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Student Life

Undergraduate Orientation

"Beginnings-Orientation for New Students at Binghamton" is presented during the summer. Students may choose one session from a number of two-day events according to the demands of their summer schedule. A concurrent orientation program for parents is also offered. For students entering in the spring semester, the program is scheduled prior to the start of the semester.
The orientation program gives students the opportunity to plan their academic program with the assistance of faculty and academic advisors, to learn about the services provided by various administrative offices, and to meet faculty, staff, and other students in various settings. Each participating student is charged a fee based on the cost of presenting the program. After each new student is admitted, a letter is mailed from the Campus Activities and Orientation Office, with information about when and where the program is held and how the fee may be paid.

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University Housing

Binghamton University has a long-standing appreciation of the importance of supportive communities for students. Through residential colleges and communities, which are fashioned after the early collegial models at Oxford and Cambridge, students, particularly freshmen and sophomores, obtain a small college experience within the larger University.
The residential colleges integrate living and learning opportunites in several ways. Faculty masters, drawn from the ranks of tenured faculty, and residential fellows, drawn from the professional staff, serve at each college and play an integral role in its social and academic programming. With their offices in the building, faculty masters are readily accessible to students and play a key role in the mentoring program that is part of the University's general education.
To enhance the integrated concept, classrooms, libraries, cultural programs, activity space, and faculty offices are housed within the residential settings. Formal courses are supplemented by a varied program of guest speakers, lectures, films, panel discussions, exhibits, and workshops. Residential life provides opportunities for the discovery and development of such life skills as leadership, decision making, negotiation, compromise, and assertiveness and opportunity for interaction between people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Binghamton has four residential areas (College-in-the-Woods, Dickinson, Hinman, and Newing) and three residential apartment communities (Graduate, Hayes, and Hillside). College-in-the-Woods, Hinman, Dickinson, and Newing house predominantly first- and second-year students. Hayes Community, about a 15-minute walk from campus, is a complex for upperclass and transfer students while Hillside houses returning upperclass students on campus. Graduate Community houses graduate students, families, and students 22 years of age or older. In all, approximately 5,000 students live in the residential colleges and communities.
All freshmen are required to live on campus for their first academic year, unless they receive permission to live off campus from the Office of Residential Life. Freshmen are housed in the four undergraduate residential areas (College-in-the-Woods, Dickinson, Hinman, and Newing), except for families, students living at home, and/or students over 22 years of age. Students in these areas contract for one of several residential meal plans. Residents of Graduate, Hillside, and Hayes may opt to purchase a meal plan. Meal plans are in effect from the first day of registration through examination period, except for vacation periods. Meal contract options include standard diet, Kosher, health food, or special diet plans arranged by the licensed dietitian.
All residence halls are closed during recess periods, with the exception of Graduate, Hayes, and Hillside communities. Hillside Community is closed during the summer session. Residents who desire housing during vacations and semester breaks should sign up for either Graduate, Hayes, or Hillside community.
Students are actively involved in governing the residential areas. Elected councils develop programs, govern the use of facilities, and recommend changes in policies; each council is also part of the Student Association.
Special Interest Housing enables residents who share a common interest to live together and pursue experiences centered on an academic theme. Current modules (living units) include: computers, robotics, and engineering (CORE); visual and performing arts; environmental awareness; African cultures; fitness; and Asian cultures. Additionally, chemical-free accommodations are offered in four different areas.

Undergraduate Accommodations

Each of the residential areas consist of four to six individual residence halls (each housing approximately 200-300 students) and a dining hall. Within each residence hall are laundry rooms, vending machines, study and recreation lounges. A typical residence-hall floor accommodates approximately 30 residents. Room styles vary from four- or six-person suites with bath and small lounge to more traditional rooms built as doubles, triples, or quads, with common bath facilities for each floor or corridor.

