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THE TOWER
NOV. 7, 2013
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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF KEAN UNIVERSITY
HOMECOMING PG. 5
Course registration still an issue at Kean By Christine Moukazis
ON CAMPUS
Studies in wenzhou 04
cuban social activist 03
Kean University’s administration is continuing to mark classes as pending, making certain courses not visible for registration on KeanWise. As previously reported in the September issue of The Tower, pending designations were partly to blame for the bevy of course cancellations that occurred at the start of the fall semester. This could potentially lead to more class cancellations, with the university’s current scheduling problems spilling into the following semester. Last spring, the administration started labeling some classes for the fall semester as pending, for both full-time faculty and adjunct instructors. According to the Kean Federation of Teachers, which represents full-time faculty and professional staff, the idea behind a pending designation is that a course section that has been created and assigned to an instructor is removed from KeanWise, ultimately hiding its existence from students. Apparently, once all other sections of that course are filled, the administration then posts the section to KeanWise for student enrollment. The problem was that most pending courses were not listed in the system until mid-summer. Thus, the classes never came close to filling and were then cancelled right before the start of the fall term. Students were left scrambling to fill their diminished schedules and some faculty continued on page 3
Campus lockdown alarms Kean community By Marisa Gallagher
A brief lockdown ordered last month after a report that a man near Kean University was carrying a shotgun—which turned out to be a false alarm—led to fear, confusion and lots of discussion about campus safety in this era of gun violence. The partial lockdown occurred on Oct. 10 with this Campus Alert message: “Shortly before 11 a.m. Campus Police received a report of a black male, approximately 5’6” to 5’8”, wearing a white Lakers jersey walking north on Green Lane toward Morris Avenue carrying what appeared to be a shotgun. Campus Police immediately locked down campus buildings in the vicinity.” The Harwood Arena, Administration Building and Child Care Center all were placed on lockdown, while all other buildings remained open. No one was allowed to enter or exit those specific buildings during the lockdown. Within the hour, it was over. At 11:42 a.m., students and faculty received another Campus Alert email from Kean University police. “The individual described was located by Union Police off campus and was NOT carrying a firearm,” the alert stated. “All campus lockdowns are LIFTED as of 11:40 a.m.” The alert was widely reported on the web and by broadcast media as it was happening. One media outlet reported the alleged shotgun was actually an umbrella, but that was not confirmed. Questions to Kean Police
were referred to Kean’s University Relations. “The person was NOT reported to be on Kean campus at any time,” wrote Emily Renkert of University Relations in an email about the lockdown and security at Kean. “As
“I felt like I was in danger.” a precaution, Campus Police placed buildings located in the closest vicinity to Green Lane on temporarily lock down.” Students and faculty reacted to the campus alert in different ways. Some students were in classes and did not even know about it. Some students aid they were scared, while others were not alarmed by the emails they received from Kean police. Faculty had different reactions. Some were calm and collected,
By Annalise Knudson
a modern twist 07 SPORTS
“The roar” @ 90.3 FM 10 + MORE Modern Day Relationships
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PRSSA at Kean
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Kean in Wenzhou, China
4 6&7
Learning Abroad
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What’s Up With Wi-Fi
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Sports: Who’s Hot? Who’s Not? 11 Basketball Roundup
while others were confused about what to do. One student in the CAS building said a class was let out because of the alert. Another said the professor turned off the lights and had the class move away from the doors.
One issue was door locks. The campus manual about emergencies states: “During a lockdown, all classrooms, office doors, etc. are to remain locked, if possible, until the ‘all clear’ is announced. Listen carefully for announcements made by law enforcement.” However, in CAS, for instance, there was confusion about how to lock the classroom doors. The doors lock from the exterior with a key, which most professors do not have. continued on page 2
Remembering superstorm Sandy after one year
A&E
Arts & Entertainment
Photo: Marisa Gallagher
A section of Kean University’s main campus.
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Running from my last class and across the street to Liberty Hall Campus, I made it to the Superstorm Sandy commemoration on Tuesday, Oct. 29, out of breath with my camera ready and paper to write my notes. I sat down in a chair near the front and watched as many other students filed into the room. Food and refreshments were offered to the students and professors who came to listen to the speeches. The projector was set up in the middle of the room, with the words, “Superstorm Sandy One Year Later,” typed simply on a PowerPoint presentation. I looked at the three girls eager to present sitting at the table in the front of the room with the PowerPoint next to them. Christopher Bellitto, chair of the history department at Kean University, was the first to speak. He talked about the project and the students who participated in it, and welcomed those who had come. Abigail Perkiss, a history professor at Kean, told the audience about the oral history project that her students worked on for the past 10 months. Perkiss had an idea in her mind of a new class that would be available for students during the spring 2014 semester. Although many students had already registered for their spring semesters, Perkiss had six students who were interested in her class, Public History: Advanced Oral History Methods. She presented the three students, Trudi Lawrence, Brittany LeStrange and Mary Piasecki, who continued their studies over the summer. Each student had a speech they would be presenting to the audience on their journey
Dr. Perkiss with three of her students.
Photo: Kean XChange
“On TV, it’s one thing, but really being there is another. What if that was me?” through the class and the experiences they gained from it. The students were able to speak at the Oral History of the MidAtlantic Region conference, as well as at the Oral History Association meeting, a fall conference in Oklahoma City. For their internships, the students interviewed those affected by Hurricane Sandy for their exhibit. Piasecki was the first to speak, about the program created for the Sandy relief effort. The project was called “Staring Out to Sea: The Story of Superstorm Sandy in Three Bayshore Communities.” The communities were Keansburg, Union Beach and Fort Monmouth. Lawrence was the next student to speak about her interviews in depth. Lawrence told stories she heard about families trapped in their houses, including a woman stuck in her attic only big enough to lay down in, and couples who
thought they would die from the storm and its damage. “On TV, it’s one thing, but really being there is another, “ Lawrence said. “What if that was me?” Perkiss then introduced a poem to be spoken by Linda Gonzalez, a woman affected by Superstorm Sandy, about her experiences as it happened and after. Around the room everyone had their heads down, sitting in silence, somber about the shakiness in her voice as she explained what happened. Chills arose on my skin as Gonzalez finished her poem with, “But we all pull together, because we are New Jersey Strong.” LeStrange, the last student speaker, talked about the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s role in the effort to help those affected by Superstorm Sandy in New Jersey communities. Having been affected by Sandy, LeStrange was one of many volunteers who
helped clean up her own house, her neighbors’ houses and communities around her. Not only did people’s homes get completely destroyed, they had to deal with looters stealing from their homes, hoping to find valuables left behind or under wreckage from the storm. Many families had to resort to loans or diving into savings accounts, just to be able to fix and refurbish their house. LeStrange believes FEMA did not give nearly enough money to help those who needed it. “Not one story is the same, but what comes down to it, is the devastation of the storm,” LeStrange said. LeStrange has her own firsthand account of what happened to her house during the storm, of grabbing boxes, or anything they could carry or save, as the water rushed into her house. She described her experiences in a calm voice, and told her story of how she was just able to get back into her house a few months ago. The six students who participated in the project all felt that their experience was one that was life changing. They felt as though this was their contribution to the Sandy relief effort. “We have accomplished a great deal in a short span of time, and we look forward to our future,” Piasecki said. “We still have a great deal of work ahead of us, but we are excited and optimistic about the future of our project. With Dr. Perkiss as our advisor, she began our project on the right foot. Combined with a positive attitude and hard working classmates, I know that we will continue to succeed creating history.”
2 THE TOWER
November 7, 2013
Kean University offers Zipcar car-sharing service By Xirena Wormley
Kean University has introduced a new transportation option for students, faculty and community residents in the form of the Zipcar rental service. Zipcar is a community sharing program that provides people in and around the Kean community access to a car without owning or leasing one. The service, which the university officially launched at its homecoming on Oct. 19, is intended to be a convenient cost effective alternative to transportation for students and staff and reduce the university’s carbon footprint, according to the Zipcar website. The president’s office at Kean decided to implement Zipcars as a way to improve the experience of Kean students, Rebecca Hoeffler, Confidential Secretary to the president’s office said. “As a pilot project, the program takes one step forward in our efforts to address parking concerns, as studies show one Zipcar has the potential to eliminate the need for 15-20 personal
Zipcar signs at Kean.
Photo: Xirena Wormley
have their own designated parking spaces. Kean community students and staff can sign up for Zipcar membership at www.zipcar.com/kean for $25 and must be 18 or older. After the initial signup fee, the cars can be rented for as little as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day, according to an article on nj.com. Rental fees for the vehicles include gas, car insurance and 180 miles of driving per day. Individuals who sign up for membership must meet certain driving record requirements as specified through the Zipcar website. Students have mixed reactions to Kean’s new transportation program.
who have their own car it may not be as useful. “I wouldn’t stop driving my car just to drive [the Zipcar],” Sackey said. One student who lives on campus questioned how practical the service is for college students who are on a budget. Most students on campus work part-time jobs and may not be able to afford the membership fee and vehicle rental fee, said Candice Brighton, a freshman with an undecided major. As a campus resident, Brighton said the program is a good idea for special occasions, but she can’t justify paying a membership fee for a year of use.
“Zipcar affords green transportation for students and alleviates parking congestion.” vehicles,” Hoeffler said. There are two cars available to rent, an electric blue Ford Focus and a charcoal blue Nissan Sentra. Both cars are located in the Vaughn-Eames parking lot and
The Zipcar could be useful for traveling long distance, Paakojo Sackey commuter and Junior Biology Major said. Students who don’t have cars could benefit from using the program. However, for people
Blotter
Edited by Marisa Gallagher
October 10, 2013 Green Lane, 10:43 a.m. Operation report of a suspicious person. Liberty Hall, 12:06 p.m. Operation report of a suspicious person. Vaughn Eames Lot, 12:23 p.m. Motor vehicle accident report of a hit and run. Burch Hall, 8:38 p.m. Operation report of a suspicious person.
“For students who have money for it, I think it’s a good idea,” Brighton said. “It offers a new was for people who live on campus to get around.”
Greek life explores the modern day relationship
October 11, 2013 Bartlett Hall, 1:04 a.m. Operation report of a noise complaint. Bartlett Hall, 1:50 p.m. Fire alarm activated from burnt pizza. Sozio Hall, 2:12 p.m. Operation report of a housing matter. Campus Police, 9:26 p.m. Operation report of threatening statements. UC Hall, 11:55 p.m. Operation report of a verbal dispute. October 12, 2013 Sozio Hall, 1:38 a.m. Person arrested for disorderly conduct. Wilkins Theatre, 6:43 p.m. Motor vehicle accident report of a vehicle striking a tree while backing up.
