Dec. 3 - Dec. 17, 2008

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? Page 10

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SICK DAZE

A MAN OF FURY Page 3

❄ OBAMA

DO ME A FAVOR! Page 8

SHATTERING

HOROSCOPE & CROSSWORD Page 9

THE TOWER

By Dawn M. Phillips

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THE ECONOMY MIGHT BE TOUGH, BUT THAT DIDN’T STOP SHOPPERS AT JERSEY GARDEN OUTLET MALL LAST WEEKEND. MANY STUDENTS WERE AMONG THE SHOPPERS LOOKING FOR BARGAINS. SEE CENTERFOLD FOR MORE.

Not Everyone Goes Home for the Holidays

By Guisela Santistevan

H

olidays are the reason to bring family together. This year, with the downturn in the economy and the high cost of plane tickets, many college students are facing the big question: should they cancel their holiday trip home?

Kean University student Steffie Mahoro, who lives off-campus, is thinking twice about going home to her native country, Burundi, a small country in Eastern Africa near Rwanda, for the holidays because of the increasing cost of airfare. The shaky economy is not an issue that’s affecting the United States only, but also countries around the globe.

“I would love to go this year, but it’s impossible,” Maharo said. “My plane ticket costs around $1,500, and with the bad

economy that the country is facing at the moment, it’s even harder to pay for this year’s trip.”

Some students don’t have as far to fly, and will stretch their budget to go home for the holidays. Lamar Green 23, a Media Studies Major, says spending time with the family is very important.

“I have five little brothers and I want to spend quality time with them for the holidays,” Green said. “I haven’t seen my family for the whole semester and I want to take advantage of this holiday break to be with them, no matter what it takes.”

Other students, like Cecilia Vasquez who lives with a roommate off-campus, had to decide whether she was able to afford traveling home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. In her case, she had to make the decision to (Continued on page 4)

CLICKS

Page 2

Volume 9 • Issue 6 Dec. 3-Dec. 17, 2008

Legal Drinking at Age 18?

Finals? ’Tis the Season to Shop

Photo by Ana Maria Silverman

MISCELLANEOUS Page 2

WATER

CAMPUS

YEAR

THE TWILIGHT

THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF KEAN UNIVERSITY

an you imagine being able to drink legally in your freshman year of college?

Many underage students would be surprised to learn that presidents of some local colleges think that the drinking age should return to 18.

But the key word here is “some.” Not all officials agree with the idea, especially in New Jersey.

The movement is called the Amethyst Initiative and it began quietly recruiting college presidents more than a year ago to provoke a national debate about the U.S. drinking age, which is among the highest in the world.

The Amethyst Initiative is an organization made up of U.S. college presidents and chancellors that in July 2008 launched a movement calling for the reconsideration of U.S. drinking age laws, particularly the minimum age of 21 as established nationally by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984.

The Amethyst Initiative is a mythical reference to a gem stone believed to ward off intoxication. Initiated by John McCardell, founder of Choose Responsibility, the movement is currently supported by 130 college presidents who signed a statement proclaiming, “It’s time to rethink the drinking age”.

“This is a law that is routinely evaded,” said McCardell. “It is a law that the people at whom it is directed believe is unjust, unfair, and discriminatory.”

According to USA Today, McCardell contends college students will drink no matter what, but do so more dangerously when it’s illegal.

Amethyst Initiative was signed by 129 college presidents in what the colleges be-

lieve is a way to deal with the long-standing problem of campus binge drinking, says The Star Ledger.

The statement makes clear the signers think the current law isn’t working, citing a “culture of dangerous, clandestine binge-drinking,” and noting that while adults under 21 can vote and enlist in the military, they “are told they are not mature enough to have a beer.” Furthermore, “by choosing to use fake IDs, students make ethical compromises that erode respect for the law,” states USA Today.

But many in New Jersey are against it.

“Drunk driving needlessly kills thousands of young people every year,” Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg is quoted on nj.com

The movement wants to provoke a national debate about the drinking age. as saying. “That’s why I wrote a law to create a national drinking age of 21 and why we fight so hard to reduce drunk driving and save lives on our roads. This small minority of college administrators want to undo years of success, which defies common sense. We need to do all we can to protect the national drinking age.”

According to the Star Ledger, State Senate President Richard J. Codey sent a letter on Sept. 10 to the presidents of every college in New Jersey demanding details of their alcohol policies and announced that hearings will be called this fall to explore underage drinking at their schools.

The letter asked all public and private colleges with residential housing for copies of their alcohol policies and details of local law enforcement activity on campuses.

(Kean is a dry cam- (Continued on page 4)

INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: If the drinking age is lowered to 18, is it a good idea and why?

By Kelly Pennisi

Peruvi Mehta, Senior, Psychology Major

Delreena Phillips, Junior, Social Worker Major

Kevin Kwakyes, Junior, Accounting Major

Thivanha Wijevatne, Junior, Accounting Major

“I think it’s a bad idea because then young people will get into binge drinking and accidents. That’s not safe.”

“I don’t think it would be a good idea because kids are already a little too loose. We already have 21-year olds drinking and driving, we don’t need 18-year olds drinking and driving.”

“No, then there would be more auto accidents and it [would] make younger people think its acceptable to drink.”

“I think it’s a good idea because right now it’s 21 and still teenagers drink.

They drink because [they] want to test it. They drink because they can’t do it.”

The Tower is now on the web! Find a PDF version of The Tower at: www.kean.edu/~thetower

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DECEMBER 3, 2008

THE TOWER

Issues '08 Concludes With a Look at the Obama Election

By Jessie Rivera

College students took the internet to a whole new level in the 2008 election.

With websites such as Facebook and MySpace, President-elect Barack Obama’s win was greatly influenced by the information received by just a click of a mouse.

That was the consensus of a panel of five speakers who came together Nov. 12 in Wilkins Theatre to discuss the presidential election. The panel, called “Dissecting The Results,” was the last in a series called Issues ‘08 that examined matters of public concern related to the election.

Jim McQueeny, host of News 12 New Jersey’s Power and Politics, was the moderator. The panel included Paul Mulshine, columnist with The Star-Ledger, the state’s largest newspaper; Max Pizzaro, of www.politickernj.com; Dr. Brigid Harrison, professor of political science at Montclair State University; and Terry Golway, curator of the John Kean Center of American History.

On this year’s historic election day November 4, the panel said youth took charge when they voted in numbers not seen since 1972 during the Vietnam War. It was youth who played the biggest part in making Barack Obama our next President.

