HEMPSTEAD, NY VOL. 81 Issue 16
The Hofstra
Chronicle
Tuesday april 12, 2016
KEEPING THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1935
Rat remodel ensures removal of Greek tables
By Fabiha Khalid STAFF WRITER
The University is in the process of finalizing renovation plans for both the Rathskeller and the basement of the Student Center as a whole. The changes, which are expected to be made over the summer, include removing the furniture that bears the markings of generations of Greek life members. Vice President of Student Affairs W. Houston Dougharty led the effort to assess student needs and felt that the Rathskeller, Game Room and the rest of the basement of the Student Center
need “the most love.” Dougharty has been at Hofstra for about two years now, and this is a project that has been in progress since he began here. He has worked with three sets of student leaders and they have finally reached a verdict as to what is to be done in the lower level of the Student Center. Currently, the Rathskellar – also known as the Rat – is a space that is open to all students, but is really only utilized by Greek life and a few other organizations. There are tables in the space that have each been claimed by fraternities or sororities, bearing
markings that signify what organization uses it. Reba Putorti, a senior member of the sorority Delta Phi Epsilon, feels the Rathskellar is currently exclusive. “[The Rat] is not welcoming to other students,” she said. Dougharty and Sara Diem, assistant director for the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE), organized a committee to address this issue. They gathered people from the Division of Student Affairs, the Student Government Association, Compass Dining and the Facilities and Operations
Department. Throughout the process, members of Greek life were encouraged to ask questions and offer commentary. The committee wanted a solution that wouldn’t disturb current Greek life members, but would also welcome all students. “We need to expand the Rathskeller, physically and in terms of its identity, so that anyone can pop down there between classes and see their friends from Greek life,” Dougharty said. “We need a ‘wow’ factor.” The design firm hired for this project is based in New York
City and has an eye for this type of work. Kouzmanoff Bainton Architects have done renovations at several other campuses including Fordham University and Columbia University. The company plans on creating a living room environment in the basement. “All of us are incredibly enthusiastic,” Dougharty said. The designers have drawn plans that include installing wood floors and new booths. “There will be new booths,
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Kasich visits Hofstra as students consider candidates By Michael Ortiz & Laurel O’Keefe NEWS EDITORS
Presidential candidates are gearing their campaigns toward New York as the state primary, set for April 19, rapidly approaches. Ohio Governor John Kasich, a candidate for the Republican nomination, came to Hofstra for a town hall on April 4, where he was met with open arms from some local community members, and tough questions from several students. To prepare for Election Day, Hofstra’s Center for Civic Engagement partnered with volunteers from Amnesty International, a global organization that campaigns to end human rights abuse, to offer easy voter registration to students. According to a study conducted by Project Vote, only 18 percent of United States voters in the 2008 election were below the age of 30. The study also concluded that only 11 percent of American voters in the same election were classified as new voters. Barbara Epstein, one of
the volunteers with Amnesty International that helped students register to vote at a table in the Student Center on March 24 said, “We are very pleased with the response. We’ve gotten over 100 students to register to vote so far.” This election cycle has seen important growth in the number of college-aged people casting their votes. The growing interest was apparent on April 4, as students and community members lined up to see what one of the five leading presidential candidates had to say. Omar Hamad, a senior management major, felt the community clearly showed its political concern. “There was a tremendous amount of support and interest from Hofstra faculty, the student body and community,” he said. “I think the wide political engagement we are seeing at Hofstra speaks largely to how much of a defining moment this election is.” Although students are more interested, they’re not necessarily pleased with what they see. The Chronicle orchestrated a poll on Facebook that asked students three questions; one of which
asked how they feel about the 2016 presidential campaigns. The tallied votes totaled 124 and of those, over 86 percent say they are either displeased, very displeased or angry. Tyler McCarthy, a freshman athletic training major and a registered voter in Massachusetts said, “I don’t favor any candidate right now. I think I see qualities in different candidates that I relate to but I haven’t decided who I’m going to vote for.” This event was Kasich’s chance to sway some of those undecided voters like McCarthy, who have been instrumental in these close primary contests. The Chronicle also asked students who they support for the presidency. Senator Bernie Sanders came out on top with about 58 percent of the votes. Hillary Clinton and John Kasich were tied for second with about 12 percent each and roughly seven percent of participants chose ‘none of the above.’ Jesse Saunders/The Chronicle Jesse Saunders / The Chronicle
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Ohio Governor John Kasich addresses Long Island locals at a town hall event at Hofstra University on April 4.