SUNY Stony Brook (Shirley, Cortland, Oneonta: appointed, home, landscaping)

[rubygreta]

I recently visited the campus for the first time in about 25 years. 25 years ago the place was one of the ugliest eyesores I had ever seen. Today the place is lovely. 25 years ago and even more recently, it had the reputation as an out of control party school. Now it seems to be more known for its academics.

Thinking about Stony Brook for my son. Just wondering if anyone can provide a brief overview. Also, one of my concerns is that the place empties out on the weekends.

Thanks.

[ENFD240]

it's definately come a long way... graduated from there in 92...

[nancy thereader]

It was pretty unattractive when I went there for my MA (w/ my toddler son in tow) in 1976. I recently went there for an OSHER course and I agree, it really has changed. The landscaping that blends in with the environment makes everything look so pretty.

[JonnyTrees]

I did BS and MS in engineering at SBU and still use facilities on campus weekly for my current job. The last president , Shirley Strum Kenny really made an effort to beautify campus, it really needed it as the buildings were hideous, there was little grass in the academic mall and no landscaping anywhere. SBU is highly rated for research and academics are good. It does still empty out on weekends as there is a large commuter population, plus alot of people, that live on-campus go home to LI or NYC on weekends. I still found stuff to do and people to hang out with on weekends there but without a car it would be somewhat difficult unless you took the train or bus to port jeff, or the mall, if you needed things or to walk around.

[Crookhaven]

I never knew Stony Brook to be the party school.

Oneonta...yes.

Crooks

[rh71]

I agree with the weekend comment where hardly anyone stays. Unfortunate. It doesn't feel like much of a true college experience because of it. But I guess if you're going to a school that close to begin with, that wasn't a priority.

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by rh71

I agree with the weekend comment where hardly anyone stays. Unfortunate. It doesn't feel like much of a true college experience because of it.

Its a commuter school.... not a party school

[TeamExit]

Originally Posted by Crookhaven

I never knew Stony Brook to be the party school.

Oneonta...yes.

Crooks

agreed... and Cortland. knew ALOT of people that went there

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by TeamExit

agreed... and Cortland. knew ALOT of people that went there

I lived a block away from SUNY SB, if it were any quieter itd be a mausoleum.

Oneonta was a riot every night from fights to fires.

Not a great place to be as a Townie.

Crooks

[Coney]

Crook, SB was a HUGE drug school in the 60's and early 70's. It had quite a reputation.

Agreed that the campus looks much better and greener. It used to be such an ugly school and now it looks much better. I spent a lot of time there this past summer.

It is dead on the weekends during the year.

Even though the school has a strong reputation for the sciences, I was disappointed with the archaic and primitive lab equipment that I saw this past summer. In addition, the students had to stand during the entire lab class because no stools were provided. Not fun to stand and take a 3 hour written lab test on test days. The students were told that if they started to feel faint or just had to sit down, they could go out in the hall where there were a few chairs.

However, it is still a pretty good school and attracts a smart student body.