The Tower | The Independent Voice of Kean University - December 2021 Issuu

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@KeanTower Kean Men’s Basketball Keeps Winning

Anti-Human Trafficking

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December | 2021 WWW.KUTOWER.COM

TH E I N DEPEN D EN T VOI C E OF K E AN U N IV E R S IT Y

Lady Cougars Prevail with 8 Point Victory in NJAC Opener Against Hawks

By Christian Grullon The Women’s basketball team came out victorious in a hard-fought scoring battle to defeat the Montclair State Red Hawks for their third win of the season with a final score of 69-61. There were eight lead changes in the game, along with one tie. The victory was the team’s second home win of the season.

“I thought we were very tough and were very disciplined no matter what was happening in the game,” Head Coach Mandy King said.

The Cougars came into the game with a 2-4 record coming off a 64-58 road win against Brooklyn College.

“Something we really work on in practice a lot is valuing possession, and we value possession because we work on it so much that we take the time to perfect it,” said Freshman Center & Forward Macy Seaman.

The Hawks came into the game 1-2 following a 69-54 loss on Nov. 20 against Stevens Institute of Technology.

Senior Guard, Shannon McCoy, led the Cougars with a double-double scoring 18 points and grabbing ten rebounds.

McCoy was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, Senior Guard/Forward Kayla Anderson was 6-for-6, and Sophomore Guard Brittney Graff shot 9-for-11.

“I thought we were very tough and were very disciplined no matter what was happening in the game.”

- Coach Mandy King

continued on page 10

President Repollet Addresses Student Concerns Regarding Safety at First in Person Town Hall Meeting

Photo by Christian Grullon

President Repollet and staff speaking at the meeting

By Chelsey Jaipersaud President Lamont Repollet discussed important security measures and solutions to enhance the safety around the university in light of the recent sexual assault incident during the first in person Town Hall meeting since the start of the pandemic.

The meeting, held on November 22, was the first town hall that incorporated speakers throughout several different departments of the university to go more in depth on concerns that were addressed by students.

In the first week of November there were sexual assault allegations made by one student on Instagram, which eventually led to the out pouring of other students with similar experiences.

“We are still doing internal investigations, however I want to make it very clear that we take sexual harassments, sexual assaults very seriously,” Dr. Repollet said. “We don’t comment on social media for the purpose of the process, but I want to just make it very clear we continued on page 8

NJ Schools Suffer Enrollment Decline due to COVID

By Julia Strugala The pandemic has taken a toll on colleges throughout the country, creating multi-million dollar budget gaps due to a decline in enrollment and other issues caused by the deadly virus.

According to the National Student Clearinghouse, Undergraduate enrollment in the fall of 2020 declined by 3.6% from the fall of 2019 in schools all across the country.

The university’s enrollment increased by 337 students in the fall 2020 semester, according to Kean University’s Student Profile. But this year, the university lost 645 students in Fall 2021 compared with the same period a year prior.

Kean’s Union campus enrollment experienced a decline from 12,151 to 10,810 and lost 1,341 students from the 2020 fall semester to the current 2021 semester. Kean Ocean lost 258 students over the same period, going from 1,156 to 898 students and Kean online students increased by 294.

Kean Wenzhou, the university’s China campus, has also gained students. 660 new students joined with an

Photo by Kean University

The Covid-19 pandemic led to a decline in enrollment in colleges all across NJ

continued on page 7

2 THE TOWER

December, 2021

Fighting The End-Of-Semester Slumps

By Andrey Nalbantov As we slowly approach the season filled with colorful decorations, Christmas trees of all sizes, and the sound of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” on repeat all day long, we also move closer to the end of the Fall semester, with many students

While many Kean students will face slumps during both semesters, big holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas during the Fall semester and the mass preparation for them add further into the stress mix.

According to an article written by 6Park NewsDesk, ‘Thanksgiving is a stressful

“One of the ways burnouts play out is that you feel low drained… you just want to sit down and not get up.”

Photo by bastamanography is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Stressed Student

experiencing end-of-semester slumps.

End-of-semester slumps occur when time for students’, the mixture of students begin to feel burnt out from Thanksgiving planning and the pressures the numerous finals they have to prepare of the ending semester for students can for, and the stress of alarmingly closing lead to a “time of stress, rather than a projects due dates. The slumps create time of gratitude and reflection.” a sense of loss, and writer’s block in Living in a global pandemic we find many students resulting in little to no ourselves in search of extra ways to create motivation or focus on their assignments. a safer environment to celebrate the Along with affecting the productivity holidays, in order to protect not only us of students, end-of-semester slumps can but also our relatives. Making sure that also affect their mental health. According our relatives are safe and healthy is a top to Vidal Annan, Director of Office of priority for many. That can also factor in Counseling, Accessibility, Alcohol, and additional stress, eventually contributing Other Drug Services at Kean, the burnout to further burnouts. caused by slumps can lead to increased “Holidays are levels of anxiety, stressful, to begin depression, and with,” said Annan. cause the feeling of “Especially this year just wanting to shut with Covid”. down.

So what should “One of the ways students do burnouts play out Photo by Kean’s Counseling Center Facebook page when they start is that you feel low Kean’s Counseling Center Logo experiencing enddrained,” Annan of-semester slumps? said. “You just want Annan has a couple of tips to combat the to sit down and not get up”. burnouts caused by schoolwork.

End-of-semester slumps this year As a start, students should work are greatly affected by COVID-19. This on their time management in order to semester, Kean students came back to have the maximum amount of time in-person classes after an academic year to finish their assignments. The long filled with online classes spent in the and important assignments should be comfort of their homes. The return to an prioritized over the small ones, and almost normal semester brought a new students have to remember that the struggle for students. semester is almost over.

“In addition to attending classes, In addition to these tips, an article from students are also re-adjusting to learning continued on page 7 in-person again,” Annan said.

The Rockettes are great, but have you seen the bathrooms?

