A Message from W. Houston Dougharty, Vice President for Student Affairs: Inclusivity at Hofstra

Email sent to Hofstra students on February 27, 2017



Dear Hofstra Students,
As you likely heard, the U.S. Department of Justice just rescinded protections for transgender students that had directed schools in 2016 to treat trans students according to their own gender identities. I write to assure you that this will not impact Hofstra's commitment to our culture of inclusivity and respect for all members of our community. 

We have strong and long-standing anti-discrimination policies to protect us from unlawful discrimination and harassment, like our Student Policy Prohibiting Discriminatory Harassment, Relationship Violence, and Sexual Misconduct and University Harassment Policy. We affirm the gender identities of all community members; students may use restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities consistent with their gender identity. Any form of discrimination and/or harassment on the basis of gender identity, or any other identity, should be reported to the resources listed below. In addition, New York State's protections for the transgender community remain in effect.

We embrace policies and practices that demonstrate a commitment to equity for our transgender/gender non-conforming community members. The Hofstra 2015-2017 LGBTQ+ Task Force assessed and audited the Hofstra community by focusing on "opportunities for, support of, and presence of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Allied persons and programs." Last week its recommendations were given to the President's Cabinet; as Co-Chairs of the Task Force, the Provost and I will work to assure they are all addressed.

We live our values in regards to gender identity inclusivity. Last month, we issued a statement publicly opposing North Carolina's state law, HB2, which discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community. Hofstra affirms its commitment to protecting the civil rights of all and dedicates itself toward diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

On behalf of the University and our Division of Student Affairs, I assure you that our transgender/gender non-conforming faculty, students, and staff are valued members of our Hofstra community.

With Pride,
W. Houston Dougharty
Vice President of Student Affairs

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A Message from President Stuart Rabinowitz: In response to events at UVA

Posted on Hofstra University website on August 14, 2017

Our Commitment to Being a Welcoming and Inclusive Community

Hofstra University is fully committed to being a welcoming and inclusive community for all who learn and work on our campus. There is no room for hatred and violence here; a university represents the best of a democratic and free society, where respect, acceptance, and open dialogues are paramount.
 
In light of this weekend’s events at the University of Virginia, we reiterate Hofstra’s commitment to equality and decry the acts of hatred and bigotry that occurred at  Charlottesville. Among our core principles and ideals is that all people are created equal, and have the right to pursue their education here in an environment of peace and civility that welcomes and embraces our human differences. We condemn the actions which occurred at the “Unite the Right” rally perpetrated by groups such as the KKK, neo-Nazis, and other white supremacist organizations. We reject any attempt to divide us, pitting one segment of society against another. As we honor our country’s commitment to free speech, Hofstra University encourages speech that is respectful and peaceful, and does not impinge on the rights of others to live without persecution or harassment.

 

A Message from President Rabinowitz: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA)

Email to the Hofstra community on September 7, 2017

In light of the White House’s decision this week to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) in six months, I want to reaffirm Hofstra’s commitment to diversity, and to protecting the rights and dignity of every member of the campus community.

This is not the first time over the past year that I, along with hundreds of college and university presidents across the nation, have felt compelled to reiterate our commitment to the core values on which our institutions – and our country – are built: tolerance, respect, inclusiveness and opportunity.

In November, I joined more than 600 college and university presidents in a public statement supporting the DACA program, as a “moral imperative and a national necessity”.

As I said in a January letter to the Hofstra community, a university must be a place where learning and scholarship take place freely, and where all students, including those protected by DACA, can live, work and study without fear of harassment or intimidation. We do not ask students if they are undocumented and we do not share student information with any governmental agency except required by law.  Our Public Safety officers are here for the protection and safety of our community. While we work collaboratively with local police and government agencies, our Department of Public Safety is guided by the policies and procedures of the University, and not by any outside law enforcement entity unless required by law.

Beyond that, we have a long history of civic engagement programs in which our students and faculty work with the surrounding community. I am especially proud of our law school clinics that represent Long Island’s immigrants, including our new Deportation Defense Clinic, which launched this summer. This clinic will concentrate in particular on DACA recipients.

Leaders across the spectrum – from business, religious, education, civic and non-profit organizations – have reacted swiftly and forcefully to decry the White House decision to rescind the DACA program.  The people who have benefited from this program improve our communities and contribute to our economies.  Their talents and drive embody the American spirit.

As an educational institution, our mission is simple and clear: to provide a nurturing, safe environment that promotes the free exchange of ideas. Whatever happens to the DACA program, I want to reassure you that Hofstra will remain a welcoming place for all individuals.

 

For students, faculty or other members of the campus community who have questions or concerns about the DACA program, the following resources are available:

• Office of International Student Affairs, which offers comprehensive immigration support for international students at 516-463-6796 or international@hofstra.edu
• Student Health and Counseling Center, for counseling support at 516-463-6745
• Office of Student Advocacy & Prevention Awareness, for any student in need of support at 516-463-6555
• Law School Clinics, including the Deportation Defense Clinic and the Asylum Clinic: 516-463-5934 or lawclinic@hofstra.edu
• Office of Human Resources at 516-463-6859

 

A Message from Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz: Title IX

Email to the Hofstra community on September 8, 2017

With the beginning of the semester and the national dialogue around Title IX guidance, it is important to reiterate Hofstra’s full commitment to our well-established procedures on issues such as discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault prevention and adjudication. The well-being and safety of all of students and community is our highest priority.   We have a dedicated staff trained to prevent, educate, investigate and adjudicate these issues and to act as advocates for our students in order to provide a caring and compassionate  community for all.   Our comprehensive policy and procedures for student issues can be found at http://www.hofstra.edu/studentaffairs/deanofstudents/commstandards/commstandards_policies_sexualassault.html.

We remain committed to our comprehensive  program, which is designed to protect all members of our community and which provides for a full and fair process for adjudicating any complaints that arise.  In the case of Hofstra, the New York state law, “Enough is Enough,” the most rigorous sexual assault prevention law in the nation, already governs our campus and our program and standards fully comply with these requirements as well.

Most importantly, our mission as an educational institution requires that we create a safe environment that celebrates equality, inclusiveness and respect for each other and for the law. We will continue our steadfast efforts to educate and prevent discrimination and assault as well as investigate and if necessary adjudicate claims fairly and with integrity.

You are welcome to join our “It’s on Us” committee – co-led by our Student Affairs staff in the offices of Title IX for Student Issues, Student Advocacy & Prevention Awareness, and Student Health and Counseling – to  learn more about our public education efforts and join us as we create a safe and inclusive community (email StudentAdvocacy@hofstra.edu). Thank you.