To: The New York State Senate and Governor Andrew Cuomo
Stony Brook University On Campus Pool Renovation
Whereas, the increased competition for athletic programs and various student groups, beneficial to the University as a whole, has made Stony Brook University well recognized amongst schools in the country and the world;
Whereas, other universities of comparable size to Stony Brook University are able to provide their students with an on-campus pool for academics (i.e. adaptive aquatics), athletics, student recreation/life and the outside community;
Whereas, access to an on campus pool augments student life by allowing student groups to partake in competitive activities, creating relationships and building camaraderie;
Whereas, Stony Brook University’s ability to attract prospective students and retain current students through its various groups would be greatly aided by access to adequate facilities for these groups;
Whereas, the participation in student-run groups and athletics improves the Stony Brook experience and encourages students to feel connected to the campus community;
Whereas, well-connected students complete their undergraduate education where they are happy;
Whereas, Stony Brook University is an internationally-renowned institution for higher learning, it attracts high-caliber students from places well outside New York and these students pay large amounts of money to be here, if they are unhappy they may select a cheaper alternative or transfer from Stony Brook University due to an inadequate facility; and
Whereas, the undergraduate student body is overwhelmingly supportive of an increase in student-accessible facilities, strongly favoring the on-campus pool renovation,
Be it resolved, by the Senate of the Undergraduate Student Government that Stony Brook University and SUNY State Assembly find an acceptable solution and provide adequate funds within a reasonable time frame for the on-campus pool renovation that provides space for student and community recreation, athletics and academics.
Respectfully submitted to and passed by the Stony Brook Undergraduate Student Government Senate on this 18th day of April 2013.
Whereas, other universities of comparable size to Stony Brook University are able to provide their students with an on-campus pool for academics (i.e. adaptive aquatics), athletics, student recreation/life and the outside community;
Whereas, access to an on campus pool augments student life by allowing student groups to partake in competitive activities, creating relationships and building camaraderie;
Whereas, Stony Brook University’s ability to attract prospective students and retain current students through its various groups would be greatly aided by access to adequate facilities for these groups;
Whereas, the participation in student-run groups and athletics improves the Stony Brook experience and encourages students to feel connected to the campus community;
Whereas, well-connected students complete their undergraduate education where they are happy;
Whereas, Stony Brook University is an internationally-renowned institution for higher learning, it attracts high-caliber students from places well outside New York and these students pay large amounts of money to be here, if they are unhappy they may select a cheaper alternative or transfer from Stony Brook University due to an inadequate facility; and
Whereas, the undergraduate student body is overwhelmingly supportive of an increase in student-accessible facilities, strongly favoring the on-campus pool renovation,
Be it resolved, by the Senate of the Undergraduate Student Government that Stony Brook University and SUNY State Assembly find an acceptable solution and provide adequate funds within a reasonable time frame for the on-campus pool renovation that provides space for student and community recreation, athletics and academics.
Respectfully submitted to and passed by the Stony Brook Undergraduate Student Government Senate on this 18th day of April 2013.
Why is this important?
SUMMARY
We, the undersigned, are petitioning Stony Brook University and SUNY State Assembly for the failure to provide sufficient amount of funds to reconstruct and reopen Stony Brook University’s on campus pool. Approximately, 26,000 students attend Stony Brook University, with over 300 clubs and organizations, and 16 NCAA Division 1 recognized Athletic teams and programs that offer a wide range of options for serious competitors and sports enthusiasts.
Currently, one extremely important venue on campus that affects a multitude of successes at Stony Brook University is the on campus pool. In fall 2012, the pool was shut down due to inconsistencies in the architecture that needed to be fixed. Unfortunately, the critical maintenance fee is not currently going towards immediate repair of the pool at Stony Brook University and State capital budget has yet to be granted for the renovation of the pool. The closing of the pool on campus has negatively affected athletic teams and programs, academics for students in adaptive aquatic minors, student life and open swim (especially f or student Master’s teams), as well as student retention and recruiting for SBU overall.
BACKGROUND
Athletically, Stony Brook University is known for competition and excellence. There have been many successes in the athletics program since 2010. The pool itself is home to 16 NCAA Division 1 teams, including Men and Women’s Swimming and Diving. Other teams, including but not limited to Men and Women’s Basketball, Men’s Football, Men and Women’s Soccer, and Men and Women’s Track team have been noted to use the pool for exercise and training for competition. Specifically for Men and Women’s Swimming and Diving, no practices in the pool are allowed (only weight training in the weight room on campus) and the teams are in a state of “continuing competitive hiatus.” This status is discerning to students who have been granted scholarships to compete at Stony Brook University. Since the shut down of the pool in fall 2012, the Men and Women’s Swim and Diving team have stopped recruiting freshman and the true competition of the teams will not resume until a pool is accessible. The Women’s Swim and Diving team is fully funded with scholarships provided by the NCAA; the Men’s team, which is just as competitive, does not provide scholarships. The two teams are also not able to provide practice at local high schools due to local town club/master teams- there has been no accommodation for available times. Additionally, outside venues available to utilize would not be adequate for the students on the team due to a long distance trip to the location- this would affect an athlete’s practice time and overall studies as a student, not to mention the concern for safety for the students and more allocated budget. Additionally, between the years 2010-2012, the athletic swim and diving program grew with increases in recruitment and competition in conferences. At the time of the closing of the pool the Women’s team had 21 team members, while the Men’s team has 14 team members. The women’s team successfully competed in the ECAC competition in 2010, whereas the men’s team has competed against universities in Texas, Florida and California with success in the 100-200 yard backstroke for championships. In the past, Stony Brook University’s Swimming and Diving athletics teams were D3; at the time of the closing of the pool, the teams were D1 in the American East Conference; their team stature is comparable to SUNY Binghamton. After the closing of the pool, several athletes either dropped out from the teams and/or transferred schools that had a functional pool on campus to compete. The future of the Men and Women’s Swim and Diving team is hindered without the use of a pool on campus. Both teams have hopes to expand beyond New York State recruitment after the pool has been renovated as well with increasing recruitment and retention on campus in the athletic program. The reopening of the pool will grant recognition of the team’s coach; will maintain traditions of the swim team; and will allow for growth and competition n the athletic programs that Stony Brook University is well known for.
