Family Connection In the News at Hofstra Hofstra University Parent and Family Newsletter Medical Students Enter the Doors Fall 2011 of Hofstra North Shore-LIJ inside this issue School of Medicine for First Time An Important Message From the Office of Student Financial Services ...... 2
Let Us Upgrade You! ...... 2
A Message From Kevin Dexter, Class of 2013 ...... 2
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Welcomes You to the Hofstra Community! . . . . 3
Oh, the Places Your Student Will Go! ...... 4
After more than three years of planning, Health System have succeeded in making Summer 2011 Parent Orientation . . . 5 discussion and research by hundreds of this new and innovative medical school a academic and medical professionals and reality,” said Hofstra University President Service and Leadership scholars, the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School Stuart Rabinowitz. Development ...... 6 of Medicine at Hofstra University welcomed “With this inaugural class, we are bringing Parent Voice ...... 6 its inaugural class of 40 students on July 25. in 40 bright, talented individuals who After participating in a weeklong orientation, recognize that we are offering an Hofstra Parent Council’s Chance students began their classes on August 1. The extraordinary opportunity to create an Auction ...... 7 School of Medicine is New York’s first new entirely new model for the way medicine is allopathic medical school in 40 years and the practiced in this country,” said Michael Hofstra Fall Festival . . . back cover nation’s 133rd medical school. The medical Dowling, president and chief executive school received more than 4,000 applications officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health for its inaugural class. System. “Most of them had other offers to “Today these students take the first bold attend more traditional medical schools, School of Medicine step on a journey to become the physicians but they chose to come here – and make of tomorrow,” said Dr. Lawrence Smith, history by becoming part of a new breed of Fast Facts dean of the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School physicians who understand the importance Number of Students in Inaugural of Medicine. “They represent a unique and of teamwork and communication in the Class: 40: 20 women, 20 men diverse cross section of educational and life future of health care delivery.” experiences, and were selected not only for The school’s groundbreaking academic Dean: Dr. Lawrence Smith their test scores, but equally for their course content offers students the unique characters and core values.” opportunity to learn medicine through a Eventual Class Size: 60 in 2012; “From the shared vision of a new medical new and innovative curriculum that 80 in 2013; and 100 in 2014 school on Long Island, to welcoming our integrates basic science with hands-on first class of 40 students, in less than four clinical experience throughout all four Number of Faculty: 1,000 years we and our partner North Shore-LIJ years of medical school.
Office of Parent and Family Programs, Division of Student Affairs An Important Message From the Office of Student Financial Services
v The Student Financial Services Parent Checklist for Undergraduate Students is now available at hofstra.edu/sfsforms. It is a must-have for parents! v Visit hofstra.edu/sfshowto for simple step-by-step instructions regarding FERPA, billing, payment, financial aid, registration and academic records. v Encourage your student to read their Hofstra Pride e-mail account and share that information with you. As part of our continued green efforts, important deadlines, financial aid information, requests for missing documentation, and billing information are sent to students via their secure Hofstra Pride e-mail account. v Reminder: File the FAFSA by February 15 every year at FAFSA.gov. For FREE step-by-step assistance, call the FAFSA processor at 1-800-433-3243. New York state residents should also file the TAP application at HESC.com. For FREE step-by-step assistance, call 1-888-697-4372. v For FREE step-by-step assistance filing for Federal Stafford loans and/or Parent PLUS Loans at studentloans.gov, call the Direct Student Loan Service Center at 1-800-557-7394. v For tuition payment options, please visit hofstra.edu/paymentoptions.
For further information, please call the Office of Student Financial Services at 516-463-8000, e-mail [email protected], or view their how-to guides at hofstra.edu/sfshowto.
Let Us Upgrade You!
The staff of the Office of Residential Programs hopes you and your family had a wonderful summer. They are looking forward to a great academic year with your child in the residence halls!
The office has made major upgrades to Hofstra’s residence halls during the past few summers. This year, both Bill of Rights and Enterprise Halls received a complete face-lift: newly designed entrances were constructed to better manage the flow of traffic in and out of the buildings; new windows were installed; and new flooring, paint, and ceiling tiles have enhanced the hallways, bedrooms, and common spaces. Restorations were made to student HVAC units and new state-of-the-art furnishings were placed throughout the buildings. In addition, workers installed new furnishings in Suffolk Hall, which completed the renovation project that began last summer. Colonial Square was also repainted and received furniture upgrades, such as wood beds and dressers in select locations.
