Thompson Calls For New Voices

INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: What is your most memorable moment being a student at Kean? By Brett Williams

Kean University’s stUdent newspaper

KFT and Kean at Odds Over BudgetBy laura urBan

Members of Kean University were part

of a higher education press conference and rally at the State House in Trenton recent-

ly representing more than 30,000 faculty and staff members concerned about the future of higher education in New Jersey.

The press conference, held in March, asked Governor Christie, who did not make an appearance, to receive input from higher education faculty, staff, and students before making his budget deci-

sions, instead of relying exclusively on ad-vice from the state’s college presidents.

“Instead of talking exclusively to College and University presidents, the Governor would benefit from talking to everyone involved with higher education—faculty and staff—as well as students-- who are often in a better position to identify insti-tutional problems,” according to a state-ment from Nicholas C. Yovnello, President of the Council of New Jersey State College Locals-AFT.

Gov. Christie has instituted a 4 per-cent cap on tuition increases for the up-coming school year—a move that Kean’s administration says will require some major changes.

Kean has told the university staff that it will not be able to maintain its current level of services

By melissa JeWels

Kean’s newly elected Student Organiza-tion President Dare Thompson is a man with vision.

For the 2010-2011 school year, Thomp-son would like the students to know that change is coming and things will be differ-ent from last year.

As a commuter student, Thompson un-derstands that many commuters aren’t as involved in the campus as they could be. One of his goals is to reach out to these students and have them aware of and involve them-selves in what’s going on around the university.

“I’m a micro-phone for everyone’s voice to be heard,” said Thompson.

Thompson says many students did not know where to go or who to speak to if they had something they wanted ad-dressed. “Last year a lot of connections with students were lost,” he said.

This year, Thompson along with the new members of the student government, will tackle the issues and concerns left un-heard, he said.

Thompson says the key to reaching out to all of Kean is to properly inform students that student government is here to help with any problems or concerns students might have with Kean. Along with issues and concerns, Thompson wants all students to realize all Kean has to offer, such as the recent Career Fair and other events.

At the first Election Board meeting to be held on May 6 and first council meet-ing to be held on May 7, Thompson plans to have all issues and concerns to be dis-cussed in order to have everyone develop “one vision”.

“I have a plan that’s going to take lots of hard work and negotiating,” said Thompson.

Though he holds one of the highest stu-dent positions at Kean, Thompson knows he cannot succeed without the help and support from all students in order to ac-complish a strong and successful year where everyone will know that “working together is key.”

“I can’t do it by myself,” said Thompson, “I need every student behind me”

Other than his prestigious new title, Thompson is just your typical college stu-dent. As a student ambassador and previ-ous University Activities Board President, Thompson is a leader, yet has been de-scribed by his peers as a “humble” person.

As a Junior Finance Major, he works hard to succeed in his classes and hopes to attend Wharton Graduate Business School at the University of Pennsylvania after he graduates from Kean.

He works at Home Depot to pay his col-lege tuition and is a brother in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. In the future, Thomp-son sees himself working in an investment firm as well as going to law school.

Thompson said students with concerns should visit the Student Org office in the University Center, Room 321.

Charlie CampbellFreshman, Criminal Justice

Alicia McFarlandJunior, Psychology

Crystal RodriguezSenior, Early Childhood Education

Nicole GrantSenior, Communications/Film

“Being inducted into an honor society.” “My most memorable moment was when I crossed into my sorority.”

“Move in day.” “Being outside in the nice weather hanging with my friends during the outside events.”

www.kean.edu/~thetower

2010 Commencement Coverage 2

Hindi Language & Indian Culture Seminar. 5

Career Day at Kean 7

Arts & Entertainment 8-9

Editorial & View 10-11

Kean’s Scholar-athletes 11

Earth Day 12

Sports 15

2010 NBA Predictions: John & Junior 16

Volume 10 • Issue 8 April 28, 2010

WHO’S WHO: SPOTLIGHTS OF 2010 GRADUATING STUDENTS (See page 3)

Human Rights Club Spreads Awareness P. 7

(Continued on page 7)

Graduation ceremonies get underway. (See pages 2-3)

No More Outrageous Prices for Textbooks P. 6

Photo

s: Br

ett W

illiam

s

“WHAT iS RequiRed iS iNCluSive leAdeRSHiP ANd NOT OveRReACTiON.”

Hill Harper to Address 2010 undergraduate Class P. 2

“i’M A MiCROPHONe fOR eveRy-ONe’S vOiCe TO be HeARd.”

Dare Thompson

Photo: Jillian Johnson

The Tower

Graduation

2010 Special

2 april 28, 2010 | The Tower

By megan muller

Four long years have gone by, can you believe it? Four years ago you were strang-ers, all curious as to what Kean Univer-sity had in store for you. Now, you will be walking down the aisle as close friends to attain the hard earned degree you’ve worked so hard for.

On Thursday, May 13, 2010 the Kean University Undergraduate Commence-ment ceremony will take place at the PNC Bank Arts Center.

More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the Commencement ceremony. Therefore, in order to ensure parking and avoid heavy traffic, guests should allow for extra travel time. Shuttles will be proved for those required to park in more remote sections of the complex.

Punctuality is key in order to ensure the ceremony begins on time and the safety of all parties is a number one priority. If guests arrive to the ceremony late, they will not be escorted to their seats until

after the opening remarks (the procession will not be interrupted).

The schedule is as follows:7 A.M. Gates will open for guests. Seat-

ing will be general admission and on a first-come first-served basis.

8 A.M. Graduates, faculty and staff should arrive for parking no later than this time and fully prepared.

8:30 A.M. Graduates, faculty and staff will begin line-up for ceremony to begin.

9:30 A.M. Procession begins, Rain or Shine. Guests are asked to take their seats prior to the ceremony.

Hill Harper has been chosen as the 2010 Undergraduate Commencement speaker by the Senior Class Representative from Student Org.

He is one of People magazine’s “Sexi-est Men Alive,” founder of Manifest your Destiny and more commonly known as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes in the CBS series CSI: New York.

Harper earned an undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Brown University,

a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, and

a J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School. He is also a member of the Obama Nation-al Finance Committee, and a member of

Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.Harper authored two New York Times

best-sellers; Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny (2006) and Let-ters to a Young Sister: DeFINE Your Destiny (2008). These books detail practical advice and examples of perseverance in order to convey a message of hope, education and commitment.

Harper is also the founder of the Mani-fest Your Destiny Foundation, a nonprofit youth organization which is dedicated to empowering, encouraging and inspiring underserved youth to succeed with the help of mentorship, scholarship and grant programs.

At press time, the Honorary Degree re-cipient had yet to be disclosed.

Congratulations to the Graduating class of 2010 on behalf of The Tower staff.

For more information on the Under-graduate ceremony please visit http://www.kean.edu/Commencement

By megan muller

The cap and gowns have been ordered, credits have been evaluated and announce-ments sent out to friends and family. The class of 2010 is gearing up for graduation and preparing themselves for the next step in their life. Graduates from January and candidates who have filed for gradu-ation in May and August will be honored for their academic achievements.

May 11, 2010 the Graduate Commence-ment ceremony will be held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

Students are asked to arrive at the Prudential Hall no later than 5:30 p.m. properly dressed and in a professional lineup in order for the procession to begin at 7 p.m.

Ticketed guests will begin seated at 6:15 p.m. A maximum of three tick-ets have been allotted for each student

(unless the voucher for more has been filled out). For more information about seating as well as directions to the

venue, please visit www.njpac.orgThe venue offers a 1,000-car parking

garage directly across from NJPAC where guests will be able to park. There are also numerous parking spaces on the street. Be aware that some of the parking options do require a small fee.

Anna Quindlen, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best selling author, will pro-vide the Commencement audience with an inspiring look into her perspective of this journey called life. At the young age of 18, Quindlen began her career as a copy girl for The New York Post. After transfer-ring to The New York Times, Quindlen wrote her award-winning column, Public and Private.

She is known for providing insight into various issues, ranging from literacy and education, to work and social justice, to medical ethics and family values. She does not show a separation between national

affair and daily life, but rather merges the two ideas, giving a more realistic depic-tion of reality.

Quindlen left newspapers in 1995 to became a novelist. She has written four best-selling books, including One True Thing, which became a film starring Meryl Streep, and Black and Blue, which was made into a televison movie.

She is a graduate of Barnard College and has nine honorary doctorates, as well as the Medal of Excellence from Columiba University.

At press time, the Honorary Degree re-cipient was not announced.

Congratulations to the Class of 2010 on behalf of the staff at The Tower.

For more information on the Graduate ceremony please visit http://www.kean.edu/Graduate

Pulitzer Prize Winning Writer Anna Quindlen to Speak to Graduates

Graduate commencement speaker Anna Quindlen.

One of People’s Sexiest Men Alive to Speak at Undergraduation Commencement

Kean Invites All to Open Forum on Middle States

The Middle States Executive and Steering Committees invite all members of the campus community to an Open Forum on

Kean’s self-study process on Tuesday, May 4 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. in the Little Theater.

Presentation topics include an overview of Middle States standards, the self-study research design and process, a review of preliminary findings, related action plans and initiatives currently underway, and the calendar for completing, reviewing, and

submitting the Self Study.

Attendees will have the opportunity to pose their questions/comments about information presented and related topics.

Undergraduate commencement speaker Hill Harper.

| apr 28, 2010 3The Tower

By Jillian Johnson

With graduation only a few weeks away, Kean University’s 2010 senior class en-joyed a night of fun and excitement, cre-ating lasting memories in celebration of their time spent at Kean. From cocktail hour with a live band playing Spanish mu-sic, to dinner tables decorated with flow-ers and a dance floor filled with feet, Kean University’s senior class 2010 formal was more than just a night of celebration. It was a night to let loose, talk to classmates and dance the night away.

The evening began at 8:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Tara Hotel in Parsippany, N.J. on Friday, April 16. Upon entrance to cocktail hour students couldn’t miss the “KU 2010” ice sculpture sitting on the table. Another ice sculpture of a couple dancing was on another table, displaying the theme, “A Night in Havana.” A live band played Span-ish music during cocktail hour, which also embraced the theme. During cocktail hour students conversed and enjoyed food such as shrimp, cheese, crackers, and noodles.

A bar was available to those of legal age at cocktail hour, but it was not open. This is the first year in which an open bar was not provided to students. As stated by an unknown source who spoke to Paul DiNe-ro, Director of Media and Publications, the reason for the discontinuation of the open

bar was due to consent between the Office of Student Affairs and Student Organi-zation. Since an open bar was no longer provided, ticket prices were reduced from

$50 per ticket to $30 per ticket. Although there was a change in no longer proving an open bar, this didn’t stop students from enjoying their night together.

Cocktail hour last until roughly 10:30 p.m. as students then walked their way to the dinner room. There was a D.J. and a dance floor that students just couldn’t

seem to keep their feet off of. The music was more than fun to dance to as a vari-ety of genres were played, mostly Spanish. But, let’s not forget that Cotton-Eyed Joe

was sure not to miss his spot on the dance floor. Students also formed Congo lines and were not shy to grab someone next to them to dance with.

