"Beginnings," an orientation program for new students at Binghamton is presented during the summer. Students may choose one session from a number of two-day events. A concurrent orientation program for parents and family members 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, an invitation 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.
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, 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, serve at each college and play an integral role in its social and academic programming. With offices in the college or community, 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 supple mented 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. It also provides an 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 two residential apartment communities (Graduate and Hillside). College-in-the -Woods, Hinman, Dickinson, and Newing house predominantly first- and second-year students. Hillside houses returning upperclass students on campus. Graduate Community houses graduate students, families, transfer students, and undergraduate students who want a quiet lifestyle while living on campus. 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. Exempt from this policy are families, students living at home, and/or students over 21 years of age. Freshmen are housed in the four undergraduate residential areas (College -in-the-Woods, Dickinson, Hinman, and Newing). Students in these areas contract for one of several residential meal plans. Residents of Graduate and Hillside 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 vacation periods, with the exception of Graduate and Hillside Communities. Residents who desire housing during vacations and semester breaks should sign up for either Graduate or Hillside Community. Hillside also houses summer school students during the summer months.
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; fitness; and Asian cultures. Addition ally, chemical-free accommodations are offered in four different areas.
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.
Hillside and the Graduate Communities are apartment complexes. Hillside houses upperclass and transfer students. The Graduate Community complements the lifestyles of graduate students, families, and transfer students, and undergraduate students who want a quiet lifestyle while living on campus.
Apartments in Hillside are arranged in two configurations: the four-bedroom apartment, housing four students in single bedrooms, and the six-bedroom apartment accommodating eight students in four single bedrooms and two double bedrooms. The design of apartments in the Graduate Community are: a four-bedroom apartment, housing four students in single bedrooms, and a two-bedroom apartment housing three students in a single and a double bedroom. Graduate and undergraduate students with families are accommodated in the two -bedroom apartments.
Each apartment in both communities contains a living/dining room, kitchen, and private bathroom(s). Apartments are completely furnished (including utilities), carpeted, and include an outlet for direct access to the campus computer network and campus cable TV system.
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 concerns 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.
Two bus systems serve the campus. The Off Campus College Transport (OCCT) buses charge no fare; students need only show ID cards. Transporta tion 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.
Rules of Student Conduct and Student Judicial Proceedures, 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 rules and procedures seek to provide an environment where the rights of all members of the community are protected.
Judicial discipline at Binghamton University is based on Rules of Student Conduct and Student Judicial Procedures.
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 of Student Conduct and Student Judicial Procedures 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.
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; the Susquehanna Room, the Kosher Kitchen, and the Mini Mall (food services); the student radio station, WHRW-FM; BTV (student TV station) and offices of many organizations such as 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.
The Student Association (SA), the undergraduate student government, represents the undergradu ates 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 organiza tions, 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, commu nity 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 African-American community. Overseeing and setting policy for the social fraternities and sororities is the Greek Board of Directors composed 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 con cerned 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 administra tors, 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, 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.
The entire campus community is encouraged to participate in the programs offered by the department of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics. A wide assortment of opportunities is available, ranging from required and optional physical education classes to intramural and extramural activities, physical fitness and outdoor and leisure pursuits, and intercollegiate athletic competition.
The Office of Campus Recreation (OCR) (777-2113) offers a multifaceted program for all members of the campus community. Open recreation hours are offered in both the East and West Gymnasiums, with swimming, running, racquetball, squash, and basketball facilities available for participation at these sites. Large open field spaces are available as well, for informal and organized play purposes, as well as outdoor tennis courts and an outdoor track. One of the most exciting programs on campus is a state-of-the-art fitness facility, FitSpace, which opened in 1993 and is available for a nominal fee.
Other OCR initiatives include the intramural program, which annually sees over one-third of the student body participating, and a club sport program, which lists more than two dozen sport clubs. These clubs offer a wide range of competitive opportunities and involve more than five hundred students each year. The Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits program offers the University community a year-round calendar of events (some available for physical education credit). These range from whitewater rafting to camping expeditions. Finally, the OCR Wellness program coordinates its efforts with other campus offices and sponsors events throughout the year that encourage a healthy lifestyle for the University community.
