULIEN NEALS

ALEXANDER VALDES

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.

PowderPuff football raises money for breast cancer

“PowderPuff is a fun game for an amazing cause”

Photo by Tahjee’ Shaw

Top Knotch presents their entertaining performance.

Photo by Roshorn Shivers Jr.

Kean Dance Theater gather together for the event.

By Tahjee’ Shaw Kean held its fifth annual PowderPuff football game on Oct. 29 at Harwood Arena to raise money for the American Cancer Society in its fight against breast cancer.

“PowderPuff is a fun game for an amazing cause,” said Roshorn Shivers Jr. President of Kean Dance Theater.

“We hold it every year, even in harsh weather conditions.”

PowderPuff is a women’s flag football game to support the fight against breast cancer and promote awareness for it. All proceeds earned from the event went

to help those who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Baked goods were offered there too, as they were made by Kean Dance Theater a day beforehand. This gave those who bought them not only a tasty treat, but their money for the purchase going towards a good cause.

The players for the game were Kean’s Dance Theater representing Kean University, with their opponents being Kings of the North representing Bloomfield University. Both teams not only had a hefty amount of players, but their affiliations were there to support as well on the sidelines. Members from Kean Dance Theater who weren’t players

for the PowderPuff game were in charge of different tasks such as tickets, bake sale, security, floaters, set up, Photo by Tahjee’ Shaw Kean takes on Bloomfield in PowderPuff game. and more.

The weather during the game had light rain and cool winds.

PowderPuff was a success amongst the Members used this as a way to get close game, and since scores weren’t taken, together, some sharing umbrellas. everyone was a winner that night. The Top Knotch, Kean University’s game is held every year in October. representative majorette team, also If one is looking for a fun sporting made an appearance showcasing their event that is dedicated to a good cause, dancing skills. The music for the event PowderPuff is a great event to take part was played by DJ Big Mike, increasing in or watch. the entertainment for the game.

SPORTS

November, 2019

THE TOWER 7

Kean baseball mourns loss of longtime assistant coach “He was one of those coaches you always went to for a laugh or smile”

Photo by Courtesy of Kean Athletics

Jack Nagy was a Kean baseball coach for over 20 years.

By Zoe Strozewski John “Jack” Nagy, a longtime assistant coach for Kean’s baseball team, passed away Oct. 14 at the age of 80. The Woodbridge native left behind a community of mourning coaches and players and a legacy of mentorship Kean’s 2019 baseball roster. and dedication.

Nagy had been coaching the team for over 23 years. He, along with Head Coach Neil Ioviero, helped to kickstart Kean baseball’s transformation into the nationallyrecognized program it is today.

“He was with me every step of the way building this program. If you saw Jack, you saw Neil,” Ioviero said.

It was under the leadership of Nagy and Ioviero that the program made six NCAA Division III World Series appearances and won its first-ever national championship in 2007.

While Nagy specialized in coaching the catcher position, Ioviero said that he also became a father figure and mentor to his players. He was named the 2008 Kean University

Assistant Coach of the Year for his contributions to the team.

“He very rarely in all his years raised his voice. His style was to reason with them and show them what to do, and they did it,” Ioviero said. “There was a tremendous amount of respect.”

Austin Arndt, a Kean student who formerly played for Jack Nagy, described Nagy as the face of Kean baseball for his impact on the program.

“He was one of those coaches you always went to for a laugh or smile,” Arndt said. “His career here as an assistant coach was unbelievable and he will forever be a legend.”

Before coming to Kean, Nagy coached the Woodbridge Recreation team. Under his guidance, the team won two consecutive state titles in 1995 and 1996.

While Nagy found success in coaching baseball, he also found success playing in his youth. He was part of Woodbridge High School’s Photo by Courtesy of Kean Athletics state championship football and baseball teams in 1958, and he played football and baseball for the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964.

