I am wondering a few things.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Stony Brook University - SUNY
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I have been accepted for a few months now and I am wondering about a few things. I know some of these questions might have been asked before, but I am still curious to these questions. I ask please that if you want to lie, or bash Stony Brook, please do not post here. No, I am not saying I just want to hear good things, but I have been reading some of these posts, and have seen people talk a lot of ******** and lies. If you do not like Stony Brook that is your own personal issue. Grow up, you don't need to get into other people's business because they want to go here, and lie when the SBU Admin proves you wrong.</p>

<p>Dorm question:</p>

<p>I am curious about the dorm issue. When will we be able to actually start the dorm process? I have a few friends that are going to Stony Brook with me, and I want to get us all dormed together as fast as possible while we still can. I am wondering when we are getting these "contract id's" and when we will be able to do that whole process. Also if we have enough people, are we allowed to get a suite in our Freshman year? I know that I cannot pick my dorm, but how do I know which dorm I would get, and how are they selected? Also I heard a person ask about wi-fi in the dorms. The answer was only 1 dorm gets it because it is close to the main buildings? So does that mean there is no internet at all in the dorms, or what does that mean? I am really concerned/interested about this one. I doubt there is no internet, but who knows. It would be a big disappointment that would need to be fixed or something.</p>

<p>Campus life question:</p>

<p>I have been reading around here a lot that there is a big group of commuters, and that life on campus is very empty during the weekends, and the holidays. I am wondering if that is all really true? There are 20,000 students apparently for both Grad, and Undergrad, so there has to be some life right? So is there really a ton of kids that are gone during the weekends, and holidays, or is it just more bs? I mean I heard some people saying like 60-75% commute, which is ridiculous. I am just wondering how much of this is true, and is there life during these times? I just asked my best friend Zach, and he said it's probably more like 50%, but I am still wondering if there will be a lot of people around. I am the type of person who loves to meet new people, so hopefully there is a lot of life.</p>

<p>Food question:</p>

<p>I have been hearing a lot about the food at Stony Brook being bad, and overpriced, how much of this is true? When I came for an information session, and the tour, I ate in the Wang Cafe, and the food was amazing. I even took some to go for later. Now there are like 4 other places, but still, is the food that bad? Overpricing is an issue, but that doesn't mean the food is bad. I have heard others talking about food poison and stuff, which I doubt, is there any truth to this? I got the stomach flu once, I would rather not like to get food poisoning, which I doubt will happen. So basically how bad is the food, if it is bad, and how overpriced is it, and is there any chance of food poisoning?</p>

<p>Crime question:</p>

<p>I heard some mention of crime in the campus, how bad is it? Would it be bad to leave something unattended for a few seconds, or is that really bad? Also I know I should keep my door locked at all times in the dorms, but how trust worthy are the kids? Is there a big trust issue on campus, or....? Also how safe is it to walk around at night, alone, etc? I am a big guy, so I doubt I will have any problems, but what about girls, and others? Will they be ok? I know we have the blue lights, and the cops, but is it safe to walk alone?</p>

<p>I think these are all the questions I have for now. I really appreciate anyone who answers me, and I hope the SBU Admin will answer some, if not all for me.</p>

<p>Have a great night everyone,</p>

<p>Talk to you later,</p>

<p>~Zuljian</p>

2

<p>Now I shall waste some of my time answering your question about food for your own benefit, but also because I paln on becoming a meal plan/ food expert.</p>

<ul>
<li>I attended psu and am now at stony. By comparison, the food at stony is certainly not bad. Bear in mind that any food that is mass produced will not be great, and most students will tell your their school's food is terrible. In general cafeteria type of food is not ideal and very unhealthy (everything is deep fried, lots of fat and cheese, etc). So, the food here is about average, you will find the usual type of food--burgers, pizza, chinese, sandwhiches, and the daily specials that rotate weekly. The quality of the food in my opinion is well below what I would normally consume at home. After all they want to purchase something cheap and in bulk, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone might get food poisoned or come across something spoiled every once in a while.</li>
</ul>

<p>My main complain is about the price. Although the price of food on campus is "normal" compared to regular prices in a city, for instance. I don't feel it is fair for the school to be hiking up the prices of almost every grocery item and not to offer cheap food for the students, who have virtually no other source of food. For instance, a liter of water costs $2.80 on campus and a quart of milk, $1.89. The only real "discount" students get is exemption from sales tax. Not only that, but you get less meals points than you actually pay for. SO if you buy so and so plan, you may be paying $1000 bucks for it and only getting $889 for whatever reason. </p>

