Tiger Woods Matters P. 11
World Wide Web of Comics P. 2
ng i v a ey S ons! n o M oup C 4
Honda’s C-RZ Hybrid Breaks Barriers P. 9
Pg 1
The Tower Kean University’s student newspaper
www.kean.edu/~thetower
Volume 10 • Issue 7 Apr. 7-Apr. 27, 2010
Thompson Wins Student Org Election By Joseph Tingle and Melissa Jewels
Assoumou Sahou Jr., candidate on the Team Reformation ticket, outside University Center campaigning for last minute votes as Student Org elections ended this week.
Kean Reflects on Obama Presidency By D.J. Jean
The dream of a national healthcare plan is finally realized, now that millions of uninsured Americans will receive medical coverage.
“The passage of the Healthcare bill last Sunday was such a significant event.” On Sunday, March 21, the US House of Representatives, on a vote of 219212, passed a Healthcare Reform bill that means the beginning of a total overhaul of our current healthcare system. It was met with resounding opposition from the Republican Party.
And Kean University students are certainly interested. At an event on Thursday, March 25, the Kean University Political Science department and members of the Kean chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society, held an event called “Reflections on the Obama Presidency.” The discussion included Political Science professors Dr. Lawrence Chang, Dr. Gilbert Kahn, Dr. Charles Kelly, Merle Treusch, and Dr. Jacqueline Keil, who was the moderator of the event. The event was open to everyone and questions were taken afterwards. According to Prof. Treusch, the media was referring to President Obama early on as possibly a “transformational president.” A “transformational president” is (Continued on page 4) a president who
Dare Thompson, the Independent candidate, was elected the new president of Kean University’s Student Organization, according to preliminary voting results released Tuesday. Thompson, a junior Finance major, president of the University Activities Board, and a brother of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, defeated the UNI team candidate, Walmbe N’Dure, current vice president of student affairs.A whole new Executive Board was also elected, as were new class representatives for each class. The Reformation team swept the race, winning all the seats it vied for, and coming in as victors in the class races as well. The official tallies are scheduled to be announced Wednesday, but early results were released to the candidates and the press after online voting ended Tuesday evening. “I’m still a little nervous,” Thompson told The Tower after the announcement. “I worked hard and was passionate about one goal—increasing student involvement. And I followed through with it. Thanks for the support.” On the Executive Board, Benito Nieves, a member of the UNI team, won the race for vice president of funded groups. Also elected to the top SO board—all of whom were members of the Reformation ticket—were Juan Lopez to director of promotions and advertising; Lester Bosea to assistant secretary; Olu Brown as assistant treasurer; Assoumou “JR” Sahou as vice president of committees, and Ned Shaikh as vice president for student affairs. Jessica LaMagra, who ran unopposed as an independent candidate, won as vice presi-
dent at Kean-Ocean campus. Reformation did not run candidates for the president’s seat or for VP-funded groups. Incumbent president Carminda Bandeira thanked everyone for running a clean campaign. She said just four violations were called into question during the voting process, they were investigated and nothing was found amiss. Last year, the election results were delayed because of alleged irregularities. Kean’s Student Organization represents the university’s estimated 10,000-plus full time undergraduate students and has an operating budget of about $1 million. Voting, which was handled by a service, was done by email to students and took place on April 5 and 6. The new student government holds its first meeting May 7. On March 25, Student Org had a debate —a first—in the University Center’s Little Theatre, which included various candidates running from the UNI Team and the Reformation League. One issue was the lack of awareness about what Student Organization is and what it stands for. Freddy Echevestre, candidate for vice president of committees said, he thought Student Org needed to advertise itself more on campus. “I would think it’s because of publicity.” Assoumou “JR” Sahou said, when answering the question about a lack of awareness. “It needs to be known that we’re here and we’re doing stuff for you guys [the community],” said Sahou, who is also a candidate for vice president of committees and a member of the Reformation ticket. Sahou stressed that advertising is the key to getting students more involved (Continued on page 2) in their community.
BE KEAN’S BIGGEST LOSER. (SEE PAGE 12)
Ericka White Freshman, Elementary/Special Education
“Chocolate, because it’s the only time of the year I eat it.”
William Parrish Junior, Education/Marketing
“Jellybeans, I just love them.”
The World Wide Web of Comics
2
Arts & Entertainment
Repomen: A Rip-off?
5
Editorial & View
More Pets Put Down
7
Health & Fitness
By brett Williams
Photos: Brett Williams
INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: What is the one thing you would like to see in your Easter basket this year?
Enise McCormick Junior, Film & Media
Aimee Pagan Junior, Education
“The cure for my mother’s cancer. Just so she wouldn’t have to worry anymore, nor anyone else.”
“Anything from my family, because they always do little things to show they love us.”
8-9 10-11 12
Hoops for Heart
12
Sports
15
2010 MLB Predictions: John & Junior
16