Staten Island Teach-Out

Page last updated 10/12/2022

We hope the detailed information that follows on this page addresses any questions you may have about the phasing out of the Staten Island, NY, campus.

In addition, contact information for St. John’s University representatives available to provide further assistance are:

  • For all new or currently enrolled Staten Island campus students: St. John’s representatives are available by calling the University’s Call Center at 718-990-2000.
  • Staten Island campus employees should contact Keaton Wong, J.D., Associate Vice President, Human Resources, at 718-990-1865 or [email protected].
  • Staten Island campus alumni may contact Mark A. Andrews, Director, Alumni Relations, at 718-990-5897 or [email protected].

General Q&A

For decades, the Staten Island campus has experienced a steady decline in student enrollment due to several factors, most notably the decline of Catholic school enrollment in the borough that had been a major feeder for new and prospective students. In addition, current and projected population and demographic shifts in the Northeast region forecast a dramatic drop in people of traditional college age.

The decline in enrollment was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For example: In Fall 2000, a total of 2,309 undergraduate and graduate students were enrolled at the campus, which has the capacity to serve 3,000 students; 20 years later, in Fall 2021, enrolled undergraduate and graduate students at the Staten Island campus totaled 861. Enrollment on the Staten Island campus today is 63 percent lower than it was in 2000. Despite these stark facts, St. John’s has a deep connection with the Staten Island community, and this was an extremely difficult decision.

The Board of Trustees voted on August 2, 2022, to authorize the University to begin the phase-out process. The University administration immediately began the required procedures to advance this process and to notify the appropriate regulatory agencies and accreditors. Students, faculty, administrators, and staff were informed on August 12, 2022. We now embark on a thoughtful phase-out process, which we anticipate will take two years.

No, the decision to phase out the Staten Island campus at the conclusion of the Spring 2024 semester will move forward as announced.

The decline of Catholic school enrollment on Staten Island, which had been a strong feeder for the Staten Island campus, was a notable factor in the continuing enrollment decline at the site. Also, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this loss, coupled with declining college enrollment trends regionally and nationally over the last decade. The impact of a sharp and persistent decline in the number of Americans going to college—down by nearly a million since the start of the pandemic, and by nearly 3 million over the last decade* is already being felt at the Staten Island campus. (*The Hechinger Report).

Looking ahead, experts in higher education and population trends are uniformly anticipating a “demographic cliff” to begin in 2025 as the result of the decline in the US birthrate that began in 2007 during the Great Recession, which will lead to a dramatic and sustained drop in the traditional college-aged population. The step St. John’s is taking today will strengthen its ability to meet these increasing challenges, continue to ensure student success, and carry out its unique mission as a Catholic and Vincentian university.

The phase-out process will begin by not admitting a new first-year class at the Staten Island campus in Fall 2023. The University will implement a comprehensive academic plan, commonly referred to as a “teach-out,” so that all current students are equally enabled to complete their programs of study.

Over the next two years, enrolled juniors, seniors, and graduate students are expected to be able to complete their degree requirements with little or no impact. Individual degree completion plans will be developed for all existing first-year and sophomore students, which may include additional financial assistance to complete their programs at the Queens, NY, campus. Opportunities for both commuting and residential living, and more programs of study, will be available to Staten Island students at the main campus in Queens.

In addition—and in acknowledgment of its proud history on Staten Island—St. John’s has established an endowed scholarship to support Staten Island residents who enroll at the Queens campus in the future. More information about the scholarship will be shared in September.

In 2015, St. John’s instituted the first tuition reset in its history, reducing tuition for Staten Island students by $10,370 for the 2015–16 academic year. For many years, the University also offered a residential life option on Staten Island, leasing neighboring off-campus apartments, but the program was discontinued in 2021 due to the declining number of students taking advantage of this option. Campus dining and shuttle bus services were gradually phased out in recent years for the same reason.

Even prior to these actions, in 2007 a Staten Island Task Force for Student Success was formed to explore ways to enhance enrollment and the student experience in Staten Island. In 2011–12, the University engaged in renewed strategic planning efforts in Staten Island, that included the efforts of an internal task force and external experts, to explore ways to maximize the use of the campus through new academic programs and curriculum changes.

Based on this work, a 2014–17 Strategic Plan was developed for the Staten Island campus that focused on enhancing student recruitment. Unfortunately, the campus continues to experience significant enrollment challenges despite these multiyear efforts.

A decade-long and thoughtful process of exploration and inquiry saw the Board of Trustees and senior management at St. John’s extensively pursue multiple enrollment strategies and Staten Island campus operational scenarios that included exploring new strategic partnerships, as well as mergers and acquisitions, all of which proved to be unworkable. During the 2020–21 academic year, a University-wide administrative and operations review by the external rpk GROUP was completed. The rpk GROUP assisted St. John’s with project management support, information collection, and analysis focused on assessing how the University currently delivers services, where we may be able to enhance these services, and ways for the University to become more effective.

The rpk Group recommended that the University actively work to consolidate programs and services onto the Queens campus to enhance services. This included their recommendation to phase out certain additional campus locations. In addition, part of the plan and ongoing work of St. John’s Strategic Planning Committee aims to leverage our strengths, bolster our resources, and prepare us to turn future challenges into opportunities. More recently, an internal Campus Footprint Committee has been examining the operational functions of all branch campuses.

After extensive and careful research and analysis, including examining enrollment projections and their potential impact, all of these working groups recommended that thoughtful consideration be given to phasing out the Staten Island campus.

The University is just beginning what it expects will be a two-year process to phase out its academic operations on the Staten Island campus. That is its focus, and no other decisions have been made about the future of the property at this time. St. John’s University owns the 16.5 acres of land that comprise the Staten Island campus.

This decision concerns only the Staten Island campus. In addition to its main campus in Queens, NY, St. John’s continues to have campuses and locations in Manhattan, NY; in Rome, Italy; in Paris, France; and in Limerick, Ireland. As of Fall 2021, the University has 15,452 undergraduate students and 4,206 graduate students who come from 48 states and 118 countries.

The site was originally the home of Notre Dame College, a small, independent, women’s college established in the 1930s, which was consolidated with St. John’s University in 1971. This coincided with the closure at that time of St. John’s Brooklyn, NY, campus on Schermerhorn Street; those students relocated to the Queens campus or the new Staten Island campus.

The Staten Island campus, located at 300 Howard Avenue, sits on 16.5 acres, and features 10 buildings with approximately $48 million in capital improvement needs to modernize the campus. The campus offers a total of 83 academic programs, 82 of which are simultaneously offered at the Queens campus. For context, St. John’s offers 302 academic programs at its main campus in Queens.

As of Fall 2021, almost all the students enrolled at the Staten Island campus were residents of Richmond County. Just over half of the current employees at the campus live in the borough, with the balance coming from New Jersey, Brooklyn, lower Westchester, and Long Island.

During the next two years, the Staten Island campus will be appropriately staffed to support ongoing academic and campus activities. The Office of Human Resources will meet with the full-time Staten Island faculty, administrators, and staff individually to engage in these discussions.

New Incoming Students Entering Fall 2022 Q&A

Option 1: Stay the course! As a new St. John’s University student, we are excited to welcome you as a Johnny to carry on our 150+ year legacy of academic excellence. You will be able to complete your first two years of study on our Staten Island campus and seamlessly transition to our Queens campus at the end of the teach-out period, as of the Fall 2024 semester. At the conclusion of the teach-out period, you will continue to pay the prevailing Staten Island campus rate (see below for more details).

Option 2: Become a Queens Johnny! You have the option to switch to our beautiful 100+ acre Queens campus immediately and join us in Queens for the start of the Fall 2022 semester. By switching now, we will adjust your tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to our Queens rates/awards. A comparison package will automatically be sent to all new students.

Option 3: Take more time to decide! Enjoy the Fall 2022 semester at our Staten Island campus and consider your options. Should you decide to transition to our beautiful Queens campus at the start of any semester during the teach-out period, we will guide you through this transition, switching your tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to our Queens rates/awards.

Option 4: Opt to enroll elsewhere. While we would be sorry to learn you will not be joining us as a Johnny, we recognize this may be the best decision for some students. If you decide to leave the University prior to the end of the add/drop period (i.e., September 7, 2022), please contact the Office of Admission at [email protected] to notify us of your decision to cancel your enrollment.

Yes, if you choose to enroll at another University for the Fall 2022 entering term, the enrollment deposit will be refunded upon notification of enrollment cancellation as an exception to the University’s policy. Please contact us at [email protected] to cancel your enrollment.

Yes, you may submit your enrollment deposit for the Fall 2022 entry term up through the end of the add/drop period (i.e., September 7, 2022), with the understanding that a teach-out period is in place. An enrollment agreement is required upon deposit.

Visit the “Request a Transcript” section on this page to order a paper or electronic transcript: https://www.stjohns.edu/academics/office-registrar.

No, because the University is remaining open. However, if you decide to change campuses to the Queens campus, you will need an updated I-20. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

No, the University is not closing and is providing you with the opportunity to earn your degree at St. John’s at the Queens campus.

Yes! You have the option to defer your Fall 2022 enrollment at St. John’s to the Spring or Fall 2023 entry terms on our Queens campus.

Yes! You have the option to readmit to the Queens campus.

Yes! Enrollment Management will have representatives from the offices of Admission and Student Financial Services available for several upcoming virtual sessions. Learn more and register here https://apply.stjohns.edu/portal/staten_island.

All administrative records have traditionally been maintained on our Queens campus and will remain available for all students/alumni.

Yes, Enrollment Management services, including Student Financial Services, Office of the Registrar, and Bursar, will continue to maintain a presence on the Staten Island campus through the duration of the teach-out period in order to best support students.

Continuing Students Fall 2022 Q&A

Option 1: Stay the course! As a St. John’s University Staten Island campus student, we encourage you to stay the course and continue your studies on Staten Island. If you are a rising junior or senior on track to graduate, you will likely be able to complete your degree on Staten Island within the two-year teach-out period. If you are a rising sophomore, you will have the unique opportunity to experience both locations. You will complete two more years of study at our Staten Island campus and seamlessly transition to our Queens campus at the end of the teach-out period, as of the Fall 2024 semester. Upon transitioning to the Queens campus at the conclusion of the teach-out period, you will continue to pay the prevailing Staten Island campus rate (see below for more details).

Option 2: Become a Queens Johnny this fall. You have the option to switch to our beautiful 100+ acre Queens campus immediately and join us in Queens for the start of the Fall 2022 semester. By switching now, we will adjust your tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to our Queens rates/awards. A comparison package will automatically be sent to all new students. A comparison package can be requested by contacting Thomas Marlow at [email protected].

Option 3: Take more time to decide! Enjoy the Fall 2022 semester at our Staten Island campus and consider your options. Should you decide to transition to our beautiful Queens campus at the start of any semester during the teach-out period, we will guide you through this transition, switching your tuition, scholarships, and financial aid to our Queens rates/awards. A comparison package can be requested by contacting Thomas Marlow at [email protected].

Option 4: Opt to transfer elsewhere. While we would be sorry to learn you will not be returning to us as a Johnny, we recognize this may be the best decision for some students. If you decide to leave the University, please make sure you withdraw from all classes by contacting your dean’s office prior to the end of the add/drop period (September 7, 2022) to avoid incurring tuition liability.

No, the University is not closing and is providing you with the opportunity to earn your degree at St. John’s at the Queens campus.

Visit the “Request a Transcript” section on this page to order a paper or electronic transcript: https://www.stjohns.edu/academics/office-registrar.

No, because the University is remaining open. However, if you decide to change campuses to the Queens campus, you will need an updated I-20. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Yes! You have the option to readmit to the Queens campus.

Yes! Enrollment Management will have representatives from the offices of Admission and Student Financial Services available for several upcoming virtual sessions. Learn more and register here (https://apply.stjohns.edu/portal/staten_island

No, Commencement was moved to the Queens campus in recent years and will continue to be held in Queens.

All administrative records have traditionally been maintained on our Queens campus and will remain available for all students/alumni.

Yes, Enrollment Management services, including Student Financial Services, Office of the Registrar, and Bursar, will continue to maintain a presence on the Staten Island campus through the duration of the teach-out period in order to best support students.

Financial Aid and Scholarships Q&A

Staten Island campus students who choose to withdraw from the University before the end of the Fall 2022 add/drop period (i.e., September 7, 2022) will receive a full tuition credit.

Traditionally, fees are nonrefundable. However, the University will make an exception for Staten Island campus students who withdraw from the University during the Fall 2022 add/drop period (prior to September 7, 2022).

As an undergraduate student, if you complete the two year teach-out period on the Staten Island campus, you will remain eligible to pay the prevailing Staten Island campus tuition and fee rate, plus any program-specific differential rates for the remainder of your undergraduate program, provided you remain continuously enrolled at the University and complete your degree program within three years of the end of the teach-out period.

No, your financial aid will not be affected.

Your tuition, fees, scholarships, and financial aid will be recalculated to reflect your decision to attend the Queens campus.

No, the University is not closing and is providing you with the opportunity to earn your degree at St. John’s. You are responsible to repay any debt incurred.

If you are a new, incoming student, please notify the Office of Admission of your decision to cancel your enrollment before the end of add/drop (i.e., September 7, 2022) by emailing [email protected]. Your classes will be dropped; deposits and any payments toward your bill will be refunded.

If you are a continuing student, please notify your dean’s office of your decision to withdraw before the end of add/drop (i.e., September 7, 2022). Your classes will be dropped and any payments toward your bill will be refunded.

Alumni Q&A

No, the University is not closing and maintains all records on the Queens campus. To obtain a copy of your transcript, please visit the “Request a Transcript” section on this page to order a paper or electronic transcript: https://www.stjohns.edu/academics/office-registrar.

Student Life Q&A

Counseling and consultation support services will continue to be available to Staten Island students during the teach-out period and the transition to the Queens campus. The same processes will remain in place; the Center for Counseling and Consultation on all campuses are centralized. For assistance, please call 718-990-6384 from Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To speak with a counselor after hours (i.e., on evenings, weekends, and holidays), please call the After-Hours Helpline at 718-990-6352.

Yes. Representatives from the Division of Student Affairs will continue to work with students to offer extracurricular activities and traditional events. In addition, recreation facilities will be available for student use throughout the teach-out period. Schedules will be made available to students on a semester-by-semester basis.

Campus Ministry will maintain regular worship, as well as spiritual, formational, and service programs during this time.

All medical records you submitted are available through Medicat. Simply follow these instructions to log into the Medicat portal:

  1. Go to signon.stjohns.edu and sign in using your St. John’s network credentials that you use to access your St. John’s email.
  • If you need assistance logging in, please review the support article, How do I log in to signon.stjohns.edu? If this is your first time logging in, you will be prompted to set up multifactor authentication.

Once you signed in, click on the icon for Medicat (Student Health Services & Wellness).

Medicat icon in Okta

Further Questions?

If you have any additional questions about the Staten Island campus transition, the following University resources are available to you.

For all new or currently enrolled Staten Island campus students: St. John’s representatives are available by calling the University’s Call Center at 718-990-2000.

Staten Island campus employees should contact Keaton Wong, J.D., Associate Vice President, Human Resources, at 718-990-1865 or w[email protected].

Staten Island campus alumni may contact Mark A. Andrews, Director, Alumni Relations, at 718-990-5897 or [email protected].