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Missing: Bathroom Stall Doors
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TH E I N DEPEN D EN T VOI C E OF K E AN U N IV E R S IT Y
Suspect Faces Charges on Reports of Touching, Harassing Women on Campus By Davaughnia Wilson A former Kean University student is facing charges in connection with two separate reports from female students who said that a man touched and harassed them on Kean University’s Union campus on the evening of Nov. 3. According to Margaret McCorry, Associate Vice President for University Relations, “the suspect is scheduled to appear in Passaic County Court on December 22 to face four
According to Karen Smith, Vice President for University Relations, “the safety of the campus community continues to be the university’s top priority. President Repollet met with members of his President’s Advisory Council to hear their suggestions for enhancing campus safety. He will continue to meet with students and KUPD [Kean University Police Department] to help ensure everyone feels safe on campus.” One of the female students -- who asked to remain anonymous -- used her Instagram
“I was caught off-guard. I was not expecting it. It was really weird”
Photo by Kean University’s Instagram page
Kean comments on harassment allegations.
counts of harassment and one count of violation of probation.” The suspect was not identified nor were the charges against him stated. Kean Police referred all calls to university relations.
account to bring awareness to the events of that night. In it, she said that she was “sexually assaulted” on Nov. 3 in the Center for Academic Success (CAS) by a man. Since then students, both men, and women have rallied behind her. A few females shared their own experiences with the accused male and others shared their support for those who were harassed. The university commented on the post on Instagram stating that they were aware of the situation and that the safety of the continued on page 7
Two Sports, One Day, One Player By Dorian Alerte Sian Seeger was not expecting to be a multisport athlete when she began her volleyball career at Kean University but after one afternoon workout in the pool, her journey began. Don Perkins, the women’s volleyball head coach, brought his volleyball team into the D’Angola Gym pool for a preseason workout with the women’s swimming coach. Then second-year head
coach Chris Swenson could see Seeger’s talent in the pool. “I can spot a swimmer within about 10 seconds of watching them swim,” Swenson said. “I asked her ‘are you a swimmer?’ She said, ‘yes, and I would actually be under a few of those school records.’ Then I asked if she would swim for me and she said ‘no.’ Then one day, a few weeks later I turned around in my office and she said ‘I’ll do it.’” On Friday, Oct. 29, Junior Sian Seeger
“When it’s game time, she turns it on. That’s what she does in volleyball, swimming, and whatever she does.”
Photo by Larry Levanti
Sian Seeger awaits the serve
Photo by Larry Levanti
Sian Seeger
continued on page 6
2 THE TOWER
November 2021
Sigma Beta Chi Hosts Alzheimer’s Awareness Day By Rosney Herrera Kean University has been at the core of a series of campaigns to create awareness about Alzheimer’s disease for almost half as long as the institution has existed and on Oct.27 Sigma Beta Chi sorority continued the tradition as the host of Alzheimer’s Awareness Day. Alzheimer’s disease is when the brain shrinks (atrophy) and then dies due to the
loss of brain cells over time. It is estimated to be responsible for more than half of all cases of dementia, which is characterized by a steady loss in cognitive, behavioral, and social abilities. Kean University organizes an Alzheimer’s Awareness Day once every year to sensitize students on the causes, risk factors, and possible treatments of the disease. This year’s event was considered the most significant and most memorable. According to the organizers, the preparation alone took a whole week. “We have been preparing for this event for the last six days or so,” said Damian, the director of the event. Damian said they had gone out of their way to spread the word about this event this time. We have been sending out posters and stickers and even spreading the word . We are expecting many people to attend.” As predicted by the event organizer, nearly 120 people attended the event, which was a great success overall. The event kicked off with a group of secondyear students who staged a modern dance in tribute to one of their members. Everybody showed that they were in solidarity with the crew’s comrade. After that, the audience was treated to a spectacular acrobatics show by a group of first-year students. Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans 65 and older, according to the Regional Health Officer (RHO) for Sigma Beta Chi. In addition, an estimated
“We believe communicating effectively with someone with Alzheimer’s is not just about using language, it is connecting through their senses such as touch, visual cues and sound”
Photo by Laura Van Biervliet is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Alzheimer man” 03/17/2012
continued on page 8
Taking the Pledge: Kean Places in NJ Ballot Bowl By Harmony Sanchez
Montclair State University, Rowan University, Rutgers University and Every Election Day, millions of William Paterson University. Americans head to the polls to exercise Throughout the month of November their right to vote and many young adults at Kean, volunteers canvased around around the country still have yet to do the campus to get pledges for students. same. This year, Spearheaded in an effort to by the Service increase voter Department at engagement, Kean’s Center Kean University for Leadership entered and and Service, placed second tabling was in the 2021 NJ also done to Ballot Bowl. collect voter re g i s t ra t i o n s As a joint from students. effort of the “College New Jersey students are Department of told time and State and the time again ALL IN Campus that this is the Democracy time for them Challenge, the to prepare for Ballet Bowl their future. was created as Sometimes a competition they forget that between NJ even if they colleges to Photo by Harmony Sanchez are not going promote civic Ballot Bowl 2020: Kean’s 1st Place Trophy into a career engagement with politics, through voting. they will still be “ Y o u n g affected by the voters have an choices of the important role politicians that to play in our are elected,”said elections. We Delia Latini, a are proud that Junior at Kean New Jersey University. recorded the According highest youth to Kean’s National Study of Learning, voter turnout in the nation in 2020. We Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) Report look forward to seeing what our Ballot by Tufts University, only 45% of 18-21 Bowl teams do this fall to bring more year olds at Kean voted in 2016. By 2020, young voters into our democracy,” said the voting rate at Kean increased to 62% Secretary of State Tahesha Way for NJ’s “The NJ Ballot Bowl gives students State Website. Kean came out in first place during a chance to learn a little more about the 2020 Ballot Bowl. This year however, the importance of voting.” Latini said. the rules were a bit different. In previous “Friendly competitions are also a great way to encourage people to participate.” years, the Ballot Bowl based winners off On Tuesday, November 9th the only the number of voter registrations. ALL-IN Campus Democracy Challenge This time however, pledges to vote were hosted their annual awards ceremony also counted in the competition. to recognize and award the universities The race began earlier this September in participation. The ceremony featured with a total of 25 NJ universities continued on page 8 participating in the Ballot Bowl, including
3 THE TOWER
November 2021
Missing: Bathroom Stall Doors
By Isaiah Joseph
Have you ever walked around campus and wondered why some things look so...odd? How about going to class and
Whatever you want to call it – bathroom, restroom, lavatory, the latrine, that place – that haven is seen as a gateway to release one’s stress and flush it all away. But let’s continue, you are walking
There is always something new to discover about how they aren’t properly taking care of the school. meeting that flickering light you have been seeing since the semester started or the stalls for people who have physical disabilities being out of order. Picture this, a long day sitting through those lectures that feel like an eternity,
“Young voters have an important role to play in our elections.”