The dinner tables were decorated with beautiful boutiques of flowers placed in the center surrounded by candles, and a chocolate cigar was placed by each plate. Dinner was served around 11 p.m. which consisted of beef or chicken, in which stu-dents choose which meat when purchas-ing tickets. For dessert, a plate filled with a variety of small desserts was served, along with coffee.

After the night ended at approximately 1:00 a.m., students either drove home or stayed the night at the Sheraton. After all the excitement, conversations between classmates and friends, and the majority of the time spent dancing, the hotel pro-vided students with comfortable beds to rest their eyes, ears, and most important-ly, their feet on. The cost for a room was $99, in which students could choose two twin-sized beds or a king-sized bed.

The night reminded students that their experience at Kean will soon end, but hopefully the years spent were well worth it. Congratulations Class of 2010 and best wishes to all in your future endeavors!

A Spotlight on Students in the 2010 Graduating ClassBy D.J. Jean

Maria Rodriguez found her future at Kean University. So did Joe Roman.

In interviews, they said over the course of their college years here, they found some great friends, inspiring professors and lots of challenging opportunities.

Rodriguez and Roman are just two among the more than 2,500 students who will graduate from Kean on May 13 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel.

They are each unique in their own way —both are graduating with distinction—and yet they are two of many as well. In fact, they are among about 700 students who are graduating with distinction from Kean, meaning they had an overall Grade Point Average of 3.45 or above, according to Paul Dinero, the university public rela-tions specialist.

The Tower couldn’t write all of their stories. So we picked two. Here are their Kean stories, which echo so many others on campus.

Rodriguez has been on the Dean’s list since freshmen year. A major in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, with a minor in Psychology, she is graduating with the distinction of “Magna Cum Laude.”

Ms. Rodriguez said she was initially an undeclared student coming into Kean, but credits Jean Brown, a student advi-sor for undecided majors, for helping her find her path while at Kean. Ultimately, she chose to major in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences.

Ms. Rodriguez, who is of Colombian and Cuban descent, said that there is a short-age and need for certified speech-language specialists and sees her bilingual skills to be an advantage.

Ms. Rodriguez also credits several other mentors in helping her find her path at Kean. While at Kean, Ms. Rodriguez has

acquired a number of achievements.Among some of those achievements

were being part of a research team at the University of Maryland in their language development laboratory and being part of a research team at New York University in their cognition and communication labo-

ratory. Both involved the study of infants and their response to speech perception.

Rodriguez is also an Academic Instruc-tional Mentor for Kean, in which she co-instructs freshman seminars and serves as a peer liaison between students and the university.

Though Rodriguez is not the Energizer bunny, she said it is her desire to make her family proud that is the driving force that keeps her going.

“I am the first generation in my family to go to college,” Rodriguez said.

Recently, Rodriguez was accepted to the Nathan Weiss Graduate College of Kean University for a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. In the future, she hopes to attain a doctorate in Speech-Lan-guage Pathology and become a Speech-Language specialist in an urban public

school setting within the Tri-State area.Joseph Roman always knew what he

wanted to major in. Roman, who majored in business marketing, has been interest-ed in the field since his high school years.

At Linden High School, Roman was taught and mentored by Mrs. Modrak and

Ms. Bivona, two teachers with a business marketing background, who were the cat-alysts to his choice of becoming a Business Marketing major.

Apart from the guidance and influence of these two high school teachers, Mr. Ro-man said he knew he wanted to pursue marketing at the collegiate level, after ex-celling in the DECA high school marketing competition.

“Marketing has always intrigued me because it’s a very broad field and you get to work in something new all the time,” Roman said.

Roman even cited an adage once said by the great philosopher, Confucius, in accordance to his love for the field of marketing.

“If you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,” Roman said.

While at Kean, Roman was a Kean scholar, an executive member of Student Organization, and a Creative Marketing Strategist with the Center for Leader-ship and Service. However, Roman said his greatest achievement was to have been considered a friend to so many won-derful people.

Two people he said had a profound impact on him while at Kean are Scott Snowden, and Communication Depart-ment professor Dr. Fred Fitch.

Roman said Dr. Fitch was the first professor he interacted with while at Kean, and his propensity to get students involved and interact exemplified a pas-

sion for teaching that was life changing for him.

“By his mentoring and leadership I was able to bond with my peers and make a few life long friends,” Roman said.

Scott Snowden, who is currently Ro-man’s supervisor at the Center for Lead-ership and Service, has been a mentor of Roman’s who he said has given him such valued knowledge it’s hard to encapsulate in words.

“These two men have been extraordi-nary in my life and I thank God for them,” Roman said.

Maria Rodriguez defined Kean as “a place where you acquire basic life tools, tools to succeed in life” and Joseph Ro-man also had a definition of Kean.

“Kean to me means opportunity,” Ro-man said. “I’ve had so many opportunities opened up to me at this university that my life is forever changed by my time here.”

“if yOu dO SOMeTHiNG yOu lOve yOu’ll NeveR WORk A dAy iN yOuR life.”

Photo: Jillian Johnson

A Night of Celebration: Kean University’s Class of 2010 Senior Formal

Ice sculpture at Kean’s Senior Formal.

Seniors Maria Rodriguez (left) and Joseph Roman (right).

4 april 28, 2010 | The Tower

By Joseph tingle

Helicopters and a police chase were in-volved in an incident earlier this month on the East Campus after police fired shots at a man who was caught breaking into a parked car and then tried to run down an approaching officer in a getaway vehicle.

The Kean policeman, who was not iden-tified, was treated and released from Uni-versity Hospital following the incident that occurred just after 9 a.m. on April 13. The April 13 incident came a week after a man from Newark allegedly assaulted sev-eral Kean students in the Vaughn Eames parking lot.

“Kean University is a safe campus,” said Stephen Hudik, director of communica-tions at Kean, in a prepared statement. “Our top priority is to ensure the safety

of all members of our campus commu-nity. Our full-time police force is vigilant and proactive as demonstrated by the re-sponse to both the East Campus and the Vaughn Eames parking lot incidents.”

Hudik went on to say that while specific security measures could not be discussed, the University is “always evaluating [its] procedures in an effort to provide as safe an environment as possible.” The incident is currently under investigation by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

In both cases, university relations notified the Kean community in email and phone messages as part of its alert system.

Jessica Skelton, a Kean student, was sleeping in her car on April 13 when she said a loud banging noise woke her up. When she got out of her car, she saw one

officer lying on the ground while another officer was yelling for someone to dial 9-1-1. Skelton, who is CPR certified, thought the officer might need her help.

“I am CPR/First Aid certified so I ran out there thinking the officer may have needed CPR,” she said. “The officer was responsive so I made sure he was talking and remembering what happened because he had fallen and hit his head on the pavement. Another officer came on scene and assisted and keeping the injured officer stable.”

Skelton said the suspect’s car sped off after hitting the officer in the leg and that is when he hit the ground. The injured of-ficer’s leg was in a lot of pain and another policeman who came on scene cut the in-jured cop’s pant leg to check it, she said. Then the EMTs arrived, she said, and “I

backed away to give them room.”Immediately following the incident, au-

thorities were on a hunt for the suspect, according to a report in nj.com, the web-site for The Star-Ledger. The getaway car was later found abandoned on the street in Hillside near the East Campus.

Other students have reported issues with break-ins in Kean’s parking lots. One student, Frank Tierney, said that his GPS and his stereo were stolen out of his car on East Campus the Thursday before the incident on April 13. Tierney and other students, who also claimed to have had objects stolen out of their vehicles filed reports with Kean Police.

Kean Police referred all questions to the university spokesman.

Kean Policeman Hurt in Campus Car Break-in

Kean Student Publishes BookBy Casey murphy

Ever dream of writing and publishing your own book? For some, this dream is just that, but others have made it a reality.

Jennifer Rubino, a part time student at Kean studying for her Post-Baccaluareate in Teacher Certification, published a book on astrology called “As Different as Night and Day” in October of 2009.

“It’s a book about Astrology. It goes into the sun, the moon, the planets, and the twelve zodiac signs, and it’s just basically informative, it’s fun, it’s entertaining, it’s a light read,” said Rubino. “It’s nothing too deep but you can kind of read into it on different levels, so I think it’s for a variety of audiences.”

Rubino spent about two years writing her book, starting right after graduating in 2007, but many years more researching the topic. Since she was thirteen-years-old, Rubino has been interested in astrol-ogy and gives credit to her hair stylist for sparking her interest.

“It’s actually dedicated to Lenore Ras-sias, she’s actually my hair stylist since I’ve been like 13, and I would go to her as a teenager and we’d talk about it,” said Ru-bino. “She kind of perked my interest in the subject.”

Although Rubino has been interested in astrology for years, she didn’t know that it was the topic her book was going to be about.

“I wanted to write a book when I decid-ed my major was going to be writing. I was thinking what could I do with that major and what career do I see myself doing and I was kind of unsure,” said Rubino. “I’m still kind of figuring out a career path but I knew I wanted to use my writing ability so besides working here at the Cougar’s Byte I decided in my free time I wanted to write a book… I didn’t know that’s what it was going to be about, but I always had an interest and I knew a lot about it so that’s why I decided to go with that.”

After “As Different as Night and Day” was written, Rubino began looking for a publisher. Instead of going to different publishing houses for assistance she de-cided to publish the book herself.

“I tried to actually send it out to pub-lishers but it’s really hard for a first time author,” said Rubino. “We have no connec-tions, nobody knows our name, and most people won’t even look at it unless its sent by an agent or, you know, you kind

of have to have a hook up to get in to a big time publisher or even a small time publisher. They don’t really take first time author’s seriously.”

Rubino ended up using iUniverse.com, a self-publishing website that a girl she knew from high school had used to get a book published. Self-publishing a book wasn’t cheap, though. Not only did she have to pay a fee to have her book pub-lished, but she also had to pay a revision fee every time she needed to revise her book. Now that it’s done, though, there are urges to begin another book.

“It’s definitely tempting to write some-thing else, but at the same time I am satis-fied where I am and I think I kind of have to focus on a career, that’s why I’m here for teaching,” said Rubino.

Ignoring the urges to begin another book is one thing. The dream of having her book sold in stores is another. Right now “As Different as Night and Day” can be purchased on iUniverse.com and BarnesandNoble.com, and as soon as Ru-bino has sold enough books online she hopes her next step will be selling it to dif-ferent bookstores.

“It was definitely a sense of satisfac-tion that I had got what I wanted finally and that I made it happen even though it wasn’t the path that I wanted to go down necessarily, but that I had pursued what I really wanted. I felt that sense of accom-plishment,” said Rubino.

“As Different As Night and Day” by Jennifer Rubino.

By mattheW marChesano

Has it ever made you curious as to why Bollywood movies are so popular? Or per-haps you may have wondered what this fuss concerning some ‘Downward-Facing Dog’ is all about? Well my fellow Cougars, May 24th marks the first day of an inspir-ing two-week long seminar exploring Hin-di language and Indian culture. There is no prior experience of the language or any previous knowledge of the culture needed. Also, you’ll receive a free iPod Touch for completing the program.

