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Academic Life
Residential Life
Computing Services
Library Facilities
Mail, Transportation and Parking
Health Services
Student Services
Financial Services
Public Safety and Campus Police Services
Vendor Services
Communication with Parents/Guardians
Life Outside the Classroom
The Binghamton Fund - Believing in Higher Education
The Faculty's Role in Student Growth
Binghamton University's outstanding faculty are great resources for your student. Faculty members are available for questions outside of class during scheduled office hours. In addition, they welcome contact via e-mail and often share home phone numbers with their students. Students are encouraged to contact faculty with questions regarding courses and for mentoring purposes. Students who contact faculty for help impress faculty and benefit themselves.
Alumni often cite personal contact with favorite faculty as among their most rewarding University experiences. As active artists, scholars and scientists, the faculty share their commitment to learning with students, serving as mentors as well as instructors. They help students find academic direction and many actively encourage students to participate in their cutting-edge research and creative projects. Some students are hired to work in departments; top students may be invited to become classroom or laboratory assistants. These opportunities help students increase their own academic growth by helping other students learn.
Faculty members also serve as mentors in the residential colleges, each of which has a faculty master who helps coordinate educational and self-development programs. Faculty members regularly visit the residential halls to present a specific topic within their field, attend faculty-student social functions, serve as judges in various contests and participate in annual residential area events.
High-Quality Academic Advising
It happens often — students come to school with a major in mind, and after taking courses to fulfill the requirements, discover they want to major in another subject. It's not rare that a student majoring in biology chooses to switch to English, or a theater student finds that he or she enjoys chemistry more than the stage. Many students opt for a double major, so they don't have to settle on just one new venture. Binghamton's multitude of courses and programs makes narrowing choices important, but not always easy. Academic advisers provided in each undergraduate school can be very helpful. They help students select courses, fulfill requirements and explore links between academic programs and careers.
The Bulletin
Because students are ultimately responsible for graduation requirements, they must become familiar with the University Bulletin. Each student's graduation requirements stem from the Bulletin published the year a student enrolls, though some changes affect all students. Each student has a degree audit report, updated daily, that serves as his or her individual academic progress report, and may be reviewed directly by going to busi.binghamton.edu and clicking on “Run DARS.”
The Harpur College Academic Advising Office provides general advising for Harpur students, and Harpur College maintains a comprehensive web advising site for students and parents. Each of the four professional schools employs an advising specialist to help students in these schools. Students are encouraged to contact their school's advising office early in their academic careers. Students choose or are assigned a faculty adviser when they declare their majors to gain further guidance in their selected fields of study.
Academic Program Planning Strategies
Some students have known what they want to do with their lives since they were 10. For them, choosing a major isn't hard. Others struggle with all the options, then finally choose a major — or even two. Understanding the challenge of finding direction, the University offers services to help students discover fulfilling areas to study, as well as related career options to sample through internships, jobs, organized campus activities and other avenues.
The partnerships among faculty, advisers and career development staff provide useful support for students. Early planning often results in a sound strategy for linking academic programs with career choices. An academic year or summer internship may enrich student preparation and commitment to a career or help a student realize that a different career direction may be needed. Study-abroad programs, internships and campus employment are beneficial in a student's learning process because they provide hands-on experience.
Academic Program Options
Is your daughter debating between history and economics as a major? Does your son love politics and math? If so, he or she may pursue a double major or a dual degree by majoring in both fields at Binghamton University. Students pursue a double major within Harpur, or dual degrees offered by two of our six schools, because they are thoroughly interested in two major areas. A student may double major in English and biology, or seek a dual degree in music and management or psychology and computer science, if he or she so chooses. Options to pursue a dual degree, a double major or a major and a minor enable students to plan for multiple career options while further developing a personal passion that may not lead to a career. The option of earning both a bachelor's and master's degree within five years makes it possible for a student to save time and tuition dollars while increasing employment and earnings potential through earning a graduate degree in an expedited program.
A student who wishes to transfer from the undergraduate school in which he or she is currently enrolled to another school within the University must submit an application by the required deadline. An applicant for an internal transfer must meet the admission criteria of the new school. Internal transfer applications are available in the Undergraduate Admissions Office. There is no fee to apply, but students should obtain an application well in advance of the beginning of the term in which they want the change to take effect. Students who want to transfer internally after being out of school for a period of time must gain readmission to the school they were in and simultaneously apply to transfer to the new academic unit.
Binghamton has a three-term Summer Session, extending from late May through mid-August. A wide variety of traditionally taught and distance education courses provides opportunities to diversify credits, to catch up with deficiencies or to advance more rapidly toward a degree. The Summer Session Bulletin, available in print and on the campus website, provides a schedule of courses and information about tuition and fees, housing and other topics.
Binghamton University also offers a three-week Winter Session, which generally runs from the beginning of January through the Friday before the start of the spring semester. A small, yet varied selection of traditionally taught and distance education courses are available for students who wish to earn academic credits over Binghamton University's winter break. Due to the compressed nature of Winter Session, students may only register for a maximum of 4 credit hours.
Academic Resources
The Discovery Program is a joint venture of the Academic and Student Affairs divisions and creates many positive growth opportunities for students. Discovery Assistants and Discovery Centers in the five main residential communities bring services and academic support to students where they live. Learning Community, First-year Experience and other Discovery courses use methods that maximize reading, writing, critical thinking and problem-solving skills and integrate academic pursuits with other campus services. Tutoring, academic and career peer advisors, and student activities that encourage personal development complement the academic program.
The University Writing Center is one of the services that provides individual help for students who encounter difficulties with writing composition skills. The center provides help in learning how to structure, edit and rewrite a paper. The Writing Center also houses the English as a Second Language (ESL) office.
The Center for Academic Excellence offers free peer tutoring for all students in a wide array of subject areas, as well as assistance in the development of study skills and time-management skills.
The Campos-Robeson Tutorial Center for Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students provides free peer tutoring in various subject areas and individual help in writing. Ways students help each other include studying together in small groups, participating in electronic study groups sponsored by faculty and informally tutoring each other.
Students with physical or learning disabilities may take advantage of Services for Students with Disabilities (see page 18).
Students needing to discuss academic challenges, including disappointments about grades or misunderstandings about course requirements, should first speak with their instructors. Then, if needed, they should seek help from the administrator in the Harpur College department, an academic adviser in Harpur or an adviser in the professional school that sponsors the course. Students who keep track of their academic progress by reviewing their Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report with an academic adviser each semester avoid unpleasant surprises. Seeking help sooner rather than later is always the best strategy.
