October 2025: University Senate Report

Climate and Sustainability Programming

NYCE at NYC Climate Week

The New York Climate Exchange hosted numerous events during Climate Week NYC in September, many of which including participation of Stony Brook students, faculty, and staff.  View a summary of the events .

On Sept. 24, C4E and the Lichtenstein Center co-hosted a screening of "Escape from Extinction: REWILDING," followed by a Q&A with Resit Akcakaya from the Department of Ecology and Evolution.

Collaborative for the Earth Events

October 1 Town Hall

C4E hosted a town hall October 1 that brought together faculty and staff representing multiple disciplines from East and West campus to discuss the development of a new interdisciplinary climate major (B.A.)

Oct. 10 Rockaways Field Trip

C4E is sponsoring a field trip October 10 to the Rockaways to meet with organizers working on SuperStorm Sandy recovery effortsmore than a decade after the storm. Participants will visit impacted areas and visit some of the housing complexes built since the storm. It will be an opportunity to talk about coastal infrastructure in the wake of climate change and how it impacts communities, as well as to appreciate some of the projects that aim to mitigate risk to residents.

Oct. 31 Contaminants of Emerging Concern Workshop

Save the date: On October 31, C4E is co-hosting a workshop with faculty from SoMAS that will bring together members of the Stony Brook University community who are interested or already working on understanding the effect that Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) pose to the environment and human health.

 

Continuing, Professional, and Online Education

Appointment: Executive Director of Teacher Education

Sarah Jourdain has been appointed as the inaugural Executive Director of Teacher Education. This newly created position will strengthen and expand the University’s commitment to preparing the next generation of teachers. Sarah will provide leadership and coordination across the teacher education programs in World Languages, Bilingual/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. She will also continue to serve as Director of Teacher Education for World Languages, a position she has held for more than two decades. This appointment creates a vital bridge between the School of Professional Development (SPD) and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), strengthening the integration of subject matter expertise with pedagogical training. SBU offers multiple pathways for students to earn degrees that qualify them to be certified middle and high school teachers, including a discipline-specific BA/BS with the teacher education option, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) for those with an already earned baccalaureate degree, and a combined BA/MAT or BS/MAT. Currently, there are close to 400 students enrolled in SBU teacher education programs.

Call for Courses in Pre-College Summer Program

Faculty interested in offering a course in the SBU Pre-College Summer Program should contact the program director, Breanne Delligatti, for more information. Pre-College Summer will run for multiple one-week and two-week sessions over four weeks during summer ‘26, beginning June 29 and ending July 24. 

Institute for Creative Problem Solving

On September 20th, the Institute for Creative Problem Solving welcomed Po-Shen Loh for the launch of its new Convergence lecture series in partnership with the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) and BNL Workforce Development and Science Education. A mathematician, innovator and educator, Loh’s work exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking ideas that ICPS inspires. More than 230 people packed into the Wang Center Theater to hear his insightful talk on How to Thrive in the Age of AI.

Enrollment Management

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services

FAFSA available Oct. 1

The 2026–27 FAFSA opened Oct. 1. The application determines eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study, as well as many state and institutional aid programs that often have limited funds. To prepare, students should gather 2024 tax information, Social Security numbers, and other necessary documents. The FAFSA continues to use the simplified format introduced in recent years, making it easier to complete and expanding access for more students. Filing early ensures the best opportunity to maximize financial aid resources for the upcoming academic year.

PLUS Loan Impact 2024-2025

There is a new limit of $20,000 per year, or $65,000 total, to PLUS loans. 

Click the accordions below to view various breakdowns of PLUS loans taken by Stony Brook borrowers from the 2024-2025 academic year.

• New York Residents: All Borrowers

  Parent Total Income	Borrower Count	Borrower PLUS Loan Total	Mean Award Amount
  Less than $60,000	265	$1,924,627	$7,263
  $60K - $120K	265	$3,137,431	$11,839
  $120K - $180K	194	$2,988,623	$15,405
  Over $180K	189	$3,226,633	$17,072
  Total	913	$11,277,314	$12,352

• New York Residents: Borrowed more than $20,000

  Parent Total Income	Borrower Count	Percentage of All Borrowers	Total Amount above the New Limit	Mean over New Limit
  Less than $60,000	4	2 percent	$21,095	$5,274
  $60K - $120K	45	17 percent	$158,356	$3,519
  $120K - $180K	74	38 percent	$405,401	$5,478
  Over $180K	86	46 percent	$454,923	$5,290
  Total	209	23 percent	$1,039,775	$4,975

