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Binghamton University

Coordinates: 42°05′21″N 75°58′12″W / 42.089250°N 75.969890°W / 42.089250; -75.969890
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State University of New York at Binghamton
TypePublic
Established1946
Endowment$52 million (2005)
PresidentLois B. DeFleur
Academic staff
504
Undergraduates11,174
Postgraduates2,844
Location
Vestal
,
NY
,
USA
CampusSuburban, 887 acres (3.6 km²)
ColorsGreen and White
NicknameThe Bearcats
AffiliationsState University of New York
MascotBearcat
WebsiteBinghamton.edu
File:Campusoverlook.jpg
Overlooking center of campus.

The State University of New York at Binghamton also known as Binghamton University is a coeducational public research university located in Vestal, New York. Originally Triple Cities College of Syracuse University, Binghamton University has grown from a small liberal arts college to a much larger doctoral granting research university. The university is the smallest of the four SUNY University Centers and larger than all of the SUNY undergraduate colleges, with a total enrollment of approximately 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Binghamton University is the highest ranked Public University in New York and according to some publications, the entire Northeast United States.

Lois B. DeFleur is the sixth and current president of the university. She began her current position in 1990.

The school's sports teams are called the Bearcats (formerly the Colonials). They participate in NCAA Division I athletics through the America East Conference.

History

SUNY Binghamton was established in 1946 as Triple Cities College to serve the needs of local veterans returning from World War II. Established in Endicott, New York, the college was a branch of Syracuse University. Originally, Triple Cities College offered local students the first two years of their education, while the following two were spent at Syracuse University, but the inception of the college is dated at 1946 when students could first earn their degree entirely in the Binghamton branch. When the college split from Syracuse and became incorporated into the State University of New York (SUNY) in 1950, it was renamed Harpur College, in honor of Robert Harpur, a Colonial teacher and pioneer who settled in the Binghamton area. Of the four University Centers (SUNY Stonybrook, SUNY Albany, SUNY Buffalo and Binghamton), Binghamton was the first to join SUNY. In 1951, the college began a move to its current location in Vestal, New York. The 387-acre site was purchased from a local farmer, anticipating future growth for the school. Colonial Hall, the original building of the former campus, stands today as the Village of Endicott Visitor's Center. After Harpur was selected as one of the four university centers of SUNY in 1965, it was renamed State University of New York at Binghamton. As other schools were added, Harpur College retained its name as the liberal arts college core, and largest component, of the State University of New York at Binghamton. Harpur College is still the largest of Binghamton's constituent schools, with more than 60% undergraduate and graduate students.

Thomas J. Watson

Thomas J. Watson is an important figure in Binghamton's fabric. Having founded IBM in Greater Binghamton, Watson viewed the region as an area of great potential. In the early 1940s he collaborated with a group of local leaders to initiate the creation of Triple Cities College (of Syracuse University), which would later become Harpur College and then finally SUNY Binghamton. He donated land at and around the original IBM site in Endicott, NY, where the school called home for just a few years. The campus broke ground at its current location in Vestal, NY, in 1954. In 1967, the School of Advanced Technology was established -- the precursor to the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science that was founded in 1983.

Organization

Colleges and schools

SUNY Binghamton comprises the following college and schools:

  • Harpur College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest of SUNY Binghamton's schools. It is home to 7,433 undergraduates and 1,231 graduate students in 29 departments and 12 interdisciplinary degree programs in the humanities, natural and social sciences, and mathematics. Notable top 20 departments include the political science department, Anthropology and also Historical Sociology.
  • The College of Community and Public Affairs offers an undergraduate major in human development as well as graduate programs in social work and public administration. It was formed in July 2006 after a reorganization of its predecessor, the School of Education and Human Development.[1]
  • The School of Education was formed in July 2006 as part of the same reorganization that created the College of Community and Public Affairs. It offers master’s of science and doctoral degrees and is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (the only SUNY school to have this distinction).[3]
  • The School of Management Approximately two-thirds of SOM students come from the top 5 percent of their high school graduating class.