By Gillian Findley
Ever wondered what peoples’ opinions of a modern relationship are? Better than reality television, said students of Kean University hosting an event about modern relationships on campus Monday, Oct. 21. A variety of students arrived in small and large groups to room 315A in the University Center.. Hip-hop music and a comfortable vibe welcomed the large audience. Conversation broke out instantly, and within minutes the highly talked about program started. Two fraternities, Beta Kappa Psi and Nu Delta Pi and one sorority, Nu Sigma Tau, began the night with a PowerPoint presentation. Displayed were open ended questions, funny pictures, and a video from YouTube. The fraternities and sorority opened the floor to the audience with questions of “What is a relationship?” and “How important is public displays of affection?” The event allowed students to answer and explain themselves in full detail. “Make-up sex is like a handshake after a bad argument” was one of
Bartlett Hall, 8:35 Fire alarm activated from hair straightener. Rogers Hall, 9:04 p.m. Report of possession of CDS Paraphernalia. Whiteman Hall, 11:25 p.m. Report of possession of CDS Paraphernalia. October 14, 2013 Morris Avenue, 9:03 a.m. Person arrested for contempt. Vaughn Eames Hall, 1:59 p.m. Person arrested for contempt. Freshman Hall, 7:32 Fire alarm activated from shower steam. October 15, 2013 Men’s Swim Locker Room, 12:20 p.m. Unknown person took victim’s Mac Book, cell phone, iPod and debit card from locker room. Hennings Hall Lot, 12:43 p.m. Motor vehicle accident report of a hit and run. Photo: Gillian Findley
Members of the Beta Kappa Psi and Nu Delta Pi Fraternities, and the Nu Sigma Tau sorority.
Students had different opinions, which made conversation colorful. Comments from the audience were echoed with people agreeing and nodding. The topic of PDA
“Make-up sex is like a handshake after a bad argument.” the topics discussed in Beta Kappa Psi, Nu Delta Pi, and Nu Sigma Tau’s event. Others focused on issues like social media and relationships, or being a flirt while in a relationship, “The Break-Up” and communication with “The Ex.” The specific subjects the fraternities and sorority chose to converse were controversial matters.
CAMPUS LOCKDOWN
Police
ran a little longer than the rest. A representative from the sorority Nu Sigma Tau said to keep it classy when it comes to PDA. Males and females in the audience stuck on one another’s side, though many topics ended with agreement. The fraternities and sorority used humor to keep the ‘relaxed’ vibe and when stimulating issues
were addressed, separate dialogues sided in corners of the room. Deeper into the event, the more intense and personal the topics became. The classroom became more filled within the hour. Students reacted to the intensity well. Without faculty, students were able to express themselves without a filter. Students commented on each question, and did not bite their tongues in responding. They came ready to speak and everyone respected everyone’s opinion. After 8:30 p.m., the fraternity and sorority left the floor completely open. The audience reacted with flamboyant insights and opinions. True colors were exposed and much appreciated. “I think we had an awesome turn
out, definitely more people than I expected,” said junior Bria Marshall, a member of N Sigma Tau and English major. “It was great hearing all the different views and thoughts about relationships. We even went over then time limit of the room! It was also nice to be able to get three different organizations together to plan this event.” “It was nice to see brothers and sisters from other organizations coming out to support us,” said Nicole Azgirey, a junior and member of Nu Sigma Tau majoring in psychology. “When the event was over, everyone was saying how much they enjoyed it. I hope we can do something like that again soon.”
Kean Hall Lot, 1:31 p.m. Stolen vehicle found in parking lot. October 16, 2013 Rogers Hall, 2:25 a.m. Fire alarm activated from unattended cooking. Kean Lot, 4:38 p.m. Motor vehicle accident report of one vehicle hitting another while failing to yield. D’Angola Gym, 7:00 p.m. Unknown person took victim’s ring from purse. Hardwood Arena, 10:30 p.m. Unknown person took victim’s cell phone from book bag. October 17, 2013 University Center, 5:48 p.m. Operation report of harassment. Sozio Hall, 11:29 p.m. Operation report of an unwanted guest. October 18, 2013 Rogers Hall, 4:36 a.m. Operation report of a disorderly person. Freshman Hall, 9:58 a.m. Fire alarm activated from shower steam. Visitor Lot, 10:18 a.m. Report of vehicle towed due to lot closure. Harwood Arena, 8:20 p.m. Unknown person took victim’s backpack from arena.
Continued from page 1)
Apparently, the rooms are not equipped with interior locks, such as a deadbolt or a lock inside the door handle. The lockdown procedures that faculty and students are to follow can be found on the Campus Police website, in the Emergency Management Quick Reference Guide. The guide provides instruction on what to do when there is an active shooter or impending threat of violence on campus. Information for both internal and external threats is provided, which includes a checklist of procedures to follow. “More than 90 percent of the doors on campus have locks on them and all classrooms in the Center for Academic Success building have locks,” Renkert stated
in an email. “The only difference in classrooms is that some of the older classrooms have a keypad lock, while others have a traditional handle lock. Each building, depending on its age and the facility manager at the time, is a little different.” CAS has keypads in each room, but it is unclear who knows the keypad codes. Those who do not receive the campus alert on their smartphone or computer mostly found out about the lockdown through other students and faculty. “I only found out about the lockdown when I arrived at class,” said Cherrie Kipple, an adjunct faculty in Communication. “Everyone was there but one student, who I was
told said she became alarmed and went home when she got the message on her cellphone.” Megan Turner, a senior at Kean, said she was home when she learned of the lockdown. “Being that the campus is open and anyone can walk around it, security should be better,” she said. “More police officers should be on campus to make the students feel safe at all hours of the day and night.” Victoria Gargano, a sophomore at Kean, questioned a partial versus a full lockdown. “I felt like I was in danger,” said Gargano. “I think all buildings should have been [on lockdown] because it’s a small campus. The man could’ve traveled quickly to
any of the buildings.” Jamaela Waiters, a student who commutes to campus, says a family member notified her of the lockdown. “My daughter attends the daycare center so yes, I was very scared,” Waiters said. “It was unnerving to know that I could not be there to protect her. I prayed for her safety.” Waiters also commented on classroom safety in campus buildings. “With all the violence in schools, I was very shocked to find out there is not better security measures in place,” Waiters said.
October 19, 2013 Vaughn Eames Lot, 11:42 a.m. Unknown person took victim’s cell phone from vehicle. Morris Avenue, 10:05 p.m. Unknown persons physically assaulted victim. October 20, 2013 Downs Hall, 5:30 p.m. Unknown person took victim’s cell phone. October 21, 2013 Vaughn Eames Lot, 10:15 p.m. Unknown person arrested for contempt. Burch Hall, 11:50 p.m. Person arrested for the charges of disorderly person, criminal trespassing and having false government documents.
November 7, 2013
Public Relations Society coming to Kean A hectic schedule is what any senior in college can relate to, and Jessica Cid, PR major here at Kean knows the feeling of having a lot of fish to fry. Committing herself to losing weight and quitting smoking are just some of the minor goals she has set out for herself for this year. Her most recent project that she, along with many other students and faculty, have been dedicating most of their time to is getting the Public Relations Students’ Society of America known on campus. PRSSA is an organization designed for students interested in the public relations and communications field. Their goal is to advance the public relations profession by enhancing the knowledge of students and training them to be future professionals of their field. “In my terms, it’s a committee of students with a passion for PR who are willing to take the time, effort, and commitment for getting a head start to their future,” said Linda Handford, vice president of Kean’s future PRSSA. PRSSA gives students the option of gaining hands on experience in the field of public relations. The PRSSA chapter at Kean University, if recognized, will be called KUPRSSA. The members of the future organization said this will be a positive impact on campus because it will be a firm that works with other organizations, providing them with what public relations professionals have to offer. What is amazing about this organization is that it guarantees hands on experience, advocates ethical principles, promotes diversity, and provides public relations education to all members of the chapter. Cid, being an almost-graduate here at Kean, wanted to give back to her community by creating a firm that would help her fellow PR majors in the long run, even after she leaves. “I did a lot of research and found many schools across the nation that had PRSSA chapters,” Cid said. “And I thought it would be a great idea for Kean to have one since there are a great number of PR majors studying here. So Professor Schwab and I, along with seven students here, have been working together in submitting the PRSSA chapter application by Nov. 1.” Cid, who is the president of KUPRSSA, described the firm as internships that happen right in the comfort of your own university, with peers who share the same interests, working towards one common goal: being successful in the public relations field. “I looked into PRSSA because I found that it is a big stepping stone into my future career as a public relations major,” said Cid. “The more hands on experience I gain the better candidate I am for a po-
COURSE REGISTRATION
sition in the future. Not only that but networking is really important and PRSSA will help all dedicated members achieve that.” Throughout her years in college, if it’s one thing Cid has learned, it’s time management skills. She expressed how starting this chapter is a little difficult and very tedious, but it’s something that she has a passion for, and that is what drives her to making sure she does everything possible to get what she wants. Right now, she and the seven other students and faculty, are in the process of filling the application to the PRSSA headquarters in New York. The application process takes time. After approval, they are then going to seek being a recognized organization at Kean University.
Photo: Dominique Vinas
By Dominique Vinas
Members of the future KUPRSSA.
“I thought it would be a great idea for Kean to have one since there are a great number of PR majors studying here.” “We are currently trying to form our chapter by sending out mass emails, and by word of mouth,” said Jennifer Niemi, events coordinator of KUPRSSA. Basically, the whole process will have to start over in the spring semester, but it’ll be worth the hard work in the long run. Together they are doing extensive research on PRSSA, working on getting regulations and bylaws together and trying to get their chapter of PRSSA on campus recognized as soon as they possibly can. The fact that there are a lot of voices backing up this idea means a lot to Cid. “Without any of my many executive members this wouldn’t be possible. We all work as one and we need eachother,” said Handford. “We are trying to make it known to all communication majors, undergraduate and graduate, who are interested in the field of Public Relations to join and help expand the Chapter for a great future,” said Catherine Baldino, Social Media
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members were assigned new course preparation. Dr. Richard Katz, an English professor at Kean, was originally set to teach a class that had the normal 35-student cap, but after receiving a pending designation that was not lifted until late July, only two students registered for it. Consequently, that class was cancelled and Katz was assigned a course that he had never taught in his 30-plus years at Kean. “The more noise made…the more likely to get this corrected to the benefit of not only our members of faculty and staff teaching, but also for students,” said Dr. James Castiglione, president of the Kean Federation of Teachers. “When a class that is designated pending is taken out of KeanWise, the students have no idea that they could be registering for this class at the time that they want with the faculty member they want. It’s hidden from them and that reduces the choices that
director of KUPRSSA. The team of the future KUPRSSA describe themselves as a great group of people that are dedicated to making this orginization a success. What makes them so successful is the fact that they are in constant communication with one another and are always looking to have meetings. “This is going to be a successful organization because we are all excited to be working together,” said Stacey Cooney, Secretary of KUPRSSA. Not only are there a bunch of students fighting for KUPRSSA, many communication professors are looking forward to having such a positive, educational organization recognized on campus. “Professor Schwab has been the biggest influence in the KUPRSSA. She got the idea in our minds and with Jessica’s dedication, we formed a great executive board and have been supportive of one another,” said Cooney. Professor and faculty advisor, Suzanne Schwab stresses how the PRSSA is more than just a club. She regards it as a professional orginization that is dedicated to committed PR students and provides them with hands on experience. And what exactly is meant by hands on experience? “Applying the theories learned in the classroom to actual PR projects”, said Schwab. “It is important to me because it is important for the students. I truly believe they need this to gain tremendous expe-
they have.” Patrick Ippolito, chairperson of the Faculty Senate, the principal agency for the formulation of Kean policy, has stated that the administration will no longer be using the pending designation for courses taught by full-time faculty. When the administration plans on enacting that policy is still unclear. Emails to Kean’s Media Relations office requesting comment on the pending designation were unreturned. “We have made progress regarding scheduling through the Presidential Task Force established by President Farahi and his adoption of our recommendations,” Ippolito said. “We continue to play a role with the Task Force and other venues in working collectively to improve the scheduling process.” Castiglione asserted that several faculty members have had their pending classes restored to KeanWise, but only after complaints were made by students.
rience that can be carried into their future PR careers.” What is so original about this particular association is that they have support from other schools that presently have a chapter. Each chapter is required to have an endorsement from another school chapter. It also requires a professional in the PR industry to be a professional advisor. “We have Monmouth University endorsing us and we have professionals from Coyne PR advising us —which happens to be a Kean University alumni—Brian Murphy,” said Shwab. She also expressed how the process to get approved is long and tedious. After all of their hard work, they are all anxiously keeping their fingers crossed that they will be an official chapter by the end of the semester. “This is all done by the students”, said Schwab, “I am simply guiding them through, much like road signs on a road. They are definitely doing the driving.”
