Friday, September 28, 2012

Fall Festival is Here!


Hofstra's annual Fall Festival: Alumni, Student and Family Weekend is here and will feature many exciting events, including the traditional Parade of Floats (this year's theme is USA Musicians) and Vibe Live 2012 Concert and Carnival on Saturday, September 29.

Student registration for Vibe Live will be held at HofUSA between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. To enter the field gates, you must first register and pick up your wristband at HofUSA. Registration is free for Hofstra University students with a valid HofstraCard. Each student will need to swipe their valid HofstraCard and will receive one bracelet for the duration of the event, no exceptions. If you have any problems with your Hofstra ID or need a replacement, we encourage you to visit HofstraCard Services before Saturday but the office will also be open Saturday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.  Vibe Live gates open at 1 p.m., and the pre-show begins at 1:30 p.m.

The Parade of Floats begins at noon on Saturday. Immediately following the parade, make your way over to Vibe Live's pre-show, featuring performances by Hofstra student groups Sigma'cappella featuring Erin Willett from NBC's The Voice,  Imani Dance Ensemble, Hofstra's Cheer and Dance Teams, and the winner of Hofstra's Got Talent. Our main event features KC and The Sunshine Band, Cobra Starship, Big Sean, and Snoop Dogg, and is hosted by Power 105.1's "The Breakfast Club," with music by Vibe Live veteran DJ Envy. This year's carnival features signature rides such as the Dream Catcher, Gravitron, Hurricane, Sizzler, and Giant Swing! Immediately following the concert, Fireworks by Grucci will light up the night sky with a special patriotic show!

Parents and family members as well as Alumni may purchase tickets for Vibe Live on-site at HofUSA for $40 each. 

Please note there are parking lot closures due to Fall Festival http://www.hofstra.edu/About/PublicSafety/pubsaf_update_parking.html

And last but not least, don't forget to purchase your favorite performers' merchandise, Debate 2012 commemorative items, and Hofstra gear at the merchandise section in HofUSA during registration.
Keep in mind that this event is rain or shine. Regardless of the weather, we look forward to a memorable Fall Festival 2012!

For more information about Fall Festival events, tickets, and attendee information, please visit hofstra.edu/fallfestival. See you there!

Student Counseling Services and National Depression Screening Day


Student Counseling Services was pleased to participate in National Depression Screening Day yesterday in the Student Center. Many of you stopped by to collect handouts about common mood concerns, have your questions answered about the types of mood issues students may encounter and as well as have your mood checked. If you weren’t able to join us and are interested in further information about depression and other common mood difficulties, or would like some help managing a mood issue please contact SCS at 516-463-6791 or visit our website for more information

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Fall Festival Float Building

If you are a new student then you don’t want to miss one of Hofstra’s most exciting traditions:, Fall Festival!  The festival begins with a parade of floats designed and crafted  by Hofstra student organizations.  Every float depicts its own musician in accordance with this year’s theme: USA Musicians.  Members of different organizations have put time and energy into building floats, creating banners, and developing skits to perform at Fall Fest. 
Billy Joel - Theta Tau and Phi Sigma Sigma
Jimi Hendrix Banner
Bruce Springsteen Banner


The transformation of the Student Center Mulipurpose Room
Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and N’Sync are just a few float themes that will be displayed. Organizations that are in the parade of floats and banners include Residential Student Association, African Latino Fraternal Sororal Alliance, Pride Network, Phi Sigma Sigma, Theta Tau, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Student Government Association, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Delta Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Phi Epsilon, Delta Chi, Dance Works, Sigma Pi, Alpha Phi, Phi Delta Theta, Alpha Theta Beta, Tau Epsilon Phi, Alpha Kappa Psi, Delta Gamma, Sigma Alpha Mu, Sigma Delta Tau and Pi Kappa Alpha. You can find out more about these orgaizations at Hofstra on Collegiate Link. Come out on Saturday, September 29 at 12pm to see the banners all ten float performances at Hofstra USA and enjoy the rest of Fall Festival

Monday, September 24, 2012

CLC Grand Opening a Success


Students line up outside the CLC to collect Grand
Opening giveaways and enter the raffle.

The Collaborative Learning Center had its grand opening 9/20 to a crowd of over 200 Hofstra students, as well as faculty and staff. The event, which included refreshments and a raffle (one lucky student even got to walk away with an Apple iPad!), highlighted the accessibility of the newly renovated space for group and individual study sessions and allowed students to familiarize themselves with one of the newest amenities on campus.

