Stony Brook University is offering $5,000 to students willing to give up their dorm rooms for the 2024-2025 academic year after severe flooding damaged several campus buildings.

The flooding, caused by torrential rain on Long Island, New York, on Monday, hit the university's Stony Brook campus hard, postponing move-in day and rendering two of its residence halls uninhabitable due to extensive damage. While most of the campus remains operational, these buildings will require significant repairs before they can be safely occupied, the school said.

To ease the strain on housing, the university is asking returning undergraduates who haven't yet moved into their room assignments to consider taking the $5,000 cancellation offer by Wednesday. Those who opt in will still have the option to participate in room selection for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Additionally, Stony Brook is designating some rooms as temporary triples to accommodate displaced students, offering a 15% reduction in room rates for those affected.

These decisions come as the university grapples with the aftermath of the flooding, which has added to the ongoing challenges of managing recent student housing shortages.

Classes are still scheduled to begin on Aug. 26.