THE TOWER 3
Cuban social activist speaks at Kean
Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo speaking in Kean University’s Little Theater. By Christine Moukazis
Dissident Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo gave a lecture at Kean University on Wednesday, Oct. 16, discussing social activism and emerging civic society under the digital censorship that exists in presentday Cuba. Lazo, a Cuban author, blogger, photographer, journalist and social activist, was invited to speak at the university by its College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Photo: Christine Moukazis
bidden objects. Now, dissidents use their mobile devices to send out Short Messaging Service texts, otherwise known as SMS texts, as a means to posting tweets on Twitter. In Cuba, telephone companies are state-run. You cannot purchase a private Internet account for your home. Internet users can access the Internet at any of the 100 cybercafés available, but for a paid fee. Citizens do not have access to .COM domains. They are only per-
“…It felt as if the iron curtain had a little hole.” Until January 2013, Cuban citizens were not authorized to travel outside of their country unless it was government-approved. More often than not, travel requests were denied. For the first time, Cuban dissidents—people who actively challenge official policy—are allowed to leave the country and are able to express themselves candidly while traveling. “All of a sudden, the newspapers and the television were broadcasting the faces of these young dissidents that were telling the world what goes on in Cuba and it felt as if the iron curtain had a little hole,” said Maria Ingelmo, program assistant for the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. Ingelmo is also of Cuban descent. While speaking at Kean, Lazo wanted to debunk current myths about Cuba, which he feels the U.S. press has paradoxically created. He sought to offer an account of Cuba as a person from the inside and not an academic. Lazo depicted Cuba as a country where most fundamental rights are considered state politics, meaning a citizen is not responsible for him- or herself. If you are a regular citizen, you are not allowed to be a critical citizen. He describes Cuba as having a “belligerent, old-fashioned, Cold War-style logic.” “I never pretend to be objective,” Lazo said. “It’s not fair for Cuba to be distorted by my subjectivity.” Until 2008, Cuban citizens were not allowed to possess mobile phones; they were considered for-
mitted to surf the web inside of a controlled sphere, referred to as the “Intranet,” where only .CU domains are permissible. Lazo discloses that the government has created a lot of pages that, in his opinion, “try to clone the free logic of the Internet.” For example, www.ecured.cu is a complete domain created to reproduce the entries of Wikipedia, but in a controlled manner. Vice President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel has said that the press, including the emerging digital press in Cuba, should be faithful to the revolution of Fidel and Raul Castro. However, virtual citizens of the emerging civic society in the alternative blogosphere, like Lazo, are trying to dynamite that logic by counteracting it. “Home space is the nest for dynamites in Cuban society,” Lazo said. In Cuba, Lazo cannot print nor sell issues of his e-zine, Voces, which he jokingly calls an “axis of evil.” These crimes would be punishable by imprisonment. Therefore, after the completion of a new edition, he hosts an “underground” event in a private home and secretly presents his magazine to other dissidents. “Writing is so important to him that he risks jail to have his words read and voice heard,” said Brianne Mintz, a senior English major at Kean. “It’s amazing. I think he’s an amazing man who’s really brave and strong for still writing, even though he faces censorship daily.”
4 THE TOWER
November 7, 2013
Senior reflects on a year at Wenzhou-Kean in China By Andrea Parr
When Kean senior Christian Candelo wore a full gorilla suit out last Halloween he was guaranteed to receive more than a few stares. However, as a foreigner in Wenzhou, China, he was used to attracting attention. “I felt like an outsider everywhere,” Candelo, Kean senior and finance major, said. “People would stare. Conversations would stop.” Candelo is one of the 11 students that went last fall on the first of Kean’s exclusive study abroad program with Wenzhou University. Candelo always wanted to study abroad and was planning to go to Japan, when Kean offered a hardto-pass deal. The university paid for the flights of the first group, meaning students had only tuition and room fees. Before he left, Candelo was not sure what to expect or how people would perceive him. China, he explained, can have strong stereotypes of foreigners, and he doesn’t fit the typical one of Americans. “I was labeled as Indian,” he said, laughing. In his experience, being white meant you were American or European and being “brown” meant you were from India. Nonetheless, Candelo had only positive recollections of interactions with the local people. He returned to NJ this past August after extending his trip past the initial semester to a full year. He didn’t want to come back and, with a job offer in Shanghai, might not have if it weren’t for his family and graduation in December. “Every single day I would go out,” said Candelo. “Here, I am bored. There’s no adventure, I feel like I don’t see the mystery.” In his free time he enjoyed working out at the gym, going to clubs or karaoke with friends. Candelo describes nightlife in China as impeccable; clubs will even have themed floors that make them show-like. Movies were risky because they were expensive and had no guarantee of subtitles, a necessity since he arrived in China not knowing any Chinese, not even how to say hello. More than his re-
Photos: Christian Candelo
Above and Left: Views of the Wenzhou campus. Below: Christian Candelo.
quired lessons, it was everyday life that taught him Chinese. He jokes that he still doesn’t know how to ask where the bathroom is, since most people understand “WC?” “Be careful with Google translate,” said Candelo on using the app. “It might ruin you.” Although the phone app can be helpful, there were times when his meaning was changed and became inappropriate. To get around the city, Candelo recommends purchasing a bicycle. He noted that bikes were everywhere and a popular choice of transportation. There
“...being white meant you were American or European and being ‘brown’ meant you were from India.” are, of course, buses and taxis available as well. “Wenzhou driving is the craziest I’ve experienced in my life,” he said. “Like ‘Fast and Furious,’ drifting and all.” Wenzhou is known in China as a wealthy business city. Candelo described the city’s own TV drama as one about multi-millionaires. With shoes as one of its biggest exports, the city is sometimes referred to as the shoe capital of China. “Shoes, valves and pipes, sunglasses and sex toys, that’s Wenzhou and that’s where Kean’s
building its campus,” said Candelo. He and the other students visited the future Wenzhou-Kean campus once, when there was only one building standing for the workers. The study abroad program was not without faults. Candelo described it as disorganized, leaving students confused and making it hard to take serious at times. They had tried to build it to go with Kean’s schedule, but Candelo felt it would have been easier to take courses offered to Wenzhou University study abroad students instead.
Candelo recalled Wenzhou University as very lenient on foreign students. The school had a 10 p.m. curfew, but the security guard in the international building ignored all infractions. The international students lived in a former hotel, with two people to a room. A perk given that six Chinese students shared the same size room in the regular dorms. International students also did not have to worry about the electricity being turned off at 11 p.m. Candelo never ate in the crowded campus cafeteria, choosing to
eat out every day instead, which might sound impossible in America. But, in China the cost of food is significantly lower. His favourites were dishes of fried noodles, or rice, with green pepper and onions. Sometimes with chicken or egg thrown in. As a self-labeled picky eater, he admits he didn’t try everything. It was on his birthday while volunteering in Quzhou, a city about two hours by bus from Wenzhou, that he had one of his most memorable food encounters. “It looks like a snake, comes from a river,” said Candelo. “I stood my ground. I still don’t know what it was.” Candelo traveled extensively during his trip, visiting more than 20 cities in China, including Shanghai around 10 times. He even ventured to Japan via boat this summer. His favourite destination was Chengdu, the city of “pandas and spicy food” located in the Sichuan province of China. Candelo describes Chengdu as super-cheap, with taxi fare starting at $1, and as a big city with a small feel. It is one of the cleanest and fastest growing cities in China. “Everyone was nice there. Even the foreigners,” said Candelo, who admits that rather than the Chinese, other foreigners tend to be harder to deal with. “Plus the moment you arrive, you see pandas [logos] everywhere.” Candelo plans to return to China after graduating, with Chengdu as his top choice on where to live. His initial plan is to teach English, but his eventual goal is to start his own business. “I’m very entrepreneur minded,” Candelo said. “I want to start my own brand of something.” He plans to tour factories and gather ideas on what he wants to market. In the meantime, he has applied to teach at Wenzhou-Kean University. “It was a really cool experience, it was really bumpy,” said Candelo. “Sometimes it felt like my whole trip was a dream. And I woke back up to reality.”
Are freshmen ready to 5K Zombie run hosted in honor of write at the college level? Breast Cancer Awareness month By Christine E. Csaky
Every year Kean University welcomes thousands of new students who are immediately expected to write at the college level. But are they properly prepared? A recent survey conducted by The Chronicle of Higher Education found that 61% of high school students have never written a paper that was more than five pages. The survey would suggest that stu-
transfer from Middlesex County College. “I don’t think my classes at MCC helped me at all,” said Khan. Kathryn Inskeep, director of the Kean Writing Center, said it is important for students to be aware of the availability of the writing center for assistance. “We offer a non-judgmental environment where students are free to ask questions and test out ideas with an attentive and supportive
“Writing is a means of learning and constructing knowledge.” dents entering college have not had enough writing practice in order to develop the skills that are required by college professors. However, at Kean the results are mixed. Kean student, Jessica Townley, who arrived directly from high school, feels that she has always had a knack for writing and felt prepared for Kean writing requirements, but she also said that she has always felt unprepared for citations. Townley was never properly taught citations in high school, so that has been her one difficulty in writing at Kean. Patrick Foy, who recently transferred from Middlesex County College after earning his Associates Degree, was previously homeschooled. He felt prepared for college level writing requirements because his requirements were two to three essays per week with an emphasis on essay structuring, On the other hand, Kean senior Arslan Khan felt unprepared in formatting and punctuation techniques upon arriving at Kean as a
listener,” she said. Some of the writing difficulties that Inskeep sees at the Writing Center are students who are less prepared for the rigors of academic writing, students with second language interference, and writers who have difficulty developing and supporting arguments. But the writing center is also helpful to those who are already somewhat accomplished writers. “I see a lot of strong writing that would benefit from further revision,” Inskeep said. Inskeep’s advice to all students is for them to take ownership of their writing and recognize that an essay is an opportunity to communicate important ideas to an attentive audience. “Writing is a means of learning and constructing knowledge,” she said. Whether you have arrived at Kean as a recent high school graduate or a transfer student, you can take advantage of Kean’s Writing Center, located in Room 111E in the Center for Academic Success Building.