Academically, students who are taking classes, for example the adaptive aquatics minor, are being negatively affected and cannot take impertinent classes to finish their minors/majors requirements. On behalf of student life , and Stony Brook University retention/recruiting, the failure to provide the students with an adequate pool hinders student experience and happiness. Additionally, the outside community to Stony Brook University has shown upset for not being able to witness swim meets as well as take part in masters teams.
The inadequate funds to renovate the pool are a disservice to both the undergraduate and graduate students. As a result, the action to close the pool has had a hugely negative effect on the campus’s student life, especially in athletics and academics. We therefore petition Stony Brook University and SUNY State Assembly to reprioritize their capital budget projects as well as critical maintenance fees, to provide an ample pool for the entire student body to use.
We, the undersigned, are petitioning Stony Brook University and SUNY State Assembly for the failure to provide sufficient amount of funds to reconstruct and reopen Stony Brook University’s on campus pool. Approximately, 26,000 students attend Stony Brook University, with over 300 clubs and organizations, and 16 NCAA Division 1 recognized Athletic teams and programs that offer a wide range of options for serious competitors and sports enthusiasts.
Currently, one extremely important venue on campus that affects a multitude of successes at Stony Brook University is the on campus pool. In fall 2012, the pool was shut down due to inconsistencies in the architecture that needed to be fixed. Unfortunately, the critical maintenance fee is not currently going towards immediate repair of the pool at Stony Brook University and State capital budget has yet to be granted for the renovation of the pool. The closing of the pool on campus has negatively affected athletic teams and programs, academics for students in adaptive aquatic minors, student life and open swim (especially f or student Master’s teams), as well as student retention and recruiting for SBU overall.
BACKGROUND
Athletically, Stony Brook University is known for competition and excellence. There have been many successes in the athletics program since 2010. The pool itself is home to 16 NCAA Division 1 teams, including Men and Women’s Swimming and Diving. Other teams, including but not limited to Men and Women’s Basketball, Men’s Football, Men and Women’s Soccer, and Men and Women’s Track team have been noted to use the pool for exercise and training for competition. Specifically for Men and Women’s Swimming and Diving, no practices in the pool are allowed (only weight training in the weight room on campus) and the teams are in a state of “continuing competitive hiatus.” This status is discerning to students who have been granted scholarships to compete at Stony Brook University. Since the shut down of the pool in fall 2012, the Men and Women’s Swim and Diving team have stopped recruiting freshman and the true competition of the teams will not resume until a pool is accessible. The Women’s Swim and Diving team is fully funded with scholarships provided by the NCAA; the Men’s team, which is just as competitive, does not provide scholarships. The two teams are also not able to provide practice at local high schools due to local town club/master teams- there has been no accommodation for available times. Additionally, outside venues available to utilize would not be adequate for the students on the team due to a long distance trip to the location- this would affect an athlete’s practice time and overall studies as a student, not to mention the concern for safety for the students and more allocated budget. Additionally, between the years 2010-2012, the athletic swim and diving program grew with increases in recruitment and competition in conferences. At the time of the closing of the pool the Women’s team had 21 team members, while the Men’s team has 14 team members. The women’s team successfully competed in the ECAC competition in 2010, whereas the men’s team has competed against universities in Texas, Florida and California with success in the 100-200 yard backstroke for championships. In the past, Stony Brook University’s Swimming and Diving athletics teams were D3; at the time of the closing of the pool, the teams were D1 in the American East Conference; their team stature is comparable to SUNY Binghamton. After the closing of the pool, several athletes either dropped out from the teams and/or transferred schools that had a functional pool on campus to compete. The future of the Men and Women’s Swim and Diving team is hindered without the use of a pool on campus. Both teams have hopes to expand beyond New York State recruitment after the pool has been renovated as well with increasing recruitment and retention on campus in the athletic program. The reopening of the pool will grant recognition of the team’s coach; will maintain traditions of the swim team; and will allow for growth and competition n the athletic programs that Stony Brook University is well known for.
Academically, students who are taking classes, for example the adaptive aquatics minor, are being negatively affected and cannot take impertinent classes to finish their minors/majors requirements. On behalf of student life , and Stony Brook University retention/recruiting, the failure to provide the students with an adequate pool hinders student experience and happiness. Additionally, the outside community to Stony Brook University has shown upset for not being able to witness swim meets as well as take part in masters teams.
The inadequate funds to renovate the pool are a disservice to both the undergraduate and graduate students. As a result, the action to close the pool has had a hugely negative effect on the campus’s student life, especially in athletics and academics. We therefore petition Stony Brook University and SUNY State Assembly to reprioritize their capital budget projects as well as critical maintenance fees, to provide an ample pool for the entire student body to use.