Upperclass/Transfer Accommodations

Hayes and Hillside communities are apartment complexes. All apartments in these communities contain a living/dining room, kitchen or kitchenette, and private bathroom(s). Apartments are completely furnished and carpeted, and the housing fee includes utilities. Hayes houses approximately 400 residents in one- or two-bedroom apartments housing two or four residents. Hillside contains two configurations: the four-bedroom apartment, housing four students in single bedrooms and the six-bedroom apartment, housing eight residents in four single and two double bedrooms. Several apartments in Hillside are designed to accommodate students with disabilities. Transfer students are normally housed in Hayes Community. If Hayes is filled, transfer students are housed in the other undergraduate residential areas on campus.

Graduate/Family Accommodations

Graduate students who want the convenience of on-campus living without sacrificing the independence and privacy of apartment dwelling will find the advantages of both combined in the Graduate Community. Its location on campus encourages residents to take advantage of all that the University has to offer academically, socially, and culturally.
Graduate and undergraduate students with families can also be accommodated in the Graduate Community in the two-bedroom apartments. If family housing needs cannot be met in the Graduate Community, families will be accommodated in Hayes Community.
Apartments in the Graduate Community are in two configurations: the four-bedroom apartment, housing four students in single bedrooms, and the two-bedroom apartment, housing three students in a single and a double bedroom. The apartments contain a living/dining room, kitchen or kitchenette, private bathroom(s), carpeting, an outlet for direct access to the campus computer network, and complete furnishings; utilities are included. Residents need not move out during the winter recess and may choose to remain throughout the summer as well for an additional fee.

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Off-Campus Living

After their freshman year, many students choose to live in the communities surrounding the University. Off Campus College (OCC) is designed to serve students living off campus and to connect the University and nearby communities in mutually beneficial ways.
The OCC office provides updated housing lists and other information to interested students who wish to live in the community.
Most OCC service and academic programs have significant involvement with community agencies and individuals. For example, The OCC Internship Program places student interns in approximately 130 community agencies. The OCC free legal clinics are staffed by a rotating panel of local lawyers.
OCC functions as a resource center for individuals with community- or University-based problems and is especially interested in reaching students traditionally less involved in University life (local students living at home, for example). The open structure of OCC encourages wide student participation in all aspects of its operation.

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Transportation

Two bus systems serve the campus. The Off Campus College Transport (OCCT) buses charge no fare; students need only show ID cards. Transportation for students on the public Broome County Transit buses is funded by a transportation fee; students may ride for free by showing their ID cards. In addition, OCCT operates a lift-equipped van to enable students with mobility impairments to commute to and from campus. Eligibility for this service is determined by Services for Students with Disabilities.

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Student Rights and Responsibilities

Rules and Expectations, published annually as part of the Student Handbook, outlines University rules for student conduct, student rights, and judicial procedures. Students are responsible for obtaining a copy of this document and knowing the contents. These guidelines seek to provide an environment where the rights of all members of the community are protected.

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Office of Judicial Affairs

Judicial discipline at Binghamton University is based on Rules and Expectations.
The judicial process focuses on student development by encouraging responsibility and by fostering a respect for the rights of all University community members. The University judicial system has two main objectives: to hold students accountable for inappropriate behavior as described in Rules and Expectations and to modify those behaviors in order to maintain a safe environment conducive to living and learning.
The Office of Judicial Affairs, located in College-in-the-Woods 3B, acts as an information source on the judicial process, hearings, board membership, training, judicial review, and University rules and expectations.

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University Union

The University Union is the focus of many social, cultural, and recreational activities for students, faculty, and staff. In addition to housing meeting and multipurpose rooms, the Union is the location of the Campus Activities, Orientation, and University Union Offices; Off Campus College; a billiards room, bowling lanes, and a game room; a video shop; the campus grocery store; a candy store and newsstand; a food co-op; a dry cleaning service; the Campus Pub; Susquehanna Room, Kosher Kitchen, and Mini Mall (food services); the student radio station, WHRW-FM; BTV (student TV station) and offices of many organizations such as the Pipe Dream (student newspaper), and the Student Association (student government).
The director of the University Union supervises the operation of the Union, assisted by students who work part-time in the various shops and recreation areas.
The University Union is open throughout the calendar year, except for an occasional holiday when classes are not in regular session; hours of operation are posted at the main entrance.