No stall doors in the Women’s bathroom
you reach for your beverage from time to time to quench your thirst as each sip springs life to your body. After a few minutes, it hits you. “Woah I shouldn’t have drunk all that water, I got to go to the bathroom now!”
swiftly to the bathroom doing your little dance to prevent yourself from releasing the floodgates on yourself. As you open the men’s room you walk in and rush to a toilet but then it hits you “Where the hell are the stall doors?” So much for privacy, right? That being said, what is the deal with Kean University’s maintenance issues on the main campus? I assumed that Kean is very up to date with maintenance, but every time it feels like there is always something new to discover about how they aren’t properly taking care of the school. One that hit me as you all have read in the previous paragraphs is the bathrooms. How would you feel using the bathroom with no stall doors? Students may be in a hurry to use the toilet and not have the slightest clue that the door isn’t there. Kean must be trying to make Photo by Chelsey Jaipersaud students feel more social knowing that it’s been months since we’ve been back on campus.They might as well remove the barriers between the urinals while they are at it. But I know as students here, we have all witnessed faulty continued on page 4
The Flowers that Keep on Giving By Mallory Helmes Pop Quiz: When looking around at Kean University’s campus what do you see? a. Grass b. Trees c. Flowers d. Buildings According to Kean University professor William Heyniger, the correct answer is none of the above. “As I look across campus I see nothing, I see a desert, an ecological desert,” said Heyniger. His solution to bringing life to this desert? A native wildflower meadow. Heyniger is responsible for teaching courses like Intro to Meteorology, Introduction to Environmental Science, Introduction to Sustainability, and Earth Science. “He’s very passionate about habitats and earth’s creatures and how they reside here and how impactful humans are,” said Amanda Manresa, a senior studying Special Education with a concentration in Earth Science, vice president of the Earth Science club, president of Nu Theta Chi, and one of Heyniger’s students. Manresa explained that it was Heyniger’s passion that drove her to become a part of his passion project to bring a native wildflower meadow onto campus. “It’s probably been about seven years that I’ve been sitting on this,” said Heyniger. “I’ve always wondered how we could do it as a project and this year seemed to just be synthesizing and synchronizing with new administration, a reawakening of the campus, and I even put it out there as a volunteer effort for the students and I said look there’s no credit for this, it’s an idea I have, you guys seem pretty energized, do you wanna do it? And about 11 people between two sections came up and said, ‘hey this is something that I like to do and we’re trying to get it going’.” When trying to grasp a better understanding of what exactly a native wildflower meadow is, Heyniger explained them as “the flower that keeps on giving all year long”. He compared the way in which these
flowers bloom to a seasonal fireworks show where the flowers that react to the warmer weather will come out while the other flowers remain dormant, and then the flowers who react to the cooler weather will come out in the fall while the others remain dormant. “So it’s this firework of seasonality where from spring through summer through the fall you have this continual explosion of different flowers with different colors and different petals and different types, it’s really amazing to watch,” said Heyniger. He said the reason we are able to see this fireworks show for the majority of the year is because the way native wildflowers grow, corresponds to what is already native to their environment. “A native flower is meant to be here and it thrives here and it has the right competition and the right support and all these correct relationships that other flowers that we tend to plant don’t have,” said Heyniger.
“As I look across campus I see nothing, I see a desert, an ecological desert.”
Photo by Julia Strugala
Example of wildflowers
continued on page 5
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November 2021
November, 2021
University Hosts “We’ve Got Next!” Seminar for Faculty By Christian Grullon
our capabilities to engage students and faculty is a central element to everything we do at Kean,” said Youngblood. The seminar was also available
Kean University held a faculty seminar titled “We’ve Got Next,” to explore the role of a public research university at the Liberty Hall Academic Center on Nov. 7. The seminar featured Senior Vice President for Transformational Learning & External Affairs Dr. Joseph Youngblood for virtual viewership on Zoom. The as the guest speaker. discussion was open to all faculty, staff The purpose of the seminar was to and students. The theme for this year’s explore how the university could emerge seminar is “The Public Role of the Urban as a statewide urban anchor institution Research University.” and to provide solutions and practices Every year, the faculty identifies a that will have positive longterm impacts on the state’s urban communities. Dr. Youngblood presented a powerpoint presentation on different methods to engage the Photo by Christian Grullon university with students and the Dr. Youngblood going through powerpoint at the seminar community. He also showed slides of how the university could leverage its education research, theme or topic for seminar series. “This service and capabilities to have impacts year’s theme was designed to talk about on the state’s communities, especially the public role of an urban research university,” Dr. Youngblood said. urban communities. Dr. Youngblood’s presentation was Youngblood gave powerpoints and titled “We’ve Got Next: Kean University spoke on engaging faculty, students as a Public Urban Anchor Institution and communities. “The integration of for Innovation, Transformation, and technology and social media into higher education is a part of the future, creating Sustainable Impact.”
