Whether one is a new or returning student, they have a lot of fun and interesting activities to look forward to. An event that all students can anticipate is the Cougar Kick-off, which is sponsored by Student Organization and will start Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the Miron Student Center (MSC) Patio. 

Every fall semester, Student Organization understands that students need to get involved and participate in activities to get acquainted with the campus and everything it has to offer. Student Organization strives to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and personal growth of those it represents, by acting as the voice of the full-time, undergraduate student body. So Cougar Kickoff allows students and student groups the ability to facilitate a plethora of events. 

Students can expect many events and activities from departments such as the Center for Leadership and Service (CLS), Student Health Services, Student Government, Greek Senate, Office of Residential Student Services, Premiere Stages, Commuter Resource Center (CRC) and Kean Stage. 

The CRC is a place that exists to build the quality and experience for commuter students. Commuter students will be able to engage in various activities, alongside gaining support through resources such as computers, lockers and the quiet area. 

Some events at the CRC are as follows: 

• Here's the Scoop: On Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the CRC students will be able to get a free scoop of gelato while learning about the resources that the CRC offers.  
• Campus Feud: On Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the CRC students will be to test their knowledge about Kean, meet other students and win various prize.
• Self Awareness Fair: On Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. the CRC will host an event that spreads awareness about the struggles students may deal with.

Student Government will be hosting the following events:

• Strength for Today, Hope for Tomorrow: On Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. on the MSC patio Student Government will host an event that acknowledges suicide prevention, including myths, facts, risk factors and warning signs of suicidal behavior. Encouragement and tips for coping will be given as well.

CLS will be hosting the following events:

• National Day of Service and Remembrance: On Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. a moment of silence will be taking place on the Miron Student Center Patio, alongside stories of heroism to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day.
• Moreover, there will be many service projects such as Adopt-A-Park, Blood Drives and the Atria Senior Living throughout this time.

The Greek Senate will be hosting the following events:

• Welcome Back Party: From Thursday, Sept. 6 at 9 p.m. to Friday, Sept. 7 to 1 a.m. in Downs Hall, students will be able to interact and kick off the new semester. Tickets are $5 for current Kean Students (2 tickets per Kean ID) and $7 for non-Kean students and guests. All proceeds go to the Kean Dance Marathon benefiting the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ. Tickets can be purchased from the Wilkins Theatre Box Office. 
• Meet the Greeks: On Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 5 to 10 p.m. in the Harwood Arena, students will be able to interact with Greek life. Meet the Greeks is free for Kean students with a valid Kean student ID and $5 for non-Kean students, guests and alumni. Tickets for non-Kean students, guests and alumni will be sold in the Harwood Arena lobby the day of the event. All proceeds go to the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ. 

Carli Hench, the managing assistant director of Student Government, sees the purpose to gear the campus up with these events and to provide students with different resources.

"Cougar Kick-off is a welcome back series of events, so this is for the whole month and it's not one specific event," said Hench. "It is a university wide initiative where all the departments are asked to submit any proposals or intentions for having an event during the course of the month. Student Organization and the programming board carries a large load of the welcome back programming along with the various groups."

The Cougar Kick-off started off just as welcome back programs for freshmen, but Hench and others who are apart of this event understood the need for other students as well to get involved.

"All of the events have learning outcomes, [especially in] creating campus pride," said Hench. "When we have our barbecues on the patio or face painting, its more than getting a face painting. We want to make sure that students feel better and reminiscent of their childhood. Furthermore, all the events are free because student fees pay for a lot of the event. If students go to events, they are utilizing the fees." 

Aside from fun outcomes, learning outcomes are just as important because knowing what's on campus can be helpful. For more information about each of the events, students can visit Cougar Link or contact the specific departments to learn more.

Get ready for Cougar Kick-off!

View the Cougar Link News Article about Cougar Kick-off by clicking here.

View the Cougar Kick-off Events Calendar by clicking here.

Download the Cougar Kick-off Calendar by clicking here.