By Mallory Helmes

“Yeah I ended up missing the first half an hour of the performance to take The spotlight was a solution, casting pictures in the bathroom with my friend,” it’s light on the question of clothing that Irvin covered her face with her hands, demanded to be on display. The carefully “It’s definitely not my cultivated details of the proudest moment, but if lightly heeled shoes and you saw those bathrooms intentional hat only you would be dying to seemed to compliment take a picture in them too. the picture perfect It was like they were made backdrop saying hey we for an Instagram feed!” work well together. The Radio City Music backdrop responded Hall was constructed with its aluminum gold in 1932, before the leaf patterned walls and days of worrying about raw aquamarine details Instagram feeds, but the casting a complementary bathrooms have definitely glow back onto the gotten the attention and curated clothing. When picture worthy notoriety the spotlight expired of more than just Irvin. the applause came in a Photo by Davaughnia Wilson According to the whitenoise of murmurs Scene of what is being described in the New York Times first paragraph with one clear article “Radio City, voice that said, Home of the Best “These look so …

Restroom?” good!” written by Libby On Saturday Nelson, in 2009 the Nov. 20 at 2 p.m., Radio City Music Kean University Hall bathrooms students filed were nominated onto two separate for America’s busses to depart best bathrooms, for New York City’s a competition Radio City Music created by Cintas Hall to see the Corporation, a sights, the sounds, company that the Rockettes, and among other things the bathrooms? provides bathroom Yes, you read supplies. that correctly.

The contest The bathrooms. started back in The infamous 2001, when Cintas Rockettes weren’t sent out a survey quite captivating that found that enough to capture clean restrooms the attention were a strong of Maria Irvin, predictor of junior studying whether customers Communication would return back Photo by Radio City Music Hall Media and Film to a place or not.

Picture of the bathroom on the first floor and Vice President They wanted to of Kean TV, or promote their at least they weren’t for the first thirty findings in a fun way which birthed minutes.

America’s best bathrooms competition.

The dings that kept going off weren’t Now you might be wondering what from the jingle bells on Santa’s sled, but could possibly be the criteria for receiving instead were the text messages that Irvin the honor of being dubbed America’s kept receiving from her friends wondering continued on page 8 where she was.

“If you have access to a camera, which everyone does nowadays, there is no way that you are walking out of that bathroom without snapping a few pictures first. It’s literally impossible.”

3 THE TOWER

December, 2021

University Is Seeking Middle States Accreditation

By Cindy Lazo

reflective self study, and Marks added that the self-study will show compliance Kean University is beginning the crucial with MSCHE’s standards. process of re-accreditation by the Middle Middle States Standards States Commision on for Accreditation are the Higher Education, taking following: its first steps with a self■ Mission and Goals study that was discussed ■ Ethics and Integrity in a University Senate ■ Design and Delivery meeting in November. of the Student Accreditation is critical LEarning Experience for recognition in higher ■ Support of the education and determines Student Experience whether credits transfer ■ Education to other institutions are Effectiveness acceptable to graduate and Assessment professional schools.

■ Planning, Resources Middle States is and Institutional a voluntary, non Improvement governmental, regional membership association ■ Governance, serving higher education Leadership and institutions Administration in the middle F r a n c e s s t a t e s , S t avo l a - Da l y, including who is on the Delaware, Middle State the District Executive of Columbia, Committee as Maryland, faculty repPhoto by Cindy Lazo New Jersey, r e s e n t a t i ve, Via Kean University’s website New York, would then Pennsylvania, speak to the Puerto Rico, Senate about and the Virgin the institutional I s l a n d s , priorities that according to its are guiding the website. self-study.

“Every 10 “The first thing years, the we did was create university a self-study Photo by Cindy Lazo undergoes an design,” StavolaMSCHE Self-Study Spring 2022 Timeline evaluation in Daly said. “Part order to be of that process accredited by Middle States and will be included putting in that design what we evaluated in 2022.” saw or were the priorities that guide Kean “When we are saying anything about University’s self-study.” any other accredited program that we The Middle State Executive Committee have, the Middle States accreditation is identified that there were three priorities: the foundational accreditation and all of ■ Excellence and Equity our other accreditation are contingent ■ Upstanders upon it,” Donald Marks, an associate ■ Evolution professor and director of the Clinical Included in the self-study are working Training for the Doctor of Psychology program, said in the Senate meeting. “So groups, with two co-chairs that are this is entirely critical for our continued composed of faculty and staff overseeing not only the MSCHE’s standards, but the success as a university.”

The process requires an institution to Requirements of Affiliation and Evidence continued on page 7 have an in-depth, comprehensive and

“One of the things we want university members to be is knowledgeable about this study.”

A Veteran’s Long Journey to Fine Arts at Kean

By L.K. Mata Cuevas

One of them was Bethany Gulalai, a 12-year-old Afghan girl, ‘who was caught Miyoko Bell, a Kean University junior, in the midst of an IED attack in Nangarhar could hardly bear the heartbreaking video province. She faced life-threatening wounds footage of Afghan citizens wailing behind to both of her hand legs and abdomen locked gates and chasing after planes as U.S. region,’ reads an article in a magazine that troops withdrew from Afghanistan.

Bell showed.

A former military nurse with a specialty “I was assigned to take care of her,” in anesthesia, Bell was stationed in Bell said “and I gained the respect of her Afghanistan after 9/11 and grew to love the family, gained the trust of this young lady people she cared for during that time. and she came around and started to make “The thing is these people are like you remarkable progress. The chaplain and his and I,” she said. “They are pawns in their assistant sent me this magazine later on own country, pawns from because they knew that I had their government, pawns made a huge difference in this from their leaders. They are young lady’s life.” shifted in what have you, In the same way, the Afghan you know they follow the people touched Bell’s heart rules and you know they do and mind, it also reshaped her the best they can.” beliefs and reasons for being Coco, as she’s known at the there. When she learned of the Office of Veterans Students American pullout, she recalled Services, is one of the 258 the words of an Afghan tailor’s veterans actively enrolled assistant whom she met while at Kean University as of Fall deployed there as an Army Photo by Miyoko Bell 2021semester, nurse.

Major Miyoko Bell according to The man was Director and happy the U.S. VA Certifying came to help his Official, Vito country, saying Zajda. it meant that the Now back Afghan children in school and would finally be majoring in educated in the Fine Arts/Metal deeply corrupt Working, her new journey country. is giving her a challenge “He told me, ‘but the and an opportunity to find corruption will go away. Not a new path through the with my children’s education, arts, metalwork, paint, or not with their children’s photography. education. But maybe with Bell fears for the lives their children’s children’s of anyone who helped any education. It’s through American in Afghanistan education that corruption during the last two decades, will go away’.” she recalled, either intentionally or visibly emotional. “At that, I Photo by Miyoko Bell unintentionally. She went to Miyoko Bell was sold. I was like ‘okay, I can Afghanistan thinking she was be here for that, I can have my going to be helping American fellow soldiers in arms, and be fighting for soldiers only but the circumstances showed that.’ I couldn’t stomach the rest without her otherwise. She helped U.S. soldiers, that, without some hope.”

