By Elyse CarmosinoSTAFF WRITER
Hofstra students battled the cold, bright and early to plant tulips as part of the University’s annual Shake-a-Rake program this past Saturday, Nov. 15.
The program began five years ago as a way for students to give back to the community surrounding the school. Each year the turnout has been larger and larger as students increasingly show their desire to be involved in the effort to keep Uniondale safe, clean and well kept.
Student members of the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), teamed up with community members from the Greater Uniondale Area Action Coalition (GUAAC) and the Nostrand Gardens Civic Association (NGCA), to plant 550 tulips along Front Street. The tulips, donated by Hofstra, are merely the beginning of a larger plan to transform the area into a place they hope students will feel safe visiting.
“The goal is to make the streets more beautiful, to improve the quality of life in Uniondale for all,” said Heidi Sanft, GUUAC co-founder.
Mishaina Joseph, a senior CCE fellow, said she felt the event was helpful in creating greater relationship between the University and the community it is housed in.
“It’s a really good way to bridge the gap between Hofstra and Uniondale. Hofstra is known for its tulips and we thought that’d be a good way to bring Hofstra outside campus,” said Joseph.
Fellow CCE member Eleanore Saintis, also a senior, agreed. “This is only the first step to make Uniondale more of a college town,” she said.
Since partnering with GUAAC and NGCA, Hofstra has already seen an improvement in the relationship between students and the community.
“For me it’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve met a lot of people who really care about making things better,” Sanft said.
“We’re always excited with the students from the CCE. We’re always encouraged when we’re able to partner with students to improve the quality of Uniondale, especially because Uniondale is in Hofstra’s backyard,” said Pearl Jacobson, GUAAC co-founder.
Co-director Gregory Maney said CCE helps to empower local communities and to encourage local development. He believes “there is no better way to promote safety than to encourage local development.”
Junior CCE member Sony Abraham said the organization is a great way for students to be more involved in what is going on around them and encouraged them to seek out ways to help.
“CCE is a place where students have a voice… If we can do this, what can’t we do?” Abraham said.