• Non-Residents: All Borrowers

  Parent Total Income	Borrower Count	Borrower PLUS Loan Total	Mean Award Amount
  Less than $60,000	79	$1,479,743	$18,731
  $60K - $120K	41	$1,020,965	$24,902
  $120K - $180K	28	$850,116	$30,361
  Over $180K	36	$1,020,423	$28,345
  Total	184	$4,371,247	$23,757

• Non-Residents: Borrowed more than $20,000

  Parent Total Income	Borrower Count	Percentage of All Borrowers	Total Amount above the New Limit	Mean over New Limit
  Less than $60,000	33	42 percent	$456,066	$13,820
  $60K - $120K	17	41 percent	$362,024	$21,296
  $120K - $180K	20	71 percent	$327,407	$16,370
  Over $180K	27	75 percent	$392,036	$14,520
  Total	97	53 percent	$1,537,533	$15,851

Office of the Registrar

Deadlines to Update Academic Catalogs

Oct. 1: Last day for academic units to submit updates to curriculum committees for fall 2026

Oct. 27: Spring 2026 academic catalogs published online

Course Scheduling and Enrollment Dates

Oct. 15: Course scheduling access opens for spring 2026

Oct. 27: Winter/spring 2026 class schedule published

Nov. 3: Spring/summer 2026 enrollment begins

Upcoming Undergraduate Academic Calendar Deadlines

Oct. 10: Last day to submit an approved adjustment form for selected undergraduate AMS, MAT, MAP and PHY courses to the registrar

Oct. 13 - 14: Fall break, no classes in session

Oct. 24: 

• Last day to submit a section/credit change form for undergraduates to the registrar; all changes must be processed by 4 pm. After this deadline, petitions are required for changes and a "W" will appear on student transcripts.
• Last day undergraduates can select grade/pass/no credit (GPNC) option; no petitions available.
• Last day undergraduates can withdraw from individual courses on SOLAR; "W" will appear on student transcripts.

Oct. 27: Undergraduate can begin to submit major/minor changes to go into effect for the spring semester.

Nov. 3: Advanced registration tentatively begins for winter and spring in accordance with student enrollment appointments.

Undergraduate Admissions

Seawolf Preview Days

Our team hosted our first fall student open house (Seawolf Preview) on September 13 with the program supported by every academic college and multiple partner offices. The next program is scheduled for October 13, 2025.

Application open for spring 2026 and fall 2026 enrollment

The application for spring 2026 and fall 2026 semesters opened on August 1. Important updates to the application include; two new majors (Accounting and Rhetoric and Writing) have been added, we are now asking students to indicate interest in two majors, we are now asking students to indicate interest in an Honors program, we are now asking students to indicate interest in studying abroad in their first year, and we are now asking identified students to submit acknowledgement of the Personal Information Protection Law. 

SUNY Free Application Weeks are being hosted from October 20-November 3. During this timeframe, prospective students can apply to 5 SUNY institutions for free. Students can be New York residents, out of state residents, or international residents- and either first year or transfer designated.  We are also working with SUNY on new processes for EOP Financial Eligibility outreach and the Top 10$ Promise Program updates. 

Testing new systems

New systems launched this fall with a focus on the user experiences of students, parents, and school counselors. 

Support for transfer student applications

Stony Brook has been recognized as a 2025 Transfer Friendly Institution from Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the national transfer student honor society. 

We have launched a new tool that provides unofficial transfer credit evaluations for prospective students through a collaboration with an external partner. The tool is based on using AI. 

 

Faculty Development

Navigating SBU

This program is designed for new and early career faculty, providing tools and resources to support their professional success. A workshop on Promotion and Tenure was held on Friday, September 6. Upcoming sessions in Navigating SBU include Optimizing Research Mentoring, the second part of this training offered by the Graduate School took place on September 26.

Excellence in Teaching Program

This successful yearlong workshop series, centered on best practices and innovative approaches to teaching and learning, launched on Friday, September 12, with a session on Syllabus Redesign. The next session will focus on the use of AI in the classroom on October 17.

Chairs Programming

Two sessions on Best Practices for Faculty Searches, co-facilitated by the DI3 Office and OEA, were held on September 4 and 11. Upcoming events include a networking gathering that will be announced soon. In addition, several onboarding workshops for chairs who are either new to SBU or new to the role have been scheduled to provide strong support for our colleagues.

Emerging Leaders

This program offers development opportunities for the next generation of higher education leaders in research, education, and administration. It launched on Friday, September 12, with a session on Leadership, and the next session will take place on Friday, October 17, on Career Opportunities. Participants from last year’s cohort are also actively engaging in community and university activities this fall, representing their academic units in a variety of contexts.

