Though students at Stony Brook Southampton enjoy the close knit atmosphere and rustic setting of the campus, it’s the universities’ academic programs that draw them to the college on Long Island’s east end.
There are differences between Southampton’s academic programs and the West campus’. Southampton focuses on the Marine Sciences and Ecology, and many of the students arriving at the university already know they want to enter these fields.
Students also benefit from small classes at the university. Meredith Smith, a freshman with a major in Marine Vertebrate Biology, said the deciding factor to enroll in the Southampton campus was the fact that she would be able to get one on one attention from her professors.
“Everybody knows everyone here, both faculty and students alike, and your professors’ call you by name, which made it much easier to adjust to college,” said Smith.
Since fewer students are registered at Southampton than at the West campus, Southampton offers fewer classes. While the West campus has many different lecture times for Introduction to Economics, Southampton only has one lecture time. This makes it a little bit more difficult to complete D.E.C.’s.
“I’m in pretty good shape with my D.E.C’s but I will probably have to make the trip to the main campus to complete them in good time,” said Megan Harned, a sophomore and Sustainability Studies major.
Clubs and organizations are a big part of campus life. Diane Redo, Coordinator of Campus Recreation and Student Activities, said that most of the clubs and organizations on campus are geared toward Marine Sciences.
“Marine Sciences is what we’re known for, which is why we have organizations like the Scuba Diving Club and the Boat Club,” said Redo.
Many students apply what they learn inside the classroom to the outdoors. The location of the Southampton campus gives students the opportunity to hike, swim, run and boat. For example, the students of the Scuba Diving club regularly go out with the Boat club to get certifications for both groups.
Other activities at Southampton are similar to the ones offered at the West campus. On the events calendar you can see activities like an art exhibit, comedy night, and even a weekly bowling trip.
“The only main difference is the number of enrolled students, which is mainly because of how new of a school we are, and in the future, I see us growing, not only student wise, but activities wise as well,” said Redo.
Redo’s office is located in the Tree House Lounge, in the Student Center Building. Equipped with a ping pong table, pool table and TV, the lounge is a favorite hangout spot.
“I love hanging out in the Treehouse Lounge,” Harned said. “Diane (Redo) is very nice and makes you feel as if you were family.”
Students at Southampton, though happy with the university, think it will improve with time.
“We are a work in progress and I only see us moving upward,” said Diana Gallagher, a first year grad student and RA of the Shelter Island Building.
Gallagher, who came to Southampton for its Creative Writing program, has a suggestion for all West Campus students: “Come take a class out here and get a feel for what we’re all about. It’s worth the experience, everyone here is so nice and welcoming and the professors are very helpful in every aspect.”
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