But what led to this change? A big factor was the idea of having the first African-American president, but it was also the use of technology. With websites such as Myspace and Facebook and the ability to reach voters directly via email, Obama was way ahead of the pack in networking on the Internet.

The panel also discussed the unreliability of a lot of the Internet information, and its implications for the future. Outrageous and unfounded reports—virtual rumors—went viral in minutes on the Internet this year and such activity could be extraordinarily damaging to candidates in the future. A lot of information that goes viral on the Internet has never been checked and is often outrageous, as opposed to the old line mainstream media of TV, radio and print where information is typically vetted and checked before go-

ing to print or on the air.

“I think print is as reliable as it gets,” said Terry Golway, who admitted that he is a former print reporter.

But this election showed that the Internet—not TV or print media—is increasingly the place where people go for information. For better or worse, it is the future, he said.

What else influenced voters in this year’s election of Obama. Mulshine said

The TV interviews between Sarah Palin and CBS News anchors Katie Couric and ABC newscaster Charles Gibson were examples of her lack of understanding. In a segment on ABC-TV’s “World News With Charles Gibson,” when asked “And you think it would be worth it to the United States, Georgia is worth it to the United States to go to war, if Russia were to invade?” Palin replied, “It doesn’t have to lead to war and it doesn’t have to lead, as

President-elect Barack Obama and family

three other key points made the big difference in Obama’s inevitable win. One was Obama’s convention speech, which “comforted people.” Another was the debates.

And a third was Obama’s pick of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden for a running mate compared to McCain’s choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

“Never nominate a candidate you can’t trust,” said Mulshine, who said Palin was not prepared to discuss key issues of the election.

I said, to a cold war, but economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, again, counting on our allies to help us.”

Mulshine stated that America can’t fight Russia because we both have nuclear weapons and that alone would bring a far more serious issue. “She’s a total air head,” he said of Palin.

McQueeny asked the panel what could McCain have done to make the results different.

Harrison felt that McCain’s campaign

was too influenced by Bush confidants.

She also said McCain could have pulled out some “dirty political tricks,” but didn’t because he is “honorable.”

Mulshine said McCain needed Catholics on the ticket to draw the Catholic vote, which for many years has been Republican. Biden, he noted, is a Catholic and Catholics went for Obama.

Will Obama be able to complete his promise of “change?”

“We all want Obama to succeed,” said Golway, but he said if Obama does not make some changes, then the Republicans will have a better shot in the next election.

One audience member asked the panel what they thought of GOP state Attorney General Chris Christie’s chances as a possible GOP candidate for New Jersey governor. Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine’s ratings are low and New Jersey is in a financial bind, leaving an opening for a competitor.

The panel felt that even with Christie’s corruption-busting reputation, it would be difficult for him to beat Corzine partly because of his money. Additionally, Mulshine said it’s almost impossible for New Jersey to elect a statewide Democrat since Bergen County—once a GOP stronghold—switched to a majority of registered Democrats. Bergen is the state’s most populous county.

The panel was mixed on whether Corzine will seek reelection, and Mulshine indicated that it’s clear the governor is angling for a position in the Obama administration.

“I think he’d take an ambassadorship to Zimbabwe just to get out of New Jersey,” he said.

A male audience member asked if McCain had chosen Condoleezza Rice as his running mate, would he have won. And McQueeny responded by asking for a thumbs up or down and the panel quickly put their thumbs down. Pizzaro, of www. politickernj.com, answered by saying that Rice was “too tied with Bush.”

“Bush is such an embarrassment and Palin is such an embarrassment to smart people,” said Mulshine.

Campus Food Service, Costly Textbooks & Unity Concert Discussed

By Kevin Adams

Customer service at food establishments on campus was the big issue recently at a meeting of the food services committee of the Student Organization.

“At the food services meeting, customer service was a big issue that was spoken about,” Tony Olamiju, Vice President of Committees, said at the regularly scheduled meeting of Student organization, held on Friday, Nov. 21 in the University Center. “If in any way a student feels that he or she is not treated appropriately at any place related to food services, he or she should let a manager on duty know about the problem. “ Students should also know that if you have request for Downs Hall, you can give the staff your suggestions and they will try to suit everyone’s needs.”

The next food service meeting is on December 10 in Room 226 at 10 a.m.; all students are welcome to share feedback.

The Book Store Committee is trying to make it mandatory for professors to fill out a book request form. If teachers fill out the request form before a certain date, students will be able to receive a bigger refund for their books. A lot of students are not satisfied with the refund they are receiving from book store, it was reported.

The Book Store Committee is trying to have their meetings once a month; their next meeting has yet to be decided.

In other business, the Student Org reported that during the winter break it will be doing a capital project to expand the entertainment side of the UC.

Whiteman and Dougall hall will be receiving new flat screen televisions for their common rooms on each floor.

Also reported was that Unity Week is taking place next semester, and Student Organization is planning on holding a concert during the course of the week. Artists who have been discussed are J-Holiday, Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys, Jadakiss, Fabulous and a few more.

If any students have any requests for an artist or would like to give a suggestion for any activities or problems on campus, student organization meetings they are held on every first and third Friday of the Month.

If a student feels that he is not treated appropriately at any place related to food services, he or she should let a manager on duty know about the problem.

Lastly, the search for the freshman class president will be decided today.

At the meeting, four freshman candidates gave their speeches in front of students and faculty at the regularly scheduled meeting. The four candidates are Olusholn Brown 18, Sharon Hawkins 19, Jacklyn Molinaroes 18, and Christian Candelo 19. Their fate will be learned after the elections today, Wednesday, December 3.

Freshman students are the only people who are allowed to vote for the candidates.

GET PUBLISHED; JOIN THE TOWER Meetings Mondays @ 3:30 p.m., CAS 413

DECEMBER 3, 2008

T THE TOWER

PROFILE AMIRI BARAKA: CONTROVERSIAL POET CELEBRATES HARLEM AT KEAN

By Raquel Fernandes

kept McGreevy from firing Baraka from the position outright; instead legislation was passed that allowed McGreevy to abolish the position of Poet Laureate all together.

Born in Newark in 1934, Baraka studied philosophy and religion at Rutgers, Columbia, and Howard University, though he did not obtain a degree. After a brief stint in the Air Force, Baraka moved to Greenwich Village, where he worked at a

The New York Post calls him, “A man of shattering fury.� Library Journal says, “He is one of the seminal figures of contemporary black writing, a poet, playwright, novelist, critic, and political activist.� Amiri Baraka is a revolutionary poetic icon.