Dr. Don Marks, Director of Clinical Training, Psy. D. Program said, “Dr Youngblood’s talk was about the relationship between the research
“It’s my hope to talk about what it means to be a public anchor institution and what it means implementing new strategies of thinking and operating not just at the faculty level but student level,” said Dr. Youngblood. In the seminar’s flyer, it read that “Dr Youngblood is recognized as an international thought leader on the role of higher education institutions as transformational agents and levers for sustainable change in communities.” “We learned about Dr.Youngblood’s affiliation with Kean through our usual networks and were impressed with his vision for Kean and for universities in general,” History Professor Dennis Klein said. Dr. Klein said feedback from faculty was “all Photo by Christian Grullon positive” after the seminar was over. “Faculty very much wants and should be a part of the conversation,” said Dr. Klien. Dr. Klein said this is the “22nd” year of the faculty seminar. If students, faculty or staff have any questions or want more information, they can contact Dr. Youngblood at jyoungbl@ kean.edu, Dr. Klein at dklein@kean.edu and Dr. Marks domarks@kean.edu. n
So Far, Booster Shots Not Required For Kean Students By Andrey Nalbantov As the cold winter weather slowly creeps upon us like the dreaded assignment due dates, it’s time for students to look out for potential Covid-19 booster shots.
“This year’s theme was designed to talk about the public role of an urban research university,”- Dr. Joseph Youngblood university and the community.” “I’m hoping that people will have an opportunity to engage and followup on questions or reactions,” said Dr. Youngblood. There was a pretty decent crowd of faculty as most of the seats were
Dr. Youngblood giving his presentation at the seminar
filled up. No students were present at the seminar. The faculty had given positive feedback at the end of the seminar during a short Q & A. “ Dr. Youngblood was invited to speak, which I enthusiastically supported because Dr. Youngblood’s work relates directly to our seminar theme for this year,” Dr. Marks said.
Missing: Bathroom Stall Doors continued from page 3
Photo by Chelsey Jaipersaud
Bathroom stall door missing in action
maintenance issues around campus. Classrooms with flickering lights, the ceilings on the fourth floor of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) building leaking water and developing mold right after, or even the stairs looking like they haven’t been cleaned since the medieval ages. I understand that maintenance workers on-campus work hard to keep the school in tip-top shape, but it feels like the small
issues aren’t being addressed as much. A flickering light could be fixed faster than we know it. As I was searching for issues similar to ours.What surprised me is that this is very common among schools. I saw a Reddit post about how one student talks about their school removing bathroom stall doors because people kept writing on them. As a former high school student writing on the bathroom stalls is no more than tradition and a piece of history. Why
are you removing history? Hopefully, in the future, we see improvements being made within the main campus. Students and faculty should notify whoever is in charge of how our school is maintained that there are issues that need to be given attention and action needs to be taken because it’s the little things that matter a lot. Like the right to flush it all away in private. n
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While the COVID-19 vaccine was mandatory for Kean students, in order for them to register and be part of the Fall semester, booster shots are not required by the university, but through the months of November and December, there will
According to the Director of Media Relations, Margaret McCorry, though Kean will not require the booster shot, the university keeps monitoring the guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), as well as the state and
“Safety is the top priority at Kean University,”
Photo by hitthatswitch is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Syringe
Photo by Borough of New Providence website
Covid-19 booster shot poster
Photo by Union County website
Covid-19 emergency supplies poster
be accommodations on the Kean site for students to receive the additional dose if needed.
country authorities. “Safety is the top priority at Kean University,” McCorry said... Students can find the booster shot accommodations at the Downs Hall located on the main campus, on Nov. 20 and Dec. 4, from 8 a.m to 10 a.m.
And Covid-19 emergency supplies would be distributed such as produce, dairy, and shelf-stable foods for families in need. So how do students know if they are eligible for the booster shot? Students should look at which the Covid-19 vaccine they received and if there are any health conditions they suffer from. According to the CDC, for individuals who have received both doses for either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, one of the requirements to receive a booster shot is being 18 years or older and have underlying health conditions, meanwhile those who’ve received Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the requirements are only if they’re 18 years or older and if they have had their first dose two months prior to the booster. Covid-19 vaccines are still required for all students, faculty, and staff, with the exception of those who can provide evidence of medical or religious exemptions. As for new incoming students to Kean University, they are also required to show proof of a Covid-19 vaccine. “Students new to campus in Spring 2022 will be required to comply,” McCorry said. n
The Flowers that Keep on Giving continued from page 3
If these flowers are so beneficial to the environment and last throughout the majority of the year then why aren’t more native wildflowers planted? Heyniger explained that it has to do with appearances and human nature. “Typically wildflowers grow a little more floppyish and wildish – that’s the term, it’s in the name wildflower –so you see this butting up against what people perceive to be flowers, versus what could be beneficial for the environment and you get this substitution, of what people think are flowers...it’s a psychological thing that humans have to address,” said Heyniger. Heyniger and Mansera believe that this problem is something that can be addressed on campus while simultaneously bringing awareness to the lack of ecological diversity on campus. “When you walk around campus you usually see trees and flowers and stuff, they all look the same and as a Kean University student, the one thing you
always hear is how diverse we are so if we say we are so diverse let’s also be diverse in what grows here and is native to our area,” said Manresa. In order for this idea to become a reality, Heyniger explained some of the steps that must be taken. Before seeking the president’s approval on this project, they must first talk to campus facilities, the police and fire departments, and then send out survey questionnaires to students. These survey questions are important not only for them but also to students. The survey asks students to give feedback on the project, express any concerns in terms of allergies or fear of bugs, and also voice what this project could look like and where it could be located on campus. “We even have had some ideas of how students would like the meadow to be displayed. Like we have the idea of a wildflower meadow in the shape of a Kean paw or a KU logo or even like a regular
