President's Report Masthead
September 30, 2016

Student Services

Welcome Week programming

This year, a committee was developed to coordinate Welcome Week programming events to meet the calendar change leading up to the start of classes. This was the first year the University held Move-in Day on a Sunday (Aug. 21), rather than the usual Thursday, and started classes on a Thursday (Aug. 25), changing the expectations for Welcome Week activities.

The committee consisted of 18 members representing a wide range of areas including: New Student Programs; TRIO; health education; Campus Recreation; University athletics; Residential Life; communications and marketing; Campus Activities; Late Nite Binghamton; the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; collegiate professors; Harpur Academic Advising; and the Office of Student and Scholar Services.

The committee was charged with developing new initiatives as well as coordinating University-wide programs already in existence to map out a schedule for the Welcome Week, which started when incoming students arrived on Sunday, Aug. 21. Overall, 105 different events were offered during Welcome Week, including:
• Easy Gym hours
• Movies in the communities
• A variety of Residential Life programs
• Academic advising hours for schools
• Spirit of Binghamton Brunch
• Binghamton Mets game
• University-wide scavenger hunt
• Evening event at the Rec Center
• Health education-sponsored event: “Speak About It”
• Academic school events (Watson, SOM, Decker, Harpur and CCPA)
• Taste of the MarketPlace
• University Union tours and open house
• Transfer Student Social
• Study abroad and International Student and Scholar Services event
• Event at the library
• Department of Theatre events
• Multicultural Extravaganza
• Target bus trips
• New Student Picnic
• Late Nite events including bowling, billiards, munchies and table tennis
• Community BBQs
• Shindig at the Fountain
• Tours of the Nature Preserve
• Events Center and East Gym open houses
• LGBTQ Center welcome
• Field days in the communities
• University Fest
• HeartSafe CPR trainings

Welcome Week Service Project

This was the third year for the service project, which was offered during Welcome Week for incoming students. The 2016 Service Project was held between Aug. 21 and 23. Invitations were sent to the entire incoming freshman class; participation was voluntary. The planning committee consisted of nine members representing New Student Programs, TRIO, the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development, Late Nite Binghamton, Residential Life, collegiate professors and graduate students.
The committee set a target of 120 participants; 83 students participated. In addition to the student participants, 15 returning students who participated in the service project in prior years served as mentors.

The day of service was held Monday, Aug. 22, and the following sites/organizations partnered with Binghamton University:
• Binghamton University Acres
• Cornell Cooperative Extension at Finch Hollow
• Family Enrichment Network
• Healing House
• Johnson City Senior Center
• Kopernik Observatory & Science Center
• Quarter Yellow Studios – mural in Downtown Binghamton

Additional events for the service project included a training for student mentors, a kick-off event on Move-in Day as well as a closing brunch when students debriefed and shared their experiences with the entire group.

Veterans Services

Binghamton University continues to climb the national rankings for value, and now we are being recognized as one of the best schools for veterans. Veteran Services has made substantial efforts to improve the lives of current and future veteran students by offering an expedited military student orientation, discounted parking for veteran students, a veteran student lounge and a highly engaged Veteran Student Organization. Binghamton University is also the first college in New York state to offer Vet Net Ally, an education and awareness program that develops a network of faculty, staff and administrators committed to creating a welcoming and supportive campus environment for current military service members and veterans.