it's been 10 years. so it's time. let's recap what progress we have made.
http://sbufan.createaforum.com/around-stony-brook/making-sb-better-idea-thread/college town: no movement. i suppose some new shops on 25a were added, but i dont think it's moved the needle. PJ bus was a good idea but im not sure if its still running nor who uses it.
quads: i was on campus over the weekend. while it's light years better than 25 years ago, nothing much has moved in the last 10. still mud and broken concrete, rusty tanks, puddles, garbage, dirt, weeds everywhere. yes i walked all around campus i always do.
hall naming: some progress. noble hall, chavez, tubman, for example.
school naming: no progress.
tower: the wang center went up 20 years ago but i think the question is- does that make the U recognizable, where HS students see it and automatically think SBU. i think no.
building aesthetics- not a ton of movement, but it was about time they renovated the Union (and the Bridge). so that's a victory. (this excludes new construction; i'm limiting this to existing buildings.)
NYC presence: none, but we are a finalist for the governor's island opportunity. that'd be great.
housing crisis: no progress, though, you could argue increased enrollment is a good thing of course
student hierarchy / honors dorms: none
tradition: still none, in fact, may have retreated much
legends: still very little, still losing time
rivalry: what we may have built with UMBC and vermont and SUNYs is maybe gone, maybe even JMU. though, things are looking up for the CAA, whether it's W&M, Del, Towson, hof, etc.
student activities: abysmal. maybe improved but still abysmal.
weekends: worse than abysmal. so no movement. the reviews are in.
fight song: we have one, but most really dont know it or care. so no real progress.
athletics: bball made the jump, but that's not the point. the point is bball shouldve made the jump 4-5 times already. so it's a huge letdown. so is football. wlax has been an outperformer, maybe even wbball. baseball does it's usual, i think, which is good to great.
athletics attendance: still awful, but perhaps improved. a bit. am i wrong? i dont believe in build it and they will come. the proof is in.
student misery/disaffection: still at a level unparalleled with pretty much any other university on earth.
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please feel free to add/remove/expand. the point is- we are losing time- and ground- to our peers. this is very damaging to the university and holds us back from being truly great among the likes of UNC, UCLA, UVa, mich, texas, etc.
on the brighter side, the academic reputation and accolades continue to roll in. big victories in- keeping tuition down, lion's share of state funding (comparatively), flagship designation, diversity initiatives, economic mobility, etc. have continued to garner attention. USNWR climb. added a great seal. new pharma school. beer at athletics. there's been much construction on campus which is good. javits reno underway. new food halls are amazing. athletic facilities have grown and will continue to. conference jump. the new pres at least mentioned student life and athletics, showed up to a game, etc.