News Briefs

Funding is available for introducing entrepreneurship into your course. Courses in all Binghamton University schools are eligible. As part of an ongoing effort to incorporate entrepreneurship topics throughout the curriculum at Binghamton University, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships and the New York State Center of Excellence are sponsoring the second round of the “Entrepreneurship Across the Curriculum” (ExC) initiative.

Awards of $1,000 will be offered for faculty with continuing appointments to significantly revise an existing course to include an entrepreneurship-related component, or to include a significant entrepreneurial component in a new course being developed.

For more information, click on the Entrepreneurship Across the Curriculum link at http://research.binghamton.edu/Innovation/.

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” -Edith Wharton. Thank you to the campus community for your response to the PEC’s request for nominations for its annual award, which was developed for the purpose of shining a light on exemplary campus professionals.  The recipients of the 2011 Distinguished Service Award are:

·  Katie Ellis, Communications and Marketing (as nominated by Rachel Coker)
·  Bonnie Jenson, Human Resources (as nominated by Sara Declemente-Hammoud)
·  Krista Medionte-Phillips, Enrollment Management (as nominated by Sandra Starke)

These exceptional professionals will be honored officially at the PEC’s fall constituency luncheon on Nov. 9.  An invitation with further details will be posted closer to the date of the event.

Binghamton University is expected to surpass the financial goals of the “Bold. Brilliant. Binghamton” campaign, Vice President for External Affairs Marcia Craner told the University Council at its May 13 meeting.

“Fifteen months remain until the conclusion of the campaign,” Craner said. “We are working not just to meet our ($95 million) goal, but we are going to exceed it. We plan to finish strong by creating additional opportunities to engage our many dedicated campaign volunteers.”

The “Bold. Brilliant. Binghamton” campaign, which had an online public launch in April 2010, has raised nearly $91 million. The previous campaign, “Believe,” had a $36 million goal and eventually raised $43.69 million. The current campaign has seen the average size of gifts nearly double since “Believe,” Craner said. Some of the gifts include $45 million from Siemens/UGS, an anonymous $6 million donation, $1.5 million from the Decker Foundation and $1 million from Charles ’98 and Jean Kim.

“If someone had asked me in May 2007 whether I believed we could overcome the challenges of an international economic downturn and continue to raise dollars in a successful campaign, I don’t know how I would’ve answered,” said Craner, who added that the University’s endowment is at its highest level ever: $82 million.

“The work of the Division of External Affairs, in my opinion, has never been more important to the University,” she said. “By strengthening external support and engagement, Binghamton University can face current challenges and pursue new opportunities.”

President C. Peter Magrath provided the Faculty Senate with an overview of the NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant Program during its May 17 meeting.

“NYSUNY2020,” unveiled earlier this month by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, would provide $35 million in capital funding to the four university centers. The campuses will submit long-term economic and academic plans to receive the Phase 1 funding. Other possibilities, Magrath said, include a five-year rational tuition plan and differential tuition.

“If this legislation moves forward, it would be a big, big win for this University and good for the university centers,” Magrath said.

In other business, the Senate approved the following nominees to positions on the 2011-12 Faculty Senate Procedures Committee: Chair – Susan Strehle (English); Vice Chair – Alistar Lees (chemistry); and Secretary – Erin Rushton (Library). The Senate also approved guidelines for assessment of General Education and Evaluation Coordinating Committee procedures.

On May 10, the Senate voted to thank all faculty who have served to date on the Presidential Search Committee, to reaffirm those previously elected faculty representatives and to follow the same electoral process in selecting any replacements necessary.

According to Faculty Senate Executive Committee Chair Richard Lee, two faculty are no longer able to serve on the committee: Dawnie Steadman of anthropology because she is taking a position at the University of Tennessee, and Tim Perry of music, so he can oversee his department’s reaccreditation. A nomination and election process is underway.

Corine Omole was introduced as the 2011-12 Couper Fellow during a reception May 12 for the 19th Annual Edgar W. Couper Lecture.

Omole’s studies will focus on culture, curriculum and schooling in post-colonial Africa.

“I am happy to be a recipient of the Couper Fellowship award,” she said. “I thank the Couper family for establishing the fund and the School of Education for considering me worthy of the award.

“I appreciate all of the professors in the School of Education whose courses I have taken. Each of these courses has contributed to my ability to question what I have all my life accepted as normal.”

The Edgar W. Couper Endowment Fund for Educational Excellence provides Couper Fellowships annually to one or more full-time students in SOE’s doctoral program in Educational Theory and Practice.

The fellowships and lecture honor Couper, a former chancellor of the New York state Board of Regents, who helped bring Binghamton into the State University of New York system in 1950.

The reception also served as introduction to the school’s 13 new doctoral students. The students include Randall Edouard, director of Binghamton University’s Educational Opportunity Program.

The Couper Lecture was given by Russell Skiba, professor of counseling and educational psychology at Indiana University. He discussed “Race is Not Neutral: Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disproportionality in Discipline.”

The Binghamton University Philanthropy Incubator has announced this year’s grant recipients.

This year, the Incubator has awarded more than $13,000 to the following local nonprofit agencies:
· Southern Tier Alternative Therapies, $1,500
· Family Enrichment Network, $3,000
· Broome County Urban League, $3,250
· Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service, Ithaca $1,500
· Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference, $2,250
· Mom’s House, $1,500

Agencies were selected for funding based upon student research and were expected to meet various qualifications for the grant. This semester, students worked diligently to focus on key initiatives centered on the Incubator’s mission, strategy, revenue generation and organizational structure.

