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Stony Brook University

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Coach Matt Senk

After 35 historic seasons at the helm of the Stony Brook baseball program, legendary head coach Matt Senk has announced that he will retire following the conclusion of the 2025 season. One of the most respected and successful coaches in college baseball, Senk will leave behind a lasting legacy defined by championships, player development, academic excellence, and the transformation of a once-modest Division III team into a nationally recognized powerhouse.

“My time at Stony Brook is coming to an end and I am grateful to have led our baseball program at our incredible University for a long time. It has been a great run,” said Senk. “I want to thank my family for their support and Stony Brook for giving me the opportunity to be the head baseball coach. I am grateful to have worked with some great coaches and staff over the years and I cannot thank them enough for how hard they worked and the impact they had on our program.”

“After 35 unforgettable years on campus, I can honestly say that every moment, every game, and every player has shaped who I am far more than any scoreboard could. I came here to teach the game, but the truth is that I learned just as much from the young men who wore the Stony Brook uniform,” said Senk. “I’m deeply grateful for their trust, their passion, and the memories we have built together — it’s been the honor of a lifetime.”

When Senk took over the Seawolves in 1991, the program was competing at the Division III level and had recorded just six winning seasons since its inception in 1966. Over the next three decades, he built Stony Brook into one of the most respected programs in the country. Among his most iconic accomplishments: a trip to the 2012 College World Series, Baton Rouge Super Regional Championship, Coral Gables Regional Championship, 6 NCAA Tournament appearances, 6 Conference Tournament Championships, 7 Regular Season Titles, and an overall career record of 967-692. Senk is one of just 12 active Division I head coaches to eclipse 950 career wins, and the only one to do so entirely at one program. He ranks 76th all-time in NCAA career wins and is one of only 27 coaches in NCAA history to record 960 or more victories at a single school. During his tenure, the Seawolves posted 26 winning seasons, topped the 30-win mark 13 times, and achieved a program-record 52 wins in 2012, which led the nation.

“Matt Senk stands as a giant in the coaching profession with a legacy that will stand the test of time,” said Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron. “His impact on the game of baseball and Stony Brook University cannot be overstated. This program has been built brick by brick, rising from the foundation of Division III all the way to the pinnacle of Division I and the College World Series. Throughout his entire career, Matt has done it all with an elite authenticity and unmatched competitive fire. We are forever indebted to him for all that he has invested in Stony Brook and the young men he has coached over his incredible 35-year career.”

To begin his tenure, Stony Brook and Senk thrived at the Division III level, posting a 30-8 record in 1995 and earning the program’s first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament. That same year, shortstop Joe Nathan was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the sixth round of the MLB Draft (159th overall). He made his Major League debut as a pitcher in 1999, becoming the first Seawolf to reach the big leagues.

The 2012 season remains the pinnacle of Senk’s career, and one of the greatest runs in college baseball history as the Seawolves “Shocked the World” on their way to a historic appearance in the College World Series. Stony Brook finished the regular season 43-11 with the highest winning percentage in the country (.796). They went on to capture their fourth America East title, earning a spot in the Coral Gables Regional, where they shocked Miami and won three straight elimination games. Stony Brook then stunned the college baseball world by defeating six-time national champion LSU in Baton Rouge to win the Super Regional, becoming just the second No. 4 seed to reach the College World Series since the NCAA’s current format began in 1999, and the first Northeast school to reach Omaha since 1987.

The Seawolves ended the year ranked No. 7 in Baseball America, saw seven players selected in the MLB Draft, and led the nation in several offensive and pitching categories. Travis Jankowski earned ABCA/Rawlings National Co-Player of the Year honors, was a First Team All-American, and the America East Player of the Year, becoming the program’s first-ever first-round pick.
Senk led Stony Brook to its first America East Championship title in 2004, finishing the regular season with a 29-27 record and going a perfect 3-0 in the conference tournament to earn a spot in the NCAA Kinston Regional, its first NCAA appearance as a Division I program. Four seasons later, the Seawolves returned to the top, claiming their second America East title by knocking off top-seeded Binghamton in back-to-back games to secure a trip to the NCAA Tempe Regional.