meadow so they feel like they have a voice in it as well,” Manresa continued. “We’re looking forward to hearing from the students because we really do want to hear what they have to say, they matter.” Heyniger believes that they will be ready to talk to the president at some point in the spring and begin working on the project during the next fall semester because in the colder months most weeds Photo by Amanda Manresa have been killed off for the Sketch demonstrating what the native wildflower meadow could look like year. But the timeline is not He said, “People of color seeing things of definite. Heyniger explained that once you plant color, and white is a color too, all colors, the seeds you can pretty much sit back and can look at this and say hey this a pretty watch the flowers do their thing because cool campus, were pretty different but also they require little to no maintenance, the same and that gives us a strength.” If you are interested in being apart of which not only saves time but money. “I think it will bring a richness to Kean this project contact William Heyniger at in terms of variety to Kean, you know?” wheynige@kean.edu n
6 THE TOWER
November 2021
November, 2021
Two Sports, One Day, One Player
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 Cover
completed a rarely done feat – competing in two sports in one day. In a matter of six hours that Friday afternoon, Seeger went from warming up for her swim meet against Rowan University, to swimming in four races, to warming up for the volleyball match against Gwynedd Mercy University, to playing in several sets in that match. “She was looking forward to it,” said her father, Greg Seeger. “When it’s game time, she turns it on. That’s what she does in volleyball, swimming, and whatever she does.” Seeger competed in the 200-yard medley relay, the 100-yard backstroke, the 50-yard freestyle, and the 100-yard freestyle before packing up and warming
For Seeger, playing multiple sports is something that she enjoys. “I thought it was fun,” she said. “It was more like I was playing with friends. I never really had the opportunity to do this again because, in high school, seasons do not overlap.” Growing up in a military family, Seeger has lived in several areas around the world, including Italy and Japan before her family settled in Leesburg, Virginia where she attended high school. Seeger had only been playing volleyball seriously for two years in high school when Perkins began trying to recruit her, but she was a regular attendant at volleyball camps that were held on the Kean University campus.
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: CINDY LAZO CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF: CHELSEY JAIPERSAUD FEATURES EDITOR: DAVAUGHNIA WILSON SPORTS EDITOR: DORIAN ALERTE ONLINE EDITOR/ SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: LENNY K. MATA CO-ONLINE EDITOR: JULIA STRUGALA SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: MALLORY HELMES
Photo by Sian Seeger
Her father Greg Seeger (Left), Sian Seeger (Middle), and her mother Irish Seeger (Right)
up to play with the women’s volleyball team. She posted times of 1:58.20, 1:09.21, 28.72, and 1:07.03 in each race respectively. Following the meet, Seeger then played in two sets in the women’s volleyball 3-0 victory over Gwynedd Mercy University, obtaining one dig and one reception overall. Competing in multiple sports is not new to Seeger. Since her childhood, she has been competing in gymnastics, ballet, tap dancing, softball, and swimming. In high school, she added volleyball. “At six years old she was swimming in one event, then we would run across the street to the softball field, change into her uniform, play softball, run back across the street to swim in her afternoon swim meets,” said her mother, Iris Seeger.
“She has a personality that you remember,” Perkins said. “At a camp, there are 70 girls and this one person leaves an impression on you. I thought this is a neat person. We kept in touch, and the next year she was up here for every camp, she was here for every other game. It was almost like she had been here forever.” One of Seeger’s defining traits that both of her coaches noticed is that she is a coachable player, on top of being a great teammate. “It means being open for anything,” Seeger said. “You never know what your team is going to need. If someone falls out or can’t do something and they look at you, that’s your time to shine and show that you can do anything that they ask you to do.” continued on page 8
REPORTERS ANDREY NALBANTOV
ROSNEY HERRERA
CHRISTIAN GRULLÓN
RUBEN NIEVES
HARMONY SANCHEZ
TYRA WATTS
HECTOR MORALES
VICTORIA CIFELLI
ISAIAH JOSEPH
JALEN GAYNOR
MICHAEL LABELLA
ANTHONY REYNA
ROBERT GREENE
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.
THE TOWER 7
Suspect Faces Charges on Reports of Touching, Harassing Women on Campus continued from Cover
campus community is their top priority. Kean also sent out an email stating that the university is aware of reports and that the KUPD is actively investigating the accusations. Anyone with information about this case was told to contact KUPD at 908-737-4800. On Nov. 4, student Tamia Brown started a petition on change.org titled, ‘Protect Kean University Students’ to decision-makers President Lamont O. Repollet and Kean University. As of Nov. 10, 1,047 students had signed the petition. The petition states that “After many reports of sexual assault and harassment have been filed on campus without any attempts to rectify the issue, students on campus (men and women alike) believe that security and other means of safety should be installed on the campus… Hopefully, with the signing of this petition, officials within Kean University will be prompted to make a change that would prevent any event that could be dangerous to Kean students.” The Tower reached out to Kean’s official explaining to them the allegations in the petition above, yet they didn’t comment on it. On Nov. 5, in his weekly email to the campus community, President Repollet said campus safety has been his top priority since he became president and he is concerned about the ‘reports of harassment and possible assault’. He added that he would like to hear from the students directly and encouraged them to attend his next Student Town Hall on Monday, Nov. 22. “Student voices matter as we continue to create a safe, respectful learning environment for all,” said President Repollet. KUPD was on a hunt for the accused the night of Nov. 3. They entered the Miron Student Center (MSC) Game Room at approximately 7 p.m. looking for the man. They asked to check the Game Rooms Patron and Guest Sign-in Sheets to see if the accused had entered the Game Room within the last hour. The Sign-in Sheets did not show that he had entered the Game Room within that time frame. However, they proceeded to take a male student out of the Game Room for questioning. The student, a sophomore majoring in Computer Science explained that KUPD approached him and asked him for his ID and that he should step outside to speak with them. He said that they did not tell him why he was being questioned and he did not ask any questions he just answered them.
