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Impending Winter Storm

Due to the impending storm, all classes and activities at Kean’s main campus in Union, Kean Ocean and Kean Skylands will operate remotely on Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26. 

The University will observe a Winter Wellness Day on Tuesday, January 27, following the storm. Classes and activities will not run, and employees are not expected to work. 

Due to ongoing power problems at the Kean Ocean Gateway Building, all classes and activities at Kean Ocean will also be conducted remotely on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24. This only applies to Kean Ocean. 

Only essential personnel should report to work as scheduled during the remote period or on Tuesday. Employees with questions about their status should consult their supervisor. 

Keanu’s Kitchen will remain open for residential students on the Union campus from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. 

All vehicles parked on the Union campus must be relocated to the Vaughn-Eames overnight parking lot by 6 p.m. on Saturday to allow for storm cleanup. Vehicles parked elsewhere on campus are subject to relocation. 

New Cafe Opens as Students Return to Kean’s Union Campus

Aug 12, 2021
The Unity Cafe has opened in Kean's Cougar Hall

There’s a new place to dine on campus at Kean.

Unity Cafe, a casual dining spot that sells fresh salads, panini sandwiches, baked goods made on site and more, opened this week on the ground floor of Cougar Hall. Its owners, a trio of women, including a Kean grad, said they hope it becomes the new gathering spot for the University community.

Three partners own the Unity Cafe.
Partners Melissa Dilone, Colleen Berg and Kean grad Elizabeth Destefano are owners of the Unity Cafe at Kean.

“I love it here. Kean is a very friendly place,” said Elizabeth Destefano, a retired Spanish teacher who received her teaching certificate from Kean in 1999, and who is one of the three partners. Colleen Berg, a realtor, and Melissa Dilone, a former restaurant owner, are the others.

The partners in early 2020 signed a lease to open. Then, the pandemic hit, pushing plans back.

Rob Berg, the director of operations and husband of Colleen Berg, said the delay gave them more time to focus on the concept, menu and design. The result is a location with modern, comfortable furniture, menu items that meet different dietary needs, charging space for electronics and a bright, welcoming vibe.

“We call it Unity Cafe for a reason. This is a place we want people to come in, relax, put everything aside and just enjoy your day,” he said.

Kean junior Jordan Johnson, who lives in Cougar Hall, stopped in with three friends recently. The English major said she will “definitely be here a lot.

“It’s definitely the type of modern atmosphere that students are looking for,” she said. “You can tell they put the time and care into every blueberry loaf.”

The cafe is planned to be open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Kelsey Kingsbery, the manager of the cafe, said hours may be adjusted to meet students’ needs.

The Unity Cafe plans to accept Cougar Dollars, and is currently working with the University to arrange that, Kingsbery said. 

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