Senk’s Seawolves were a dominant force in the America East Conference throughout the 2010s, earning 5 Regular Season Titles (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019), 4 Tournament Titles (2010, 2012, 2015, 2019), and a decade-long .600 overall winning percentage. The decade also saw the debut of Joe Nathan Field in 2011 and the opening of the Seawolves’ indoor hitting facility. Stony Brook recorded a .749 home winning percentage in the 2010s and notched landmark wins over ACC (NC State, Miami), SEC (LSU), Big Ten (Michigan, Minnesota), Big 12 (Kansas), and Pac-12 (USC) programs. Over that period, Stony Brook produced 45 America East First Team selections, 31 Second Team selections, 21 All-Rookie honorees, 6 America East Players of the Year, 4 Pitchers of the Year, and 7 Rookies of the Year. In total, 20 players were drafted, including Travis Jankowski, the program’s first-ever first-round pick.

Following the COVID-19 shutdown, Senk led Stony Brook to a 31-win season in 2021, clinching the America East Regular Season title. The following year, a walk-off hit in the 10th inning delivered a 6–5 victory over NJIT to secure the program’s third consecutive regular season crown. The Seawolves finished 21-9 in conference play that season. Since joining the CAA in 2023, Senk continued to lead competitive squads, recording 20-plus overall wins and 12-plus CAA victories in each of the program’s first two seasons in the league.

Under Senk’s guidance, Stony Brook became a steady producer of professional talent. 29 MLB Draft picks and 57 professional contracts signed came from his program, with 5 Major Leaguers, including Joe Nathan ’97 (6-time MLB All-Star), Travis Jankowski ’12 (2023 World Series Champion), and Tom Koehler ’08, Nick Tropeano ’11, and Daniel Zamora ’15. He also produced a long list of national and regional honorees, including 1 ABCA National Player of the Year, 3 NCBWA All-Americans, 8 ABCA All-Americans, 8 Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball All-Americans, and 13 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-Americans.

Coach Senk’s influence extended far beyond the diamond. Over 90 percent of his players have graduated and dozens have earned national and conference academic honors. Tyler Johnson was a Second Team Academic All-American in 2012 and Nick Grande earned First Team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in 2018. In addition, Brendan Pattermann received the 2023-24 CAA Leadership and Sport Excellence Award. His teams have been recognized with the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award, the CoSIDA Team Academic Excellence Award, and the District I Capital One Academic Team Award. More than 100 student-athletes have been named to America East, CAA, or CSC academic teams during his tenure.

Before joining Stony Brook, Senk was a standout coach at the high school level. He led Kellenberg Memorial High School to multiple league and division championships. Prior to that, Senk coached at St. Agnes Cathedral High School, where he was named the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA Coach of the Year. A SUNY Cortland graduate, Senk earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1980. He was a three-year starting catcher, a two-time All-SUNYAC selection, and the team MVP as a senior for the Red Dragons.

A national search for Senk’s successor will begin at the conclusion of the 2025 season.

A Historic Climb from Division III to the College World Series

Among his most iconic accomplishments:

  • A trip to the 2012 College World Series
  • Baton Rouge Super Regional Champions
  • Coral Gables Regional Champions
  • 6 NCAA Tournament appearances
  • 6 Conference Tournament Championships
  • 7 Regular Season Titles
  • An overall career record of 967-692
Sustained Success and Championship Pedigree

Senk’s Seawolves were a dominant force in the America East Conference throughout the 2010s, earning:

  • 5 Regular Season Titles (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019)
  • 4 Tournament Titles (2010, 2012, 2015, 2019)
  • A decade-long .600 overall winning percentage
  • A .673 conference winning percentage

