SUNY Morrisville is looking to make it easier for students to enjoy the outdoors.
Thanks to a grant through SUNY’s Outdoors for All initiative, SUNY Morrisville is one of 14 campuses receiving funding to improve outdoor spaces. The college plans to transform an area near the administrative quad into a welcoming outdoor space where students can study, relax and connect with one another.
Launched as part of SUNY’s 2025 State of the University Policy Agenda, the initiative aims to make outdoor spaces and activities more accessible and welcoming to all students while promoting inclusivity, sustainability, wellness and a stronger sense of campus community.
“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and we are proud of our work to ensure our students have access to engaging, hands-on learning experiences in the outdoors that bring students together and build community,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said in a prepared statement. “SUNY's Outdoors for All grant program demonstrates how our campuses are leading the way in enhancing outdoor learning opportunities for our students and increasing access to outdoors spaces. I look forward to seeing how our campuses use this funding to continue inspiring New Yorkers to take advantage of all our great state has to offer.”
“College is about more than what happens in the classroom. It’s also about finding a sense of belonging, building connections and having places where you can take a breath and recharge,” said Kayle Light-Curtin, executive director of SUNY Morrisville’s Opportunity and Access programs. “This grant will help us make the most of our outdoor spaces and give students more opportunities to enjoy the natural surroundings that make SUNY Morrisville special.”
The plans include weatherproof Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, greenery and art, along with improved lighting and a security camera.
“We want students to help shape the space and be a part of creating it,” Light-Curtin said. Activities could include anything from club meetings to karaoke, she said, adding that the goal is to make a space that is welcoming and usable for everyone.”
The area will also be available for student clubs, organizations and campus services to reserve for meetings and activities, giving students more opportunities to gather outside of the classroom.
Work is expected to begin during the 2026-27 academic year.