Parent Connect Newsletter

May 2023

Harvey Stenger, President
Harvey Stenger, President

Dear parents and families,

Another academic year is winding down, though it may not feel that way with the many end-of-semester activities that are taking place on campus. It’s an exciting time as students prepare for finals, complete projects and reports, take advantage of Stress-free Bing activities and — for the majority of our students — prepare for the summer break and whatever jobs and internships await them.

Still, about 4,500 of our students are finishing up their Binghamton years, preparing for Commencement ceremonies and planning to start their careers or continue on elsewhere for another degree.

No matter what category your student falls into, the skills our students have gained at Binghamton University will serve them well. And I’m not just referring to the academics they pursue that provide them with practical, technical and professional skills; I’m also referring to the leadership and socialization skills they have developed through the student organizations and activities they have participated in.

College is a formative time for students, and the more they take advantage of the opportunities we provide through our divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, the better they are prepared to live in and change our world for the better when they leave us.

So, whether students will be returning to us next fall or heading off to careers, we thank you for allowing us to nurture their skills and sensibilities. It has been our pleasure to have them here.

I wish a smooth and successful ending of the semester to all of our students!

Sincerely,

Harvey Stenger
President

Stress-free Bing

Coordinated by the Dean of Students Office (DOS), Stress-free Bing is a campus-wide initiative providing interesting, fun, free and stress-reducing activities for students as they prepare for finals.

This year we have the Res Life Pet-a-Pooch, therapy dogs and ponies at the Libraries, Nature Walks, Baseball Night, Cram Jam, free fitness classes and lots of treats, crafts and giveaways! Events and activities are currently running through May 12.

For more information and a full calendar of de-stress events, visit the Stress-free Bing webpage.

On-campus move out

All on-campus residents are expected to vacate their rooms 24 hours after their last exam. Based on the final exam schedule, most students will need to vacate their rooms by 10 a.m. Friday, May 12. Students with Thursday night exams still need to be out by 10 a.m. Friday. For more information about move-out expectations, visit the Residential Life website.

Parents sought for leadership council

Interested in getting involved at Binghamton at the leadership level? Parents of Binghamton students have an opportunity to join the Parents Leadership Council (PLC), whose members complement and support the University's strategic directives and initiatives by acting as advancement advocates for the Division of Student Affairs through private support and outreach. Members participate in quarterly conference calls and are invited to campus in the spring semester for an on-campus meeting and reception with President Harvey Stenger. 

If you have questions or would like to talk with a current PLC member, contact Betsy Staff, director of parent and family programs, at families@binghamton.edu.

May engagement highlight: end-of-semester events

As classes wind down and finals prep gears up, students can enjoy study breaks and fill down time with fun end-of-semester events.

The International Student and Scholar Services office has their final Coffee Hour from 3:30–5 p.m. tomorrow (May 5) in the Old Champlain Atrium. Open to all students, staff and faculty, anyone can stop by and enjoy coffee, tea, snacks, play games and meet new people from all over the world! 

The Binghamton Students for Autism Acceptance club will host its annual Everyone's Carnival from 11 a.m–2 p.m. this Saturday (May 6) on the Peace Quad, featuring a bouncy house, face painting, snacks and a dunk tank.

And of course, the Campus Activities office has exciting Senior Week events every day leading up to Commencement. Kicking it off with Senior Night in The Union, starting at 8 p.m. Monday, May 8, seniors can bowl, play billiards, socialize and more in the Union Undergrounds. Graduates can't miss President Stenger's annual Celebratory Send-off from 5–7 p.m. Thursday, May 11, on the Peace Quad, complete with delicious food, free swag, professional photos at the Berm and more to celebrate the Class of 2023.

Senior Survey

Every year around Commencement, the University sends out the Senior Survey to gather valuable information about where our graduates are headed next. If your students are 2023 graduating seniors, we want to hear about their post-graduation plans! Encourage them to take the Senior Survey, which has been sent to their Binghamton email. 

Learn more about the Senior Survey online. 

Binghamton University to host 10 Commencement ceremonies this month

Binghamton University will confer more than 4,500 degrees for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral candidates when it holds 10 separate Commencement ceremonies in May, beginning with the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 10. The remaining ceremonies will be held beginning Friday, May 12, through Sunday, May 14. The pharmacy school and doctoral hooding ceremonies will be held in the Anderson Center’s Osterhout Concert Theater. All other ceremonies will be held in the Events Center on campus. 

More than 3,400 of the degrees awarded will be baccalaureate degrees, and more than 800 master’s students will cross the stage. Nearly 130 doctoral candidates and 81 Doctor of Pharmacy candidates will be hooded. 

Each school and college will have its own ceremony, with Harpur College of Arts and Sciences holding three ceremonies Saturday, May 13, to accommodate all of its graduates. The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will hold its ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, May 12, followed the same day by the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences ceremony at 1 p.m.; and the Master’s ceremony for candidates from Decker College, Harpur College, the School of Management and the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science at 4:30 p.m. Master’s candidates from the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) will be recognized during the CCPA ceremony at noon Sunday, May 14.