Over that period, Stony Brook produced:

  • 45 America East First Team selections
  • 31 Second Team selections
  • 21 All-Rookie honorees
  • 6 America East Players of the Year
  • 4 Pitchers of the Year
  • 7 Rookies of the Year
  • 20 MLB Draft picks
Continuing the Momentum in the 2020s

Following the COVID-19 shutdown, Senk led Stony Brook to a 31-win season in 2021, clinching the America East Regular Season title. The following year, a walk-off hit in the 10th inning delivered a 6-5 victory over NJIT to secure the program’s third consecutive regular season crown. The Seawolves finished 21-9 in conference play that season.
Since joining the CAA in 2023, Senk continued to lead competitive squads. The Seawolves recorded 20-plus overall wins and 12-plus CAA victories in each of their first two seasons in the league.

Producing Pros and Accolades

Under Senk’s guidance, Stony Brook became a steady producer of professional talent.

  • 29 MLB Draft picks
  • 57 professional contracts signed
  • 5 Major Leaguers, including:
    • Joe Nathan ’97 – 6-time MLB All-Star
    • Travis Jankowski ’12 – 2023 World Series Champion
    • Tom Koehler ’08
    • Nick Tropeano ’11
    • Daniel Zamora ’15

He also produced a long list of national and regional honorees, including:

  • 1 ABCA National Player of the Year
  • 3 NCBWA All-Americans
  • 8 ABCA All-Americans
  • 8 Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball All-Americans
  • 13 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-Americans
  • 4 NCBWA Freshman All-Americans
  • 18 ABCA All-Northeast selections
  • 76 America East All-Conference honorees
  • 34 America East All-Rookie selections
  • 25 All-Academic Team honorees
  • 6 All-CAA selections
  • 1 CAA Rookie of the Year
  • National semifinalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year and Brooks Wallace Award
A Hall of Fame Coach

Senk’s career accolades reflect his impact on the game:

  • 3x America East Coach of the Year (2011, 2012, 2014)
  • 2012 NCBWA National Coach of the Year
  • 2012 ABCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year
  • 2012 CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-National Coach of the Year
  • Inducted into the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame (2019)
  • Inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame (2022)

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Susan Lee, MD, FACP. Photo by Jeanne Neville, Stony Brook Medicine

Susan Lee, MD, FACP, Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Medical Director of Stony Brook Primary Care and Deputy Chief of the Medical Information Office (CMIO) at Stony Brook Medicine, has been elected to the Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians (ACP). The Board of Regents is the main policy-making body for the ACP.

The ACP is a national organization of internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of adults.

A resident of Dix Hills, Dr. Lee’s involvement in ACP leadership has included numerous positions. In 2011, she was named a Fellow of the ACP (FACP), an honorary designation that recognizes ongoing individual service and contributions to the practice of internal medicine. She has also been a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors and a member of the Immunization Committee for the 2021-22 term. Locally, Dr. Lee was elected Governor of the New York Long Island Chapter of the ACP in 2021. She has also contributed to the ACP’s immunization initiatives through introducing practices to “I Raise the Rates New York.”

Dr. Lee, practicing at Stony Brook Medicine since 1997, earned her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine in 1991 and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at New York Hospital at Cornell University in 1994.

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Photo courtesy of Stony Brook University Athletics

In the highest scoring game of the season, Stony Brook softball came a single run short of erasing a nine-run deficit as the Seawolves were outslugged 18-17 in the regular-season finale at Drexel on May 3 in Philadelphia, PA. Emily Reinstein clubbed two home runs, including a grand slam, as she drove in over a third of the team’s runs.

Kyra McFarland led things off by reaching on an error before stealing second and coming around to score on another Drexel error as the center fielder dropped a fly ball off the bat of Nicole Allen. Allen would be immediately brought in for the second unearned run of the inning on a single up the middle from Mia Vanelli.