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Student Activities

The Student Association (SA), the undergraduate student government, represents the undergraduates to the University administration and provides a number of services for the student body.
A member of the United States Student Association and the Student Association of the State University, the SA is administered by elected executive officers and representatives of each of the residential areas and Off Campus College.
The SA, through its various committees, oversees the chartering of new student organizations, the disbursement of student activity fees, the planning of SA-sponsored campus events, and the operation of a variety of services. The SA appoints student representatives to University committees and promotes student involvement in all aspects of University life.
More than 130 student organizations flourish on campus, including journalistic, musical, and cultural groups, political associations, community service organizations, and sports and special-interest clubs. The staff of Campus Activities and Orientation works with the student groups as they plan programs and events.
Cultural organizations represent a wide variety of student interests and concerns and present an enriching program of cultural events to the University community. Some of these organizations include the Black Student Union, Jewish Student Union, Caribbean Student Association, Latin American Student Union, International Student Association, Asian Student Union, Haitian Student Association, and Indian Student Organization.
Entertainment organizations, through the University Programming Board, plan many social, cultural, and recreational programs for the campus. These events include movies, dances, lectures, popular concerts, and the annual Spring Fling and Homecoming.
Fraternities and sororities. Social greek-lettered organizations currently number at 29 groups, making up approximately 13 percent of the student population. There are four governing councils that oversee the operations of the constituency members. Currently the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) governs 11 nationally affiliated fraternities and one local fraternity; The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) governs six nationally affiliated sororities; the Latino Greek Council (LGC) governs three fraternities and four sororities focusing on service to the Latin community; and the National PanHellenic Council (NPHC) governs two nationally affiliated fraternities and two nationally affiliated sororities that historically have assisted the Afro-American community. Overseeing and setting policy for the social fraternities and sororities is the Greek Board of Directors comprised of the council presidents, faculty, and administration.
Religious interests are expressed through such groups as the Jewish Student Union, Hillel, Newman Association, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and the Muslim Student Association.
Sports clubs. Intercollegiate club-level sports competition includes lacrosse and rugby as well as golf and riding. Other sports clubs such as the Crew Club, Harpur Ski Team, and SUNY-Binghamton Bowling Club also enjoy a full schedule of competition and skill development.
Musical organizations include the University Chorus, Harpur College Chorale, Renaissance Consort, Collegium Musicum, Wind Ensemble, University Symphony Orchestra, chamber music ensembles, and Harpur Jazz Ensemble. In addition, students may audition for the Harpur Harpeggios, Binghamtonics, Binghamton Crosbys, Rhythm Method, and SUNY-Binghamton Gospel Choir.
Campus media include Pipe Dream, the twice-weekly newspaper written and edited by students. Off is a publication regularly produced by Off Campus College. Clarendon, a literary magazine, features original writings and drawings done in and outside of class. The yearbook, Pegasus, is produced by editors, writers, artists, and photographers from the student body. The Helm annually publishes outstanding student research from various academic areas. Looking Left distributes a variety of publications concerned with world issues. Binghamton Review is an alternative, conservative newspaper. WHRW-FM stereo, the student-run campus radio station, broadcasts music, public affairs, and news to the campus and the Southern Tier seven days a week. BTV, the newest addition to student media, presents a variety of programs through the campus cable system.
Special service organizations include the Association for Disabled Individuals; Students for a Barrier-Free Campus; Escape, a group that arranges transportation to the New York City area for weekends and holidays; High Hopes, a peer counseling center; the Women's Center; alcohol and other drug prevention and education programs; the New York Public Interest Research Group; Harpur's Ferry, a volunteer ambulance service; and Off Campus College Transport, a student-operated bus service.
The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) represents graduate students and their concerns to the administration. It also disburses the graduate student activity fee and produces the GSO Voice, a newspaper with news of special interest to graduate students.
The GSO executive board is composed of an elected president, vice president, and treasurer and an appointed assistant to the president. Elected senators (at least one per department), one nonvoting representative from the Graduate Complex, and one nonvoting representative from each GSO-sponsored nondepartmental suborganization comprise the Senate. Senate meetings are generally held biweekly and are open to all graduate students. The GSO is responsible for committee openings and the various appointments of graduate students made throughout the year to ad hoc and standing committees of the University.
In addition to addressing graduate student issues and concerns with University administrators, the GSO provides various services for graduate students. These include discounted photocopying and coffee, a co-operative child care register, a register of persons offering thesis/dissertation typing, and a newsletter announcing events of particular interest to graduate students. GSO suborganizations sponsor speakers, conferences, cultural events, parties, and other opportunities for graduate students to increase their knowledge and meet others with similar interests. The GSO holds an annual orientation "bash" in the fall semester. There is also a graduate student lounge available for quiet study and meetings.
Graduate Student Conference, Travel, and Research Fund (GSCTRF). Created by GSO, the Alumni Association, and the SUNY-Binghamton Foundation, the GSCTRF awards funding for individual and group travel for conferences that provide recognition to the University, the program, the department or the school, and the individual participants. Major emphasis is on travel and related expenses for conferences in which the individual is an invited participant.
Funds are also provided for research requests approved by the GSCTRF awards committee. Although funds cannot be used for typing or copying PhD dissertations, graduate students are encouraged to apply for grants to enhance their academic resources.