The 5K Zombie Run participants prepare to begin the race. By Keanu Austin
Fifty-degree weather and the condition of waking up early on a Saturday morning was not enough to keep more than 40 people from assembling for a 5K Zombie Run hosted by Kean University on Oct. 19. Participants of all ages and sizes raced the course, which spanned the entirety of the university’s main campus and started and ended at the track field in Kean’s Alumni Stadium. Despite being in weather cold enough to warrant multiple layers, some runners dressed with speed and mobility in mind instead of warmth. The male first place winner, Dennis Hassel, was one such runner. Dressed in merely a baseball cap, a t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, Hassel finished the course at approxi-
mately 15 minutes. After running through a finish line made of yellow police tape, he was awarded a t-shirt and a $25 gift card. The female first place winner, Danielle Lyon, was dressed similarly. Finishing the course at approximately 24 minutes, Lyon was also awarded a t-shirt and a $25 gift card. Registration for the race cost $5.00 and proceeds are set to go to the American Cancer Society, which was chosen to receive the donations in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, according to Alex Louis, assistant director for the Center for Leadership and Service. “One of my aunts had breast cancer,” said Allison Edgley, a professor in the Communications department. Edgley, who also works as a cycling instructor, said she was par-
Photo: Keanu Austin
ticipating in the race to be a part of the day’s events and show her support by donating. Kerry-Ann McGaw, a Kean alumnus who had a cousin who survived breast cancer, was also participating to support the cause. Dean Morales, another alumnus participant, was taking part to support a fraternity at Kean’s homecoming. However, Morales also had someone close to him who was dealing with cancer. “One of my fraternity’s frat brother’s three-year-old daughter was diagnosed earlier this year,” said Morales. “She’s going through treatment now.” Kean’s Center for Leadership and Service also organized a breast cancer walk on Oct. 20 in downtown Newark. Proceeds from the walk are also going to the American Cancer Society.
November 7, 2013
THE TOWER 5
Meet the 2013 Homecoming King and Queen By Elizabeth Bracey
On Saturday Oct. 19 seniors Rusty Flores and Gabriella Lafata were chosen as Homecoming King and Queen during the annual Homecoming football game. After their exciting win, Lafata and Flores spoke about their excitement and surprise over winning, and their future plans. “I was so excited to win,” Lafata said. “Also, having a great amount of Kean supporters was much appreciated.” “It’s a one of a kind feeling,” Flores said. “It’s like a rush of anxiety, happiness and joy all mixed to-
Flores then posed for pictures with friends, family and the runnerups. Both Lafata and Flores represented more than one organization in the race. Lafata is a proud sister of Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority, and a member of Order Of Omega Greek Honor Society. She is also a resident assistant for new freshmen, a student worker for the Center of Leadership a nd Service, and a candidate for both the Alpha Eta Rho Honor Society and the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society. Flores, who is also involved around campus, is a resident as-
“I love the diversity and the small community feel this university has,” Flores said on leaving Kean. “I’m really going to miss being a n RA and just getting to meet and help everyone who lives on and off campus.” For Lafata, this achievement was very important because she never considered anything like this to happening in her college career. “I was never nominated for anything in high school, that’s why I was so excited to run for homecoming queen in college,” said Lafata. “To prove that you don’t need to be the most popular student to make a difference and to be noticed.”
gether takes over you.” Before Kean announced their win on Saturday, Lafata said she had a million thoughts running through her mind. “I was so nervous on the football field,” said Lafata. “I was at that point of not thinking of the competition, but rather about me falling in front of the crowd of students and family.” Once Lafata found out she was homecoming queen, her nerves calmed down and she happily accepted the crown and the flowers given to her. Both Lafata and
sistant for Residential Student Services and a manager for Kean Stage. Additionally, he is a member of the Kean School of Business, the Otaku Anime Society, Kean Dance Theatre and the MexicanAmerican community. After graduation both Flores and Lafata want to continue their education. Lafata plans to pursue graduate school for health services management, while Flores wants to go to graduate school for business, travel as much as he can and one day work for a huge buisness corporation.
However, Rusty Flores said this was his second time winning a homecoming title, he was king in his senior year of high school. After the football game, Lafata and Flores went out to celebrate with friends and family. Lafata went to dinner with her sisters from Delta Phi Epsilon. “I just wanted to spend time with the people that have been there for me through the whole process,” Flores said. “My friends came over and we out for dinner and then we went to the Downs Hall party.”
Photo: Brian Konchalski
“It’s a one of a kind feeling. It’s like a rush of anxiety, happiness and joy all mixed together takes over you.”
Rusty Flores and Gabriella Lafata after being named homecoming King and Queen during halftime.
HOMECOMING 2013 Cougars have tough loss at homecoming
Hip Hop artist BOB throws a memorable performance By Jasmine Leach
Runningback Sean McKee on a run play. By Mak Ojutiku
Going into the homecoming game, Kean University’s Football team was 1-4 and looking for their first home win of the season. Their opponents were the Pioneers of William Paterson University, one of the Cougar’s NJAC rivals. Both teams at the time were winless against teams in its conference, and both were hungry for a win. Before the game even started, Kean Alumni Stadium was at near full capacity. The crowd didn’t have much cheer though the first few drives of the game as both teams’ offenses could not muster up much. The crowd erupted after a 51 yard pass by Cougar’s quarterback Robert Meade was caught by Tahj Hammary and taken to William Paterson’s 17 yard line. The long reception lead to a late first quarter field goal by Bill Cullen. The field goal gave Kean a 3-0 lead going into the second quarter. Both offense’s found their flow in the second quarter. The rushing efforts of Kevin O’Connor and Sean McKee resulted in a nine play, 52 yard drive to open up the second quarter. The drive ended with a one yard keeper TD by Meade. The Pioneers responded swiftly. Their next possession ended with an eight yard touchdown pass by quarterback Ryan Greski to receiver Julien Fraizer. The touchdown was possible partially because of back to back Kean defensive penalties. Two possessions later, the running of Mckee once again lead to
Photo: Brian Konchalski
another Cullen field goal which gave the Cougar’s a 13-7 lead going into half time. The second half started with Kean kicking off to William Paterson. Kean soon got the ball punted back to them. In their first possession of the half Meade bombed another long reception to Hammary, this time a 57 yarder. A halfback pass from Damian Corredor to Prince Steward finished off the drive with a touchdown. The Pioneers responded with two consecutive passing touchdowns on two consecutive possessions. The last touchdown gave the Pioneers their first lead of the game, 21-20 with a little over 14 minutes remaining in the game. After some strong defensive performances from both teams, the Cougars found themselves at William Paterson’s 7 yard line on fourth down with 4:42 left in the game. As Cullen lined up for the field goal, the crowd was silent as they knew a miss would guarantee a loss. As the ball was snapped to the kick holder, Pioneer’s linebacker Kall-E Gallimore found his way past the Cougar offensive line. He blocked the field goal and any chance of a Kean win. A disappointing end to a thrilling game. At the end of the game, the Cougars were greatly disappointed and yet somewhat optimistic. Defensive back Kyle Wiggins summed it up. “I’m heartbroken” he said. “But I’m proud we fought till the clock hit zero.”
Throughout the years Kean has welcomed numerous celebrities to entertain its students. Some of these celebrities include John Legend, who sings “Green Light,” America Ferrera of “Ugly Betty,” George Lopez from “The George Lopez Show,” and now well-known and respected Hip Hop artist BOB.BOB has collaborated with artists such as Bruno Mars, on the song “Beautiful Girls,” and Hayley Williams from Paramore, on the song “Airplanes.” His music has been featured on the television show soundtracks of BET’s “The Game” and MTV’s “The Hills.”On Thursday Oct. 17, BOB threw his first concert at Kean University’s Wilkins Theatre. Just about every student that is a huge Hip Hop fan, or who just enjoy exploring new genres of music, were gossiping about the show. They were even giving tickets away to their friends. Stephanie Faser, Director of the Student Government office at Kean, helped in setting up for the concert and explained the size of the audience at the BOB concert. “Almost a full house, 700 + tickets sold,” said Faser. Tickets were soaring sky high for the BOB concert due not only to the fact that he is such a huge artist in the music industry, but also because the prices were extremely reasonable at only $5 for students, compared to all the money people can spend while watching a performance outside of college. Kean student Akeem Miller attended the BOB concert and explained the normal prices of concert tickets at an arena.“...Concerts outside from Kean could range anywhere from $30-$1,000 depending on the venue and the artist stardom,” said Miller. “For a BOB concert outside of school, in my personal opinion, I would say tickets could range around $50-$100 per person.” “I definitely think students received more than what their money was worth,” said Miller. Other students around campus agree with Miller’s statement about the overall concert, even people who are just now getting to know the artist enjoyed themselves. Some students around campus mentioned that they enjoyed the fact that BOB put a lot of energy and work into his show. Miller, who is new to seeing this artist perform, explained his favorite experiences and they involved great seating and listening to both the classic and new music. “What I enjoyed the most about the concert was that everyone was allowed to sit where ever they pleased,” Miller said.
Musical Hip Hop Artist BOB.
Photo: www. hiphopdx.com
“I definitely think students received more than what their money was worth.” In addition to being able to choose comfortable areas to sit, Miller also had a great view of BOB. “I didn’t get a chance to meet the artist, but I was able to see him up close,” said Miller. Many people have a hard time getting front row seats at a concert, but Miller along with others did not. BOB performed many songs that had people singing and dancing. “…He performed all of his hit singles including, “Airplanes,” “Nothing on You,” “Strange Clouds,” “Bet I Bust,” and “Outta of my Mind,” said Miller. If you missed out on the BOB concert and would like to attend future ones at Kean, there are always posters throughout the different buildings on campus promoting new shows, in addition you can also go on the school website. The next concert will be “World Blues” featuring Taj Mahal and Deva Mahal with Fredricks Brown on Nov. 10, for more information you can also visit the website: http://enlowhall.kean.edu/.
THE TOWER and WKNJ will be giving away a FREE 7 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3. Details coming soon.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
6 THE TOWER
November 7, 2013
music
By Shelsie Ducheine
Lewie 2 Stacks drops “Power Play” “I didn’t want my very first mixtape to come off on that type of vibe,” Lewis said. “Before anything, I want people to know that this dude can rap.” Make no mistake, Lewis has every intention on releasing “CoKean,” and “Power Play” justifies as a prelude to the bigger project. It is extremely hard for a local rapper with little to no direct connection to the music industry, but those factors do not seem as if they will slow Lewis down. While views and downloads on DatPiff.com, a website where fans can download mixtapes, YouTube and SoundCloud are racking up; “Power Play” is rapidly drawing in attention. Even though the rapper wants people to enjoy his work, his main concern is that people give him a chance. “There’s always gonna’ be people out there who don’t like it and there’s gonna’ be a lot more people out there that don’t even listen,” Lewis said. “So if anything, I’d rather you listen and not like it than to not listen at all.”
“I didn’t want my very first mixtape to come off on that type of vibe. Before anything I want people to know that this dude can rap.” There are not too many people these days who are motivated enough to build a name for themselves from the ground up. At just 20 years old, with a child to take care of and going to school, Jaryd Lewis, aka Lewie 2 Stacks, is doing just that. After spending much time struggling with the right sound he wished to portray for his debut, Trenton’s very own rap artist finally released his first mixtape entitled “Power Play.” While finishing his mixtape, “CoKean,” late last year, Lewis wasn’t quite satisfied with the final product. The reason was that it displayed an image and sound he did not want others to see and hear when it is their first time listening to his work. To him, the “CoKean” displayed today’s modern type of rap and he was more interested in capturing the true essence of Hip-Hop.
film
One song that is sure to grab listener’s attention is “The Interlude,” a personal favorite of Lewis. It is an emotional track that plays as the opening to an even more heart wrenching record titled “Everdene.” “The Interlude” displays Lewis’ poetic capabilities and the vocal skills of another Trenton local artist, Kamil Sahar. “I like all the songs, but every time I hear that song, it’s like I’m listening to it for the first time,” Lewis said. “That’s why I like it. That’s why it stands out more than all the others.” No doubt, Lewie 2 Stacks stands out on his own and plans to get closer and closer to his dreams. When asked what exactly his dreams were he responded with “Take over the world,” and sure enough the world will soon get hip to his talents and his dreams.