A visitation was held for Nagy Oct. 17. His funeral mass took place the next day at St. James RC Church in Woodbridge and was attended by generations of players and coaches who had been part of his life.

“All of the current players for baseball went together and I saw a lot of older players who already graduated there,” Arndt said. “To me, it was wild to see his impact on so many players and the amount of respect he’s earned throughout his years at Kean.”

Kean students start sports radio show on WKNJ 90.3

By Craig Epstein Both having a passion for watching and calling sports, play-by-play announcer for Kean athletics John Mastice and broadcaster for Kean sports Richard

continue.”

When it comes to the focus of their radio show, the two not only review the week in Kean sports, but also look ahead to future matchups for the various squads. Mastice believes it is important that they be open

Photo by Rob Bergman

Mastice and Zeller standing alongside Kean football defensive coordinator Matt Kreider (far left) and offensive line coach David Galante (middle).

said. “The student-athletes and coaches have been more than helpful in this journey of getting the show off the ground. They are available almost all the time and we’ve now had every fall sport on the show at least once.”

Photo by Kean Athletics Twitter

“Kean Sports with John and Rich” can be found every Thursday from 2-3 p.m. on WKNJ 90.3.

While the focus of the show mainly revolves around Kean athletics, Mastice and Zeller will carve out some time towards the end to discuss sports on a national level as well.

“We mainly focus on Kean sports but

Photo by Richard Zeller

Play-by-play announcer for Kean athletics John Mastice gazing Alumni Stadium.

“The student-athletes and coaches have been more than helpful in this journey of getting the show off the ground.”

Zeller decided to start their own sports radio show which can be found on WKNJ 90.3 every Thursday from 2-3 p.m.

“We were approached by our great Athletic Communications Assistant Rob Bergman who pitched the idea and then got Athletic Director Matt Caruso involved who was very helpful in getting anything we needed for the show,” Mastice said. “All four of us were very motivated because it allows more exposure for student-athletes to tell their stories as well as the coaches getting involved.”

Mastice credits a lot of the hard work and dedication that goes into making the radio show a reality to Bergman as well.

“Rob Bergman is one of the biggest helps in all this,” Mastice said. “He makes everything go, I mean everything.

Without him this show doesn’t start or

and honest with their opinions so that there is full transparency as well.

“We focus on reviewing the week in Kean sports and looking ahead to big matchups as well as national rankings,” Mastice said. “We give our opinions on how games go, whether we agree or disagree with some coaching decisions, and we really don’t hold many thoughts back. I think it’s important to give our true thoughts on the games so the school is informed.”

Along with being a play-by-play announcer for the school, Mastice enjoys getting to just sit down and interview athletes and coaches alike. He is also appreciative of the fact that they have been so open and available for the show.

“I also love sitting down and doing formal or non-formal interviews with student-athletes and coaches,” Mastice

Along with interviewing many athletes and coaches of the fall sports teams, some of their guests include Acting Director of Athletics Matthew Caruso as well as Assistant Director of Recreation Jay Sgaramella. Mastice’s favorite interview, however, was when he got the chance to speak to head field hockey coach Leslie LaFronz as well as three of her players in senior midfielder Jenna Patrone, junior forward/midfielder Melissa Way, and freshman goalkeeper Belly Reynoso.

“Coach LaFronz is one of the greatest people you will ever meet, she is always open to talking field hockey in her office and loves what she does,” Mastice said.

“She is everything right about college coaching because she cares for her players, loves the games, loves talking about it, and would do anything for anyone.”

at the end I have a segment where we give our closing thoughts for about five minutes where we can talk about national sports,” Mastice said. “But for the first 55 minutes we talk Kean sports.”

As a media/film major that is set to graduate in December, Mastice enjoys getting the time to sit around and talk about Kean athletics with Zeller. For him, reaching out and giving student-athletes the opportunity to express themselves makes it all worthwhile.