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Athletics and Recreation

All students are welcome to take part in the physical education, athletic, and recreation programs planned and conducted by the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics. There are intercollegiate athletic teams for men and women.
Intercollegiate sports for men are baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, and wrestling. Women compete in intercollegiate basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, and volleyball.
The University competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Eastern College Athletic Conference, State University of New York Athletic Conference, and New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association.
Intercollegiate athletic programs are conducted in accordance with the regulations of the NCAA Division III; consequently, students who participate must meet the required academic and athletic eligibility standards. Information on academic standards for eligibility is noted in the sections for each undergraduate school in this Bulletin. Mechanisms of determining eligibility differ by school; students should be sure to note the requirements of the school in which they are matriculated.
The Office of Campus Recreation organizes a multi-faceted program for all members of the campus community. Open recreation hours are held in both Binghamton gymnasiums with swimming, racquetball, running, and court sports available for participants at these sites. Large, open field spaces are available as well for informal play purposes. A large, air-conditioned facility, FitSpace, opened in 1993. Other OCR initiatives include the intramural program, which involves over one-third of the student body, and a club sports program which lists nearly two dozen organizations on its roster. The Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits program involves the University community in year-round events (some for credit) ranging from whitewater rafting to camping expeditions. The OCR wellness program coordinates its efforts with other campus offices and sponsors events throughout the year that promote healthy lifestyle for the University community.

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Academic Advising

Undergraduates in each of the schools rely on the Academic Advising Office for information about liberal arts courses, double degrees, and Harpur College minor and certificate programs.
Advice concerning majors or programs is obtained in Harpur College through departmental advising, and in each of the professional schools through the respective dean's offices.
Academic advising for graduate students is conducted through the programs, departments, and schools in which they are registered.

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Career Development Center

The Career Development Center (CDC) assists undergraduate and graduate students in considering a broad range of career and study options.
Students are encouraged to visit the Career Development Center early in their University experience. By becoming familiar with its resources, students can identify the services most valuable to them as they develop their own career plans.
The Center's Career Resource Area (CRA) contains occupational information, graduate school guides, college catalogs, employer directories, recruiting literature and information about summer jobs and internships. "Alchemy," CDC's on-line catalog of CRA materials enables students to identify resources to help with career research. CDC's homepage, "Cyberscope," provides access to the Internet. CD-ROM capability is also provided.
In recognition of the range of student needs, workshops, special events, and individual counseling are available for assistance with career exploration, job search, and the application process for graduate or professional school.
Undergraduate and graduate degree candidates use CDC's on-campus recruiting, job hotline, and resume referral services. They also may wish to establish a credentials file for dissemination to employers or graduate schools.