American contractors, soldiers from other Now, twenty years after that conversation, nationalities, and Afghan nationals with the remaining American troops were whom she bonded deeply. withdrawing, leaving Afghanistan in the “The people I helped the most were hands of the Taliban once again. fellow soldiers and Afghan nationals,” Bell “So, what caused me to have issues with explained. “I touched at least three of four living and how we left Afghanistan,” she people specifically, and I know I affected continued on page 10 their lives tremendously.”

“I would do it all over again.

I love my country and I would serve it again.”

4 THE TOWER

December, 2021

Group of Kean Students and Faculty collaborate with Anti-Human Trafficking Organization

By Anthony Reyna

towards a better tomorrow.

“Contrary to popular belief, human trafficking is blind to background, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality.

approximately 90 of their students who were both Graphic Design and Advertising students.

Free for Life International selected the work of Mara Reyes, an Advertising

years and whose voices aren’t heard.” said Reyes.

Human Trafficking has become one of She, like many others was particularly the most concerning issues in the world saddened by some of the harsh realities of today, where millions are human trafficking, especially forced into slavery or sexual after being provided with exploitation annually. some additional perspective.

Recently, Kean Professor “Kean University Robin Landa and a group of students were shocked and students from the Robert horrified by the statistics Busch School of Design and devastating stories of (RBSD) collaborated with the victims. For example, Free For Life International to poverty-stricken families offer their creative expertise Photo by Free for Life International Photo by Free for Life International Photo by Free for Life International sell their children into in creating a project that Front Page of FFLI’s website featuring mara’s work A Group of young girls The FFLI Logo the organization could use slavery for the equivalent of going forward. $29. However, our students Free for Life International also felt that by conceiving is a non-profit organization and designing promotional based in Nashville, solutions for Free for Tennessee that focuses on Life International, they saving lives and fighting were being proactive and back against the epidemic of contributing to a solution.”

Human Trafficking. said Landa.

Through spreading awareness, People from any part of the world can fall Major, to use for their fundraising Though the subject of Human providing shelter for rescued victims, victim to human trafficking.,” Landa said. campaigns and on their organization’s Trafficking is still shrouded in mystery, She added that the most at risk official website, something Mara was very monitoring borders, and providing the first step to solving any problem is education to those who are unaware of populations however were runaway, proud of. educating and involving as many minds as foster, and homeless youth, as well as “It feels amazing knowing I’m achieving the severity of this issue, Free For Life possible and the Kean community seems members of the LGBTQ+ community. my goal of designing for the greater International has saved thousands of Landa, along with Professors Denise good. It was more than just a project, it to be actively involved in working with lives by pulling them away from the grips of the underground world of Human Anderson and Deborah Ceballos from was something that can change the lives Free For Life International to ensure that Trafficking and guiding them on a path the RBSD assigned the project to of victims who have been suffering for they continue to grow their outreach. n

“Poverty-stricken families sell their children into slavery for the equivalent of $29”

Cheerleading, NO! Spirit Squad, YES!

By Davaughnia Wilson Three female Freshmen, Rayvin Jordan, Taniyah Dubose and Alyzae Coleman expressed their love for dance and how excited they were to be dancing in college but were disappointed when they realized there was not a cheerleading team at Kean.

The girls decided to form a cheerleading team and call themselves Kean Blue Diamonds in which Dubose and Coleman would be co-presidents and Jordan would be the vice president.

Kean cut its cheerleading program in July 2008 and has made it very clear that the university is not open to the idea of having another cheerleading team.

Instead, they opted for a spirit club.

“I’ve always wanted to cheer in college especially since I’ve been doing it for a long

time [since the 7th grade]. I think it’s kind of important because it will lift the spirit of the crowd at games,” Jordan said.

The overall goal of the Kean Blue Diamonds is to participate in cheerleading and show school spirit at sporting events such as football and basketball games while also hosting events and fundraisers.

However, they have to refer to themselves as a ‘spirit student club’ instead of a cheerleading team.

Director of the Center for Leadership and Service, Scott Snowden said, “[Kean] Blue Diamonds was approved as a recognized student group for the fall semester, but they are not a ‘cheer team.’ A cheer team has a very different meaning and implies an affiliation with

Kean Athletics and the N.C.A.A., which is not the case. [Kean] Blue Diamonds is a spirit student club.”

The club has faced many limitations

With cheer being a huge liability, Kean Blue Diamonds are prohibited from

“I’ve always wanted to cheer in college especially since I’ve been doing it for a long time.”

Photo by Davaughnia Wilson

since it became an approved student group on Nov. 8. They are not allowed to call themselves a cheerleading team and without proper documentation and their advisor present, they cannot stunt.

Cheer

performing stunts and tumbles and any other high-risk activities without proper continued on page 9

December, 2021

THE TOWER 5

Long-time ESPN Director Mike Schwab: Q&A

By L.K. Mata Cuevas Emmy award-winning and ESPN sports director Mike Schwab agreed to a Q&A during a visit to the university as part of the Sports Speaker series, where Schwab discussed his journey working in the sports communications environment in the biggest American sports media franchises.

After the conference, The Tower’s sports editor, Dorian Alerte, and I met with the Connecticut native to learn more details about his career and how he found his passion in directing media during his college years.

“I didn’t want it to be on the air,” Schwab said laughing. “So many people that get into the business have that goal.

But I was able to take a director course in college and it just clicked. Then, while I was in college, I was able to direct a couple of football games… I think it’s hard to explain chemistry sometimes, right? It’s intangible.”

DA: How would you say that your experiences directing in college, helped you understand how the job actually works?

MS: When you have experience in different positions, in a collective group, you have not just understanding, but empathy for the different people and different roles because

you’ve done those roles, you’ve been there. So, you have some understanding of where they are coming from, the challenges they might have in what you are trying to accomplish.

LM: Which do you think has been the most important game that you’ve ever directed?

she hit her head on the SuperPipe and she didn’t survive that. Soon after that we were on air, and they had a memorial for her including her husband and her parents, I was directing that. It wasn’t very long at all, but for me, I just felt a responsibility to make sure that was special knowing that it was

“I think it’s hard to explain chemistry sometimes, right? it’s intangible.”

Photo by Lenny Mata

ESPN Director Mike Schwab

Photo by Lenny Mata

Mike Schwab & Dorian Alerte

MS: I guess it was important, I would say it wasn’t a game. [While] working the ‘X-games’ over the years, there was a winner x-game athlete Sara Burke who passed away.

She was at the top of her competitions, and

a tribute to someone’s wife and someone’s daughter.

LM: How can you manage your emotions while being in a circumstance as emotional as such?