Career Development Center
The Career Development Center (CDC) serves undergraduate and graduate students and interested alumni. The CDC provides resources and services to help students become aware of the skills and competencies needed for career success, explore careers, pursue exploratory experiences, and gain professional employment or admission to graduate and professional school.
The CDC website provides information about CDC programs, events and services as well as extensive resources on a range of career topics, including links to many Internet sites. Students are encouraged to make use of the center's Career Resource Area, which includes an online catalog of titles. The CDC offers programs on a range of topics and sponsors several events, including Law Day, Graduate School Fair, Employer Fair, Internship and Job Fair and Nursing Forum. In addition, the CDC manages the University's on-campus interviewing program, in which employers visit campus to interview students for professional positions and internships.
All undergraduate students automatically have accounts and unrestricted access to eRecruiting, a Web-based resource for career information, internships and jobs. In addition to listing hundreds of internship/job opportunities throughout the year, eRecruiting also manages Binghamton's On-Campus Recruiting program, provides a calendar of CDC events and employer presentations/tables, and provides vast career research information including industry profiles, salary information, career profiles and more.
The CDC and the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations collaborate on a number of projects and programs. The Alumni Career Network enables students to interact with alumni volunteering their professional advice, insights and resources. This is an online, searchable database consisting of more than 3,000 alumni and is accessible to students from the BUSI Web Center page.
Internship Opportunities
At Binghamton University, opportunities to learn are not restricted to the classroom. Internships, both on and off campus, provide students with valuable experience. Students pursue internships in academic or scholarly areas, business and industry, environmental affairs, the outdoors, higher education, legal and law enforcement, media, museums or arts organizations, the public sector, social sciences and physical sciences.
Students have the opportunity to participate in credit-bearing internships in many settings at Binghamton University. Students may register for an internship through Off Campus College (OCC) or through individual academic departments, depending on sponsorship. Open to sophomores through seniors, the OCC's internship program reflects students' interests in career exploration and community service. Popular internship sites include local hospitals, the New York State Attorney General's Office, the U.S. District Court, the Binghamton City School District, the Binghamton Senators American Hockey League team and more than 100 others.
The OCC also offers the Internships Beyond Broome County program, which are full-time, full-semester placements with agencies outside of Broome County, including the New York State Assembly, the United Nations and the Washington, D.C. Program, to name a few. Furthermore, students may participate in credit-bearing internships during the summer and winter breaks anywhere throughout the nation.
The Johnson City Mentor Program links Binghamton University students with students from Johnson City Middle School to provide academic support as well as encouraging organizational and social skills in middle school students. BU students receive two credits for their participation in the program.
The GEAR UP program links Binghamton University students with students from the Binghamton City School District. GEAR UP can be done as a two-credit internship or a volunteer opportunity. GEAR UP is a federally funded grant program through the School of Education.
Study-Abroad Options
Is your son or daughter interested in swimming with dolphins in Australia, learning to speak Turkish in Istanbul, studying art in French in Paris or attending great theater in London? Binghamton University's study-abroad programs provide students with wonderful settings in which to expand their cultural and linguistic horizons. Participants return from their programs with a heightened awareness of life beyond the United States and a better appreciation for all that America offers. The University strongly encourages international education through the International Studies Certificate program, foreign language study on campus and abroad, area studies programs, the Languages Across the Curriculum program and internationally focused courses offered by many departments.
The University sponsors study-abroad programs in Argentina, Australia, Austria, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Italy, Morocco, Scotland, Spain and Turkey. More than 400 students took advantage of those opportunities last year. Students also have access to more than 260 other SUNY-sponsored programs. These programs permit students to enjoy living in a foreign country while studying a wide range of subjects. They earn SUNY credits that may be used, in most instances, to fulfill major or all-University requirements. For more information, advice and assistance on study-abroad programs, contact the Office of International Programs at 607-777-2336.
Residential Life
Though the University is moderately large, the residential college system places each student in a small, close-knit community that serves as a convenient center for extracurricular and leisure activities.
Students may live in any of the five traditional undergraduate communities on campus. Each community consists of a cluster of residence halls, with each building housing approximately 200 to 300 residents in a variety of room styles. The room styles vary from one community to the next. Halls in Dickinson Community and Newing College are arranged in corridors in a series of doubles. Hinman College and Mountainview College offer suites and College-in-the-Woods (CIW) offers both suites and corridor-style doubles. In addition to these residential communities, the University offers apartment-style living in Hillside and Susquehanna communities for upper-class students.
Every residence hall has a number of resident assistants (RAs) to help with personal concerns, academic matters, roommate issues and University rules and regulations. RAs also distribute information and refer students with serious concerns to the resident director (RD). In addition, RAs foster a sense of community through programming efforts in the residence hall and the community. Programs may include apple picking, ice skating, a special hall dinner in the main lounge or Jeopardy-style quiz contests. Programs introduce new students to the opportunities and resources of the University and help them adjust to campus life.
Each residence hall has a full-time professional RD who supervises and coordinates the responsibilities of the staff of RAs, implements University rules and regulations in the hall, and offers counseling and support services for all residents.
All residential communities offer educational programs. The Discovery program (offered in Newing, Dickinson, Hinman, CIW and Mountainview) promotes contact among faculty, staff and students. Each residential community is self-governing, with an elected student council to initiate programs, help govern the community and serve as representatives to the Student Association (the undergraduate student government). A “chemical-free” living option is available in each community for residents who agree to keep their areas free of tobacco products, illegal drugs and alcoholic beverages. All residential halls are non-smoking; those wishing to smoke must do so outside, away from the building.
Freshman Living Arrangements
All first-year students are required to live on campus. Exempt from this policy are those freshmen who are married or over the age of 21, those living at home locally or those with permission from the director of residential life to live off campus.
Student Conduct
All members of the University community are expected to conduct themselves in a mature, responsible and lawful manner that respects the rights of others. Conduct in violation of these principles is subject to inquiry and may result in disciplinary action. Campus rules and regulations are fully set forth in the “Rules of Student Conduct” and “Procedures for Review of Student Conduct” sections of the Student Handbook. Students receive access to the handbook, published annually by the Division of Student Affairs, in printed and electronic form.