Law School

  • The University has officially announced plans to launch a law school. This initiative is in its earliest stages and few details have been provided. The administration has been working with SUNY, the governor, the American Bar Association (ABA), and other important organizations, regarding required accreditation, which the school expects by the time the first class graduates. No decision on where the school will be located has been made. [4]

The Campus

File:Academica.jpg
Academic A, School of Management
File:CAMERA 165.jpg
Clock Tower, University Union

SUNY Binghamton has grown to include roughly 120 buildings, some of which were recent additions from a $2.2 billion SUNY capital plan. New facilities include a housing complex, academic facilities, an indoor multipurpose Events Center to accommodate the University's commencement exercises, Bearcat athletic events and other activities, an addition to the student union and the partially completed Innovative Technologies Complex. Other significant additions are the University Downtown Center in downtown Binghamton which opened for the fall 2007 semester, new outdoor athletic facilities, two new residential communities, renovations to the East Gym and the old University Union, an engineering building, a new science building (Science V), and a great deal of landscaping/campus upgrades.

The campus is spread over 887 acres (3.6 km²) just south of the Susquehanna River. It features a 190-acre (0.8 km²) Nature Preserve, a forest and wetland area that includes a six-acre (24,000 m²) pond that adjoins the campus.

There is also a brand new, state of the art $29 million University Downtown Center in downtown Binghamton. Completed in August 2007, the center houses the new school: the College of Community and Public Affairs.

Facilities

Libraries

The Glenn G. Bartle Library, named after the University’s first president, contains collections in the humanities, social sciences, government documents and collections in mathematical and computer sciences. Additionally, Bartle Library houses the Fine Arts Collection (focusing on works relating to art, music, theater and cinema) and Special Collections (containing the internationally recognized Max Reinhardt Collection, as well as the Edwin A. Link and Marion Clayton Link Archives). The Science Library contains materials in all science and engineering disciplines, as well as a map collection. The University Downtown Center (UDC) Library and Information Commons opened in August 2007 and supports the departments of social work, human development and public administration.

The Libraries offer a wide variety and range of services including research consultation and assistance in person and electronically, a laptop lending program, customized instruction sessions, library news and updates through a number of blogs, and three information commons located in the Bartle, Science and UDC libraries. The online gateway to collections is through infoLINK, the library catalog, metaLINK, which offers the ability to search across multiple resources and Grokker, a new service which categorizes and visualizes information in a topical map format for easy retrieval. Together these services enable SUNY Binghamton Libraries to provide patrons access to information resources such as catalogs, reference databases, citation databases, subject gateways, and e-journals. The University Downtown Center Library and Information Commons has recently unveiled a presence on Facebook, where students can access instructional articles relating to library resources and links to relevant topics and items on the web.

Anderson Center for the Performing Arts This theater complex has three main stages: Watters Theater, seating 550; the Chamber Hall, seating 450; and the Osterhout Concert Theater, seating 1,200. The concert theater has the ability to become an open-air venue, with its movable, floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open up to a grassy hill. The Anderson Center has hosted world-class performers such as the Russian Symphony and Ballet, the Prague National Symphony and the Shakespearian Theater Company. In March 2006, an overflow house, filling all of the Anderson Center's theaters, was present to hear guest speaker Noam Chomsky.

University Art Museums The University's art collection is housed more than one location, but all within the Fine Arts Building. The building's main-level gallery hosts various artifacts which belong to the Permanent Collection, though typically showcases student work on a rotating basis. The Permanent Collection in the basement level of the building showcases ancient art from Egypt, China and other locales. Lastly, the Elsie B. Rosefsky Gallery, just off the Grand Corridor, displays special exhibits and portfolios.