After another error loaded up the bases with one out in the top of the first,  Reinstein came through with the biggest hit of the day as she crushed a 1-1 pitch to left center for a towering grand slam to make it 6-0 Seawolves.

The Dragons quickly responded with a massive inning of their own, wiping away the six-run deficit by putting up a 12 spot in the bottom of the first. Nine batters would reach safely before Stony Brook recorded an out by Crimson Rice, who was brought in to relieve Gabrielle Maday after the first five runs were plated.

Drexel grew its lead to 15-6 in the bottom of the second as a lead-off error ultimately led to three unearned runs coming home. Maddie Male was brought in with two outs to stop the Dragons’ rally and induced a popup to finish off the inning.

The Seawolves got four runs back in the third as Emma Scheitinger led off the inning with a bunt single and later came around to score on a single from Malorie Hill. After a sac fly from Naiah Ackerman made it 15-8, Allen brought home two more on a single to center that was booted by the center fielder for the fourth Dragon error of the day.

The Dragons responded again in the bottom of the inning to make it an eight-run game off a three-run home run from Kylah Reading. Maday re-entered the game following the home run to get the final out of the inning. Reinstein made it 18-12 in the top of the fourth as she sent another one over the left field wall for her second home run of the day.

After a scoreless fifth, Ackerman came through with the third Stony Brook home run of the day as she went to the opposite field for a two-out, two-run blast to cut Drexel’s lead to 18-14 in the sixth.

Down by four in the top of the seventh, the Seawolves took advantage of a couple of walks to load the bases with one out. Scheitinger nearly tied it up with a single swing, but the center fielder managed to knock down the ball at the top of the wall to hold her to a two-run single. Drexel proceeded to commit its fifth error of the day on a grounder from Hill to make it a one-run game with two outs and a runner on third. That was as close as Stony Brook would get, however, as the Dragons got one final popup to close things out.

The team will enter the 2025 CAA Championship as the No. 5 seed, playing the host and fourth-seeded Campbell in the opening game of the tournament on May 7.

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Nursing students engage in trauma simulation, guided by an instructor, to build essential emergency care skills in a realistic learning environment. Photo by Amy Prokop

Initiative will enhance and broaden nursing education with funds totaling $20.5 million

The Stony Brook University School of Nursing has been selected as a State University of New York (SUNY) Regional Nursing Simulation Center, one of only three in New York State. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the news this month about the selected centers, which will involve an overall $62 million investment to bolster nursing training at many levels throughout the state.

Stony Brook will receive $10 million from SUNY, with matching funds of $10.5 million from Stony Brook University. The total of $20.5 million will be used to create a new simulation center at Stony Brook that includes the latest simulation technologies to help train more nursing students and enhance the overall experience of nursing education.

The selected campuses include the University of Buffalo, named the SUNY System-Wide Nursing Simulation Center of Excellence, and SUNY Canton and Stony Brook as the regional centers. Each center will provide high-quality, hands-on training for some of the most needed clinical practice areas in health care, such as labor and delivery, high acuity cases, and community health.

According to the Governor’s office, with their investments, each campus has committed to significant prelicensure nursing program enrollment growth, leveraging the legislation Governor Hochul signed in May of 2023 permitting nursing students to complete up to one-third of their clinical training through high-quality simulation experiences.

“By investing in nurses of the future, we’re investing in the talent of aspiring professionals across our state and in the health care workforce we all rely on,” says Governor Hochul.

“As Suffolk County’s only academic medical center, Stony Brook University is proud to be at the forefront of healthcare education and workforce development,” says Dr. William A. Wertheim, Executive Vice President for Stony Brook Medicine. “This designation as a SUNY Regional Nursing Simulation Center reflects our long-standing commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses. Through this important partnership with SUNY, we will expand access to high-quality, hands-on clinical training – helping to address the critical nursing shortage, grow the healthcare workforce and ensure our communities have skilled professionals they need to thrive.”