Dean Firestone of the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, as well as University Provost Berliner and Dean of University Advisement Anne Mongillo, welcomed all in attendance to the CLC and expressed their hope that the space will allow for students to connect with each other and their fields of study in ways they simply could not attain before.  If the Grand Opening is an indication, we can expect the Collaborative Learning Center to be a cornerstone for the academic advancement of Hofstra students for years to come.

A crowd gathers as Dean Firestone prepares to announce the winner of the
CLC Grand Opening Raffle's Grand Prize: a new iPad!




Friday, September 21, 2012

Accounting & Finance Fair - The #s Are In!


Wednesday night was the Career Center’s Accounting and Finance Fair, a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet employers face-to-face and find out about internship and full time job prospects.

Over 30 employers came, some with three or four representatives. All had positions they are currently looking to fill, and our students were ready!  407 of you came in your interview finest (well, most of you…), with resumes in hand and smiles on your faces, ready to meet and greet the recruiters.

I learned a very interesting thing on Wednesday night. One of the recruiters told me that 50% of her company’s new hires were found through LinkedIn.  50%! So that means that if you do not have a LinkedIn profile, you are already at a huge disadvantage, and those of you who do have one, should pat yourself on the back. Really, go ahead, I’ll wait…

This shows that some employers are moving away from the traditional way of hiring; placing an ad and receiving hundreds of resumes.  Instead, they are actively searching for new employees by visiting social and professional networking sites and searching for key words.

Even if you do have a LinkedIn profile, it’s not enough to just let it sit there.  You need to actively engage on the site by joining and participating in professional groups, including groups of employers of interest, or maybe even starting your own group for job searchers in your field.  You can post articles, or comment on articles posted by others, share your own experiences and tips and keep your contacts up to date on your progress.

A word of caution:  Unlike Facebook, where you can post pictures of your spring break in Cancun, LinkedIn and other professional networking sites are just that: PROFESSIONAL. Keep your pictures and postings job or career related.  As I tell my students, don’t put anything up there that you would not want your grandmother (or your potential employer) to see.

Darlene Johnson, Assistant Director, The Career Center

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Hofstra Students Attend National Conventions

Though the Conventions for both major political parties have come and gone, their effect is still felt in the polls and policy announcements leading up to the General Election on November 6.  Some in the Hofstra community are able to reflect on the impact of these political events more intimately, having attended them.  Two of these students, Simran Nanda and Marina Pino, share their stories below.

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Simran Nanda is a sophomore political science major at Hofstra University.  She wishes to be an attorney and, one day, run for Congress.  She was in Charlotte, NC during the 2012 Democratic National Convention (August 25-September 7). 


Simran Nanda during the 2012 DNC.
I remember back in February when I was informed that I had been chosen to represent Hofstra at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. I had been so excited and thrilled. I didn’t know much about what I was going to do, but I knew it was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Fast forward to the end of the DNC in September, I recall my disappointment when I was no longer able to attend Obama’s speech due to a change in venue--but I’m still grateful that I had the chance to attend the DNC and am thankful to Hofstra for giving me this opportunity. I had the chance to listen to some inspirational speakers and hear their stories. I met Ohio delegate Bill DeMora, a California delegate, delegates from my own state (NY), NC legislator Tricia Cotham, FOX News Anchor Israel Balderas, Congressman Melvin Watt, and so many more people, which is definitely something I will never forget.

My fieldwork was with the DNC Committee and I was in charge of interior hall access control, which means I was in charge of checking people’s credentials to make sure they were allowed in. There were many different sorts of credentials and each type of credential would get you access into different areas. For example, there were floor passes, backstage passes, podium passes etc. I often had to turn people away because they did not have the credentials necessary to access a certain area. I also attended my state’s delegation party at the Discovery Place. The party was actually for a whole bunch of state delegations and I got to go around and network with my state's delegates; but what was really amazing was that I connected even better with the delegates from the other states. They were all extremely welcoming and interested in helping a college student with anything they could possibly do.