By Darian Maduruh
“Doctor Who” retrospective On Nov. 23, a long enduring British icon celebrates his 50th Anniversary. “Doctor Who” will return to television screens in late November with “The Day of the Doctor,” starring the current lead actor, Matt Smith, as well as his predecessors David Tennant and John Hurt. While in the States, “Doctor Who” has maintained a cult following, in the UK, the show is massively popular. Created for the BBC in 1963, “Doctor Who” was created as a family show that presented the exploits of an alien named The Doctor. Initially a runaway from the planet Gallifrey, The Doctor spends much of the series traveling through time and space in a time traveling machine called the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space). The Doctor is usually accompanied by a human companion in his travels, and they often save people’s lives from monsters, criminals and all sorts of threats. To date, there have been 11 actors to portray The Doctor, with another actor prepared to take over the role from Smith after this Christmas. William Hartnell (1963-1966): This veteran actor was hired as the first incarnation of the Doctor, who was portrayed as an old man who wore Edwardian-style clothes. At the beginning, The First Doctor was often harsh to his initial two companions, two Schoolteachers and his granddaughter Susan. By the time Hartnell left the role, due to ill health, his character had softened in personality. During his era, we are introduced to the most popular villains of the series, The Daleks, aliens who are locked into miniature tanks and have one goal: to dominate and destroy the universe. Patrick Troughton (1966-1969): Troughton had the unenviable task of replacing the man who laid the groundwork for the character. Producers decided to explain Hartnell’s departure with a new concept, When the Doctor is near death, his alien physiology can repair his body, resulting in a changing of face and personality. This concept is now referred to as “regeneration.” With a Beatles-style haircut and a fondness for playing the recorder, Troughton has become one of the more popular actors to play the Doctor, even though most of his episodes are missing due to the BBC destroying copies of their reruns. Jon Pertwee (1970-1974): Taking the Doctor into the 70’s, and color, was Pertwee, whose Doctor was stranded on Earth by the Time Lords, the Doctor’s race. The Third Doctor is often described as being James Bondesque, with a penchant for using gadgets and cars. During this time period, we are introduced to The Master, an evil version of the Doctor. Tom Baker (1974-1981): Possibly the most recognizable and iconic version of the character. Tom Baker’s memorable performance in the role brought about big ratings and controversy due to the horror film-inspired nature of the stories during his first three years. The Fourth Doctor’s long scarf is still an easily identified aspect of the character. For many years, Tom Baker was the most popular actor to play the role, portraying the character for seven years, the longest stint in the role. Peter Davison (1981-1984): Davison’s Doctor was known for being more vulnerable than his predecessor’s in the role, notably having one of his companions die in a story. During this era, the program becomes increasingly violent. Davison’s last story, “The Caves of Androzani,” remains a favorite among fans. Colin Baker (1984-1986): The Sixth Doctor is very polarizing among fans of the series. His Doctor was known for his highly disliked multicolored outfit and his unstable personality, a result of the regeneration of his last incarnation. Colin’s first story had him choking his own companion. During Colin’s era, the show was being criticized for poor content, with the Controller of BBC deciding to put the show on an 18 month hiatus. Colin was eventually fired by the BBC as it was believed his portrayal of The Doctor was a reason for the show’s declining quality. Sylvester McCoy (1987-1989, 1996): The last Doctor before the show’s 16-year hiatus, McCoy’s Doctor started off as a friendly figure before his characterization was changed into someone who manipulates the people
and situations around him. Paul McGann (1996): In the 90’s, an attempt was made by the BBC, Fox and Universal Studios to revive the show for both American and UK audiences. McCoy came back to have his version regenerate into McGann’s. His Doctor is notable for having the normally “Asexual” character kissing his companion. This is McGann’s only televised appearance in the role to date, though he has continued portraying the character in audio books. Christopher Eccleston (2005): When the show came back nine years later, Eccleston played a very different Doctor. His incarnation was a man who was forced to kill both The Daleks and his own race, and because of that he suffered from guilt and anger. Instead of eccentric outfits, he wore dark clothes and a leather jacket. Surprisingly, Eccleston only spent one season in the role, but his portrayal of the Doctor helped bring back credibility to the series. David Tennant (2005-2010): For modern audiences, Tennant’s incarnation is one of, if not the most popular. His Doctor was very human in attitude, showing off a full range of emotions. He is easily identified due to his brown or blue pinstripe suits, a brown trenchcoat, and converse sneakers. Tennant’s tenure in the role had him regularly placed into romantic situations, and often dealt with the character’s sense of loneliness. Tennant’s Doctor will once again be seen this November. Matt Smith (2010-2013): The current incarnation of the role is an old man dwelling in a young man’s body. Known for wearing bowties and tweed Doctor’s, Smith’s version of the character has brought back some of the whimsy of his predecessors, all while taking the character to some darker places. In June, Smith announced that he will be leaving the role; his last episode to air is on Christmas. The 50th anniversary episode is expected to be simulcast on television screens and movie theaters all around the world. As with the anniversary episode, the show hopes to continue pushing into the future.
By SBrigit Bauma
art
November 7, 2013
THE TOWER 7
Art gallery’s “Modern Twist:” a preview Strength, flexibility and light. These are the powerful and lasting words that represent bamboo in the Japanese culture. Known as one of “The Three Friends of Winter,” bamboo’s symbolic meaning is from its ability to bend, not break, and endure the winter weather. Due to its positive connotation, bamboo has been used for construction, cuisine, music and literature. It is very often written about in poetry and stories. Also, its perseverance and malleability make it the perfect material for crafting and art. Bamboo as a sculptural art form came from religious roots hundreds of years ago, using weaving techniques along with other methods. Starting from the eighth century until modern times, weaved bamboo items have been created and used, making them an important part of Japanese culture. “Bamboo basket-making techniques are one of the oldest forms of technical skills known to have developed in Japan,” Moroyama Masanori, senior researcher at the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, said. Well now, the Japanese culture and its love for bamboo art have come to Kean University in the form of “MODERN TWIST: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art.” The collection of art is presented at the Karl & Helen Burger Gallery located in the Center for Academic Success. In this exhibition, artists from all across Japan have contributed their sculptures to celebrate bamboo itself. Kean University is well known for its rich diversity and interest in the world’s cultures. So there is no question as to why “MODERN TWIST” is being featured in one of its art galleries. “When looking for shows to bring to the students and public at Kean University we always look for something different for the community to experience,” said Franki Vinici, graduate assistant to the University Galleries. “Shows in the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery highlight cultural issues and often are interdisciplinary in nature,” Neil Tetkowski, Director of University Galleries, said. “It is a really great show and we’re lucky to have it here on campus.” The weaved bamboo sculptures are known to be very beautiful, with their
books
By Sara Paczkowski
rich history and cultural influences. However, those are not the only things that make these pieces so special. It is not an easy task for the artists to create their works. Many of the artists featured in the gallery dedicate an en-
entirely different effect. Many of the weaving decisions are made based on the purpose of that piece, which is usually for decoration or flower baskets. As for inspiration, artists are inspired from a variety of sources. Some
Last, but definitely not least, of the inspirations are by human ideas. It could be by books, a person himself, or just human feelings like hope, Zen and morality. “The Clinging, Fire” by Nagakura
Photos: Brigit Bauma
“Left: Sound of Wind”; right: “Tie”; both by Uematsu Chikuyu.
“Shows in the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery highlight cultural issues and often are interdisciplinary in nature.” tire year to just one bamboo sculpture. “Although bamboo is a prolific natural resource, it is a challenging artistic medium. There are fewer than 100 professional bamboo artists in Japan today,” said Vinici. “Mastering the art form requires decades of meticulous practice while learning how to harvest, split and plait the bamboo.” Pieces that are featured in the exhibition are all different in many ways. Each artist has their own techniques that they use, including the use of resources like dye, fire, clay and lacquer. They even consider the different types of bamboo they will use, along with the way that each is weaved. There are specific weaving techniques that each artist uses to create the effect they want. Some use bamboo weaving that allows for space, and light to shine through for interesting lights and shadows. Others want absolutely no crevices. This creates an
are influenced from their environment. They can draw inspiration from a specific place, like a town or village, or broadly, like from nature and its elements. Many pieces like “Sound of Wind,” “Wind Vessel” and “Pattern of Wind” by Uematsu Chikuyū, along with “Wind From a Long Distance” by Tanioka Shigeo, are all inspired by the wind. With their flowing patterns and wavy structures, it is not hard to see where their influence fits in. Some are inspired by their culture. A few pieces are influenced by the Japanese history like the samurai and fashion of the time. Uematsu Chikuyū’s wall sculpture “Tie” was created to resemble a woman’s hairstyle that they would fashion into a knot. It uses intricate weaving techniques along with a round piece of plywood to create this simple-looking, but truly intricate and dramatic piece. Other cultural influences include folklore and music.
Ken’ichi is such a piece. The sculpture is a large plaque of interweaving bamboo, where one is not sure where it might begin or end. Within the piece, the bamboo is darker in some places and lighter in others. It is also scorched and fraying in many areas, while others seem untouched. Inspired by the classical Chinese “Book of Changes,” the piece implies a sense of morality with the contrasting darkness and lightness and the frayed and the intact. “The show will be up till February 7. Gallery Hours are Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Please feel free to stop by and visit the beautiful bamboo artwork,” said Vinici. Kean University Galleries has a rich and diverse exhibition program. For more information on this show and all the Kean Galleries visit the Kean Galleries website at http://www.kean. edu/~gallery/. “MODERN TWIST” was curated by Dr. Andreas Marks, Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Collection of the Clark Center and tour was organized by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C.
Chuck Palahniuk’s “Damned” trilogy returns to “Doomed” fans
“Doomed,” the second book of Chuck Palahniuk’s “Damned” trilogy is full of pugnacious sarcasm and sassy remarks, making it a classic Palahniuk adventure. Palahniuk, an American novelist and freelance journalist, began writing fiction in his mid-thirties. He describes his work as Transgressional fiction, a literary genre that focuses on controversial themes and the rebellious defiance of societal norms. He is a best-selling novelist, well known for the award-winning novel “Fight Club,” which was later adapted into a film by David Fincher. The novel recounts another journey of Madison Spencer, the snide, overweight, and dead 13-year-old heroine of “Damned.” After her unconventional journey through Hell and her confrontation with the Devil, Madison finds herself in Purgatory. “Doomed” gave Palahniuk’s minimalist writing a new flair. The sequential blog posts and tweets have Madison Spencer “thinking out loud” and characterizing intervals of time. Each description focuses solely on single moods, which o nly displayed the emotions needed. However, the format makes it less believable. The relatable voice of Madison, which we see in “Damned,” seems to take the backseat for the first couple of chapters because of the shaky transition from the previous book. On the other hand, this new format kept the novel relaxed. The storytelling sets the mood for humor and punch lines. While the descriptions address the disgust, it does it in the most direct yet expressive way, making it refreshing and an interesting read. Although we do not see the characters from “Damned,” that mirrored “The Breakfast Club” of Hell, these characters are equally engaging, and his plots are constantly twisting. The storylines and shock components make it another Palahniuk page-turner. For a ghost, Madison is still thirteen and her opinions are never left unsaid. The snarky and obnoxious repetitive comments created another dimension and displayed a different side to her character. This is a different approach to a sequel, but all of the elements are there. Although there were some differences from the last novel, Chuck Palahniuk did it again. He kept his classic simple style, but the extra punch added another element. If you love Palahniuk, you’ll love this one too. Now all there is to do is wait for the third book.