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University Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center facilitates the psychological development and adjustment of students. Staff members provide short-term individual and group therapy to students requesting such help and arrange referrals for those wishing more extensive assistance. The Center's staff also offers developmental workshops, paraprofessional training, consultations, course offerings, and other programs. Staff consultations are available on request with other University personnel concerned with the academic, social, and personal growth of students.
The University Counseling Center also sponsors and supports the HUB program, in which University faculty and staff volunteers are trained and supervised by Counseling Center professionals to provide students with short-term supportive counseling.

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University Health Service

All full-time students (12 or more credits) must have a completed health history and physical examination form on file to maintain their enrollment at the University. New students submit their completed forms at the time of admission; their examinations must have been done within the past 12 months. Transfers may submit copies of their health forms from their former schools, providing they contain all the information required by Binghamton University's Health Service. Submission of a completed health form has been a requirement of the SUNY Board of Trustees since 1982. The health form is due at the Health Service no later than the fifth Friday after classes begin, in the student's first semester of full-time status or readmission.
All students born since January 1, 1957, are required to submit proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. This is a New York State Public Health Law and a condition of registration. Questions can be directed to the Health Service.
The Health Service regularly presents programs on important health issues to student groups and in the residential areas. In addition, its clinic, located in the Health Service Building, is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. when classes are in session; summer and holiday hours vary. Students must show validated ID cards on each visit to the Health Service. The clinic is staffed by physicians, nurse practioners, registered professional nurses, and health educators. Students with medical problems or concerns see staff nurses on a walk-in basis, with referrals to Health Service physicians or nurse practitioners as needed. The University Health Service does not have an in-patient (overnight) service. Emergency medical care is provided by a student-run ambulance service 24 hours per day, 7 days each week in the academic year.
Office visits are pre-paid by the health fee; no office charge is incurred at the time of the visit. The health fee also makes medication and common medical supplies available at no cost when ordered by Health Service medical staff. However, students are responsible for discounted costs of most laboratory tests and any outside referrals.
The University Health Service does not routinely issue medical excuses for missed classes, exams, papers, and other academic assignments. Students are encouraged to make individual arrangements with their instructors when illness interferes with course work. Students may sign release-of-information forms to allow Health Service staff to discuss their medical problems with their instructors, should the instructor choose to phone the clinic.
All student health records are confidential, and no information is released to anyone without the signed authorization of the student to do so.
Students sometimes have medical problems or accidents requiring care that is not provided at the Health Service. Care in the community is often very costly, and for this reason all students are strongly advised to carry adequate insurance. A basic student health insurance policy, with a private insurance carrier, can be purchased at low cost on campus. Information is available at the Health Service.

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International Student
and Scholar Services

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services is the central reference point for international students and scholars on campus. Services provided by the office include assisting international students with immigration matters, finances, employment, health insurance, and personal concerns. The office conducts an orientation program for all new international students, coordinates a variety of cross-cultural programs, both on campus and in the community, and acts as a liaison between students and other University offices, community groups, and U.S. and foreign government agencies. The office processes required Immigration and Naturalization Service documents for visiting scholars and faculty as well as for all international students during their course of study.
International students on non-immigrant visas are required to visit the Office of International Student and Scholar Services when they arrive on campus, and are encouraged to maintain close contact with the office throughout the year.

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Disabled Students-Services
for Students with Disabilities

Lecture Hall, Room B-51
Phone: 777-2686 Fax: 777-6893
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) provides a wide range of services to students with physical or learning disabilities. Assistance includes personal counseling, advocacy, course-content tutoring, and support in obtaining taped texts; coordination of reader, notetaker, scribe, and sign-language interpreter services; special parking for people with mobility impairments; and the loan of specialized equipment.
The University's academic buildings are equipped with automatic doors. Wheelchair-accessible housing is available in the residence halls, and Off Campus College Transport operates lift-equipped vans to enable students with mobility impairments to commute to and from campus. A Kurzweil Reading Machine (which reads printed material aloud) and a print magnifier are available for use in the Bartle Library. SSD has a small adaptive computer lab for use by students registered with the office. The Anderson Center for the Arts offers an assistive listening system for its patrons with hearing impairments. For further information, please call 607-777-2686 (voice/TT).

