What’s new at Kean University?

By Tyra Watts | Published by October 09, 2021

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This semester marks the return of staff and students on campus for the first time since the shut down in March 2020 and Kean University has made efforts to enhance the learning environment for students.

The campus has been going through a tough transition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it did not stop them from making changes to ensure safety for staff and students.

There have been many updates to existing buildings, as well as entirely new buildings such as Hynes Hall, home of the College of Business and Public Management.

Hynes Hall, located behind the Shoppes at Vermella, is named after Jim Hynes, Kean 1963 alumni, and his wife, Carole.

Chen Meng Ph.D., a new faculty member at Kean in the Economics department, had a lot to say about Hynes Hall.

“Generally speaking, I really like it here,” said Meng. “Before I came to this job, I worked at Boston University. The environment is new and clean, so I think those two places are comparable.”

Meng stated that the facilities in the classroom are easy to use and things are going quite smoothly. It is easy for her to reach out to other faculty members and easy for students to meet their professors during office hours.

On the main campus, the George Hennings Research wing has been added to the Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology. The research wing is named after the late George Hennings, who was a science professor at Kean.

As for the campus, there have been some major yet efficient updates to help with the health and safety of its staff and students. In every classroom, there is a sanitation station for everyone to use. It consists of a paper towel dispenser and disinfectant spray. There is also Plexiglass installed in each classroom for instructors.

In campus buildings, there are temperature check spots for staff and students to use and Brita Hydration Stations as an alternative for water fountains that are no longer in service.

Overall, Kean University is doing what it can do to get the campus back into its normal state.

Even though there is a long way to go in terms of the pandemic, it is only the beginning for Kean University and its students and faculty.

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