<p>Like I said, at my former school, we had a buffet service where you paid $3.50 to get inside, and once in, you could have as much milk, ice cream, cookies, beverage, food, chicken, pasta, pizza, etc as you want. Hence, for me the system here is outrageous. As college students, we should not have to spend $20 dollars a day on food--it's a blatant rip off. </p>

<p>I would like to know where the revenues of the food courts are going so I can actually grasp the logistics of this scheme.</p>

3

<p>Hmm expensive, that sucks :(. Most schools are probably like that though. I hear they are creating some new food places though?</p>

4

<p>No, most schools give more points than you pay for and offer meals at affordable prices. There basically is not revenue coming from campus dining at most schools, but stony is obviously using this as a source of revenue.</p>

5

<p>I wanted to address these questions, but wanted to put some time into it, so I let it sit for a while... but let me throw in my thoughts.</p>

<p>1) On the halls: You need to submit your housing deposits and your New Student Preference forms (online) ASAP. Once those are in, you're in the queue for housing. Students are assigned housing first by Undergraduate College, then by other preferences. If you and your friends aren't in the same UC, then no, you won't be housed together. There is no Wi-Fi in the halls due to some security concerns; if you get some overlap from a nearby academic building, then that's a bonus -- but don't try to set up a wireless router, because they'll find you.</p>

<p>2) There's a pretty good amount of campus life if you're looking for it. You need to be proactive, though; life isn't going to come to you. If you go out and join clubs and get involved, then you'll have a good time on the weekends. If you sit in your room and complain that there's nothing to do, then there isn't going to be anything to do. It's that simple. Almost 90% of our freshmen live on campus -- and almost 2/3 of our total undergrad population. On long weekends and holidays, the campus is a ghost town, but that's not unusual.</p>

<p>3) Food on campus, like at most campuses, varies. Some facilities are great; some are, well, eh. I'm a big fan of the new Union Commons and the SAC pizza. Some people swear by Jasmine in the Wang Center, but I feel like they've been slacking lately, so I've been spending more time in the Union. Word is that Wolfie's is very good, but I haven't been there yet. Looking forward to good things from the new Roth cafeteria too. Some places are more expensive than others... it depends on how much and what you decide to eat. Dining services is going out to bid this summer, so we could see massive changes in 2008-09.</p>

<p>4) We don't have any more crime than any other large campus. Really, it's largely a safe place. If you're going to leave an iPod on a table in the library and go to class, then it might not be there when you get back; but that's going to happen anywhere. Lock your door when you leave, make sure your roommates do also, and be aware of your surroundings. It's like any town; we're a big place, so there's going to be some petty theft and things like that, so take whatever steps you feel are necessary to avoid putting yourself in that situation.</p>

<p>Hope this helps. Good questions.</p>

<p>Chris</p>

6

<ol>
<li><p>So that means that there is no internet at all, or what? I would hope there is, or else nothing could be done like research and stuff...</p></li>
<li><p>Sounds good.</p></li>
<li><p>Oh, ok. Yeah Jasmine's is good, I just ate there today :). What kind of dining services wont be there anymore? Or is that what you meant by "out to bid." Also does Jasmine's go on regular points, or the flex? I heard they go ont he flex.</p></li>
<li><p>Alright sounds good, thanks for the replies.</p></li>
</ol>

7

<ol>
<li><p>There are T1 (T3?) lines in all the residence halls; you just have to be plugged in.</p></li>
<li><p>Jasmine's on flex points.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Chris</p>

8

<ol>
<li><p>Can we access them in our rooms, or do we have to be in the common rooms, or w/e?</p></li>
<li><p>Oh, ok, that is what I heard, but I wasn't sure, needed a reliable source.</p></li>
<li><p>When will we be getting our email addresses and stuff of that sort?</p></li>
<li><p>I am hoping to participate in sports, but I hear that we need to create special schedules to work around it. Do we go in earlier than everyone else to make our schedules, or how does that work?</p></li>
</ol>

9

<ol>
<li><p>Either.</p></li>
<li><p>Orientation, I think.</p></li>
<li><p>Depends on the sport. You can work with your academic advisor to figure it out.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Chris</p>

10

<ol>
<li><p>Ok that is good. Also my friends have to be in my Uc, which is computer science, to actually dorm with me? Even with the contract ids all set up and stuff?</p></li>
<li><p>Oh, ok.</p></li>
<li><p>I'm going into Track and Field, or going to try out for it at least. I was talking to a friend, and he said that you usually make your schedule first, before everyone else, so your schedule fits around practice.</p></li>
</ol>