LIU's Brentwood campus to relocate to SCCC

The Brentwood campus of Long Island University will relocate to nearby Suffolk County Community College in September, creating a partnership in which both schools will share resources, officials said Wednesday.

LIU's Brentwood students will begin taking classes at SCCC's Michael J. Grant campus, at 1001 Crooked Hill Rd., Brentwood, on Sept. 4, officials said.

Presidents from both schools Wednesday signed a ceremonial lease agreement at the community college's Health, Sports and Education Center in front of about 50 students, faculty and staff.

The lease is month to month, at a cost of $17,248 per month, until a new building for LIU is finished.

The rental costs of the new building will be funded by LIU, and agreement details have not been finalized, officials said.

They would not say how much the new building will cost to construct.

LIU's classes will be held throughout the community college campus until the college's new 24,000-square-foot building -- with 16 classrooms, lounge space and faculty offices -- is completed in next year, officials said.

"This is a win-win for us," said SCCC President Shaun L. McKay. "It presents the opportunity for residents that are here on Long Island, who are familiar with the facilities and offerings of this campus, to have a seamless transfer to LIU."

Before the partnership, LIU held classes for about 350 students at the Sisters of St. Joseph convent in Brentwood.

An LIU spokeswoman, Rita Langdon, declined to say whether the consolidation would result in any job losses, saying, "Per university policy, LIU does not discuss personnel matters."

The partnership means that students will have shared use of the community college's facilities.

It also allows students to apply and be accepted to both schools at once, and subsequently to transfer easily from SCCC to LIU, officials said.

Dan Potenzieri, student government president at LIU Post, said that he doesn't see any downside to the campus move at this point.

"Having locations and classrooms on the SCCC campus is a good move for both the LIU students and community college students," he said. "It will allow them to meet and interact with different types of people."

The schools will offer "two-plus-two" programs, allowing community college students to obtain their bachelor's degrees from LIU after earning their associate degrees at SCCC, officials said. LIU in Brentwood also offers master's degree programs.

LIU and SCCC tuition will remain at their respective price structures.

LIU President Kimberly R. Cline said at the ceremony she is dedicated to providing scholarships specifically for students who come to LIU in Brentwood from SCCC.

"Combining LIU's academic offerings with Suffolk's beautiful campus and state-of-the-art facilities, this partnership will no doubt foster a full campus life experience for our students," she said.