Volume 1
Issue 3
For the Kean University Student Community
September 14, 2004
The
COUGAR’SByte An Office of Student Life & Leadership Development Publication
WELCOME BACK PARTY The lighting may have been scarce, but student involvement was not and all that attended the Student Organization of Kean University, Inc. Welcome Back Party, had a great time dancing to the sounds of DJ Nix, chatting with old pals, and making new friends.
Q A 2004 & Kean’s Emerging Leaders
Q:
What is an “Emerging Leader”?
A:
Emerging Leaders are freshman level Kean students who want to make a difference in their college community.
Emerging Leaders have distinct qualities — the drive to achieve, the desire to excel, and the determination to meet and conquer one milestone after another. The Emerging Leaders program recognizes freshman level college students who possess these unique traits, and provides a support structure that will enhance and develop the leadership skills of those students who have exhibited an interest and talent for student leadership.
If the shoe fits, you’re not allowing for GROWTH ~ Robert N. Coons
WELCOME BACK PICNIC Unfortunately, the weather was uncooperative and Student Organization of Kean University, Inc. had to postpone the Welcome Back Picnic. But, don’t fear, you will be able to get some free food and dance to DJ Nix this Wednesday, September 15 from 12 – 4 pm on the Downs Hall Patio.
He Said – She Said A Program On Sexual Assault Awareness Monday, Sept. 20, 2004 at 3:00 pm in Wilkins Theatre
Make a Difference in the Life of an Adolescent
BE A MENTOR Are You A Natural Leader? Are You Energetic? Do You Enjoy Working With Middle School And High School Students? Do You Want To Be A Positive Role Model? Do You Want To Give Back To The Community? If the answer to any of these questions is YES, then you should consider being a mentor with the Office of Pre-College Programs, Onward-GEAR UP. A mentor is an individual who provides young people with support, friendship, positive reinforcement and constructive example. Help students in Perth Amboy and Elizabeth establish self-esteem, develop their talents, choose positive alternatives to drugs and alcohol, and strengthen their character with after school and weekend programs. To pick up an application, stop by the Office of PreCollege Programs/GEAR UP in Willis, room 121, call them at (908) 737-4155, or stop by the Office of Student Life & Leadership Development in the University Center, room 219.
Katie Koestner shares her message of prevention through respect and responsibility in the use of alcohol and other drugs in this emotionally engaging, highly interactive discussion on the issue of sexual assault. Joining Katie is Brett Sokolow, who focuses his message on consent and breaks down stereotypical misunderstandings with humor while defining sexual assault. Doing more than telling a story, Katie and Brett present various thought provoking scenarios and using active learning the audience asks questions, acts as a jury, applies definition, and votes on whether or not the scenario given describes a consensual or non-consensual sexual experience. Going directly to the heart of the issue, the message is one that
everyone can easily relate to his or her own behaviors and lives. Following this captivating discussion, Katie and Brett facilitate single-sex breakout sessions that create an unusual opportunity for comfortable, candid discussion. Free of intimidation and the pressure of the presence of the opposite sex, students can really open up about the core issues such as rape myths, nonverbal communication, date-rape drugs, alcohol, harassment, false reporting, and consent. We invite you to heighten your awareness and join in this lively discussion on sexual assault. For more information call the Office of Residence Life at (908) 737-6800 or visit us at Whiteman Hall, room 008.
A New Member Of The Kean Family Kean University’s newest addition is a gentle looking cougar cub named Sage. Born at Woodland Zoo in Farmington, PA on May 20, Sage will soon be frolicking about in the natural habitat exhibit with Scout, the four-year old male cougar, at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, NJ. Four years ago, Kean University and Turtle Back Zoo entered into a partnership. At that time, the zoo was in the process of acquiring two cougars and a unique adoption opportunity was offered to Kean, whose official mascot is a cougar. Unfortunately, this year, one of Kean’s beloved cougar mascots passed. The initiative to find a new companion for a healthy, but rather lonely, Scout began and on July 27 the official adoption of Sage took place. As part of our commitment to provide the cost of caring for both animals, the three student governments and the Alumni Association funded all acquisition costs, while the Cougar Care Program provided additional supplies and transportation. If you are interested in helping to support our cougars, or for more information, please call (908) 737-5250.
FREE Agenda Planners for ALL Students! For the first time ever, The Center for Academic Success, with the help of various departments on campus and the three student governments, is giving free 2004-2005 agenda planners to all students from September 15th- 23rd. Personalized letters will be mailed to all students from the Center for Academic Success. Students must bring this letter along with their Kean University I.D. to one of the places listed to receive the free planner.
UNIVERSITY CENTER ATRIUM Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM HUTCHINSON, J 130 (THE COUNCIL FOR PART TIME STUDENTS) LOUNGE Monday-Thursday: 9AM - 8PM Saturday: 9AM - 12PM LOBBY BETWEEN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING & TOWNSEND Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM VAUGHN EAMES LOBBY Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Creating the most flexible learning environment possible.
Cutting The Cord & Going Wireless Finding newer, better, and more creative methods to satisfy evolving needs. No more worrying about plugs or software to research online, write papers, or communicate with professors and classmates. Students, or Staff, with laptop computers equipped with a wireless network card can connect to the internet anytime, anywhere without cords in the New Academic Building, or surrounding outdoor areas, and accomplish their goals with ease and efficiency. Visit http://www.kean.edu/about_publications.html and read “New Academic Building Goes Wireless” in the 09-13-04 issue of The Administrative Report.
