May 27, 2008
“A lot of people think there is no one on the Manhattan campus,”
said Jazmin Moreno, a speech pathology major and resident of the
Manhattan campus of St. John’s University. Jazmin, like many other
students living on the Manhattan campus, calls this small community
within a big city home.
Students once perceived the Manhattan campus as being utilized
only by graduate students and business majors, but with the
expansion of the residential facilities, the Manhattan campus has
become a housing option for many undergraduate students from a
variety of disciplines. “I’ve lived here for three years,” said
senior psychology major Jessica Lopez, “living here has been one of
the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
> Photo
Gallery
Located on the border of trendy TriBeCa and the city’s financial
district, the Manhattan campus is walking distance to shopping,
dining, museums, movie theaters and seasonal events like street
fairs and the TriBeCa Film Festival. Students rarely run out of
things to do and feel that living on the Manhattan campus has
provided them the opportunity to take full advantage of what New
York City has to offer. “It’s New York City, how many people get
the opportunity to live here for the price that we do?” said
Domonique Essen, senior sports management major.
The Manhattan campus, made up of over 150 undergraduate and
graduate students, has the perfect amount of students to maintain a
small community experience within the larger St. John’s population.
“The community here is really tight and close-knit,” said Jessica,
“I basically know everyone on my floor and most people in the
building.” Associate Director of Student Life on the Manhattan
campus David Gachigo believes there is a reason why most students
who choose to live on the campus end up staying there until they
graduate, “It is a small community of students who come from very
diverse backgrounds who live together, take the shuttle together
and get to know each other very well.”
The Student Government Association (SGA) on the Manhattan campus
is the organization responsible for planning all of the exciting
activities and trips that students living on the campus participate
in together. The student-run organization has provided students
with events such as: movie nights, stand-up comedy and a fall
Masquerade Ball. Some trips from this past school year have been: a
weekend trip to Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg; a trip to
the Central Park zoo; and frequent trips to Broadway plays.
With only a 30-minute shuttle ride to the Queens campus,
Manhattan students feel as if the commute to Queens is well worth
it. “I like the fact that there is a separation – I do my work in
Queens and come home to Manhattan” said Domonique. Manhattan
students have also said that they feel safe on the campus and in
the surrounding areas. “I definitely feel safe living on this
campus- it’s a very safe neighborhood. Safety is not an issue” said
Jessica.
Students on the Manhattan campus all agree that studying and
living in New York City has benefited them because New York City,
one of the largest cities in the world, provides unique
metropolitan experiences. In addition to the opportunities that
Manhattan presents, St. John’s students have access to the
University’s resources in Queens, Staten Island and Oakdale, NY;
and Rome, Italy, as well as the advantages of the University’s global studies
program.