Associate Deans Workshops and Networking

Beginning this fall, this new program will serve as a platform for associate deans to engage in professional development, share best practices, and strengthen connections across disciplines. The first session will take place on Friday, October 10.

Academic Staff Development

Beginning this fall, this program will provide academic staff with resources and tools to support their daily work and professional growth. Topics will include budget management tips, practical applications of AI tools, effective communication strategies, and other areas designed to strengthen efficiency and collaboration across the university. The first session will take place on Thursday, October 2. Staff members are nominated to participate in the various sessions offered.

Provost’s Talks

This series highlights outstanding SBU experts who have made significant contributions to their fields, together with eminent visiting scholars. This fall, the Provost’s Spotlight Talk featured Presidential and Distinguished Professor Rowan Phillips on September 25. Upcoming events include the Fall Provost’s Lecture Series on November 20, which will showcase Distinguished Faculty Clinton Rubin from Biomedical Engineering and Chang Kee Jung from Physics and Astronomy. 

Special Symposium

Dr. Lourdes Alemán, Associate Director at MIT’s Teaching and Learning Lab (TLL), will present on Tuesday, November 4 at 10:00 a.m. in the Wang Theatre: “Returning to Teaching Principles: Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities of GenAI in the Classroom.” Please register in advance. 

Generative AI Tools for Teaching and Learning Workshops

Academic departments are invited to request customized workshops, offered in partnership with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CELT), on the use of generative AI in the classroom and for course preparation. In addition, bootcamps for academic staff provide training on using AI to support administrative tasks, streamline processes, and enhance student services. For more information or to schedule a workshop, contact facultyaffairs@stonybrook.edu

Distinctions and Awards 

SUNY Chancellor’s Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship
Internal Nomination Files Submission Deadline was Sept. 19

SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence
Nomination deadline is Oct. 15
Nomination files deadline is Nov. 12

Global Affairs

International Student Success

The newly renovated International Student Center (Library S1450) now serves as the home for the International Student Success Office’s expanded programs and services. In collaboration with ASTC, the Writing Center, the Career Center, CPO, and the Office of Academic Engagement, the Center now provides a comprehensive network of support for international students.

Intensive English Center (IEC)

Fall 2025 enrollments increased by 14% compared to fall 2024. The majority of the students are in the University Preparation (UP) program. We anticipate approximately 35 students to matriculate as degree seeking students in the Spring 2026 semester. 

Visa and Immigration Services

VIS continues to post updates regarding the Proclamation Restricting Entry of Certain Non-Immigration Workers on the Policy Updates webpage. VIS is available to answer questions and provide additional information, please email vis_scholar@stonybrook.edu

VIS will be hosting an Immigration Options After Graduation workshop on November 5, 2025. Immigration Attorney Brendan J. Venter from Harris Beach Murtha, PLLC, will lead the session, covering recent immigration law updates and their impact on students, as well as post-graduation pathways such as H-1B, O, and TN visas, and Permanent Residency options.

International Academic Programs (IAP)

Freshman Launch Year numbers have nearly doubled since last fall with 70 students studying abroad in China, Italy and S. Korea for Fall 2025.

We have strengthened our collaboration with Suffolk Community College increasing international mobility opportunities for SCC students. Through additional targeted support and our presence on the SCC campus, IAP was able to highlight SBU study abroad programs and serve as an important recruitment channel for prospective SBU transfer students.

IAP collaborated with the External Scholarships and Fellowships Office and the Writing Center to promote the U.S. Department of State’s Gilman Scholarship, allowing an international academic experience be more accessible to Pell Grant recipients.

 

Graduate School

Research Project Management for Graduate Students

Do you know a graduate student who would benefit from learning how to manage research projects? Encourage them to register for Research project Management, a virtual session on October 15 at 3pm. The session will cover the administrative, organizational, and metacognitive aspects of research project management; participants will  learn more about the elements of managing research projects and develop a plan for their own project.

Faculty Workshop: Guiding Difficult Conversations

A new workshop, Guiding Difficult Conversations for Faculty, will take place Friday, November 7, 2025 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Participants will leave equipped with the tools needed to have difficult conversations that are productive and safe, creating a positive outcome for the mentee. Register for Guiding Difficult Conversations

The Graduate School has received a subaward from the Council of Graduate Schools to participate in their NSF-funded Creating Learning Environments for Advancing Researchers (CLEAR) project! We look forward to collecting data to help understand the influence and impact of structured research environments on STEM doctoral student outcomes and ultimately on the success of all doctoral students.