Seriously, you will get a complimentary iPod Touch (or Flip Video Camera) for sur-viving all fourteen days. How could this possibly be true, you may ask?

It is all thanks to Kean’s School for Global Education and Innovation in col-laboration with the N.J. Indian-American community and the federally-funded STARTALK program. This awesome course is offered on behalf of the National Secu-rity Language Initiative (NSLI), founded in 1996 remarkably by President Bush ‘Dubya,’ as incentive for Americans to be-come more conscious with major foreign cultures and languages.

Promotions aside, this class seems very intriguing. The daily schedule begins with an instructional yoga session, followed by a light breakfast, which is provided. The experience then continues with even more hands-on learning; getting acquaint-ed with Indian dances, games and theater. After, it is time to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine for lunch, followed by further lessons of Indian culture. Here, all your questions regarding Bollywood can be an-swered, as well as other interesting facts about the world’s largest democracy.

India has almost four times the popula-tion of the United States and hundreds of years more history to offer. Possibly most importantly, each day includes an intro-duction to Hindi, the national language of India. It is one of the oldest surviving lan-guages, traced back to after the turn of the tenth century and is still spoken by nearly

425 million people. The official language of the United States, English, is spoken by roughly 250 million people. Seeing the language written is exotic to Western eyes and it may bring to mind the ‘Elven’ lan-guage, a concept of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings.

I could not stress my enthusiasm any further. The vastness of Eastern culture is strange and untapped for most of us Americans; and although approaching the unknown is daunting, the benefits are un-matched. Engulfing yourself in a different culture is the best way to learn about said culture. Just reading books on the sub-ject is limited to the readers’ imagination based on the what is written throughout the pages. A hands-on experience with ex-perts in the culture will stimulate viewers with and provide them with a solid foun-dation of what life is like on the other side of the world. With this knowledge, view-ers can compare their American society with alternate eastern lifestyles and learn more about their own lives.

Plus you’ll receive a free Apple® iPod.

For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Searson at 908-737-7147 or msearson@kean.edu.

Hindi Language and Indian Culture

| apr 28, 2010 5The Tower

Writer Tim O’Brien Speaks About His Novel “The Things They Carried”By anDreW CzirJak

UNION- “Good kill, you’re a solider now,” author Tim O’Brien told a packed audience in the Wilkins Theater.

It was the summer of 1969, and O’Brien had just been drafted into service to fight in the Vietnam War when he was involved in an ambush. He recalled these words that his sergeant said nearly 40 years ago as though the statement was made yester-day. O’Brien never forgot that sentence because it was the first time that he fired with his platoon and then saw the result: a dead man on the road.

“All I could do was just gape at the fact of this poor man’s body. Sometimes I forgive myself. Other times I do not,” said O’Brien

It was experiences like these that led O’Brien to write his much-acclaimed nov-el, “The Things They Carried,” which was at the centerpiece of a semester-long effort at Kean University called “The Big Read” that integrated classroom studies with a series of lectures. The events were spon-sored by The National Endowments for the Arts to encourage people to read. On April 14, the acclaimed war novelist vis-ited Kean to discuss his work.

O’Brien is a Vietnam Veteran himself. However, when he writes about his per-sonal experiences from the war, he said he tells his stories from a fictitious perspec-tive. O’Brien’s intent is not for his readers to relive the brutality and bloody combats

that he endured. Rather, O’Brien human-izes his protagonists. In his book, “The Things They Carried,” O’Brien tells a com-passionate tale of an American soldier’s

internal conflict between what the charac-ter believes is right and wrong.

“This book [The Things They carried] is mine and it is not meant to stand for any of the three million men that served 40 years ago,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien said he is a storyteller, and that his works are fictional. He crafts a story, and he knows how to draw his readers

into the book. Still, he said his writing and storytelling was influenced by what he learned as a young journalist at The Wash-ington Post.

“You learn how to write well and deliver a more interesting story,” said O’Brien. “I also learned correct grammar and what a story is.”

As a journalist, he said he also learned to be careful about what he does use, and to be very skeptical of what he is told.

“It’s the principle of selectivity,” O’Brien said. “You have to realize the information

in every article and textbook is not the whole truth with a capital T. Sometimes in life the literal truth isn’t what people want to hear. A great nation needs great art.”

Needless to say, O’Brien’s books do echo one important central theme.

“My books deal with the central fact of war. Any war. People killing people,” said O’Brien.

However, O’Brien’s works remind the reader that as it turns out, war isn’t just “people killing people.” For those involved, war does not end with a peace treaty, but continues on in the minds and lives of those affected. O’Brien makes a deliber-

ate effort to explain what a person goes through after they have taken a human life.

“There is a true effort on my part to try to save my soul,” he told a hushed audi-ence. “There is an anchor trying to stop the shaking inside of you.”

“ All i COuld dO WAS juST GAPe AT THe fACT Of THiS POOR MAN’S bOdy. SOMeTiMeS i fORGive MySelf. OTHeR TiMeS i dO NOT.”

Tim O’Brien, author of “The Things They Carried.”

By Casey murphy

Standing in the threshold of D’Angola Gym room 169, shivers ran down my spine as I watched three members of Kean Dance Theater (KDT) practice their piece for the Spring Works 2010 performance.

The Spring Works 2010 performance was on April 16th, 17th, and 18th in Wilkins Theater. Each piece performed was a story without words, starting off with a dance dedicated to those who lost their lives to the earthquake in Haiti.

The curtains opened to reveal perform-ers on the ground and slouched over chairs that were placed in different piles, while one performer gracefully glided among them, crying for those that were lost. Slowly, each performer rose to their feet, dancing as they went, and setting up the chairs. Any move, no matter how complex was synchronized and performed together with impeccable accuracy.

Throughout the show the performers didn’t look like they were concentrating on the performance. It seemed as though the dances came naturally, like breathing. Each piece was performed to a song that helped tell a story. For instance, “Shut Up and Let Me Go” by The Ting Tings played as seven girls (and at the end one boy) tap danced their way out of a relationship with an unfaithful boyfriend. The different costumes and lighting added to the effect of each performance, bringing each story

together and making it complete.KDT was founded in 1978 by William

Chaison, who was an Associate Professor of Physical Education at Kean, as well as a dancer and choreographer in his spare time. Chaison passed away in 1989, but the members of KDT will remain faithful to his dream.

“We never had a major so [William Chaison’s] whole theory was anyone who wanted to dance could be in it and that’s how KDT’s always been,” said Courtney Hoffman, an Elementary and Science Education major at Kean and Secretary of KDT. “If you want to dance you can be in it. There’s no major/minor here so it’s re-ally just for your enjoyment. It’s a celebra-tion of dance.”

Right now, KDT has approximately thirty members and are always glad to ac-cept anyone who is interested. Interested members should know KDT practices sev-eral days a week for several hours at a time.

The group meets regularly during college hour Mondays and Thursdays, Sunday re-hearsals last all day, and the group some-times meets on Tuesdays at night.

“When we perform at new student ori-entation, which is in September right be-fore the semester starts we have summer rehearsals,” said Amy Hadam, a Theater Education major and Vice President of KDT. “We usually start August/July-ish.”

After all the long rehearsals, performing

is well worth it. KDT performs 5-7 shows throughout the year, not only at Kean University but also at events and festivals in the area.

“We did “Arts in the Garden” at Jersey Gardens,” said Jennifer Da Silva, a Psy-chology major and Treasurer of KDT. “We recently went to American College Dance Festival in Pennsylvania so we were danc-ing with all different people.”

KDT gives its members the opportunity to express their creativity by choreograph-ing their own dance, along with their advi-sor and a guest choreographer.

“Mr. Martinez he does about two or three numbers a show. He’s our advisor,” said Da Silva. “We have student choreog-raphy… and we have a guest choreogra-pher, she’s doing a piece. So between all those we have 8 or 9 choreographers in the show.”

How do interested members become part of KDT? According to the executive board they present plenty of opportuni-ties for students to see them and become interested in the group.

“I found out through new student orien-tation,” said Jahir Calderon, a Marketing major and President of KDT. “That was the first time when I ever saw like everyone dance and I was like ’I want to be part of that!’ like I want to see if I could do that.”

Shut Up and Dance

“if yOu WANT TO dANCe yOu CAN be iN iT. THeRe’S NO MAjOR/MiNOR HeRe SO iT’S ReAlly juST fOR yOuR eNjOyMeNT. iT’S A CelebRATiON Of dANCe.”

• AdministrationBuilding,Firstfloorlobby• BruceHall,FirstFloorLounge• CenterforAcademicSuccess,Lobby• CommunicationsDepartmentOffice,

CAS 402• ESLOffice,WillisHall301• HarwoodArena,bythebasketballcourts

• HutchinsonHall,FirstFloorLobby• HenningsHall,FirstFloorLobby• ScienceBuilding,FirstFloorinhallway

between Rooms 121 and 122• TechnologyBuilding,hallwayinside

frontdoor• TowerNewsroom,CAS413

• UniversityCenter,acrossfromthe cafeteriaentrance

• TownsendHall,FirstFloorreceptionarea• Vaughn-EamesHall,FirstFloorLobby• WillisHall,FirstFloor,acrossfromthe

elevator

PICK UP The Tower AT THeSe lOCATIONS

Flier for Kean Dance Theater’s Spring Works 2010.

6 april 28, 2010 | The Tower

By lillie morales-torres

This month, a few friends and I learned a tough beauty lesson by deal-ing with a woman who calls herself the “M.A.C. Lady.” A woman who sells high-end beauty products at the University Center’s flea market. Counterfeit beauty products that is.

The “M.A.C. Lady” has sold her products to many faculty members, students, and teachers on campus for the past two years. But she has never had problems or com-plaints until recently when the authentici-ty of her M.A.C. products was questioned.

Communications major, Daniella Atunez is a big fan of M.A.C. beauty products. In-side her bag she carries a cosmetic pouch filled with brushes, lip glosses, foundation, and eye shadows all of the M.A.C. name brand. Atunez spends a good amount of money on these products because she loves the quality M.A.C. products have to offer. She discovered the “M.A.C. Lady” only a couple of weeks ago.

“I was very excited at the beginning,” says Atunez, “when I saw the M.A.C. products being sold so cheap, I thought –I could afford more because it’s less than store prices! I bought 3 eye shadows at first. The next week I went back with my girlfriends from work and bought 4 eye shadows, a lipstick, eyeliner, and two pig-ment eye shadows.”

Everything at the “MAC Lady’s” table looked authentic. But as they say, looks can surely be deceiving. When asked if they were real, she assured us they all came from the warehouse. That day, we purchased about $100 all together from the so called “M.A.C. Lady.” And like little girls coming from a candy store, we left the University Center full of excitement. But after playing make up, we discovered some strange things about the products.

