Have you registered to vote yet? What are you waiting for?

Thanks go to Megan Kennedy, Class of 2014 and a member of our Student Debate planning committee, for today's guest blog!

With September fast approaching, the Presidential Debate will be on campus before you know it!  This great opportunity to experience democracy in action is paired with the fact that many students will be eligible to vote for the very first time.  Have you registered yet?

Since I am looking forward to voting in my first election this November, I registered using the assistance of the website Rock the Vote.  It was easy!  All I had to do was fill out my personal information, print the form, sign it, and mail it in.  This site and many others like it provide an easy way to register and get all of your voting questions answered.

Be aware that each state has a different registration deadline, and most states require you to physically mail a form in.  This all takes time so be sure to look up when your state’s deadline is and plan ahead.  For example, New York’s deadline is October 12^th, just days before we serve as Debate hosts on October 16.  For those students who do not live in New York and have already registered to vote, you may be required to fill out an absentee ballot.  These ballots generally need to be mailed to your home state weeks before the election takes place.  Each state has a different deadline- don’t miss yours!

            I’ll be in the voting booth on November 6^th, where will you be?

We Need You!

Calling All Hofstra Students!

Calling All Hofstra Students!

We Need You!

By now, most of you have heard that Hofstra University is hosting the Presidential Debate on October 16, 2012. We are looking for current students to volunteer to help the campus host this once in a lifetime event!  We will need nearly 300 student volunteers to support local, national and international media, the Commission on Presidential Debates, and our campus event operations leading up to and on Debate night.  All volunteers will serve as Hofstra ambassadors for the hundreds of guests who will come to campus!

Students may apply to one of the following three categories: Event Operations, Media and Communication, or Debate Production. In addition, students may also apply to "Join the Debates," a new initiative for 2012. "Join the Debates" does not overlap with the other categories, so you are free to apply for just this opportunity or both this and another category.

Many students have already applied! Don't miss out on this historic opportunity!

To apply and for more information on the specific opportunities available, please visit Pride-CMS, located under My Apps on the Hofstra Portal, my.hofstra.edu. Once you are in Pride-CMS, click on Jobs and Internships and then under the keyword search enter "Hofstra University Debate 2012." Here you will be able to view job descriptions, apply, and review FAQ and volunteer expectations.


**  All positions will be filled on a rolling basis. The priority deadline for credentialed (Secret Service Clearance) positions is Friday, August 3.  For roles that do not require credentials, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Friday, September 7, based on availability.

Hofstra Alum Cara Castronuova Sends Local Student to Camp

On Monday, July 2, 2012, Hofstra Young Alumna of the Year (Class of 2004) and trainer on NBC's Biggest Loser, Cara Castronuova, returned to the Hofstra University Fitness Center to give Hempstead high school student, Anthony Rogers, the opportunity to pursue a healthier lifestyle. By receiving the final available grant for Camp Shane, a six-week summer fitness camp located in Croton on Hudson, NY, Anthony will be able to start losing weight and arrive on the path to accomplishing his fitness goals.

"I was really impressed by (Anthony's) essay and his desire to lose weight," says Castronuova. "He's seen some tough times and I wanted to help him reach his goals." Yet, despite the excitement of the news and fanfare provided by the presence of Hofstra reps and local media, Anthony kept a reserved demeanor throughout the announcement, which Castronuova planned as a surprise.

Though visibly grateful for the opportunity, Anthony did not respond to his acceptance as one might initially expect: when asked to comment on the daily struggles of being overweight, Anthony said, "I wouldn't call them daily struggles...I think about my body and look at who I am and that's me. I'm comfortable with myself, but I do want to get healthier;" and with the support of people like his family (his grandparents accompanied him to the Fitness Center) and Cara, he has all the tools to succeed even beyond his stay at Camp Shane.

Ms. Castronuova has been an active member in the Hofstra community for years, twice returning to campus prior to this week's appearance--once as a judge for Hofstra's annual student talent show and again to promote general health and fitness. She has also contributed to the surrounding community by volunteering her time to raise awareness for local wellness initiatives.

The Division of Student Affairs at Hofstra University wishes Anthony all the best as he strives to achieve better health this summer, and urges all those hoping to improve their fitness to join him in his effort to make the most of the coming months.

Upcoming Groups at Student Counseling

Summer 2012 is in full swing and it’s been great to meet with some of you at our summer orientation programs and be in touch with others by phone and email. Student Counseling has switched gears this summer to finish up lingering administrative tasks and begin preparing for our new group of first year as well as our returning students. Some of what we’ve been working on over the summer is planning out our groups and psychoeducational workshops for the Fall semester.

Once the Fall is underway, we look forward to seeing many of you at our popular Mindfulness Meditation group as well as at other groups such as Social Connections and Making Peace with Food and Your Body. Feel free to contact SCS with any suggestions for new group topics. We will be updating our website as the summer progresses to provide more specific information about groups, times and locations so check back soon!