“The ultimate goal is to further the outreach for student-athletes and give them a voice,” Mastice said. “Get more support at all sporting events. And, of course, for Richard and I to share our opinions on a variety of subjects in Kean sports.”

November, 2019

SPORTS

8 THE TOWER

NCAA to allow athletes to profit off their brand by 2021 “At its core, Division I athletics exist for revenue, Division III does not” Photo by Stephen Strom

Photo by Matt Kipp

NCAA logo.

Harwood Arena.

By Steven Merrill In a unanimous decision, the NCAA announced on Oct. 29 that it would allow collegiate athletes to make money based on their name, likeness, and image. The goal is to allow student-athletes from Division I-III schools to be able to receive these profits starting no later than January 2021.

While athletes from Division I schools will benefit from this plan, it remains to be seen how it will affect a Division III school like Kean.

“I honestly wouldn’t know,” said sophomore baseball player Bruce Weyand when asked what he expects to receive financially.

“Because Division III isn’t as advertised, I wouldn’t expect a lot, if any.”

NCAA administrators have been working with ways student-athletes can receive money for the use of their names, image, and likeness since May. The organization felt the heat from the public and NCAA board chair Michael

Drake admitted they must embrace change to provide the best possible experience for college athletes.

Drake said in a press release from the NCAA that this change “should not turn studentathletes into employees of institutions.” The board then mentioned how they don’t want to see student-athletes have more opportunities than regular students to receive money.

“I believe the NCAA’s new legislation is meant to only really benefit the top one percent of athletes in the Division I revenue sports,” said Kean Men’s Basketball/Head Student Manager Matt Kipp. “For Kean and all other Division III athletes, I don’t see many ways that this will benefit them.”

Kean athletics is a $2.86 million operation with 368 student-athletes, according to collegefactual.com. Between the men’s and women’s programs, Kean competes in 13 sports at the Division III level.

“There is more money, demand, and national interest for Division I athletes and

they are the ones who will bring in the bigtime endorsements,” said Kipp. “At its core, Division I athletics exist for revenue, Division III does not.”

Kean Women’s basketball player Olivia Nilsen stated that her love for the game is enough to where she doesn’t even need compensation for playing.

“Most Division III athletes are just here because we genuinely love the game,” the junior guard said. “Our pay is getting to be a collegiate athlete and getting the chance to be apart of a college team to continue playing the game we love at the next level.”

However, Weyand isn’t enthusiastic about the new law and doesn’t see many positives as a Division III athlete at Kean.

“It sounds like a change is going to come,” he said. “Whether it’s good or bad is hard to tell but I think it might negatively affect athletes.

I’m not sure how but it might make them focus on the money instead of the actual sport.”

Kean Recreation & Intramural League continues to expand

By Stephen Strom With over 13,000 students at Kean University, only 2,000 live on the main campus in Union. If you’re one of the 2,000 lounging out on a rainy night looking for some physical activity, look nowhere but Harwood Arena.

Monday through Thursday from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Harwood Arena has an open gym for basketball, soccer, dodgeball and volleyball games. Soccer is played on the outdoor field while everything else is played inside Harwood.

Kean Recreation and Intramural Manager Daniel Sires has a clear vision of what he wants this to become.

“We want students to feel comfortable coming over to Harwood and being able to play whatever they want,” said Sires.

“You don’t have to be the best player out there to come and play. We really encourage anyone to participate. Our main priority is to provide free fitness classes as well as intramurals to students, faculty, and staff.”

Sires is also cultivating a spring basketball league at Kean that could reach up to ten teams with referees and possibly game jerseys.

“If we expand enough and start bringing in a decent amount of students I want to be able to get jerseys

for the students,” said Sires. “It would be about $10 a person, you’d get a jersey and it can become even more official.”

Kean Junior Mike Morgan has participated at the Kean Recreation the last two years is excited to see the program grow.

