AN OFFICE
OF
STUDENT LIFE & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PUBLICATION
elcome to the first issue of the Kean University Student Newsletter. Our mission is to keep you informed and aware of all the opportunities available at Kean. We will provide publicity for upcoming events, highlight student achievements, and notify you of scholarship, volunteer, and employment opportunities.
W
We want you to help us shape the direction that this newsletter takes. If there is anything you think we should cover in future issues, feel free to contact us at: slld@cougar.kean.edu
FOR THE
KEAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT COMMUNITY
NAME THE NEWSLETTER CONTEST! We Need Your Help! We held meetings, we brainstormed, we came up with several names that just did not make the cut. Here we had this great vehicle for getting important information into the hands of our students, and we could not decide on a name for it. We had the basis for the newsletter. We had the means at our disposal to deliver it. We were firmly committed to the idea that students would play a large role in deciding what type of information we should present to the University community. And then it happened. We had a breakthrough. Long after despair had set in, one enlightened individual said, “LET THE STUDENTS NAME IT.” Everyone in the room saw the light bulb
go on and we knew we had the solution to our problem. So here is our challenge to you: Create a name for the newsletter that captures the essence of the Kean University student experience. It’s a daunting task: creating a buzzworthy name that will stand the test of time. As an incentive, we would like to announce the prize for first place:
$200 Gift Certificate to the Barnes & Noble Bookstore Good luck! Now get to work. All entries must be submitted via email to: slld@cougar.kean.edu by March 15, 2004.
KEAN UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH The 2004 African-American History Month Program pays tribute to the landmark 1954 US Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Throughout the month of February, there will be programs open to all members of the University community. Several of the events are geared towards recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education case, widely regarded as one of the seminal moments in the history of the civil rights movement. Dr. Barbara Wheeler, chairperson of the Africana Studies Department talks about the importance of the Supreme Court case, “Many of the students at Kean today might not be here were it not for the Brown decision.” The celebration of the 1954 case will be held on Thursday, February 12 in the University Center at 12:30PM, and features two speakers: Attorney William Ewing “Brown v. Topeka, Kansas” and Mr. Moses Scott “They Closed Our Schools”. Pan-African Student Union President, Allison Etinoff explained the goal of the coordinating committee: “In this day and age, it is important for students to understand their history, in particular, African-American history.” Other events palnned to take place throughout the month-long program include: a political forum on “The State of Black America and “A Celebration of the Undeground Alison Etinoff, PASU President, Dr. Barbara Wheeler, Chairperson of Africana Studies Railroad”. For a complete listing of the African-American History Month Calendar of Events, and Danielle Epps, PASU VP of External Affairs contact the Office of Student Life & Leadership Development at extension 75170. To receive the newsletter via email, use your Kean Cougar Email Account 1
EVENTS CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
African History Month Diaspora Day featuring the following presentations: “Black Muslims in America” (2PM), “Self Portrait of an African King”(3:30PM), and an “Afro-Cuban Dance” workshop (5PM). All events held in Downs Hall.