Housing Assignments
Housing assignments for new students are made on a first-come, first-served basis after the student accepts the University's admission offer and the housing deposit has been paid. Because of the popularity of some communities, space may not be available to meet each student's request. Students may also be assigned to live three to a double room, although they will be provided the option of moving into an under-occupied double room as soon as circumstances permit.
Housing assignments for freshmen and transfer students usually begin in mid-April and continue throughout the summer. Information regarding assignments, roommate name or names, home addresses and telephone numbers is e-mailed the first week of August.
Unless students make a mutual written request to live together, roommates are chosen at random. Housing requests or preferences are not honored if they conflict with the mission of the University or our affirmative action guidelines. Should difficulties arise among roommates, students are urged to speak with their RA or RD in an attempt to work out the problem. In the rare cases in which conflicts cannot be reconciled, if space permits, a change in room assignment may be accommodated after the second week of classes.
Adjusting to Life in the Residence Halls
For many students, leaving for college is their first time away from home. Upon arriving on campus, they will be introduced to a new room, new roommates, professors and the laundry room. Binghamton University has a strong support system of peers and professionals who offer advice, aid and reassurance to the student body. The Orientation and support programs help alleviate some of the nervousness commonly felt by students living away from home for the first time.
Residential communities built on a system resembling the Oxford model provide students with special living-learning experiences. Residential programs facilitated by resident assistants introduce students to the opportunities and resources of the University and help them adjust to campus life. Residential colleges and communities organize community barbecues, parties and additional community events in the beginning of the year to help foster a close-knit community. Resident assistants further help new students adjust to living away from home through programming efforts, floor get-togethers and by being a mentor and friend. Examples of popular programs resident assistants present include “Nature Preserve Hike,” “How Do I Read My DARS Report?” and the famous and useful “Laundry 101: How to Use the Laundry Room.”
Break Housing Arrangements
Most of the residence halls are closed during vacations. However, Susquehanna and Hillside communities, Mohawk Hall (College-in-the-Woods), Bingham Hall (Newing College), and Windham Hall (Mountainview College) remain open during all break periods. Residents for whom vacations and semester breaks pose a housing problem should sign up for one of these locations. All undergraduate residence halls close during the summer, except for Hillside and Susquehanna communities, which house Summer Session students.
Furnishings
Each bedroom is furnished with beds, chests of drawers, tall dressers, desks, desk chairs, floor lamps and closets. In addition to these furnishings, apartments in Susquehanna and Hillside communities are furnished with a full kitchen, living-room furniture and dining-area furniture. Each bedroom in the residential areas is provided with one phone and two Ethernet ports.
Appliances
Guidelines concerning electrical appliances in University housing allow the use of most UL-listed appliances, including radios, stereos, small (5.5 cubic ft.) refrigerators, televisions, small microwave ovens, toasters, toaster ovens, etc. These devices must be plugged in within the room, suite or apartment and must not exceed the amperage limits of the circuits within the room, suite or apartment. Open-coil appliances (hot plates, halogen lamps, etc.) are not permitted for fire safety reasons. Residents should comply strictly with all guidelines, as they are liable for any damages that result from the use of appliances.
All residence halls have a central kitchenette, usually located in the main lounge, available for the preparation of snacks. Apartments in Susquehanna and Hillside communities are equipped with full kitchens or kitchenettes.
Pet Policy
Pets are not allowed in any University-operated housing facility. This includes all animals, reptiles and fowl (including birds). The only exceptions are certified guide dogs, service dogs and simian aids (monkeys) for individuals with visual or other physical disabilities. Residential Life must be notified in advance of the use of such animals.
Guest Policy
Residents may have overnight guests by obtaining prior permission from the other residents in the room, suite or apartment and from a member of the Residential Life staff. Overnight guests may not stay for more than two consecutive nights in a seven-day period. Requests for exceptions to this policy must be made in writing to the RD or community director. Residents are responsible for the conduct of their guests and must be present for the duration of the visit. Neither students nor guests may use lounges or other common areas as sleeping accommodations.
Damages
Students assigned to University housing are held responsible for any damage to their room, suite or apartment or to any University property contained in that room, suite or apartment or to any other part of the residence hall and its facilities. If a room, suite or apartment is shared by two or more residents and it cannot be determined who has caused damage, each resident is assessed an equal amount to cover cleanup or repairs.
Communicating with your student
Prior to your student's arrival to campus, he or she will receive a personal Binghamton University e-mail account. If you have access to electronic mail at work or at home using an Internet service provider, you may communicate with your son or daughter at this address.
In addition to personal e-mail accounts, 50mb of network storage space for files and a personal Web page, each student has access to the library and BUSI (Binghamton University Student Information) system. The Bartle Library provides access to the University's library book and publications catalog along with bibliographic databases and electronic journals. It will be central to your child's academic work. BUSI is a database that gives students computerized access to their current schedules, grades, final examination schedule, outstanding obligations and online course registration. If your son or daughter plans to bring a personal computer, be sure it has an Ethernet card to utilize these services. If you're planning to purchase a computer, you may be interested in visiting the Computing Services website, where some vendors are offering special computer purchase programs for Binghamton students.
Getting help with computers on campus
The staff of Computing Services is available to help students get the most from the vast computing resources on campus and through the Internet. Residential Computing Consultants, known as ResCons, are on call in every residence hall to help students connect to the campus network and troubleshoot problems.
A fully staffed Help Desk, located in the lobby of the Computer Center provides walk-in and call-in help with questions about computer accounts, passwords, software, electronic mail, Internet access and more. The Help Desk is available during regular business hours at 607-777-6420.
A wide variety of hardware and software is available at the four public computing laboratories (called “PODs”) for student use, and more specialized items are available for students based on field of study. Small PODs are also located in common areas of CIW, Hinman and Mountainview residential colleges. Laser printing is available in all of these PODs (75 pages/week). Students can purchase additional printing and color printing using their BUC$ card.
News and information available online
B-Line is an electronic news service for students that provides information in a timely, concise and economical manner. The Office of University Communications and Marketing determines the publication frequency of B-Line, based on demand, but daily distribution usually takes place during the academic year. To ensure that high-priority items and important official announcements are not overlooked, such items are run alone and labeled as a B-Line “Special Edition.” Students are responsible for reading the B-Line regularly to learn about news and information pertinent to them.
