Important Conversations Family Guide
Alcohol, drug abuse, and sexual violence are important concerns for all of us at Hofstra. Parents and families can help raise awareness about potentially harmful incidents through intentional communication with their students. An optimal time to use this guide is after New Student Orientation.
Prevention of Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Sexual Violence
The Dean of Students Office works closely with several departments to coordinate prevention and awareness education for students, and actively responds to student issues. During New Student Orientation and Welcome Week, all new students receive training about sexual assault, stalking, and dating and domestic violence prevention, as well as Hofstra’s community standards and policies. During orientation, your student will also go through bystander intervention training. They will learn about recognizing a potentially harmful situation, and how they can choose to respond safely and positively to resolve it. We encourage you to discuss strategies for effective helping with your student.
In addition, incoming first-year and transfer students must complete online education designed to minimize risks associated with alcohol and drugs. This research-based, comprehensive training program empowers students to make healthy choices. Please encourage your student to fully participate in this online module and complete it before the start of classes.
Talking to Your Student
You can help by talking with your student about alcohol, drugs, and sexual violence prevention before they attend Hofstra, and during their years on campus. You might even begin by talking about your own knowledge of or experiences with alcohol, drugs, and sexuality – especially what your expectations are and how Hofstra and the law define sexual violence and affirmative consent (hofstra.edu/title-ix). Engaging your student in this important conversation can be crucial as they adjust to life at college.
We ask that you consider the following tips and guiding questions as you engage with your student on prevention after orientation:
Ask and Listen
Ask your student a question and listen patiently.
• What is a healthy relationship to you (i.e., friendships, romantic relationships)?
• What does being an active bystander mean to you?
• What are some ways you can be safe?
• How would you identify and respond to someone engaging in risky behaviors?
• Who or what office would you reach out to if you or a friend needed help?
• How would you say “No” in an uncomfortable situation (e.g., peer pressure, drinking or drug use, sexual relationship)?
• How do you define affirmative consent?
• What would you do if someone does not consent to your request, and how will you respond?
• What does safe sex mean to you?
If you are not sure what some terms mean or how to answer the questions above, reading through the pages of hofstra.edu/title-ix can help. In addition, don’t hesitate to call Parent and Family Programs at 516-463-4698 or email parents@hofstra.edu
Share Knowledge
Share a newspaper article or a book and watch online resources and videos with your student. Together with your student, read Hofstra’s harassment policies at hofstra.edu/title-ix
Encourage your student to engage in awareness and prevention programs on campus. Student participation is needed and welcomed. For more information about the ways they can contribute, students may call the Office of the Title IX Coordinator for Student Issues and Director of Student Wellness Education, 127 Wellness and Campus Living Center, at 516-463-5841
Ask What They Learned
Talk to your student about what they learned at New Student Orientation, during Welcome Week events, or at a campus program. Ask them about the sessions they attended and share information you received regarding Hofstra’s policies and resources related to alcohol and drug abuse, sexual misconduct, and intimate partner violence.
And continue this conversation throughout their college years.
Title IX
Integral to Hofstra fulfilling its mission is a commitment to a clear understanding of interpersonal respect – ensuring that members of our community are not subjected to sexual misconduct, relationship violence, or any discriminatory harassment on the basis of sex or gender. Hofstra has policies, procedures, and resources to prevent and address these issues, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (a federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities). Policies include the Student Policy Prohibiting Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking; the Title IX Grievance Policy for complaints against students; and the Hofstra University Harassment Policy for complaints against employees or other members of the University community. Students at Hofstra should also be aware of their rights under the Students’ Bill of Rights, as these rights relate to the offenses of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault. To view all policies, visit hofstra.edu/title-ix
Our campus Title IX Coordinator for Student Issues oversees Hofstra’s response to reports and complaints of discriminatory harassment, relationship violence, and other sexual misconduct, as well as any patterns or systemic problems that may occur with regard to students.
The coordinator is available to meet with students to discuss Hofstra’s policies related to these important topics (StudentTitleIX@hofstra.edu or 516-463-5841 or Room 127
Wellness and Campus Living Center, North Campus). The coordinator also provides periodic training on a wide spectrum of topics related to the prevention of – and resources and support available in the event of – domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, discriminatory harassment, and sexual assault. Links to some support resources and Hofstra’s policies, including the Students’ Bill of Rights, are available at hofstra.edu/title-ix
We Appreciate You!
Thank you, families, for being a part of our efforts in prevention and safety. Your communication with your student is more valued than you might imagine. It helps form an effective alliance with the advocacy and prevention education programs taking place at Hofstra.