On November 13, Amiri Baraka was the keynote speaker at the 22nd annual celebration, Harlem on My Mind: Celebrating 350 Years conference at Kean University. The 2008 Africana Studies program celebrated 350 years of Harlem history, focusing on its beginning as a Dutch colony to its development as the most famous Black community in the world.

The conference featured many other prominent voices regarding the history of Harlem. Among the guests were Rene Mclean, Peter Bailey, Sonia Sanchez, and Eric Tate, as music record warehouse. This led to his future interest in well as a variety of musical guests and performances.

Jazz. Soon after, he was introduced to Beat Poetry, the boAmiri Baraka’s poetry has a strong political flare, in parhemian poetry movement of the 1950s that included writticular, his works have been outspoken regarding American ers such as Jack Kerouac and poet Allen Ginsberg. politics and the Bush administration, which, among other In 1960, Baraka visited Cuba, a trip that would transform criticism, he holds responsible for the lack of government the thematic content of much of his later poetry by giving subsidies for the arts. it a political flare. In 1989, Baraka won an American Book “The Republicans are against art, I guess, because it talks Award for his works, as well as a Langston Hughes Award. about society,� said Baraka. “It’s the art based on society, tryBaraka has written over 40 books of essays, poems, drama, Poet Amiri Barak. ing to transform society that has difficulty getting funded.� and music history and criticism.

He said the current Bush administration has essentially defunded the arts.

Baraka’s current endeavors include the opening of a jazz opera in Paris in Febru“More and more you have to go to private enterprises and corporations to get ary 2009 with the saxophonist David Murray. Baraka also has three books schedfunding,� Baraka said. “And public funding for the arts has declined. Hopefully, uled for release in 2009. One of these books is a reprint of an old book of essays with the change of the regime, maybe we can get a bigger support for the arts.� called Home, originally written in 1965. The two other books of essays, Digging: Baraka is recently most known in New Jersey for a firestorm of controversy cre- The Afro-American soul of American Classical Music, and Razor: Revolutionary Art for ated after he wrote a 9/ 11 poem, Somebody Blew Up America, which contains lines Culture Revolution. claiming George W. Bush and Israel were involved in the 2001 attacks on the World For more information on Baraka and his work, visit his website at www.

Center Trade Towers. amiribaraka.com.

Baraka was New Jersey’s Poet Laureate at the time, but after his poem, thenGovernor Jim McGreevy sought to fire him from his position. Legal complications

Baraka holds the Bush administration responsible for the lack of government subsidies for the arts.

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As of mid-November, the service known as One-Stop is no longer located on the edge of campus; it has been moved to the center of campus, on the first floor of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) building. “It’s a lot of back and forth that won’t happen� said Dr. Steven Kubow, director of the Center of Academic Success. “You will be able to do whatever essentially you need to do, just in a better location.�

Now all students can handle their academic schedules in a common area. Centralizing One-Stop makes it much easier and quicker for students to handle their academic needs, he said. Prior to the move, he said students would travel all over campus to find one stop, which was located in the Administration building.

Students now also have the benefit of later hours. Instead of closing at 5 PM daily, as was the case in the Administration Building, it will now be open from 9AM-8PM Monday through Thursday, 9AM-5:30PM on Friday, and 9:30AM-3:30PM on Saturday.

Some students are concerned that the CAS building will be over-crowded at the beginning of the semester. Media, Communication, Tutoring, Film, English and about seven other departments are all housed under the CAS roof. “The General Education classes are taken there, so are English and Communication classes,� Rachel Kaelbien a junior says. “So now One-Stop and CAS are going to be a mess (when) registration and add/drop come around.�

Kubow said congestion should not be a problem especially with an expanded desk to help assist more students. Kean is physically expanding the desk at CAS to serve everyone. One-stop has not changed; students can still rely on the staff members to help them handle their academic changes. Academic Instructional Mentors also will be assisting the staff members when it gets busy.

The first floor of the Administration building will now be used mainly for financial aid and handling registration paper work.

Meanwhile, students will still be able to use the Administration building to handle their one-stop needs, although three of the four staff members were transferred to the CAS building leaving only one staff member in the Administration building.

New Hours for One-Stop

Monday-Thursday 9AM-8PM, Friday 9AM-5:30PM Saturday 9:30AM-3:30PM

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DECEMBER 3, 2008

THE TOWER

Not Home

Legal Drinking Age (Continued from page 1) pus and recently began instituting DWI checks on campus.)

Governor Codey called on New Jersey’s congressional delegation to block any federal effort to lower the drinking age and vowed to make sure it doesn’t happen in New Jersey.

Others think a debate about the drinking age can’t hurt. Montclair State University President Susan Cole said she is not necessarily in favor of lowering the drinking age, but promotes a study. “It may well be that the law is well constructed as it currently exists. It may be that we discover that there are other things we can be doing,” says Star Ledger.

Only three college presidents in New Jersey signed on to the national Amethyst Initiative: Drew, Montclair State, and Stevens Institute of Technology. Presidents of other colleges, such as Ramapo, Rowan, and William Paterson, have pointedly refused to do so. Others including Rutgers said they would comply with the request for information. Kean apparently has not commented publicly on the issue. A request for comment was not received by press time.

State Attorney General Anne Milgram announced the NJ21 Coalition, a group of

state agencies, law enforcement and nonprofit agencies opposed to lowering the drinking age. Since the drinking age was raised to 21 in New Jersey in the 1980s, there has been a 78 percent decrease in the number of young people ages 18 to 20 who have been killed in drunken driving crashes, according to Milgram’s office.

According to madd.org, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) President Ronald Ruecker says,” Lowering the minimum drinking age to 18 is both misguided and dangerous. The worst thing any police officer has to do is knock on a door in the dead of night to tell parents that their child will not be coming home because he or she is a victim of impaired driving. Lowering the national drinking age would inevitably lead to more tragedies for more families.”

“Signing this initiative does serious harm to the education and enforcement efforts on our campuses and ultimately endangers young lives even more,” states University of Miami President Donna Shalala on madd.org.

USA Today states that college presidents from about 100 of the best-known U.S. universities, including Duke, Dartmouth, and Ohio State, are calling on lawmak-

ers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, saying current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus. Other prominent schools in the group include Syracuse, Tufts, Colgate, Kenyon and Morehouse.

MADD which stands for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, states on their website madd.org that lowering the drinking age would lead to more fatal car crashes. It accuses the presidents of misrepresenting science and looking for an easy way out of an inconvenient problem.

MADD officials are even urging parents to think carefully about the safety of colleges whose presidents have signed on.

