Hofstra’s First “Pride and Purpose Debate” to Focus on Genetically Modified Crops

How do you feel about genetically modified foods? Would you eat something knowing that it contains GMO products?

We will be discussing these questions at our first Pride and Purpose debate on Thursday, December 5, from 4:30 - 6:00 PM. The debate will focus around the question: “Should the U.S. Enact Stronger Regulations Against Genetically Modified Crops?”

The event will be held at the Leo A. Guthart Cultural Center Theater, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library First Floor, South Campus at Hofstra University.

Seats are filling up!  To reserve your space visit the RSVP website – Hofstra.edu/pridepurposedebate

If you can't be there in person, you can watch the live webstream on the event's website.

Living Your College Dreams Abroad

Photo Credits: Hofstra Students in Beijing, China during Study Abroad Program

Have you ever dreamt about visiting Germany, China, Italy, France, Japan or another country? What if I told you this could be a reality right here at Hofstra! Yes, it’s true; Hofstra offers students 13 different countries to choose from through the Study Abroad Program.

Hofstra’s Study Abroad Program is offered during the January, spring (European Odyssey) and summer semesters. The programs allow you to earn credits while visiting another country and provide you with opportunities to learn about other cultures. While you’re there, you’ll get to visit some of the countries’ well-known monuments, buildings, museums, and other sites that you may have read about.

Photo Credits: Hofstra students in France during Study Abroad Program

Think it can’t get any better, well it can! On top of visiting a ‘dream spot’ many of your peers have made lifelong friends, met people across the globe and built a strong resume with knowledge of other cultures. These rewards will last long after your college graduation.

Don’t just take my word for it, hear from your peers. Over the course of the next few months, we will have guest blogs from your peers sharing their first-hand experiences about the Study Abroad Program. This will help you gain insight on what it’s like to visit a new country and learn about a different culture while in college.

Interested in learning more? Feel free to stop by the Study Abroad Programs office located in 107 Roosevelt Hall or visit their website here. Although the deadlines have passed for the January and spring 2014 program, there’s still time to apply for the Summer 2014 Abroad Program! How cool would it be to tell your friends you spent a summer in France, Italy or Japan! You can check here for upcoming informational meetings. The application deadline to the Summer 2014 Abroad Program ends on March 7, 2014. So, don’t wait, get started now living your dreams abroad.


-Yolanda M. Brown, Office of Student Affairs

Xing & Jing ---- Our first international twins

Xing Jiang and Jing Jiang, the twins from China Hangzhou - Qiandao Lake are our first international twins at Hofstra.  Xing (星) and Jing (晶), the names their father gave them are from Twinkle Twinkle (晶) Little Star (星).  Apple and Berry are their English names.

Different from many other identical twins growing up, Xing and Jing are still dressing the same and using the same products.  They are both majoring in Human Resources Management.  From the outside looking in, everything about them is the same.  However, just because they dress the same and use the same things does not mean they are the same.  They still have different personalities and think differently.

Even though they study the same major, they find their opinions on the topic are different.  Before pursuing their Master’s degree, Xing studied accounting for her bachelor’s degree and Jing studied Korean and Japanese languages.  They said because of their previous majors, when they talk about a classroom topic they always perceive it differently.  Xing has more logical thinking.   

Left is Jing (Berry) and Right is Xing (Apple)

They both agree Xing, the older sister, is the leader most of the time.  Coming to America, Jing followed Xing.  Jing originally planned to go to Japan to study, but Xing does not speak Japanese.  They did not want to separate from each other.  They chose to come to America since they both speak English. However, in daily life Jing is the one choose clothes and other items to buy.  Who decides what to wear on daily basis?  That depends on who gets up earlier!

What if they have different opinions?  Do they argue with each other?  Yes, they do!  They told me that they always argue about small things for hours and nobody understands why.

Left is Jing (Berry) and Right is Xing (Apple)

During our conversation, you could tell that these two sisters love and trust each other.  They told me that if you see them on campus, please say “Hi” and introduce yourself.

Office of Off-Campus Living & Commuting Student Services: Shake a Rake, Flavors of the neighborhood, and Commuter hour in the game room

What a week the Office of Off-Campus Living and Commuting Student Services had! From student/community inclusion, to Cuban cuisine, to the commuting student hour in the game room; the commuting and off-campus students were sure involved on campus this week!

This past Saturday, over 180 students got together to volunteer for our annual Shake a Rake program. The students were ready and roaring at 9 a.m. to make a difference in a senior community member’s day. The students enjoyed a breakfast together, and then dispersed in groups with rakes in hand to go rake the yards of community members in need.

The students raked the leaves in the yards of 19 homes in the Hofstra vicinity, and helped beautify two community parks.

The community members were extremely grateful to have this experience with the students, many of them home bound due to health issues. The students’ visits to the homes lifted the community members’ spirits and made them feel like students really do care for them and the community. Many of the citizens chatted with the volunteers and expressed their deep gratitude for the student's actions.

 The students also felt very grateful for the experience. They knew that what they were doing was so much more than raking leaves, rather, lending a hand to people who could really use the help and interaction.

A sincere thanks to the students who volunteered their time and effort on that beautiful Saturday morning!

On Thursday, November 14^th, our office combined programming efforts with the Office of Multicultural and International Student Programs to take  Commuting students and international students on a Latin food-venture! Students enjoyed a sweet and savory Cuban meal at Havana Central in Garden City and immersed themselves in the Cuban culture while eating gastronomic staples such as empanadas and tamales all while enjoying the traditional Latin music and ambiance.

The commuting student hour in the game room was great fun, hosted with the Office of Student Leadership and Activities! Commuting students had the opportunity to play games, have snacks, and get to know each other during common hour on Wednesday, November 13^th.  The students enjoyed playing Foosball and  video games, creating bonds with one another and further establishing themselves on campus. 