First, Atunez discovered that the eye shadows have a mirror on the bottom with a sponge applicator that flipped out. This was different because usually M.A.C. eye shadows do not have this feature. The eye shadow palettes were also something we have never seen at a M.A.C. store. They

are black plastic cases that have a black top with a mirror and sponge applicator containing 12 different eye shadow colors which have no color description on the box. The real M.A.C. palettes are either the magnetic kind which you build yourself, a black plastic case with a clear top and color descriptions on the back, or the spe-cial edition palettes that come out around the holidays.

Next, the eyeliners have a gray soft plas-tic cap, no color description and a barcode printed on them. M.A.C. eyeliners always have a color description, black hard plastic caps, and no barcodes. But the worst thing was the cheap smell and thin texture of the fake lip glosses. The real lip glosses do not have any odor and the texture is usu-ally thick and rich. On top of that, all of the items have the same serial numbers.

Our discoveries and research made us suspicious and almost sure that we were sold fake products. Daniella called M.A.C. and personally went to confirm that the products were fakes. I researched online and found tons of videos on youtube.com and articles on this issue and later chat-ted and spoke to M.A.C. artists myself.

We were very surprised that people would even make and sell fake make up. One thing is to sport a knock-off designer bag or jewelry, but something that goes onto your skin is a definite no.

In my online research, I found that this issue doesn’t bother some people. But it is serious. These fake products may contain ingredients such as coal tar to phthalate and other dangerous additives. Also, it

is unknown what black market activity profits from making these counterfeits go towards. Most of them are coming from places like Thailand and Hong Kong.

Many M.A.C. stores and kiosks are un-aware of this fraudulent act. M.A.C. Artist of Bloomingdale’s in the Short Hills Mall, Nicole Rojas says she has never heard of this problem until now.

“This is not something I really knew about but I think it’s important that people watch out for this and not use these counterfeit products.” Says Rojas, “Our products are FDA approved and go through high quality testing. Fake ones can be watered down or old- you don’t re-ally know what’s in them and you’re skin can have a bad reaction.”

When confronting the “M.A.C. Lady,” we simply asked her for a refund. We did not want any problems. But she acted in a very unprofessional manner and re-fused to issue a refund. She claimed that her products are all real and that she gets

everything from the M.A.C. warehouse which does not even exist.

Maccosmetics.com states, “Our prod-ucts are distributed for sale only at our au-thorized retail store accounts, the majority of which are located in major department stores or international perfumeries. We do not offer franchises.”

M.A.C. does not sell in bulk or offer independent selling opportunities like Avon or Mary Kay for example. If you care about what goes on your face, the safest way to buy make up products is from an official store or kiosk. Watch out for cheap products on eBay, independent sellers, or “M.A.C. Parties.” You may get cheated like we did. If you suspect fake M.A.C. prod-ucts, you can also chat with an artist on-line. I chatted with one and discussed the situation with her.

Maccosmetics.com Artist, Mary-Ann says, “There are sites and people selling our products that are not authorized re-tailers of our products. This means that they do not obtain the MAC products they sell through us, which does not allow us to exercise quality control over products they sell. We cannot guarantee the freshness or authenticity of the products they sell.”

The “M.A.C. Lady” did not refund us. She was very unprofessional and did not try to work anything out. Instead she be-came upset using foul language against us and quickly packed up her counterfeit items bolting out the door of the Univer-sity Center. It was not our intention to make her leave but in a way, she was doing everyone a favor. She was cheating stu-dents and teachers for 2 years already. No one ever suspected that she was a fraud but it was only a matter of time. Her time ran out and she ran away with it.

“I bought some eye shadows from her and when I found it they were fakes I was upset but I will keep using them because I like the colors.” Says Communications ma-jor, Mariela Rodriguez who witnessed the “M.A.C. Lady’s escape. “But her leaving like that shows that she was running from the truth. She knew what she was selling and that’s wrong.”

Buyer Beware: Cheap M.A.C. Products are Fakes

By megan muller

Attention students of Kean University.There is now a much needed solution to your biggest problem. You will no longer have to cough up your hard earned cash to purchase the ridiculously overpriced text-books for each semester.

“I think the books are extremely over-priced. $600 on books? I could have booked a flight for a vacation with that money! But instead I spend it on books that come the time when the bookstore buys them back, I will not even get half of what I spent back,” said Deyna Jeckell, a junior Communication major at Kean.

Today, there are many options to text-book buying such as renting textbooks, purchasing iChapters and eTextbooks. ETextbooks are digital versions of print textbooks. These books are read on the

computer screen and frequently come with features such as high-speed search and electronic note-taking. Websites such as CourseSmart.com, Amazon.com and CengageBrain.com (previously ichapters.com) offer eTextbooks at up to 50% off the retail price.

Cengage Learning, a major textbook publisher, recently launched a valuable resource for students, CengageBrain.com. This retail outlet provides students the opportunity to purchase iChapters of textbooks rather than the entire book. Students will be able to purchase chap-

ters online as you go through the course for prices as low as $3.99 each rather than purchasing the entire textbook.

“From past experience, my professors only occa-sionally open the book, therefore the hole that has been burnt in your pocket already has just gotten worse,” said Shawn Alba-nese, a junior Secondary English Education major at Kean. “

On average, students will be reimbursed half of the original purchase price of their text-book at the semester end. A more eco-nomical option for students is to rent a textbook. Chegg.com, the leading retailer in textbook rentals, offers three rental pe-

riods for students to choose from. When you are finished with the

textbook simply send it back to the company.

Many of the previously mentioned websites offer other materials to help you succeed in your classes. Cen-gageBrain.com is currently offering a broad range of homework and study tools, a selection of free content and discounts for purchas-

ing multiple products. Do your research before

purchasing your textbooks. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save on textbooks and put to-wards your next vacation!

New Solution to Stop Paying Outrageous Prices for Textbooks

“i COuld HAve bOOked A fliGHT fOR A vACATiON WiTH THAT MONey!”

Kean Students, Manella Atunez (left) and Mariala Roberts (above) check out fake M.A.C. Products.

Photo: Google Images

| apr 28, 2010 7The Tower

By Junior Jean-Baptiste

The Human Rights Club has been work-ing together this spring semester to bring awareness of its works to Kean University students.

“We’re trying to leave a legacy to the campus and awareness to the human rights institute,” says Janine Rivera, presi-dent of the club.

Samir Abdul, treasurer of the club, found people with heart at Dollar Gener-al, which is located on 190 Elmora Ave in Elizabeth. Dollar General donated seven bags of items containing bathroom and hygiene supplies for infants and women in Haiti who were affected by the massive earthquake that killed thousands and left many homeless.

“We collected for NJ for Haiti Relief,”

Samir explained. “We focused on baby bottles because many of the women were pregnant during the devastation and many hospitals collapsed. We also sent out pads as well for women to cleanse themselves.”

Mary Antigua and Keith Wyble, manag-ers of Dollar General, helped fundraise at the store to get the items to Samir and the group. Samir said he was impressed with the help the store offered.

The club this year also hosted the Legacy Tour for the Invisible Chil-dren’s Project on April 8 in the Little

Theatre. The event featured 19-year-old Natalie Warne, who is making a big impact as being the East Coast speaker for the Legacy Tour group. The group raised awareness by showing a video of the continuing war in Uganda where Joseph Kony’s army has killed thousands of people in the villages and have captured many children and turned them into soldiers.

Janine and Kaite Pagan, vice presidents of the club, have promoted the Invisible Children’s Project for two years.

“We want students to know that it is important to help the children in Uganda, even though they’re thousands of miles away,” says Katie. “It starts in bringing the awareness on campus.”

Human Rights Club Spreading Awareness at Kean

“We’Re TRyiNG TO leAve A leGACy TO THe CAMPuS ANd AWAReNeSS TO THe HuMAN RiGHTS iNSTiTuTe.”

By niCole Von gonten

With so many uncertainties in the econ-omy today and many students still unsure of their future, Kean University held a Ca-reer Day on April 7 to provide information and assistance.

The event filled the first three floors of the Maxine and Jack Lane Center for Academic Success building with tables of potential employers willing and able to talk to students, and assure them that jobs are available.

“There are a broad range of jobs available through our company,” Kimberly Grant, a staffing manager for Forever Collectibles said. “We hire people with bachelor’s de-grees in almost any subject. From biology to marketing we’ve seen it all.”

Forever Collectibles is a leading market-er and manufacturer of collectible, nov-elty, and promotional products servicing

the sports and entertainment industries. They were just one of the many companies on hand.

Everything from the Firestone Tire Company to the New Jersey State Troop-ers, to an Occupational Therapy School were represented, making the variety dif-ferent enough so everyone could hopefully find something that they liked.

The employers were not the only ones lining the halls, students took the oppor-tunities to talk to possible future employ-ers. Many students wanted to know what employers are looking for in today’s ec onomy and if they were even hiring.

“There were a nice variety of places here,” Nicole Ortizo, a senior majoring in marketing at Kean, said. “It gives me an idea of what I can do with my degree. Some of the jobs, I was surprised that I could possibly apply there.”

Though this was called “Career Day,” the

Communication Department took this opportunity to show that graduate school is also an option to look into if you think the right job is not out there for you

yet. Dr. Jack Sargent was on hand to help talk to students who were interested in perhaps getting a Master’s Degree in Communications.

Kean also used the opportunity to show that they provide help as well when a stu-dent is trying to choose the right career path. On the first floor of the CAS there were fliers explaining where and how to

get help with finding a career. The Career Development and Advance-

ment Department at Kean, in the CAS room 123, offers several different types of assistance. They offer help ranging from individual career counseling to mock interviews.

According to the Career Development and Advancement Department the best way to find a job is to use every option. Ev-ery option means checking the job listing binder in the department, checking the newspapers’ classified section, using web-sites, attending job fairs, using placement agencies, and job clubs.

“As students, sometimes we don’t real-ize how soon graduation can sneak up on us,” Sarah Jones, a junior education major at Kean, said. “Coming to career fairs at any point in your college years is always a good idea just to get a sense of what a possible job could be for you.”

Kean’s Career Day Offers Students Access to Job Opportunities

“AS STudeNTS, SOMeTiMeS We dON’T ReAlize HOW SOON GRAduATiON CAN SNeAk uP ON uS.”

KFT & KEAN AT ODDS (Continued from page 1)

given the severity of the proposed bud-get deficit without steps including, but not limited to, program consolidation, layoffs, furloughs, and other measures, Kean said.

“It hurts students because there are fewer full-time faculty in classrooms and there are fewer student services for students to rely on,” said Dr. Castiglione, president of the Kean Federation of Teach-ers, which is part of the state council.

Castiglione said that Kean’s full-time faculty is already available for office hours, they do research, they serve on commit-tees in departments, they perform curric-ulum development, they write grants, and they are responsible for advising students on their academic programs. This school year, the KFT took seven furlough days and agreed to delay planned raises to off-set last year’s budget problems.

By contrast, nearby Montclair State University President Susan Cole assured employees that next year, there will be no layoffs, no furloughs and that fac-ulty hiring will proceed undiminished,

Castiglione said in an email addressed to KFT members.

“Why can other administrations handle this without wrenching changes, but the Farahi administration cannot,” said Cas-tiglione. “What is required is inclusive leadership and not overreaction.”