Events Center This addition to campus is the area's largest venue for athletics, concerts, fairs and more. Home court to the Binghamton Bearcats basketball teams, the facility seats about 5,300 people for games. For concerts, Commencement and other larger events, the Events Center can hold up to 10,000 people. Home site for the America East Conference Men's Basketball Championships in 2005 and 2006, the court hosted the women's championships for 2007. Its construction cost over $30M, and was not without controversy.

Nature Preserve

Nature Preserve, SUNY Binghamton, Vestal, NY

The university's Nature Preserve is a 190-acre plot of land on the southern end of campus. Students have actively worked to make sure the space remains untouched. The preserve features miles of maintained paths, a large lake, marsh areas, vernal pools, tall hills and even a hill-top meadow. A popular hang-out spot is the long wooden boardwalk constructed across one of the marshes, overlooking the lake.

Residential communities

Mountainview Community

Residence halls at SUNY Binghamton are grouped into seven communities. The apartment communities used to house graduate students, but now house undergraduates. Of the residential colleges, Dickinson Community and Newing College feature corridor-style double-occupancy rooms, while College-in-the-Woods mixes suites and double- and triple-occupancy rooms, and Hinman College and Mountainview College (the newest of the colleges) are comprised exclusively of suites. Susquehanna Community and Hillside Community contain only apartments.

Community Themes

  • Dickinson: Named for Daniel Dickinson, an early settler of New York's Southern Tier. Buildings are named after prominent local figures, including founders of the university.
  • Hinman: Named for New York State Senator Harvey D. Hinman. Buildings are named after former New York State governors.
  • Newing: Buildings are named for Southern Tier towns and counties
  • College-In-The-Woods: Named for its location set into the university's nature preserve. Buildings are named after tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy. The community is popularly referred to as simply CIW.
  • Mountainview: Buildings are named after New York State mountains.
  • Susquehanna: Buildings are named for tributaries of the Susquehanna River, which flows through the city of Binghamton.
  • Hillside: Named for its location at the highest part of the Binghamton campus. Halls are named for New York State parks. The 16 apartment buildings are ordered in alphabetical order clockwise.

Future Construction

Currently SUNY Binghamton is planning several projects to facilitate the growth of the university in terms of population.

  • The east campus project will be entirely replacing the Newing and Dickinson residential communities; Construction will start in late Spring 2008 with the construction of one new building in Newing.
  • The Innovative Technologies Complex, currently consisting of just the alpha building, will eventually house six buildings at completion. The entire complex is dedicated primarily to venture capital research in the areas of sciences and engineering. The next building is expected to begin construction in 2008.
  • Science V is expected to begin construction in 2008 as well to expand the existing science complex on the main campus. The new facility will host the biology and psychology departments. Once completed, renovations will begin to the existing sciences 3 and 4.
  • The old university union is expected to undergo major interior renovations. Roughing replacement has already begun, with interior work expected to begin in 2008 wrapping up in April 2009. There has been no referendum on its construction.
  • The East Gym was set to undergo a major overhaul. However, the project is in a holding pattern until funding can be found to support it. SUNY Binghamton administrators have requested over 400 million dollars for several new construction plans, including East Gym funding. However, students have rejected referendums allowing its construction with funds from an increase in student activity fees.

Rankings and Statistics

Rankings

In August 2007 SUNY Binghamton was ranked 82 on the US News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges: National Universities: Top Schools" [5] It is 19th in Chemistry, 13th in Historical Sociology, Business/Management is ranked in Business Week's top 40 business schools, in the top 10% percent of all business schools, Top 10 for CPA examination, is in the top 5 Business Schools in New York State, is 15th nationally in Political Science, 19th in the world, and 9th in Anthropology.[6] The debate team is currently ranked 1st in the nation according to the Cross Examination Debate Association.[7]

Value Ranking

Binghamton has long been ranked a top value in the nation by various publications. According to a system based two-thirds on academics and one-third on financial aspects, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine has ranked Binghamton as follows:

2007

  • # 1 nationally for an out-of-state student
  • # 5 nationally for students pursuing an in-state education.

