Radius Policy | Frequently Asked Questions

First-Year Students

All first-year students who received the initial radius policy email on May 21 have received an update regarding their housing eligibility on June 4. Please refer to that email for first-year radius policy information. 

New Graduate Students

All new graduate students who were eligible to complete the housing application received an email update regarding their housing eligibility to their student emails on Friday, June 7.  Impacted students have an email with the subject line: "Important Update: Graduate Student Housing Application - Radius Policy."

New Transfer Students

All new transfer students who were eligible to complete the housing application received an email update regarding their housing eligibility to their student emails on Monday, June 10. Impacted students have an email with the subject line: "Important Update: New Transfer Student Housing Application."

• What is the radius policy?
  If demand exceeds what a reasonable amount of temporary triple can accommodate, we may implement our radius policy. Residents with a home address within a certain distance from the university would not be eligible for campus housing, but will be refunded their housing deposit, and are added to a priority waitlist. You can find more information about our radius policy on the Campus Residences website.
• Is this radius policy communicated to applicants and admitted students in advance?
  Historically, there has always been a high demand for on-campus housing, so information about the strategies, such as tripling and the radius policy, that Campus Residences may implement if incoming students' applications exceed demand is communicated in the housing application, Admitted Students (A Note From Housing) webpage, Campus Residences Terms of Occupancy, and our website.
• Why is this radius policy being implemented now?
  Given the extended May 15 commitment deadline, a significantly higher percentage of students than anticipated accepted Stony Brook’s offer of admission and requested on-campus housing. In accordance with our established policy, we are prioritizing housing for incoming students based on distance to our main campus. 
• Are there any exceptions to the radius policy?

  Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to the radius policy at this time. 

• What if I deposited early?

  Any applicable $200 housing deposit will be refunded.

• What potential solutions are being considered by the University?

  The University is actively working on solutions to accommodate as many students as possible while still maintaining a safe and secure environment for all. Among other options we are exploring, we are taking immediate steps to maximize capacity which includes temporarily converting some residence hall rooms to house three students instead of the usual two as well as possibly providing temporary housing. Any updates regarding this ongoing situation will be shared as soon as possible.

• How does the current radius policy situation affect my housing eligibility for next year?

  Our general housing eligibility criteria require students to be current on-campus housing residents in order to be eligible for housing for a future academic year. Students that are ineligible for the application process will have to join our on-campus housing waitlist which does not guarantee housing.

• How do I join the housing waitlist?

  You may join the on-campus housing waitlist in the housing portal, but it is unlikely you will be reached as we do not anticipate making offers for fall semester based on current demand.

• How many students affected by the radius policy are on the waitlist?

  Approximately 135 transfer students and 30 graduate students.

• What off-campus options and resources are there?

   Please visit the Commuter and Off-Campus Living website for more information.