Philip Connelly, Kean’s executive vice president for operations, said that he couldn’t speak to the specifics of other institutions, but that Kean University is committed to its mission of affordability and accessibility to its students.

However, he said Gov. Christie’s pro-posed budget for Fiscal Year 2011, begin-ning July 1, will have a significant impact on all higher education in New Jersey, in-cluding Kean University.

“Under the proposed budget, the uni-versity must make significant changes in how it operates,” said Connelly.

Besides the cap on tuition and fees at 4 percent, the governor’s budget calls for a 15.7 percent cut in state aid. Accord-ing to Connelly, this is the seventh time in the last 10 years that state aid has

been reduced. He said Kean continues to work with

the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities in its efforts with the governor’s office and the leg-islature regarding the impact of the proposed budget.

Castiglione said the Farahi administra-tion would benefit greatly from including them in the budgetary planning process, which according to Castiglione, they have not done as of yet.

Connelly said the university is seeking opinion.

“In our communications, we have asked members of the campus community for their input,” he said. “The Faculty Senate has formed an ad hoc budget review com-mittee, and an ongoing dialogue with fac-ulty, staff and the appropriate representa-tives of campus employees will continue throughout this process.”

On the state level, the AFT has said it objects to the entire structure of higher education in New Jersey. In 1994, Gover-nor Christine Todd Whitman signed into

law the Higher Education Restructuring Act, which abolished the Department of Higher Education and decentralized the state system by establishing the Commis-sion of Higher Education (CHE) and New Jersey President’s Council.

Since then, the AFT contends that the real power

lies with the institutional Boards of Trustees, who set tuition and fees, cre-ate admission and degree requirements, invest campus funds, provide for campus facilities, and make personnel decisions and budget requests.

“The fact is that the Boards of Trustees and the presidents of our institutions of public higher education have more to say about the direction of higher education in New Jersey than its Legislature, the Commission of Higher Education, and the public,” according to the Council of New Jersey State College Locals in a September 2009 position brief.

Photo: Google Images

Child solider in Uganda.

Everyone loves a nice luxury car with power and speed. If push came to shove, I don’t think anyone would mind having a Ferrari or BMW M3 in his or her driveway. While sport cars are becoming more affordable to the general public, not many college students can walk into a dealership and drop $55,000 like it was pocket change (and that’s not even including insurance). In fact, many college students are stuck with beat-up economical hand-me-downs that often make Smart Cars appear attractive. Young adults want to drive in style too, and a thrifty solution has arrived: the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T.

Hyundai has stepped up to the plate and created a sport vehicle that is not only price-friendly but compact, aggressive, and has a lot of performance potential. The Genesis Coupe 2.0T promises the driver a fun and nimble drive with a comfortable interior and eye-catching physique.

This brand-new rear-wheel-drive coupe base model starts at $22,000. Import enthu-siasts can agree that this price is a steal compared to the price tags of other rear-wheel-drive imports like the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37 coupe. Don’t be fooled by its rea-sonable price, the 2.0T will be competing with the Cadillac CTS, Lexus ES 350 and the Lincoln MKS, according to Iguida.com.

The 2.0T has a turbocharged four-cylinder DOHC engine that pushes out about 210 horsepower and 223 pounds of torque. At first glance these numbers are quite unimpressive, but Hyundai leaves a catch. The engine, which is somewhat similar to the engine in a Mitsubishi’s infamous Evolution, can be tuned to make a substantial amount of power. Car and Driver magazine assures that “what Hyundai can’t fix, tuners can”. The turbo design creates a high efficiency in daily driving and gets anywhere from 20 to 30 mpg depending on whether it is on the highway or in the city, making it commuter-friendly. Hyundai also loads the 2.0T with Brembo performance brakes, sport suspen-sion, and dual exhaust tips that make this model sound unique. According to Hyundaiu-sa.com, the “2.0T is made to flatter the average driver, but not bore the advanced one.”

The word “coupe” often conjures up images of passengers being painfully squished by lack of space. This coupe however, is quite roomy and can fit four passengers comfort-ably. The cockpit is designed to enhance the driving experience. One way Hyundai does this is by placing a SHIFTRONIC paddle shifter on the steering wheel allowing auto-matic drivers to feel more in control of the car. There is even a clear LCD readout on the instrument panel that shows the gear that is in use. Of course the 2.0T is available in a five-speed manual for those who scorn automatics.

Not only does this affordable car have style, speed, and gas-friendly mpg, it comes with a generous warranty. The car as a whole will be covered for five years or 60,000 miles. The powertrain itself will be covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Owners will also receive 24-hour roadside assistance and no extra charge for five years no matter how many miles is on the car. This is a perfect arrangement for those who tend to lock the car with the keys inside.

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T has a little something to offer everyone. Whether it is performance, gas-efficiency, an attractive style, or a fun drive, the 2.0T has all the goods and for a price that even college students can consider. College kids can now have a nice car without diving into debt. Now someone has to work on making text-books affordable.

A & EARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

NATuRe

CARS

“2.0T iS MAde TO flATTeR THe AveRAGe dRiveR, buT NOT bORe THe AdvANCed ONe.”

➦

HyuNdAi MAkeS AffORdAble lOOk GOOdBy Charley FalkenBurg

The snow has melted, the lawns are green, and everywhere you turn, the world seems to be in celebration. Spring is here, and the sky feels brighter. But even in the midst of the newer mornings and better weather, there is still the consistent reminder that the responsibility to keep the earth looking good is in the hands of the people.

Earth day, it seems, was a much bigger deal this year than it has been in the past. Since Al Gore’s 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, there has been an increasing interest in the idea of saving the planet- and of stopping global warming in it’s tracks.

All over the news, celebrities are sharing tips for how to keep the world a little cleaner. Kelly Ripa shares her opinions with people, laugh-ing about conserving water while brushing her teeth, for example. Other famous stars are promoting and advocating for the cause—even David Letterman incorporated earth day into his late night talk show.

And here at Kean, keeping green is not an idea taken lightly. All over the school are recycling cans for bottles and paper. The statues that sit in the back of the CAS are made from the trees that were cut down in order to make space for the building. There was even celebration for Earth day itself, which occurred on April 22. The bio club got together to teach a little bit about making campus a more earthy place.

Whether you are a hard-core believer in global warming, or just inter-ested in doing your part to make the planet a suitable home for all of us, there are plenty of things you, as a student, can do to help out.

Here are some of my favorite suggestions:

1. Buy recycled paper notebooks2. Lunch bag it (or recycle your brown paper- it’s foldable!)3. Bring water to school in a reusable container, and refill at the

water fountain4. Walk or take the bus; when the weather is nice, you may really

enjoy the extra exercise!5. Check out The Tower, and other school publications online.

This saves the paper copies for the people who don’t have access to the computer.

6. Use white out instead of reprinting papers for small mistakes.7. Buy recyclable grocery bags- they hold a lot more and can be

used to help you move as well!

These are just some ideas, and I bet that you can think of plenty of your own. After all, we only have one world, and keeping it clean is defi-nitely something to rave about.

RACHel'S RAve: A GReeNeR fuTuRe By raChel rothspan

➦

Photo

: Goo

gle E

arth

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0TPhoto: www.jalopnik.com

I know what you’re thinking. Pokémon? Isn’t that a kid’s game? I beg to differ in more ways that one. While it might be true that the series is aimed towards a younger generation, there are many aspects about the games themselves that ap-peal towards the older crowd as well.

With its Diamond and Pearl series debut on the Nintendo DS in 2007, the ad-dition of being able to battle using the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection allowed many players to connect in ways they were unable to due to the restrictions of the last few games. The competitive battling scene was revived and trading for different Pokémon became even easier.

On March 14th, Nintendo released their latest version of the game for the Nintendo DS game system in the form of HeartGold and SoulSilver. The two games are remakes of the Game boy Color games released back in 2000. T h e game has received a fresh coat of paint with

a splash of new graphics, the addition

of the newer generation Poké-mon into the game, and new features never before seen in any other game.

Like every other Pokémon on the market, your goal is to collect every Pokémon available (now totaling 493), defeat the eight Gym Leaders of the respective re-gion, and become Champion of the Pokémon by defeating the Elite Four. Surprisingly, Nintendo has been able to get away with rehashing this idea for the last 15 years, and I’ve been eating them all up year after year.

A unique feature about the Gold andSilver series is that you are able to re-visit the region featured in the previous game. This adds a significant amount of longevity to the game play and keeps the gamers playing long after they’ve beaten it.

Several new features added include the Pokéthlon, a series of mini-games that test the abilities of your team and help utilize the touch screen of the Nintendo DS in a way the series hasn’t seen yet.

Another large feature would be the Pokéwalker. In short, the Pokéwalker is a pe-dometer that has connectivity to the game. You’re able to send in members of your team and bring them with you throughout the game, even when you’re not playing on the Nintendo DS itself. Nintendo included the device to promote good health so you would take strolls with your Pokémon. In a way, the device is a Tamagotchi (for those who remember it) that records the amount of steps you take.

As a person who’s played through the series pretty thoroughly, I have to say I’m having a blast with this version. While this game might seem like you’re revisiting an old friend, this friend brings back all the old memories as well as introducing new things into the game creating new experiences for gamers who remember the past and the present.

This game receives an .

POkèMON HeARTGOld/SOulSilveR RevieW By eriC alBuen

There was a time in the annals of gaming history when the logo of videogame designer and publisher Squaresoft was practically synonymous with “quality.” Un-fortunately, all good things come to an end, and while Square once stood proudly as the mighty Simba of console role-playing games, the developer’s recent track record is more reminiscent of a whimpering dog than what one would expect from the de facto “king of the jungle.”

Unfortunately, as is often the case when developers move on to a new genera-tion of consoles, Final Fantasy XIII feels like a substantially stripped-down ver-sion of its predecessors, with many of the series standard elements (in this case, “unimportant” things like CITIES, WEAPONS, AND RELAVENT NPCs) are com-pletely done away with in order to give the game more glam and glitter. And when it comes to glitter, Final Fantasy XIII has plenty.

Once players get over how pretty Final Fantasy XIII looks on their flatscreen, high-definition televisions (don’t bother playing it on anything else if you like be-ing able to read the words on the screen), there’s not a whole lot to do. The first 20

hours of the game (literally) involve the player running down zigzagging corridors full of monsters. The only interruption to the mundanity comes when the game asks you if you want to save (which is every ten minutes), or “treats” you to a cin-ematic sequence where you get to watch some poorly-developed, two-dimensional characters spew amateurish dialog that has the emotional depth of the Linkin Park catalog; each character has two emotions: sad angst and angry angst.

According to Sqaure’s developers, standard Final Fantasy elements like cities full of interactive characters, stores, and sidequests are missing because the company had already spent too much money trying to develop the game for the Playsta-tion 2. That’s understandable, but why releases an unfinished product? Why rush a half-finished game into completion just to get it on the shelves quicker? Does Square actually expect people to enjoy a story-driven game where 90 percent of

the plot is described through an op-tional, text-based in-game encyclope-dia system?

