Students, faculty, staff, and elected officials at Stony Brook University called for greater investment in campus infrastructure during a rally held April 6 on the Chemistry Building patio. The event brought together more than 50 members of the university community who said that without sustained funding, the future of Stony Brook University and the State University of New York (SUNY) system is at risk due to aging facilities and urgent maintenance needs.
Speakers at the rally highlighted how deteriorating buildings and ongoing maintenance problems are affecting education, research, and student life. They urged state leaders to move beyond short-term solutions and commit to a multi-year investment plan for SUNY. According to participants, Stony Brook faces nearly $2 billion in deferred maintenance while the SUNY system as a whole has an estimated $10 billion backlog.
Undergraduate Student Government President Sarah Elbaroudy said, “The strength of this university is carried not only by its people, but by the spaces that sustain learning, teaching and research.” She described issues such as unreliable elevators, outdated laboratories, and residence halls that do not meet students’ basic needs. Elbaroudy added that these conditions are felt across campus.
Brenda Anderson, president of the University Senate, referenced recent investments like a new quantum research hub but contrasted them with academic buildings in disrepair. “I saw HVAC systems that have been on life support. I saw the damage from leaking roofs,” Anderson said. She called on state leaders including Governor Kathy Hochul to adopt a sustained capital strategy: “Temporary cannot mean 30 years.”
Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay emphasized that multi-year capital plans are essential so students can learn in safe environments: “We need to be investing in these capital improvements to make sure that those students thrive while they’re here,” she said.
Student leaders such as Luca Rallis noted daily reports from peers about failing facilities throughout SUNY campuses: “Whether it’s the places that they’re living…the infrastructure on their campuses…it’s failing them,” Rallis said.
Faculty also spoke about how poor infrastructure disrupts teaching and research missions. Stanislaus Wong recalled severe flooding after a storm damaged most of the Chemistry Building in 2024: “Our research and teaching missions were seriously impacted and it took us months to recover.” Andrew Feit described persistent leaks during rainstorms and insufficient study areas for medical students: “We want to be an elite medical school…but we don’t have the resources that students need.” Jana Bergere from NYPIRG cited winter storms causing burst pipes and heating failures across SUNY campuses.
Elbaroudy concluded by saying current conditions are unacceptable: “It cannot continue any longer.”
