Dan's Papers - October 6, 2006 - Stony Brook Southampton

There is a new sign on Tuckahoe Road in Southampton that simply proclaims, "Stony Brook Southampton."

It is startling in its simplicity. The sign combines the new logo and name for the much-beleaguered campus. The new logo for the Southampton college campus is brilliant in its design as it is evocative of the wind, ocean waves and a blue night sky over the campus.

This crystallizes the new identity of the campus and at the same time announces its revitalization. The much-anticipated departure of Long Island University from the Southampton campus has finally taking place. LIU now has in its possession a New York State check for $35 million from the sale of the campus. It will help LIU to plug the holes in their coffers and support their recent "BBB-rated NY state dormitory authority bond issue that reflects this self same $35 million as an increase in their endowment," according to Standard & Poor's rating service.

Granted, LIU will have a continued but minimal presence on the campus for a short period of time but eventually all they will have left in Southampton will be a radio signal. The rest of their academic endeavors on the East End will have been relegated to a single rented building in Riverhead.

At the October 4 ceremonial sign changing, Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny, President of Stony Brook, said "We have been chomping at the bit and have been ready to go. Now we finally can, it is ours. There are so many buildings that have been left empty and unused for almost two years now and they are really in need of help. We have to get more of the buildings in shape than are viable now to make the campus usable and we have to finish the Library; that is our first task. That building is our first priority and then the dormitories and the other buildings. We have to get this campus up and running for the future, and the future is here and now. Today....... Finally we can hang up the signs, unlock the gates and let fresh air blow its way across the campus as we roll up our sleeves and go to work."

State Assemblyman Fred Thiele Jr., was beaming from ear to ear as he described this as a "wonderful day, one that was long anticipated and welcomed by everyone involved. Stony Brook can now get on with the business of creating a great campus here in Southampton. This is what we all wanted and it has finally happened."

Howard Seifert, the Vice President of the Southampton College Alumni Association, said, "I can't believe it, what an amazing turn of events after two years of turmoil and anguish."

Joan Tutt, a director of the SAVE organization as well as a member of the Southampton College Alumni Board, said "I can hardly believe it, finally....... Hooray... what a great day."

A group of Suffolk County Legislators and local officials were present at the sign changing on Tuckahoe Road and all echoed a positive, upbeat theme. They were unanimous in their generous words of praise about the event and the final transfer of the property after a long two years filled with uncertainty and angst. The changing of the ownership and new focus of the campus cannot but instill a great sense of excitement into all the East End communities. Stony Brook University will bring excellence in education as well as excitement to this area was the common sentiment.

The former Southampton College Chancellor, Robert F.X Sillerman, pledged at the final Southampton college graduation ceremony two years ago that the "Best College Library on any campus in America would be finished and that every graduate would always find a welcome on the Southampton Campus no matter what it was called." It looks like his pledge will come true. It is also hoped that he can be enticed to bring back the "All for the Sea Concerts" that were so much part and parcel of the summer season in Southampton and raised millions of dollars for the Marine Science Center and its students.

Harry Marmion, the former President of Southampton College, whose words of rebuke for LIU's President aroused the energy of thousands of alumni and friends of Southampton College and help found the group SAVE, said he was "simply delighted that all the hard work had finally paid off and there would be no McMansions and that it was all finally over."

As promised by Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny the opening " Blast " has been scheduled for Oct 14th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a Dixie Land Band, a Jazz Trio, Food ,Wine tasting and a grand celebratory picnic on the lawn behind Chancellors Hall. Everyone in the community is invited. There is no charge. It is a party, a celebration of things to come.