MS: You compartmentalize and you focus on the task you’re handling. Push the emotional side away when you are executing and when you are planning the executing.

Just really focus on the execution of what you are doing.

LM: Have you ever cried from a championship lost from your favorite team?

MS: Yes, The Red Sox. In the 1986 World Series, Bill Buckner happened. The Red Sox were one straight from winning the world series, it was in Shea Stadium and they flashed up, ‘Congratulations 1986 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship’. And then, one thing after another unfolded and they lost the game.

LM: What is one sport that you still don’t understand?

MS: Cricket, I don’t understand cricket.

And I love all sports competitions, but I just don’t get it.

LM: Is it Pork roll or Taylor ham?

MS: Truth be told, I’m not originally from New Jersey. But it’s pork roll.

DA: That’s the right answer!

LM: With all the experience that you have gained so far, if you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

MS: Take the job seriously, but don’t take yourself that seriously. n

PRISM a Place for All

By Isaiah Joseph Kean PRISM creates a safe environment for all LGBTQ+ students and even their allies and supporters.

When it comes to life in college socializing with different individuals and group organizations is the main ingredient to increasing relationships and building bonds.

Many students in universities tend to believe that there is no place for them on campus because they are very different from other students or they have a hard time fitting in.

According to the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges Kean is ranked seventh in the northern U.S. for the ethnic diversity of different students, their backgrounds, and their sexuality.

Everyone has a place that they are comfortable being in, but it gets difficult

for people who have different sexualities campuses create than others.

Sexuality plays a huge role in life.

Whether you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, or Queer, etc. It will alter your life in some way that can be bad or good, but some students who are associated with the LGBTQ+ feel that they don’t Photo by PrismKU Instagram have a safe place President Kelisha and Vice President Rashaad brought for them.

PRISM to homecoming According to the Consortium of Higher Education comfort and also to

“Everyone is loved and welcome”

LGBTQ+ resource centers, programs, clubs, and events.

Resource centers often provide educational s e r v i c e s , counseling, and programming that promote an LGBTQ+ friendly campus culture.

This is where Keans’ safe place for not only LGBTQ+ students but for all students comes into place. A place where all are welcome and seek be educated on the

LGBTQ+ community.

PRISM is here to create a safe space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

PRISM is a place for people who have a passion for raising awareness, educating, and enacting change on LGBTQ+ problems. PRISM strives to be inclusive with all members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.

PRISM’s President Kelisha Chambers and Vice President Rashaad R Couloote took charge in helping guide, educate and spread awareness about LGBTQ+ through the organization.

Two weeks ago Couloote was asked by a professor to come to her class and talk to her students about PRISM and what they do to help educate students about what they are curious about when it comes to continued on page 9

6 THE TOWER

December, 2021

Kean University’s School of Communication, Media and Journalism Holds Food Drive

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

By Kennedy Griffin

by just 20 points. However, this large donation was not given from the entire In the true fashion of the “the season class. Only four students in the class of giving”, the School of Communication, participated by donating holiday canned Media and Journalism here at Kean items and Ramen Noodles. hosted a food “The students drive contest brought in items to see which each day and I communication kept a log that I class can collect reminded them the most goods for of and they were donation consistently The food drive checking the inspired students numbers on social here at Kean. It media to see occurred Nov. 9 where we stood 24, and drop off so we knew how donations were much we needed received at CAS to win in the last 402. Each can or few days,” Edgley box donated from said. individual classes The holiday will equal one season is the point. Whichever Photo by Keancmj’s Instagram perfect time to not class gains the Flyer only spread a little most points will holiday cheer, but win free coffee and also to help lessen donuts for their the burden on class during finals families in need. week as well as Gili explained that “bragging rights”. people are in need Communication of help all year professor and long and added the head of the that the success food drive Gina of this event Gili explained the could foster future importance of occasions like this hosting this event. as well.

“I wanted to “I don’t want create a food drive to speak too soon contest in order on this, but yes, to get as many there have already people as I could to been talks about participate. With a spring semester having just a twoevent,” Gili said. week period to Gili explained accept donations, that the students what better way enjoyed the to entice the CMJ competition and community than a that they have little bit of healthy Photo by Gina Gili collaborated with competition? We their friends do a lot of work The winning classes’s food drive from other with the Township of Union, so there was no doubt in communication classes to donate more my mind that they would be the first goods.

“The best part is knowing that our recipients of our food drive,” Gili said.

The winning class was Professor donations are going right back in our Edgley’s Comm 3700 class, winning community.” Gili said. n

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

“The best part is knowing that our donations are going right back in our community.”

CO-ONLINE EDITOR: JULIA STRUGALA SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: MALLORY HELMES

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.

December, 2021

THE TOWER 7

NJ Schools Suffer Enrollment Decline due to COVID

University Is Seeking Middle States Accreditation

continued from Cover

continued from page 3

overall headcount of 3,459 attending the led many to take a break from their fall 2021 semester compared to 2,799 in education. the fall 2020 semester.

Alex Beagan, a junior majoring in The university did not comment on marketing, decided not to take time the decline in off during the enrollment as well pandemic. as what is planned “For me, to be done to learning online increase it. does not affect Colleges, such as me negatively.

William Paterson If anything, I University, learn better in experienced a the comfort of major decline my own home, in the fall 2020 but for a lot of semester caused people, that is by the pandemic, Photo by Kean University not the case. If I as there was an Students return to campus after a full year of online school did not have the 18.2% decline in amidst the pandemic tools at home to incoming freshman and transfer students continue my education or a quiet space to compared to the previous year and it was also reported that housing occupancy get my work done, I would have definitely leaned towards a semester off.” Beagan went from 70-80 percent down to 50.

Georgian Court University and said.

Mahdieh Mohammadkhani, a junior Monmouth University experienced a heavy decline in enrollment during the at Rutgers University with a major in fall 2020 semester with 7 percent fewer political science, said she found it difficult to justify the price of college while not students than the previous fall semester.

US enrollment data states that receiving the best quality of education.

“I chose to take a gap year mainly Monmouth University lost over $24 million in revenue as a result of because I did not have a great experience enrollment being with online low and all sports school. Instead, being canceled for I took the time the 2020-2021 to focus on an school year and internship that student housing will help me excel dropping by 40%. in my major.

Before COVID, When the time their campus life is right for me, I averaged about will return to in1,700 students, person classes. while now it is With a major like barely breaking political science, 1,000. This is my goal is to go a result of the to law school number of cases and I cannot they experienced rationalize on campus- in doing class October of 2020, through Zoom there were 250 and not absorbing the information,” students quarantining.

