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A Message from the Vice President of Student Affairs
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Yesterday evening a story appeared in the Hofstra Chronicle, our student publication, reporting allegations by a suspended student of serious and egregious instances of hazing and hate speech by the former Sigma Pi fraternity that allegedly took place off-campus in fall 2014, spring 2015 and fall 2015. The University condemns the incidents depicted in the photos and reported in the story and has commenced an immediate investigation. In addition, the University has also reached out to the Nassau County Police Department for their support and investigation of any potentially criminal behavior.
The safety and health of Hofstra students is our highest priority and in recent years we have redoubled our efforts to educate all members of student organizations about the zero-tolerance stance that Hofstra has for any mistreatment of or harm to students, including any acts that could be considered hazing. We will work with all student groups and individuals to reaffirm our commitment to a safe, nurturing environment for every student and member of our community and our work to eliminate hazing, hate speech, discrimination and any behavior that degrades others.
Hazing is a violation of the law, as well as the regulations of the University, and any allegations of such activity are taken very seriously. The University promptly investigates any and all reports of hazing and takes whatever action is appropriate against any organizations or individuals found responsible, which can include temporary or permanent separation from the University.
By way of background, it is important to note that University officials were first notified in March 2016 that the national organization had revoked the charter of the Hofstra fraternity for unspecified reasons. The University then suspended the Hofstra chapter. The national organization refused to provide any information to Hofstra about the basis for the revocation and sent a legal letter stating "We respectfully decline to share the content of our internal process" that led to the decertification. Student Affairs staff investigated at the time, meeting with members of the former fraternity, who denied any wrongdoing. No student brought forth any complaint or provided any information to University officials. University officials learned only yesterday that the Chronicle was planning to publish a story about the fraternity but provided no details to the University.
We call on national fraternity and sorority organizations to be transparent with universities and share any information about why they are suspending or disciplining their local organizations, which are first and foremost members of a University community. Universities have an obligation to protect their campus community, and a right to receive information that shows students engaged in or victimized by any discriminatory or potentially illegal conduct. The University will be contacting the national organizations of our current local chapters to secure their commitment to share information about serious instances of misconduct.
I encourage anyone with information to contact the Dean of Students office or Public Safety.
Respectfully,
W. Houston Dougharty
Vice President for Student Affairs
Hofstra University
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Parents and family members are cordially invited to the New York City Holiday Reception to take place on Monday, December 12, 6 p.m., in Club 101, 101 Park Avenue (at 40th Street). President Rabinowitz will speak and you will be able to network with faculty and alumni. The food is wonderful and the parking is available on the street and in a parking garage. The reception cost is $55 per person. I hope you can join me. You can register by clicking here.
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New Families: Winter Welcome
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Parents and families of new students for the Spring 2017 are warmly invited to the orientation during Winter Welcome on Friday, January 27. Details are here.
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Save the date: siblings and relatives of Hofstra students, ages 8-17, are welcome to participate in the Siblings Day, Saturday, March 4, 2017. More information to come.
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Parent and Family Programs
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Branka Kristic
Director of Parent and Family Programs
Division of Student Affairs
200 Phillips, 128 Hofstra University | Hempstead NY 11549
phone: 516-463-4698 | parents@hofstra.edu | hofstra.edu/parents | facebook.com/HofstraParents
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