Student Technology Lab Looking for a place to copy and convert files, create PDF files, scan documents, do online research or surf the web? Interested in the opportunity to use and learn popular computer programs such as, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, Access, FrontPage, Photoshop, WebBoard, WebCT and more. Then look no further. The Student Technology Laboratory’s primary purpose is to provide technical support and assistance to all the Kean University Undergraduate and Graduate students as well as our Alumni. Located in the Nancy Thompson Library, Room 133, the Student Technology Laboratory is open for students to use on a drop-in basis. If you have any questions or suggestions please contact the lab personnel at (908) 737-4607, email them at techlab@kean.edu, or visit http://www.kean.edu/~techlab for more information.
Click. See. Hear. Learn. In conjunction with the Office of the President, the PT3 Office at Kean University is now providing full access to the Atomic Learning Library, an online software training site that offers just-in-time instruction and support on dozens of the most common computer applications. With over 4,500 fastloading tutorial movies, Atomic Learning is an amazing tool allowing you to learn the technology skills you need, faster and easier. Using narration and visual cues to answer common questions, the tutorial movies are short, to the point, and easy to access whenever and wherever you need them. To access the Atomic Learning Library, log into your KeanWise account and click on the Atomic Learning Login Information link. Access to the library is free to all members of the University community. For more information, contact OCIS at (908) 737-6000.
Women’s Health Conference On Thursday, September 16 from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm, The Department of Health Education will be sponsoring a Women’s Health Conference; Reproductive Sexual Health, Emerging Trends in Reducing Sexually Transmitted Infection, in Downs Hall. Admission is free for students, faculty and staff. For more information, contact Consuelo Bonillas at (908) 737-3824.
Inspiring ways to
GIVE BACK VOLUNTEER Literacy Volunteer Campaign Help increase adult literacy in Union County (Elizabeth, Hillside and Union Public Libraries) by volunteering your time, tutoring, reading, ESL - no teaching experience needed. This is on ongoing event. Blood Drive Your help would be greatly appreciated and your reward would be knowing that you helped to increase your community's blood supply. Thursday, September 16, 2004 University Center, room 228 9:00 am - 6:00 pm American Heart Walk The Heart Walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun family environment. Fundraising Campaign September 14-16, 2004 University Center Atrium 11:00 am - 3:30 pm Heart Walk Sunday, September 19, 2004 Middlesex County College, Edison Registration at 9:00 am Walk begins at 10:00 am 1 or 3 mile walk (rain or shine) Voter Registration Project Register to vote and let your voice be heard - 1000 Votes, 1000 Voices. September 20 & 23, 2004 University Center Atrium 12:00 - 4:00 pm For more information on any of these volunteering opportunities, contact The Office of Community and Disability Services at (908) 7373-5150 or stop by their offices in the University Center, room 315.
Upcoming Events
Get Ready!
IT’S TIME TO MEET THE GREEKS
Did you ever wonder what the benefits of joining a Greek Organization are? Well come out and "Meet the Greeks" at the University Center Basketball Courts, Thursday, September 16 from 4 – 8 p.m. It’s the time to ask! Representatives from each organization will be ready to answer as many questions on their history, programs and community
service involvement and meet as many students as possible. Greek Life has been a viable and respected part of campus life and continues to provide students with opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Fostering an experience that celebrates differences and promotes
community, the Greek system is open to residents and commuters alike, creating lasting friendships through common activities, interests, values and future aspirations. These bonds of friendship are what make college life more meaningful and enjoyable.
?
DID YOU KNOW
GREEK ORGANIZATIONS . . . Helped Raise Over $63,000 for Charity Completed 110 Service Projects Completed Over 200 Hours of Community Service Increased Membership by 104 Students Last Year GREEK STUDENTS . . . 72 Maintain a 3.0-4.0 GPA / 82 Maintain a 2.5-2.99 FAMOUS GREEKS . . . Sherryl Crow, Grammy-award winning singer John Wayne, Actor Richard Nunis, Chairman of Walt Disney Attractions William Rasmussen, Founder of ESPN
09/16 MEET THE GREEKS 4:00 - 8:00 PM University Center Basketball Courts
09/19 GRADUATE OPEN HOUSE 1:00 - 3:00 PM University Center
09/20 HE SAID -- SHE SAID 3:00 PM Wilkins Theatre
09/22 MOVIE: SHREK2 8:00 PM University Center Little Theatre
COUGAR CLUB Kean University produces some of the greatest leaders in the region. Many of these leaders have completed the leadership programs offered through the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development, and wanted to do more. Among these leaders was Md Maruf, a senior accounting and computer science major, who with the help of Valerie Winslow, the Director of Student Life and Leadership Development, organized a small group of leaders, and after a semester of planning, the Cougar Club was formed. “I feel the Cougar Club is filled with extremely involved and outgoing leaders who have dedicated their time to helping freshmen get a head start, get involved, and reach their leadership potential,” said Md Maruf. “When I was a freshman I realized all of the potential that Kean had to offer, but I did not get involved. I never got involved not because I did not want to, but rather, because I did not know how.”
Among their many goals, increasing student involvement is at the top of their list. So, throughout the year, the members of the Cougar Club will be going around campus speaking to First Year Seminar classes encouraging freshman to take advantage of all the opportunities available through involvement at Kean. “We want to help new students transition from high school to college and allow them to build a strong foundation for themselves and encourage others to get involved.” said Kush Parikh. The Cougar Club will serve as a leadership mentoring program building the bridge between wanting to get involved and becoming involved. They are in the process of establishing an email address so that students can submit their questions about anything and everything related to student life at Kean University. For the meantime, stop by the office of Student Life and Leadership Development in the University Center, room 219 or call them at (908) 737-5170 to contact a member of the Cougar Club.
09/28 CAMPUS AWARENESS FESTIVAL 7:00 - 8:00 PM Hutchinson, New Academic Building, Vaughn Eames
09/29 CAMPUS AWARENESS FESTIVAL 1:30 - 4:30 PM University Center