The First Amendment applies to student journalists, too
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of the press.” The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791 and is considered by most Americans to be a good thing and a fundamental part of our democracy. Since the election of Donald Trump in 2016, however, “the press” that the First Amendment claims to protect, has been under attack. Trump refers to much of the press as...
N.J. to investigate alleged priest sex crimes and possible cover-up
On Sept. 6, New Jersey officials announced the creation of a special task force to investigate both the alleged sex abuse by members of the clergy within the dioceses of New Jersey and alleged cover-up by the Catholic Church. The Setonian reported last week that Seton Hall University has hired Newark law firm Gibbons P.C. to independently investigate sex abuse allegations that “may have involved seminarians” at its seminaries....
SHU aims to promote inclusion with new initiatives
Seton Hall is launching several new initiatives regarding inclusion “of every member of our [Seton Hall’s] community,” according to Dr. Karen Boroff, interim provost of Seton Hall. Over the summer, an email was sent to the university community detailing these initiatives. These include work on the University Core and University Life classes, workshops for faculty and the entire university community, and the creation of an Inclusion...
SHU investigates alleged abuse at seminaries
Seton Hall University has hired Newark law firm Gibbons P.C. to independently investigate sex abuse allegations that “may have involved seminarians” at both the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology and the College Seminary at Saint Andrew’s Hall on the South Orange campus, according to Dr. Mary Meehan, Seton Hall’s interim president. “Among the many disgraceful incidents that have shaken our collective...
Interim chair of criminal justice appointed
An email was sent to criminal justice majors on July 17 informing them that Dr. Robert Pallitto, chair of the department of political science and public affairs, will be serving as interim chair of the criminal justice department for the 2018-2019 academic year. This decision comes in light of Dr. Lonnie Athens stepping down as chair effective July 1. A number of issues were raised during the spring 2018 semester regarding the...
Contract not renewed for Professor of the Year
Dr. R.J. Maratea, professor of criminal justice, won the College of Arts and Sciences Professor of the Year Award for the 2017 to 2018 academic year. The announcement was made at the 2018 Student Leadership Awards ceremony, according to Sarah Miller, chair of the Dean’s Undergraduate Student Cabinet. Maratea is one of two criminal justice professors whose contracts were not renewed for the 2018 to 2019 academic year. He and Professor...
Fire ignites at Ivy Hill Park
A softball dugout caught fire at Ivy Hill Park, which is adjacent to Seton Hall’s campus, on May 6. No one was injured. Dr. Mary Meehan, interim president of the school, sent out an email on May 7 informing the SHU community of the fire. She said that the Newark Fire Department responded to a call about the fire at approximately 5 pm. Meehan also said that the Essex County authorities are investigating the cause of the fire...
SHU raises tuition for the 2018-19 academic year
On April 27, an email was sent to the Seton Hall community stating that the tuition for full-time undergraduate students at Seton Hall for the 2018-2019 academic year will total $19,950 per semester. The full cost for next school year “represents an increase of $750 per semester, or approximately 3.9 percent,” the email said. Last year’s increase was 3.5 percent, according to Dr. Karen Boroff, interim provost of the school. Room and...
Asbestos in Corrigan ‘not a present danger’
The Setonian received an anonymous tip about apparent asbestos in the ceilings of Corrigan Hall on April 18. According to John Signorello, the associate vice president of Facilities Engineering and Business Affairs, the asbestos “does not present a present danger.” “Corrigan Hall and many other buildings, schools and homes throughout the United States built prior to the 1970’s contain asbestos,” he wrote in an email. “This building...
Harvard professor discusses race relations on campus
On April 19, Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, professor of history, race and public policy at The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University spoke at Seton Hall. His lecture, which was entitled “Beyond Diversity: Anti-Racism and the Struggle for American Democracy,” explored “the function of systems within American democracy,” such as systemic racism and its relationship in today’s culture. Muhammad discussed everything...
Criminal justice forum draws mixed reviews
On April 12, a forum was held for criminal justice majors to voice their concerns about the department and the rumored changes with its curriculum. Some issues that were addressed were concerns about the rigor of the curriculum, lack of stability within the faculty and lack of adequate funding for the department. The forum was moderated by political science and film professor Jeffrey Togman. He began by asking the students in...
Class of 2018 gets a commencement speaker
The Office of the Provost announced via email on April 6 that the United States Treasurer, Jovita Carranza, will deliver the keynote address at Seton Hall’s baccalaureate commencement ceremony on May 21. Dr. Karen Boroff, the interim provost of Seton Hall, said that the administration wanted to make sure that this year’s graduation had a keynote speaker after last year’s graduating class voiced a strong interest in having one. Boroff...