“...his plots are constantly twisting. The storylines and shock components make it another Palahniuk page-turner.”
editorial
8 THE TOWER
By Brian Konchalski
November 7, 2013
After five on a Thursday After 5:00 pm on any Thursday at Kean University, students flock to their cars like geese flying south for the winter. Even the dorm students who are lucky enough to have a car or have a ride to pick them up leave for the weekend. By Friday afternoon, the university is nearly a ghost town. This is the way things go at commuter colleges. Kean is not alone in this problem. Montclair University has similar issues. There are at least two reasons for this weekly mass migration from the university to somewhere else: Kean’s community involvement and the lack of it in surrounding communities. For as long as Kean University has existed, it has been a traditional commuter college. One way you can tell it is a commuter college is by how much the students complain about the parking here, or should I say the lack thereof. Another way you can measure a community is by its voter turnout. In involved communities, people vote. At Kean, the Student Government Organization election for the 2013-2014 President had a turnout of 378 students out of approximately 12,000 who were eligible to vote. That is less than three percent of the population who voted last year. This voter turnout underscores the lack of community involvement at Kean. Kean is so concerned with creating a welcoming and involved community that it has multiple offices for community affairs, like the Office of Residential Student Services and the Center for Leadership and Service. All of these offices fall under the Vice President of Student Affairs, Janice Murray-Laury. Both of these offices and Vice President share the common goal of building a community for all Kean students, and they offer plenty of activities for the community. Despite the efforts, apparently it isn’t enough. Another problem is the location—great for a
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commute to New York, bad for a college town atmosphere. Kean is relatively far away from the things that attract college students; it does not have a supporting ‘college town’ atmosphere like Rutgers has with New Brunswick. Bars are scattered along Morris Ave., there is a non-existent nightlife, and Union Center is at least a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute drive or 10 minutes with traffic. New Brunswick is a great example of a college town. The center of the town is within walking distance to Rutgers University. There are also plenty of shops, bars and clubs, which are always packed with Rutgers students. It’s a town where the students of Rutgers want to hang out. Union is just not a college friendly place. Elizabeth is better suited to be a college town than Union, but unlike New Brunswick the bars and clubs are not close enough to the university in order to attract a lot of business from students. Some parts of Elizabeth aren’t the best places to hang out either. According to Kean’s Vision 2020, the university plans to build at least 11 new dorms – effectively turning the commuter school into a resident college. Additionally, there are plans to create a major “University Boulevard” along Morris Avenue. Both might help to create the community some of us so desperately yearn for —but that’s a long way off. I do not have a solution to this problem, except to say maybe we should all get a little more involved in the campus life. Vote. Go to an event here. Join one of the 171 groups, and if none of the groups that exist catch your interest, form a new group. Every student at Kean has the ability to be involved in the community. If each of our 12,000 students did just that, this could be a very different place.
Department of Communication Kean University Center for Academic Success 1000 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083 Telephone: (908) 737-0460; Fax: (908) 737-0465 Email: thetower@kean.edu; www.keantower.com
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: brian konchalski Managing Editor: CHRISTY PETILLO News Editor: Keanu Austin Features Editor: Andrea Parr Arts & Entertainment Editor: Bryan C. Kuriawa Sports Editor: Dan Canova Head Online Editor: MIKE JAGO
op-ed
Just go
Online Editor: Ryan GaYdos
STAFF Alex Addesso Sonia Aquije Brigit Bauma Elizabeth Bracey Jennifer Deligne Shelsie Ducheine Gillian Findley Marisa gallagher Raymond Gurbisz Annalise Knudson Chris Lamonica
By Andrea Parr
Kyle Lawrence Jasmine Leach Gerald Lima Christine Moukazis Mak Ojutiku Sara Paczkowski Gabrielle PrendattCarter Carl Stofferes Dominique Virias Xirena Wormley
Opinion pieces and letters to the editor
View of Seoul from my dorm room window.
I am a perpetual over-thinker, I can ponder a decision for hours to days and not reach a conclusion. Then at other times, I make one immediately and it’s those snap decisions that have been some of my best. Last July, I was bored and decided on a whim to apply to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea, for my spring semester. I filled out and submitted the online application that day, told my family that night and Kean the week after. Of course, going across the world to a place you’ve never been is terrifying, not knowing anyone, different food, not being fluent in the language are all legitimate concerns to have. Although terrifying beforehand, those were the very things that made the semester exciting. I ate foods I had never even heard of and yes some, such as blood sausage, definitely had the bitter aftertaste of regret. I will never forget the unique texture of the cellophane noodles and pig’s blood wrapped in pig intestine. On the other side, I also discovered my favorite food, soondubu jjigae, a spicy soft-tofu stew. Learning my way around Seoul and communicating in my mix of Korean and English wasn’t easy. I had to force myself to use Korean and that, more than class, taught me the language. The benefits of going are substantial thanks to the ever-globalizing world. Technology is creating a more interconnected world and employers are looking from that perspective. Studying abroad can give students a lead in the competition. “… It pushes a student to get out of her comfort zone to experience another culture, language, environment and education system,” wrote Stacie Berdan and Allan Goodman, co-authors of “A Student Guide to Study Abroad” in a discussion on the New York Times website. Beyond the academics and potential career
Photos: Andrea Parr
boost, studying abroad can be life changing. In my experience, academics were only a small part and school life another. There was an adjustment period where I felt like a freshman all over again. I didn’t know the unspoken rules of the classroom. I quickly learned through observation and asking friends, to bow to my professor and not refer to them by name. The most shocking classroom lesson came when a professor was giving a lecture using a word I knew was wrong. I subtly tried to imply so by asking a question. I was quickly shot down and, in the following class, asked by him if I “even knew the material.” According to the Institute of International Education, only 10 percent of American undergraduate students studied abroad in the 20102011 academic year, a 1 percent increase from the previous year. In terms of price, the cost of being a full time student (upperclassman) at Kean for the spring 2014 semester ranges from $9,775 to $11,022. The cost of the ISA Seoul program I went with will be $12,500 including the additional health insurance, travel and hotel fares for excursions. And the $400 housing deposit was returned at the end of the semester. Price does vary from program to program, but with scholarships and grants available exclusively for study abroad, it can be more affordable. For me, the monetary price was more than worth the trip. I learned how to communicate in another language and live on my own in a different culture. I made friends that are like family. I gained a greater sense of independence and self-confidence. And I became a little less lost on what to do after graduation. So, to anyone thinking of studying abroad, just go.
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“By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community.” —Oscar Wilde
op-ed
November 7, 2013
By Alexandria Addesso
THE TOWER 9
Shotgun vs. umbrella, racial profiling vs. university safety: No easy answers I remember everything about the morning of Oct. 10, 2013, like how most people can remember where they were or what they were doing when they found out John F. Kennedy was assassinated or when the Twin Towers and Pentagon were attacked. It was my first week working in the Kean Writing Center on what was an unusually slow morning. No students were in for tutoring when staff began talking about what was taking place on campus. In a few short seconds what seemed like exaggerated canards, took flight from cold. Staff members began receiving campus alert messages confirming what seemed to be surreal, or so we thought. “Shortly before 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 10 Campus Police received a report of a black male, approximately 5’6” to 5’8”, wearing a white Lakers jersey walking north on Green Lane toward Morris Avenue carrying what appeared to be a shotgun. Campus Police immediately locked down campus buildings in the vicinity, including Harwood Arena, Kean Hall, the Child Care Center and the Administration Building. No persons will be allowed to enter or exit those specific buildings during this lock down,” read the email that was sent to
all students,faculty and staff, with the almost cryptic all caps promise for a conclusion to what seemed like the beginning of a horror story following, “MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.” If you were not one of the people already convinced that an active shooter at Kean or one of the many students unaware that anything odd was going on, then you may have been among the many pondering this alert a bit deeper, analyzing it, as those apart of academia are taught to do. Immediately what came to my mind and surely to the minds of many others that had not the nerve to discuss it, but flowed out of the mouths of my outspoken co-workers; racial profiling. By now it’s obvious that the horrorstory that could have happened on campus, never happened. What was thought to be a shotgun by at least one person was actually an item everyone has, or wish they had on that rainy day: an umbrella. Sure university safety is top priority and even though it was just a false alarm the student who reported it was doing the right thing, maybe. Yes, we all should be aware of our surroundings and want to keep ourselves and others safe but there was more than just an error of the eye here.
How is it that the student who made the report identified not just the “suspect’s” ethnicity but, approximate height and specific sports team jersey he was wearing but not be sure of the one item that should have caught her eye above all
a Kean officer opened his trunk and showed her an actual shotgun to verify that what she saw was indeed a shotgun and she still stuck to her guns. As members of academia we are taught to question everything, even the lies our
“We need alert students who speak up when they see something suspicious, but we also need students that will be less aware of the color of a suspicious person’s skin or clothing and more aware of what the person is doing in order to be deemed ‘suspicious.’” else, the alleged shotgun? Sure my argument that this is a case of racial profiling can be easily shot down, no pun intended, by saying that she was driving by and couldn’t exactly make out what was in his hand and possibly is not aware of the obvious differences between an umbrella and a shotgun but wait, there’s more. According to Adam Shubsda, Director of Kean Police, after the report was made
eyes tell us and the personally perceived facts drawn from our own ethnocentricities. We need alert students that speak up when they see something suspicious, but we also need students that will be less aware of the color of a suspicious person’s skin or clothing and more aware of what the person is doing in order to be deemed “suspicious”.
What’s up with the wi-fi?
By Kyle Lawrence
If you’ve been having trouble connecting to the Wi-Fi around campus, you’re not alone. “It’s bad,” said Alexina Cenan, Kean junior. “It takes too long just to log in, I just give up sometimes.” “The classrooms behind the Starbucks kiosk [in the CAS] have no 3G or Wi-fi. I hate it,” said Kristen Dematos, a third year Kean student. The Internet is an important part of a college student’s life. There are emails to check, databases to search, and definitions to Google. Without this useful tool many students will find themselves crippled in their schoolwork. Many students use laptops, notebooks and smartphones for Internet connection. But with an unreliable Wi-Fi, these devices are only as useful as what is predownloaded on them. Kean University has many computers throughout the school set up for students to use at the library and computer labs, when they aren’t occupied by a class or locked. But, even those that directly connect through Ethernet cables tend to have problems with load speed. YouTube is the most frequent victim of Kean’s poor Internet service. Several times I’ve been in class and watched a teacher struggle to get an informative YouTube video to load for several min-
As a journalism student, keeping up to date with the news, being able to email my assignments, and setting up interviews online is incredibly important. If I can’t do these things at school, they’ll have to wait until I get home. And for a college student, time and deadlines are important.
The next day, I got the same answer with a “she’ll be out all week” added on. I left my information and number, sent an email, and hoped for the best. The weekend went by with no reply, so I visited Hutchinson again, where I couldn’t even find anyone at the help desk. I went directly to Renkert’s office
Photos: Kyle Lawrence
A familiar sight.