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Veterans Affairs

Admission: The University welcomes veterans. The Admissions Office recognizes the maturity of veterans as a positive factor and is sensitive to the impact that extenuating circumstances can have upon academic records. For these reasons, admission criteria for veterans often vary from those used for other applicants. Each veteran is urged to submit, as part of the application, a personal statement on his or her behalf, which the Admissions Office will consider carefully as the admission decision is made.
Certification of Benefits: Enrolled students may be eligible for educational benefits from the Veterans Administration under various chapters: ch. 31-Vocational Rehabilitation, ch. 32-VEAP (Veterans Educational Assistance Program), ch. 35-Dependents, ch. 106-Selected Reserves, ch. 30-Montgomery GI Bill.
Upon acceptance to the University and prior to each semester of attendance, veterans who are enrolling should contact the TRIO/Veterans Office in order to complete and submit the appropriate forms relating to their benefits.

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Campus Pre-School

The Campus Pre-school offers full- and half-day programs for children from 18 months of age through kindergarten. It is staffed with dedicated professionals who offer developmentally appropriate opportunities in perceptual skills, large and small motor coordination, science and nature study, socialization, art, music, and movement in a nurturing classroom atmosphere. Children are encouraged to develop independence and celebrate the joy of discovery in a safe, stimulating environment.
The Campus Pre-school offers full and half-day programs for children, and gives equal enrollment priority to children of students, faculty, and staff. Children from the Binghamton community are enrolled as space permits. There is usually a waiting list, so please contact the office at 777-2695 for a packet. Partial scholarships may be available for children of students (depending on allocations from campus student organizations).
The Campus Pre-school is a not-for-profit corporation operating under a formal memorandum of understanding with the University. It is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and licensed by the State of New York. The facility is located behind the East Gym.

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Religious Counsel

Through the cooperation of local clergy and Student Association-chartered organizations, religious advisors provide group and individual religious counseling for students on campus.
In addition, students are most welcome to attend the services and join the congregations of the many local churches and synagogues.
The Religious Advisors' office is located in the University Union, room 218, (second floor, south wing).

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Alumni Association

The Binghamton University Alumni Association Inc. represents over 60,000 alumni of the University. The association exists to promote and coordinate alumni support with the purpose of strengthening the high quality academic, research, and public service programs of the University. The association involves graduates in the life of the University through a wide variety of programs. Binghamton Alumni Journal is the major communication link with all alumni. Regional clubs across the country, special interest groups such as the Organization of Black and Hispanic Alumni, and alumni clubs affiliated with each of the five schools help to bring the University home to graduates. Alumni volunteers assist in fund raising, career development activities with students, recruitment, and legislative relations.
One way the association serves the University is by facilitating interaction between alumni and students. Alumni share their expertise and experiences with students in a variety of ways. Panels of alumni discuss various career options with students and participate in Career Day on campus and the Metro Career Fair in New York City, where students learn first-hand from alumni about various occupations. Alumni visiting campus speak to classes and hold lectures for students throughout the year. The Local Alumni Host Program provides students the opportunity to spend a day with Binghamton graduates at their place of employment. The Network provides students with a listing of 1000 alumni across the country willing to share career advice, and these contacts are a great asset in developing professional career goals. Alumni are proud advocates for the University and look forward to interacting with all undergraduates throughout their stay at Binghamton University.
The Alumni Association promotes an alumni affinity credit card for students and alumni. Each time the card is used, revenue is returned to the Alumni Association to help defray the costs of student and alumni programs. And every time students use the card with a campus photo on the front, they are demonstrating their pride in Binghamton University.
The Alumni and Parent Relations Office links the University with the Alumni Association and with some 12,000 parents. The office sponsors a Parents' Weekend each fall and publishes the Parents' Handbook provided to parents of new students during orientation.

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