The staff of the Office of Residential Programs is here to assist your child throughout the academic year and looks forward to seeing you and your child at various programming. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail [email protected] or call 516-463-6930.
A Message From Kevin Dexter, Class of 2013
I hope that your student is enjoying his or her experience at Hofstra University as much as I am, and that you are enjoying your experience as a parent at Hofstra. There are so many opportunities that Hofstra gives your student to be successful while they are still in school, and I am a prime example.
I am a rising junior from nearby Levittown, New York, and I knew I wanted to attend Hofstra since I was a sophomore in high school. I am a broadcast journalism major; Hofstra’s outstanding School of Communication is what drew me to the school. My classes, combined with the outside professional experience that I receive, makes this school great.
I currently work as the sports director at WRHU-FM Radio Hofstra University, our 24/7/365 student-run If Kevin Dexter, Class of 2013 radio station. WRHU is almost completely run by students outside of four professional administrators, and 2011 Parent Orientation leader looks familiar, you might giving us real-world experience as leaders in the field of media. We serve as the flagship radio station for have seen him act in student all 17 Hofstra Pride sports and are the only college radio station in the country to have a professional sports skits during last summer’s team on our airwaves, the NHL’s New York Islanders. As you might have guessed, we’re joined by veteran Parent Orientation. continued on page 3. 2 A Message From Kevin Dexter, Class of 2013 continued from page 2
play-by-play man Chris King on our Islanders broadcasts, but other than that, the broadcasts are completely student-run. Students serve as color commentators, sideline reporters, engineers, studio hosts and studio update anchors, giving us experience that nobody else in the country has the opportunity to get.
I grew up less than 10 minutes away from the Nassau Coliseum and am a die-hard Islanders fan, through the good times and the real bad ones, and now at just 20 years old, I get to talk about and interview the guys that I look up to as my idols. Not many people can say they’ve had that experience. While covering the Hofstra Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams last year, I traveled to places like San Diego, Boston, Baltimore and Niagara Falls to broadcast their road games. Over the past two years I’ve gotten to interview and talk with Hofstra alumnus and former Pride basketball player Charles Jenkins on multiple occasions, who now plays basketball for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. I was a credentialed member of the media at the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and saw Charles Jenkins get his name announced by NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, and the next day I was back at Nassau Coliseum hosting a three-hour live broadcast from the New York Islanders Draft Party, reporting on the 2011 NHL Draft.
I would never have been able to have these great opportunities without Hofstra University and WRHU. Since I was 5 years old I’ve wanted to be a sports broadcaster, and I’m living out my dream while I’m still in college. Even though everything I’ve done here at Hofstra can’t guarantee that I will have my big break and get a prestigious on-air job once I graduate, I do know that I’m being given every possible opportunity to succeed once I get my diploma. I could go on forever about how much I love Hofstra and WRHU, and how grateful I am for everything I’ve gotten to do in my two years at the University. I know that your student may not be interested in broadcasting as a career, but I also know that there are experiences like this for them all over Hofstra University. I hope your student chases their dreams like I have, and has as a rewarding of a college experience that I have had these past two years. I’m just glad that I still have two years to go.
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Welcomes You to the Hofstra Community!