“We’re trying to move students into a new era of technology and teaching, and that just can’t be done when there’s the constant fear that the internet will go down.” utes, all while having students shout suggestions of refreshing the page, restarting the computer, or using Google Chrome instead. “We’re trying to move students into a new era of technology and teaching, and that just can’t be done when there’s the constant fear that the Internet will go down,” said Suzanne Schwab, professor of communication. “It’s not effective, and it puts a damper on lectures.”
I tried to get some information on the issues with the Internet by going to Central Processing in the Technology building, where the central router for the school is supposedly located. There I was told no one could speak with me, unless I first spoke with the Director of University relations, Emily Renkert. I went to Hutchinson to speak with Renkert last week, where the person at the help desk told me she was out sick.
and, finding it empty, waited for Renkert. She never came. Through some research, I found out our school’s Wi-Fi was provided by Trapeze Networks, which was taken over by Juniper Networks. An article on FierceWireless from 2010 covered Kean’s partnership with Trapeze Networks, which was meant to support, “the 15,051 students, the wireless network covers Kean University’s 150-acre campus, including
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40 buildings and all the outdoor space on the campus.” “The new Trapeze Networks wireless network extends connectivity to all our users, wherever they are on campus—100 percent of the time – making our vision a reality,” said Dawood Farahi, our university’s president. I ran a test of the university’s Wi-Fi while connected through my laptop in The Tower office using speedtest.net. The Ping, which measures the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to a destination computer, came in at seven milliseconds. The download speed was 6.06 megabits per second. The upload speed never went through. Comparatively, testmy.net puts Montclair State University’s download speed at 15.1 MBPS and their upload speed at 5.9 MBPS. However, the same site ranks William Patterson University at 1.6 MBPS download and 732 KBPS upload speed. Just for the sake of interest, I took a test at home with my laptop on the second floor and my router on the first. My ping came in at 15 milliseconds, with a download speed of 13.05 MBPS, and upload speed 4.66 MBPS. These tests are affected by distance from the router and the kind of Internet connection used. And though Kean doesn’t have the worst wifi around, based on the accounts of students and teachers, what we have is not enough. I can’t speak for the university’s Internet back in 2010, but ever since I came to the university in 2012 connecting to the Internet has always been a hassle. What was supposedly working “100 percent of the time” back then is clearly underperforming now. When teachers can’t teach, students can’t work, and answers are nowhere to be found, it reflects badly on our university. And the last thing Kean needs is another reason to look bad. Technology is constantly getting more powerful, and the Internet is always updating. If we don’t improve our wifi, it will only get more difficult to use the Internet on campus.
November 7, 2013
Renowned Kean athlete Jodi Valenti reflects on college and talks plans for future By Ray Gurbisz
At the beginning of the 2013 season, Kean record-holder and former star tennis player Jodi Valenti was named the new head coach of the Kean University women’s tennis team. A resident of Garfield, New Jersey, Valenti grew up and attended Garfield High School, located in Bergen County. It was there that she got her athletic career started. Valenti began playing tennis during her sophomore year in high school. “Because I stunk at volleyball my physical education teacher told me to go out for tennis,” Valenti said. Valenti then came to Kean in 1999 where she would become one of the best tennis players in Kean history. During her playing career from 1999-2003, Valenti was a standout player, capturing the Kean single-season record for most victories in a season with 20, which she set in 2001. She also won 13 matches in 2002 and 12 in 2000, which are the sixth and 10th best totals, respectively, in Kean history. “I’m proud, I never thought I would be a record holder at the college level,” Valenti said. “I’m shocked and proud because I worked hard to get that.” When thinking about some of the most memorable moments from her playing career at Kean, Valenti said the one that stood out the most was when the Cougars
Photos: Kean Athletics
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Jodi Valenti, head coach of the Kean Women’s Tennis team.
had one of their best seasons ever in 1999, only dropping a single match. “We were 11-1 and we only lost to The College of New Jersey.” Valenti said. During the match against TCNJ, Valenti went up against Katie D’Amato, a tough player who would eventually go on to win an NJAC Rookie of the Year award. “No one beats [TCNJ] and I took like 4 games from her,” Valenti
Photos: Dan Canova
By Dan Canova
No, it’s not Mike & Mike in the Morning, or Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco from ESPN New York in the late afternoon. And it’s certainly no Boomer & Carton or Mike Francesa from WFAN. It’s better. It’s Kean radio sports talk. Seniors, Ryan Gaydos and Mike Jago started their own weekly radio show, “The Roar,” which streams live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. on Kean Radio 90.3 FM. The duo discusses a variety of sports topics, including NFL football, predictions of the upcoming NBA season, and of course, the dissection of Kean University athletics. “I wanted to get my foot into the door in another field,” Gaydos said in an interview last week. “As a sports journalist, there isn’t many jobs out there just for writing, so it’s important to have another opening. I already do the internet broadcasts for Kean athletics, so I figured the radio show would be another good thing to do.” Co-host, Mike Jago was approached by Gaydos when the decision was made earlier this month to start the show, and Jago felt like the opportunity was impossible to pass up. “I love the radio station,” Jago said. “It’s full of really great people and it is truly a joy going out there and being able to talk about some-
thing that I love to talk about.” Mike Jago is a Communication/Journalism major in his final semester at Kean. Jago plans on working for one of the major sports networks later on in his career because he feels that should be the goal of any up and coming sports journalist. “I just want to be someone that people like to read,” Jago said. “I enjoy talking to people so I want to have conversations with them that they will remember. Radio gives me a chance to do that because people listen, and will have their own opinions about what I’m saying. Overall, I just want to do the best I can, and wherever that takes me, I’ll be happy.” Ryan Gaydos is also a Communication/Journalism major in his final year at Kean. Gaydos’ dream job is to write about baseball for a major publication or newspaper, and become a top sports radio personality. The ultimate goal for him is to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame for his writing and reporting. “I really just want travel the United States and watch baseball,” Gaydos said. “If people read my writing and listen to what I have to say, it’s just an added bonus. If I know I give it my all, there is no telling where my dreams might take me.” “The Roar” is live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. on Kean Radio 90.3 FM for the 2013 fall semester.
Although the team’s record of 6-8 wasn’t terrible, Valenti said she would like to do more in her second season as head coach, and plans to do more for the program in seasons to come. “I definitely want to have a winning season and I want to just fuel the program to become better and better each year as I’m here by bringing in new players,” Valenti said. “And keep bringing in more players just to make the program better.” Aside from coaching at Kean, Valenti also serves as a physical education teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School in her hometown, instructing grades kindergarten through fifth. Valenti said
“I definitely want to have a winning season and I want to just fuel the program to become better and better each year as I’m here by bringing in new players.”
“The Roar” hits center stage on Kean radio 90.3FM
Ryan Gaydos (left) and Mike Jago (right) preparing for their weekly radio show on campus.
said. “I came close to beating her, but we were 11-1 that year. It was a good memory because that was the best record we’d had.” With Valenti recently accepting the head coaching job of the women’s tennis team prior to the season, she’s had to adjust to her new duties rather quickly. “There’s more responsibility, but I feel like I can take the lead more which is nice.” Valenti explained. “From being an assistant coach, it made me a little more confident to become the head coach.” Valenti served as an assistant coach for eight years of the Kean tennis team prior to becoming head coach. She said that her assistant job at Kean “made her more
confident and made the transition easier.” During her eight years as an assistant, she served under former head coach Evelyn Alfaro, who had served since 2004. This season the Kean tennis squad finished up the 2013 campaign on Oct. 19 with a tough loss to Rutgers-Camden. “We were 6-8 and I wanted to be .500,” said Valenti. “We lost our last match which would have made us 7-7.”
that she’s always wanted to be a teacher since she was little and that she was either going to be a kindergarten teacher or a physical education teacher growing up, “but picked physical education because she was good at sports.” Valenti received her Bachelor of Arts degree in health and physical education in 2003 from Kean, and also received her Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from Kean in 2009.
November 7, 2013
Football not giving up, despite losing season By Carl Stoffers
Head football coach Dan Garrett arrived at Kean in 2006 and promptly turned the lackluster program into a powerhouse, winning two ECAC Southeast Bowl titles and an NJAC Championship. His arrival marked the first of seven straight non-losing seasons in Union, a streak that will come to an end this year. His team entered 2013 campaign with high hopes, but all has not gone according to plan this season. Injuries and an anemic offense have led to a dismal 1-6 record, assuring the Cougar football program its first sub-50 percent finish since 2005. “It’s frustrating. It hurts,” said Garrett. “It’s been a learning experience for all of us. It’s taught me to stay true to my convictions about giving 100 percent, about fighting.” Despite the team’s record, Garrett isn’t giving up on this season or his team. He’s continued to motivate and connect with his squad in the same way he’s done since arriving at Kean. “I’ve spoken to them from my heart,” he said. “I’ve told them that we’re going to get through this together. We all owe it to the
Despite the team falling to last place in the NJAC standings after dropping a heartbreaking 21-20 homecoming game to William Paterson and a tough 17-7 contest at Brockport, Garrett sees more than the win column defining the program’s success. “Sometimes in life we’re judged by wins and losses, but we’ve been in every game,” Garrett said. “We haven’t given up, haven’t given in, ever. That says a lot.” In addition to his team showing heart, there have been underclassmen who have emerged as significant players this season. Quarterback Robert Meade, forced into the starting role after Bailoni was injured, has been solid. The sophomore signal caller has thrown just one interception in 72 attempts and rushed for 205 yards, recording a credible 3.7 yards per carry. Junior Kevin O’Connor is second on the team in rushing, logging an impressive 4.3 yards per carry while gaining 271 yards. Additionally, freshman Tahj Hammary was recently named NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week for his 3-catch, 155-yard performance against William Paterson. Despite the promise this young talent holds for the program’s future, Garrett isn’t
THE TOWER 11
Kean Sports: who’s hot and who’s not?
Photo: Mak Ojutiku
Kean’s Football team on the field. By Mak Ojutiku
The regular season for all of Kean University’s Fall sports programs are just about finished. It’s been a long season for most of the teams. Here’s a look into how our teams have shaped up so far.
HOT Women’s Volleyball
remaining in the regular season, their overall record stands at 21-9.
