The Tower - Sept. 29-Oct. 19, 2011

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THE TOWER WWW.KEANTOWER.COM WWW.KEAN.COM

KEAN UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

By Stephanie Musat

By Brian Konchalski

Members of the Kean Federation of Teachers, along with campus maintenance workers, picketed outside the Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 12 in opposition of using contracted workers on campus. Union president Steve Pinto said the same work could be done by unionized workers on campus for less money, while ensuring safety on campus. Kean President Dawood Farahi defended using contracted workers, saying they are used by a “need” basis, and are brought to campus when a job is needed to be done. See page 3 for more coverage of the protest and board meeting.

Kean announces blueprint for two new buildings Kean plans faculty housing building By Avani Kapur Hillside residents are opposing Kean University’s plan to build housing for top teacher-scholars on the tennis courts near East Campus. Residents in the Westminster section are concerned that the university’s plan to construct 15 units of housing on the courts will negatively affect traffic, sewage and property values. Kean plans to construct these units to attract top scholars that would otherwise be faced with the high cost of housing here. “Attracting top teacher-scholars to the university is a benefit to our students’ pursuits of their respective degrees and professional goals,” said Kean’s Director of Communications Stephen Hudik. Hillside resident Judy Schanzer said that residents are concerned that the new housing could decrease property values, increase traffic and hurt the environment. The University plans to conduct appropriate studies concerning the effect that the project could have on the community, said Hudik. Schanzer said that change in traffic patterns may endanger the safety of children who play on the relatively quiet road and cutting down trees to build the units may increase flooding.

SEPT. 29 - OCT. 19, 2011

Former AD files suit against Kean

Student Org. adopts new election policy Kean University Student Organization has adopted a specific election policy after the results for last year’s general elections were challenged. The new policy was put into place after Adetokunbo “Dare” Thompson, the Student Org. President, was accused of eight violations and found guilty of violating three campaign policies over the course of the election. Olushola Brown, the current Treasurer of Student Org. and one of the heads of last year’s election committee, said, “A lot of the violations going against Dare, seemed big at the time, but when we looked continued on page 4

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She also noted that the street already floods when it rains and was flooded substantially during Hurricane Irene. “Usually a university tries to be a good neighbor,” said Schanzer. Kean official’s plan to continue meeting with Hillside officials to address the issue, Hudik said. “The university values its relationships with all of its host communities, including Hillside.” Hudik said that in response to comments from some residents at the Sept. 12 board meeting Kean President Dawood Farahi mentioned that the university will continue to meet with the township’s elected officials in an effort to balance residents’ concerns with the university’s needs. Hudik said residents of “host communities” are able to use educational and recreational services on campus, including the track and grounds on East Campus. The project has been in development for the past five years and a date has not been set to break ground, Hudik said. The university expects construction to be completed about one year after ground breaking. Hudik said it is premature to discuss cost but Kean has already made $750,000 in changes to accommodate requests of town officials.

All purpose facility planned on Green Lane By Jaclyn Tuman Kean University is about to construct a six-story, mixed-use building at the corner of Green Lane and Morris Avenue that will

time.” The Green Lane building will feature a retail section on the first floor and the rest of the floors will have academic areas, according to Hudik.

be the new home for the College of Business & Public Administration and the new Robert Busch School of Design. An existing brick building on the site is set to be demolished toward the end of this year, said Kean spokesman Stephen Hudik. “The new, six-story building will be the home of our center of excellence in design and the home of the College of Business and Public Management,” he said. “These programs continue to grow, and the university has been looking to develop the property on Green Lane for some

The anticipated completion date is fall 2013; the cost, which was not disclosed, will be financed through bonds. A bond is a debt instrument issued by governments and other entities to raise money to finance projects. Gruskin Group designed the 102,275-square-foot structure, which will also include a rooftop garden and an outside bleacher seating area, according to an article on MyCentralJersey.com. The principal founder of Gruskin Group, Kenneth A. Gruskin, said the design goal was to make a statement and allow continued on page 4 the public

Former Athletic Director Glenn Hedden has filed a lawsuit against Kean University, alleging that he was fired for reporting that the university falsified courses and fabricated grades to ensure athletes’ eligibility to the NCAA. Hedden, who worked as athletic director for 22 years at Kean, was let go from his position on May 2, a week after NCAA representatives were at Kean investigating the allegations. The lawsuit alleges top administrators changed grades and created a course for members of the DIII women’s basketball team so two players can meet eligibility requirements to play. The lawsuit was filed in state Superior Court on June 13 under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, known as the “Whistle Blower Act.” The act prohibits an employer from taking any retaliatory action against an employee who reports a violation or partakes in an investigation. Hedden’s lawyer, David Corrigan said under the act, Hedden’s firing would be illegal. “Hedden served the university with distinction f(for?) more than 20 years and he was fired … because he blew the whistle after illegal action by Kean University,” Corrigan said. “We expect that Hedden will be vindicated.” A trial in front of a six-person jury will likely take place in two to three years, he said. According to a statement from the university, Hedden was terminated during his annual performance evaluation in May for failing to fulfill his professional responsibilities as athletic director and as the key university official responsible for overseeing compliance. “The university denies all the allegations contained in the complaint and looks forward to vigorously defending the suit in court,” said Steven Hudik, director of communications for Kean. “As this is a matter of litigation, the university will have no further comment.” Hudik said the state Attorney General’s Office is representing Kean in court. Several call to the state attorney general’s office were not returned. The suit charges that the following took place: Accordcontinued on page 4


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