I also took away an even greater lesson. This convention was supposed to be the most open and accessible in history but so much of the public was turned away simply because there were not enough seats in the convention hall, so people who wanted to get involved couldn't. This made me realize that in order for people to become more involved in politics, they need to be given more opportunities to get involved. People will only understand and want to be involved in our government if they are given the chance and now more than ever, we need people to be actively engaged--especially young people. So, I’m glad I went to the DNC and recognized this because now I can have the insight I need to make a difference in my own community.

The passion and energy I saw at the DNC do not have to be reserved for grand national events; we can have them right here as well. In the end, even though I missed out on the actual convention events, I can still say I was down in Charlotte for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. I was still in the midst of it all and that’s not a thing most people can say.
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Hofstra senior Marina Pino, who is a history major with a political science minor, was one of the two students selected to represent Hofstra University at the 2012 Republican National Convention, which took place from August 18-31 in Tampa, FL.
Marina Pino at the 2012 RNC.

Back in January I received an email from Student Affairs about the opportunity to attend either the RNC or DNC this summer.  Hofstra was offering two spots per convention to attend the National Convention Seminars sponsored by The Washington Center.  While I was working as a student aide in the History Department last February, Dr. Meena Bose asked me to step into her office and informed me that I was one of the two students selected to attend the RNC.  Little did I know at that moment what a life-changing experience this program would be.

I was assigned to work the political unit of the local Fox13 Tampa news station.  My experience with the Fox13 team was truly rewarding; I learned so much about news media and politics during the brief six days I had with them.  I worked directly for Craig Patrick, the station’s political editor, and his camera crew.  During my first two days with Fox13, I worked with Craig developing potential Q&A about the history of conventions as well as how they have evolved to be the events they are today.  My research and script-writing (yes, script writing!) was mainly to be used for the station’s Sunday preview segment which they were developing in hopes to further educate the Tampa locales about the upcoming convention and its effects upon their home city.

After a rather brief, but nevertheless overpowering hurricane scare in the days leading up to the convention, the gavel dropped at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Monday, August 27 (only to be called into immediate recess).  My placement with Fox13 officially began at the convention site that Tuesday.  I did not expect to be contributing as much as I did, since I had no experience in television media prior to my arrival in Tampa a week before, but the political team made sure I was involved in every step they took while covering the convention.  I was even allowed access to the convention floor!  I assisted Craig and his cameraman as they interviewed several members of state delegations and media personnel while the speeches were underway at the Times Forum.  I learned so much by just observing how each interview was conducted in its own unique way.
So, how do I briefly sum up this whirlwind once-in-a-lifetime-experience?  Well, that’s impossible.  Having been given this wonderful opportunity by Hofstra University to expand my undergraduate career is something, for which I will forever be grateful.  As graduation day approaches, I feel extremely fortunate to reflect upon how I was given the opportunity to compliment my studies in the classroom with my fieldwork experience at the 2012 Republican National Convention.
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So, with the election fast approaching and everyone on campus getting geared up for the debate, students like Simran and Marina have immersed themselves fully in electoral fervor.  How will you be getting involved as Election Day 2012 nears?

Collaborative Learning Center Celebration

Collaborative Learning Center (CLC) - Opening Celebration!

Come check out what is sure to be your new favorite study/work/learning space on campus, the Collaborative Learning Center (CLC). Join Provost Herman Berliner, fellow students and the Hofstra community for the GRAND OPENING!

When:             Thursday, September 20, 2012
4-5 p.m.

Where:           Second floor of Axinn Library

Meet staff members from the Center for University Advisement, the Writing Center, Axinn Library, and Student Computing Services and learn more about the technology and resources available at the CLC

*GIVEAWAYS! (shh... one is an iPad) Arrive early to enter!

The CLC is designed to provide all students with a welcoming learning experience where they are encouraged to share knowledge and explore in an interactive, adaptable environment.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Alcohol Awareness



1,400 college students died from alcohol-related unintentional  injuries last year!  (CollegeParents.org)

This fact is just one of the many alcohol related facts you will learn more about during Alcohol Awareness Week. Since there are no classes on Monday and Tuesday, we kick off our schedule of events on Wednesday with the "Beer Goggle Challenge."  Come on over and try on our goggles that simulate how your vision and senses become impaired with the consumption of alcohol.  The first 50 participants will receive a prize and a fact about alcohol awareness!   

On Thursday, Marge Lee will return for the second year in a row to Hofstra, when Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Office of Student Leadership and Activities present "Dangers of Distracted Driving."  Ms. Lee will give the Top 10 "no-no's" that can distract you while driving... which includes texting, and driving under the influence.  Come hear what her Top 10 are and grab some free food!

