BINGHAMTON, NY – Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger today outlined plans to grow the University’s enrollment to 20,000 students − 14,000 undergraduates and 6,000 graduate students − by 2020. To help reach this goal, Stenger unveiled a new 4-1-1 program to attract and retain qualified graduate students.

"Because so many of our students go on to graduate school, the 4-1-1 program will target the best undergraduates in traditional majors by offering them opportunities for career-based, credit-bearing internships and advanced coursework in their majors the year after earning their bachelor’s degree and prior to another year of master’s-level education," said Stenger. "This would be a master’s program with real-world impact, as students gain experience in leading labs, museums, financial institutions, hospitals, industry and schools."

Binghamton has grown from over 14,000 students in 2011 to more than 16,000 today and is on track to top 17,000 by 2016, with numerous initiatives under way to increase graduate population such as:

- Binghamton’s Graduate Growth Initiative, which targets the development of new career-oriented master’s programs

- A new PharmD and Pharmacy PhD program due to begin by 2017

- Ongoing commitments of increased funding for graduate students to bring the best and brightest to campus

- A growing base of teaching assistants to support undergraduate enrollment growth

- And a growing base of research assistants on grants and contracts due to the growth in faculty research funding

Besides the growth in student enrollment, the resources generated by increasing the student population will lead to the hiring of an additional 180 faculty — an increase of 35 percent over current levels. An additional 180 teaching assistants and more than 100 new staff members will support these faculty member. Together they will provide education and services to approximately 3,000 additional students. Not only will this have a real impact on the local and regional economy, said Stenger, it will also significantly add to the University’s research efforts, scholarship and teaching.

"Can we hit 20,000 by 2020? You bet. It will be hard, rewarding work, and I thank all of you for being with us as we embark on this next phase of our journey," said Stenger.

For more information or to read the entire transcript of the President’s State of the University Address visit: binghamton.edu/president.