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Kean University bought this multimedia conference table from a company in China for $219,000. The purchase has sparked criticism from state lawmakers and students.

(Kean University photo)

UNION — Emails sent to Kean University students yesterday supported the school's purchase of a controversial $219,000 multimedia conference table, maintaining it will benefit students directly and line up with a strategic vision for transforming the university.

Local officials and some students have recently blasted the public university for the expenditure, but both university officials and the student government organization are now stressing that the table and its corresponding electronics are an investment in Kean's future.

"Our world-class meeting spaces let more corporate and community leaders experience the new Kean," Executive Vice President of Operations Philip Connelly wrote in a message sent to students, faculty and staff yesterday evening. "Students benefit from Kean’s enhanced image that is the result of more external individuals coming to meetings held in Kean’s world-class meeting spaces, including the 6th floor conference center. More awareness and our enhanced image means added market value to your Kean degree."

Connelly wrote that the 22-foot table includes an "intelligent conferencing system" and "functions as a piece of high-tech equipment rather than a static furniture item."

The new conference center, on the sixth floor of the recently opened Green Lane building, will serve as a meeting space for student-focused institutional discussions and for faculty to host discussions with policy experts so that students can listen along, Connelly wrote.

Both Connelly's letter and one sent later yesterday by the Student Organization of Kean University reference President Dawood Farahi's Vision 2020 initiative, a strategic plan for improving academic standards, university communications, research and partnerships while developing the school into a global institution.

"This strategic plan includes a commitment to providing a truly global experience for all students—and the conference center is one component of that effort," reads the emailed signed by Student Organization of Kean University President Gerard E. Smithwrick. "In that space, for example, student leaders, faculty and administrators can quickly and clearly interact with our colleagues in Wenzhou, China—students and faculty, who like us, are seeking a global education."

Each of the letters mentions that student leaders on Kean's Union campus could use the facility to conference with their counterparts in Wenzhou, where Kean recently opened a campus. They each also cite the school's comparatively low tuition and plans to offset the cost of the conference table by renting out the meeting space.

Kean officials expect the room to be available for rentals in January at a base charge of $850 per day, plus additional charges based on the technology and equipment to be used, said Marsha McCarthy, the school's media relations director.

The student letter additionally highlights what it refers to as a "critical role" student government plays in shaping the school's new direction and instances in which the organization has worked with university officials.

"We have a seat at the table, wherever it’s located," the letter reads.

Smithwrick and the other student leaders also express support for Farahi, offering their perspective on the university president's reported response of "Why not?" when asked why the expense was necessary.

It's a matter of equity, the email's writers contend.

"Why not provide Kean students with the very best spaces, places and equipment needed to learn and succeed in today’s economy?" the message reads. "Are Kean students any less deserving than students at other colleges? The answer is simple: we’re not."

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Katie Lannan may be reached at klannan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @katielannan. Find NJ.com on Facebook.