Friday night features "Cross Country Cocktails,"co-sponsored by the Office of Student Leadership and Activities and the Multicultural and International Student Programming Office.  An international student panel will discuss the differences and similarities of the culture surrounding alcohol and drinking in their home country. Join us for a great discussion and come prepared to ask our panelists questions.   Light Refreshments will be provided.

Stay tuned to HofCast for more facts about Alcohol Awareness, too!  For more information, feel free to call the Office of Student Leadership and Activities at 516-463-6914.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

We've Got the SPIRIT!



They’re back!  After a summer that consisted of some R&R, but lots of work and prep for the upcoming year, our Spirit Support teams have finally settled in for another busy academic year.

If this is your first year reading our blog, Spirit Support consists of the nationally ranked Hofstra University Cheer and Dance teams, the Pep Band, and our famous mascot duo, Kate and Willy.

Even though our teams are nationally ranked, we are always looking for ways to improve and continue to challenge the 110+ students that are committed to our programs.  One new change this year is the addition of leadership positions within the Pep Band.  We are excited to welcome three awesome captains to the program, who are the main go-to contacts for our band. 

Our other work in progress is our growing mascot program.  If you’ve watched American Pie, you’re probably familiar with “Band Camp” but there’s also Cheer Camp, Dance Camp, and yes, Mascot Camp!  This was our first summer sending some of our mascots to camp to help them learn more tricks of the trade…and Kate and Willy LOVED it!

If you missed any of our team’s  opening performances during Welcome Week, you only have a few more weeks of waiting!  The Pep Band will be entertaining the crowd with some new tunes at the homecoming parade and Cheer and Dance have the honor of closing the awesome pre-show lineup for Vibe Live!  Stay tuned for September 29th!

If you’re interested in joining our mascot program, we can use an extra few sets of “paws!”  Please email our graduate assistant for Spirit Support at Alexandra.Panos@hofstra.edu.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Learning About Social Host Law



Thank you to all of the students who came out last night to the Social Host Law event.  Students were able to gather in the Guthart Cultural Center Theater located in the Axinn Library on the South Side of campus and learn about social host laws, the risks of underage drinking and drinking while driving, as well as find out how the laws effect them.






Students who were in attendance got a surprise when mayor Wayne J. Hall of Hempstead made an appearance and spoke about the issues many college students forget about.  Thank you again for joining us and also thank you to the police officers for teaching our students important information valuable to their well-being.

Friday, September 7, 2012

A Week of Commuter Pride


Back to school and the commuters are back in action.  Starting September 4th, the first day back for the Fall 2012 semester, we held a Fill it Up event in the commuter lounge room 221 of the Mack Student Center.  Free coffee and a light snack was provided for the commuters.  We had a great turn out and the commuter lounge was slowly filling up with new fresh faces. 




On Wednesday, September 5th we held a Tune it Up pizza and conversation gathering during common hour.  New commuter students had chance to ask questions of upperclassman commuters and feel welcomed into the Hofstra community.  The commuter lounge in room 221 was completely utilized with students filling the couches, signing up for lockers and enjoying their free eats while engaging in conversation. Thursday, September 6th we partnered with Hofstra Hillel and held a commuter brunch for all. 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

New and Familiar Faces


And here we go, starting off a new academic year!

There has been a lot of excitement in the Multicultural and International Student Programs Office (MISPO) during the summer. Since April, Sonia Fernandes and I have joined the MISPO team.  We are excited to be a part of the Hofstra community and we look forward to meeting you and hearing about your experiences at Hofstra. Check out our new MISPO staff webpage to see who's who on with MISPO!

Photo: In the game room with new friends
New and returning students at the International Mixer,
Monday, August 27, 2012, Photo by Hwa Tian
As Martin Buber said, "All real living is meeting," and we have been meeting a lot of new students this past week! Our team has worked hard over the summer to gear up for the next academic year. We greeted more than 300 new international students, coming from over 60 different countries. We provided an International Student Orientation, where our new international students had the opportunity to learn more about Hofstra University, more about resources that will aid them in their academic journey, and build friendships. One of the highlights was an Intercultural Mixer, where students had the opportunity to meet and build friendships with current students, including U.S. Americans. What a fun time!