It may all sound baffling, but the reasons for this are simple, especially in light of Sqaure’s recent habit of re-leasing half-baked spin-offs, sequels, and portable games. Like a car running on an empty gas tank, people will con-tinue to buy Final Fantasy games sim-ply by strength of the fumes from the first 12 “Final” Fantasy installments. Final Fantasy XIII has often been ad-vertised alongside the caption: “The battle within begins.” Indeed, diehard fans of the franchise will look passed the game’s gilded logo and battle within themselves until they’ve come up with some reason to like it.

Unfortunately, I doubt most others will find much to like about Final Fan-tasy XIII. Though the game looks nice, it fails on multiple fronts. And while

it’s definitely one of the prettiest-looking games around, nice graphics can’t pla-cate players for 20 plus hours: especially when those endless zigzagging corridors lead to nothing of great importance, and what many fans even have reported as a disappointing ending.

Though I really wanted to enjoy Final Fantasy XIII, my feelings on the game can only be described as bipolar. In the end I can’t consider Final Fantasy XIII satisfying gaming experience. In fact, Final Fantasy XIII feels more like standing in-line at a colorful, virtual version of Disney World than it does a Final Fantasy game.

In conclusion, with new role-playing games like Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2 out, I can’t recommend anyone buy the $60 Final Fantasy XIII. Rent this one, or wait for it to reach the bargain bins.

fiNAl fANTASy Xiii: A bATTle WiTHiN By Joseph tingle

“fiNAl fANTASy Xiii feelS MORe like STANdiNG iN liNe AT A COlORful, viRTuAl veRSiON Of diSNey WORld THAN iT dOeS A fiNAl fANTASy GAMe.”

GAMeS

➦➦

10 april 28, 2010 | The Tower

It’s what we’ve been excited about for the last eight months- the end of the se-mester and the beginning of summer! For seniors, this is what we’ve been waiting for—Graduation; finally finishing our four and five year programs. With gradua-tion only a few short weeks away, I’m as excited as I am nervous to be closing the cover after four years reading the same book.

We’re realizing that college life—papers, tests, finals—wasn’t quite the hard life we made it out to be. Granted, staying up all night writing papers, study-ing for finals, and trying to find parking was stressful. But through all of those all-nighters, three-hour classes, and papers, it’s the friendships we’ve made, and the memories we have that we’ll really miss the most. If we look back on it, all of those times that we were trying to balance work load for five or six classes weren’t so bad. It’s been worth it.

Now, the next challenge is to process everything we’ve spent these few years learning and apply it to a career that we love.

Freshman year, I was really hesitant about joining The Tower. It’s been a rough road, from rushing to make deadlines, last minute edits, and midnight changes, but I’d probably do it all over again. This paper’s traveled quite a long way since I joined in 2006. After several advisor changes, we’ve finally found an amazing and dedicated professor who has allowed this newspaper to grow and progress, win-ning several state awards and achievements, and tripling its staff size from about six to over 20 talented writers, editors, and photographers. With an enthusiastic and driven staff, and our dedicated advisor, I’m confident The Tower will continue to excel as Kean University’s newspaper. It’s been an incredible experience, and I’m proud to have been a part of this paper.

To the Tower staff, thanks for all of your hard work and dedication. I know you will continue our focus to keep students aware of University issues and news. We had a lot of laughs and I’ll miss each one of you.

To our readers, you make all of the hard work worth it when we see you pick up an issue before classes. The students of Kean University are what this institution is meant to be about; the school is here to service its students. We are the only ones with the power to bring about change. Look for truth, develop your own opinions, and never be afraid to speak your mind.

To all of the incoming students, college is what you make it. Take a second every time you’re stressed about a project and remember to appreciate every experi-ence; take advantage of each opportunity, and have fun. It’ll be over sooner much than you think.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2010! WE MADE IT!! Raquel Fernandes Editor-in-Chief

IT ’S BEEN BITTER, IT ’S BEEN SWEET

EDITORIAL

OPINION PIeCeS AND leTTeRS TO THe eDITOR

TheTowerwelcomesguest columnsand letters to theeditor fromanysource. Suchmaterial should be submitted to tower@kean.edu or leftatTheTower’soffices.Toverifysourcesofwrittenmaterial,submissionsmustincludethewriter’snameandcontactinformation.Studentsshouldinclude their class (sophomore, graduate, etc.) and major. Faculty and staff should include campus title or position.On request, namesmaybewithheld from publication if The Tower staff determines there is alegitimatereasontodoso,butnoanonymousletterswillbeacceptedforpublication.TheTowerreservestherighttoedit,andrefusepublicationofanysubmission.

DISPlAy AND ClASSIFIeD ADveRTISING

Deadlineforspacereservationsfordisplayadvertisingistwoweeksbeforethepublicationdate.Adssubmittedafterthatmaybeusedonaspace-availablebasis.Alladsarerun-of-the-paperunlessanextrafeeiscollect-edforapaidposition.Deadlineforartworkandcopyisoneweekbeforethepublicationdate.ClassifiedadvertisingcanbesubmitteduptotheThursdaybeforepublicationaslongasthepaymentismadeatthesametime.Call(908)737-0468oremailtower@kean.eduforaratecard.

TOWeR PUBlICATION SCHeDUle

SPRING: Feb. 10, March 10, April 7, April 28.

The Tower is an independent, laboratory newspaper of Kean University’s print jour-nalism option in the communication major program. It is published monthly through the regular academic year and supported by advertising and the Department of Com-munication. The Tower is not responsible for claims made by its advertisers. The Tow-er 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.

Department of Communication

KeanUniversityCenterforAcademicSuccess

1000 Morris AvenueUnion,NJ07083

Telephone:(908)737-0468Fax:(908)737-0465

Email:thetower@kean.eduwww.kean.edu/~thetower

Editor-in-ChiefRaquel Fernandes

Deputy EditorJillian Johnson

News EditorJoseph Tingle

Sports EditorNicole Von Gonten

Arts and Entertainment Editor

Rachel Rothspan

Features EditorMegan Muller

StaffEric AlbuenJohn Cherry

Matthew ChinAndrew Czirjak

Charley FalkenburgD.J. Jean

Junior Jean-BaptisteMelissa Jewels

Matthew MarchesanoCasey Murphy

Dan PataCarlos ReynosaBrett WilliamsLaura Urban

Faculty AdviserPat Winters Lauro

Business ManagerEileen Ruf

DesignerStephanie Skirvin

The Tower

Four years at Kean have flashed by, and now a word that’s just as scary as it is liberating—“graduation”—is just around the corner. Usually, I use my op-ed to talk about politics or other current issues, but lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my experience Kean.

While Kean was never the scholarly, intellectual utopia I imagined college to be while I was still in high school (after four years, I’ve still never found anyone arguing about Plato and Socrates in the halls), it was a learning experience. So much so, that it’s tough to quantify the amount that I’ve learned at this institution.

At Kean, I learned to write hard-hitting, unbiased and sometimes controversial news stories. Likewise, I also learned how to write softer, inspiring feature stories that focus on real people and their real issues. I learned how to write novels, poems, and short stories.

Among other works, I read all twelve books of John Milton’s Paradise Lost, all 120 chapters of Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and all eighteen episodes of James Joyce’s Ulysses—twice. I took classes where I studied and did extensive course-work in both the western and eastern literary canons.

I took classes that were outside my major too, just for the hell of it. I took a Chinese course, fell in love with it, and decided to study Chinese for four semesters. Now, I plan to go to China in the fall.

Finally, as a resident and, later, a resident assistant, I learned invaluable lessons about community, and living with different people. As a student, I forged friendships with my peers and professors, many of which I’m sure will continue long after my time at Kean ends.

So while my time at Kean wasn’t like the “myth” about college that society seems to tell people about what college is supposed to be like, I’m glad that I decided to apply to (and stay at) Kean. Ultimately, I’m a stronger, more well-rounded and more profes-sional person for having spent the last four years at here.

In closing, what I got out of my experience at Kean was directly related to how much I put into it. Hopefully, those who still have some time to spend at Kean (as well as those who are considering applying) will see Kean for what it really is: a university with plenty of opportunities for students who are self-motivated and willing to work hard to reach their goals.

KEAN IS WHERE YOU WORK HARD AND REACH YOUR GOALS

By Joseph tingle

OP-ED

| apr 28, 2010 11The Tower

“Colleges Owe Players an Education” was the topic of an article published by The Star-Ledger Editorial Board on March 27. The article quoted Arne Duncan, the secretary of the U.S Department of Education, saying that “there is something terribly wrong when a college fails to graduate 40 percentof its basketball players.” He was asking the NCAA to ban these schools from participating in post-season tournaments. Under the sec-retary’s proposal, 12 of the 65 schools that earned a berth in this year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament would have been prohibited from playing.

According to a study released by the Institute for Diversity, Ethics and Sports at the University of Central Florida, white males on tournament teams graduated at a rate of 84 percent, while the rate for African-American players was 56 percent. The rate for African-Americans at Maryland and California during the six year study was zero.

Two weeks after the conclusion of March Madness on April 12th, the Kean University Department of Athletics honored more than 160 student-athletes. There were 90 Hon-orable Mention student athletes (3.0 GPA and less than 56 credits), 72 scholar athletes (3.0 GPA and minimum of 56 credits), and 14 student athletes who were inducted into Chi-Alpha Sigma, The National College Athlete Honor Society (at least 56 credits with 3.4 GPA).

It was a day to celebrate and recognize outstanding student-athletes who have achieved excellence in academics and athletics, while having made a significant contri-bution to the Kean community.

Drs. Josh Palgi and Jessica Adams are professors in the Kean University, Physical Education, Recreation, and Health Department.

HEALTH & FITNESSA SALUTE TO KEAN’S SCHOLAR-ATHLE TES

By Dr. Josh palgi & JessiCa aDams

The 14 inducted into Chi-Alpha Sigma

Raz Avraham Track and Field

Stephon Cooper Football

Vincent Darpino Men’s basketball

Thomas Denehy Football

Joseph Dimeglio Track and Field

Matthew Gough Track and Field

Sarah Hamm Softball

Elizabeth Hatos Track and Field

Christopher Pegeron Track and Field

Sean Peterson Men’s Lacrosse

Matthew Puorro Football

Joelle Vitale Field Hockey/Lacrosse

Randi Vizoco Women’s Soccer

Kyle Walker Baseball

I watched the television series and own all the shows on DVD. I have watched the movie so many times that I can repeat many of the lines. And now, I have a count-down to when the sequel will hit theaters, May 27 for those who are living under a rock. I am proud to announce that Sex & The City is my anti-drug.

I just adore watching Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. These women have been and continue to be four women whom I idolize. I watch them go through the ups and downs (and sometimes side-ways depending on who is in Samantha’s bed) of life, and each time their bond be-comes stronger.

I adore Charlotte, the wholesome Step-ford Wife type. Her love for her husband and children is admirable. She may have been marriage-crazy in earlier seasons, but once she met Harry, her bald Jewish love, she showed me that it’s possible to love someone for their personality. She fell in love with Harry’s heart and not his physical appearance. This tells me that

I’ll be married sometime in my 30’s be-cause as a 25-year-old woman I still want the man to be my arm-candy. Thank you, Charlotte, for reminding me that one day everything will fall into place.

