Wednesday, Jan 22. kicked off the spring semester at St. Joseph’s University, New York for students across its Long Island and Brooklyn campuses. And while the frigid temperatures and snow-covered buildings screamed anything but spring, the University found ways to greet new and returning students with a warm welcome.
“It is wonderful to see students back on campus as we begin a new semester,” said Janelle Hill, associate vice president for student life for SJNY on the Long Island campus. “The first week is always an important time for students to reconnect, settle into their routines, and engage with the campus community.”
An orientation session for students new to Brooklyn was held during Common Hour on Jan. 22. Held inside the newly renovated student lounge inside Tuohy Hall, students were treated to lunch and heard from David Gonzalez, interim assistant vice president for student Life, leadership and intercultural engagement, and Phillip Dehne, Ph.D., executive dean.
Students were treated to a welcome back waffle breakfast on the Brooklyn Campus.
The Brooklyn campus hosted a Welcome Back Waffles event on Jan. 23. A partnership between the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and the Student Government Association (SGA), it drew quite the crowd with students gathering in Tuohy Hall auditorium. During the Common Hour event, SJNY Ministry swag was gifted to students including baseball caps and water bottles, among other giveaways.
Helping ease their adjustment, students in Patchogue were treated to a welcome back breakfast of their own, hosted by the CAB. From 9-11 a.m. on Jan. 22, students stopped by the Student Center’s multipurpose room to grab a bite to eat and fuel up for the day. More than 100 students popped in and out throughout the event.
SJNY’s Brooklyn ministry also kicked off its spiritual book giveaway. Through Jan. 31, Brooklyn students can stop at the table on the first floor of Tuohy Hall to receive a free spiritual book, according to Sister Marie Mackey, CSJ, director of campus ministry.
On Long Island, campus ministry sponsored a welcome back mass held in the Sisters of St. Joseph Chapel during Common Hour.
For those looking to acclimate themselves mentally and spiritually, the Office of Counseling and Wellness on Long Island hosted an event promoting study habits and mental health tips. Students who attended were offered resources to ensure mental resiliency as they embark on a new semester.
For students on the Brooklyn campus, the Office of Counseling and Wellness also held open houses on the first day of classes.
Adding to the list of first week events, the Brooklyn campus hosted “Let’s Talk” on Jan. 28. The event allowed students to decompress with board games, music and other fun activities.
Spring Clubs Begin New Semester
On the Long Island campus, 42 clubs and organizations were in attendance for the 2025 spring semester club fair.
Several SJNY clubs and organizations held events during the first week of classes. For example, on Jan. 23, fraternity and sorority organizations on the Long Island Campus hosted “Meet the Greeks” for students interested in possibly joining Greek life while SJNY’s e-sports club hosted open houses inside the gaming room in the Student Center on Long Island.
Both campuses hosted club and student involvement fairs during Common Hour on Jan. 29 so students could browse a selection of clubs and organizations they might be interested in joining for the semester.