The new regional nursing simulation center at Stony Brook will support a 19 percent increase in prelicensure (baccalaureate) nursing enrollment in the first-year post-project completion. There is a projected 27 percent increase over the next five years.

“We are grateful to Governor Hochul, SUNY, and Stony Brook University for this opportunity to expand and enhance nursing education through simulation-based learning,” says Dr. Patricia Bruckenthal, Dean of the Stony Brook School of Nursing. “Our NEXUS Innovation Center epitomizes our commitment to advancing nursing education through innovation and collaboration. By integrating cutting-edge simulation technologies, we are not only enhancing the clinical competencies of our students and students across the region but also fostering an environment where interdisciplinary teams can engage in transformative learning experiences. This center stands as a testament to our dedication to preparing nurse leaders who will shape the future of healthcare delivery.”

According to the plan as a regional center, Stony Brook will significantly expand its simulation space footprint to enhance in-person nursing education. Additionally, the center will leverage advanced simulcast software technology to provide remote learning opportunities across Long Island.

Currently, simulation baccalaureate nursing curriculum is integrated into every clinical course in the School of Nursing. Due to space constraints, students are rotated through the Learning Resource Center in small groups, which enables hands-on experiences in the simulation lab under the supervision of the lab director and clinical faculty. The expansion of simulation training and a new dedicated center will streamline this workflow.

The announcement of the three nursing simulation centers across the state also builds on previous efforts by SUNY to expand and enhance nursing education through simulation-based learning. Last October, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced the inaugural class of the SUNY Nursing Simulation Fellowship, which includes Dr. Debra Giugliano from Stony Brook Nursing; and SUNY has invested $3.7 million through its High Needs Nursing Fund to further advance simulation-based education across 40 of SUNY’s nursing programs.

 

 

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Photo courtesy of Stony Brook University Athletics

Stony Brook women’s track and field wrapped up the regular season on Friday and Saturday, competing at the Larry Ellis Invitational hosted by Princeton. As a team, the Seawolves recorded three top-ten placements, including a first-place finish in the 4×400 relay.

HIGHLIGHTS

As the regular season now comes to a close, the team will shift their focus to championship season, starting with the two-day CAA Outdoor Championships on May 14-15 in Greensboro, N.C., at the Marcus T. Johnson Track.

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Photo from Stony Brook University Athletics

For the third year in a row, the No. 19 Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team has won the CAA Championship after defeating the No. 2 seed Drexel, 12-10, on May 3. With the win, the Seawolves earn their 12th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a streak that dates back to the 2013 season. Stony Brook captured its 11th conference championship title in program history (three CAA, eight America East) and won its 10th on the home turf of Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.

Charlotte Wilmoth led all players with a game-high five points (three goals, two assists) to pace the scoring for the Seawolves. Isabella Caporuscio, Alexandra Fusco, and Kylie Budke registered a pair of goals, while Riley McDonald, Casey Colbert, and Courtney Maclay all tallied one goal apiece.

Defensively, Avery Hines continued her defensive dominance as she caused six more turnovers and set a new Stony Brook single-season record. With her 67 caused turnovers, she outdid her 66 caused turnovers last season for the most caused turnovers in a single season in program history.

Four Seawolves earned All-Championship Team honors for their standout play in the tournament. Caporuscio, Allie Masera, and Molly LaForge were named members of the All-Championship Team, with Budke taking home the Most Outstanding Performer honor.

The Seawolves opened scoring with a pair of goals from Caporuscio and Colbert before Drexel responded with three goals of their own. With 45.5 seconds left in the first quarter, Wilmoth was left wide open right outside the crease to even things up at three.

The back-and-forth affair would continue with a game-high seven goals through the second quarter. Wilmoth and A. Fusco dominated on the offensive front, tallying five points combined. With 1.1 seconds left in the half, Masera would go coast to coast dishing it out for a Wilmoth goal to take a 7-6 lead into intermission.