“I was a bit nervous but then they were really sweet to me so I was alright… In short, they did their job, I did my role of answering their questions,” he said.
that is without consent (as defined below) and/or by force or coercion. This includes intentional contact with breasts, buttocks, groin, mouth or genitals, as well as any other
Photo by Davaughnia Wilson
Center for Academic Success
The student who originally posted on Instagram recounted what happened that night in her Instagram post. “He came up to me complimenting me, hugged me, and grabbed my breast,” she said. “He sat next to me and continued telling me things such as ‘you’re so beautiful, you should be a model’, ‘let me take you out, I’ll buy you anything you want, I’ll spoil you’.” Petition Details She said the man put his hand on her leg and asked for her phone number, Snapchat and Instagram. “He saw my phone turn on and proceeded to follow himself on IG (Instagram). I am not the only one he’s done this too,” she added. According to the university’s Sexual Assault, Misconduct and Violence policy, non-consensual sexual contact is, “any intentional sexual touching, however slight and with any object or body part,
Photo by Change.org
intentional bodily contact that occurs in a sexual manner.” The Instagram user explained that she made her Instagram account private after receiving some terrifying messages. “I don’t really feel safe talking and kinda want to stay low at the moment. I do appreciate all the support and interest. There are so many women out there that experienced the same problem. I just feel very overwhelmed with
the situation,” she said. A second female student, a sophomore majoring in Psychology who also requested anonymity, said that she was leaving CAS on her way to the MSC to get food the night of Nov. 3 when she was approached by the same man in front of the Clock Tower. “He basically just started compli-menting me and asked to hug me and right away just go to say how beautiful I was, and just
hugged me. I was caught off-guard. I was not expecting it. It was really weird,” said the sophomore. He accompanied her to the MSC to get her food without her consent and was following her closely, walking side by side the entire time as if they were friends. “He asks what I’m into and how old I am. I told him my age and he says ‘oh so you’re not even old enough to drink yet, like, we can’t even drink together.’ Then he proceeded to say when do you want to hang out,” the sophomore said. She explained that she felt extremely uncomfortable and made up an excuse about things she needed to do to get away from him. Her phone was unlocked in her hand when he took her phone, put his number in, and texted himself from her phone, ‘Hey this is….’ and included her name. Shortly after getting her phone back, she blocked his number. She said he also grabbed her for a hug and proceeded to lean in and tried to kiss her. He was touching her hand, and would not let go or take the hint that she was uncomfortable with his actions. As she scurried away, he followed her to the cafeteria located in the MSC. He then stood off to the side and stared at her before walking away. “I was creeped out,” she said. The sophomore said she was traumatized by the incident, and stayed home from school for the rest of the week. That night, she filed a police report and gave them the man’s phone number. KUPD informed her that she will be notified as soon as the man is caught and they will keep her updated with information about the case. The police asked her about the interactions, if the man physically touched her, if she had ever seen him before and after telling them, she said they were able to connect her story with that of other females that reported it that night. She said KUPD informed her that she could press charges against the accused male as soon as he is caught and that she could pick up her case report in a few weeks. Typically, case reports are ready within a week but she was informed that because there are a lot of girls involved in this case it might take a little longer. She said she will be pressing charges. On Friday Nov. 12, the sophomore said she received a notice from the Union continued on page 8
November 2021
November, 2021
Two Sports, One Day, One Player continued from page 6
Seeger has had a lot of success so far in her Kean Athletics career. She won New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week in her freshman year in women’s swimming. She also holds second-place and third-place in the all-time Kean women’s swimming records in the 50-yard breaststroke and 100-yard breaststroke. In addition to her success in the pool, on the volleyball floor, she has 165 total digs in her career, most of which came in this 2021 season. Seeger’s parents make the five-hour trip from Virginia to Union, N.J. whenever she has a match to play or swim meet and are very proud of the player, teammate, and person she has become. “Playing multiple sports is a great feat for anybody,” Greg Seeger said. “She is a great ambassador for Kean, she loves it. Her demeanor and her humility are huge. She knows how good she is, but she
won’t let you know it. She shows it on the court, she shows it in the water, and that’s where it stays. That’s how gracious she is, whether in defeat or in victory. That’s what we’re proud of, the young adult she has come to be.” Seeger will look to finish the volleyball season with her teammates in the Eastern College Athletic Conference tournament on Friday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 13. “I would really like to get our final wins before our season ends,” Seeger said. When the volleyball season officially ends, she will look to continue swimming throughout the Winter with the women’s swimming team. “It just makes me so proud to be able to see her fulfill her wish of being able to play a collegiate sport,” Iris Seeger said. “She’s loving it and I’m one proud mother.” n
Suspect Faces Charges on Reports of Touching, Harassing Women on Campus continued from page 7
Township Municipal Court to appear in a virtual court hearing on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. regarding the incident. A third female student, a senior majoring in Theatre and Communication-Media and Film who also does not want to be named, stated that she was approached by the same man multiple times in the Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 semesters. She explained that she was at the Starbucks located in the Nancy Thompson Learning Commons when the man approached her, grabbed her phone, and texted himself from it. “He came up to me and started talking to me and told me I was beautiful and that I should be a model. My phone happened to be unlocked on top of the table so he took and put his number in it and texted himself from it. Since then, he would not stop texting me until I
blocked the number,” she said. The third woman explained that she would always see him at the library and she would try her best to avoid him. He would continue to approach her and follow her around. She took to the comments section of the Instagram post by the first female student and said that the accused male has been harassing female students for years. According to the university’s Sexual Assault, Misconduct and Violence policy, stalking is “repetitive and/or menacing pursuit, following, harassment or other interference irrelevant criteria hurt, control or degrade another person physically or mentally personal and private relationship with the peace and/or safety of another person or that of his or her immediate family members”. n
Taking the Pledge: Kean Places in NJ Ballot Bowl continued from page 2
remarks by Kim Wyman, Washington’s Secretary of State and Veronica Degraffenried, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Commonwealth.
