President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election has sparked intense reactions across Stony Brook University’s campus, with students, faculty and student organizations expressing varying opinions. While some express disillusionment with the major political options, others are focusing on the implications of another Trump administration and its potential policy shifts.

Admir Radoncic, the event coordinator for The Political Science Society and a sophomore double majoring in journalism and English, said that it’s more important to focus on the potential challenges Trump’s second term may cause. Radoncic highlighted the prospective economic impacts of Trump’s tariff plans, predicting that large-scale deportations and protectionist policies could result in an economic recession. 

“If Trump follows through with his tariffs plan or deports large numbers of migrants, I foresee severe economic backlashes,” Radoncic said.

Radoncic also raised concerns about Trump’s judicial appointments which could have lasting effects on key social issues, especially considering Trump’s anti-transgender rhetoric.

“It’s one thing to disagree politically, but attacking marginalized communities has consequences that will be felt long after the election is over,” Radoncic said. 

Abortion rights were one of the most significant issues at the forefront of the election. Anika Drees, the social media manager of Planned Parenthood Generation Action (PPGA) at Stony Brook University and a junior majoring in political science, expressed deep fears that Trump will implement a nationwide abortion ban and further restrict access to reproductive healthcare services. 

“People say that overturning Roe v. Wade was about giving power back to the states, but if you look at Trump’s actions and what he’s said in the past, it seems like he’s aiming for a nationwide abortion ban and wants to reduce access to contraceptives,” Drees said.

Alyssa Cornell, the treasurer of PPGA and a junior majoring in psychology, added that Trump’s previous comments and actions indicate a strong likelihood that he will likely take steps to impede reproductive healthcare. 

“I believe he has already agreed to include people who helped write Project 2025 in his staff and cabinet, which suggests his stance on limiting access to reproductive healthcare. Everything about Trump’s actions and statements indicates he plans to take significant steps to restrict reproductive healthcare,” she said.

Andrew Engelhardt, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, noted other potential policy shifts that could impact social issues besides abortion rights and the economy as a result of Trump’s second term.

“It’s hard to forecast exactly what policy will look like in the next four years, but based on Trump’s first administration and suggestions from conservative policy organizations, a few things are plausible,” Engelhardt said. 

He predicted that the incoming administration would likely reverse progress made in areas such as climate change and federally funded healthcare programs. 

“Efforts to address climate change will be off the table, and existing policies will likely be rolled back,” Engelhardt explained, referencing discussions about increasing fossil fuel drilling and halting efforts to transition to fuel-efficient or electric cars.

Similarly, he predicted that the Affordable Care Act would once again be under threat, in light of the Grand Old Party’s (GOP) past attempts to eliminate the law. 

“Given changes in party composition in Congress, it is likely this will happen now,” Engelhardt said. He further explained that this would likely result in the loss of provisions such as children’s ability to stay on their parents’ health insurance until their mid-20s, as well as the protection against coverage denial for those with pre-existing health conditions.

These potential rollbacks in climate and healthcare policies have raised concerns among students, who fear that such changes could lead to further environmental degradation and healthcare losses, particularly in the cases of marginalized individuals. However, while some students are anxiously bracing for the consequences of another Trump term, others have a more hopeful perspective, particularly the College Republicans. 

Samuel Shpak, the secretary of College Republicans and a junior majoring in history, expressed his optimism about the election outcome. He clarified to The Statesman that his opinions are his own and do not reflect the whole of the organization. 

“I am pleased that Trump won the presidency and the GOP is regaining control of the Senate,” Shpak said. 

Shpak also expressed hope that the future Republican-majority Senate would support Trump’s policies, particularly those related to immigration and national security. 

“I would love to see the Senate approve all of Trump’s cabinet nominations and support his policies, including funding for a border wall, fixing our broken immigration system and ending conflicts in Ukraine and Israel,” Shpak said.

This sense of optimism creates a sharp contrast to the concerns voiced by some members of the College Democrats such as Richard Vatawat, the president of the organization and a senior majoring in political science, who is already bracing for the potential rollback of key protections. 

“With this election, I anticipate that a lot of protections put in place by the last Democratic administration will be repealed,” Vatawat said. He specifically mentioned the repeal of climate regulations and the potential for a nationwide crackdown on abortion access.

Sean Anthony Camas, the secretary of the College Democrats and a junior majoring in political science, expressed similar concerns to Vatawat’s.  

“Morale is tanking. I’ve already had friends — people who have been poll workers, volunteers and activists for years — tell me they’re done with politics aside from voting,” Camas said. 

He pointed out that even some of the most dedicated members of the College Democrats were considering stepping away from political activism.

However, Alexa Bolen, a member of College Democrats and a freshman majoring in marine vertebrate biology, said joining a political organization helped her find a sense of belonging after growing up in a conservative town. 

“A big thing is hope. Even though the election didn’t go the way we hoped, we can still hold onto the belief that we’ll make progress in the future. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. For those feeling disconnected, start small — look up your state senator, email them or get involved locally. It’s empowering to know you’re being heard, and that’s where change begins.”

College Socialists, soon to be Socialists at Stony Brook, have also expressed frustration, viewing the two major political parties as prioritizing capitalist interests over addressing systemic issues such as class inequality and racial oppression.

“The Democrats lost because they abandoned the working class, persecuted immigrants and Black and Indigenous people, brutally repressed protesting students, [and] undermined the rights of women and gender minorities,” Socialists at Stony Brook wrote in a statement sent to The Statesman. They argued that the election outcome revealed that both parties represent the interests of the capitalist elite, rather than those of lower socioeconomic classes.

“We expect extreme repression of socialists and activists from all levels of government,” Socialists at Stony Brook wrote. 

Despite the deep divisions and frustrations expressed by many students, Engelhardt emphasized the importance of continued political engagement. 

“This election reinforces that not voting or being involved can have consequences,” Engelhardt said. “Even if we think we cannot individually make a difference, we can add our voice to the processes where, collectively, things do matter.”