Coming back from the break, Drexel scored two goals to take an 8-7 lead before the Seawolves scored three straight for their first two-goal advantage since the start of the contest. Stony Brook would take a 10-8 advantage into the final quarter.

The Dragons scored a pair to start the fourth quarter and tie it up at 10 apiece. Budke’s standout performance began with just 3:27 remaining in the fourth quarter, breaking through her lone defender and finding the back of the net to give the Seawolves a 11-10 lead. She then scored back-to-back on an identical play, cutting through the eight-meter and dodging her defender for a two-goal advantage. With less than 30 seconds, Julia Fusco intercepted a wild pass from the Dragons to ice the clock and secure Stony Brook’s 11th conference championship.

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Photo from Stony Brook University Athletics

Stony Brook men’s track and field wrapped up the regular season on May 2 and 3, competing at the Larry Ellis Invitational hosted by Princeton. As a team, the Seawolves recorded five top-eight placements.

HIGHLIGHTS

As the regular season now comes to a close, the Seawolves will shift their focus to championship season, starting with the two-day CAA Outdoor Championships on May 14-15 in Greensboro, N.C., at the Marcus T. Johnson Track.

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An aerial view of Stony Brook University

When 11 Stony Brook students’ visas were terminated early this month, a state of uncertainty descended on the school and community. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revoked the students’ records, destabilizing them when they should be learning and growing. Their largest concern, no longer exams and school work, was whether they would be able to stay in the country to finish their education.  Hundreds of international students across the country were notified by their schools that their visas were revoked, and many times without a public reason. 

The school extended resources to help, students and staff gathered in swaths to support the affected students, and local politicians like Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D-NY4) used their resources to help protect and prepare the students for what came next. 

While SEVIS records can be terminated on the basis that the student has a criminal record, the federal government has also revoked records of politically active students, reasoning that they interfered with foreign policy. The revocation of the records does not necessarily mean the next step is deportation; however, it is a step in that direction as the student no longer has the legal records to protect against removal proceedings.

Stony Brook University has over 3,000 international students bringing valuable skills and unique perspectives to the Stony Brook community. Their experiences and perspectives prove valuable to the classroom and the broader community; the breadth of cultures and backgrounds produce well-rounded, empathetic and curious professionals. 

Once it the government became more aggressive with visa terminations, some students across the U.S. began “self-deporting”, saying they no longer felt safe here. Thankfully, none of the 11 students who had their visas revoked left the country. With the support of the school and their classmates, they kept going to classes. They kept learning. 

The visas have been restored and imminent risk of deportation has been abated, but the uncertainty lingers. The federal government reversed itself while under pressure from lawsuits that argued due process was neglected. As ICE hone their criteria and protocols for visa termination, it is unclear whether these students will again be at risk. The school that admitted these students and the local politicians who represent people in the area remain ready to assist these international students as they become a part of the country’s ongoing experiment with democracy.

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By Daniel Dunaief

The federal government took them away and has, for now, returned them.

Amid a national crackdown on international students throughout the country, the federal government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program removed the visas of 11 international students at Stony Brook University on April 10, without providing any public information about the reasons for the decisions or the process that would follow.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine

Early this week, the downtstate flagship university announced that the student visas, which are necessary for work and, in some cases, to remain in the United States, were reinstated.

“We are delighted to share that all 11 Stony Brook students whose immigration status was terminated by the federal government several weeks ago had had their status reinstated,” Provost Carl Lejuez, Vice Provost for Graduate Educate Celia Marshik and Senior Associate Provost for Global Affairs Lindsi Walker announced in an email to faculty, staff and students.

The 11 Stony Brook students were among the 1,500 students nationwide whose visa status was terminated. Most of those students have also had their visas restored, although the government indicated that it was creating a new system to review and terminate student visas.

At the University of North Texas, 28 international students had their visas restored on Tuesday, while Rutgers students also had their visas restored this week.