2008

  • # 2 nationally for out-of-state students
  • # 8 nationally in-state students

Admissions and finance

SUNY Binghamton has a middle 50 percent SAT Score (Math + Verbal): 1200-1380, 1275 average [8], a four-year graduation rate: 70 percent (third highest among all public schools according to the National Education Trust), an acceptance rate including transfers: 42% and 32% excluding transfers[9], and for the Fall 2006 Semester, Binghamton received over 25,000 applications for over 2,300 spots, and for the Fall 2007, they received over 22,000 applications.[10] The average debt at graduation is $14,734.[9] and the school is in the Top 15 Lowest debt-load in the country.[9]

Research

SUNY Binghamton is specifically designated an advanced research institution. The following are highlights of some of the research conducted at the University[11]:

  • Center for Advanced Information Technologies (CAIT)
  • Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing
  • Center for Advanced Sensors and Environmental Systems (CASE)
  • Center for Applied Community Research and Development (CACRD)
  • Center for Cognitive and Psycholinguistic Sciences (CaPS)
  • Center for Computing Technologies (CCT)
  • Center for Developmental Psychobiology (CDP)
  • Center for the Historical Study of Women and Gender (CHSWG)
  • Center for Integrated Watershed Studies (CIWS)
  • Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Philosophy, Interpretation, and Culture (CPIC)
  • Center for Leadership Studies (CLS)
  • The Linux Technology Center (LTC)
  • Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CEMERS)
  • Center for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education (CSMTE)
  • Center for the Teaching of American History (CTAH)
  • Center for Writers (CW)
  • Clinical Science and Engineering Research Center (CSERC)
  • Institute for Materials Research (IMR)
  • Institute for Primary and Preventative Health Care (IPPH)
  • Institute of Biomedical Technology (IBT)
  • Integrated Electronics Engineering Center (IEEC)
  • Public Archaeology Facility (PAF)
  • Roger L. Kresge Center for Nursing Research (KCNR)
  • Institutes for Advanced Studies
  • Fernand Braudel Center for the Study of Economies, Historical Systems, and Civilizations (FBC)
  • Institute for Asian and Asian American Studies (IAAAS)
  • Institute for Evolutionary Studies (Evos)
  • Institute of Global Cultural Studies (IGCS)
  • Watson Institute for Systems Excellence (WISE)
  • Geographic Information System Core Facility (GIS)

Athletics

File:BinghamtonBearcats.png
Binghamton Bearcats logo
Main article: Binghamton Bearcats

SUNY Binghamton has been a member of the NCAA since near its inception to the SUNY system. Originally a Division III school, President Lois DeFleur spearheaded an aggressive campaign to become Division I. In 1999, SUNY Binghamton completed that transition faster than any other school in history; this is not without controversy, however, due to the perceived cost to the university (despite receiving ample sponsorship from Coca-Cola). Today, they are a member of the America East Conference. Alongside the transition to DI, the addition of a state-of-the-art but controversial due to cost, $33.1 million Events Center for basketball, track and tennis has bolstered the program. In 2007, a $3.6 million stadium with turf fields for soccer and lacrosse, as well as a championship-capable baseball field, were completed.

  • Binghamton's mascot is the Bearcat, formerly the Colonials prior to the transition to Division I.


Popular Culture

- "The Squid and the Whale"- Prof. Bernard Berkman, played by Jeff Daniels, visits SUNY Binghamton (referred to as Harpur College) as a guest lecturer. Billy Baldwin, an alumni also produced the film.

- "CSI" - One character featured in the show was an alumnus of SUNY Binghamton.

- "The Daily Show" - In the November 27th 2006 episode, students Erica Fritz (a Pipe Dream reporter) and Aaron Akaberi appeared in a satirical interview/short documentary addressing Akaberi's quest to protest campus food provider, Sodexho, by going on hunger strike.

