Date: Sep 11, 2008

Hofstra University's Center for Civic Engagement Assists Voters in the Long Island Community

Efforts Combined with Americans of Pakistani Heritage Inc. to Register Voters at Local Islamic Centers

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University’s Center for Civic Engagement will offer assistance to the Americans of Pakistani Heritage Inc. on Friday, September 12, 2008 by staffing volunteers to register voters at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury and Bellmore Islamic Center.  The two locations expect to register a potential 1,300 citizens to vote in this year’s presidential election and will take place between 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Hofstra Graduate Assistant for the CCE Michael LaFemina has worked with Ali Mirza, the founder President of Americans of Pakistani Heritage, Inc. to coordinate the logistics of facilitating the registration.  

“Democracy depends on participation and voting is just one of the many ways citizens can contribute to their country,” LaFemina said.  “It's been an amazing experience informing my peers about voting and getting them more engaged in the democratic process. The invitation to extend beyond the Hofstra community and partner with Americans of Pakistani Heritage Inc. has come at the perfect time and I look forward to working towards developing the relationship between the Center for Civic Engagement and the greater Long Island communities.”

The CCE with the assistance of community volunteers has been successful in registering over 300 citizens to vote in New York State during the past two weeks, not to mention those who have taken initiative to fill out absentee ballots.  CCE continue its efforts to coordinate voter registration drives, which it has been doing throughout the summer and through October 8, two days before the registration deadline for New York State.  Every Tuesday and Wednesday CCE has a voter registration drive set up in the Student Center Atrium at Hofstra between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

"It is extremely important that all Americans exercise their right to vote in the most important presidential elections of our lifetime,” said Mirza. “We are proud to be part of this voter registration effort with the help and cooperation of the volunteers of Hofstra University, and the Islamic Centers of Long Island."  

On October 15, Hofstra University will host the third and final presidential debate of the 2008 election season.  This debate, focused on domestic issues, will be televised live around the world.

Leading up to the debate and the 2008 election, Hofstra is proud to host Educate '08, an unprecedented series of lectures, conferences, artistic performances and exhibitions, town hall meetings and interactive forums focused on the issues, history and politics of presidential elections.  Educate '08 provides our students, faculty and the entire surrounding community with access to the newsmakers, scholars and policymakers who have unique insight and knowledge of the American political system.  Many of our programs and events are free and open to the public, and we encourage you to join us for what will be a fascinating series of events.  During spring 2008's Educate '08 schedule, Hofstra hosted more than 30 events, including guests such as Mary Matalin and James Carville, David Gergen, William Kristol and Maureen Dowd, Charlie Cook, and many scholars, historians, journalists and policymakers.  
 
Find out more about Educate '08 by visiting www.hofstra.edu/educate08

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.