COLLEGE LEADERSHIP NEW JERSEY LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD JUNIORS
Do you see yourself as a leader in your community or future career? Do you care about the future of New Jersey? Are you ready for a challenge? These are a few of the questions posed by College Leadership New Jersey, a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary leadership development program aimed at transforming New Jersey’s most promising college and Cougar Basketball @ university juniors into tomorrow’s Ramapo. Women’s Game leaders in their communities and begins at 5:30PM. Men’s careers. Game begins @7PM. College Leadership New Jersey THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 recognizes that most of today’s citizens Representing Kean at the 2003 CLNJ Program were A Simulation of the Middle have a limited understanding of the (from l-r): Tina Szcepkowski, Md Maruf, and Venus Banks Passage will take place in the state’s most critical public policy University Center Room 337 issues. But New Jersey has an urgent need for strong leaders with a broad and deep at 5PM. Attendance to this understanding of the state’s most important policy questions. African History Month CLNJ is designed as a series of intensive public policy seminars that will challenge your Program is by reservation perceptions and enrich your understanding of state policy issues. As a participant, you will disonly. Contact the Office of cuss issues with government officials, meet with leaders in education and industry, visit health Africana Studies at extension care facilities and social service agencies. You will learn to understand your state as few New 73915. Jerseyans do. For the past several years, Kean University has sent some of its most talented and FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 promising students to take part in the program. Venus Banks, a senior education major, Last day to file for May & attended last year and was impressed with the ability of her fellow students. “College August 2004 Master’s Leadership New Jersey was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. It opened my eyes Degrees and graduate to a community around me that I did not know existed.” Md. Maruf, a senior computer science certification. major, remarked, “The thing that I realized most was that we should strive to be as active as possible in our communities.” Movie Night in the Little For more information or to apply for the College Leadership New Jersey Program, stop by the Office of Theater: “Wind of Desire” Student Life & Leadership Development in the University Center Room 219. Or call extension 75170. begins at 8PM. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Annual Brain Bowl hosted by Dr. Morgan Laury. University Center Room 228 3:30PM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Tribute to Black Men with Mr. Larry Hamm, President of the People’s Organization for Progress. University Center Room 228 12:30PM
GRADUATING SENIORS...
Yes, we realize it’s only the first week of February, but we also know that it’s never too early to begin giving you information on the 2004 Kean University Commencement Ceremonies. This year’s Graduate Commencement exercise will be held at the New Jersey Peforming Arts Center in Newark, NJ on Tuesday, May 4 at 7PM. The Undergraduate Commencement will once again be held at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on Thursday, May 6 at 11AM. The Kean University Commencement Committee is working on a Commencement Newsletter that will contain all the information that you will need as graduation day approaches. The Commencement Newsletter will be mailed to all students that file for graduation and will be posted on the University’s website: www.kean.edu. In addition to the Commencement Newsletter, you can check with us for important information relating to the programs, events, and deadlines relating to the graduation process.
February 6 is the last day to file a graduation application for May & August 2004 2
NOW HIRING: CENTER FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS LOOKING FOR PEER LIAISONS & ACADEMIC TUTORS The Center for Academic Success is currently accepting applications for Peer Liaisons and Academic Tutors. Peer Liaisons are students that assist the instructors in the University’s Freshmen Seminar classes, while the Academic Tutors work one-on-one with students requiring support in a particular course. “We are looking for students that are enthusiastic and truly enjoy being at Kean University” remarked Dr. Steven Kubow, Director of the Center for Academic Success. “These positions offer an opportunity for students to give back to the University and provide invaluable experience in front of a classroom or working closely with their peers. The benefits for the student employees are numerous: priority registration, developing relationships with faculty & staff members, it looks appealing on a resume, and it allows the student to become an integral part of the University.” The search for applicants will be an ongoing one throughout the spring semester. With the extended hours of the Center (8:30AM-8:30PM Monday-Thursday, 8:30AM-6PM on Friday, and 9AM-3PM on Saturday), there is a need for many student staff members. Nancy O’Shea, the Peer Liaison Coordinator, explains, “Students should not be discouraged from applying because they have limited availability. We will work with students and create a work schedule based on their class schedules. In order to qualify for the Peer Liaison position, a
Current Peer Liaisons help staff the Center for Academic Success.
student must possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.5, while applicants for the Academic Tutor position must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5, with an ‘A’ average for the particular course that they will specialize in. For more information, contact Nancy O’Shea in the Center for Academic Success (73260) or download an application online at: www.kean.edu/~fyc/jobs.html
TIRED OF HOTMAIL? TRY COUGAR EMAIL INSTEAD!