At the ceremony, Kean was awarded the Silver Seal given to campuses with 60-69% voter participation. The Kean Cougar Mascot and representatives from
the Center for Leadership and Service were also in attendance to accept Kean’s second place award for the 2021 NJ Ballot Bowl. Next year, the Center for Leadership and
Service hopes to continue having Kean University participate in the NJ Ballot Bowl with the goal of increasing voter engagement. n
SPORTS
8 THE TOWER
Sigma Beta Chi Hosts Alzheimer’s Awareness Day continued from page 2
60 to 70 percent of the world’s 50 million persons with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. The Sigma Beta Chi RHO (Regional Health Officer) told the audience about the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, pointing out that the teaching sorority should be
especially vigilant in detecting the early symptoms of the disease in students’ family members. The early indicators of the condition, according to the RHO, include forgetting previous events or discussions. As the condition develops, an individual with
Alzheimer’s disease will suffer significant cognitive problems and lose the capacity to carry out ordinary duties. The event concluded with a vote of thanks that expressed hope that
Photo by Patricia Razzeto licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Alzheimer’s Awareness Day” 04/21/2017, Chicago Illinois
everybody in the audience had gotten something positive to take home and teach others who may not have been lucky enough to attend.
Women’s Tennis Schedule Moves from Fall to Spring By Jalen Gaynor The women’s tennis team is undergoing new changes. After years of playing during the fall semester, Kean’s women’s tennis is now transitioning to a spring schedule. “Many universities had tennis as a spring
to let her team know throughout the season that each of them are talented and can get even better if they continue to work hard. “The team played tough against Brooklyn and fought hard which led to the victory. We started out with doubles wins which kept the players motivated to do well in
Photo by Larry Laventi
Sophomore Bianca Ortega
sport so now the NJAC conference offers it as a spring sport,” Head Coach Jodi Valenti said. The NJAC for tennis consists of six universities besides Kean, which includes Rutgers-Camden, Stockton, NJCU, TCNJ, Ramapo, and William Paterson.
n
Photo by Angel Ospina
Head Coach Jodi Valenti
Covid had a major impact on the Cougar’s team, both this season and the past one. Games were cancelled and athletes even opted out due to the pandemic and subsequent protocols. The team was looking forward to playing two matches in Boston before the season was stopped.
Photo by Larry Laventi
Junior Samantha Paine Luu
”Each year Kean Tennis gets better and better and we want to keep that going.”
Photo by Access Medical is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Alzheimer day” 08/03/2021
THE TOWER 9
“We were fortunate to get the student athletes back on the court last spring. It was a little challenging with some athletes opting out last spring so roster numbers were lower but most came back this fall season,” Valenti said. The Cougars play the first of their final six games next year on March 18 against Penn State Abbington. This is a pretty significant intermission and it is important for the team to remain disciplined so that they are prepared for when play resumes. “The players right now, being that the fall season ended last week, will continue to train and workout. Hopefully they will continue to hit possibly indoors throughout the winter before the spring season starts back up again,” Valenti said. Coach Valenti trusts that her whole team will step up and motivate each other throughout this time. The squad consists of several talented seniors and juniors that the underclassmen look up to as well. Valenti will not put any pressure on anyone in particular to lead the team. “Everyone on the team is an important asset and plays an important role. My captains lead the team and they are juniors, seniors, and sophomores,” Valenti said. The team finished play this fall with a record of 1-3. They fought hard and competed in every game. Valenti made sure
their singles matches. They kept a positive mindset and stayed consistent while playing. The remaining matches we lost this fall were very close matches,” Valenti said. Coach Valenti sees this intermission in the season as an opportunity for the team to improve and get better in many aspects including hitting and fitness. She has informed them that this is an important time and encouraged them to practice as much as they can in their free time. “Playing tennis and practicing all year round helps make you a better overall player. I always tell my players they need to put in the work and continue to hit and play different types of players so they can continue to get better and become as consistent as possible,” Valenti said. The goals coach Valenti has set for the remainder of the season mostly pertain to the athletes having fun and playing their best every match. With many seniors on the team, it is important to her and the rest of the team that they have a memorable final season as a part of Kean tennis. “We want the seniors to enjoy their last season here at Kean and want them to put forth their best effort both on and off the court,” Valenti said. “We want the players to have a season to remember. Each year Kean Tennis gets better and better and we want to keep that going.” n
10 THE TOWER
November 2021
November, 2021
Kean Women’s Soccer Ends Season By Robert Greene Multiple Kean Women’s Soccer members season concluded this year following a 1-0 loss in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament to Stockton University in Galloway on Oct. 30. Kean finished ranked fifth in the NJAC with an overall record of 6-8-3 going 3-42 in conference with four wins at Alumni Stadium and two on the road. The team was fourth in goals-scored on the season in their 75 shots on goal with 13 assists and 45 points. The first NJAC second-team member was Junior forward Gracie Casais. She led the way offensively on the season starting 15 of the Cougars 16 contests. Casais, a Toms River East native, had the most shots on the team and points with seven to go with three goals. “My teammates and I put an incredible amount of effort into this sport and earning these awards shows that hard work pays off,” Casais said. “We ultimately didn’t get the results we wanted this season, so I hope these awards, along with the want to be better, fuels us into a more successful season next year.” The forward is looking for a fresh start
her senior year. “Receiving this award definitely helps boost my confidence at this point in my career. After a fairly serious injury during
what my senior year will bring,” she said. Freshman forward Rebecca Zahner started in eight games and also scored three goals on the season. Zahner was third on
“My teammates and I put an incredible amount of effort into this sport and earning these awards shows that hard work pays off,” Casais said.