Judges in numerous juridsictions had temporarily restored student record amid lawsuits challenging the decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Program (SEVIS) withdrawals.

District Judge Ana Reyes in the District of Columbia on Tuesday called the withdrawals “arbitrary and capricious” and suggested that the terminations “showed a lack of concern for human individuals,” according to ABC News.

In their joint email, Stony Brook officials expressed appreciation for the community support for these students.

“Stony Brook is deeply enriched by the perspectives and contributions of our global community, and we are proud to learn, teach and conduct research alongside exceptional international students and scholars,” the officials wrote in their email.

The reversal comes as litigation against the federal government mounts, with student arguing that the revocations were unconstitutional.

After Stony Brook University announced the visas had originally been removed, students gathered to express their support for the students affected and to urge the university to help defend against deportation and the loss of any work study efforts.

Stony Brook officials indicated that students had continued with their academic pursuits amid the shifting visa process.

“We are not aware of students missing classes as a result of their status being revoked,” Lejuez explained in a written message, “and now, with this restoration, they are able to simply continue in their studies without further distractions.”

Political support

Local politicians from both parties welcomed the administration’s decision to allow these students to continue with their educational programs.

“I am pleased that the visas of the international students at Stony Brook were restored,” County Executive Ed Romaine (R) explained in a written message. “Educating international students in the U.S. helps those around the world better understand our country and apprecaite the many good things and freedoms we enjoy.”

New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay

Democratic State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, whose district includes Stony Brook, Setauket, Port Jefferson, Port Jeffferson Station, Mount Sinai and Coram, appreciated the support of the university and of the office of Sen. Charles Schumer (D).

As soon as she learned that these student visas were revoked, Kassay connected with Stony Brook University’s Associate Vice President for Government Relations Carl Mills and with Schumer’s office.

Once the students had legal representation, Schumer’s office was able to ensure that the appeals process proceeded fairly, Kassay said.

At the time, and as a part of her ongoing responsibility to the district, Kassay urged anyone with concerns to reach out to her office to “make sure you are getting the calls back” from any of the various entities involved in the process, she said.

Kassay suggested that her staff works to make sure constituents are getting service from all levels of government.

Kassay recognized that this visa issue could return for international students in the area.

“We stand at the ready to help navigate whatever might come about with issues resulting from federal executive orders or policies,” Kassay added.

To be sure, Kassay suggested that students on visas don’t have the freedom to break laws or to violate the terms of their time in the country.

“If individuals are found to have a criminal background, or to have cause for removal from our country and that is proven by due process, then so be it,” she said. “We all deserve due process. Now is the time to make that clear.”

Kassay suggested that she felt sympathetic to students who didn’t face any public charges and whose futures had suddenly become uncertain.

“My heart goes out to the individuals and their families,” Kassay said.

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Eleven students who had their visas revoked, thereby preventing them from working and making them vulnerable to deportation, have now had their records restored. 

Last month the students were informed by SBU’s department of Global Affairs that their Student Exchange and Visitor Information System records were revoked. They were among thousands of international students nationwide to receive the message. 

On Friday, the Department of Justice started restoring some of the over 1,800 visas that were terminated. 

“This change means on-campus employment can be restored, and allows these students to return their full attention to their academic pursuits,” Provost Carl W. Lejuez, Vice Provost for Graduate Education Celia Marshik and Senior Associate Provost for Global Affairs Lindsi Walker wrote in an email sent to SBU faculty and students.

The reversal comes as litigation against the federal government mounts, with students arguing that the revocations were unconstitutional. 

After Stony Brook University announced the terminations on April 10, students gathered in following days to express their solidarity with the students affected and to urge the university to help defend against deportation. 

“Stony Brook is deeply enriched by the perspectives and contributions of our global community,” the letter from Lejuez, Marshik and Walker reads, “and we are proud to learn, teach, and conduct research alongside our exceptional international students and scholars. 

Reportedly, the students were still attending classes during the period where their visas were inactive.

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