KEAN UNIVERSITY COUNSELING CENTER OFFERS STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING DEPRESSION
Fed up with all the free Internet email providers that offer limited storage space and deluge your inbox with a constant barrage of junk mail? Maybe the Cougar email system is the answer you’ve been looking for. All Kean University students are entitled to a Cougar email account that comes with 10MB of storage space. Using your Kean email account benefits you by providing access to information that you otherwise may not be getting. Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of the Cougar email system is the ability to have your KeanWise password sent directly to your Cougar email address. Instead of waiting on line at the One Stop Center because you lost or forgot your KeanWise password, a student using their Cougar account can simply submit an email request to “kwpasswd@cougar.kean.edu” and have their password reset in a (matter of minutes.) Among the many other advantages is the professional appearance of a Kean email address, for example “smithj@cougar.kean.edu”. If you think about it for a moment, would you want to apply for a job with an email address of “johnnybegood4800@aol.com” on your resume?
Strategies help people take control over depression. Some strategies may be as simple as evaluating what you really need. This may include help with chores or help with a problem/ project. Some other ideas are: * Get involved in an exercise program. * Read a good book. * Go out for a meal or movie with friends. * Write your feelings down to help process what you are feeling. Every moment spent processing is valuable. * Try not to talk yourself down. Focus instead on positive solutions. * Learn breathing techniques or focus on a new hobby. * Go to counseling for exploration on how you are feeling. In most cases symptoms can be greatly reduced or eliminated. * Old patterns take time to change but it is never impossible. The Kean University Counseling Center provides therapy for the Kean community. Students are invited to come in to discuss any difficulties they may be experiencing. The Counseling Center is located in Downs Hall 127.
Coming Soon: The Student Newsletter Website with daily updates 3
QUICK HITS The Performing Arts Office is hiring Ushers, Box Office Clerks, and Technicians. Applications are available at the Box Office in Wilkins Theater. The General Education Department is hiring Computer Lab Assistants. For more information, call the G.E. Department at extension 73481. Student Organization Inc. is offering five $500 scholarships available to all full-time undergraduate freshmen at the University. Deadline for submission of application is February 19 at 2PM. For more information, contact Student Organization Treasurer John Abram at extension 75190. Applications are available in the Student Organization Office located in the University Center Room 321 or online: www.studentorg-ku.org
Sexual Responsibility/Awareness Week
begins on February 9. Kean students will join their peers at more than 3,000 campuses across the country while participating in a week long program consisting of activities that promote sexual responsibility and education on various health issues. The Office of Residence Life and The Burch Hall Resident Assistant Staff invite all Kean students to attend their event in the University Center 228 on Monday, February 9 at 8PM.The
The Kean Federation of Teachers is offering the following scholarships:
The Women’s Studies Collateral Program is holding a scholarship contest offering three awards. Instructions and entry forms are available in the Women’s Studies Office in Hutchinson Hall 303. Deadline for submission is Wednesday, February 16, 2004.
A portion of the D’Angola Parking Lot has been closed due to the groundbreaking for the new Health and Wellness Center. About 180 parking spaces will be unavailable. Additional parking is now available at Green Lane and the University is currently pursuing negotiations with NJ Transit to secure supplementary parking. Please allow extra time to get to the main campus. The University Bus Shuttle may assist you with the increased distance you may have to travel within the interior of campus. The shuttle schedule can be found online at www.kean.edu/forms. A Weekend Substitute Teaching Seminar will be held on February 21 and 22 from 8:30AM-4:30PM. The fee for the seminar is $160 and includes a handbook, materials, and notarization of substitute-teaching paperwork. For more information, contact the Kean University Teaching Performance Center at extension 74185.
> Full-time undergraduates: $1200 > Part-time undergraduates: $600 > Full-time graduate students: $1500 > Part-time graduate students: $750 It is anticipated that eight awards will be offered. Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, and evaluation of an essay. The application deadline is March 15, 2004. Applications may be obtained at the following locations: the KFT Office (J-201G), Center for Academic Success, Graduate Office (T-122), One-Stop Service Center (Kean Hall), or the University Center Information Desk.
The Vogue Fashion Show that was cancelled due to inclement weather in December has been rescheduled for March 2, 2004. All original tickets will be honored.