There were a variety of issues for first- Mohammadkhani said.

Kean University is a huge commuter time college students entering their freshman year, such as the lack of devices school, resulting in only 7% on-campus needed to take part in online classes, with residents, averaging around 800 students many incoming freshmen not affording living on campus, which is beneficial in the supplies needed for Zoom classes, and a time like COVID-19 as fewer students finding it hard to focus on online courses living on campus may lead to a minimum at home that caused enough stress that number of cases. n

Inventory as well.

“In addition to this structure, we also have even an advisory group that’s made up of people who have been working in the institution for administration for a long time in case there is a question someone needs to ask,” Stavola-Daly said. “As members of the Executive committee, we were also assigned to the different groups to offer assistance wherever we Self-Study Working Groups could.”

Throughout the month of November, virtual open forums have been held and livestreamed to receive feedback and suggestions from the Kean community.

So far, the committee has received written feedback from full-time and adjunct faculty, students and administrators from all three campuses,

“For me, learning online does not affect me negatively.

If anything, I learn better in the comfort of my own home, but for a lot of people that is not the case.”

as well as Wenzhou Kean, on various issues including campus safety, general education, classroom technology and opportunities for students with either special needs or disabilities.

A draft of the self-study can be accessed by any Kean community member on the university ’s website, and the university is hoping to Photo by Cindy Lazo complete it before the preliminary visit on Jan. 24 by Queens College President Frank H. Wu who is running the visiting team.

“One of the things we want university members to be is knowledgeable about this study,” Stavola-Davy said. “In fact, it is one of the more important things.” n

Fighting The End-Of-Semester Slumps continued from page 2

IvyWise College Admissions Blog has some additional ideas on fighting end-ofsemester slumps.

Kean’s Counseling Center Message To Students

One focuses on the idea of creating a list of needs versus wants. Everything that is important and has to be accomplished during the day goes under the needs column, while everything that can wait goes under the wants column.

Another important tip is to study for your harder subjects before bedtime.

The blog suggests this option for reaping better results instead of pulling allnighters. During sleep time your brain

processes everything taken through the day, studying right before bedtime will put the new information at the forefront for processing.

If Kean students need help, they can a l w a y s contact or Photo by Kean’s Counseling Center Webpage visit Kean’s Counseling C e n t e r located in Down’s Hall, room 217. While a big part of the counseling is done remotely through the Telehealth app, students whose cases are more pronounced would have the opportunity to have in-person counseling.

Kean students who suffer from endof-semester burnouts should know that if ever they need help and guidance, they are not alone, and they can always find it in Kean’s Counseling Center. n

8 THE TOWER

December, 2021

President Repollet Addresses Student Concerns Regarding Safety at First in Person Town Hall Meeting continued from Cover

take it very seriously.”

Two weeks ago, President Repollet and his team met with campus police to discuss the concerns about safety on campus. Some of the major concerns mentioned was lighting and visibility for the Kean University police department to be placed around areas not only outside, but in academic buildings as well.

“We’re going to have new lighting put on, we talked about the community engagement with police officers and having them do a park walk and talk,” Director of Public Safety Anthony Monticello said.

Monticello explained a park walk and talk is when university police park their vehicles and they may be seen at different locations walking on campus. They’ll be walking the campus and working in designated zones everyday. If a student feels uncomfortable walking alone at night, the police will be there to escort them.

“The reason why I have them in specific zones is so that they get to know students by name,” Monticello said.

Monticello further discussed the idea of student workers working for the police department and placing them in different buildings, along with the implementation of three different safety apps that President Repollet and his team will be testing alongside the police department.

Monticello emphasized that students should not be afraid to come to the police

and report anything they see that might seem or feel unusual.

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be hosting an event which will involve a discussion between students and the police. They are looking to sit down

said.

The president and his staff are aware that they can not prevent everything from happening, but they will be making advancements to prevent future incidents and reduce the risks.

“I promise you, we will continue to listen to you and do better,” Dr. Repollet said.

“Please know that we are here for you.”

Photo by Kean University Official Instagram

President Repollet invites students to engage in an open discussion

with the Kean community and try to understand student expectations regarding adequate security.

“Our overall goal is just to make sure that there is a security posture on campus that everybody’s comfortable with and we can contribute to your health and welfare in the best way possible,” Associate Director for Public Safety Jerome Hatfield

“I need to make sure that you feel safe, so we’re going to increase lighting on campus, we’re going to get a reader that will read license plates as you enter this campus,” Dr. Repollet said.

Dr. Repollet said that he will ensure that the police department does a great job of community policing.

Students of the fine arts school addressed concerns about Vaughn Eames and the conditions of the building. They explained that there are broken sinks and leaks that can ruin the work that students spend a lot of time on.

Maria Astudillo, who is minoring in fine arts, explained that she sees new buildings for those majoring in business and STEM and she feels as though the university did not care about those in fine arts. These were problems that have been addressed in the past, but no changes have been made according to Astudillo.

“We appreciate you bringing to our attention the lag time so that we know that’s something to follow up on because if it’s something that we should’ve done better and wasn’t something outside of our control then that’s something I want to work on,” Senior Vice President for planning Felice Vazquez said.

Dr. Repollet, along with Vazquez said that they care about the facilities and the concerns mentioned would be something they have to further look into, but they will have answers within 48 hours that can be found on Kean’s official website.

This goes for all concerns including vaccinations and the mask mandate given at the meeting.

“I promise you, we will continue to listen to you and do better,” Dr. Repollet said. “Please know that we are here for you.” n

The Rockettes are great, but have you seen the bathrooms? continued from page 2

best bathroom? According to the competition’s stipulations it’s cleanliness and memorability, that’s it!

Although the title of America’s best bathroom went to The Shoji Tabuchi Theater in Branson, Missouri back in 2009, there is no denying that the bathrooms of Radio City Music Hall possess a gravitational pull of beauty.

According to The New York Preservation Archive Project (NYPAP) history’s database in December of 1997 the Hall closed for two years for renovation to restore and modernize the inside of the building.

“The renovation was led by architect Hugh Hardy of Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, and involved the installation of 6.5 miles of new gold, blue, and red neon for the block-long marquee of the

music hall, covering the ceilings with 720,000 sheets of aluminum and gold leaf, and installing 5,901 new plush salmon-pink seats.

In addition, the restoration team either replicated, cleaned, or repaired artwork, appointments, lighting fixtures, wall fabrics, carpets, and furniture Photo by Mallory Helmes throughout the Telephone booth located entire building,” outside of the bathroom according to the on the third floor NYPAP. Inside of the men’s bathrooms you can find a Cubist mural owned by the Museum of Modern Art while the women

were gifted with a 14-scene mural on the history of cosmetics along the walls.