Library Facilities
The campus takes pride in its modern library system that currently provides access to a wide variety of print and digital resources, including 2.3 million volumes; 41,985 journal holdings and 2.1 million microform, map and multimedia items. The Glenn G. Bartle Library, named after the University's first president, contains collections in the humanities, social sciences, government documents and collections in mathematical and computer sciences. Additionally, Bartle Library houses the Fine Arts Collection (focusing on works relating to art, music, theater and cinema) and Special Collections (containing the internationally recognized Max Reinhardt Collection, as well as the Edwin A. Link Archives). The Science Library contains materials in all science and engineering disciplines, as well as a map collection.
The libraries offer a wide variety and range of services including research consultation and assistance in person and electronically, a laptop lending program, customized instruction sessions and library news and updates through a number of Blogs (online weblogs). The online gateway to collections is through infoLINK, the library catalog; metaLINK, which offers the ability to search across multiple resources; and Grokker, a new service which categorizes and visualizes information in a topical map format for easy retrieval. Together, these services enable Binghamton University Libraries to provide patrons access to information resources such as catalogs, reference databases, citation databases, subject gateways and e-journals.
Quiet study space, including group study areas, is available throughout the Bartle and Science libraries. During the fall and spring semesters, Bartle Library is open 24 hours a day, from noon Sundays through midnight Fridays and noon until midnight on Saturdays. The Library Annex@Conklin is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon.
The Binghamton University Information Commons, located both in Bartle Library and the Science Library, provides access to a powerful selection of print and online resources, a vast array of application software and tools, and expert assistance to help with their use. The Information Commons is a computer-enhanced research environment that invites and attracts users to work collaboratively, use the wide range of resources available in the library, and obtain expert assistance. The Information Commons is a collaborative initiative between the libraries and computing services.
Special Collections, located on the second floor of Bartle Library, houses rare books, manuscript and archival collections, sound recordings and the University Archives and is the location of the Bernard F. Huppé Reading Room and the Link Conference Room. The rare and archival collections include North American editions published prior to 1850, British imprints prior to 1800 and European imprints prior to 1750. Collections of note include the Edwin A. Link Collection, the Frances R. Conole Archive of Recorded Sounds, the Max Reinhardt Archive and Library, the William J. Haggerty Collection of French Colonial History, the Yi-t'ung and An-Chi Lou Wang Research Collection on Chinese Culture.
Mail, Transportation and Parking
Campus Mail Services
University personnel handle incoming and outgoing mail at Campus Mail Services, located in the lower level of the old University Union. CMS sells stamps, postage for parcels and express services. Because CMS is not an official branch of the U.S. Postal Service, some outgoing mail services (insured, certified, money orders, etc.) are not offered.
All full-time students residing on campus have assigned campus mailboxes. Students residing off campus may sign up at the Campus Mail Services window for a campus mailbox. As a reminder, when addressing mail to your son or daughter at Binghamton University, be sure to include both the BU Box number and the PO Box number. Addressing formats for each community can be found on the CMS webpage. The Campus Mail Services phone number is 607-777-2914.
Packages too large to fit into the mailboxes can be picked up at the CMS window. Also, mail requiring a signature (Express, Certified, etc.) and courier items (Federal Express, DHL, UPS, etc.) are not delivered directly to students' rooms; therefore, a possible delay may be incurred. Delivery services by campus personnel to the dorms are not offered; however, carts are available for transporting larger parcels. E-mail notifications are sent to students at their campus e-mail address when a package or courier item is received. Package searches can also be done from the CMS website or at the window. A valid BU ID is required to pick up mail and packages.
Bus and Air Transportation
Binghamton students pay a mandatory transportation fee that allows them to ride any Broome County Transit bus free of charge with a validated University ID card. Off Campus College Transport (OCCT), the student-operated bus system, augments county bus service. The OCCT “blue buses” provide a shuttle service on campus as well as to the IT Center and Downtown Campus, and maintain routes to areas with large student populations off campus. OCCT's schedule coincides with the class schedules of most students and emphasizes morning and afternoon rush hours, and also evenings and weekends.
The Greyhound/Trailways and Short Line bus companies, with depots in downtown Binghamton, provide buses to many destinations. Students may purchase discounted Short Line and Greyhound tickets at the Escape office, located in UUW 320. The student-run Escape office also organizes weekend bus transportation to various locations in the area and to downstate New York throughout the year and over University-recognized holidays. Air transportation is available at the Binghamton Regional Airport north of town.
Campus Parking Lot information
The University maintains surface parking lots and a parking garage on campus. Some lots are designated for use by those who commute to class or work at the University. Visitors' lots are provided for parents, alumni and members of the community. Fees are charged for all parking, except for visitors on weekends in selected surface lots. Prospective students and their families visiting campus for Admissions Office programs may park for free in the Paid Parking Lot.
Motor vehicle policies for students
All students except resident freshmen are permitted to have cars on campus. All vehicles on campus must be registered with Binghamton University Parking Services and must display a valid parking permit. A fee is charged for the parking permit. Daily parking permits are available. For more information on parking on campus or parking and vehicle registration fees, call Parking Services at 607-777-2279.
Personal Counseling
The University Counseling Center provides individual and group psychotherapy, referral services, consultations and psycho-educational programs. Its goal is to help students integrate their college experiences and to cope with the stresses that are inherent in a diverse institution of excellence. Several workshops are offered by the Counseling Center throughout the year on stress management, test anxiety, eating and body-image issues as well as other topics. Groups offered include Bereavement Group, Eating Awareness Group, Men's Group, Interpersonal Group and a Meditation Workshop two or more times a week.
All information given is strictly confidential and is not made available to anyone unless the student signs a release form. Academic problems, relationship issues and mood problems are the most common issues students present. Parents are free to call to consult with our professional staff (release forms are needed for certain types of information, however).
If a student would like to see a therapist or obtain more information on a particular workshop, the center may be reached at 607-777-2772, or the student may come to the office, located in LN-1202, adjacent to the Bartle Library main floor lobby. Once there, the student will be welcomed by a secretary who will arrange an appointment with a professional staff member. Emergency appointment times are offered daily. These appointments are brief and focused on immediate intervention. A follow-up, regular appointment is usually arranged.
