Business, Service and Community Issues Organizations

Adopt-A-School is a volunteer organization that pairs University students with students in local elementary, middle and high schools in a mentoring program. Each volunteer is matched with one student for whom he/she serves as a mentor; mentors meet with the child at the child’s school at least once a week. Each new mentor is required to commit to at least one year of participation. Prospective volunteers must participate in a brief application process, personal interview and training session. There are many leadership opportunities in Adopt-A-School for those who are interested.

Art Co-op is a great place for quality art supplies at a low cost. Volunteer one or two hours a week and get a discount! Call x74721 or visit us at FA 236.

Binghamton Animal Rights Coalition (BARC) discusses and promotes the concept of animal rights through educational activities, festivals, vigils and peaceful protests. BARC also investigates and reports cases in which animal rights are violated on campus, in the community and throughout the world.

Binghamton Environmental Action Resource (BEAR) If you are concerned about the natural environment, on campus and earth, BEAR is an organization for you. We are working with Dining Services to eliminate foam products and waste on campus. We are educating students about environmentally sound alternatives, and working with the administration to reduce car use on campus and conserve green space.

Binghamton Sound, Staging and Lighting (BSSL) provides professional sound, lighting and staging services to the Binghamton University community, as well as opportunities for students to learn how to work in these fields.

Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton University serves to reach out to the youth of the community. Student members actively participate in social and holiday events, forging strong ties with the children involved.



Campus Pre-School and Early Childhood Center (CPS & ECC) provides developmentally appropriate, quality child care for children 18 months to 6 years old, Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. There is also an evening drop-in care program. Contact the center at x72695 for more information.

Circle K is the local chapter of the world’s largest collegiate, coed campus and community service organization. It offers opportunities for establishing leadership skills, forming friendships, working in a common cause with other students and simply having fun.

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Escape is a not-for-profit, SA chartered, student-run organization. We runs buses to Manhattan, Fresh Meadows and Carle Place on regular weekends and to extended destinations on holidays. Greyhound and Short Line tickets are sold at a student discount. Employment opportunities are also available. Office hours are Mon.-Thurs., noon-4, and Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m., during the semester. For more information, contact Escape at x76178.

Food Co-op is more than just a health food store; it is a comfortable place to buy groceries, eat lunch, study, socialize or hold an organizational meeting. We are a cooperatively run, not-for-profit student organization that serves as an alternative to the University’s traditional dining hall setting. We specialize in healthy organic vegetarian and vegan foods and offer other ecologically friendly supplies. All of our prices are kept low as we continue to serve a wide multicultural community, on and off campus. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Call x74258.

Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that works with people around the world, from all walks of life, building houses and developing communities in partnership with those in need. The campus chapter works with the Broome County Habitat for Humanity to build houses for the economically disadvantaged. Each year the group participates in the collegiate challenge during spring break week. The group travels to a warm and sunny city in the U.S. for one week to build houses with other chapters from colleges all over the country. No skills or experience with carpentry are needed, just a heart and a willingness to help those who are less fortunate while having fun at the same time.

Harpur’s Ferry is the student-run volunteer ambulance service providing emergency medical care for the Binghamton University campus and surrounding community. Harpur’s Ferry provides free advanced life-support emergency care. The organization operates an ambulance and a first-response vehicle. All services are certified by the New York State Department of Health. Membership is through an open application and interview process; however, no training is needed to apply. Harpur’s Ferry will provide all accepted members with any necessary training.

High Hopes Crisis Intervention Center is a 24-hour, student-run crisis, counseling and information hotline. Counselors always listen to any concerns a caller may want to discuss. Callers are helped to recognize their options and are encouraged to solve their problems on their own. High Hopes also has information and referrals concerning pregnancy, AIDS, STDs, birth control, drugs and many other topics. Each semester High Hopes welcomes all students interested in training to become counselors. The phone numbers at High Hopes are x7HELP and x7DRUG.

JUMP Nation (Juvenile Upstate Multi-cultural Program) is designed to combat the rising high school dropout rate in the inner cities and eventually throughout the entire state. Weekly meetings consist of workshops to inform members on the subject of education and its changes. There is also training for one-on-one counseling of students. We do presentations in schools throughout New York City and design a weekend of activities in which we introduce high school students to a university setting.

MITRA is a dedicated community service organization that provides consistent service to the community and friendship within the organization. Since MITRA means "friends" in Sanskrit, we are friends to the community, the campus and each other. We volunteer at the Binghamton Boys & Girls Club, Willow Point Nursing Home, Broome County Humane Society, Salvation Army, and STAP. In addition, MITRA volunteers for one-time events such as Special Olympics, CHOW, the American Heart Association, and the on-campus Purim Carnival. Everyone can make a difference in the community . . . and your opportunity is now!

New York Public Interest Research Group, Inc. (NYPIRG) is a non-profit, non-partisan, statewide research and advocacy organization, established and directed by New York state college and university students. NYPIRG has grown to be the largest statewide citizen activist organization in the country. At Binghamton University, students work with NYPIRG on projects that relate to consumer protection, energy, education, environmental preservation, government and corporate accountability, and economic and social justice.

OCC Transport is a student-operated and managed bus service. It provides service into the Triple Cities area seven days a week throughout the school year, including shuttles to local shopping centers and community service trips for campus-chartered groups. OCC is located on the second floor of the University Union (x76989).

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Pro-Choice Coalition is dedicated to providing accurate information on abortion, birth control, health care and women’s rights. We discuss recent reproductive laws, have various birth control teach-ins, conduct workshops on sex stereotypes and have informative video series throughout each semester. We are strongly committed to defending women’s health care clinics from anti-choice attacks and blockades and subsequently travel throughout New York and beyond to attend rallies, conferences, workshops and marches. The group invites all to attend meetings and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of anything.

Protection Connection is a non-profit organization whose purpose is twofold. First, it provides students with a conveniently located and inexpensive way to purchase non-prescription contraceptives. Second, it has extensive referral services and educational literature on all aspects of birth control, women’s health and local services. Staffers volunteer for one hour per week. Hours depend on how many staffers the co-op has.

Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) focuses on ecological and social justice issues on a local and global scale. We believe that racism, poverty, sexism, homophobia and oppression are as toxic to our society as are chemical pollutants. SEAC is part of a national coalition with more than 1,500 chapters in colleges and high schools across the United States. It provides young people with training in grass-roots organizing, public speaking and advocacy writing.

Student Volunteer Center is a campus coordinating office for students and community services in need of volunteers. It works with a wide variety of educational and social programs in Broome County and offers voluntary opportunities in the Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, nursing homes, shelters and many other community programs. Volunteer opportunities are available for all majors and interests. Gain experience for your career and even earn credit by volunteering! Students are needed to staff the office.

Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) is an organization that strives to increase awareness of the dangers associated with drunk driving. Our goal is to show that being a friend means not only saying "no" to drunk driving, but also making sure that others live by the same principles. It is our hope that by educating the community about alcohol-related situations, we can create a safer environment for all.

Veg Club was formed to unite vegetarians, vegans and health-conscious individuals for discussions, guest speaker lectures and veg dinners. The Veg Club works closely with the Food Co-op in order to spread vegetarianism and benefit the student population.
Amnesty International works for the release of political prisoners who have neither used nor advocated violence, for fair trials and due legal process, and for an end to torture and other inhuman punishments. Campus group activities include letter writing, petitioning, education, protest, fundraising, speakers and films.

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