February 2, 2026: University Senate Report

Faculty Development

Faculty award nominations open

Nominations for the Provost’s Faculty Awards: Outstanding Lecturer, Outstanding Mentor, and Stony Brook Trustees Faculty Award are open and due Tuesday, March 31. Review award criteria.

Excellence in Teaching Program

This successful year-long workshop series, offered in collaboration with CELT, centers on best practices and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. The group met throughout the fall and will continue meeting in the spring to discuss accessibility in the classroom and inclusive pedagogy. 

Emerging Leaders Program

This cohort-based program supports the development of future higher education leaders in research, education, and administration. Members of last year’s cohort are already contributing across the university this fall and representing their units in many settings. The most recent session, on November 21, focused on communication and was facilitated by the Alda Center. The next session will take place on February 13 and will be the second part of the Alda Center workshop.

Provost's Lecture Series is February 10

This series highlights experts who have made significant contributions to their fields. The next event for this series will take place on February 10, 2026 and will showcase SUNY Distinguished Professors, Dr. Patricia Coyle from Neurology in the Renaissance School of Medicine and Joseph Mitchell from Applied Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Learn more and RSVP for the February 10 lecture series. 

Generative AI Tools for Teaching and Learning – Departmental and Staff Development Workshops

Academic departments may request customized workshops on the use of generative AI in the classroom and for course preparation, as well as training sessions for academic staff on how AI can support administrative tasks, streamline processes, and enhance student services. These programs are offered in collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. For more information or to schedule a workshop, contact celt@stonybrook.edu.

Enrollment Management

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services

We have February 20th circled as the packaging date for all newly admitted students.  We also await additional information from the US Department of Education related to upcoming changes on July 1st for the federal student loan program.  One of these will be the cap on Parent PLUS loans of $20,000 per year for a $65,000 lifetime cap. 

Office of the Registrar

Spring 2026 Academic Calendar

Date	Event
Friday, February 6	Late registration ends. Last day to drop or submit LOA/Term Withdrawal without a W recorded on transcript. Full- and part-time student statuses are locked in after this date.
Saturday, February 7, to Friday, February 13	Swaps by petition only for Graduate School and School of Professional Development students.

Course Catalog Deadlines

Deadline	Event
Sunday, February 1	Deadline for academic units to submit updates to their curriculum committee(s) for inclusion in the spring 2027 catalog.
Monday, March 30	Summer and Fall 2026 catalog published.

Course Scheduling and Registration Dates

Date	Event
Monday, March 30	Course schedule published in SOLAR.
Monday, April 6	Enrollment begins.

New student-facing course scheduling software, Navigate, will be available prior to advanced registration for summer/fall 2026.

Check the Registrar's course scheduling calendars.

Undergraduate Admissions

First-year application deadline extended

Our original first-year fall application deadline of January 15 was extended to February 1 to allow for flexibility in application submission and processing times. With an increase in applications year to date, this flexibility will allow applicants to complete their application files through February 1 while allowing our staff time to process and manage the workflow of applications.

First-year fall application decision notifications ongoing

Our first first-year fall application decisions were made available to applicants on December 12. We did provide additional decisions to applicants on January 9. Upcoming decision notifications for first-year applicants include January 30, February 28, and March 28. Transfer applicants for the fall 2026 semester will begin to be notified of decisions in mid-February and will follow a bi-weekly notification schedule from that date moving forward. 

Spring admissions events

Spring campus tours for prospective and admitted students begin on February 9.

Spring programming, on campus and off campus, for prospective and admitted students is in the final planning stages. Programs are being hosted in cities located within key markets in New York, in select states, and in select countries. These programs enhance the opportunity for students to build connections and affinity to the university as they consider where they will apply and enroll at in the coming year. Spring programming for school counselors and college advisors, is also in the final planning stages.

 

Global Affairs

International Student Success

Non-resident tax workshops in February and March

International Student Success is hosting two virtual Non-Resident Tax Workshops covering the basics of U.S. tax requirements for international students and scholars and how to use the Sprintax system.

• Wednesday, February 18, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Register for Feb. 18 tax workshop.
• Wednesday, March 25, 5-6 p.m. Register for the March 25 tax workshop.

The International Student Success Center, in Melville Library S1450, will offer free envelopes and mailing assistance throughout tax season for international students and scholars.

Visa and Immigration services

H-1B information session hosted December 10

On December 10, Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) hosted an informational session addressing the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation impacting H-1B hiring, including new entry restrictions and the $100,000 fee applicable to certain H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025. VIS reviewed newly developed institutional guidelines and an approval process outlining when the university may assume responsibility for the fee. The session covered key implications of the Proclamation, recruitment guidance (including updates to offer-letter language), the internal payment approval process, and provided an opportunity for questions. Representatives from Human Resources and Harris Beach Murtha participated. 

