Stony Brook University

Date: Nov 11 2007
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I heard on the news or read in the paper—I forget—that SUNY Stony Brook is the most violent college on Long Island; and LI has a lot of colleges. Although I left for greener pastures I keep hearing bad news and dramatic stories, so I wanted to offer some advice on well-being issues.

Ladies please be careful. There's no great security from the off-campus world, many Stony Brook men are gross and apparently there is a new random attacker loose every other semester. But don't be naive, besides the ski mask attackers many people who you know are unaware of boundaries and may get the urge to grope, harass or rape someone. Girlfriends and I have been followed and also stalked via anonymous emails and phone calls. I've also been threatened for rejecting guys. Men, please be careful too! Dudes vandalize other guys' things if provoked. And all, if you call the cops about something crazy going on explain in detail what you want to be done, twice, lest the cops ask,

so what do you want me to do about it?

People mention that the teaching is good but I think it's just a lot of dry facts devoid of discussion and good application, and good teaching reaches beyond that. As I've gotten older and heard more sides of the story I do see that the professors and TAs are overworked and they are not treated well by the administration.

If you must go to SBU don't be paranoid of withdrawn, but rather get help quickly and often, find a core group of friends by inviting them to eat/shop/study with you and choose your classes very wisely. If that still isn't enough, get your 3.5-4.0 and transfer! Anyway I end with this, dig within yourself and bring up all those seemingly ridiculous and unrealistic things your parents/older people say about characters and birds of a feather, and remember what Oprah says about if you get that bad feeling about something, because it will surely be helpful.