Student Organization and P.U.L.S.E. kicked off Unity Week with activities and displays of culture in the Miron Student Center Atrium on Monday, March 5. The Miron Student Center was decorated with flags from a variety of cultures and countries. Students were welcome to enjoy the diversity all around them.

At the event, food from multiple traditions such as Japan, China, Africa and more was being walked around and shared with everyone. Student Organization and P.U.L.S.E. set up different tables to promote different ways of accepting diversity. 

One of the major attractions was the Unity Week t-shirt wheel. Students were given a ticket to get a chance to spin the wheel and answer a question about global diversity. If they got the answer right, they would receive a Unity Week t-shirt. If they did not get the answer correct, they could get back in line and try again.

Another part of the event was the "I Am" board. This board was a black canvas that students would attach words to describe themselves. The "I Am" board allowed those who wrote on it to express who they are and how they identify themselves. It is a testament to Kean University's diverse community of students who openly embrace differences and uniqueness. Students who participated wrote things ranging from adjectives about themselves to feelings they felt around them.

Also at the event was the "Rock Your Body" table. This table was a table of rocks and markers for students to write messages on or decorate a rock any way they wanted. They had the choice to leave the rock for people to see or take the rock home with them.

Rocks are a symbol themselves of culture and diversity in that they come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Similar to the "I Am" table, the "Rock Your Body" table gave students a creative way to express who they are and how they display themselves. It once again shows diversity beyond culture but as individuals that live together on the Kean University campus.

"The point of this event is unification. Unity Week is supposed to bring together people of different backgrounds and different cultures and [help students] know [that] just because we are all different, we are all the same at the end of the day. When we are facing adversity, it is important to acknowledge our diversity and come together despite our differences," said Rahil Ninche, junior communication studies major and assistant coordinator for community traditions and life skills at P.U.L.S.E.

The Office of Student Government and P.U.L.S.E. is looking for people to submit applications! P.U.L.S.E. stands for Programming for a Unique and Lively Student Experience, and they work to create activities for student entertainment on campus. Their goal is to create and promote student involvement and community.

For more information about the Student Government applications, please contact the Office of Student Government, located in Miron Student Center, Room 309, by calling (908) 737-5190 or emailing stuorg@kean.edu.  

All in all, Unity Week is a week-long celebration of diversity at Kean University. It is a week where we acknowledge all of the culture here on campus by sharing traditions with each other and uniting together.