Petition for the Firing of Edward J. Rollins from Hofstra U!

To Whom It May Concern:

On September 13, 2018, Senior Fellow of the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency Edward J. Rollins appeared on Lou Dobbs' Tonight, an editorial-style commentary program hosted by Lou Dobbs aired on the Fox Business Network.

During that evening's segment Dobbs stated that he fully agrees with President Trump and believes that Puerto Rico's death toll numbers are fudged.

Rollins responded to Dobbs with, "Well, they had better understand the president's the only — DeSantis would not be on the ticket if it wasn't for the president's endorsement, obviously Scott was the governor...The reality is that the Democrats are playing to Puerto Ricans who have moved to this country, moved to Florida, politics, and they're not for us anyways. So at the end of the day here, the president is accurate".

According to Dobbs and Rollins since the more than 135,000 Puerto Ricans who have fled to the mainland are unlikely to register as Republicans and to back President Trump, supporters of the president are entitled to dismiss Puerto Ricans, to minimize the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria and to even celebrate just how many Puerto Ricans are unable to flee and even perished since their absence makes it that much easier for GOP electoral victories.

Rollins comments also erase the last 120 years of colonial history. Puerto Ricans fleeing to the mainland have been in "this country" since the United States acquired Puerto Rico in July 1898 after signing the Treaty of Paris, which formally ended the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were then made citizens of the United States on March 2, 1917 upon the enactment of the Jones-Shafroth Act.

Rollins went on to make egregious comments about sexual assault in defense of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh to The Daily Beast in an article published September 16, 2018.

Rollins was prompted to share his thoughts on Jeff Flake's request that the Judiciary Committee delay its vote on Judge Brett Kavanaugh after allegations of sexual assault emerged as well his invitation to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh's accuser, to testify in front of the Judiciary Committee.

Rollins stated: "[Brett Kavanaugh] is eminently qualified! They need to get him confirmed now...Flake will do anything to undo the Trump agenda. If this is the new standard, no one will ever want or be able to serve in government or on the judiciary".

Rollins' comments imply first that advocates for consent education and against sexual assault are politically motivated and threats to the United States, second that the criminalization of rape and sexual assault negatively impact the United States and third that Americans should compromise our values and allow an individual accused of sexual assault to serve in the highest court of law in this country.

According to the Hofstra University website, "The Senior Fellows [of the Kalikow Center] bring rich professional experiences and unique insights about current issues in presidential politics to share with the Kalikow Center. [Senior Fellows] will teach classes, meet with students, and participate in University events."

There is no value in this type of "professional experience" or "insight about current issues in presidential politics". This institution should not want Ed Rollins to share any of these ideas with the Kalikow Center or the student body at large. As a matter of fact, there should be a deep concern about Rollins being permitted access to students, to our classrooms, and to the panel discussions we are invited to.

It is for these reasons that the students of Hofstra University demand that Hofstra University stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault, harassment and misconduct as well as in solidarity with Puerto Ricans living in and off the mainland and terminate Edward J. Rollins' senior fellowship at Hofstra University.

Signed,

Students Who Will NEVER Tolerate Bigotry or Rape Apology at Hofstra University

To support the students demanding Rollins' firing please sign onto this letter and send your own variation of this letter to the following administrators:

President Stuart Rabinowitz

• Email: president@hofstra.edu
• Address: 144 Hofstra University
  Hempstead, NY 11549-1440
• Phone Number: (516) 463-6800

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Gail Simmons

• Email: gail.m.simmons@Hofstra.edu
• Address: 200 West Library Wing
• Phone Number: 516-463-5400
• Fax: 516-463-6505

Director of the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency Meenekshi Bose

• Email: Meenekshi.Bose@hofstra.edu
• Phone Number: 516-463-7316

Title IX Officer for Student Issues Allison Vernace

• Email: StudentTitleIX@Hofstra.edu
• Phone: (516) 463-5841

Questions? Email jowens4@pride.hofstra.edu or fmurray1@pride.hofstra.edu.