The staff at SSD is here to help you and your allow sufficient time to ensure that SSD can organizational skills. The PALS program new student as you prepare for the important meet the student’s needs in a timely manner. It (Program for Academic Learning Skills) is transition to college. The office provides is important to remember that accommodations designed to meet the needs of incoming first accommodations and services to students are not retroactive, and the presence of a year students with language-based learning with documented disabilities. Unlike the disability does not automatically make disabilities and/or ADHD. The PALS K-12 educational system, SSD is governed students eligible for accommodations. program charges a one-year fee, with by the Americans with Disabilities Act and services available to the student as needed as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of Frequently approved accommodations include long as he/she remains enrolled at Hofstra. 1973. Unlike educational laws that guarantee extended time and separate settings for exams, Our Academic Coaching program can assist appropriate specialized educational services, supplemental class notes, alternate formats of new or returning students with disabilities these are non-discrimination laws, designed texts and exams, and appropriate housing through a short term, customized program of to allow equal access to education regardless accommodations. Of course, this is not skill building and one-on-one academic of disability. In order to be eligible to an exhaustive list. Accommodations are support. receive accommodations, a student must: individualized, and are based on the student’s disability and the manner in which the For more information about PALS, the 1. Fill out a Self-Disclosure Form and disability impedes their full participation in Academic Coaching program, or any of the Application for Services and return them programs and services available to all students. services provided by SSD, please feel free to to SSD. If your student has a disability, but is unsure of contact the office: how SSD can be of service, the best thing to 2. Provide supporting documentation of the do is to contact the office at 516-463-7075 or disability and its impact on the student’s [email protected]. Services for Students with Disabilities functioning. 212 Memorial Hall In addition to providing accommodations to 126 Hofstra University Both forms, as well as detailed guidelines for all qualified students with disabilities, SSD Hempstead, NY 11549-1260 documentation are available at hofstra.edu/ offers fee-based support services to students Phone: 516-463-7075 StudentAffairs/stddis/stddis_forms.html. who choose to enroll in them. Learning While a student may disclose a disability at specialists work one-on-one with students on E-mail: [email protected] any time, we recommend registering with the a weekly basis to help them develop learning Website:hofstra.edu/studentaffairs/stddis office at the earliest possible time. This will strategies, and time management and
3 Oh, the Places Your Student Will Go!
Hofstra in Athens Hofstra in Venice Hofstra’s LGBT in Paris
Dear Parents:
On behalf of the Office of Study Abroad Programs, I would like to welcome your student to Hofstra University, and I sincerely hope that your child will take advantage of the wonderful programs available.
Study abroad offers our students a unique and valuable experience – the opportunity not only to study and earn credits, but also to immerse themselves in another country and culture, thus expanding their view of the world. The valuable interpersonal skills and life experiences they attain will help prepare them for the professional world that lies ahead.
Hofstra University offers study abroad opportunities for a whole semester, summer semester, or during January intercession. Our January programs include Athens, London, Venice, LGBT in Paris, and Australia (for HCLAS speech-language-hearing sciences majors). Students who participate in a January program take one three-credit course and explore the sites through the many excursions and trips that are organized. Our summer programs (during sessions 1, 2 and 3), which are five weeks in duration, give students the opportunity to take three or six credits while enjoying and experiencing cultural and linguistic immersion. During summer the following programs are offered: Spain, France, Italy, Peru, China, Japan, Ireland and Germany.
The European Odyssey Program is a semester-long program offered in the spring. Students travel for 10 weeks by minivan throughout Western and Eastern Europe, and earn 16 credits.
Students may also study abroad for a semester through a non-Hofstra program, either through another American university or an approved international university.
Should you or your child have questions regarding study abroad at Hofstra University, please feel free to contact me at 516-463-4765 or [email protected]. If you are on campus, please visit our office, located in 107 Roosevelt Hall, South Campus.
Regards, Maria L. Fixell Assistant Dean for Study Abroad Programs
Congratulations to Parent Council Member Gail Cohen, P’13, New York, who was randomly selected to win an iPad2 32G. Thank you to all the Hofstra parents who completed the Parent Survey 2011. Your input will help us improve and enhance our programs and services.
4 Summer 2011 Parent Orientation
More than 1,400 parents and family members attended Parent Orientation this year!
5 Service and Leadership Development
There are many ways students can get involved in service-learning and leadership development at Hofstra University. The Office of Student Leadership and Activities (OSLA) will host many different service and leadership opportunities for students throughout the 2011-2012 school year, and we hope to see your student getting involved! In the fall, students can join OSLA and participate in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach, distribute items to the homeless for the Midnight Run in New York City, and/ or build a winter wonderland for underprivileged children during Hofstra Celebrates the Holidays. In addition, some of our greatest traditions occur in the spring, including the annual Alternative Spring Break and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fund-raising walk, during which we raised more than $93,000 last year (the fifth-highest grossing college relay in the Eastern Division)! Student participants discuss their service and Leadership development is a key component in higher education, and OSLA leadership experiences and plans for future is dedicated to helping every student gain the necessary leadership skills engagement at the closing ceremonies of one of needed to succeed after graduation. Some more ways students can get OSLA’s signature events, Hofstra’s Discovery Program. The Discovery Program offers first-year involved is by participating in the Blue and Gold Leadership Programs, the students the opportunity to begin their journey of Student Government Association, various student clubs and organizations, service-learning and engagement at Hofstra and fraternity and sorority life. OSLA is also organizing a new a la carte University prior to their first semester. leadership program that will allow students to pick and choose from a variety of workshops that focus on Hofstra’s P.R.I.D.E. Principles.