Hispanic Association for Higher Education of New Jersey, Inc. presents a Graduate/Professional School Fair on Saturday, February 28 beginning at 9AM at Kean University. The fair will feature recruiters from Graduate & Professional schools, presentations on admissions and financial aid, and workshops on various topics including law school, careers in higher education, and medical schools. For additional information, contact: Amparo Codding acodding@bergen.edu or Julian Gomez jgomez@bergen.edu
“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” opens at the Wilkins Theater on Friday, February 13 at 8PM. Originally written by Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson, the Kean University cast is being directed by Ernest Wiggins. The play runs until Sunday, February 22. Tickets are $10 for students & children, and $15 for faculty, staff, alumni, and seniors. For more information, contact the Wilkins Theater Box Office at extension 77469. The New Jersey Ballet presents “Cinderella” at Wilkins Theater on February 29 at 2PM. Tickets are $10. The University will be closed on Monday, February 16 in honor of President’s Day.
Spring Break is March 8-12. Classes Resume on March 15, 2004 4
ON-CAMPUS RECRUITING OPPORTUNITIES... Career Services announces the following oncampus recruiting events: The Port Authority of NY&NJ will be interviewing for full-time management associate positions on Wednesday, February 4 from 11AM to 2PM in the University Center Atrium. For more information visit www.panynj.gov Barclays Capital is interested in interviewing all Business majors for full-time positions in Operations or Finance. Barclays Capital utilizes an on-campus testing process and then a followup interview. To register, please send your resume to career@kean.edu by February 23, 2004. For more information, visit Career Services on the Kean University East Campus or online at www.kean.edu/~career.
Thanks in large part to a generous donation by the Council for Part-Time Students, the refurbished Willis Hall Student Lounge opened this semester. The lounge is located on the first floor and provides a comfortable atmosphere to catch up on some reading or last minute studying.
ATHLETICS DON’T GIVE UP! DON’T EVER GIVE UP!
CONGRATULATIONS TO KEAN The Kean University womens basketball program and Head Coach Michele Sharp have joined the UNIVERSITY fight against cancer by enrolling in a fund-raiser called “Where Games Are Won And Lives Are Saved” WOMEN’S to raise money for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, as well as for the basketball program. The BASKETBALL SENfund-raiser, sponsored by the Hoop Champs Foundation, will be held on Sunday, February 15, at 1 p.m. at D’Angola Gymnasium, 1000 Morris Avenue, in Union, N.J. In order to raise money, the members of the team will conduct a Shoot-A-Thon in which each player will attempt to convert as many shots as possible out of 100 from the free-throw line. They will be accepting pledge amounts on a flat rate or by a per shots-made basis. Following the event, the women’s basketball team will evenly divide the collected proceeds, with half going to benefit The V Foundation, and the women’s basketball program at Kean receiving the other half. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was started by former North Carolina State University men’s basketball coach Jim “Jimmy V” Valvano, who guided the Wolfpack to an unlikely NCAA championship in 1983 and later became a popular television analyst for ESPN prior to being diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1992. He permanently ingrained himself into the American consciousness with his emotional speech at the inaugural ESPN ESPY Awards in 1993, when, although visibly weakened by the disease, he announced the creation of The V Foundation, saying that his last dream was to find a cure for cancer. He closed with the advice that became the motto for the organization, “Don’t give up! Don’t ever give up!” Those interested in sponsoring the women’s basketball program in the Shoot-A-Thon are asked to print out the Shoot-A-Thon form (www.kean.edu/athletics) and print their name, e-mail address, and pledge amount, along with the player you wish to sponsor. Checks can be made payable to Kean University Women’s Basketball and should be forwarded to the Women’s Basketball Office, D122, Attn: Coach Michele Sharp (Shoot-A-Thon) on or before Friday, February 13.
IOR FORWARD
SHERVON JAMES WHO SCORED THE
1,000 POINT OF HER CAREER IN THE
COUGARS 86-49 NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 31. JAMES JOINS TEAMMATE KELLIE RICE,
VICTORY OVER
WHO PASSED THE
1,000 POINT MILESTONE EARLIER THIS SEASON.
