Survival Guide 2005: T-W
Submitted by EditorialStaff on Sun, 08/28/2005 - 01:02.
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TRADITIONS – Stony Brook is a young university (having only been around since the late 1950’s), and doesn’t really have the traditions one would expect to find in a more stereotypical college campus. That said, for better or for worse, there are a number of yearly traditions, which may or may not appeal to you. These include:
TRANSCRIPTS – You can view your “unofficial” transcript online by logging on to the SOLAR system and clicking on the link on the left-hand column. To get an official transcript, you can request one online, again through the SOLAR system by requesting an official transcript, or in person by filling out the forms available in the lobby of the second floor of the Administration building, paying at the Bursar’s window, also in the lobby (regular requests are $5, the cost goes up if you need next-day service, overnight mail, etc.), and then submitting the paperwork and receipt to the Registrar’s office (booth also in the lobby). For pick-ups, you come back to this last booth with your student ID. VOTING – If you live on campus and haven’t registered to vote yet, you can register to vote with your campus mailing address. On Election Day, a polling station is set up in one of the SAC Ballrooms, and leading up to election day, student groups such as NYPIRG are out in force, encouraging students to register to vote. We strongly encourage it too. You can also pick up a voting registration form in the University Post Office in the basement of the SAC. If you are already registered to vote at your home address, but live on campus, you can apply for an address change with the Board of Elections, or choose to receive an absentee ballot instead. Contact your local Board of Elections for details. WEEKENDS – Perhaps this should have been listed under “traditions” because it is so prevalent, but a very large number of students go home or otherwise leave campus every weekend. None of the commuters are around either. It can be argued both ways, that students leave because there’s nothing to do, or that there’s nothing to do because students leave every weekend. Whatever the case may be, while this isn’t a big party school and while some of the events that are organized by the administration and USG are, quite honestly, lame, there’s a number of things to do on campus on the weekends. Many campus organizations organize events, meetings or gatherings. There’s hiking and biking trails on campus and the athletic facilities are all open and less crowded than they are during the week. If you’re into the mall scene, there’s a free campus bus that goes to the Smithhaven Mall (more info in “buses”). If you need a quiet place to study or just relax, there’s plenty of that over the weekends on campus. Or you can organize your own fun. If all else fails, the Independent and Press have open doors even during the weekends. A few trips back home or to the city are fine, but try to stick around on some weekends and make the most of it. |
Submitted by MikeN on Sun, 08/28/2005 - 23:25.
Dare I say it, for everyone that complains that there is nothing to do at Stony Brook...personally I feel that there is lots to do on campus and the surrounding region. As you said, this isn't Albany (or Binghamton, for that matter), where keg parties rule the roost. Sure, if you're into that, you could probably find what you're looking for, but I feel that there's something for everyone here on campus and whereabouts. Sure, you can go down to the city. When the weather's nice, you can go to a nearby beach or to one of many hiking trails. There's a pretty vibrant local music scene. If you're into shopping, there's plenty of that. The Staller and Wang Centers and University Cafe host great stuff on weekends. Like you said, it's what you make of it. Whining and complaining won't reveal a raucous party out of the blue.
Regarding Weekends...
I guess that this could go for a great many things on this list, but your Stony Brook experience is most truly what you make of it. If you're going to throw your hands up and travel to the city every weekend and decide not to socialize, of course your perception of the school will suffer because you think there's nothing to do here. On the other hand, if you decide to explore all the various things the university and the surrounding area has to offer, you will find something you like to do. Whether it's joining a club or organization, joining an intramural team, getting a couple of friends together to hit the University Cafe or the Velvet Lounge, going to the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington to catch an indie flick or the Loews to catch the latest blockbuster, or doing any of the number of things listed in this guide, the onus is really on you to make the most of it. This ain't Albany, folks. Kegs and disco balls aren't going to appear out of nowhere. Be proactive and seek out the people and things that are going to make you happy at Stony Brook. I guarantee you that whatever you're into, there's someone and something here for you.