According to Cintas website Radio City Music Hall’s bathrooms also feature “classic tile work, art deco furnishings and unique materials, including corkcovered walls.”

Irvin too noted not only the beauty Photo by Mallory Helmes of the bathrooms Picture of the bathroom but found the on the third floor telephone booth located outside of the bathroom on the third floor to be of particular intrigue.

“It was weird seeing a telephone booth in a bathroom but it was also really cool.

Me and my friend definitely did not hesitate taking pictures there as well posing as if we were on the phone talking to somebody,” said Irvin.

Radio City Music Hall is definitely a venue that has not only captured the hearts of many during the holiday season but has provided a bathroom with an aesthetic and ambience that is every twenty-first century person’s dream.

“If you have access to a camera, which everyone does nowadays, there is no way that you are walking out of that bathroom without snapping a few pictures first.

It’s literally impossible,” Irvin said. “The Rockettes might only be around for the holidays, but that bathroom lasts all year round.” n

December, 2021

THE TOWER 9

Cheerleading, NO! Spirit Squad, YES! continued from page 4

documentation which includes insurance for members on the team in addition to a release and indemnification agreement.

“Without this, the host department or organization can be held legally responsible for any injuries to participants. The release form also encourages participants to recognize the potential dangers,” Snowden said. “Anything physical would require this to be completed and if it weren’t completed, the organization would be in violation of risk management policies that could limit their ability to host such events in the future.”

Tatiana Staciuk, a freshman, dancer, and cheerleader who wished to join the Kean Blue Diamonds said the girls are having a hard time coming to terms with the idea of not doing what an actual cheerleading team does. They are only allowed to stay in the stands at sporting events and cheer the team on through chants. So what’s the point?

“There is a big difference between a spirit squad and a cheerleading team, if you aren’t stunting or tumbling, or both, I honestly don’t see the point in it being cheerleading,” Staciuk said.

Staciuk further explained that some girls are upset that they cannot get the full experience, “anyone could chant from the bleachers.”

A 2008 article written by The Tower’s

former Editor in Chief Kelly Nemeth, Big Bucks: Cheerleaders’, cheerleading is “Cheerleaders Shout Foul”, stated that not governed by nor is it considered a sport Kean decided to cut its cheerleading by the N.C.A.A. and federal regulators. program due to issues surrounding Kean Blue Diamonds is not funded by the funding. The cheerleading team was Athletics Department nor are they funded funded about $25,000 which assisted in by The Office of Student Government, the insurance and uniforms for the team.

Involvement Center, or the university.

The article stated that Kean’s Jordan explained that the club held spokesperson at that its first fundraiser time, Steve Hudik from Nov. 17 - Nov. 21 commented that the online to raise money decision to cut the to provide insurance program was ultimately and uniforms for its based on severe members. reductions in state U n fo r t u n a t e l y, funding. The university they did not raise any made the decision to money but, they are cut a program that not discouraged. The would have the least Executive Board of effect on Kean’s athletic Kean Blue Diamonds programs, its N.C.A.A. is organizing future Division III status, fundraisers that will be Photo by Kean Blue Diamonds Instagram Page and students and their Fundraising event held in person and are academic programs, and anticipating a better that was cheerleading. outcome.

While gymnastics is a sport recognized Jordan, who has been cheering for by the Eastern College Athletic Conference approximately five years, explained that (ECAC), and the N.C.A.A., cheerleading is the thrill and fun of cheering, being at not. Nor is it recognized by the New Jersey games, on the sidelines, and watching Athletic Conference (NJAC). the game happen, just gives her a rush of According to a 2020 article by The New adrenaline.

York Times reporter Tess DeMeyer, ‘The However, according to Snowden, College Athletes Who Are Allowed to Make dancing, tumbling, stunting, jumps, and

cheer are not permitted on the field or court during games according to N.C.A.A. guidelines.

Christina Reilly, the club’s faculty advisor stated she always encourages student involvement as it relates to activities that keep students engaged as they are more likely to stay and enjoy their college experience.

“When I was approached about it, I obviously was not going to discourage any type of student engagement or student involvement, I love cheerleading so that is where I stand with that… But a spirit organization didn’t seem so far-fetched,” Reilly said.

The club plans to take things one step at a time and start small. The students are enthusiastic about cheering, however, Reilly stated that it is important for the club to promote themselves appropriately, “because we are a student organization.”

“A student club will not be turned into a cheer team. A cheer team would be created through athletics and then if all the girls successfully tried out and made it then Blue Diamonds would be, probably, a thing of the past, because then we would have the sufficient athletic channels that they would want to be participating in. But the purpose of it right now is that we don’t have that opportunity,” Reilly said. n

PRISM a Place for All continued from page 5

Photo by PrismKU Instagram

Prism Meeting day and time

the LGBTQ+ community.

Couloote gave students the rundown of what PRISM is mainly about, creating a safe space for not only students of the

LGBTQ+ community but their allies meaning someone who is heterosexual but still stands by them as a friend and a supporter.

For PRISM to grow they have to make a name for themselves. They always are or try to be involved in as many events as possible that are offered on campus.

“To get ourselves out there we go to events and set up tables,” Chambers said.

The most recent event they attended was the indecent, Forbidden, Taboo: Representing Lesbians in Fiction About the Holocaust/Nazi-Era with Dr. Emma Venables where she introduce the representation of lesbian characters and relationships in fiction set during the Holocaust/Nazi era.

As they continue to make a safer environment for the LGBTQ+ community here on Kean they teamed up with the

Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) to introduce students to their cause and how they can help make Kean a more inclusive campus for students of different cultural backgrounds.

PRISM also partnered with the DEI office on national coming out day by co-hosting an event held in the Miron Student Center Atrium for any individual who wanted to come out, thinking about coming out, or who already came out.

Couloote said, “We helped decorate the door to support the students who want to come out, and we are there when they do.”

The importance of having a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community at Kean or in general is to give people a place of belonging and to call their own.

“We are here to make a safe environment and have fun because it is wild out here,” Couloote said.

On October 1st PRISM held a drag queen lip sync battle for LGBTQ+ history month sponsored by the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion. For a night of fun, all were welcome as performers or audience to enjoy the event.

Chambers closed it out with one quote that she holds dear and that represents PRISM for what it is. “Everyone is loved and welcome.”

You can be more involved with the students of PRISM by attending their weekly meetings every Tuesday from 3:304:30 pm in the Human Rights Institute room 201. Every Friday they have game and movie night for anyone who wants to kick back and socialize with them.