- "Pardon the Interruption" - In all episodes of PTI, a SUNY Binghamton Bearcat can be seen on the side of the desk of co-host Tony Kornheiser, a Binghamton alum, and self proclaimed intramural sport master.

- Maus - The graphic novel contains a "Harpur College" banner in the ficitonal Art Spiegelman's bedroom. (Spiegelman is an alumnus of Harpur College).

- "Dick's Picks Volume 8: Harpur College, Binghamton, NY" - A release of an outstanding Grateful Dead concert from May 2, 1970, which was recorded live at Harpur College.

- Ernie Gehr's experimental film Serene Velocity was shot in the basement of the Student Wing, where film students edit their movies.

Student Association and Organizations

The Student Association, also known as the SA, bills itself as "an all encompassing organization that every single student is a member of as soon as they pay their tuition," [12] and functions as SUNY Binghamton's student government. Fashioning itself after the United States federal government, the Student Association is composed of independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with members of the executive and legislative branches elected by popular vote of the student body. Members of the judiciary, known as the Judicial Board, are nominated by the Student Association president and confirmed by the Student Assembly, the legislative branch. Members of the Student Assembly, the legislative branch, are elected by the different communities, with off campus students falling into one off campus community. The association is funded by a mandatory activity fee which must be approved by regular student referendums.

The Student Association retains the sole right to charter and recognize groups on campus, other than social fraternities and sororities. Currently, the SA recognizes approximately 160 student organizations.[13]

The executive branch for the 2007-2008 academic year is:

  • President: David Bass
  • Executive Vice President: Joe Danko
  • Vice President for Finance: Chris Powell
  • Vice President for Academic Affairs: Matt Landau
  • Vice President for Programming: Sandi Dube
  • Vice President for Multicultural Affairs: David Redbord
  • Director of Communications: David Belsky

The legislative leadership for the 2007-2008 academic year is:

  • Assembly Chair: Eric Katz
  • Vice Chair: Bradley Small
  • Rules Chair: Boris Tadchiev
  • Elections Chair: Michael Calabrese
  • Research & Planning Chair: Karen Galan

Prominent Student Groups

Student groups provide a wide range of services, and many are entirely student-run with no faculty supervision or university funding, though SA chartered groups are funded through the mandatory student activity fee and disbursed in a yearly budget process decided on by the SA Financial Council and approved by the Student Assembly.

Pipe Dream Student Newspaper

Founded in 1946 as The Colonial, the name was changed to Pipe Dream in protest of the Vietnam war. This paper publishes twice-weekly issues which are free and distributed across campus.

Catalysts for Intellectual Capital 2020

A student-run economic development think tank at SUNY Binghamton, overseen by Binghamton administrators, whose efforts focus on reversing the "brain drain" of Greater Binghamton by working to increase the retention rate of SUNY Binghamton graduates in the local area.

Harpur's Ferry

Harpur's Ferry, a student-run, 100% volunteer agency, is one of a few Advanced Life Support ambulance agencies operated on college campuses around the nation. Operating two ALS ambulances with 12-Lead monitoring, 2 ALS Fly-Cars with 12-Lead monitoring, one BLS all-terrain Gator and BLS Bike Team Harpur's Ferry is fully equipped to handle any medical emergency on the SUNY Binghamton campus year-round.

IEEE

IEEE SUNY Binghamton's mission is to provide student members the opportunity to explore various fields in electrical and computer engineering, computer science, and bioengineering. The activities of IEEE will focus on topics of study that are not ordinarily covered in a classroom atmosphere. The ultimate goal is to bestow an appreciation of the vast array of fields covered in these broad subject areas, and to enlighten their considerations for future scholastic and employment goals.

