Colleges warn students and faculty to prepare for final exams and graduation without LIRR trains

As spring semesters end, college students at Long Island schools have one outstanding assignment: Find a way to get to campus for graduation or final exams amid the Long Island Rail Road strike.

With commencement ceremonies scheduled as soon as Sunday, those who rely on train transport will have to make alternate plans. Guidance from schools includes carpooling or using the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s shuttle bus service. The shuttles, though, are only running on weekdays.

On the Stony Brook University Reddit page, students expressed concerns about transportation to final exams. Students wrote of professors’ plans to administer biology and math tests as scheduled; one wrote of a chemistry final made optional.

Some of the area's schools put out advisories in advance of events for the coming week.

STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY

The Stony Brook University Emergency Operations Center published an advisory  that recommends graduates and attendees carpool to commencement events that start  on Monday.

“Because of the strike, we expect a 30-40% increase in vehicle traffic on campus,” the advisory said.

During the strike, the university has lifted the parking permit requirement for Lot 40 on East Campus.

The advisory mentioned MTA shuttles from Ronkonkoma and Huntington, but cautioned travelers to “expect significant wait times.”

Over the past few days, the university surveyed students and faculty about the projected impact of the LIRR strike, said Provost Carl Lejuez. Of 2,000 respondents, more than half said the strike will impact them, Lejuez said.

“And that’s not counting what will certainly be a lot more traffic,” he said, “and parking issues.”

Disruption caused by the strike comes during a stressful time on campus, Lejuez said. “There’s not just what the actual disruption will be, it’s all of the anticipatory pieces – the anxiety for the students, it’s already a really anxious time,” he said.

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY

Hofstra University scheduled graduation ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students on Sunday, and law students on Monday evening.

In a message published on the Hempstead university’s website, president Susan Poser advised those planning to travel to campus by LIRR “consider alternate transportation options, and plan for increased roadway traffic.”

“We recognize this is an important time on campus, with commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 17, and Monday, May 18, and end of year celebrations bringing together graduates, families, and guests,” the message said.

Poser’s message also offered guidance about the MTA’s weekday shuttle bus service.

FARMINGDALE STATE COLLEGE

As students, faculty and staff prepared for a week of final exams, Farmingdale State College encouraged carpooling, according to an "LIRR Strike Contingency Guide" on its website.

The shuttle that normally runs from campus to the Farmingdale LIRR station will not operate.

University police will not issue parking tickets during the strike, according to the advisory.

“If you normally take the train, please plan ahead and explore alternate transportation options,” said an Instagram post on the college's account. “Suffolk County Transit and NICE buses service campus, and carpooling is encouraged.”

Commencement is scheduled for Friday at the Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum.

“We are hopeful for a resolution before then,” Chris Maio, vice president of marketing and communications, wrote in an email. “In the event the strike is still underway, we will be in contact with students participating in our commencement exercises providing options for those that rely on the Long Island Rail Road for transportation to Nassau Coliseum.”

MOLLOY UNIVERSITY

The commencement ceremony at Molloy University in Rockville Centre  is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater. The university did not immediately respond to request for comment.