If you are a commuting or off-campus student, be sure to check your Hofstra pride email for our regularly sent newsletter to get the latest scoop on any events we are hosting to get involved! 

Cristina Pappadake-Gomez

Graduate Assistant

Office of Off-Campus Living & Commuting Student Services 

Becoming More

Multicultural Mixer: Collegiate Women of Color recite a Maya Angelou poem.
Photo taken by Laura Bellini, Hofstra class of 2017, 
Political Science and Journalism major

I am often asked, “Why do you like living in the U.S.?”

My immediate answer is always: “Its diversity.” Then, I usually explain that in the U.S. you can not only interact with people from very diverse backgrounds (heritage, religious, etc.) but you can also find rich cultural diversity that was developed in the various regions/states of the country. You can also find geographic diversity, diversity in food, diversity in seasons/weather, etc.

Multicultural Mixer: H*INT performs a Bollywood dance called "Desi Girl."
Photo taken by Laura Bellini.

When hearing Lisa Young’s keynote address at the Diversity Awareness reception today, I was immediately taken in with our shared view on the diversity of diversity that exists! Lisa Young, a Hofstra alumna, spoke about the fact that “diversity is everywhere and is in all of us.” She continued to define that everyone has culture, whether you are coming from a majority or minority group. She emphasized that each of us helps make diversity more complete, “Without you, diversity becomes a little less.”

A special thanks to all the Multicultural Mixer participants!
Photo taken by Laura Bellini.

Reflecting on Lisa’s words, I think of our event on Monday, the Multicultural Mixer, where we greeted more than 300 students, faculty, and administrators to taste and smell the diversity of food, watch and listen to the diversity of performance art shared by our students. If one person didn't participate in that event, yes, the event would have not been the same. And I also recognize, that while we had a great turnout for the event, if more people would have participated, the richer the event would have become.

Diversity Awareness Reception: Opening Remarks by
Chelsea Gillyard, Class of 2014, Marketing Major

Lisa further emphasized in her speech that “Diversity is healthy and it enriches our life.” She talked about how fruits and vegetables have a wide variety of nutrients to keep us healthy and how working out with a varied routine makes us stronger. She also talked about how the arts help enhance our lives for celebration, relaxation, and/or community building.

Diversity Awareness Reception:"Who We Are" moving poem participants

Diversity Awareness Reception: Keynote address by Lisa Young,
Award-winning Entrepreneuer and Sociolinguist, Hofstra Alumna 2010 and 2012

Diversity Awareness Reception: Drum Circle led by Terry Muldoon with Steel Margarita

We were able to experience this healthy enrichment later on during the reception, after Lisa spoke, when we were able to participate in a drum circle, led by Hofstra alumna, Terry Muldoon. We were able to select the percussion instrument of our choice, and Terry showed us all the unique characteristics that each instrument brought to harmony of sound. Not only did the drum circle enhance the reception’s activities, but is also helped us de-stress and find a rhythm with each other.

The final point Lisa emphasized in her speech was that “The more you diversify, the more you become.” As diversity of thought and talent will help continue to help the human race evolve, Lisa encouraged the audience to continue to learn about the unique characteristics everyone brings to the table. She pointed out that seeking to understand will not only expand your comfort zone, but it will bring about immense personal growth.

I couldn't agree more. One of the reasons I love my work is that I get to interact with people with such varied backgrounds. Every day I learn something new. Working in a diverse setting is becoming the norm. Just today on the radio, I learned about community spaces where people from various working backgrounds come together to work in the same space, build connections, and enhance ideas. The workforce is changing from the emphasis of individuality toward a more collaborative environment. This change has everything to do with the value of diversity.

In the spirit of honoring the diversity at Hofstra, we are calling on members of the Hofstra community to join us in planning our heritage months. We host 6 heritage months throughout the year, and we are looking for your input into these events. If you are interested in participating on any of the planning committees, please email me at Jenn.Christ@hofstra.edu.

Please help us embrace the diversity at Hofstra!

Learning Support presents HANGOUTS!

Interested in Prezi? Did you know that Calkins has a 3D printer? Want to find out about Linux? Join us for a Hangout in Calkins Computer Lab (room 106). Hangouts are user group discussions led by students, for students, regarding various technological topics. Share tips, tricks, and ideas and have some cookies! Our Prezi Hangout will be Wednesday, November 13^th during Common Hour, our 3D Printer Hangout will be Thursday, November 21^st at 3pm, and our Linux Hangout will be Wednesday, December 4^th during Common Hour. If you can’t make it but have questions, please stop by Learning Support in Calkins 106!

Guest Blogger: Rose Tirotta, Coordinator, Learning Support

What are you doing this weekend?

What are you doing this weekend?  You may plan on spending all day in the library, but wouldn’t you rather be sipping a pumpkin spiced latte in Bryant Park?  All too often, we forget just how many great things there are to do both on and around campus and in the city.  So when you’re making plans this week, try something new! 

Lucky for you, we have just the thing to help you decide.  The Division of Student Affairs just launched a new section of the Life@Hofstra website created by Hofstra students, for Hofstra students.  It details everything fun there is to do on Long Island from local movie theaters to bowling to laser tag.  The site also provides ticket info for each major sports team and concert venue.  If you are looking to go into the city for the day, there is a ton of information on cool activities, museums and cultural events to name a few.  There is even an entire section devoted to FREE things to do in NYC. (Beause who doesn’t love free stuff?) 

Make sure to take advantage of your time here at Hofstra and get creative this weekend!  So check it out and let us know in the comments if there is anything you would like to see on it in the future!