To the Editor:

It is with deep disappointment that we write to respond to an op-ed that was recently published in the Hofstra Chronicle, “An uninformed student body perpetuates drug abuse” (Nov. 10, 2015).

Sadly, the uninformed student appears to be the author, who criticized the way the University disseminates information to the campus community by trading in irresponsible, unsubstantiated rumors about the tragic deaths of three of her classmates – and then demanding that the University do the same.

The piece lacks factual foundation, relying on the anonymous social media app Yik-Yak and unnamed “members of the Hofstra community” as primary sources.

The University cannot and will not ever violate the privacy of a student. That is our legal and moral obligation. So while we believe deeply in keeping our campus community informed, we will never circulate information that violates a student’s privacy, or that we cannot confirm with a credible, official source.

The tragic deaths of Conor Wynne and Olivia McClellan were heart-breaking losses for the entire Hofstra community, and the University sought to provide verified information in the most responsible, sensitive way possible.  The University does not conduct an investigation into the cause of the death of anyone. 

That investigation is performed by governmental authorities, and the university is not privy to investigative reports that provide official confirmation of the details of a case.  Nor does the university circulate rumors about possible causes.

The most egregious error in this op-ed piece is speculating that the death of Andrea Rebello, who was killed in 2013 in an off-campus incident, is somehow drug-related. The investigative record in the death of Ms. Rebello was much publicized and is readily available, had the author or the editors of The Chronicle, in editing this piece prior to publication, done a simple Google search. No report concluded or even suggested that her death was drug-related.

This is reckless rumor-mongering at its worst, and the author and the editors of The Chronicle owe it to themselves, to the Hofstra community and to the memories of Andrea Rebello, Conor Wynne and Olivia McClellan to uphold a higher standard than this.

Melissa A. Connolly
Vice President for University Relations

Karla Schuster
Assistant Vice President for University Relations

Ginny Greenberg
Director of Public Relations

Neena Samuel
Associate Director of Public Relations

Colin P. Sullivan
Director of Communications for the Division of Student Affairs

The views and opinions expressed in the Op-Ed section are those of the authors of the articles. They are not an endorsement of the views of The Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.