WHRW

WHRW, an FM radio station staffed by students and community members, is one of the few remaining free-format college and community FM radio stations left in the United States.[citation needed]

OCC Transport

Bus transportation on campus and in local neighborhoods with a high density of students is provided by the completely student managed and driven OCC Transport, one of the few student-run bus services in the country.[citation needed]

Food Co-op

It is a student-run cooperative that offers organic vegan, vegetarian, and kosher foods. It has both a store and a dining area, where lunch is served from a diverse selection of completely organic and vegan cuisine. It is located on the second floor of the University Union on the campus. It has been operational since 1975, and has returned to serving hot foods in 2004. The current president of the organization is Thomas Kaminski. [citation needed]

Binghamton Scholars

The Binghamton Scholars is a group of Academic excellence, for distinguished students. Benefits of the program include a Scholarship, priority registration and first choice housing.

The Binghamton Crosbys

The Binghamton Crosbys, or more commmonly just The Crosbys, is Binghamton University's only all-male a cappella and is the school's oldest. The Crosbys have appeared at the ICCA internation a cappella championships a record four times, including a winning in 2004.

Economic Impact

According to a 2006 report from the University’s Office of Institutional Research and Planning, University faculty, staff, students and visitors spent more than $400 million in the 2004-05 fiscal year, creating an economic impact of about $700 million in Broome County and $894.5 million in New York State alone.

The University’s Office of Institutional Research and Planning, also found that:

  • For every dollar the state invests in the University, about $8 is returned to Greater Binghamton and New York State.
  • The presence of the University supports 11,900 full-time jobs in New York State, nearly 10,000 of which are in Broome County. The University employs about 1 in 10 residents in the Greater Binghamton area.
  • The University spent $44.3 million on construction projects in 2004-05, resulting in an economic impact of nearly $100 million for the state. Major construction projects are expected to continue.
  • Volunteer services provided by students are appraised at millions of dollars annually.

From the year 2000, the University's economic impact has increased by about 12 percent and is expected to continue growing substantially. It is also estimated that Binghamton alumni pay over $80 million in New York state income tax and over $40 million in sales tax.


Alumni

Alumni Association

The Harpur College Alumni Association elected its first officers in 1951, following the first Commencement. As Harpur College grew and became a part of the State University of New York, the Alumni Association has grown and today serves as the umbrella organization for a growing number of alumni groups and activities.

The Association represents more than 90,000 alumni. It is a non-dues paying association and all alumni automatically become members upon graduation.[14]

Notable alumni

Alma Mater

The university's alma mater, "In the Rolling Hills of Binghamton," was composed by David Engel '86, and is performed at the University's Commencement each May. The lyrics are:

"In the rolling hills of Binghamton, ’Neath everchanging skies, Where two gently flowing rivers meet, We form our cherished ties.

Together we spend these years, United in our aim. Through our bold pursuit of excellence, We proudly bear your name.

Refrain: Oh Binghamton, we carry thee With us for all our time And through us individually Forever may you shine. "

References

  1. ^ "College of Community and Public Affairs: Facts and Figures", ccpa.binghamton.edu, accessed October 30, 2006
  2. ^ "Decker’s male enrollment tops national average", Inside BU, February 10, 2005
  3. ^ "Teacher Education Accreditation Council: Members by Carnegie Classification", www.teac.org’’, accessed October 30, 2006
  4. ^ http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071117/NEWS01/711170330
  5. ^ http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1natudoc_brief.php
  6. ^ http://gradschool.binghamton.edu/ps/highlights.asp
  7. ^ http://www.debateresults.com
  8. ^ http://admissions.binghamton.edu/SUNYBinghamton.pdf
  9. ^ a b c Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference facts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ http://research.binghamton.edu/OVP/ORC.htm
  12. ^ http://sa.binghamton.edu/index.php?page=other
  13. ^ http://sa.binghamton.edu/index.php?page=grey
  14. ^ http://alumni.binghamton.edu/aboutassn.html

42°05′21″N 75°58′12″W / 42.089250°N 75.969890°W / 42.089250; -75.969890

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