The Women’s Volleyball team have been playing some very important games in the past few weeks. Of their last seven games, four of them have been against NJAC teams. The tough stretch started off with a rough loss to Ramapo. The Cougars started off the game by winning two straight sets and seemed to be on their way to a shutout until Ramapo managed to win the third by a slim 26 to 24 margin. The Cougars lost the next two sets and the result gave them a 3-2 record in the NJAC. The Cougar’s bounced back from the loss, going on a 4-game winning streak that included victories over Rutgers-Camden and New Jersey City University. During the win over New Jersey City, senior middle hitter Kaitlyn Hansen matched and then broke the school’s career service ace records with 249 aces. Hansen also holds the school’s records for career solo blocks and blocks assists. The team is currently ranked third in NJAC with a 5-3 record and with four games
“They’re fighting, they’re practicing hard. My head is held high and I’m proud to be their head coach.” guys who were in this program before, who bought in and turned this program around, to keep fighting.” Garrett’s team has been depleted by key injuries this season, with the most glaring being the loss of starting quarterback Christian Bailoni in Kean’s week four loss to SUNY Cortland. There have also been injuries on the defensive side of the ball, most notably to defensive back LeRon Dillard. In the wake of these blows to the team, other players have stepped up to contribute. “Tyler Jones, he’s been gritty for us,” Garrett said. “He’s not real vocal, but he is a phenomenal leader on the field.” Jones, a senior inside linebacker, leads the team with three sacks and has recorded 50 tackles, ranking second on the team. Additionally, seven of Jones’ tackles have resulted in losses of yardage.
looking ahead to next year. The Cougars have three games remaining in 2013 and the he hasn’t changed his approach entering the final weeks of the season. “I’m excited by what we’re doing right now,” Garrett said. “The only thing on my mind is this week. I’m not looking past that.” The Cougars face Morrisville State (3-4) and Rowan (5-2) before wrapping up the 2013 campaign against Montclair State (25) on Nov. 16. Regardless of the outcome, the Kean coach fully expects to look back on 2013 as a positive season for the program. “I love this team. I’m so very proud of this group,” Garrett said. “We live in an instantgratification society, but they’ve been selfless. They’re fighting, they’re practicing hard. My head is held high and I’m proud to be their head coach.”
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” —Bill Jean King
For the women’s soccer team, the last stretch of the regular season was monumentally important. Out of the five final games of the season, four of them were against NJAC teams. The first outing of the stretch saw the Cougars go up against an undefeated Montclair State. Montclair, the number one ranked team in NJAC, were too much for the Cougars as they shut them out 3-0. Kean got off only three shots in the game. Their next game was a pivotal one against The College of New Jersey. Goalkeeper KC Nunez was tested often in the game. She ended up with 13 saves giving up only one goal in a game that ended in 1-1 draw. The team finished its season on Oct. 30 with a 2-0 shutout over William Paterson. The win gave the team the number five seed in the NJAC tournament.
NOT
Photo: Carl Stoffers
Linebacker Tyler Jones brings down a ball carrier.
Women’s Soccer
Football The season started off rough for Kean’s football team and it hasn’t gone much better. The team dropped a thrilling, but ultimately disappointing loss to William Paterson at their Homecoming game. The game was a defensive struggle until late in the first quarter when quarterback Robert Meade tossed a 51 yard pass to freshman receiver Tahj Hammary. The completion set up a field goal that gave the Cougars a 3-0 lead going into the first quarter. The team later scored again in the second quarter off of a 1-yard run by Meade. The touchdown gave Kean a 10-0 lead. Going into the last five minutes of the fourth quarter the Cougars were down by one point with a chance to win the game with a 17-yard field goal. The kick was blocked and the Cougars lost the heartbreakingly close game 21-20. The team lost its next game 17-7 against the College of Brockport, which brought its record down to 1-6. Men’s Soccer Despite starting off their season with a strong 8-3 record, things have not been easy recently for the men’s soccer team. Since their dominating 4-0 victory over John Jay College, the team has been stuck in a rut. Coming off the win, the team hosted the 11-3 Rutgers-Newark. At the time of the match Rutger-Newark’s Raphael Araujo was leading the nation in goals with 18. He was held to only one goal and it proved to be the only goal for the Scarlet Raiders as the game ended in a tie. Kean’s sole goal came from Akwasi Adu who is currently leading the team in goals with seven. Their next outing was against number 8 ranked Montclair State. Once again, the Cougars found themselves holding a talented team to a tie at the end of regulation. Unfortunately, Montclair’s Trey Leggett found the back of the net two minutes into the first overtime. That defeat was the catalyst for a 5-game losing streak. Four of those losses were against NJAC rivals. The streak went on
until the last game of the season which was a 2-1 loss to William Paterson. Women’s Tennis Coming into the month of October with a 3-5 record, things were already looking rough for the Women’s tennis team. The team though found some success in the middle of the month in the form of a 3-game winning streak. Wins over Baruch, John Jay and Hunter College gave the team a .500 overall record. The win that gave them their 6-6 record was a razor thin 5-4 decision over Hunter. The tie breaking match was a 4 set win by Senior Debra Dress. The team also found some fruition in Sophomore Brianna Martin, who won the last match of her consolation round against teammate Zenzile Liggins 8-2. The team finished their season with a 7-2 loss against Rutgers-Camden. Field Hockey Although the Field Hockey team had been mowing down teams for the majority of the season, their last few weeks have been anything but easy. After having a match against St. Mary’s College of Maryland cancelled the team returned to action against formidable NJAC rival Stockton College. Both teams’ defenses put on good performances. The Cougars ended up with 10 saves while Stockton’s defense only gave up 6 shots. Stockton’s proved to be the better though when Stockton’s Cassie Kirk found the back of the net with one minute left in the first period. That goal handed Kean their second loss of the season giving them a 13-2 record. The team’s usually stellar defense gave up nine goals in two games, with both of those games being conference play. The first loss came against 8-6 Rowan. Rowan’s offense responded with four straight goals of their own. The next game was a shut out loss to Montclair State, which dropped their conference record to 2-4 and eliminated all hope of a NJAC title run.
November 7, 2013
Men’s basketball ready to return to winning ways
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12 THE TOWER
Photo: Kean Athletics
Cougars ready to tackle any challenge. By Ryan Gaydos
SPORTS SCHEDULE NOVEMBER
The Kean University Men’s Basketball team had a less than stellar 2012-13 season after coming off a run in the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament at the end of 2012. The Cougars finished 7-18
09: Football vs. Rowan University 1:00 PM 21: Women’s Basketball vs. Baptist Bible College (Pa.) 6:00 PM 23: Men’s Basketball vs. Richard Stockton College 1:00 PM
Even though there could be more pressure to get back to the conference tournament this season with a senior-laden group, Burton is not feeling it. “We have all been there before more than once,” Burton said. “So we know what it will take to make
“In order for us to get back to the tournament this year and possibly win it, we will need everyone to be committed to what our coach teaches and truly buy in to it.”
23: Women’s Basketball vs. Richard Stockton College 3:00 PM 26: Women’s Basketball vs. Ramapo College 6:00 PM 26: Men’s Basketball vs. Ramapo College 8:00 PM
and failed to make the conference tournament but the team is looking to get back there this season. The Cougars return last year’s leading scorer Michael Burton and last year’s leading rebounder Kyle Latorre. Both players are two of a handful of seniors returning to the team this season. Burton averaged 14.9 points per game last season and was named to the All-NJAC Second Team.
DECEMBER 02: Women’s Basketball vs. Stevens Institute of Technology 6:00 PM
the tournament this year.” Latorre is another key returner for the Cougars this season. He was the second leading scorer on the team from last season averaging 8.9 points per game and led the team in rebounding with 7.9 boards per game. This offseason though, Latorre had knee surgery and is still not at 100 percent yet to return playing
at full speed. “My recovery is going well,” Latorre said. “I’ve only had minor complications with swelling. I plan to be ready for game one Nov. 19 at Swarthmore. That has always been my goal but at the same time, I don’t want to put myself at risk for not being healthy the rest of the season. I know I’ll have to play through some pain but my goal is to be healthy for the full season and I’m confident I will be.” The main goal this season for Kean is to get back to the conference tournament and with an experienced senior squad, the Cougars are ready to do just that. “In order for us to get back to the tournament this year and possibly win it, we will need everyone to be committed to what our coach teaches and truly buy in to it,” Burton said. “If everyone truly buys in to our culture and the way we play, I honestly think we have a good chance of making and winning the tournament.” The team is also beaming with confidence this season, according to Latorre. “It’s going to take trust,” Latorre
said. “Trust in each other and trust in our coach. We have to be able to hold each other accountable as men and get the job done. We’re really confident with the team we have this year and are capable of achieving anything we put our minds to and that goes for winning the NJAC and into the NCAA tournament.” The Cougars open up the season Nov. 19 on the road against Swarthmore College.. The first home and conference game of the season is Nov. 23 against Richard Stockton. The players know it is not going to be a cakewalk to make the conference tournament again but they are willing to battle and fight their way to get back. “No game is going to come easy for us because we’re not the biggest or most athletic team in the conference,” Latorre said. “But in the end, it’s a team sport and the only way we’re going to win is by a team effort. We have to go out there and battle every game and have a stronger will to win and execute our game plan than our opponent.”
Women’s basketball playing for tournament berth and more different element to the team that it did not have last season. Casey is a 5’9” Long Island transer who can play the guard or forward spot. She has the ability to attack the basket and play in the post. With her quick first step, Casey can amplify scoring for Kean. Davis is the sister of assistant coach Brittany Powell. She is very
Photo: Kean Athletics
Team hoping to get back to dominance. By Ryan Gaydos
In her first year as Kean Women’s Basketball head coach, Mandy King came into a situation with the daunting task of keeping the team above water after the NCAA hit the basketball team with a postseason ban for the 2012-13 and four years of probation. The team also had to forfeit 24 wins in the 2011-12 season as part of the punishment stemming from student-athletes receiving extra benefits. With all that in mind, King motivated her new team through it and coached the team to five wins. “Last season was one of the most inspirational seasons I have ever been apart of,” King said. “What I’m hoping for is that we have
the same heart, the same fight and the same togetherness that we had a year ago. I think that will be the same.” Kean is bringing back much of its 2011-12 team with the exception of two players who graduated. There is a different aura about this team. The attitude of just getting through the season has changed to talk of competing with every team on the schedule and even winning a conference championship. “Our goal this year is actually to win an NJAC title,” King said. “We really believe that we have the pieces and the character to make that jump. We believe in ourselves and we believe we have a chance to cut down the nets.” The high-spirited Cougars are
thanking a fruitful recruiting class coming into this season. Some of those players are expected to make an immediate impact on the team come the first game of the season. “We have a large freshman class and we also have three transfers. All of them have contributed on so many different levels. Each has brought a great work ethic and a great spirit of togetherness and an incredible amount of passion for the game and for each other. In a lot of ways they have carried on the legacy of KU basketball with some great, youthful energy.” Aside from starters Shay Collins and AnnaRose Pierre coming back. King said that newcomers Essence Casey, Jasmine Davis and Kenya Adams are going to be bringing a
and score in double-digits. In our first scrimmage we had six players in double-digits. When you can share the ball like that, it inspires your team. It takes a lot of pressure off these players [and] in turn, it has made them even better.” Kean will have to really battle conference opponents this season as Montclair State and William Pa-
“One thing I have noticed this year is that with a number of out combinations, all five players on the floor can attack and score in double-digits.” physical and provides a unique challenge for opponents on both sides of the ball. Davis’ teammate, Adams, is another newcomer King expects to play a big part in the Cougars’ offense. Having more players to attack the basket definitely takes a huge load off of junior Pierre. Pierre was one of two players who averaged double-digits in scoring, but now Kean will not have to only rely on her for the points. “Last year, I think we had great heart and great fight, but we weren’t as balanced as we needed to be on the offensive side of the ball,” King said. “One thing I have noticed this year is that with a number of out combinations, all five players on the floor can attack
terson are already considered to be top teams in the nation, let alone the conference. The Red Hawks are preseason No. 1 and the Pioneers are No. 23, both polls compiled by Women’s D-III News. However, King is keeping it simple. Taking it one practice at a time and with her energy and drive, it could lead Kean back to the top of women’s basketball. “We would like to have a 20-win season and get back into the NCAA Tournament. From there, hopefully be playing our best when it matters the most and see how really far this team with great passion and great energy can go.”
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