Health Services on Campus
The University Health Service is a walk-in clinic staffed by registered nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, health educators, an HIV test counselor, and an alcohol and other drugs (AOD) program counselor. The mandatory student health fee prepays office visits; no office charge is incurred at the time of the visit. The health fee also covers medications and common medical supplies provided by the University Health Service medical staff. However, students are responsible for the costs of laboratory tests and services provided by off-campus agencies. Please be sure your child's current health insurance coverage can be used for outpatient services and specialist referrals in this community and that he or she understands any limitations to this coverage.
There is no inpatient (overnight) service, but the University Health Service refers to and works with several nearby hospitals. A number of walk-in clinics in Greater Binghamton offer evening and weekend hours for non-emergency care when Health Service is closed.
Full-time undergraduate students are required to have health insurance, either through their parents' coverage or through a student accident and sickness insurance policy. Each student is automatically billed by the University for the student plan unless proof of other coverage is provided. A waiver form for this purpose accompanies the health form mailing.
Harpur's Ferry, the largest student-based ambulance corps in the nation, provides emergency medical care and transportation 24 hours a day when classes are in session. The ambulance is staffed by certified emergency medical technicians, advanced EMTs and personnel certified in advanced first aid. Students on and off campus are eligible for this service.
Medical Forms
New York State (NYS) Public Health Law requires proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) for all students born on or after Jan. 1, 1957. In addition, all students are mandated by NYS to complete a form acknowledging the receipt of information regarding meningitis and meningitis vaccine and the decision on whether to receive the vaccine.
Students must fulfill the above requirements to be eligible to register for classes. Eligibility for financial aid and campus housing are also dependent on student compliance with these requirements.
This information is part of the health form packet that is mailed to all new students and includes information on additional health requirements and deadlines. Details about health requirements and the health form may also be found by choosing the “New Student” button at http://health.binghamton.edu.
Parental Notification
The University Health Service recognizes the concern you have when your student is ill and away from home. It also recognizes the need to maintain a strict policy of confidentiality regarding patient records. Therefore, a “Release of Information” form must be signed by your student before any information may be given to you. In unusual circumstances, the student's oral consent is adequate. Once the release is signed, a University Health Service nurse or other staff member will be able to answer your questions. In the event of a health emergency, Health Service officials will make every effort to ensure that parents have been contacted once they themselves become aware that a serious health emergency has occurred. In many cases, a student will already have called home or have asked others to do so. Campus officials stand ready to assist families as may be appropriate in such circumstances.
Missed Classes due to Illness
The University Health Service does not routinely write excuses for classes missed. The staff encourages students and instructors to discuss how best to proceed in the event of an illness. If a faculty member has questions or concerns after speaking with the student, he or she may call the University Health Service to confirm information, providing the student has signed a Release of Information authorizing the University Health Service to discuss the case.
If your son or daughter returns home as a result of illness or injury, it is important to notify the academic advising office if your child is enrolled in Harpur College, or the academic adviser of his or her professional school. The University Health Service also appreciates being notified of a student's illness at home, especially if the student may need follow-up care after returning to school.
More information
More detailed information is sent with the health form. For further information, call the University Health Service at 607-777-2221. If you are on campus when the University Health Service is open, feel free to stop in.
Support for Students with Disabilities
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) offers a wide range of assistance to Binghamton University students with physical, learning or other disabilities. Key services include supportive counseling, consultation, advocacy for reasonable accommodation, academic support services, access to adaptive computing and other specialized equipment, and issuance of temporary two-week campus-based disability parking authorizations.
The University's academic buildings all have entrances equipped with automatic doors, and various accessible on-campus housing options are available through Residential Life. Off Campus College Transport operates wheelchair-accessible transportation to and from campus, and disability parking is available at strategic locations throughout the campus.
Computers adapted for effective use by students with various disabilities are available in the Bartle Library's Adaptive Technology Room and other campus computing facilities. Selected lecture halls and the Anderson Center for the Arts theaters provide assistive listening systems for use by patrons with hearing impairments.
For further information or assistance, refer to the office's website, call 607-777-2686 (voice/TT), fax 607-777-6893 or write to Services for Students with Disabilities, Binghamton University, Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000. The office is located in Room B-51 of the Lecture Hall building and is open Mon.-Fri.
Services for students who live off campus
Off Campus College (OCC), located in the University Union West, Room 204, was established in 1970 to meet the needs of students living off campus. Its services are open to the entire University community. Services provided by the office include off-campus housing information, volunteer program opportunities, community relations assistance, academic internships and mentoring opportunities. OCC publications include the Tenants' Rights series, an off-campus housing list, and information on safety. The OCC Council, the student government representing undergraduate students who live off campus, is located in University Union West, Room 209A. It provides an array of services that includes a bicycle shop, a darkroom, Alternate Cultures Library, a weekly legal clinic and a pottery studio. Publications include the OCC Self-Help Manual, A Survival Guide to Living Off Campus and OFF!, a newspaper. Other cultural and non-credit educational opportunities and activities are provided for off-campus students. OCC Transport (the “blue bus” service), managed through a student board of directors and operated by a team of coordinators, provides regular bus service and paratransit service for all students as a supplement to public transportation. Its schedule is available in the OCC Office and at the University Union information desk. The OCC Transport office is located in Room 218 of the University Union East.
Legal assistance services on campus
Through a collaborative effort between OCC and The Off Campus College Meeting, free legal clinics are provided to students and staff. During the academic year, clinics are held Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the first and third Tuesdays of the month, 7 to 8 p.m.; in the summer, Wednesdays, noon to 1 p.m. At these times, students may discuss legal matters in confidence with a lawyer; a special half-hour consultation with an attorney may be arranged, with a $10 refundable deposit, if necessary. Students in need of legal advice may also make use of several off-campus resources, such as the Broome County Public Defender or the Broome County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service.
Assistance for international students
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services provides a wide range of programs and services designed to meet the needs of more than 1,650 international students and scholars from more than 90 countries on campus. Services include the processing of required U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services documents; assistance with immigration regulations governing enrollment, employment and travel; administering the mandatory health and accident insurance program; and publishing a weekly electronic newsletter that provides important and timely information on a variety of topics. The office conducts an orientation program for all new international students; coordinates a variety of cross-cultural programs; and acts as liaison between students and other University offices, student groups and U.S. and foreign government agencies. International students are encouraged to visit the office and take advantage of the services and programs provided.
Timetable for tuition payments
Tuition payments are due Aug.15, 2007. Bills are mailed approximately six weeks before the semester begins. Payment may be made by cash, check, traveler's checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. In cases of serious financial hardship, students may be able to arrange a schedule of deferred payments by consulting with the director of student accounts.
