The Hofstra
HEMPSTEAD, NY VOL. 80
Issue 5
Chronicle
Tuesday October 7, 2014
KEEPING THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1935
By Elizabeth Merino ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
The “red zone” is a vulnerable and dangerous time period for sexual assaults involving the newest incoming class. It can last of school, stretching from Labor Day to Thanksgiving in other instances. More than 50 percent of sexual assaults occur between August and November, according to the 2007 Campus Sexual Assault Study.
By Francesca Scaraggi SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives and Hofstra’s Center for Civic Engagement sponsored the University’s celebration of the International Day of Non-Violence. Established by the United Nations in 2007, this day celebrates the work of Mahatma Gandhi on his birthday. Professor Linda Longmire of the global studies department introduced the event, discussing the background of Gandhi Day. Executive Director of the Alliance Margaret Melkonian encouraged the audience to think deeply about issues of war and peace in the the lenses of greats such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. “…What would they say about terrorism,” said Melkonian, “… About Ebola? About global climate change… What would they say about billions of dollars in war, but
When 15 Hofstra freshmen were asked about the “red zone,” none had heard of it or been educated on it. “The NFL red zone?” asked freshman Cristian Scobell. Freshman Elaina Sullivan echoed Scobell’s confusion. “I’ve never heard of the red zone… they just told us to be safe… like staying in groups with people,” she said. According to Business Insider, a Journal of American College Health study found that there is “substantial” support for the red zone. According to the study,
more reports of unwanted sexual advances are made during the earlier part of the academic year, especially towards freshmen. Two freshmen stated they had already heard of or have been in contact with fellow freshmen that had been assaulted. “I know cases of it,” said freshman Trey Jackson. “They weren’t fully aware of what happened though. They haven’t talked about it again.” According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “in a study of undergraduate women, 19
percent experienced attempted or completed sexual assault since entering college.” If this federal government statistic was applied to Hofstra’s 2013 fall semester student intake, approximately 689 undergraduate Hofstra women will be assaulted during their four years here. “I haven’t seen anything while I’ve been out,” said freshman McKenzie Smith. “I’ve heard instances from people, like attempted sexual assault. They went to the Wellness Center, and it did help. I think they would have been better off to call [Public
Safety] that night, but they waited until the next day.” Hofstra has instituted resources for sexual assault victims, but it is unclear if students know when, where and how they can be available. “Hofstra is certainly aware of risks for college students and we care very much about the community and healthy relationships,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Jean
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cuts for food stamps?” She reminded the audience why the past is celebrated – to invigorate in the present so that “we… shake the world and change it.” History department Professor Michael D’Innocenzo introduced Maxwell Corydon Wheat Jr., “Walt Whitman of Long Island.” Wheat recited a poem about the Vietnam Memorial and the people he observed visiting the poem concerning the Iraq war, especially relevant as the United States re-energizes the war effort there. D’Innocenzo, the Harry H. Wachtel distinguished teaching professor for the study of nonviolent social change, spoke about the work of Dr. King, especially as it affected Long Island. He reminded the audience that the path walked by both Gandhi and Dr.
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Che Sullivan/The Chronicle Hip-hop and spoken word group The Peace Poets performed in the Cultural Center Theater on Thursday night, as a part of the Global Day of Non-Violence event held by the Center for Civic Engagement and the Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives.