SUNY Old Westbury is now formally recognized as a university. The university will continue to be known as SUNY Old Westbury, but its official state education title will change from “State University of New York College at Old Westbury” to “State University of New York at Old Westbury.”
This legal name change, effective July 1, 2023, was approved by SUNY Chancellor John B. King, who was delegated authority by the State University of New York Board of Trustees to take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate a university designation for eligible institutions.
“This change reflects the quality and prestige of a SUNY Old Westbury education, which throughout its history has prepared its students for career and life success while empowering them to be changemakers for social and environmental justice,” said President Timothy E. Sams. “We will use our new status to attract more students, grow the research and scholarship capabilities or our faculty, and strengthen and expand our partnerships to serve the local and regional community we call home.”
This recognition follows New York State Board of Regents’ new guidelines for what constitutes a university. These guidelines require institutions of higher education to offer registered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences. SUNY Old Westbury offers graduate level programs in five of those disciplines.
Visit the SUNY Old Westbury University Announcement website to learn more about the campus and its new designation.