These opportunities are only a small portion of the service-learning and leadership events that OSLA offers every year. For more information contact the Office of Student Leadership and Activities at 516-463-6914 or [email protected]. You may also learn more at hofstra.edu/osla.
Parent Voice Learning to Let Go: The Unique Challenges of Being a Hofstra Mom and a Hofstra Professor By Amy R. Stein (P’ 15) We are truly a Hofstra family – I am the It is important for Sarah to have the Sarah and I also agreed that I would pretend proud parent of a Hofstra first-year student, opportunity to get excited about what she she is at school in Boston. What does that my husband is a graduate of the School of will be doing at Hofstra, not what I do. It is mean? Most significantly, it gives her the Law, and I am entering my 12th year of not trivial that the sticker on the rear window control. It means that she knows I will teaching at the University. We are delighted of my car says “Hofstra Mom;” this respect her boundaries; I will not show up at that our daughter, Sarah, has chosen to distinguishes it from the various other her residence hall unannounced, or troll the become part of the Hofstra family. We know Hofstra stickers on my car that show that I dining halls looking for her, nor will I pop in firsthand that she is becoming a member of am a Hofstra employee. Even though she on her classes or speak to her professors. a supportive and caring community of has spent a lot of time here over the years, I educators and administrators who are deeply want her to see the campus from a different While it gives me great comfort to know that dedicated to the success of every student, perspective – hers, not mine. I made sure I am nearby if Sarah needs me, I think it both inside and outside the classroom. that we came to every prospective student gives Sarah great comfort to know that my open house and admitted student event. assistance will only be provided if she asks Yet in this age of helicopter parenting, being both Sarah wants to pursue a career in early for it. a Hofstra mom and a Hofstra professor creates childhood education, and we were all thrilled some unique issues. How can I help Sarah to I wish I could offer some tidy solution to when we went to the presentations by faculty solving the larger issue of how much establish her own independence and enjoy a members in that area and heard what the college experience that is exclusively hers, independence to give our college-age school has to offer. Our family enjoyed children. What I do know is that over the despite my presence on campus? I have always seeing the residence halls and the entire described parenting as the daily struggle over years I have learned so much from Sarah – campus from a student’s perspective at these patience, understanding, kindness, how much control to give up on any particular events. day, and I think the fact that I work where she unconditional love – and I have to rely on will be attending college complicates this. her once again to teach me how to let her go. 6 Parent Voice
Our Family’s Impression of Hofstra: After Four Years By Peter and Linda Joyce, Parents of Jennifer Joyce (Class of 2011)
“We didn't know what to expect when our daughter, Jennifer, starting applying to colleges. All we knew was that it seemed like a daunting task filled with stress, Linda, Jennifer, and Peter Joyce at May 2011 Commencement anxiety and the unknown. We tried to do a careful job selecting a college and visited graduated from Hofstra with a B.A. in During her four years of living in Hofstra’s more than 16 campuses. Hofstra’s campus education. We have returned to write for the residence halls, Jennifer took advantage of ranked among the more impressive newsletter to discuss if Jennifer made the everything residential life had to offer. She campuses. However, our daughter was far right decision to attend Hofstra. joined many clubs, attended dances and from convinced that Hofstra was the college formal balls, participated in many trips to for her. It actually ranked toward the bottom We are happy to say that Hofstra more than New York City, and was fortunate to have of Jennifer’s list.” That’s how we began the exceeded both Jennifer’s and our been selected to work at both the presidential article we wrote for Hofstra’s Family expectations. From the exceptional and New York gubernatorial debates that Connection newsletter in fall 2007. Our education she received to the various social were held on campus. Because her social article went on to say that while Hofstra programs and activities that Hofstra offered, life was so full and satisfactory, Jennifer began at the bottom of Jennifer’s list of Jennifer’s undergraduate experience was rarely came home during the school year. potential colleges, it eventually rose to the indeed impressive! Of particular note are We could not be happier with Jennifer’s top after repeated visits to the campus. the courses, faculty and staff in the School of Education, Health and Human Services. choice to attend Hofstra. In fact, she is so Jennifer’s opinion of Hofstra changed due to We feel that this school is completely thrilled with her decision, she eagerly the excellent reception and information she dedicated to preparing young adults to advises high school students to be sure to received from the faculty and staff at the become the best the teaching profession has consider Hofstra when debating which three Open Houses we attended. She also to offer. Jennifer received a great deal of school they want to attend. We often tease had an outstanding experience when she personalized attention, and the school her that she is a walking advertisement for experienced a day of classes on the campus worked hard to maximize her student the University. As a testament to how and shadowed a student for a day. Jennifer teaching placement as well as opportunity positive Jennifer feels about Hofstra, she has says that the academic level of the classes for employment. decided to pursue a master’s degree at and the caliber of the students convinced her Hofstra. We are confident that the next two that Hofstra was the school for her. That Even though we live a short distance from years will be as rewarding and gratifying for was four years ago, and Jennifer has just Hofstra, Jennifer chose to live on campus. Jennifer as the past four years have been.