For the convenience of students and parents, the University offers a time payment plan tailored to the semester billing process. The plan is offered at a cost of $35 per semester of enrollment. Students who choose to participate in the plan are required to pay 25 percent of their semester bill (the amount due after financial aid deductions) by the semester payment deadline. The remaining 75 percent may be paid in three later installments. Below is a timetable of payment dates
for 2007-08.
Further information regarding the time payment plan program will be mailed with the billing information packet.
Part-time employment
Each year, hundreds of students “earn while they learn” by finding part-time student positions offered by on-campus departments and off-campus employers. Regardless of whether a student has been awarded Federal Work Study (FWS) funding, the Office of Financial Aid Services can help the student locate interesting and rewarding job experiences.
Students employed typically work 8 to 10 hours per week and earn at least minimum wage. Students who work part-time have the opportunity to explore career options and learn new skills, while at the same time enhance their educational experience and build their résumés.
Help for students looking for jobs
Assistance is available to help students find part-time and summer employment on or off campus. Students should first visit the Student Employment website, where they may view job postings. They contain employer information, job duties and application procedures.
Help for students in a financial emergency
For students experiencing a financial emergency, the Binghamton University Foundation administers the Emergency Student Loan Fund. This interest-free loan provides up to $200 to undergraduate students and up to $500 to graduate students in good financial standing with the University and allows the student a six-week payback period. Applications are available at the Foundation Office in the Couper Administration Building. A nominal processing fee is charged based on the amount funded.
In addition, students who experience significant changes in family circumstances are encouraged to visit the Office of Financial Aid Services to explore financing options with a counselor. The Office of Financial Aid Services is located in Student Wing, Room 109, and can also be reached by e-mailing finaid@binghamton.edu or calling 607-777-2428.
Public Safety and Campus Police Services
New York State University Police, Binghamton, is composed of 37 highly trained police administrators, patrol officers and investigators, communications officers and security services assistants. All sworn law enforcement personnel are college educated. Aside from their primary role in enforcement of all state laws and campus rules and regulations, the University Police run a host of community-oriented programs aimed at creating a safe campus environment. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide array of educational programs University Police develop and present in personal safety, crime prevention, self-defense, alcohol awareness, rape avoidance and others. Popular programs include Operation ID and Scared Stiff (DWI prevention.) The evening escort service and Safe Ride Van program add a measure of safety to student travel at night and are very popular. Emergency blue-light phones are found at 55 various locations on campus and are wired directly to New York State University Police. As soon as a caller lifts the receiver (no dialing is required), the police dispatcher knows the phone's location. At the same time the phone is answered, a patrol car is on its way to help the caller.
The University uses many methods to ensure the personal safety of every student. From midnight until 5 a.m., all gates to the campus are closed to traffic except the main entrance. All vehicles admitted to campus during this time must display a current University parking decal, or the occupants of the vehicle must be hosted by a member of the University community, proven by presenting a valid Binghamton University ID card. All residence halls are locked on a 24-hour basis using a key-card system. This system ensures that doors remain locked at all times, because all doors are triggered to sound an alarm if they are propped longer than a specific time. University Police officers patrol the campus around the clock by foot, bicycle and car to promote further campus safety. New York State University Police is headquartered on the lower level of the Couper Administration Building and is open 24 hours a day, every day.
Calling for help
For non-emergency calls, students on campus should use 607-777-2393.
For Harpur's Ferry ambulance emergencies, students on campus should call 607-777-3333; for non-emergencies, they should call 607-777-3579.
For any other emergency, students on or off campus should call 911. Please note: calls made to 911 from off campus are answered by the Broome County dispatcher. Those made from on-campus telephones are answered by University Police.
The Binghamton University Card System (BUC$)
Students and parents alike appreciate BUC$, which eliminates much of a student's need to carry cash. A BUC$ account is a declining debit account accessed with the Binghamton University ID. Purchases are automatically deducted from student's personal accounts by the encoded stripe on the back of the card. BUC$ is easy to use, may be opened at any time and is a great way to eliminate the need to carry cash. A minimum deposit of $25 is required. Books; school supplies; and vending, copying, and printing services may all be purchased using the account. The BUC$ account is completely refundable. A BUC$ transaction takes only about five seconds. Every transaction is sent directly to the main computer for processing, and your itemized charges are available on-line.
Laundry facilities for students
Each residence hall is equipped with a laundry room containing automatic washers and dryers. The rooms are open 24 hours per day. A 24-hour automated trouble reporting line is available at 607-777-4888. There is no additional charge for using the machines because they are always on for your use.
Refrigerators for rent
The refrigerator rental program is available through Campus Specialties. Students may rent a refrigerator freezer; a 2.7 cu. ft. cube unit; or a combination microwave/refrigerator/freezer for their rooms. These are available by the semester and the academic year. For information, contact Campus Specialties at 800-525-7307, or visit their website.
Telephone services
Phone service is provided in every room, suite and apartment in on-campus housing. Students can access local and long distance calling from their rooms without the hassle of a monthly bill. Phone service (monthly, local and long distance) is covered in their room rate. Certain restrictions apply. Call Telecommunications at 607-777-2524 for more details.
Other Telecommunication Services
All residential phones are equipped with one voice mailbox per phone.
More than 50 cable TV channels are provided in all rooms at no extra charge. Students need only bring a cable-ready set and they're ready to go!
Facsimile service is also available for a nominal charge.
There is a 5 percent discount on selected Cingular Wireless cellular plans.
Banking services on campus
M&T Bank provides students with full-service banking right on campus. M&T offers a Totally Free Checking Account with ATM/check cards that give students unlimited access to their funds. M&T provides four ATMs on campus, and with 650 branches located throughout the eastern states, M&T makes banking convenient for both students and parents. The on-campus branch is located in the University Union, and is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call M&T Bank at 800-724-2440 or the Vestal branch at 607-772-2321.
University Bookstore
The University Bookstore is located in the University Union West. The University Bookstore not only sells required textbooks and materials, but also offers a wide variety of school supplies, academically-priced software, Binghamton University logo clothing and accessories, residence hall supplies, posters, snack items, greeting cards and general reading books. Among the general reading books is a campus author section. The University Bookstore accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, BUC$ and personal checks with proper photo ID.
