As hundreds of students, faculty and staff from Stony Brook University embark on a 250-mile journey to the state capitol in Albany to meet with legislators, professors on campus have mixed feelings about the empty seats in their classrooms.

The university’s administration recognizes Stony Brook Day in Albany as an excused absence, but some lecturers believe that the daylong trip simply takes away from their teaching time. Nearly five percent of students are expected to go this year. Some faculty feel that’s too many student participants, according to an informal poll taken of professors last week.

"I certainly see that it complicates things for faculty,” Jeff Barnett, the assistant dean of students, said. “If students are going to learn what they need to learn, they have to stick to the given coursework schedule."

Albany Day wasn’t always so popular. The first trip, which involved about 15 students, occurred 20 years ago, according to Janice Rohlf, the assistant vice president of governmental relations. In recent years, the number of student attendees has ranged up to 800. This year is a record of more than 1,000.

Disapproval of Albany Day has risen with the number of its participants. Says one professor who asked to remain unidentified, “For some students, it is an abuse of the idea of the day,” explaining that there are students who use the day as an excuse to cut classes.

"I wasn't reminded. I didn't encourage it, so I guess I'm a slacker," said Esther Arkin, a professor of applied mathematics.

Other faculty are supportive. “I think it is a great thing, it shows we are politically active," said a professor who wished to remain anonymous. “I wouldn’t mind at all (if they missed class), they would just have to catch up.”

Biology 348 professor Joanne Souza had her class being recorded and posted online so that students can take part in Albany Day without missing a lesson.

Professor of geophysics Dan Davis also supports the day. He said that he treats Albany Day "as a religious holiday like Rosh Hashanah," and he would never schedule an exam on the day to discourage students from going.

In the linguistics department, professor Ellen Broselow is holding her one-credit seminar on Albany Day, but she said she doesn't mind if people don't show up.

"Getting involved in the political process is a good part of their education," Broselow said.

Students have mixed opinions about going. Some say they will only go if the trip won't set them too far behind in their class work or anger their professors. "A lot of teachers don't really excuse because then people would go to get out of a test,"said Jennifer Chee, a junior.
"Orgo recitation takes precedent over school spirit," she said.

Junior Victor Valentinyi said he didn't go because his professor scheduled a test and wouldn't allow students who miss class to make it up.

Senior Dan DeJesus said that he planned on going but had a conflict. "It would be nice to see the people who make these big decisions," he said.

But even some students who chose to go said are ambivalent about the day. Junior Andrew Canonico said he went for extra credit

Freshman Alex Fishkin said he went to experience the day and learn what it is all about. “To tell you the truth, this event doesn’t mean much to me," he said.

Finally, Anita Halasz, a first year graduate and Stony Brook alumna said she didn't go because she is skeptical that Albany Day is the right way to create change. She suggested that there should be a day on campus where students could speak to their own administrators about issues like crime and maintenance. "Maybe they should consider a Stony Brook Day at Stony Brook," she said.