Students at Stony Brook are familiar with annual traditions, such as Roth Regatta, Homecoming and Strawberry Fest. One such tradition is often ignored in the midst of preparing for a new semester. The Experience Stony Brook tradition embraces both new and returning students in the Fall. This semester’s theme is ‘Make an Impression. Become a Part of the Legacy.’
Experience Stony Brook is a three week program for the enjoyment of Stony Brook students. In March, the Office of Student Activities (OSA) contacts student groups on campus. The groups plan events with OSA advisors in return for free advertising. According to Allison Clough, Senior Adviser of Student Activities, OSA ‘usually get[s] 10-15 events from student groups alone.’
This year, a variety of groups will be represented. These include fraternities and sororities, such as MALIK and Alpha Epsilon Pi; and alliances and coalitions, such as the Social Justice, Feminist Majority Leadership and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBTA). Cultural groups, such as Caribbean Students Organization and Taiwanese Students Association will be present with academic societies, such as Golden Key and Pre-Med Society. Media organizations, such as the Student Media Council and Stony Brook Independent will join art groups, such as the Ballroom Dance Team, Thillana, and Pocket Theatre.
According to Clough, ‘In April, the student staff in the Student Activities Office poll[ed] students to see what type of events they want to see during Opening Activities.’ Clough said that this is essential so that ‘students will feel connected when they see that their ideas were listened to and put into action.’ Some of the ideas that came out of this, such as the White Water Rafting Trip, Dinner and a Movie, Texas Hold’Em Poker Tournament and Scooping Out Success, have now become traditions.
The opening activities are overseen by an Opening Activities Student Chairperson. The search for a Chairperson begins in March, and a qualified applicant is hired by April. According to Alexandra Duggan, Director of Student Activities, ‘Maria [Patestas] and Marne [Connor] are the main planners for Opening Activities.’ Connor is this year’s Opening Activities Chairperson, and Patestas, a recent Stony Brook graduate, is the Major Events Coordinator. They are accompanied by Will Neris, a graduate student and Office Manager in Student Activities.
The events are planned by a committee, which is comprised of departments and student representatives from across the campus. This year the committee includes OSA, the Department of Student Affairs, Dean of Students Office, Campus Residences, Dining, and Recreation, Student Activities Board, Undergraduate Student Government, InterFraternity and Sorority Council, Commuter Student Services, Faculty Student Association, Transportation and Parking Services, Recycling and Resource Management, the Interfaith Center, and Orientation. The committee meets weekly to plan events, choose giveaways, design the poster and formulate the final calendar of events. This year, Connor and Patestas have headed these meetings.
Clough attributed the success of the opening activities to the 120 volunteers who devote their time to this tradition. The students sign up in March and throughout the summer. They are trained and allowed to move in early into their residence halls for their time and service. This year, the volunteers were able to check-in on September 1, two days before the First Year students moved in. Clough said that ‘over the years, [OSA has] seen many of the same faces signing up again and again to volunteer. From that I can gather that they do feel connected and feel that Opening is worthwhile.’
Both Clough and Duggan agree that the success rate at this tradition is very high. The free events, food and giveaways attract students despite the occasionally inclement weather. The swarming participation of First Year and Transfer students is due to the encouragement of the Resident Assistants (RA’s) and Commuter Assistants (CA’s). Due to past success, this year, a whole day was dedicated to Transfers. The Transfers filled the Student Union at a Transfer Tailgate on September 4. Hopefully, this year even the returning students will partake in this well-planned event. So, check out the opening activities to make an impression, and become a part of the legacy.