“It’s very clear the 21-year-old drinking age will not be enforced at those campuses,” said Laura Dean-Mooney, national president of MADD. Both sides agree alcohol abuse by college students is a huge problem. Research has found more than 40% of college students reported at least one symptom of alcohol abuse or dependence. One study has estimated more than 500,000 fulltime students at four-year colleges suffer injuries each year related in some way to drinking, and about 1,700 die in such accidents, says USA Today.

CORRECTION In an article on page 5 in the Nov. 19 print edition of The Tower, student actors in the production of Our Lady of 121st Street were incorrectly identified in a photograph. The students in the picture are David Farington, Kenia Rodriguez, and Luis Rivera. The Tower regrets the error.

(Continued from page 1)

spend Thanksgiving with some friends to be able to save enough money to visit with her family in Florida for Christmas.

“Students can’t afford to travel twice in less than two months, especially for this season,” Vasquez said.

However, when the financial crisis hit, it hit everyone. Some travel agencies like Delgado Travel, began trying to minimize their prices to accommodate everyone’s needs, but it’s been tough.

“With the bad economy...it’s even harder to pay for this year’s trip.”

“Prices are not too low because the airlines do not give discounts, so we can’t give too much discount either,” Mabel Chavez, a representative of Delgado Travel said. “Business is going from bad to worse, and people are having other priorities these days.”

In fact, airfares are higher than last year, although airlines did begin cutting fares at the last minute just before Thanksgiving to fill up planes. Many students, however, said they would rather spend their holidays in town because it’s a way to save a little more money than spending a few hundred dollars on a plane ticket.

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DECEMBER 3, 2008

T THE TOWER

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THEATER AT KEAN

MOVIE REVIEW

A Holiday Classic Comes to Kean

“Twilight” Scores at the Box Office with Co-eds

By Raquel Fernandes

Looking for a fun holiday outing? Want a wholesome experience that you can share with the family? Skip the shopping mall mayhem and go for a classic.

The New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble will be performing The Nutcracker, one of the world’s most famous fairytale bal-

lets, at Kean University. The performance, which sold out last year at Kean, comprises 65 ensemble dancers and renowned guest artists.

The captivating production is based on “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice”

by E.T.A. Hoffman, and features master Russian composer Tchaikovsky’s original

composition.

The story centers on a young girl, Clara, who receives a Nutcracker from her father for Christmas. When she falls asleep later that night, Clara dreams that the nutcracker prince comes to life, and helps him in his battle against the mouse king.

The New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble offers pre-professional aspiring dancers the highest quality training to aspiring dancers from New Jersey through professional experiences with world-renowned dancers, teachers, choreographers and musicians. The Ensemble was founded in 1964 under the direction of internationally acclaimed ballet master, Alfredo Corvino, and is currently under the artistic direction of dancer, master teacher and choreographer, Nancy Turano.

The Nutcracker will be performed in Wilkin’s Theatre on December 13 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and December 14 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the box office in Wilkin’s theatre, or you can order tickets online at www. keanstage.com.

Admission is $30 for the general public, with alumni, faculty, staff, and senior tickets at $25, and student, child at $15. Call or go online now and order your tickets in advance. You don’t want to miss this enchanting performance.

For more information about The New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, visit their website at www.njdte.org.

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By Lillie Morales-Torres

When the anticipated film Twilight was released on November 21, it was expected to do well with a big turnout on. But the film has exceeded its expectations, and talk is it could be one of the biggest openers of all time surpassing other blockbuster hits.

On opening night alone, the film grossed about $37 million and totaled an estimated $70.5 million in its first weekend at the box office.

moves in with her father after he mother re-marries to a minor league baseball player who travels often.

Bella has always considered herself different, but she realizes that there is something far more different about Edward.

However, when she discovers the truth about Edward, she can’t help falling for him anyway and puts herself into dangerous situations by staying with him. For Edward, Bella is the soul mate he’s been waiting for a long 90 years. Edward and his world captivate her so much that she

It is a forbidden love story about a teenage girl and a vampire.

Twilight is based on the No. 1 ranked New York Times best-selling series by Stephanie Meyer. Some even say the series is destined to become a success on the order of the Harry Potter series. This may be an accurate guess since the second book, New Moon, was already given the okay and Summit Entertainment already bought the rights to the series.

Ironically, other production companies including MTV, passed up the project a few years ago.

The movie is directed by Catherine Hardwicke, who manages to bring the novel to life in the best way possible. While there may have been some detail left out of the film, Twilight fans say it couldn’t have been better.

The film will appeal mostly to fans of the Twilight series. Also to young adults and adults who have an appetite for modern day dangerous romance with some special effects.

It is a forbidden love story about a teenage girl (Bella Swan played by Kristen Stewart) who falls deeply in love with a vampire (Edward Cullen played by Robert Pattinson) who passes himself off as human in everyday life. It takes place in the small town of Forks, Washington. Bella

Poster for the movie Twilight.

finds herself longing to be a part of it all.

Bella and Edward’s love is forbidden because it is at high risk. Edward being a vampire, can attack Bella at any moment unless he converts her into a vampire. He does not like this idea and because of his love for her, he controls himself. He also brings her around his family, creating another risk of being attacked.

Still, everything works out well, until another group of vampires on a hunt discover Bella’s sweet scent and go after her.

Will Edward be able to fight them off?

How long can he contain himself? Do Edward and Bella stay together in this forbidden love? Only one way to find out.

Verona Warren West Caldwell Whitehouse Station

If you have a passion for food, are friendly and outgoing, we would like to meet you.

Please visit the store nearest you or send resume to Openline@kingssm.com and reference Dept. HR/KD. We will only respond to those resumes we are interested in pursuing. Background screening required.

From Every Day to Fabulous Gourmet, Expect the Unexpected at Kings.

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Students Find Strategies For Gift Buying

By Kelly Pennisi Photography and layout by Ana Maria Silverman

For some students, this year’s holiday shopping and gift giving is all about the sales.

Students said last week that they were waiting to go out on Black Friday —the day after Thanksgiving, so called because it’s this heavy shopping day when retailers often see their balance sheets go from red ink signifying losses to black ink signifying profits.

Target, Wal-Mart, and Kohls were having big sales—and many students said they planned to be there. Kohls opened at 4 a.m. and many local malls were open until midnight to take full advantage of customer interest.

Because of the tough and uncertain economy, many students said they were being selective about gift giving in terms of who they will buy for and how much they will spend.

Sophomore Dana Doyle said she’s sticking to

Kean students aren’t grinches though gifts for family only.

“I am spending less,” said Doyle. “I am going to get gifts but they are not going to be expensive. I am just shopping for family.”

The idea of grab bags and secret Santas are making a big comeback this year. This way limits are set and no one can spend past a predetermined amount.

Another idea students reported was simply to go out for an evening to celebrate or have a holiday

party—and forego gift-giving all together.

Gift baskets are always a thoughtful idea. Some students plan to go to craft stores such as AC Moore and Michaels and make their own baskets.

Other ideas include scrapbooks or even making a delicious batch of homemade cookies in a nice holiday tin.

But Kean students aren’t Grinches.

Sophomore Danielle Chambers said if she has the money in her paycheck to spend on gifts, then she does. This year, however, she will limit the list, not the amount per person.

“I find myself spending more money,” Chambers said. “The bigger my paycheck the more I spend. I am just buying for a selected amounted of friends and immediate family.”

T

DECEMBER 3, 2008

THE TOWER

EDITORIAL HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE FINAL It’s that time of year again. The once declared “most wonderful time of the year”—the holiday season. But along with being so wonderful, it is also one of the most stressful times of the year, especially if you are a college student.

Students are not decking the halls or riding in one-horse open sleighs; they are cramming for projects and studying for exams. Many would argue that it is our own fault for waiting until the end of the semester to begin these projects, but we wouldn’t be college students if we didn’t indulge in a little procrastination.

To reduce the stress that comes along with the conclusion of the semester, there are a few ways in which it could be made a bit easier so you can enjoy the holiday season.

First, prepare ahead of time. Instead of beginning to study the night before, try to begin within a week. Make index cards and look over them each night before you go to sleep and by the night before the test you will have already memorized them. It’s not very timeconsuming, and yet you still receive the information.

Next, try to change your study and work environment. Whether it is a dorm room or just a room in the house, there will always be distractions. Move to the library and really focus on the work that needs to be done. Also, leaving the cell phone in the car will make a difference. Texting while working is a form of distraction no matter where you are.

Another thing that could be done is try to study with a friend or significant other.

Having them quiz you on the information will help because even though it can be a bit distracting, it can also help you retain the information. Perhaps the person you choose to study with mispronounces a word, or makes fun of the meaning of a word, but when you see that word on the test, you will remember the conversation you had about it.

It is supposed to be a time to give thanks and “be merry;” the stress of finals does not have to dampen your holiday spirit if you handle the studying process correctly. Relax; prepare yourself…and Happy Holidays.

T THE TOWER

Department of Communication Kean University Center for Academic Success 1000 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083 Telephone: (908) 737-0468 Fax: (908) 737-0465 Email: tower@kean.edu

The Tower is an independent, laboratory newspaper of Kean University’s print journalism option in the communication major program. It is published biweekly 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 Kelly Nemeth Deputy Editor Jill Johnson Sports Editor Nicole Von Gonten

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Business Manager Edyta Krzton

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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 tower@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.

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Tower publication schedule Fall: Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19, Dec. 3.

ANGER MANAGEMENT SICK OF STUDENTS WHO WON’T GO HOME

By Kelly Nemeth

Some Kean University students fight through the cold weather, the rain, and the snow to come to class. They tough out the traffic and risk not finding a parking spot. But they also come to class when they shouldn’t—when they are sick.

You always know who the sick person is in class. You see the cough drops lined up, the tissue box at their feet, the cup of tea in his hand. He has come prepared to make it through class. What he can’t prevent is the disruption he will inevitably cause.

As the professor begins class, so does the constant sniffling. The class gets to enjoy the perfect amount of mucus sounds running up the sick person’s nose and into his throat. It is ignored the first couple of times, but after a while it becomes a disgusting annoyance that seems to subconsciously get louder and louder with every sniff. Then this sick person remembers that tissue box next to his feet. He grabs a tissue and blows into it, polluting the air with the horn sound that makes every student nearby cringe.

Just as the sick person puts the box back at his feet, he sneezes. But his hand does not leave his face. Instead he grabs another tissue with his free hand and instead of wiping his nose, he wipes his other hand that has just caught whatever it is that came out. The

other students in the class are now totally focused on your bright red nose that seems as if a time bomb is ready to explode.

Between the sniffs, he adds another tune to his sick song. His roar of a cough that echoes throughout the class making the teacher pause in his PowerPoint presentation.

He tops it all off with an obvious swallow of whatever it was that came up. The poor student nearby inches away, becoming so close to the next person in front of him that he is now in a sea of hair.

As if the sickness is not loud enough, the sick guy goes for a cough drop. He takes the cough drop in his hand, and slowly begins to open it. He opens it slowly because the crinkling and crackling of the wrapper could perhaps be a distraction. But what he has not yet realized is that the crackling is music to our ears compared to the other noises he has made. But after 30 seconds of crackling, it begins to make the ears of his classmates cringe. Just open it already. When he finally does, he pops it in his mouth and, of course, crinkles the wrapper into a ball to make just a little more noise.

Next time, do your classmates a favor—stay home from school.

DECEMBER 3, 2008

T THE TOWER

Travel Companies Going All Out to Interest Teens in Trips to Obama Inauguration

By Robert Faturechi McClatchy Newspapers; (MCT)

MYSTIC STARS

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

By Linda C. Black Tribune Media Services

© 2008, The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.). Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

12.08.08

SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ Before a president was even elected, Nicolas Mitchell, a sophomore at Placer High School in Auburn, Calif., received an invitation in the mail to attend the inauguration in Washington, D.C. Companies that specialize in travel for teens are ramping up their offers for student trips to see President-elect Barack Obama sworn into office.

The opportunities might seem too good to pass up, but young people—and their parents—would be wise, inauguration staff members and those in the travel industry say, to read the offers carefully.

Some companies provide well-organized, affordable trips. Others offer inflated guarantees of VIP access and hefty price tags.

Carole Florman, a spokeswoman for the joint congressional inaugural committee, said parents considering sending their kids on inaugural trips should make sure they know exactly what they’re paying for.

“There’s a good chance these groups do have real activities planned,” she said.

“The question is: What are they promising and do they actually have the wherewithal to deliver?”

Mitchell, an honors student and starting sweeper for his school’s soccer team, received his invitation from Congressional Youth Leadership Council, a Virginia-based for-profit company that offers educational trips oriented toward students interested in politics.

The price of the trip is $2,380, not including airfare.

Bruce Mitchell, Nicolas’ father, said he thinks the price is fair, considering the supervision, educational activities and speakers – former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Vice President Al Gore – the company will provide.

“The difference is, it’s not a vacation. It’s an organized trip,” Mitchell said.

