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DEC | 2018 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
How to be prepared for an Active Attacker/Shooter
Photo by Wynter Aiken
Director Mark Farsi and Officer Kanishkit
Photo by Wynter Aiken
Presentation
“You are our eyes and ears. If you see something, say something,” said Farsi. “If you have just a slight concern with your fellow student or faculty member, say something. Report it. Even a slight feeling or worry could change everything.” By Wynter Aiken Kean University’s police director Mark Farsi and Union Police Department’s Officer Sayge Kanishkit gave a
presentation on how students and faculty should be prepared in case of an active shooter attack on Nov. 19 in the Little Theater of the Miron Student Center. Although an active shooter incident
is an extremely rare occurrence, Kean University’s security department recognizes this potential danger to the campus community and has developed a response plan jointly with Union Police Department. Farsi began the presentation by stating how active attackers can be unpredictable. One never knows what the outcome is going to be. “In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no apparent pattern or method to how they choose their victims,” said Farsi. “Active shooter situations evolve quickly and there is no way to anticipate their course.” Typically, the immediate deployment of police is needed to stop the shooting and mitigate harm. Active shooter situations can be over within 12 to 15 minutes. Following these steps: running, not activating the fire-alarms, hiding, making a makeshift barrier if in a room, calling 911, and even attacking the attacker head on can not only save your own life but others as well. For this reason, it is important that you are prepared to take the actions necessary to protect yourself. “When there are no other options, attempt to attack the attacker. Here at Kean, we as the police have a 90 second rule. In those 90 seconds, we want to reach the situation with as little injury as
possible,” said Farsi. “Realistically, every scenario is different and historically the attacker will hesitate or stop if attacked,” Farsi continued. “Use anything in your surroundings: a backpack, chair, anything that could take the person down just in time for us to reach the situation.” One never knows what is truly going on with someone, they could be having a hard time at home or within themselves that may cause them to take their frustrations out on others. Freshman Jessica Gonzalez asked Officer Kanishkit about how to determine if a student is potentially dangerous. Officer Kanishkit explained how it is important to notice the signs of someone who may bring potential harm to themselves or others based upon their behavior/motive-bullying, stress level, home-life, and/or them being labeled an outcast---just some of the problems an active shooter/attacker faces when or before deciding to go about this deadly action. “One day this person could just be looking up firearms on the internet or having a discussion with a friend on how to buy a gun, it doesn’t mean they will take action but if it’s a continuous pattern then you should report it immediately,”said Kanishkit.
The History In The Music
By Tasha Dowbachuk
Thuli Dumakude, the internationally known, powerful voice behind Rafiki from the Broadway musical, The Lion King, presented a dynamic soul-stirring history of her native South Africa in a performance of music and dance inside
Kean University’s Little Theatre. By the beat of a drum, her lyricism in song unraveled the true history of South Africa while sharing her knowledge of the strong African people in times of fear and war. Dumakude’s memories of apartheid – a system of racial segregation which oppressed the black majority in South Africa -- live within her music and was told through her own knowledge of Winnie Mandela’s journey to fight for equality. Winnie Mandela was the wife of the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, Nelson Mandela, who sparked the movement that ultimately broke the country’s institutionalized system of discrimination. Winnie Mandela was “a superwoman” who led the liberation movement while
keeping Nelson Mandela’s name alive during his 27-year prison sentence. “They may have been separated but they continued to fight the struggle,” Thuli Dumakude told the audience in tribute of Nelson and Winnie Mandela. The program was sponsored by The Office of Africana Studies and commemorated Nelson Mandela, who would have been 100 this year. Events commemorating the late freedom fighter have been held around the world Each song revealed the strength that Dumakude has carried with her through her journey that led her to the Broadway stage. Though known mainly for her role of Rafiki, Dumakude came to America as an exile who was always committed to the issues that related to South Africa. “You’re surrounded by these super rich people,” Dumakude said of her career, “and I’ve trained myself to not be starstruck and to remind myself that we are equals. Broadway, for me, was the road of travel.” In spite of the fear of the unknown, she used her platform to raise awareness of
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apartheid and the oppression of the South African people through her concerts and stage performances.
Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk
Thuli Dumakude’s performance at the 2018 Annual Celebration of African Studies In Little Theatre.
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Photo by Tasha Dowbachuk
Dumakude and member of the audience dancing to South African music.
Kean’s online classes include training, support and challenges By Kathy deRenzy Kean University offers online courses where students are supported academically 24/7 but the road isn’t always easy. Online courses have no set time to meet or required check ins. Online courses are eight weeks long but before students start, they must take an orientation and pass a quiz which unlocks the course for the student. The orientation is important because it explains everything a student needs to know such as rules, behaviors and late penalties. For example if a student is one day late, they get marked down 10 percent; two days late, 20 percent; three days late, 30 percent; four days late, 40 percent. After 5 days, the work is not accepted and the student get a zero. During their training, faculty experiences what it’s like to be an online student. They have to show proficiency with Blackboard which is a course management system that allows students to have a virtual learning environment. Not only do students have trained professors, but they have support 24/7, 365 days a week. Students can always
call for help and hear “Kean University” on the end of the line. There is also a tutoring center available for every course and a Think Smart Writing Center. Both are available 24/7. If students are struggling in a course, they can reach out to the professor. Professors can also reach out to students as well. The Starfish Retention Solution, a platform, which according to its website, “ is devoted to the research and practice of engaging students in their progress, removing obstacles to their success, and assessing the effectiveness of an institution’s efforts to help students succeed,” works with Blackboard and the student. If the student has not logged into Blackboard for a while, this program will send a message asking the student to get involved. Despite all of this help, there are some that believe online courses harm the student. “Academically challenged students need a classroom with a teacher’s support,” writes Susan Dynarski, a professor at the University of Michigan in her New York Times article from January 2018, “Online Courses are Harming Students Who Need the Most Help.”. Many of students come from low incomes and are first
Photo by Angel Canton
“Many make the mistake of assuming that an online class will be easier than one taken in a traditional classroom,” said Snyder. in their families to attend college. “Students with weak preparation don’t fare well in online college classes,” writes Dynarski. Researchers looked at identical online and face to face courses offered at DeVry University, a large for profit continued on page 2