The intercollegiate athletic program offers nineteen varsity teams (ten men's and nine women's), and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, as well as in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference, and the New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association. Effective with the start of the 1998-99 season, the entire athletic program will be competing at the NCAA Division II level. A highly successful and competitive program, varsity sports for men include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor), and wrestling. Our nationally prominent women's teams compete in basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball. Additional opportunities to participate in our varsity program are available as student athletic trainers, managers, and cheerleaders. All told, close to five hundred students have direct involvement with our intercollegiate athletic teams each year, and are joined by thousands of supporters from the student body and the greater Binghamton community.
Intercollegiate athletic programs are conducted in accordance with the regulations of the NCAA; consequently, students who participate must meet the required academic and athletic eligibility standards. All prospective, as well as current, student athletes must meet academic standards established by the NCAA. Incoming students can obtain information about the NCAA Clearinghouse from their high school guidance office. Any questions involving eligibility should be directed to Binghamton's Athletic Compliance Officer (777-6996) in the Intercollegiate Athletic Program.
Students must meet three basic criteria in order to be eligible both to practice for and compete in intercollegiate athletics: 1) they must be matricu lated; 2) they must be in good academic standing; Binghamton University defines good academic standing as maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all University courses taken for credit; and 3) they must be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Additionally, students must be making satisfactory progress toward a degree. That is, students must pass 24 credit hours from the beginning of one fall semester to the beginning of the next fall semester. Note that only six credit hours taken during the summer may be used toward the 24 credit-hour total. A student may also be considered to be making satisfactory progress by passing an average of 12 credits for every regular (fall or spring) semester of atten dance.
Students engaged in intercollegiate athletics, by the time they enter their fifth semester of attendance, must declare a specific major or majors, and all courses considered in the computation of satisfactory progress must be counted toward a particular baccalaureate degree.
Incoming freshmen and some transfer students must be cleared for practice and competition by the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse.
Undergraduates in each of the schools rely on their academic advising office for curricular information.
Advice concerning majors or programs is obtained in Harpur College through departmental advising, and in each of the professional schools through the respective advising offices.
Academic advising for graduate students is conducted through the programs, departments, and schools in which they are registered.
The Career Development Center assists students throughout their years on campus and then as alumni of Binghamton University. Students are encouraged to visit the Career Development Center (CDC) prior to their junior year to begin using services.
The Career Resource Area, with its on-line catalogue, "Alchemy," provides an extensive collection of literature about different careers, summer and internship opportunities, graduate school options, employers, and full-time job openings. The Career Resource Area is sup ported by CDC's homepage which provides easy access to information about CDC services and "point-and-click" access to career-related sites on the Internet.
Students are encouraged to join Career Connection 2000, which provides Resume Expert software to make writing a resume easier, as well as Resume Referral, Job Hotline, and On-campus Recruiting services. CDC works with several hundred employers who either visit the campus to interview students or fax information about job openings for Resume Referral and Job Hotline services. Resume Referral and Job Hotline services are available to alumni, and Career Connection 2000 members retain the Resume Expert software for their use as Binghamton University alumni.
The Career Development Center has two locations (CDC North and CDC South) on the ground floor of the Bartle Library building. In recognition of the range of student needs and interests, these facilities are used to provide individual and group services through personal conversation as well as group instruction relating to career exploration, job search, and application to graduate and professional school.
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 work shops, 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.
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. 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 Clinic. 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.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services provides a wide range of programs and services designed to meet the needs of the more than 600 international students and scholars on campus. Services include processing of required Immigration and Naturalization Service documents; assistance with immigration regulations governing enrollment, employment, and travel; administering the mandatory health and accident insurance program; and editing a weekly electronic newsletter, which 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, manages an international alumni network, and acts as liaison between students and other University offices, student groups, and U.S. and foreign government agencies.
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.
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 severe 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).
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 circum stances 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.
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 indepen dence 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 memoran dum 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.
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).
The Binghamton University Alumni Association Inc. represents over 62,000 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, internships, 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 Network provides students with a listing of 1,000 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.