 H-1B workshop February 4 with VIS

Visa and Immigration Services will host a virtual H-1B workshop on February 4, 2026 (1:00–2:00 p.m.) for departments that hire or manage H-1B employees. The session will provide an end-to-end overview of the H-1B sponsorship process, with emphasis on departmental responsibilities, employee obligations, and recent policy developments affecting hiring decisions. Topics include appropriate use of H-1B sponsorship, recent program changes (including the new $100,000 H-1B fee), petition and extension timelines, and required reporting for employment changes. The workshop is intended for department administrators, HR partners, and others involved in H-1B hiring and oversight.

International Academic Programs

Record winter 2026 study abroad participation

• 139 students studied abroad ( Italy, Singapore, Korea, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, Australia, Ireland, Jamaica, The Bahamas)
• 21 Simons STEM Scholars in Kenya
• New Faculty-led study abroad program to Rome - 14 students
• President Goldsmith visited TBI, Kenya and Center Val Bio, Madagascar and met with our study abroad students.

 

Graduate School

Minimum stipend increase

The academic year minimum stipend will be increased twice in 2026 to move our stipends toward the median for AAU state universities. On February 1, the minimum stipend will increase to $28,000. On August 1, the minimum stipend will increase again to $30,000.

Research Mentor Training for Graduate Students

Friday, February 20, and Friday, February 27
9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Virtual via Zoom

This two-part, virtual, and interactive workshop builds graduate students' skills as effective mentors and in "mentoring up." Grounded in the evidence-based CIMER curriculum, this training is a great way to establish evidence of mentoring skills for fellowships/grant proposals. Graduate students from all disciplines are welcome. Register for mentor training.

Strategic Planning for Your Future: An IDP Workshop

Wednesday, February 18
3 pm to 4:30 pm
Virtual via Zoom

A guided workshop for graduate students and postdocs about goal setting, career planning, and career exploration. Participants at this workshop will: learn strategies for exploring a range of careers; identify interests and skills relevant to their career goals; develop an action plan for strengthening skills and pursuing their ideal career; and leave with a draft or expansion of their Individual Development Plan (IDP). Register for the IDP workshop.

Grant Writing Skills Series for graduate students and postdocs

Grant Writing Skills 1: Finding Your Funding Fit
Monday, February 9
1 pm to 2 pm
Virtual via Zoom

This workshop is the first installment in a 3-part series and will focus on how to identify the right types of funding for your educational and professional goals. Register for grantwriting skills session 1.

Grant Writing Skills 2: Aligning Your Aims With Your Audience
Monday, February 23
1 pm to 2 pm
Virtual via Zoom

This workshop is the second installment in a 3-part series and will focus on communicating how your research and candidacy as an award recipient are aligned with the funder's goals. Register for grantwriting skills session 2.

Grant Writing Skills 3: Pieces of the Application Puzzle
Monday, March 9
1 pm to 2 pm
Virtual via Zoom

This workshop is the last installment in a 3-part series and will focus on how to tell your story in a way that is compelling to reviewers and in alignment with the funder's goals, and use every opportunity available on an application to do so! Register for grantwriting skills session 3.

 

SUNY Notices

SUNY Academic Affairs Fellows Program webinars

Faculty selected as SUNY Academic Affairs Fellows will offer webinars throughout the spring semester to faculty and staff on topics including general education, civic discourse, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice initiatives. 

Explore Academic Affairs Fellows Program and Webinars

Register for the SUNY DEISJ curriculum development certificate program

This program helps instructors build general education courses that meet the DEISJ general education student learning outcomes. The three-course program is offered asynchronously and online. There is a fee to participate in the courses.

Learn more about the DEISJ program

SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference is accepting submissions

Please encourage your students to consider submitting their research to the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference. The conference will be at SUNY Fredonia on April 21 and SUNY Upstate Medical University on April 24. Abstracts are being accepted until February 22.

Explore the undergraduate research conference

 

Undergraduate Education

Spring 2026 Student Progress Reports launch february 18

Spring 2026 Student Progress Reports will launch on Wednesday, February 18, and will run through Wednesday, March 18. Faculty feedback through progress reports is a critical component for supporting students. In Fall 2025, faculty participation in progress reports was 68% - the highest ever! Not all instructors will receive a progress report request every semester but can provide feedback on students at any time. More information can be found in the progress report FAQs.