The Philanthropy Incubator, which is funded by The Sunshine Lady Foundation, student fundraising and the Campus Compact/Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, is a mechanism to teach students in the Binghamton University Scholars Program, Masters of Public Administration (MPA) and Social Work (MSW) programs about philanthropy and nonprofit management.

Under the direction of MPA faculty member David Campbell, students designed and implemented the grant-making process, as well as the fund-raising efforts to support the project.

State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher and the Binghamton University Council on May 9 announced modifications regarding the appointment of a new presidential search committee. The changes follow recommendations that were put forward by Chancellor Zimpher, and discussions between the Chancellor’s office and the Council.

Kathryn Grant Madigan and James Orband will serve as co-chairs of the search committee.  The Chancellor and the Council have also agreed on a range of additional search process improvements, including providing periodic updates to both the Chancellor and the SUNY Board. The enhanced search process includes an open invitation from the Council to both the Chancellor and the SUNY Board to discuss any concerns regarding the committee’s activities.

Binghamton University President C. Peter Magrath will also assume a larger role in the search process by acting as consultant on committee and procedural issues.

Both the Chancellor and the Binghamton University Council reaffirmed their commitment to finding an outstanding leader who will enable Binghamton University to continue its proud tradition of academic excellence.

The Binghamton University Alumni Association is sponsoring a tour of Egypt from Jan. 7-21, 2012. This trip, which is open to the public and part of the Alumni Travel Program, will focus on the unique history, art, architecture and religious beliefs of ancient Egypt.

Maryann E. White, a graduate of Binghamton University, will serve as the guide for this adventure. She will lead travelers on tours of the museums and monuments in and around Cairo, as well as temples and tombs of pharaohs and nobles.

The tour will cost $3,985 per person, based on double occupancy, and includes round-trip airfare, lodging, admission fees at various venues, travel within Egypt and some meals. A $500 deposit is due upon registration. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit the “Events and Networks” section of binghamton.edu/alumni to see a detailed itinerary. To register, contact the Alumni Relations office at 607-777-2341, or partner agency Travel with the Experts at 732-292-0034.

The Binghamton University Alumni Golf Classic, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5, at Traditions at the Glen in Johnson City, is seeking foursomes and sponsors.  This event is open to the public.

The Alumni Association organizes this event annually to bring together Binghamton University graduates, local business leaders and community members.  This 18-hole tournament will use a captain and crew format and will feature contests, giveaways and prizes, including a chance to win $10,000 or a car for a hole-in-one. Lunch and a BBQ and Blues dinner reception are included.

For more information about the event, and to download a registration brochure, visit bugolf.com. For more information, contact Dan Polhamus, associate director of alumni relations, at 607-777-2431.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has reaffirmed Binghamton University’s accreditation for a 10-year period. A copy of the Commission’s reaffirmation letter can be viewed at http://www2.binghamton.edu/academics/provost/documents/accreditation_reaffirmation.pdf.

For more information on the Commission’s November 2010 review of the University, see the Inside article at
http://www2.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/university-receives-positive-middle-states-report, and to see the University’s 2010 self-study document, visit http://www2.binghamton.edu/academics/provost/reports.html.

The spring/summer 2011 digital edition of Binghamton Research is now online at http://go.binghamton.edu/spring11. The magazine offers you a chance to find out about the latest insights and innovations from Binghamton University. Read about discoveries in areas ranging from superconductors to cancer and from entrepreneurship to alcoholism, watch a short movie created by a faculty filmmaker and get a peek at plans for the new Center of Excellence building.

The University’s 2010 State Employees Federated Campaign goal of $65,000 has been met, thanks to more than 230 contributions from the campus community. The campaign provides support to community service agencies in the region, state and nation.

The SEFA Committee also announced the following contributors had received gift cards in a drawing: Rebecca Benner, Jean L. Green, Kimberly Avery, Thomas McDonough, Steve Machlin, Beverly Rainforth, Ambrose Lynch, Diane Horvath, Michele Deskin and Kari Reilly.

Binghamton University’s Fast-Track Professional MBA Program offered in New York City has been a success. In response to inquiries from non-SOM alumni with an interest in earning an MBA while maintaining their full-time employment, the School of Management is initiating an 18-month executive MBA program that will begin in September 2011.

School of Management faculty, widely known for teaching excellence, will serve as instructors for the program, which will take place at a convenient location in midtown Manhattan with classes on Saturdays. Because of the cohort nature of the program, participants will enter together and serve as resources to each other throughout the program and beyond. To facilitate the sharing of participant knowledge and experience as well as to create an active learning environment, space in the program is limited.

Binghamton University is nationally recognized for the quality and value of its programs. An undergraduate degree in business is not required; however, applicants should have a minimum of five years of full-time business or professional experience. To request more information, or to apply, contact Associate Dean George Bobinski by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 607-777-2342.

The Office of Human Resources reminds professional UUP and Management Confidential staff that as of the close of business on Dec. 31, 2010, vacation accruals must be at or below 40 days.

Systems will automatically reset vacation balances to the appropriate level as of Jan. 1, 2011. If operationally feasible, staff with vacation balances in excess of 40 days are encouraged to either use vacation time prior to Jan. 1, or consider donating the time to the sick leave donation program. http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/forms/forms-doc-files/LeaveDonate.pdf

If you have questions or concerns, contact Alison Gierlach at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 777-6625, or Jeff Hadley at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 777-2187.

Binghamton University Magazine has a new issue and a fresh look, both in print and online. In the fall issue:
• What is the future of the Nature Preserve?
• A profile of Vincent Daniel ’94, who dared to bet against Wall Street.
• A new faculty feature called “The Other Side.”
Print copies will be mailed to faculty. Can’t wait? Visit http://binghamton.edu/magazine.