I adore Miranda, the strong-willed, in-dependent lawyer. This woman is a pale red-head (a lesbian in real life who sucks it up and dates men for good ratings; that in and of itself is a high-five) who has imper-fections and an imperfect body, yet em-braces it and picks up some gorgeous men. She has shown me through the years that it doesn’t matter if my stomach jiggles when I laugh or if my arms look a little chubby in tank tops. Thank you, Miranda, for reminding me that my body is a temple and deserves to be worshiped.

I adore Samantha, the blonde bomb-shell who dates men half her age and does it with pride. This woman embraces her sexuality and does exactly what she wants, when she wants and how she wants to do

it. She is not ashamed of being a powerful single woman and lives her life to the full-est. I envy her self-esteem and ability to not care what other people think of her. One day I hope to have that high of self-

regard so thank you for Samantha for just being you.

And lastly, there’s Carrie. Oh the dear Carrie Bradshaw. Her writing is what I try to shadow as best I can. She is so creative and gets her thoughts out in such a simple, but direct way—something I’m still work-ing on. This poor woman has had her heart placed on a pedestal then ripped apart and stepped on more ways than she can count and yet she puts on those Manolo Blahnik pumps and goes right back out for more. Carrie, one day I hope to be half the wom-an you are with twice the shoe collection!

So as I count down the days until Sex & The City 2 braces me with its presence, I watch and re-watch the bond grow of these four women. I smile when they’re happy at their weekly Sunday brunch, cry when yet another man breaks their heart and become green with envy as they stroll the New York City streets with bags upon bags of gorgeous shoes.

Ahh …. A girl can dream can’t she?

ESSAYSHOPPING FOR LABELS, SHOPPING FOR LOVE

By megan muller

“i HOPe TO be HAlf THe WOMAN yOu ARe WiTH TWiCe THe SHOe COlleCTiON.”

12 april 28, 2010 | The Tower

By paBlo Da silVa anD nikita patel

Many have admired the array of beauty that plants offer throughout the Kean University campus, but very few are aware of the efforts employed by hard-working hands in conserving the campus’ splendor.

“Last summer alone we must have spent well over 100,000 gallons of water in wa-tering the plants” said Bob Larner, one of the 14 crew members who are in charge of the ground maintenance.

As a former meteorology student himself at Kean in the 1980s, Larson af-firmed the campus looked nothing like it does today.

Currently there are about 500 to 1,000 plant species throughout the campus. This remarkable number is continuing to in-crease, more than likely because the main-tenance crew in following the New Jer-sey Law of Forest restoration, plants two plants for every one that is cut down on campus. This technique shadows the New Joursey Law of Forest Restoration.

Having so many children, as Larner refers to the numerous plants under his care, surely demands hard work. Each year more than six-hundred pounds of fertil-izer is used to grow these plants, not to

mention all of the precautions and mea-sures taken by the maintenance crew. The crew must be aware of plant frost during

the winter and hungry herbivores, such as deer, during the warmer seasons.

Ground workers walk the campus daily,

picking up all of the leaves dropped by deciduous plants in order to maintain a clean landscape. In addition to leaves, garbage is also collected from the garbage cans and litter that has been carelessly tossed. In ceasing to throw cigarette buds, cans, candy wrappers, bottles, etc. on the green lawn, students will be joining in the efforts to maintain a clean campus.

Kean hosts a pink flowering tree, Yoshi-no Cherry, near the president’s building as well as various Oak trees between the Uni-versity Center and Townsend building.

An arrangement of Maple trees, includ-ing the ever-expensive Japanese Maple located along the walk ways towards the UC stands above the crowd with its bright red leaves.

The campus is covered with various flowers as well. Daffodils, Tulips, Easter Red Bud and Rose of Sharon are just a few of the species that inhabit Kean Univer-sity year after year.

On behalf of all Kean university stu-dents we are thankful for the competent work of Bob Larner, who kindly took the time to provide us with the desired infor-mation on plants, along with his cowork-ers whose hard work behind the scenes reveals the explosion of life and colors here at Kean.

Kean University Appreciates The Beauty of Our Plants

“lAST SuMMeR AlONe We MuST HAve SPeNT Well OveR 100,000 GAllONS Of WATeR iN WATeRiNG THe PlANTS.”

By samantha Feller

Ecology students offered information last week about experiments they con-ducted on campus as part of Kean Univer-sity’s celebration of Earth Day.

One test was to see how high pollution and garbage in the parking lots are affect-ing waterways. Vaughn Eames had the most garbage. When it is rains chemicals and pollution are washed into the sewer drains, which eventually reaches the Eliza-beth River.

“Students can find better ways to dis-pose of their garbage and recycle,” said Mayra Orejuela, a Kean student.

Some suggestions offered to reduce this waste are: reusable coffee mugs and water bottles, canvas bags and tupperware. Also if all of campus life maintains their cars, it will eliminate emissions.

A table also promoted the Solar Cooker Project, an organization that makes solar cookers and sends them to Third World countries in order to improve the environ-ment and provide more safety for women. In Sudan, women must gather their own wood for the fire and they are often abused and killed.

Using these solar cookers are rather time consuming so Kean students are trying to make new faster and more effi-cient cookers.

There was also an experiment on bot-tled water vs. tap water. Some students had visited the Sewer Utility of Parsip-pany and Troy Hills where they learned that many different contaminated waters are dumped there and sent for cleaning.

Through research they found Staten Is-land has the best tap water, and Elizabeth has the worst.

Not all of our drinking water comes from reservoirs; it also comes from other large bodies of water such as lakes and riv-ers. It is treated and purified before com-ing out of our taps.

These students also conducted a test. It was on the PH and nitrate levels of Aqui-fina, Smart Water and Poland Spring. Through this test they found Aquifina is the purest and has no nitrates.

“If you had to drink a bottled water drink Aquifina, but you should drink tap water to reduce unnecessary pollution,” said Earl Aliparo, a Kean student.

Earth Day Celebrated

“STudeNTS CAN fiNd beTTeR WAyS TO diSPOSe Of THeiR GARbAGe ANd ReCyCle.”

Four years of studying,

16 months of worry time,

400 lbs of books,

1 hard drive, 1 broken heart,

5 super size bottles of aspirin,

2 months worth of sleepless nights/studying,

countless numbers of sleepless nights/not studying,

more cold pizza than you will have for the rest of your life...a small fortune –

Getting your parents to pay for LASIK before you’re on your own...

priceless!

Put your best face forward as you step into the future!

Get LASIK today!

800.475.552546 Eagle Rock Ave • East Hanover, NJ • www.eyecare2020.com

EYECARE 20/20Cary M. Silverman, M.D., Medical Director

SHOW YOUR STUDENT ID TO RECEIVE 10% OFFLIMITED TIME OFFER. OFFER EXPIRES 6/30/10

Photo: Nikkita Patel

| apr 28, 2010 13The Tower

By Carlos m. reynosa

Kean University students are once again outside their classes to enjoy the lovely season called spring. No special event needed to be announced, no positive in-fluences needed to push the call to come outside. Students made the decision to come out and have a good time. And with the music playing, dancing and even jump roping, Kean University is kind of like be-ing home, even with the threat of finals overhead.

“I love the spring, because everyone is happy, everyone is out and having a good time.” said Leo; a speech Pathology major who was enjoying the sunny day as he played his guitar.“I just got [the guitar] back and I began playing.”

Other students decided to enjoy the day by just sitting the grass talking to each other. Brethau, who is a senior majoring in theater performance, was anxious to share why she loves spring.

“It makes me happy. It’s easer to get out of bed, the spring shopping and new fash-ion and I like to meet new people.”

Brethau likes the idea of stores selling ice cream and smoothies; in fact, she con-siders herself a smoothie advocate.

Jazzmen Cruise, who is junior commu-

nication major agreed with Brethau, and also included her take on spring.

“In the spring we don’t have to wear

jackets and we get to go out and sit in the grass.”

Theater performance major Darlin also added that she likes going outside and getting her nails done. But when it came to the question of whether they miss the cold, all three girls agree with Darlin.

“We don’t miss the cold, we don’t miss

the rain and we don’t miss snow, we like the spring,” she says.

Gisela, who is Fine arts major prefers

the cold hard weather of the fall more, but still understands the love of spring.

“It’s ok artistic wise, but that doesn’t mean I like it,” she says.

Students such as Debbie Moscoso, Da-vid Lafentrit and Deoinaia Ariss have been enjoying studying in the sunshine.

“The campus is really concerned with

plant life,” said Moscoso, “It’s an extreme-ly green campus,”

“It’s nice,” adds Ariss. “It’s been hot but cool enough to walk around.”

Though the semester is ending, stu-dents are still taking their time out to enjoy the day that the spring weather has given. Perhaps the summer will be warm, perhaps it will be busy, but for many Kean students, it will be filled with memories of spring days.

Spring at Kean University

“We dON’T MiSS THe COld, We dON’T MiSS THe RAiN ANd We dON’T MiSS SNOW.”

Photos: Carlos M. Reynosa

Spring comes to Kean not a moment too soon. Students take time to enjoy the weather on campus.

14 april 28, 2010 | The Tower

EVENTS CALENDAR

SPORTS:4/28 3:30 PM Baseball vs Drew University4/29 3:00 PM Softball vs. Drew University 3:30 PM Baseball vs. Rowan University5/01 11:30 AM Baseball vs. William Paterson University

ACADEMICS:4/28 10:00 AM Cougar Fair, UC Atrium4/29 3:00 PM Ice Cream Social UC Atrium5/03 All Day Move-Outs5/10 Spring Semester Ends5/11 Graduate Commencement, NJPAC5/13 Undergraduate Commencement, PNC Bank Arts Center5/19 1:00 PM Teacher Job Fair, CAS Lobby

KEAN STAGE:4/28 7:30 PM Kean Student Jazz Ensemble4/29 3:30 PM Chamber Ensemble, UC Little Theatre 3:30 PM Student Chamber and Guitar Ensemble

Performances, Enlow Recital Hall5/05 3:30 PM Media and Film Awards Showcase, CAS Room 106 3:30 PM Theatre Capstone Portfolio Presentations and Food Festival, Vaughn-Eames Hall Room 1185/25 6:30 PM Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services, Vauhgn-Eames Hall

By ernst Constant

The lights inside the Little Theatre were

dimmed and loud Hip Hop music pounded through the halls of University Center. The audience, which consisted of only Kean University students, were bopping their heads, searching for seats, and chattering. On the stage were a microphone, a DJ set, and lights.

It was Open Mic Night at University Center on March 3. Sponsored by the Stu-dent Organization, the event introduced Kean University students who wanted to share their talents with the crowd, all while garnering a little buzz or establish-ing themselves. For some, Open Mic Night

was a stepping stone into a future career. There were 12 students/artists who

graced the stage with their presence on the microphone, and the audience’s mood changed with every artist, who presented

themes from love to infatuation, from jokes to poems, and from joy to sadness.