Bruce Mitchell said he believed his son and other trip-goers were getting inauguration

passes, too, though he wasn’t sure how the company secured so many. Tickets are generally available only through the offices of members of Congress.

Company spokeswoman Carmen McClaskey said students will not receive tickets to the inauguration ceremony.

Another student set to attend the inauguration with Congressional Youth Leadership Council, Folsom High School graduate Natalie Offenbecher in California, also believed she would be receiving one of the much-sought-after inauguration tickets.

Congressional Youth Leadership Council took some heat in the 1990s when former Sens. Howard Metzenbaum and Bob Dole targeted the company and similar organizations for misleading recruiting practices. Students, they argued, were being falsely led to believe they were singled out through a highly selective recruiting process when really their names were taken from vendor mailing lists.

The majority of the students contacted by the company are now nominated by their teachers or program alumni, McClaskey said.

David Thompson is a coordinator at Travel Adventures, a Michigan-based student travel service that has offered inaugural trips for years.

He said parents should watch out for cost bundling. With transportation, lodging and other expenses sometimes lumped together, it can be easy to be overcharged. Evaluate each cost separately, he said.

“Don’t just glance at the itinerary,” Thompson said. “Look closely and ask questions.

Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for each dollar spent before you invest.”

Offenbecher, the Folsom High grad, just wants to be a part of history. “I’m so excited,” she said. “The fact that it’s Obama who’s going to be this huge historical figure just makes this even bigger.”

Today’s Birthday (12-08-08) You’ll take action this year, instead of just thinking about it.

You’ll make good decisions, too. You’ll put in the research hours. No more procrastination. Make things happen. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8 You can see for miles and miles. Everything seems possible. Get over there and check it out. Projects begun now have a better chance of success.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7 Your status in the community is rising, but not from what you say. People are noticing what you’re doing and that it actually works. Even keeping a low profile, you’re attracting attention.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Today is an 8 You and your friends have what it takes to win at this competition. They provide the energy and you provide the plan. Better have something figured out.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Today is a 7 A complicated request causes temporary consternation. You end up doing very well at this task, however, so don’t even worry. You’ll perform brilliantly.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 10 Make big plans and start on them now. Push your agenda forward. This goes for fun as well as for business. One great idea leads to another.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 5 The smart money’s staying hidden away until the best bargains appear. This works in your business as well as your private life. It’s becoming fashionable to appear that you have less than you have.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8 Your partner has a great idea and lots of good suggestions. Be kind and listen attentively, even if you don’t agree. You may be convinced to change your mind.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8 Make your career move now. Show people what you can do for them, how well and by when. Your success is not about advertising, it’s about producing results.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 9 You have a way with words, especially now.

You’re so charming, you can get just about whatever you want. Use your power responsibly.

No trickery.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7 Go ahead and buy those few things you’ve been wanting for your home. Get yourself a few special treats while you’re out there, too. Scented candle? Fancy chocolates? Yes. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is an 8 You have a talent for making complex subjects seem almost simple. At least, it’s apparent you understand them, and that’s a comfort. Help out a confused friend.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7 You’re better at giving than receiving. You’re charming that way. But don’t get stuck fretting about what you deserve; just cheerfully take what you get. It’s expected, and it’s polite.

(c) 2008, Tribune Media Services Inc.; Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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T

10 DECEMBER 3, 2008

THE TOWER

HEALTH & FITNESS

Drink, Drink, Drink—But How Much is Enough?

By Dr. Josh Palgi and Dr. Jessica Adams

Water is one of six (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals) major nutrients that we need. It is considered an essential nutrient because of its vital role in the normal functioning of the body. Water contributes approximately 60% of the total body weight and is essential in creating the environment in which all metabolic processes occur.

A 70 kg (154 lbs.) young male has about 40 liters of total body water. A person is in a state of fluid balance when daily gains and losses are equal. Water is gained from two sources: metabolic water, which is produced as a byproduct of aerobic respiration, and performed water, which is ingested in food and drink. The ways of water loss are varied: • • • • •

Is excreted as urine Is eliminated in the feces Is lost in the expired breath Is secreted as sweat Is lost as cutaneous transpiration (water that diffuses through the epidermis and evaporates.

Such losses vary greatly with physical activity and environmental conditions.

Dehydration (negative water balance) occurs when you fail to take in more water than your body uses. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include: • Mild to excessive thirst • Fatigue • Headache • Dry mouth • Little or no urination • Muscle weakness • Dizziness Fluid intake is governed mainly by thirst, but there are other factors that influence water need such as: • • • •

Exercise Environment Illnesses or health condition Pregnancy or breast feeding

Scientists found solid evidence that individuals in hot, dry climates, and people with certain diseases benefit from increased fluid intake, but no such data exists for average, healthy individuals. So can an average healthy individual increase

What about the eight glasses of water a day guideline? fluid intake and drink too much? On January 12, 2007, a 28-year-old California wife and mother of three children died from drinking too much water. Her body was found in her home shortly after she took part in a water-drinking contest entitled, “Hold your wee for a Wii”. The tragic story highlights the importance of understand-

ing why drinking too much can be dangerous to your health. It increases the total blood volume which puts a big burden on the heart and blood vessels and makes the kidneys work overtime to filter excess water out of the blood circulatory system.

What about the eight glasses a day guideline? Apparently that old suggestion was nothing more than a guideline, not based on scientific evidence. Water is good. There is no reason not to drink water. The eight, eight-ounce glasses a day appears to be conventional wisdom. We don’t really know what the real answer is, but we can use common sense. Just know that you need to keep yourself hydrated.

No single formula fits everyone and knowing more about your body’s need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day.

Dr. Palgi and Dr. Adams are professors in the Physical Education, Recreation and Health Department.

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T THE TOWER

SPORTS

Cougars Topple Montclair State but Fall Short of ECAC Championship

By Nicole VonGonten

In their final regular season game the Cougars football team hosted New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival Montclair State University on November 15.