If interested in more you can follow them on Instagram @PrismKU n

10 THE TOWER

December, 2021

A Veteran’s Long Journey to Fine Arts at Kean continued from page 3

emphasized “was that tailor’s assistant who had to stay there. The fact that he helped Americans and now he’s on that list of people who must be punished.”

Bell didn’t start out wanting to be in the military and didn’t expect to be back in school now as an adult. She joined the military after graduating from the University of Alabama as a nurse with a degree in social work. In exchange for seven years of service, the Army paid for her graduate school, which she very much enjoyed and described as high functioning, problem-solving to the highest degree.

“I got a master’s in biology with an emphasis in anesthesia,” Bell said. “It was like the top of the range in nursing.”

She was done with the military when 9/11 happened, and she felt the moral and professional responsibility to serve her country in wartime.

“I have a very high conscience level.”

She explained. “So, right after I finished anesthesia school, and had two children, I just couldn’t leave the military because I just kept thinking, ‘this just wasn’t right.”

For a while, she volunteered as a backfield

within the United States going to places like Washington or Georgia when she realized that her out-of-borders deployment was imminent.

“I also knew that I needed to go to war.” she asserts, confidently. “I felt the need to go to Afghanistan, and to go help in the front line.”

Serving in the military and on active duty involves much more than just holding a gun in the open field.

It means that at some point they’ll be leaving their families behind and stop doing normal day-to-day activities on behalf of others Miyoko’s family that might or just don’t want to.

Bell was determined to go out there and help as much as she could but she feared that going there could change her and her behavior to affect her family life.

“I didn’t want to put that up on my kids and husband,” Bell said.

The demanding job took a toll. After six months on duty, Bell developed Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder, becoming one of 500,000 U.S. soldiers diagnosed with PTSD after serving in wars over the past 13 years, according to a study published on the National Center for Biotechnology and Information website.

“It breaks my heart, it causes me severe stress,” Bell said. “I can’t watch any news; I cannot carry on conversations with friends about stuff like that. I cannot, cannot, none of that.”

Photo by Miyoko Bell She’s been to horse therapy, which is also known as an ‘equine therapy’ an experimental program where veterans improve their assertiveness, emotional awareness, empathy, stress tolerance, flexibility, impulse control, and more, according to military.com.

Improvements that Bell actively and continuously puts to practice by helping

others like her at the campus through the veterans’ office programs.

“She comes to help, supports, and offers all the knowledge to what is out there for the military.” Said Zajda. “She is an advocate of knowing their rights, their benefits, even when it comes to Kean, how to apply with financial aid. She’s is a big advocate for mental health for veterans.”

Bell has also been watching some inspirational online TED Talks that she found were helpful to stop intrusive thoughts.

“There was a TED Talk that I watched,” she said. “The guysaid to ask your self, are these thoughts helpful in anyway’ and if they are how? Otherwise, the thoughts just have to stop.

Above all and with much determination and great support from her beautiful family, Bell keeps working on herself and her life mantra. And yet she has no regrets.

“For all the hardship and everything I’ve seen and can’t say, everything I’ve lost, everything I’ve gained,” she said. “ I would do it all over again. I love my country and I would serve it again.” n

Lady Cougars Prevail with 8 Point Victory in NJAC Opener Against Hawks continued from Cover

“I liked seeing how we were able to still run through our plays and get our rhythm going,” McCoy Going into the game we are very familiar with Montclair and how they play and they are familiar with how we play.”

McCoy said.

The Cougars outscored the Hawks in bench points finishing the night 10-3. The game had one tie and eight lead changes.

“We fight until that last buzzer goes off.

Until that final buzzer goes off in the fourth quarter anything can happen,” McCoy said.

The first quarter started slow, as neither team scored for the first three and a half minutes. However, guard Sarah Olivero was the first to score after making a layup to give the Cougars their first lead of the game. The Red Hawks had a slim 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Near the end of the second quarter, the Lady Cougars went on an 8-0 scoring run to finish the first half with a 24-17 lead. The Red Hawks got outscored in points in the 2nd quarter 177. The Cougars had some trouble with the Hawks’ full-court press at the beginning of the second half. The Hawks had finished the third quarter holding a 45-35 lead.

The Cougars outscored the Hawks in

bench points finishing the night 10-3. The game had one tie and eight lead changes.

The team’s largest lead was 10 points with 9:20 left in the third quarter.

The Cougars won the fast break battle as they outscored the Hawks in fast-break points

Photo by Christian Grullon

Lady Cougars executing their offense

Freshman Center/Forward Macy Seaman and Senior Center/Forward Aniyah Moore each had four blocks. The team had 9 blocks in total while the Hawks had three.

“I think having my team’s back and letting them know they can trust me to defend the

Photo by Christian Grullon

Guard Darrique Smith attempting layup

34-8. The team was also outstanding with free throws when they shot 85% from the freethrow line. Despite the 10-point deficit, the team fought back by forcing turnovers, and got back in the game with the Hawks.

“We were able to just grind possessions back out again and get back to playing the way we want to play,” King said. “We knew that if we were in striking distance in the fourth quarter, good things could happen.”

Photo by Christian Grullon

Center Aniyah Moore Contesting layup attempt

basket for them just shows a lot of discipline and hard work,” Moore said.

Seaman and Moore both added four rebounds. The Cougars had a total of 14 steals, tying their season high as a team.

“I think our mental toughness was really good,” Moore said. “We did what we needed to do to win the game.”

McCoy, Graff, Olivero, and Anderson all scored in double digits.

For the Hawks, Guard Megan Duffy led the team in scoring with 22 points. She added a steal, three assists, and seven rebounds.

Guard Trisha Peterson finished the night leading the Hawks in rebounds with 17.

The Cougars went on a 12-2 run to start the fourth quarter. Both teams then went back and forth trading baskets. With under 4 four minutes left of play, the Hawks held a slim 53-51 lead. Anderson would then tie the game with a field goal followed by the Cougars hitting four straight free throws to take a 57-53 lead.

Both teams would go back and forth for the last two minutes, but the Cougars would not surrender the lead. The team did well shooting 23-of-27 on the free-throw line. The Cougars now sit with 4-5 with a recent loss to Rowan University 53-45. The team got back in the game after falling behind in the third quarter by double digits. The Profs went on a 9-0 run to close out the game. The team will return home on Dec. 11 when they match up against Ramapo College, and their first game for January will be on the road at Drew University for the 3rd. The Lady Cougars’ final game of the season will be on Feb. 16 when they play against William Paterson. n

SPORTS

December, 2021

THE TOWER 11

Kean Men’s Basketball Keeps Winning Streak Alive Over Montclair State

By Hector Morales Kean University Men’s Basketball team remains undefeated as the Cougars defeat the Montclair State University Hawks 10594 in a fierce New Jersey Athletic Conference

NJAC game of the season.

