The first Off-Campus Living Expo took place on April 17 on the Academic Mall from 11 am to 3 pm. The event featured 26 local vendors and service providers, and was geared toward students, staff and faculty who reside off campus. The event also offered an opportunity for the larger campus community, including those who are considering an off-campus move, to connect with a variety of businesses and organizations from around the local community.
The event was hosted by the Office of Commuter Student Services and Off-Campus Living, which is dedicated to the community development and support of students who do not live on the Stony Brook campus, and to educating the larger community about rights, resources, safety and responsibility off campus. Hundreds of students browsed the tables to become familiar with the local businesses, companies and on-campus departments that are readily available for their use. It gave students the opportunity to understand what it means to be part of a community and to be a good neighbor.
Attendees were given information ranging from available apartment rentals to driving schools, and had the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from service providers such as Town of Brookhaven and Suffolk County Police Department. There were also participants such as the KMK Home Team at Realty Connect USA, Fairfield Properties and Village Automotive who were there to provide information and offer raffles and giveaways.
“The goal was to hone in on services or vendors that really had a direct correlation to what it means to live off campus or what a student needs to be successful as a resident in the local community,” said Emily Snyder, Associate Director of Commuter Student Services and Off-Campus Living. “We definitely plan to host this event again — the feedback has been tremendously positive, from vendors and attendees, alike.”
The Office of Commuter Student Services and Off-Campus Living is located in the Student Activities Center, Room 225. More information about commuter student support and off-campus living and housing resources can be found at stonybrook.edu/commuters.
— Johanna Baeyens, Community Relations
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