The Hofstra Chronicle April 2, 2019

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The Hofstra

HEMPSTEAD, NY Volume 84 Issue 16

Chronicle

Tuesday

April 2, 2019

Keeping the Hofstra community informed since 1935 News

Hofstra sued over racial discrimination allegations against Public Safety Authorized campus resident cites false imprisonment, seeks $800,000 in damages

By Sarah Emily Baum SPEC IA L TO T H E C H R O NI CL E

A Hispanic man has filed a lawsuit against Hofstra in the Nassau County Supreme Court citing racially-motivated false imprisonment, infliction of emotional distress and discrimination in violation of the New York State Human Rights Law. David O’Neill, 32, of Suffolk County, filed the civil suit on February 12, 2018, seeking $100,000 for each of the three counts, plus $500,000 in punitive damages and attorneys’ fees, totaling $800,000. Court documents uncovered by The Chronicle earlier this month reveal allegations that Public Safety officers discriminated against and wrongfully detained O’Neill, who had been living on campus during the summer of 2017. As of publication, the lawsuit is still active. The plaintiff’s lawyer, G. Oliver Koppell, a former New York

State attorney general, told The Chronicle via a phone interview that his client’s experience was due to racial profiling. “[My client] has a Hispanic background, and we believe that was one of the causes of the improper treatment he received,” Koppell said.

Square with his girlfriend, Brittany Coffer, during the summer of 2017. O’Neill and Coffer were residents authorized both by the University and by Cultural Care Au Pair, a childcare training service. Coffer was assistant director of operations

to the press at this time. Coffer could not be reached for comment. According to the complaint, O’Neill was leaving Newport house when he was stopped by a Public Safety officer, who asked him how he had entered the

“[My client] has a Hispanic background, and we believe that was one of the causes of the improper treatment he received ... He was improperly treated ... wrongfully imprisoned and held against his will”

“He was improperly treated, ... wrongfully imprisoned and held against his will.” According to court documents, O’Neill was living in Newport house in Colonial

at Cultural Care, according to her LinkedIn. The company had rented the space for summer programming. Koppell spoke on behalf of O’Neill, who declined to speak

building. O’Neill told the officer he had entered with his keycard, adding that he was a resident with Cultural Care through Conference Services and had been there

for two months. O’Neill then showed the officer his keycard. The complaint alleges that the officer “continued to harass and question” O’Neill and asked for additional identification. O’Neill returned to his residence hall and the officer followed him to his room. Upon arriving at the room, the officer questioned Coffer regarding O’Neill’s residence. Coffer said they lived together and were both authorized residents. The officer continued to question the couple and called for backup. O’Neill attempted to leave the building a second time but was stopped by “five to seven additional Hofstra Public Safety officers,” according to the complaint. This included the night manager, who supervises nighttime Public Safety shifts. Public Safety nor Koppell would disclose any names of ofContinued ON A2

Sports Arts & Entertainment

Billie Eilish’s debut album takes listeners inside her subconscious By Erin Hickey C OPY C H I E F

Following the success of her EP “Don’t Smile at Me,” Billie Eilish released her debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” on Friday, March 29. Eilish gained popularity after releasing her single “Ocean Eyes” on SoundCloud at the young age of 14. Now 17, she has gained extreme popularity through being the antithesis of a pop star. Her melodies are

haunting; her lyrics are full of angst; and her music videos feature spiders, bloody noses and black tears. The album opens with an introduction that perfectly displays Eilish’s personality as she takes out her retainer in an ASMR-like moment and states, “I have taken out my Invisalign and this is the album.” This sets the tone for the rest of the album, which moves from the upbeat confidence of “bad guy” to the melancholy whispers of

“goodbye” to create a listening experience just as unpredictable as Eilish herself. “bad guy” opens the album with a driving bassline followed by Eilish stating she’s “that bad type / Make your mama sad type / Make your girlfriend mad type / Might seduce your dad type.” The highlight of this song is when the beat stops and there’s silence for a moment before Eilish says, “Duh.” Continued ON B2

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics Justin Wright-Foreman, an NBA hopeful, reminisces on his Hofstra career and record-breaking season.

ON A18


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