Student Meal Plans
Binghamton University Dining Services represents Sodexho Campus Services and offers a variety of dining plans that allow students the flexibility to eat anywhere on campus at almost any time. All students living in College-in-the-Woods, Dickinson Community, Hinman College, Mountainview College and Newing College are required to open one of several plans. Costs for these plans are available on-line from Sodexho Campus Services.
The dining program has been structured to provide the best value for students in residence halls. All of our dining plans use an à la carte system, so you pay only for the meals you eat. No “lost” meals, no problem bringing a guest. Your meal card works like a debit card. Each time you make a food purchase, we deduct the price of your items from the balance in your account. There is no set amount students must spend on each meal or each day, so they never pay for meals they don't eat. They may eat in or take out at all locations.
Once the University has received payment for the meal plan, the Binghamton University ID card becomes the student's meal card. The amount of each purchase is deducted from the account and the remaining balance is displayed on the cash register. Funds remaining at the end of the semester carry over to the following semester provided a meal plan has been purchased for the next semester. Students may deposit more money on-line at www.BUdining.com or by coming to the Meal Plan Office in the University Union.
Dining Facilities
Each dining service location features its own atmosphere and menu. There are many choices in dining. Dining hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 1 a.m. Resident dining halls provide an à la carte menu, including deli/salad bars, cooked-to-order grill items, special-entrée dinners and nutritious well-balanced entrées. Theme dinners and “pace changers” add a new dimension.
The Susquehanna Room, a traditional à la carte cafeteria, is a favorite of faculty, staff and off-campus commuter students.
The Catering Department will plan the menu for a special function or social event. Catering also offers University gifts, special-occasion cakes, packages, floral arrangements and balloons that may be ordered for any occasion.
Nite Owl Cafés, offering a variety of items, are just a few steps away. Students may purchase fresh fruit, burgers, fries, milkshakes, fresh-baked cookies and other late-night study-break munchies with their meal cards.
Snack shops offer convenience items in each resident dining hall. Students may pick up a bag of chips, milk, ice cream, bottled beverages and more here.
A nutritional breakdown of every item on the menu is provided, including vegetarian and wellness entrees. The registered dietitian can provide a special diet.
The Kosher Kitchen is a co-op offered for students wishing to observe the kosher laws of Kashruth. Membership is easy; students purchase a resident meal plan, pay the Mashgiach fee at the Kosher Kitchen and work a two-hour shift each week. The Kosher Kitchen is a traditional “all you can eat” facility.
For students residing off campus, in Hillside Community or in Susquehanna Community, Off Campus meal plans are available.
Brochures may be obtained at the Meal Plan Office or any dining facility. All off-campus dining plans are administered through the Meal Plan Office, not Student Accounts.
Dining Services is a large student employer, offering a student manager-training program, eligibility to apply for a Sodexho Campus Services student scholarship, student textbook reimbursement and a free meal per shift.
For more information, call the toll-free number, 888-858-9167, or visit the website, www.BUdining.com.
Vending machines
Nearly 300 vending machines may be found throughout the Binghamton University campus, including residence halls, academic buildings and activity centers. Items available through the vending machines include a wide range of products such as canned soft drinks, juice, coffee, candy, pastries and chips, as well as a complete line of “Eat Smart” snacks, sandwiches and dinner items. The vending machines accept the BUC$ card account, coins and cash.
Communication with Parents/Guardians
Communication between universities and parents/guardians regarding the campus experience of a son or daughter is a topic of much discussion. Students arrive on campus expecting considerable independence and respect for their privacy. Parents/guardians continue to be vitally interested in the education and well being of their student.
Binghamton University is guided by the principle that students' active involvement in their own education enhances their learning and development. In keeping with this principle, the University considers its primary relationship to be with its students. This position is consistent with the provisions of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which guarantees the privacy of educational records. All rights accorded under this law transfer to the student, regardless of age, at the time of enrollment at a post-secondary educational institution.
It is important for parents/guardians and their students to discuss how they will communicate with each other regarding school information. Academic progress is reported to students. There are other circumstances where the University may communicate directly with parents/guardians.
The University will contact parents/guardians in most instances of health emergencies, serious accidents, or other serious medical or psychological conditions, including those that arise out of alcohol or other drug overdose when it has been made aware of such incidents. The student's consent to speak with parents/guardians is sought whenever practical. The University will, however, continue to rely on the judgment of its staff when assessing each situation to determine when to notify parents.
For non-emergency situations in which students are seeking medical or psychological treatment, including treatment for substance abuse, the campus respects client/provider confidentiality in accordance with established state and federal law. In such instances, communication with parents/guardians is only with the permission of the student who signs the appropriate release form. These are available upon request, or may be accessed from the Student Affairs page on the Binghamton University website.
In general, the University does not communicate with parents/guardians regarding matters of student conduct. However, when dependent students are involved in a series of minor violations or a single serious violation, communication with parents/guardians may occur through the sanctioning or other administrative process.
Social Centers of Campus
The recently expanded University Union is the center of many social, service and recreational activities for the University community. The University Union and its new addition, the University Union West, house the Student Association, as well as offices for various campus organizations. The Susquehanna Room, Food Court, Food Co-op and the Kosher Kitchen are the different eateries available in the Union and Union West. With the exception of the Food Co-op and Munchies, students may use meal cards to purchase food at all locations. The ground floor of the Union serves as a recreational resource with a billiards room, bowling alley, ping-pong room, video arcade and the Undergrounds coffee house. The Union West is home to the video rental store; Munchies mini mart; the radio station (WHRW-FM); and various campus publications, including Pipe Dream, the student-run campus newspaper. The lounge areas of the Union and Union West are popular places for weekly student group meetings and various student-run events, and they provide spaces to sit down and take a break. The University Bookstore is located in University Union West; details of its services are described under “Vendor Services” in this handbook.
Residential halls are popular social centers with continuous social and educational programs including theatrical presentations, special dinners, hall meetings and more. The main lounge of each hall is provided with a large-screen TV. Hall governments use hall funds to purchase videotapes, ping-pong tables, microwaves, VCRs and more. In addition, most buildings have a billiards table in the main lounge. All halls have more than one lounge, so a variety of programs may be held simultaneously. Students use all lounges for study several hours most days.
Late Nite Binghamton is a new series of social programs offered every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to provide students the opportunity to relax, have fun and socialize. Movies, music, games and refreshments are part of the typical offerings.