Junior Guard/Forward Letrell West, was sharp throughout the whole game finishing with a season high 26 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

Photo by Larry Levanti

Jailen Jamison making the shot

“We have been locked in, getting our chemistry and getting better everyday.” - Letrell West

Photo by Larry Levanti

Letrell West

showdown on Tuesday, November 23. The Cougars returned to Harwood Arena from a 4-game road trip as the Kean fans watched their home team hang on to win their first

“We definitely came out excited,” West said. “We have been locked in, getting our chemistry and getting better everyday.

Today was our first test and we passed!”

West was impressed about his teammates’ performance such as Jersey City Native, Senior Jailen Jamison as he finished the game with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists. Senior Nate Lyles and Junior Kendall Blount both finished the game with 12 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Justin Singh-Smith and Junior JD Daniels both recorded 11 points to finish the game.

“I love all our guys,” West said. “We played hard for each other and everynight there is going to be somebody different. We all had our mistakes, but we have gotten better.”

Kean Head Coach David Turco helped lead the team to victory as it turned out to be a tight game against the Hawks and was glad about the team’s performance.

“We came out quite strong,” Turco said. “We had a stretch where we lost our composure, but we were able to come back and gain our confidence. I’m just proud of the p er for mance and the execution that they did.”

The Cougars had a 24-point lead until the Hawks crawled back closer to a 10-point lead at the end of the 1st half.

Turco helped motivate the Photo by Larry Levanti team to stay David Turco the course on stretching their 10-point lead during the second half.

“You always have to get better,” Turco said on the team’s improvement. “It’s nice that we are 6-0 in November, but no trophies are handed out in November. We have to continue to work everyday, get better defensively, become a little bit more cohesive as a group, continue to work on our shooting, and just try to give the effort we need for 40 full minutes.”

The Cougars and their fans go on Thanksgiving break happy as they await to face the Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers-Newark in a crosstown rivalry matchup on Wednesday, December 1.

“We are going to be ready for them, we are going to get our scout in, and we will be locked in,” West said on their next matchup against Rutgers-Newark. n

12 THE TOWER

December, 2021

Kean football ends season with four wins, finishes second in conference play

By Ruben Nieves Kean’s football team ends the season at 4-5, defeating Montclair State 15-7 in their final home game and finishing second in the NJAC conference, despite there being no NJAC playoffs this year and were unable to compete for a NJAC championship.

The team did face some early adversity after starting their season on a threegame losing streak but were able to turn it around and win their next three games.

Head coach Dan Garrett believes the key to the turnaround was the team stuck together.

“They were frustrated, but they didn’t lose hope, they knew that 0-3 in out-of-

win streak.”

Although there were no NJAC playoffs this year for football, a champion was determined who had the best conference record, and Kean finished second.

Capozzoli was disappointed that there were no playoffs.

“Of course, I was disappointed,” Capozzoli said. “Any opportunity to have another chance to play with my team, count me in.”

Although they couldn’t compete in a NJAC playoff tournament, Anthony Bassani, a senior safety, said his takeaway from the season is that the team never gave up.

“We kept fighting through the adversity, we weren’t handed any of the

Photo by keanathletics instagram

Dante Capozzoli selected to participate in FCS National Bowl

conference play didn’t determine what your status was in conference,” Garrett said. “I think the vision we created as a coaching staff was to let them know that everyone in our conference no matter what they did outside of the conference is 0-0 and we hang our hat on that mantra.”

them at the end, there’s nothing short of amazing and special,” Garrett said.

“We have kids who have phenomenal resiliency that are able to persevere through ups and downs and work their tail off every day.”

Recruitment begins for Kean football and Garret has already had a meeting about recruiting.

“There’s going to be positional needs at every position, we need to fill some spots on defense and some key spots to perform better on offense,” Garrett said. “We are looking at bringing in 30 new players and getting our roster up to 115, 120 with the 89 players on the team.”

In mid-November, it was announced that Garrett was named NJAC Co-Coach

was selected to participate in the FCS National Bowl.

“I’m extremely blessed,” Capozzoli said.

“The first thing I did was call my parents, they helped me get to this point in my life and I had to thank them for everything they have given me and sacrificed for me to be in this spot.”

Bassani was one of the three players who was selected to the second team, he was shocked he was selected.

“I was shocked to be honest,” Bassani said. “I’m still grateful to be All-NJAC.” Bassani, a senior, will be returning for a fifth year to Kean.

“I am coming back for a fifth year and starting my master’s degree,” Bassani

Photo by Kufootball212 instagram

Anthony Bassani selected to All-NJAC Second team

games we won,” said Bassani. “We had to fight until the clocks hit zero.”

Bassani was not disappointed that the team came up short in conference play because he is still proud of his team.

“I’m not so disappointed because I’m so proud of how this team came together,”

Photo by Kufootball212 instagram

Coach Garrett named Co-Coach of the Year

of the Year. Five players were named to the All- NJAC First Team, and three players were named to All-NJAC Second team. Capozzoli was one of the players selected on the first team.

“I was definitely excited about it,” Capozzoli said. “I was more excited

said. “My time playing football at Kean was the best decision of my life. I learned so much more than just football. Our program KUlture is real. I’ll be forever grateful that I was a part of a program this special.”

“We have a bunch of great kids, I told them at the end, there’s nothing short of amazing and special,” Dante Capozzoli, a senior linebacker, did not anticipate a start of the season that they had but always had faith in his teammates.

“We are a special group of guys we needed to stop giving up the big plays on defense,” Capozzoli said. “We did just that which caused us to go on a three-game

Bassani said. “When everyone counted us out to finish last, we finished second in the conference despite starting 0-3.”

As the season has ended, Garrett learned so much about his team and believes with this young team the experience will help them for next season.

“We have a bunch of great kids, I told

that guys like KT, Nicky Firth, Aaron, and Smoke got recognized for their outstanding play this year as well.

Everyone on this team played a very important role in the season it is nice to see some get recognized for being atop in the extremely talented NJAC.” It was also announced that Capozzoli

Capozzoli, a senior, played his final season this year, he calls it the greatest four years of his life.

“Coach G really changed my life,” Capozzoli said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience at Kean, whether it’s the school in general or just football, we were taken care of.” n