Diversity
President’s Message
A diverse and free community is critical to the success of a great university, and Hofstra University has long had a sustained commitment to fostering an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and interconnection with each other and with the world around us - local, national and international. | more |
» Offering equal opportunity to all | more |
Hofstra University continues its commitment to extending equal opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status in the conduct and operation of its educational programs and activities, including admission and employment.
» Ensuring a diverse faculty – Faculty Diversity Task Force | more |
Recognizing the value of a broad spectrum of perspectives to the learning environment, the university established this ongoing task force in 2004 to help it meet its goal of a faculty that includes "individuals of diverse genders, colors, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religious beliefs, ages, learning and physical abilities, socioeconomic status, and marital status. Diversity among faculty also extends to the regions and cultures taught, researched, and represented." Initiatives stemming from the recommendations of the task force include:
- University mission statement - The language in the University's mission statement reflects Hofstra's commitment to diversity.
- The Hofstra University Distinguished Speaker Series - This series has brought to the Hofstra campus a wide range of speakers on issues and topics related to diversity.
- Faculty Exchange - Hofstra established an agreement with Claflin University to exchange faculty as part of an ongoing program to establish closer ties with Historically Black Colleges & Universities.
- Diversity Training - A program to provide diversity training for human resources and public safety personnel was put in place.
- Finding funding opportunities for research and scholarship promoting diversity, through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
- Recruitment and retention - Throughout the University, there have been increased efforts to recruit and retain minority faculty.
- Faculty Diversity Statement
- Hofstra University Faculty Diversity Task Force Report
» Fostering diversity on campus | more |
Through many programs and initiatives, Hofstra encourages diversity and diversity awareness among students and staff.
- Student Affairs' Office of Multicultural and International Students Programs - Through this office, Hofstra sponsors programs designed to ensure that the University remains a diverse campus and embraces its multicultural identity:
- Heritage Months - The office coordinates four month-long series of events devoted to Hispanic Heritage, Black History, Women's History, and Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage.
- Diversity Awareness Month - November is Diversity Awareness Month, which is dedicated to the recognition and celebration of human difference as defined by race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, ability, sexual orientation, religion, geographic affiliation and citizenship.
- Student Clubs - This office advises many of Hofstra's student clubs and organizations that foster a cultural identity, including the African Caribbean Society, Hofstra Organization of Latin Americans and Women of Action.
- Diversity Training - Through this office, Hofstra provides workshops and diversity training to student affairs personnel, resident assistants, orientation leaders, fraternity and sorority leaders, and many other groups on campus.
- NOAH program – The New Opportunities At Hofstra program, established in 1964, was one of the first programs in the country designed to assist underrepresented students with admission and study at a university.
- Person of Color Sculpture Committee – The work of this committee, which was convened to expand the scope and diversity of the outdoor sculpture collection on campus, resulted in the selection of a new sculpture depicting Frederick Douglass.
- Center for Civic Engagement
- Crossing Borders Training - Developed in conjunction with the Diversity Task Force, this series of events for Hofstra student leaders fosters sustained work and friendship relations between students of varying ethnic/religious/racial backgrounds
- Address to New Students - August 29, 2008 – Welcome Week - Message from Herman A. Berliner, Ph.D.
» Reflecting diversity in our academic programs | more |
Hofstra's academic programs reflect the wide range of cultures found throughout the world. Among them are African studies, Asian studies, Chinese studies, Latin American and Caribbean studies, and religion as well as:
- LGBT studies, fellowships and scholarships - This interdisciplinary program focuses on the political, historical, cultural and psychological contexts in which gender identities and sexualities have been and are expressed. A number of fellowships and scholarships are available to individuals with a commitment to serving the LBGT community.
- Women's studies - Recently established as an undergraduate major, women's studies fosters respect for people of diverse physical abilities, races and ethnicities, religions, national origins, sexual orientations, and gender identifications.
- School of Communication's Documenting Diversity program - This acclaimed summer program for high school students uses the art of video filmmaking to introduce students from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation and social backgrounds to the experiences of students from populations other than their own.
Looking to the Future
Hofstra's Five-Year Plan includes a call to enhance the diversity of entering classes. We have already achieved significant improvements in this area, with half the first-year class entering in fall 2007 coming from outside New York state for the first time.
Diversity in the Workplace Lecture
Anne Erni, Lehman Brothers' managing director and chief diversity officer, delivered a lecture to the Hofstra community on March 5, 2008, about strategies for increasing diversity in the workplace. Ms. Erni's responsibilities at Lehman Brothers include strategy for workforce, marketplace and supplier diversity, diversity leadership training and education, employee networks, retention initiatives as well as flexible work arrangements. She is also responsible for the work-life integration agenda.