The University will be closed on Monday, February 16 in honor of President’s Day 5
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT: MATT HORTON GET TO KNOW KEAN’S BIG MAN ON CAMPUS The Kean University Men’s Basketball team is off to a 15-4 start. We sat down for a few moments with one of the big contributors to the team’s resurgence, Kean Cougar forward Matt Horton. Here’s what we came up with: Height: 6’9” Weight: 230 lbs. High School: Depaul - Paterson, NJ Favorite Movie: Scarface Favorite Rapper: Jay-Z Favorite Junk Food: Pizza Favorite Team: New Orleans Hornets What has been the key to the team’s overall success this year? “The biggest reason for the team’s early success is that we realize the only thing
that important is getting the victory. We’re all friends on the team and we don’t care who scores or gets the spotlight, we just want to win.” What’s been the reason behind your improved play this year? “Red-shirting last season helped me a lot. It allowed me the time I needed to get in better shape, gain some weight, and get stronger. All those hours in the weight room have definitely helped.” Do you have any predictions for the outcome of this season? “I think we can make a run at the NCAA’s if we continue to play our game. If we play the way we are capable of playing, we can beat anyone. It’s a cliche, but it’s true: our toughest opponent is ourselves.”
GOTHIC KNIGHTS STIFLE COUGARS 85-74 In front of a capacity crowd on Saturday, January 31, the New Jersey City University Gothic Knights defeated the Kean University Cougars 85-74. In the end, the Cougars did not have an answer for Gothic Knight senior forward Samar Battle, who scored a career high 32 points in the victory. With the win, NJCU improved to 154 overall, 6-1 in the New Jersey Athletic conference. The Cougars dropped to 15-4 overall, and fell to 4-4 in conference play. The Gothic Knights built an 11-point lead at halftime, as Battle scored 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-4 from behind the arc. For the Cougars, junior guard Tan Kesler had 11 points, while sophomore forward BJ Hamby added eight points and four steals. The Cougars, who trailed by double digits most of the game, made a valiant effort at a comeback, trimming the Gothic Knight lead to seven on a few occassions in the second half. However, some costly turnovers ultimately did the Cougars in. In the win, Battle added five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while sophomore forward Mark Washington added 15 points and seven rebounds. For the Cougars, Hamby finished with a team-high 20 points and a career-high five steals, while Kesler added 17 points and three assists before fouling out late in the contest. Freshman forward Steve Koenigstein and freshman guard Bryan Miller each played 19 minutes off the bench, as Koenigtein knocked down all seven of his field goal attempts en-route to a career-high 14 points and Miller added 11 points and a career-high seven rebounds. The Cougars next home game is Wednesday, February 11 vs. Richard Stockton College at 8PM.
BASEBALL TEAM RANKED 15TH IN THE NATION The Kean University Cougars have been ranked 15th in the nation according to the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s Division III Pre-Season Poll. The baseball team concluded the 2003 season with an 29-12 record, matching the second highest win total in program history, and advanced to the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship Game for the second straight season. The Cougars will look to build on last season’s success as they return seven starters including the entire infield. Kean’s offense will once again revolve around first basemen/designated hitter Kevin Wright. Wright who was the NJAC Rookie of the Year had a stellar rookie campaign, batting .350 with 49 hits, 38 runs and 38 RBI. He smacked a team-high 11 home runs and added eight doubles and one triple on the year. On the mound, the Cougars have a solid contingent of pitchers back, while also adding a number of quality transfers and freshmen to the rotation. Kean will kick off the season with their annual spring break trip to southern California from March 7-14. Kean will square off against two nationally ranked teams while on the west coast, #4 Chapman College and #27 Pomona Pitzer College. The Cougars season begins on March 7th when they face Ithaca College at 2:30 p.m.
New Jersey Athletic Conference Basketball Tournaments begin on February 23 & 2 4 6