Hofstra Parent Council’s Chance Auction
Dear Parents and Families: v Electronics (iPad, high-defi nition television, Amazon Kindle, digital camera, Barnes & Noble Nook, laptop, etc.) The Chance Auction, Hofstra Parent Council’s largest fundraiser, will be held during the Hofstra Fall Festival/Family Weekend, on Saturday, v Hofstra Pride donations, such as apparel and sports items September 24, 2011. (For more information about the Hofstra Fall Suggested Services Festival: Alumni, Student and Family Weekend, please visit hofstra.edu/fw.) All proceeds will directly benefit Hofstra University’s academic and v Professional services (e.g., tax preparation, transportation, legal consultation/ social programming. We invite you to donate items and services to this advice, photography, medical) great cause! Please refer to the following lists for suggested items and v Weekend/week in your vacation home or time-share services for donation. v Lessons (e.g., golf, music, dance, personal training, cooking, museum visits) Suggested Items Local Families v Sports items: jerseys, signed baseballs or footballs, etc. v Home Away From Home: Dinner in your home for two Hofstra students v Tickets (Broadway; Yankees, Mets, or Islanders games; television shows; concerts) v Home Away From Home: A weekend at your home for two Hofstra students v Fine art v Home Away From Home: A holiday (e.g., seder, Thanksgiving) at your home v Handmade items, such as clothing, handbags and jewelry for two Hofstra students Fine jewelry v To find out how you can donate, please contact the Office of Parent and Family v Gift cards or certifi cates (e.g., national retailers, airline vouchers, restaurants) Programs at 516-463-4698 or [email protected].
7 Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE Office of Parent and Family Programs PAID Division of Student Affairs Hofstra University 200 Phillips Hall 128 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY 11549-1280
Hofstra Fall Festival: Alumni, Student and Family Weekend Friday-Sunday, September 23-25, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011 10-11:50 a.m. Cub Zone (for children, ages 6-11), Noon-1:20 p.m. Lunch and Resource Fair Information Sessions, and Tours Noon-6 p.m. Registration Noon Parade of Floats and Student Performances Mack Student Center, North Campus 1-8 p.m. Vibe Live 2011 Concert/Carnival 1:30-3:30 p.m. Model Classes, Tours and Information 7 p.m. Hofstra Men’s Soccer vs . UNC-Wilmington Sessions 7 p.m. Hofstra Women’s Volleyball vs . 3:30-5 p.m. Regional Reception Northeastern University 5-7 p.m. President’s Welcome and Dinner 8 p.m. Fireworks by Grucci 8 p.m. Student Talent Show: Hofstra’s Got Talent 9 p.m. Comedy Show: Out Loud — One Night Only with Louis C .K .! Saturday, September 24, 2011 8:30-9:45 a.m. Hot Breakfast and Student Club Sunday, September 25, 2011 Performances 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Family Barbecue 1 p.m. Hofstra Women’s Soccer vs . 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration Virginia Commonwealth University Mack Student Center, North Campus Office of Parent and Family programS Phone: 516-463-4698 • Fax: 516-463-7017 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: hofstra.edu/parents facebook com/. • Follow us on @HofstraParents HofstraParents
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