For the complete schedule and additional information about Commencement 2023, visit the Commencement website.

Don’t lose your leftover Dining Dollars!

Binghamton University Dining Services (BUDS) thanks all the students and families in the Binghamton community for another successful semester. We are already looking forward to the fall semester, creating new menus and making plans for new operations.

At the end of the semester, students may find they have leftover Dining Dollars on their meal plan. Any unused Dining Dollars will carry over semester to semester, or year to year, as long as a new meal plan is purchased each consecutive semester. 

If your student is moving off campus next semester or into one of the on-campus apartment communities, there are multiple meal plans available to choose from. To learn more about Commuter/On-campus Apartment Meal Plans, visit our website.

Career services extended to students throughout summer

The Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development offers services and resources to support students all summer long.

Career consulting appointments: Offered weekdays throughout the summer

Students can schedule appointments to meet with a career consultant virtually through Handshake. Fleishman Career Center staff are available to assist students with any career-related topics or questions, such as exploring career options, job and internship application materials, job search, interview preparation and more. Students can log in to hireBING and schedule an appointment based on topic and consultant availability. Students graduating in May 2023 can also utilize career services for up to six months after their graduation date.

Intern for academic credit (CDCI 395)

Students have the opportunity to earn academic credit for their summer internships through the CDCI academic internship program. Internships are an important way that students explore careers and gain experience, and the Fleishman Career Center’s CDCI program recognizes and enhances the educational value of internship experiences. CDCI 395 includes an asynchronous online seminar designed to teach students how to make the most of their internship experience and how to leverage their summer internship to propel them to their next opportunity. Visit our website for additional information and registration instructions.

Resources students can access any time

Students are also encouraged to utilize the Fleishman Career Center's online resources, all of which may be accessed for free, including:

Students can also sign up to receive weekly emails with resources, job or internship postings, and other helpful information related to their specific career interests by joining a Career Cluster.

Online Career Exploration Course (CDCI 200)

The options for career paths are endless, which can make choosing a career difficult and stressful. Students unsure about their career path are encouraged to register for CDCI 200, a two-credit online career exploration course offered during summer break to help them create a meaningful and purposeful plan to prepare for their future careers. The course is ideal for first-year students and rising sophomores or juniors who are still exploring their options, are having second thoughts about their current career ideas, or are experiencing overall uncertainty about their career direction. The deadline to register for this summer’s CDCI 200 Course is June 30 for Summer Session II (July 11–Aug. 12). Learn more about this course on the Fleishman Center’s website.

Students with any questions regarding Fleishman Career Center services or resources can contact careers@binghamton.edu.

Staying active in the summer

Students staying in Binghamton over the summer can stay active with a fitness membership at the East Gym, Recreation Center. Skip the sunburns and bug bites: your student can beat the heat at our temperature-controlled FitSpace, fully equipped with state-of-the-art fitness equipment!

One membership unlocks countless ways to get involved. Full gym access empowers students to explore different options and find a routine that fits their needs. Whether your student likes to swim, bike, run or lift, they’ll find what they need at the East Gym, Recreation Center, and our friendly staff will ensure a clean, safe environment.
Summer memberships go on sale Monday, May 1. A full summer membership is $60 and runs from May 30–Aug. 11, but you can also purchase a half-session membership for $30 (running from May 30–June 30 or July 10–Aug. 11). Think ahead and prepare for the summer before spring semester fitness memberships end on Thursday, May 11!

Support your student in reaching their full potential with a fitness membership. Students can sign up online (https://recreation.binghamton.edu/), or purchase a membership at the East Gym’s front desk. 

Financial Aid and Student Records are here to help!

For all servicing options, hours of operation, document submission upload instructions, and much more, visit the following websites:

Document submission: All documents can be uploaded securely through the myBinghamton portal. Click on Financial Aid and Student Records Document Submission (available links section on the left side of the page).

2023–24 FAFSA application

FAFSA filing news! The 2023–24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) became available Oct. 1, 2022. You can file your FAFSA online.

Students/parents will report 2021 tax information on the 2023–24 FAFSA. Reporting accurate tax information is simple with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which ensures accurate and streamlined FAFSA filing. For information about how to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, visit student aid resources online.

The recommended filing date for returning students is March 1 but you can still apply.

2023-24 New York state aid

To apply for New York state aid, students must complete a New York State Student Aid Payment Application. This application provides a single conduit for applying for payment of all state grants, scholarships and awards, which includes TAP, Excelsior (requires initial separate application as well) and STEM (requires initial separate application as well). Students and parents have the option to link directly to the application from the FAFSA submission confirmation page or complete the application by going to the N.Y. State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) webpage. Note that students must be studying full time for most NYS grants and scholarships.

All aspects of the TAP application and applications for their respective awards must be complete for the awards to be sent from the HESC. 

2023-24 Financial Aid award notification timeline

Financial aid award notifications for the 2023-24 academic year (Fall 2023, Spring 2024) were emailed to returning students with a valid FAFSA on file beginning in mid-March.

