One of the best times to celebrate being a Kean Cougar is during Homecoming, where students, staff, faculty, alumni and families gather together to cheer on the Kean football team. To get the community excited for the day of Homecoming, many events are planned leading up to the actual Homecoming event. This year, there will be a Homecoming Roller Skate Party to kick off the weekend of fun-filled festivities.

The event will be 90's themed and will take place Thursday, Oct. 24 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Downs Hall, however the doors will close at 11:30 p.m. Students and attendees can expect a night of dancing, roller skating, games and fun to celebrate what it means to be a Kean Cougar.

This event is a collaboration between the Greek Senate and P.U.L.S.E. The Greek Senate, housed under the Center for Leadership and Service, promotes scholarship, service, leadership, campus involvement and more and is comprised of Kean's sororities and fraternities. P.U.L.S.E. stands for Programming for Unique and Lively Student Experience, and is housed under the Office of Student Government. They are a student-led programming board that is centered on enhancing the student experience at Kean through their events. Both organizations are known to host events on campus for students to enjoy.

There are many fun festivities planned for the night. Students will be able to roller skate to their favorite tunes while mingling with their classmates and peers. There will also be games and food for the attendees to enjoy. All of this will help get the school spirit flowing right before the start of Homecoming weekend.

There are a few reminders that attendees should be aware of before the event. Firstly, one will have to go through a security metal detector to ensure the venue is safe. Additionally, hats or other forms of headgear are prohibited at the event. Re-admittance will not be permitted for any guest that decides to leave the event. Also, students should not loiter outside of Downs Hall.

Tickets for the party can be purchased at Wilkins Theatre box office. Two tickets can be purchased per Kean ID. The prices are $5 for students and $7 for non-Kean students. Students must accompany their guests at the event, and all guests must have a ticket to enter.

All of the proceeds from the Homecoming Party will go toward the yearly Kean Dance Marathon (KDM) donation total. This is a year-long fundraising effort by multiple student groups on campus to benefit the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ. Last year, the university raised $54,175.51 all for the kids and they are only aiming to raise more this year.

This is sure to be a fun night for the Kean community to enjoy and get in the spirit for Homecoming. If one has questions, do not hesitate to reach out to Greek Life through the Center for Leadership and Service by visiting the Miron Student Center, Room 219 or calling (908) 737-5170.