Tom McWatters jabbed at golf star Ti-ger Woods in his standup comedy and the crowd thundered with laughter. Shiobhan

Thompson a junior recited poetry to a hushed audience.

“I wasn’t a fan of golf before… now I am.” said junior/comedian Tom McWatters.

The dark dimmed room transformed into a spinoff of Def Comedy/Poetry Jam popularized in the early 1990s, as audi-ence members yelled out feedback on cer-tain issues, or made jokes. Some topics that were presented created an interaction between the performer and the audience, which elevated the relaxed atmosphere in the Little Theatre.

The highlights of the night were when the host “DJ S Dot,” also a Kean Universi-ty student invited students on the stage to perform a popularized urban dance called

“The Patty Cake Dance,” which elevated the Open Mic Night into a party scene and almost turned into a crime scene for a Mac laptop due to wild dancing by a fe-male dancer.

“Kean is whack at night time, they should have more of these (events)” com-mented Graduate student, Sherwood La-lanne.

The performers who seemed to be all first timers also enjoyed the atmosphere as they rejoined the audience of their fel-low peer to participate in the festivities of the nights.

“It was like being able to get up there and express yourself the way you feel the best,” said Tom McWatters.

Open Mic Welcomed With Open Arms

“keAN iS WHACk AT NiGHT-TiMe, THey SHOuld HAve MORe Of THeSe [eveNTS].”

| apr 28, 2010 15The Tower

By matt Chin

After finishing the season 29-2 and los-ing in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament, women’s basketball coach Michele Sharpe is already looking towards next season.

“We want to win a championship,” Sharpe said. “That’s still the goal—get to the final four and win that national championship.”

With Melissa Beyruti, the team’s star guard, graduating this spring the road back to the NCAA tournament will be a little more difficult next season. Though, Sharpe is confident that her team will play well with current sophomore guard Brit-tany Powell returning for her junior sea-son next year.

“I think that Brittany Powell is more than capable of starting for us next year,” Sharpe said.

Powell only started four games this season, but she was not a team starter this year and she only averaged 7.3 points per game.

“In her four games of starting, she prob-ably averaged 18 points, she got rebounds for us, she defended for us, and she got some steals for us,” Sharpe said.

Powell showed Sharpe enough this sea-son to make her excited for the upcoming 2010 season.

Powell, though, is not a clone on the

court of Beyruti. “She’s a different kind of player than Melissa,” Sharpe said. “The difference between her and Melissa is in Brittany has to really believe in herself.”

Sharpe believes that in order for Powell to really help her team win games she is going to have to learn to boost her confi-dence herself.

“Ya know what, Brittany is one of those kids that no matter how much I tell her, it’s in her head,” Sharpe said. “Her brain has to believe it. I feel that our coaching staff, myself and my assistants, her team-mates have given her all the confidence in the world.”

With the help of Powell, Sharpe hopes that her team can play their style of basketball, and be more accountable next

season to help the team get back to the NCAA tournament.

“We didn’t execute the game plan. We have to be accountable for what we did or didn’t do,” Sharpe said.

CAMPUS SPORTS

By anDreW CzirJak

Confidence. Belief. That’s what a win-ning baseball team needs in order to succeed. And heck yes baby the Cougars got it.

Kean University’s baseball team has been very impressive this year. Indeed Lady Luck has been smiling down on the Cougars for most of the 2010 season. Sure Ms. Luck has frowned on the Cougars during game time on a few occasions. However, with the Cougars string of recent wins against some stiff competi-tion, the team knows they can win the College World Series.

“I know these guys,” Neil Ioviero, Head Coach of Kean University’s baseball pro-gram, said. “I know they can win the Col-lege World Series.”

Still, there is a fine line to cross between being cocky or confident. However, with

an overall 20-9 record in regular play and a 6-4 record in the New Jersey Athletic Conference the Cougars have the right to feel both of those emotions.

“The guys now know how to deal with the pressure that is expected of them when they put on their uniforms. When the team loses a game we try to work on what we did wrong and try to fix those errors. But, we don’t spend too much time dwelling on their losses,” Ioviero said. “Every time they take the field they are expected to be physically and mentally prepared for the next game; no matter who we play.”

In their last 4 games the squad has brought other college teams down to knees.

And the Cougars are not just beating their competitors by a few runs. They’re making anyone they play look like ama-teurs. The question is can any college or

university stop the Cougars dominance?Probably not. “We beat teams because we have learned

to play like a team,” Ioviero said. “Each guy on the squad comes prepared to play.” It isn’t just one guy that makes our team good, it is every player on the team that makes us great.”

Ioviero believes that the ‘No I in TEAM’ philosophy is working for the Cougars. And his team has the results prove it.

On April 6, the Cougars shut out The College of Staten Island 8-0. The Cougars carried that momentum into their next game, crushing Mount Saint Vincent Col-lege on April 14. Need more proof? The Cougars followed that win defeating Rut-

gers-Camden 10-2 the following day. And the wins just kept on coming. The Cou-gars would also go on to beat Ramapo in a double header on April 17. In game one; Kean 11, Ramapo 1. Game two. Kean 8, Ramapo 2.

Now, with only a fistful of games left to play it looks like the Cougars are poised to make it to a third Consecutive post season.

This year the Cougars have gelled as a team. Every member on the squad has contributed their talent and put in the extra dedication to win the CWS. The Cougars want to be the best of the best in their sport [baseball]. Still, to be the best you have to beat the best.

“Every year our [Cougars] goal is the same,” said Ioviero. “We [Cougars] want to win the College World Series. That’s what drives theses kid to play their best.”

Cougars Prove Practice Brings Purr-fection on the Baseball Field

We HAve SO MANy TAleNTed PlAyeRS RiGHT NOW.

“We WANT TO WiN A CHAMPiONSHiP. THAT’S STill THe GOAl – GeT TO THe fiNAl fOuR ANd WiN THAT NATiONAl CHAMPiONSHiP.”

Women’s Basketball Team Looks Towards Next Season

Congratulations to the Class of 2010

on behalf of the staff at The Tower

The Kean University women’s basketball team.Photo: Kean Athletics

16 april 28, 2010 | The Tower

It is time to let the real NBA season begin. As long as the NBA playoffs seem to last these days, this year’s playoffs should be more exciting and more star packed than ever.

With the emergence of stars, such as Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and Michael Beasley, the first round matchups should be great to watch.

All four first round matchups in the Western Division should be exciting every night. With Kevin Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder versus Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers and two top Texas rivals in San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks facing off in the first round there will be plenty of fireworks.

Until about three weeks ago it was just an after thought that the Lakers would be representing the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. However, since than the Lakers have stumbled to the finish line and have looked more like the third best team in the West.

The Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks have looked outstanding to end the season. The best thing that ever happened to the Suns was not trading su-perstar Amare Stoudemire. With Stoudemire and the ageless Steve Nash look for the Suns to make a deep run through the playoffs and maybe even to the finals.

The Lakers need to use their first round of the playoffs to get some mojo back and to get things rolling again. If not, what was once seen as the clear cut favorite to win it all, they will be watching the NBA Finals from their sofa.

The first round of the Eastern Division playoffs will

more likely than not be just push overs for the four top seeds. However, the second round of the Eastern Division will be where things really start to get interesting.

With potential matchups between the Boston Celtics versus the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic versus the Atlanta Falcons, these two series will be an all out brawl to see who gets to go to the divisional finals.

The Cavaliers will be the clear cut favorite to come out of the East, but they were last year too when the Magic took them out. However this is a different Cavaliers team than last year, with additions of Shaquille O’Neal and Antawn Jamison, they have added size and depth.

Two teams that were pre-season favorites of mine, the Celtics and the Spurs, just flat look old. Although I do believe that the Spurs did a good job of rest-ing their players throughout the season they have a much tougher matchup in round one than the Celtics do. That is why I don’t see either team going far.

eastern Division Finals ClevelandCavaliersoverOrlandoMagicinsixWestern Division Finals DallasMavericksoverLosAngelesLakersinseven

NBA Finals CavaliersoverMavericksinseven

POINT by john Cherry

COUNTERPOINT by junior jean-baptiste

By Junior Jean-Baptiste

The Cavaliers are the beast of the east this year and will most likely enter the finals in the NBA. Although Lebron James is very explosive and dominant on the court, you can’t forget Kobe Bryant and what he can overcome, over the years. Despite any situation, Kobe is still Kobe.

The leadership of Kobe and Derek Fisher and the coaching of Phil Jackson, who is by the way the NBA’s career leader in playoff victories and playoff winning percentage, and has won 10 NBA titles, making him the most of all time. Lak-ers have made six NBA appearances in the finals in the past nine years, winning four out to the six. This team is a dynasty John, and it’s going to hurt when Kobe shoves his fifth NBA Finals ring in Shaq’s face.

Boston is taking care of business with the help of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo, easily beat-ing Miami in Game 2, 106-77, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. Despite losing power forward Kevin Garnett, after he elbowed Quentin Richardson in the head with :30 seconds left in the game and was ejected the Celtics continue to win.

The Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz’s series looks evenly matched up as the Nuggets are led by Carmelo Anthony and the Jazz by Deron Williams. Which ever team shows up and plays better defense in the series will most likely ad-vance into the later rounds of the playoffs.

The excitement and thrill of the NBA playoffs, it will definitely make it a mem-orable year. I don’t believe the Celtics are too old to advance far in the playoffs. People say Kobe is getting up there in age but he still has the skill and is wise enough to make certain plays happen in big games.

eastern Division Finals ClevelandCavaliersoverOrlandoMagicingamefiveWestern Division Finals LosAngelesLakersoverDallasMavericksingamesix

NBA Finals LosAngelesLakersoverClevelandCavaliersinsix

Beast of the East Meets Beast of the WestSPORTS

Kobe Bryant.

“deSPiTe ANy SiTuATiON, kObe iS STill kObe.”

“THe lAkeRS HAve STuMbled TO THe fiNiSH liNe.”

lebron James.

E X P R E S SL E H HI G

CAR WASH515 Lehigh Avenue • Union, NJ 908-687-3456 OPEN DAILY

$5Reg. Price $7

EXPRESS EXTERIOR WASH

OR $2 OFFANY WASH

WEEKDAYSStudents & Employeesof Kean University

With Coupon. Cannot be combined.Expires 6/30/10

$5Reg. Price $7

EXPRESS EXTERIOR WASH

OR $2 OFFANY WASH

WEEKDAYSStudents & Employeesof Kean University

With Coupon. Cannot be combined.Expires 6/30/10

GRAND

OPENIN

G

ALL WASHES AREEXTERIOR ONLY

Century21

Union-A Great Deal!Recently renovated 1 family Cape style with 3 bdrms/2 ½ bths situated on a deep lot with over-sized 2 car garage. Inclueds adjacent lot. Must be SOLD. Asking: $289,000.00-Make an offer! For more info please call Wayne Reppa at Cen-tury 21 Plaza Realty 201-420-7400.

Plaza Realty Corp.3677 Kennedy Blvd

Jersey City, New Jersey 07307Business (201) 420 7400Fax (201) 420-9183www.century21plaza.com