2023–24 parent PLUS Loan application timeline

Parents can apply for PLUS Loans beginning May 1 for the 2023–24 aid year. For more general information about parent PLUS Loans, visit the financial aid PLUS Loan webpage.

Summer 2023 financial aid

Financial aid for the summer is available for matriculated Binghamton University undergraduate and graduate students who are in good academic standing. Undergraduate students enrolled for at least six credits during Summer Session may be eligible to use Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Parent PLUS Loans and private loans to help finance Summer Session. Pell-eligible students will receive the award automatically based on eligibility and enrollment.

The 2023 Summer Loan Request Form is available on the Financial Aid Forms page.

Education Abroad for summer 2023 or fall 2023

Is your student considering education abroad? If yes, once accepted to an education abroad program, financial aid applicants should meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss costs and funding options. Students must submit a copy of the program acceptance letter and a detailed program cost sheet.

Proxy access available for financial aid information

"Proxy access" is the ability students have to grant others access to view their financial aid information in BU Brain. For more information about Proxy Access, and instructions for students, visit the Proxy Access webpage.

Graduating seniors and loan repayment

Students graduating this spring who borrowed student loans to help with educational expenses need to be thinking about repayment. Knowledge is power when it comes to repayment, such as knowing what to expect: choosing the right repayment plan and staying on top of loan payments can help students fulfill their financial goals. Visit the Federal Student Aid website for helpful repayment tips and resources…and congratulations on your student’s graduation! 

NYS Get On Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program

The NYS Get on Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program provides up to 24 months of federal student loan debt relief to recent New York state college graduates who are participating in a federal income-driven repayment plan whose payments are generally capped at 10 percent of their discretionary income. Visit the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation website for more information.

Student Records

For more information visit the Student Records website.

Spring 2023 proof of enrollment

Proof of enrollment for spring 2023 is available online through the National Student Clearinghouse. Students can access this through their BU Brain account on my.binghamton.edu. Click Student tab, then Student Services Tools.

Graduating seniors — applications for degree

Currently enrolled undergraduates intending to graduate in spring 2023 must complete the online Application for Degree (AFD) available on BU Brain in order to receive their degrees. Students should have submitted an AFD by March 15 to be included in the spring Commencement program.

Students completing coursework at another school in spring 2023 must email degree@binghamton.edu to complete their Application for Degree.

Students who have difficulty locating or completing the Application for Degree on BU Brain can email degree@binghamton.edu.

University Withdrawal for the spring semester

Students seeking to withdraw completely from the University during the spring semester must complete the University withdrawal form. The semester withdrawal form is required for students who wish to drop ALL courses and who want their academic records to indicate in good standing. The deadline to withdraw from the spring semester is 4:30 p.m. on the last day of classes, Thursday, May 4.

Summer Session 2023 registration

Term I:  May 30–July 3

  • Add/drop deadline: 11:59 p.m. June 1
  • Course withdrawal deadline: 4 p.m. June 19
  • Change of grade option deadline: 11:59 p.m. June 19

Term II: July 10–Aug. 11

  • Add/Drop deadline: 11:59 p.m. July 13
  • Course withdrawal deadline: 4 p.m. July 31
  • Change of grade option deadline: 11:59 p.m. July 31

Students must clear all holds before they can register. Holds can be viewed online through BU Brain at my.binghamton.edu.

For more information about the summer session, please visit the Summer Session website.

Fall 2023 Registration

Advanced registration for the fall semester will close at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of classes, May 4. Continuing students will receive a new time ticket for course registration that will begin again right before the semester begins in August. Time tickets will be viewable in BU Brain in mid-August.

DegreeWorks Audit

Students should review their DegreeWorks audit to ensure their spring 2023 courses are meeting degree requirements. 

Clear holds

Be sure to clear all holds that may prevent registration. Holds can be viewed online through BU BRAIN.

Lost IDs

Students can request a replacement ID card through my.binghamton.edu or send us an email (using their official Binghamton University email account — emails from other accounts cannot be processed) with their name and B-number to idcard@binghamton.edu.

  • There is a $20 fee for all replacement ID cards, which will be assessed to the student’s bill in Student Accounts.
  • Students will need a photo ID to pick up their card. Acceptable forms of ID include: driver’s license, passport, high school or other university photo ID.

Official expedited electronic transcripts now available

In addition to free official paper transcripts, we also offer official expedited electronic transcripts. Transcripts are sent in PDF format via email. Official electronic transcripts are typically sent within 10 minutes of authorization. Attachments can also be uploaded and sent with your expedited electronic transcript.

There is a $5 charge per recipient for the expedited service. 

More information about electronic transcript service is available online.

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Visiting Binghamton?

If you're planning a trip to Binghamton, visit the Visiting Binghamton section on our website or the Greater Binghamton Convention and Visitors Bureau for information on what to see, where to stay and where to eat while you're here.

Update parent information

Keep your contact information updated in our parent database. If your address, phone or email has changed, send a note to families@binghamton.edu to let us know. And if you're looking for more from us, check out some of our pages targeted directly to parents and guardians:

Calendar of events

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