Welcome New Seawolf Families!

Entering college is a transition for students and their families. As students move from high school to university life, the accommodation process changes to reflect their new independence. For parents, this means a change in role from advocate to cheerleader. Family support remains important for student success as they become self-advocates with new responsibilities. Understanding the new expectations of university life can help students and their families through this transition.

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Transitioning from High School to University

As students start their university experience at Stony Brook University, it marks a new period of independance and responisbility. For many students, it is the first time their day-to-day lives take place away from their families. Success requires them to navigate classes, housing, dining, and social responsibilities. Although this is exciting time in students' lives, it can be a challenging one as well. 

Understanding how the accommodation process at Stony Brook University is different than the process students used in high school can help them succeed and guide families to provide support. The table below highlights some of the important differences in how students use their accommodations.

The primary change that students will experience is the need to be their own self-advocates. Students are responsible for communicating their needs for access to the univeristy. The Student Accessibility Support Center is able to assist students in determining reasonable accommodations and coordinating them with the university. 

High School	Stony Brook university
Accommodations orientated toward success	Equal access to course material and university programs
School district responsible for identifying children with disabilities	Student must self-identify as having a disability and provide adequate documentation
Evaluation of disability the school’s responsibility	Evaluation of disability the student’s responsibility
Parents’ consent to evaluations and advocate for their child	Student responsible for advocacy
Disability defined by specific categories	Disability defined as a significant limitation to a major life function

 

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How Parents Can Help

Parents and family members remain an important source of support for students as they enter the university setting.  

Encourage your student to:

• Register with SASC prior to or early in the semester.
• Join the ACE Mentor Program. The ACE Mentor Program partners first year students with an experienced mentor to help them navigate the transition to university life. 
• Visit the SASC website and become familiar with registration requirements, documentation guidelines, etc.
• Ask questions by calling (631) 632-6748 or emailing sasc@stonybrook.eduor stopping by the office in SBU Union Suite 107.
• Follow policies and procedures to adheres to documentation guidelines.
• Follow-up with professors regarding receipt of accommodation letters.