Photo by Larry Levanti
Kean Women’s Soccer Team Photo 2021.
my freshman year, and then a very hectic year with COVID-19, coming back and being named to the all-conference team is a very rewarding feeling. I can’t wait to see
the team in points to Casais’ and Freshman Vanessa Leon’s seven. Another NJAC honorable mention was Junior defender Gabi Triolo, who started in
all 16 games. “This award motivates me moving forward because I realized that if you work hard and put in the effort, you can lead by example and affect the team in a positive way,” Triolo said. “As a team, if we work hard together we will be able to accomplish great things as a whole.” Triolo is also looking at the award as a confidence booster to help grow her game. “From a confidence standpoint, this award has taught me to not doubt myself or get disappointed from one mistake that may have been made in a game,” she said. “You learn from your mistakes which will overall make you a better player and accomplish great things.” Freshman goalkeeper Julia Masucci placed fourth in goals-against average in the NJAC, third in saves per game with five, played in 13 contests, and started in eight of them. The rookie was fourth in shutouts with five, third in saves with 73. Masucci finished with a goals against average of 1.113 and stopped 83.9% of shots. She was also named NJAC Rookie of the Week on Oct. 11. Other NJAC second-team member Celine Brady led the Cougars in shots with 21 and started in 13 games with a goal scored. n
Professional sports come to Kean; Is FIFA World Cup next? By Ruben Nieves This fall semester, professional sports teams as well as sports organizations have visited Kean University but it may not be the only time professional sports are on campus. The university is being considered as a training site for the World Cup if New York and New Jersey are chosen as host cities for the 2026 tournament. FIFA World Cup officials toured Kean’s soccer field and the athletic facilities in the early months of the semester. FIFA officials have been in talks with Kean about this possibility, but due to the pandemic the discussions did not go further until . Athletic Director Kelly Williams received the call from officials to see if there still was a level of interest. “I said yes,” Williams said. “I think it will be a great opportunity for our university and our athletic department to be exposed to a world class experience.”
“I think it will be a great opportunity for our university and our athletic department to be exposed to a world class experience” Photo by Kean University Instagram
Photo by Kean University Instagram
World Cup officials welcomed to Kean
Minnesota Timberwolves practice at Jacqueline Towns Court
While touring the campus, FIFA officials were able to visit the training facilities and Williams said they were impressed. “For a Division Three program everyone falls in love with our athletic facilities,” Williams said. “They were in total awe and excited about Kean as a possible location.” Williams is confident Kean will be chosen as the training site if New York and New Jersey is chosen as the host
cities. “If New York and New Jersey get selected, I’m extremely confident,” said Williams. “I think we put our best foot forward and we checked the box in so many of the areas that they were looking for.” In October, before the NBA regular season started, the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks and the Minnesota Timberwolves each held a practice at the
Jacqueline Towns Court located at Kean’s East Campus. Thanks to NBA superstar Karl-Anthony Towns, who has worked out at the East Campus, as well as the new upgraded training facilities, the Bucks and Timberwolves were able to visit and train. “President Repollet made it a priority for us to upgrade our facilities for our students and our student athletes,” Williams said. “There was a buzz about coming back to campus and individuals continued on page 11
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KEAN FIELD HOCKEY HEAD COACH GETS 200 WIN IN NJAC PLAYOFFS By Hector Morales Kean University Field Hockey Head Coach Leslie LaFronz earned her 200 career win as field hockey head coach for her 12 years at Kean and her 4 years at Ramapo College after the Cougars defeated The College of New Jersey Lions 2-1 in the semi-finals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament on Wednesday, November 3. This is a memorable milestone for LaFronz. “It’s exciting, it’s a lot of years, a lot of hard work, and a lot of players doing what we ask to, and it’s the culmination of a long career,” said LaFronz. On November 3, LaFronz led the Cougars in the semi-finals finishing the regular season 18-1. The Cougars faced the 11-4 Lions on a cold and freezing night and 104 spectators were in attendance. The Lions were a team the Cougars have struggled with in the past. The game was scoreless in the first half and there was tremendous defense from both sides. In the second half of the game, the team sparked momentum as Pennsylvania native Megan Keeney scored the first goal for the Cougars. Later on in the fourth quarter with 5 minutes left in the game, Kayla Cichlar of TCNJ scored the gametying goal, sending the game to overtime. Kean Goalkeeper Jenna Flemings kept the Cougars alive throughout the whole game as she recorded 9 saves, only giving up one goal against the Lions. Her defensive effort allowed the game to go to a second overtime. “TCNJ is not an easy team,” said
“We have so much skill, so much talent, and it was really exciting to see us get the win tonight.”