The Anderson Center for the Performing Arts is a world-class performance facility that has showcased major U.S. and foreign symphony orchestras and dance ensembles. The Music and Theatre departments regularly present concerts, recitals and plays there. Major lectures and convocations also take place. Students receive discounts for such performances, and some events are free. Most events are free for students with Binghamton University ID cards.
Extracurricular Activities
With more than 170 undergraduate student organizations present on campus, most students participate in at least one extracurricular activity. The organizations provide outlets for student talents and interests in every field: academic and pre-professional, athletic and recreational, political, cultural and ethnic, religious, social, service, fraternities and sororities, media, music, dance, entertainment and business.
A complete listing of these groups with advice on how to get involved is provided in the Undergraduate Student Organization Directory, distributed during Orientation, and in lists produced by the Student Association.
Extracurricular Activities Funding
The student activity fee is invested in services and activities for students by the Student Association or, for graduate students, by the Graduate Student Organization. These groups, the duly elected governing organizations of the student body, supervise the disbursement of the fee within guidelines established by the SUNY Board of Trustees. These governing groups distribute the money to chartered student organizations to support activities such as the campus newspaper, various student publications, WHRW-FM and BTV. Funds also support concerts, films, special lectures and athletic events. Support is also provided to the residential colleges and communities and to Off Campus College for social, recreational and educational programs.
Student Involvement in Campus Media
Pipe Dream, the twice-weekly campus newspaper, and Pegasus, the University yearbook, are produced by student writers, photographers, artists and editors. Other student publications, offering a range of perspectives, include The Binghamton Review, The Binghamton Free Press, Asian Outlook and The Student Advocate. WHRW-FM, the student-run campus radio station, and BTV, the student-run campus television station, are located in the University Union and provide students with the opportunity to create and produce radio and television shows.
Religious Programs
Several student religious groups, including the Baptist Campus Ministry, Hillel — the Jewish Student Union, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Catholic Students/Newman Association, Campus Bible Fellowship, BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ), Chabad, the Muslim Student Association, Chinese Christian Fellowship and the Korean-American Christian Fellowship meet regularly for social and religious purposes on campus. Advisers to these groups are active local clergy from many faiths who assist the organizations and individual students. Many local churches and synagogues welcome Binghamton University students.
Fraternities and Sororities
Twenty-two fraternities and 19 sororities participate in six Greek-letter student councils. The six councils are the Asian Greek Council, Interfraternity Council, Latino Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Panhellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek and Fraternal Council. Most of these are nationally affiliated; however, some are of local origin. The Fraternity/Sorority Leadership Board in accordance with SUNY Board of Trustees guidelines governs the groups' activities. Approximately 8 percent of all Binghamton undergraduates belong to a fraternity or sorority.
Athletic and recreational facilities and activities
Binghamton University has extensive sports facilities, available to the University community for both scheduled and walk-in use. The two gyms are close to varsity and recreational playing fields. The West Gym has a competition swimming and diving pool, three basketball courts, eight racquetball/handball courts, two squash courts, an indoor track, a weight room, an athletic training room and a multipurpose room. The East Gym contains a basketball court, volleyball and badminton courts, a swimming pool, FitSpace (a 4,000-square-foot fitness center), an aerobic dance studio, two wallyball courts, a softball batting cage and a weight room.
The new University Events Center opened in 2004 and has been a delight for athletes and fans alike. The 156,000-square-foot facility, situated adjacent to the West Gym, features a 5,142-seat arena to accommodate basketball, a 200-meter track and two tennis courts.
Outdoor facilities include varsity baseball and softball diamonds, a varsity soccer field, 20 tennis courts, six paddleball/handball courts, a fitness trail, a track and intramural playing fields. Check for updates at http://www.bubearcats.com.
A wide variety of physical education courses enables students to engage in skill, fitness, health, outdoor and training activities for course credit. Intramural opportunities are extensive. Students may pursue non-competitive or competitive play in a range of team and individual sports. Through an open recreation program, Campus Recreational Services encourages fitness and recreation for all students. Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits sponsors several enjoyable activities, including hiking, kayaking, bicycling and backpacking.
Highly competitive on the national level, Binghamton's 21 NCAA Division I varsity athletic teams are members of the America East Conference. Intercollegiate athletics enhance student life on campus, strengthen community and alumni ties, and increase the school's national visibility. The University fields 10 women's teams (basketball, cross country, indoor track and field, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis and volleyball) and 11 men's teams (baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis and wrestling).
In the 1990s, the athletics program produced seven national champions and more than 70 All-Americans. A member of Division I only since 2001, it has already produced two All-Americans, 11 conference championship teams and 10 NCAA tournament teams. Some 350 student-athletes, team managers, student trainers, cheer team members and interns participate in the program, supported by thousands of students, alumni and local residents from September to May each year.
The Binghamton Fund - Believing in Higher Education
The Binghamton Fund offers alumni, parents and friends of the University the opportunity to make charitable contributions that may be used for campus programs, student services and faculty support. Gifts to the Binghamton Fund have a powerful and immediate impact by providing critical resources to fund important campus needs that benefit all students. Because tuition and state support alone do not provide for many programs and services, contributions from private sources are essential to the University's success. Binghamton Fund annual activities include various mail appeals, the Telefund student calling program and volunteer-driven initiatives.
With the Binghamton Fund, you may provide general university support (to be used where needs are greatest), or support flexible needs in Harpur College, the professional schools or other units (Libraries, Student Affairs, Athletics, etc.) Donors who give $1,000 or more are considered members of the Leadership Society, a program that recognizes Binghamton's strongest supporters.
Parents may make a gift by mail, phone or by visiting http://giveto.binghamton.edu. The Foundation's fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. For more information regarding the Binghamton University Foundation or the Binghamton Fund, visit the Foundation website or contact the Binghamton Fund office at 607-777-6209.
The Binghamton University Foundation
The Binghamton University Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization incorporated under the laws of the state of New York to accept tax-deductible donations of cash; securities; personal property, such as works of art, books and equipment; and planned gifts, such as trusts; and to provide philanthropic support for a range of educational, student life and capital programs that enrich the University and the lives of its students. The funding provided by the Foundation enables the University to develop and expand programs and services for students and faculty that could not otherwise exist given diminishing levels of state support. However, state support is not reduced in proportion to the funds raised by the Foundation.
Page last updated 12/7/07.