Basement legend Student discovered Breaking a Sweat director takes P. 3 With Kickboxing his film to the P. 6 ropes P. 3 The Tower www.kean.edu/~thetower Kean University’s stUDENT NEWSPAPER Volume 10 • Issue 5 Mar. 10-Apr. 6, 2010 Student Org Campaigning Underway BY JOSEPH TINGLE Still, many students who aren’t run- ning feel as if they’ve been left out of Some Kean students might be surprised the process. to know that the deadline to apply for can- Ruth, a Kean student who is a junior didacy in this year’s Student Government Business Management major and lives in elections has already passed, and accepted the residence halls, said she had “no idea” candidates have already began preparing that the applications to run for Student for a month of campaigning. Org was already due. While reporters at The Tower learned “I never know elections are happening that as many as two separate “tickets” until someone comes up to me with a lap- planned to run for Student Org positions, top and asks me to vote for them,” Ruth this could not confirmed by the time the said. March issue went to print. And Shena, a sophomore and commuter For students to be eligible to run for student, says she had no idea that Student Student Org, they must meet certain GPA Org and Student Trustee elections were and disciplinary requirements set by the being held, but would have liked to know. Kean University Student Joe Rutch attends Olympic Games in Vancouver. (See page 16) university, and not everyone who says “They didn’t make an effort to tell us, that they are running for office will be per- and that makes me think they don’t really mitted to. Others who’ve been at Kean for care if we’re part of it or not,” Shena said. two or three years may find themselves “The less opponents you have, the more Roads to Kean to Become Toll Roads? to be under or over the necessary credits, chances you have to elect someone you and unable to run for specific classes. And personally endorse.” BY MEGAN MULLER face an estimated funding shortfall of $35 nothing is final until the first candidates’ billion. The Transportation Trust Fund, meeting: until then, prospective candi- It’s bad enough that Kean students an agency that finances the cost of main- dates may decide to join or combine tick- “Student Org and Student have to fight for parking on campus. Now, taining the state’s transportation system, ets, drop out, or start new tickets. truStee electiOnS at Kean some of the roads commuter students take released a report on Jan. 22 that stated it Over the past three years, Student Org everyday to get to school may become will run out of money in 2011. Currently, and Student Trustee elections at Kean have had varying degreeS Of toll roads. the system can barely cover the cost of its have had varying degrees of student in- $895 million debt. volvement. In the spring of 2008, the Student invOlvement.” “eaSt-WeSt interStateS i-78, The lack of funds to improve roadways “All Stars” ticket ran almost uncontested would also halt much maintenance and for the second year in a row. However, However, Carminda Bandeira, the i-80 and i-95 would Be the expansion. last spring, three nearly-full tickets, the current president of Student Org, says Nearly half of the major roads in New “All Stars,” “Team Change” and “X-Pect that Student Org has advertised just as mOSt liKely candidateS.” Jersey are rated deficient and provide mo- Change,” competed for positions on Stu- often—if not more—than in years past torists with a bumpy ride. Deficient roads dent Org in what was by far the most com- and has already received a number of ap- Governor Chris Christie raised the pos- often have potholes or other visible signs petitive Student Org campaign season plications from not only students already sibility of toll roads, suggesting tolls on of deterioration and need to be resurfaced that even most seniors can remember. It involved on council, but other students as NJ highways such as Interstate 78, 80, or reconstructed. Driving on New Jersey’s was so competitive that, according to well. Bandeira noted that advertising for 195, 287 and 295 to raise funds in the face roads cost motorists an average $596 an- the April 28 issue of last year’s , election both elections began in early February 8, of a budget crisis. nually in vehicle maintenance. results were delayed due to complaints when a banner announcing the election Over the next ten years, New Jersey will The report has (Continued on page 2) lodged during the election process. was posted on Stu- (Continued on page 3) ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID, NEVER A BRIDE (see page 11) INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: Have you ever had a stroke of luck? BY BRETT WILLIAMS Joseph Favors Athena LaPenna Tierney Young Douglas Jackson Senior, Management Junior, Speech Language Science Senior, Interior Design Senior, Business Economics Photos: Brett Williams “One time on the train to New York my “Once I lived in a separate dorm “One time my car broke down in New- “I was once in a car accident and that friend called to me. I turned around from my sister. One day, I received ark. I managed to flag down a cop was very serious, but luckily I had my and found $20 on the floor.” a call from Kean and they asked and he took me to a tow place where seat belt on.” if we wanted to live in the new they fixed my car, free of charge.” upperclassmen dorm together.” Discovering a Local Basement Legend 3 Arts & Entertainment 8-9 Sports 13-15 Spring Break 4 Editorial & View 10 One Student’s Visit to the Olympics 16 Word to the Wise 5 Health & Fitness 12 Celebs and Crime: John & Junior 16 2 Mar. 10-Apr. 6, 2010 | The Tower Human Rights Club Launches at Kean BY JUNIOR JEAn-BAPTISTE the third annual Human Rights Conven- Most of the original members work in tion at Kean, the Human Rights club could the University Center, assisting students It all started when a few student work- not have had better timing. on a daily basis. Since the group’s incep- ers from the University Center decided The idea of forming a group centered tion others have joined. it was time to talk about human rights. around human rights formed when Scott “I felt the need to get up and do some- And now, with an enthusiastic executive Herman, the current Student Trustee and thing about the issues that are going on board and a blessing from Student Trust- right now,” says Derick Felix, a member of ee Scott Herman, the Kean Human Rights “there are many human the group who does not work in the Uni- Club is here. versity Center. “We want to work together as a group to rightS iSSueS” So what does the group have planned? help students be aware of human rights is- It’s still early, but the group already has sues,” says Janine Rivera, president of the a Kean graduate student, introduced to (Left to right) Janine Rivera, president, Samir Abdul, at least one event planned for this se- club. “We also want to get involved with Rivera the idea of a group where attention treasurer, and Katie Pagan, vice president. mester. On Apri 8, 2010, the group will the issues that are going on today.” could be brought to students regarding promote the Invisible Children Screening The new Human Rights Club at Kean human rights issues. “There are many human rights issues project, which will help children in Uganda conducted its first meeting on February “I believe she will make a huge impact around and we’re open to attack these learn about this project. The group is ex- 16, 2010 at the CAS building and dis- because she already has, and I don’t see her certain issues,” says Anthony Kershaw, a pected to eplain more about the project in cussed future plans to help build aware- stopping anytime soon,” said Herman. member of the group. Issues of the envi- the next meeting and are asking students ness at Kean University about Human Each of the members say they have set ronment and human rights, and also chil- to come and participate in event. Times Rights issues. out to work toward one common goal: to dren’s rights to education and healthcare will be posted around campus to inform With a newly constructed Human empower students and inspire awareness are among the issues they hope to address, students of the event. Rights Center, and the recent passing of about current issues around the campus. he said. Nu Sigma Phi Fraternity Demonstrates Commitment and Progress BY JILLIAN JOHNSON was set up at a Meet the Greeks event. keep their brotherhood bond strong and greatly to charity through events raised Some 24 students signed up and a month the alumni showed much pride in the such as Toys for Tots. The fraternity has Two years after pulling their fraternity later, on Oct. 27, 2008, Nu Sigma Phi pre- progress of their active brothers. also sponsored dance offs and interacted back to life, the Nu Sigma Phi brothers sented themselves to the Greek Senate, “We are proud parents,” said Delicio. with underprivileged children this past have been steady in their brotherhood and were accepted. The fraternity recognizes individuals winter. On Tuesday, March 2 the frater- commitment.