Head Coach Dan Garrett’s outlook going into the game was, “MSU is already looking at the playoff picture and who they will play in the first round. It was more about respect and the rivalry. Our guys were fired up and ready to play MSU.” Montclair State got on the board first in the game. Jeff Bliss scored on a two-yardtouchdown run, and the extra point kick gave the Red Hawks a 7-0 lead. Marco Capozzoli kicked a 30-yard-field goal to give MSU a 10-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

Early in the second quarter the Red Hawks struck again. Bliss scored his second touchdown of the game, this time on a one-yard run. The one-yard touchdown run extended the Red Hawks’ lead to 170. Before the first half came to an end the

Cougars cut the Red Hawks lead. MSU’s quarterback Tom Fischer was picked off

by Chris Lauda. who returned the interception 40 yards for the touchdown. The touchdown and extra point cut Montclair’s lead to 17-7 going into halftime.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, sending the Kean into the fourth quarter down 17-7. As the fourth quarter began the momentum turned in the Cougars’ favor. With 11 minutes remaining in the quarter, quarterback Tom D’Ambrisi

GO COUGARS!! ran in for a three-yard-touchdown. This touchdown cut the Red Hawks’ lead to 1714. D’Ambrisi then completed the comeback for the Cougars with eight minutes remaining in the quarter. D’Ambrisi completed a 14-yard-pass to Alex Cade for the touchdown. The Cougars were now ahead 21-14. The defense held the Red Hawks off the board for the rest of the game to secure the victory.

“Down 17-0 it could have been very easy for our kids to quit. We have shown that all year. This team perseveres through anything; they know it is never over until the clock reads zero. And we showed that once again. We told our kids at half time to keep plugging away. The first half we gave them 17 points, that MSU did not earn it. And if they can do it in 30 minutes, then we can do it with 30 minutes to play in the second half. And the team did a great job in the 3rd and 4th quarter,” Coach Garrett said of his team’s victory.

Going into the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl championship game against Delaware Valley College, Coach Garrett had this to say, “Any time you have a big win heading into the post season it helps with overall confidence. Delaware Valley is a good team, but we have faced some good teams all year long, Cortland, Brockport, MSU, and Rowan. All of which we played well and in every game, but we must limit our mental and physical miscues. We cannot have any dumb penalties and we must

take care of the football. We cannot turn it over, especially in the first quarter.”

On November 22, the Cougars faced Delaware Valley in the hope of winning their eighth ECAC championship.

The only points of the first half came from Delaware Valley. In the first quarter Matt Cook ran for a two-yard-touchdown with two minutes remaining and the Cougars went into halftime down 7-0 against Delaware Valley.

In the third quarter Delaware added to its lead. Shane Toohey connected on a 26yard- field goal to extend the lead to 10-0.

Kean scored its first touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter. D’Ambrisi connected with Durell Dukes on a 21-yardpass for the touchdown and the Cougars cut Delaware’s lead down to 10-7. Delaware added one more touchdown before the game ended and the Cougars fell short of the ECAC championship, 16-7.

The Cougars ended their season with a 7-4 record, and 6-3 against NJAC opponents.

Men’s Basketball Kicks off 2008 Season

By Nicole VonGonten

As a new season begins, the men’s basketball team looks to build upon its accomplishments from last season. The Cougars kicked off their 2008-2009 season at home in THE ROCK Cougar Classic, with the first game of the tournament against Clarion University on November 15.

The first half saw the Cougars in an early deficit of 14-7. Kean then went on to score 17 straight points to take the lead from Clarion. The 17 points scored by the Cougars gave them a lead of 24-14, and they never gave Clarion the lead back. At three points in the half the Cougars led by 16 points. Kean took a 40-28 lead going into halftime. Kean junior guard Vinnie Darpino led with 15 points in the first half, while Jonathan Jones chipped in with 11 points.

Early in the second half the Cougars continued to extend their lead. Kean extended its lead to as many as 19 points, 47-28, in the half. Clarion started to come

back later in the half. With four minutes NYU began the second half with a 13-5 remaining Clarion got as close as three run to extend its lead from halftime to 41points, 57-54. The Cougars built their lead 29. The Cougars then went on to score nine back up to eight points at 62-54 with over straight points to cut NYU’s lead to three, a minute remaining. In the final half min- 41-38. Kean was never able to get any ute Kean netted all six of its free throws closer. The Violets went on their own run to secure a nine-point victory, 68-59. The of nine straight points and NYU eventuCougars’ Darpino ally built a 21-point finished the game lead of 61-40 with with 21 points. just two minutes On November 16, remaining in the THE ROCK Cougar game. The Violets Classic continued would win the game when the Cougars 65-49, to\ give the faced New York Cougars their first University. loss of the season.

In the first half Jonathan Jones Brian Lytle (left); Jonathan Jones (right). the Cougars got off and Akinwande to a fast start. With 13 minutes remain- Oshodi both finished with 10 points each ing in the opening half the Cougars held a to lead the Cougars. ten-point lead, 13-3. NYU then went on a The Cougars traveled to face Wilkes Unirun of its own before the half ended. They versity on November 21 in their first game outscored Kean 19-5 in the final minutes away from Harwood Arena. of the half and the Cougars trailed at halfKean trailed Wilkes for most of the time, 28-23. first half. The Colonels led by as many as

13 points in the opening half. The Cougars could not regain the lead before halftime came, and went into the half trailing 37-33.

The second half the Colonels continued to extend their lead. The Cougars began to comeback in the final three minutes of the half. Oshodi tied the game at 59-59 with two free throws with over a minute remaining. Wilkes regained the lead when it made two free throws to go up 61-59.

Darpino then netted a three-pointer for a one-point lead, and then made a free throw to extend the lead to 63-61. With two seconds remaining Wilkes’ Steven Kline netted two free throws to send the game into overtime.

Overtime went back and forth between Wilkes and Kean. At two different points in overtime Brian Lytle tied the game for Kean. Lytle eventually won the game for Kean with 25 seconds remaining with two free throws. The Cougars won by one point in overtime 69-68.

Lady Cougars Come Up Short in Semifinals

By Jessie Rivera

The Lady Cougars entered the ECAC Tournament with a fifth seed and faced off against fourth seeded William Paterson University on November 12. It was a scoreless first half, but in the 56th minute of the second half Cougars’ number 17, Jenna Godwin, scored the first goal

of the game with an assist from number 5, Amanda Pitts. Godwin came back for another goal when she scored the second and final goal of the game to give Kean University the 2-0 win and an advancement to compete in the semifinals.

After Drew University lost to Stevens Institute of Technology, the Lady Cougars had to prepare to face off against first-

seeded Stevens on November 15. It was a disappointing first half for Kean as Stevens scored three consecutive goals less than 15 minutes into the game. Pitts, a senior, managed to put KU on the board when she scored the team’s only goal in the first half. In the 71st minute of the second half, Stevens’ Alicia Vandersluis scored the fourth and final goal for her

team. With a loose ball in the box, KU’s Nicole Tahan added the second and final goal for the Cougars. The Lady Cougars hopes of winning an ECAC championship came to an end when they lost 4-2 against firstseeded Stevens Institute of Technology.

GO COUGARS!!