“It’s really awesome that students have somewhere like Harwood Arena to go and be able to play pick up hoops or a competitive game of dodgeball,” said Morgan. “The amount of times I’m staring at a computer doing work is ridiculous and it’s nice to have an outlet.”

According to PyschCentral.com, college students spend up to eight hours a day on their phones. Sires recognizes that it may be time to put the phone down and get some exercise.

“I think in this day and age it’s so important for students to have a safe place where they can enjoy their favorite sport whether it be basketball or soccer,” said Sires. “Having a department for intramurals will get the students off their phone and into being able to interact with others and make friends.”

Those interested in the Spring Basketball league at Harwood Arena can head to IMLeagues.com and sign up. They can also reach Sires at dasires@kean.edu for any questions or concerns.

“Our main priority is to provide free fitness classes as well as intramurals to students, faculty, and staff”

Photo by Kean’s Instagram

Kean University new 2019 logo.

Homecoming produces multiple medical emergencies despite reduced activities continued from page 3

During the concert itself, a male attendee jumped onto the stage in an attempt to get a video with the rapper. He was subsequently pushed off the stage by a security guard, handcuffed by a Union County police officer and escorted from the building, according to a previous article by The Tower.

The New Jersey media reported that after the concert, a large fight between approximately 15 to 20 attendees broke out outside the theatre. An article on nj.com said that police broke up the fight quickly, but had to detain multiple people.

Francois Zebaze, the current president of the Student Organization, said that the lack of a concert this year was not due to the incident at the concert last year.

“The unfortunate incidents that happened after the concert finished had no bearing on not holding a homecoming artist,” Zebaze said. “PULSE, our programming board, each year has the option to hold a homecoming event, but that does not mean it is always a concert.”

Zebaze stated that while PULSE looked into hosting another concert, they were not able to find an available artist with enough time before Homecoming weekend.

Instead, they are planning an undisclosed

Women’s Entrepreneurship Panel discuss their journey to success continued from page 5

Photo by Lena Zhu

Police at Kean’s 2019 Homecoming tailgate.

event for December.

“PULSE went through an extensive list of artists which were submitted to bring on campus,” Zebaze said. “Unfortunately, due to artist conflicts with tour dates, etc., we were not able to secure an artist within the timeframe needed to sell tickets and make the event a success.”

After Homecoming took place, Student Org. was asked if there was an increase in the number of law enforcement officials for the festivities in light of the incidents that occurred last year. Zebaze responded that Student Org. would always have the safety of students as a focus.

“Campus police will take whatever measures necessary in order to keep our students safe,” Zebaze said.

“That’s what our parents did. I watched my parents not get there.”

Elisa Charters, an advocate for diversity and inclusion and the co-founder of Latina Surge, lived double lives. Her mother was a wealthy immigrant from Peru but left everything when she came to the United States. Always having the drive for more, she strived for a better life.

“I wasn’t a great student. I was pretty competitive. I played tennis, softball, and two years of basketball.

That led me to have a lot of skills as to how to be a team player,” Charters said. “And that is essential to your success. Everything you do today is team related. You have to have that emotional intelligence, that cultural intelligence, and learning how to work with other people on your team.”

Along with teamwork, Charters firmly believes that support from your network is important.

“It’s the network that you have and the people that support you,” Charters said. “You have to keep pushing yourself and always have an open mind

to learning because you never know what those paths could lead you to.”

Perry believed that immersion was just as important.

“Immersion is just as important as networking; I grew up going to a thousand networking events. I talked at Joan [Verplanck] but not to her,” Perry said. “The Harvard experience says that you have to learn how to talk to me and that means taking the person off the pedestal for a second and become relationship-oriented with them. People want to work with people they like.”

With the panel coming to a close, Smith had one piece of advice for the audience.

“Going through your 20s, your brain is still growing,” Smith said. “There is a tremendous amount of information that can be taken in during these times. Think about how you spend your time. Own it. You are completely empowered to make the move.”