Richard J. Gatteau, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, and Dallas W. Bauman, Assistant Vice President for Campus Residences, have released a message announcing the closure of on-campus housing in order to enhance social distancing measures. The message reads as follows:

Dear Seawolves,

In an effort to significantly reduce the population density on campus and ensure social distancing measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, we made the difficult decision to close on-campus housing.

As we anticipate increased travel restrictions, residents are expected to leave immediately based on the following criteria:

All residents who live within driving distance of campus must vacate the residence halls and campus apartments as soon as possible, but no later than 5 pm EST on Thursday, March 19.

All other residents must vacate as soon as possible, but no later than 5 pm EST on Friday, March 20.

Room and meal plan costs (where applicable) will be prorated for the remainder of the semester for all students leaving campus housing and applied as a refund and/or credit to your student account based on the date of check out.

Research Project Assistants (RA), Teaching Assistants (TA), or Graduate Assistants (GA) may remain on campus since they are involved in maintaining academic continuity. We will make other exceptions on a case-by-case basis. If you are an RA, TA, or GA or have an extenuating circumstance, you must fill out this form for special consideration by 3 pm EST on Wednesday, March 18. Decisions will be communicated via your Stony Brook e-mail address within 24 hours.

If you have already left for Spring Break, you must return to retrieve your belongings and complete the checkout process. If you’ve already moved out but have not returned your room key, please mail it back in a padded envelope to your Quad / Area Office (mailing addresses can be found on the Campus Residences website). Make sure to include your full name, Stony Brook ID # and room assignment in the envelope.

To ensure the health and safety of students approved by exception to remain on campus, please note the following:

You are expected to remain on our campus for the safety of yourself, fellow students, and the broader community.

You may be assigned to an alternate living space once we know who is approved to remain on campus. Personal preferences will not be accommodated for students who remain in campus housing.

Students from other residence halls and off campus guests will not be permitted to enter your residence hall.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

As per updated Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) guidance issued on Friday, March 13, students participating in alternative methods of learning or online courses remain in Active status. As such, Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) will not terminate/shorten the immigration records for F-1/J-1 degree-seeking students who remain enrolled and depart the U.S. It is important to note that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has not provided updated guidance regarding procedures for re-entry (including the 5 month absence from the U.S.). For more details regarding travel and re-entry, please refer to the information provided on the Travel page of the VIS website.

F-1 and J-1 students who wish to obtain a travel signature prior to departure must submit the form in accessVIS. (Be sure to check your I-20/DS-2019, as you may already have a valid travel signature.) VIS will send a follow up email with more details on pick-up instructions.

International students involved in continuing teaching or research such as Research Project Assistants, Teaching Assistants, or Graduate Assistants may remain in campus housing.

We know that this is a stressful time for you and your families. Our Student Affairs team, including Campus Residences, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), and the Student Support Team are available to support you through this transition. We are currently living in the midst of a very challenging situation, and the circumstances are changing rapidly, so please check your e-mail and our SBU Coronavirus website frequently for updates. If you have any questions, please contact us at reside@stonybrook.edu.

Please share this communication with your parents or family members.