T

12 DECEMBER 3, 2008

THE TOWER

SPORTS

Field Hockey Team Wins ECAC Championship

By Nicole VonGonten

The path to the ECAC championship would not be the easiest of roads traveled for the Cougars. All three games, including the title game, were close scoring matches.

The first part of their ECAC championship journey started with a challenging match against Frostburg State University, in the opening round on November 12.

Olivia Triano netted the first goal of the game for Kean seven minutes into the first period. With a little under two minutes left in the half the Cougars struck with their second goal of the game. Lauren Kachnowski scored the unassisted goal, for the 2-0 lead going into halftime.

Frostburg State came out scoring in the second half. Nearly two minutes into the half Frostburg notched their first goal of the game. Breanne Russell scored the unassisted goal for the Bobcats. Six minutes later Brooke Tapman netted an unassisted goal for Frostburg to tie Kean 2-2.

The Cougars’ Brittany Gibbs came through in the closing minutes of the half to score the tiebreaker, and the eventual game winner. Gibbs scored the goal off of an assist from Katie McGee to lift Kean into the lead, 3-2. The Bobcats tried to make one final push at the end with a shot

by Michelle Frost, but goalie Ashlie Berghold made the save.

With a win in the first round the Cougars turned to the semi-final game. In the semi- finals they faced the second-seeded Wilkes University on November 15.

Kean got off to fast start in the first half.

Brittany Gibbs scored off of an assist from McGee seven minutes into the half. Triano then followed four minutes later with the second goal of the game, with another

the lead for Kean with the fourth goal of the game, coming off of a rebound. Wilkes went on to score two more goals before the game came to an end, but could not pull ahead. The Cougars won 4-3.

sist from Ro Dixon. The Cougars tied the game 26 minutes into the game. The Cardinals’ goalie Marian Cassilly saved a shot

by McGee, but Triano was right there to follow up and score the first goal for Kean.

In overtime, the Cougars scored the first tiebreaker

Coach Dan Garrett

assist coming from McGee. The first half came to an end with the Cougars leading Wilkes 2-0.

Twenty-seven seconds into the second half Gibbs and McGee connected for the second time in the game. Gibbs’ second goal of the game gave Kean the 3-0 lead.

Wilkes notched their first goal of the game three minutes into the half. Devon McKay scored on a penalty stroke to cut the Cougars’ lead to 3-1. Stephanie Cirino secured

The Cougars headed into the ECAC Division III Mid-Atlantic championship game for the second time in four years. Kean would face a tough opponent in Catholic University on November 16, who beat top-seed William Paterson University to advance to the championship game.

This championship would not come easy for either team. Catholic University struck first in the game. The Cardinals’ Elizabeth Grumbein scored the first goal off of an as-

Grumbein notched her second goal of the game for Catholic before the half ended, with an assist from Andrea Baick. The Cougars trailed going into halftime 2-1.

The Cardinals were held off the board in the second half by the Cougars, to give them a chance to tie the game. With 15 minutes remaining in regulation the Cougars did just that. Gibbs followed a shot by Triano, and scored the goal from the left post to tie the game. The score remained tied when time expired in the second half, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Cougars scored the first tiebreaker. Triano delivered a pass to Gibbs, who tipped in the tie-breaking goal, with seven minutes left in overtime. Kean held on for the victory, 3-2, and the ECAC championship.

Brittany Gibbs was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

The 17 victories the Cougars recorded in the season were the most in school history.

GO COUGARS!!

Women’s Basketball Opens With 3 Straight Victories

By Nicole VonGonten

Fresh off of two straight years of Elite Eight appearances, the Lady Cougars look to continue their recent success this year as they begin the season ranked third in the conference.

The Cougars began their season at home with THE ROCK Cougar Classic. Kean’s first opponent of the season was Delaware Valley College on November 15.

Kean continues to be a high-scoring team, as they were last season, and it showed in the first half. Less than eight minutes into the game the Cougars built a 21-7 lead over Delaware. The Cougars went on an 11-4 run before the half ended and had their largest lead of the game, 29 points, going into halftime with a lead of 57-28. The Cougars’ Cardiss Jackman scored 13 points in the first half, while Danielle Brown (left); Cardiss Jackman (right).

Danielle Brown and Melissa Beyruti each had 12 points.

Early in the second half the Cougars led by as many as 40 points, 71-31. Delaware Valley started to make a comeback shortly thereafter, going on an 18-4 run to shorten Kean’s lead to 75-49. The Cougars did not let Delaware get any closer than 26 points.

Kean continued to extend its lead in the second half and went onto win by 43 points, 94-51. Jackman finished the day with a game high 23 points, and Ebony Jackson also contributed with 16 points and seven assists for Kean.

The Cougars faced a challenge in THE ROCK Cougar Classic championship. Kean faced Baldwin-Wallace College, who was ranked eighth in the preseason polls, on November 16.

Kean had the early lead in the first half. Almost halfway through the first half the Cougars had a six-point lead. Baldwin-Wallace, however, showed why they are ranked so high in the polls. The Yellow Jackets went on a 10-2 to take the lead, 35-28, with seconds remaining in the half. Jackman got the Cougars back within four points, though, before the half ended with a three-pointer. The Cougars were down 35-31 at halftime.

The Yellow Jackets continued to extend their lead in the second half. Baldwin-Wallace on five different occasions had a lead of seven points. Its last lead of seven points came with 14 minutes remaining with a score of 53-46. The Cougars then went on a 10-3 scoring run to tie the game at 56-56. Kean gained the lead for good with seven minutes remaining in the half on two free throws by Beyruti. The Cougars won the game, 8168, and the tournament. Junior Danielle Brown was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

The Cougars faced SUNY New Paltz in non-conference action on November 19.

In the first half both teams tried to keep each other close. Kean built its lead in the final minutes of the half. The Cougars ended the half by outshooting SUNY 13-3. Kean went into halftime leading 35-22. Beyruti led the team in the half with 13 points, while Alysha Taylor was not too far behind with 10 points for Kean.

The second half saw the Cougars continue to extend their lead. They had a seven-minute span where they outscored SUNY 22-2. The run extended their lead to 63-33 with under ten minutes left in the half. SUNY could never get close enough to regain the lead and Kean went on to a 23-point victory, 78-55. Beyruti finished the game with 24 points and six steals, while Taylor finished with 12 points and six rebounds.

RECENT SCORES MEN’S BASKETBALL: 11/23 Kean 62, Stevens Institute of Technology 66 11/25 Kean 74, John Jay College 43 11/30 Kean 53, Bowdoin College 75

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: 11/25 Kean 84, John Jay College 38