Prevention and Awareness

Alcohol and drug abuse, as well as sexual violence, are important concerns for all members of Hofstra’s caring and engaged community. Parents and families can help prevent harmful incidents through regular communication with their students.

Title IX

Integral to Hofstra fulfilling its mission is a commitment to a clear understanding of interpersonal respect — ensuring that members of our community are not subjected to sexual misconduct, relationship violence, or any discriminatory harassment on the basis of sex or gender. Hofstra has policies, procedures, and resources to prevent and address these issues, in accordance with NYS Education Law Articles 129A & 129bB as well as the Title IX of the Education Amendments, a federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities. Policies include the Student Policy Prohibiting Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking; the Title IX Grievance Policy; and the Prohibited Bias and Discriminatory Harassment Policy for complaints against students, and the Hofstra University Harassment Policy for complaints against employees or other members of the University community. Students at Hofstra should also be aware of their rights under the Students’ Bill of Rights, as these rights relate to the offenses of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault. To view all policies, visit hofstra.edu/title-ix.

The campus Title IX coordinator for student issues/director for student wellness education oversees Hofstra’s response to reports and complaints of discriminatory harassment, relationship violence, and other sexual misconduct against students, as well as any patterns or systemic problems that may occur. The Title IX coordinator for student issues (StudentTitleIX@hofstra.edu or 516-463-5841 or Room 127 Wellness and Campus Living Center) is available to meet with students to discuss Hofstra’s policies related to these important topics. The Title IX coordinator for student issues also provides periodic training on a wide spectrum of topics related to the prevention of and resources and support available in the event of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, discriminatory harassment, and sexual assault. 

Links to Hofstra’s policies, including some support resources, and the Students’ Bill of Rights are available at hofstra.edu/title-ix. 

Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Sexual Violence 

The Title IX Office works closely with several departments to coordinate education for students in the area of prevention and awareness and actively responds to student issues in this area in a variety of ways. Our students learn about Hofstra’s community standards and policies as early as New Student Orientation. In addition, all students – residential and commuting – complete or attend the following programs:

• Prior to coming to campus, incoming first-year and transfer students must complete online education designed to minimize risks associated with alcohol, drugs, and sexual violence. It is a research-based, comprehensive training program that empowers students to make healthy choices.

• During New Student Orientation and Welcome Week, all students receive training about sexual assault, stalking, dating, and domestic violence prevention.

• All student leaders, athletes, and resident assistants are trained in preventing and responding to sexual assault, stalking, dating, and domestic violence.

• Residential students attend floor meetings with resident assistants and resident directors where the policies and safe behaviors are addressed and reinforced.

• Students attend a variety of campus events, including Take Back the Night and those hosted by the One Love Committee, that help raise awareness and empower students to act positively and become contributing members of our campus community.

• The Title IX Office in partnership with the Dean of Students Office and Office of Student Leadership and Engagement creates and facilitates prevention, education, and awareness programs for our students throughout the academic year on alcohol and other drugs, mental health, sexual health, body image, and stressbusters.

• Throughout the academic year, our Title IX coordinator for student issues/director of student wellness education and Student Wellness Education Office partner with Student Counseling Services to sponsor prevention, education, and awareness initiatives on domestic violence and sexual violence prevention.

Any student interested in joining the campus conversation about preventing sexual misconduct and/or supporting survivors is encouraged to contact the Title IX Office for Student Issues at StudentTitleIX@hofstra.edu.

How Do I Talk With My Student About Sexual Violence?

you can help by talking with your student about alcohol and drugs and sexual violence prevention before they attend Hofstra – and during their years on campus. You may begin by talking about your own knowledge of or experiences with alcohol, drugs, and sexuality – especially about what your expectations are and how Hofstra and the law define sexual violence and affirmative consent. Engaging your student in this important conversation can be crucial as they make the adjustment to life at college.

Listed below are some tips to consider as you engage with your student about prevention and suggested ways to discuss this topic post-orientation:

• Listen. Ask your student a question and be willing to listen patiently. Some suggested questions: “How does heavy drinking influence human behavior?” “How do you define affirmative consent?” “How can you be an active bystander?” “What is a healthy relationship to you?” “What does safe sex mean?” “What would you do if someone does not consent; how will you respond?” “What resources would you reach out to if you or a friend needed help?”

• Be informed. Read newspaper articles and books and watch online resources and videos; there are many sources of good information on this critical topic. Use these to start a conversation with your student about consent, sexual health, and healthy relationships. Hofstra’s Title IX coordinator for student issues assembled an excellent list of resources at hofstra.edu/title-ix. 

• Together with your student, read Hofstra’s policies prohibiting sexual misconduct (hofstra.edu/title-ix). Encourage your student to engage in the prevention programs on Hofstra’s campus mentioned above.

• Talk to your student after orientation. Ask them about the sessions they attended and share with them information you received regarding Hofstra’s policies and resources related to sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence. Let orientation be the avenue through which you speak about healthy relationships, both in friendships and intimate partnerships.

Thank you, families, for being a part of this important conversation about prevention and safety. Your communication with your student is more valued than you might imagine – and it helps to form an effective alliance with the advocacy and prevention education efforts taking place at Hofstra.