MISPO also co-hosted two Cultural Receptions during the Welcome Week activities.  Students met the MISPO staff and various Student Affairs administrators and were able to build new friendships with new and returning students. New students, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender or who identify as LGBTQ allies, were greeted by the Pride Network, Hofstra's LGBTQ student organization, who provided an overview of the activities the club will offer throughout the fall semester, leadership opportunities, and ways to connect through social media. At the Students of Color and Friend Social, students were able to meet the leaders of various student organizations at Hofstra, including HINT (Hofstra International), Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), HOLA , Black Student Union (BSU), Collegiate Women of Color (CWC), Active Minds, and the National Association of Black Accountants. It was a great time to connect and get excited for the semester's activities!

We want to meet you in person! Come by our Open House to meet our new staff members as well as catch up with familiar faces from the MISPO team. All members of the Hofstra community are invited to come to our Open House!


Multicultural and International Student Programs Office (MISPO) Open House
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. – Common Hour
In the hallway outside of the MISPO office, Student Center 242

We are super excited to welcome all the new students and catch up with the returning students. Please stop by and introduce yourself ! 

First Day of Classes!

Today I was up bright and early to get my son, Elijah, off to his first day of Preschool! He was a little nervous (some of the rules changed and he can't bring toys to class any more) but, when I left he gave me the thumbs up. I then quickly headed over to the Unsipan outside of Hammer Lab to meet and greet with Hofstra students :) The first day of classes Fall Semester....ahh, it's an exciting time and it can be nerve racking, especially for new students. The Office of Student Leadership and Activities (OSLA) set up a table this morning to welcome all students back to campus and give out directions to new students. The coffee, tea, snacks and t-shirts were also a hit. At 8am the staff was ready to meet and greet. We had many new students looking for directions and a lot of students just wanting a little snack on the way to class (one student even commented we made her day because we gave her a t-shirt :)  and who doesn't love a new t-shirt!).
OSLA t-shirt giveaway
Meeting and Greeting
Convocation will begin in the JC Adams Playhouse at 11:30am today. This is a wonderful time to hear from President Rabinowitz about the state of Hofstra and the plans for the future. As well, the Student Government Association President Tevon Hyman '14, will be addressing students, faculty and administrators. We hope to see you there!
OSLA Staff Ready for Action!
Over the next few weeks there will be a lot going on on campus. Check out all the Beyond Welcome Week events that will lead right through Fall Festival and up to the Debate! What an exciting time for Hofstra. OSLA is looking forward to seeing returning students and meeting more new students throughout the semester. Throughout the year we will continue to meet and greet with students around campus. On September 13 we will have another table at Breslin with coffee, tea and snacks (as well as t-shirts) to meet more students. We hope to see you around campus in our Gold Polos! If you have questions about our office, getting involved or campus in general feel free to email us also you can find us on Facebook and Twitter. And if you see us on campus say Hi!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Explore Next Door - Guggenheim Museum

The Class of 2016 had two perfect days to see New York City as part of our Explore Next Door trips during Welcome Week.  I had the pleasure of taking 17 students to visit the Guggenheim museum on Saturday, September 2nd and along the way, the student learned the following from me:
  • Buy your tickets before boarding in order to avoid surcharges on the LIRR.
  • Walk fast like a New Yorker, especially when boarding a subway train (a few students almost got left behind on the platform as the doors of 2 train closed).
  • The main roads in Central Park are closed to automobile traffic on the weekends, but it still means playing Frogger while crossing in order not to bump into joggers and cyclists.
  • Frank Lloyd Wright was a very pushy architect
Here are some highlights from our trip.









Saturday, September 1, 2012

Take me out to the ball game!

One question that's popular among Hofstra community members is: "Which baseball team do you route for?" Me? I just "root, root, root for the home team." So today I was a Yankees fan! It was my pleasure to escort 50 new Hofstra students to today's Yankees game as a part of the Welcome Week Explore Next Door (END)series. We were one of eight END trips that left Hofstra for different locations throughout NYC. Though students admitted they were not all Yankees fans (which makes sense since Hofstra undergraduates represent 47 states and 50 countries), we all cheered the Yanks on to a victory against the Orioles. With a sunny day, 80 degree weather, and great Welcome Week Leaders (thanks Ari, Sarah, and Steve) a great time was had by all!