President Poser on COVID-19 and campus workers
BY: ALEXA MCNULTY
Your insider guide to the Hofstra Pride. What students really need to know.
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President Susan Poser tested positive for COVID-19 – and campus cases are rising.
On Sunday, April 3, Hofstra’s president, Susan Poser, tested positive for COVID-19. Vice President Alan Kelly disclosed this information to the audience at a closed event, and a spokesperson from the university confirmed the incident. The Hofstra Clocktower broke the story.
Poser’s positive COVID-19 test -- and her policies -- have caused some tension recently within the Hofstra Community. “There were so many engagements [Poser] had to cancel because she had COVID,” a member of Hofstra’s administration told The Clocktower, who requested anonymity. “But it’s not changing any policies and it’s a problem. They aren’t even accommodating students who want to work from home.”
On March 7, the university lifted the mask mandate in conjunction with school mask guidelines by the state. The ruling remains in effect as cases climb upward.
Hofstra student employees are demanding minimum wage.
On April 12, The Hofstra Chronicle reported a story about student employees' controversial wages. Under a provision of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the university is legally allowed to pay students less than the state minimum wage after applying for a certificate from the Department of Labor.
Olivia Kuch, a junior who works as a resident safety representative (RSR), told The Chronicle: “I pay so much money to go to this university, and I’m doing a job for them that’s really important for the safety of the school. I keep people who shouldn’t be coming into these buildings from coming in ... I feel like I deserve to be paid a little bit more.”
A group of students have come together as the Hofstra Student Employee Union, where they are currently working to increase the hourly wage for student employees at Hofstra to $15 per hour. They plan to continue the work of prior years’ Hofstra Student Workers Coalition, which disbanded in 2020.
The Hofstra Clocktower originally reported a potential student worker wage increase in last week’s newsletter. President Susan Poser told representatives of the Student Government Association such plans could materialize as soon as fall 2021, as per meeting minutes examined by The Clocktower.
Students are hoping to bring Croaky, a missing cat, back home safe and sound.
Croaky the cat went missing on Wednesday, April 13, and was last seen around Jane Street and Broadfield Road in Hempstead, NY. He is described as “a tuxedo cat” with patches of white on his paws, chest and nose.
Students at Hofstra have rallied across social media to bring the beloved pet home. “From the bottom of my heart I appreciate everyone that has shared the flier or has kept their eyes open,” said Helena Krawlzik, a senior film major and Croaky’s owner, in an email to The Clocktower. “The love I feel for the Hofstra community has been so overwhelming these last few days. With the support we have from our friends there is no doubt in my mind that he will be home very soon!”
Croaky is healthy and up to date with all of his shots, so he is safe to pick up and interact with, his owner said. He loves food and will respond to his name when called.
Students who may have seen the cat are asked to call (302) 981-9505 with any information.