Photo by Kean Athletics
Leslie LaFronz 200th Career Win
Photo by Larry Levanti
Photo by Larry Levanti
Jenna Flemings
Ja’Carra Jackson
Flemings. “We knew that we were a strong, mentally, physically, and more ready team. We knew what was on the table, we knew
what was up for grabs and we weren’t going to stop until we knew it was ours.” Forty seven seconds into the second
overtime, Delaware native Ja’Carra Jackson scored the game winning goal and sent the Cougars to Glassboro in the NJAC Finals against Rowan University. “I think she did a tremendous job out there,” said Flemings on Jackson’s game winning goal. “She put a lot of fight into those balls, and I think for her to come on top with that tip in it was a huge play for her.” Jackson was proud that she got the game winning goal and she was impressed about Flemings’ defense that kept the team alive that night. “She was amazing,” said Jackson on Flemings’ performance. “Great communication, keeping our heads, holding us accountable we needed and she did really well.” “It was really nice that they came together as a team and they played really hard and they wanted it,” said LaFronz on the team’s performance. “We have so much skill, so much talent, and it was really exciting to see us get the win tonight.” The Cougars send their fans home happy and Lafronz and her team will prepare themselves to face a team they haven’t beaten in the regular season in Glassboro. “We know what’s at stake, so I think it’s important for us to keep physically and mentally prepared for what’s coming,” said Flemings. “We have seen this team before and we know what they’re made of, but we know that we can only do our best and keep adjusting anything that is thrown our way and look to be on top.” n
Professional sports come to Kean; Is FIFA World Cup next? continued from page 10
from a professional point of view that Kean has up to date facilities.” Williams was excited to have the Bucks on campus and excited to see how a professional organization works. “It was exciting to have the world champions here and also to see how a professional organization works,” Williams said. “That was a great experience to be a part of.” Players from the Bucks when they first arrived at the facility, it quickly reminded them of their early days of working out.
“The first thing the Milwaukee Bucks said when they first walked in was wow, it takes us back to our roots,” Williams said. “It made them feel as if they were back to where they grew up and it had a sense of atmosphere of hard work, sweat and determination that
Photo by Dr. Repollet Instagram
Milwaukee Bucks practice before preseason action
got them to that spot.” After having two NBA teams on practice, Williams believes that there’s a chance more NBA teams will come to practice at Kean. “I think so, I really do,” Williams said. “Sometimes the best marketing is word to mouth and at the end
of the day from the facilities point of view that we know it is an NBA practice workout location that is comfortable and safe.” With the FIFA officials and two of the NBA teams visiting Kean, Williams thinks it shows what the university is all about. “It gives individuals light to the hidden gem of what Kean University’s facilities and what the university is really about,” Williams said. “It gives us an opportunity to continue our climb in being recognized around the country.” n
12 THE TOWER
November 2021
An Underdog Story:
A Sitdown With Men’s Soccer Captain Daniel Guillen By Anthony Reyna On Nov. 6, Kean’s Men’s Soccer team won a penalty shootout against Rowan to capture their 10th NJAC Championship, and their first since 2010. It was their second consecutive victory coming by way of a penalty shootout, and their Eighth consecutive game without a loss; a streak that began on Oct. 11 with
us motivation to play even harder for the fans.” A major part in the team’s success can be attributed to the confidence in one another and the chemistry that they’ve developed over the course of the season. “It all starts at practice and in the locker room. Myself and the other captains try to implement a positive vibe, and everybody just feels confident. We know
Photo by Kean Official Website
The Full Men’s soccer team following their penalty shootout victory over Rowan
a 3-0 victory over Medgar Evers College that turned the entire season around for the Cougars. Daniel Guillen, a Fifth year player, was given the Captain’s armband at the beginning of the season and handed the tall task of guiding a team that was ranked #7 in the conference prior to the season with 18 first year players on the roster to their most successful season in over a decade. Guillen would like to see the team get their fair share of recognition for their accomplishments “Due to some of our past years a lot of people thought nothing was going to change around here. (This season) We’ve had some beautiful victories and performances but we don’t exactly fill the stands up the same way that some of the other sports on campus do,” Guillen said. “I really would like to see the stands packed more in the future because it gives
gone on. We’ve had our bumps along the way but we always knew we were a good team and once we started clicking it was only up from there.” Daniel and 5 of his teammates were named to the NJAC All Conference team, all for the first time, including two first year players in Midfielder Nikolaos Theoudoulidis and Goalkeeper Dominic Ridge. Guillen believes these are the first
Photo by Larry Levanti
Kean Men’s Soccer captain Daniel Guillen in game
our talent, and we know how good we are. We’re going into every game just thinking that we’re unbeatable,” Guillen said. He added that the team is especially motivated and free of doubt; an energy that is felt by every player in the program. Daniel also offered some perspective on
Photo by Larry Levanti
The team captains holding the trophy following their win against Rowan
steps towards establishing a winning culture for years to come at Kean. “We need to try and keep this group together, and I feel confident that this program is going to be in very good hands. Coach Falloon is amazing and really cares for his players. It may be my last year but
“People thought we weren’t going to be good, but the Journey is the best part of it all,” what it’s been like to wear the Captain’s armband in such an unprecedented time. “It was tough in the beginning because I wasn’t able to be as active as I would have been because of Covid. Coming into this year seeing us ranked #7 and trying to get so many new players to mesh together as a unit was tough at first...but we’ve progressed so much as the season has
games and watch you’ll see, we may not always be the most talented, but we know how to move and defend well and just play together as a team. We don’t rely on just one star player.” Guillen is a lifelong soccer player who has competed against some of the best clubs both locally and from around the world over the course of his playing
the other two captains are still eligible to come back. After this year I think a lot of young players should have their eyes on Kean, not just because of the winning but because of our style of play.” Guillen said. He was extremely complimentary of his teammates and their on field performance. “We play tactically. If you come to our
career, but for him, playing for Kean has been particularly special and emotional. “This has been the best year for me as far as our team’s success. With some of the ways we’ve won, the penalty shootouts, the hard work, all the team bonding and spending time with one another, and just being together as a group”. Daniel said, “It just feels different”. In spite of it all, Guillen has embraced the opportunity to play the role of underdog, but he knows that there is still much more work to be done. “People thought we weren’t going to be good, but the journey is the best part of it all.” Kean will begin their NCAA Tournament run against Gettysburg College on Saturday, November 13th, as they look to keep the magic of this improbable season alive. n