Former dean leaves legacy of caring
Joyce Ferrario, former dean of Binghamton University’s Decker School of Nursing, died unexpectedly Jan. 23 at her home in Auburn, Calif.
Spring 2021
The past quarter was challenging, with the novel coronavirus continuing to throw up obstacles to our educational mission and interrupting the social life of our campus. However, with the warmer days of spring now arriving on campus, we are hopeful that the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic are behind us and the University will gradually return to its normal rhythms and rituals.
The continuing impact of COVID on campus
In the runup to the spring semester, the campus was busy preparing for the return of students to campus; our Restarting Binghamton Plan for the semester was approved by SUNY in January, and provided for a return to in-person classes. The plan was similar to that of the fall semester, with a few changes largely addressing our testing protocols. The plan also was adjusted to ensure that our health and safety protocols were in accordance with the most recent Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
As we began the semester, the University received news that the state had adjusted the threshold for going to remote-only teaching from the previous standard of 100 positive COVID tests over a static 14-day period to a 5% threshold over a 14-day rolling average. At Binghamton, we welcomed this shift for more realistically representing the challenges of individual campuses in SUNY and New York state, as the original 100-student limit applied to all campuses, regardless of enrollment. For example, this meant that the 100-student limit applied equally to the SUNY College of Optometry with an enrollment of 408 students, and to Binghamton University, with an enrollment of over 18,000.
On campus, we also adjusted the academic calendar to begin in mid-February after the height of the flu season and to minimize student travel by omitting the traditional spring break. In exchange, three non-consecutive days off for “rejuvenation”— March 17, April 8, and April 20 — were added to the calendar, after conversations with the Student Association and Student Congress.
As was the case last semester, we extended the move-in period over six days in order to reduce student density in the residence halls. Overall, we are satisfied with student occupancy rates, which are currently around 80%, which is comparable to last semester. Every student on campus was tested prior to moving in, and the first results were very promising. Over 5,500 tests were administered during the move-in period, with only thirteen students confirmed as positive for COVID, for a positivity rate of less than .3%.
For the spring semester, we have strengthened COVID testing requirements, requiring all on-campus students, faculty and staff to receive a weekly rapid antigen COVID test. I appreciate the high levels of compliance for these tests, which I understand are disruptive and slightly intrusive, but make the campus and community safer.
For example, the frequency of testing helped us identify a spike in COVID cases in late February. Testing at that time saw our 14-day rolling average of positive tests above 3% — and it wouldn’t have taken much to push us above the 5% threshold. We took a number of steps to reduce opportunities for transmission — reducing social gatherings, halting sit-down dining in all of our dining facilities; and closing our campus Recreation Center. As a result, we saw a rapid decline in positivity. By March 25, our 14-day rolling average of test results for students had dropped to just .33%. It is our goal to continue this trend, and we are looking forward to a healthy, successful semester.
Still, the sudden increase in positive test results placed a temporary strain on campus resources, as we needed to find quarantine and isolation (Q/I) housing for positive students and their contacts. Last semester, the demand for this housing never exceeded 50% of our capacity — but this semester was far different. We had to scale up our services — reaching a peak of 601 beds available, including some quarantine housing at local hotels.
More than 100 campus staff were involved in meeting Q/I student needs, including transportation, meals, laundry, technology, package delivery, communications, wellness, cleaning, academic support, worker safety, discipline, COVID testing, student communications and parent communications. In particular, students quarantined at local hotels needed Wi-Fi hotspots, and we installed dedicated Binghamton University campus Wi-Fi within the hotels to ensure that the students housed there can receive quality internet service, along with loaner laptops and printing as needed. Campus Dining Services created an online menu ordering system that delivered over 1,300 meals a day at its peak in March.
Given the educational interruptions, logistical challenges and financial costs associated with addressing COVID on campus, all of us at the University are eager to see a successful vaccination program to address the pandemic. The University is itself playing a small role in the delivery of these vaccines, with the new Library Annex facility in Johnson city serving as a New York state vaccination site.
Currently, University faculty who are teaching in-person classes have been given priority status to receive the vaccine, as have faculty staff with in-person contact. Students, faculty and staff with pre-existing conditions and those over 50 are also now eligible to receive the vaccine. Our hope is that as more people receive the vaccine, we will be able to gradually return to the normal rhythms of campus, including increasing the size of in-person gatherings. We expect that the vaccine’s deployment will help our local community by allowing greater activity by our students, faculty and staff, which, apart from adding to the educational and social life of the campus, will be welcome news for local businesses.
Given the progress New York and the nation are making in the delivery of vaccines, we are now beginning to look at how the campus will transition back to full-time, on-campus work. This is essential so that students have high quality academic instruction and experience the vibrant campus life that is central to the Binghamton University experience. At the end of March, the University has updated the campus community as to our expectations for the fall semester. While we expect that most employees will continue to work remotely through the end of the semester, starting June 1, we will begin the process of bringing remote workers back to campus, with the expectation that all employees will be on campus by Aug. 1 in time to prepare for the fall 2021 semester. We expect that some social distancing and other safety protocols will remain in effect as we begin the new semester. Still, I know that all of us are eager to return to campus and to experience normalcy in our education and work.
State of the University
In January, I gave the annual State of the University address with the University’s response to COVID the dominant topic. For the first time in campus history, the State of the University address was presented virtually as a recorded message that debuted on Jan. 21. During my talk, I applauded the campus on a successful year — successful because we managed to overcome a very challenging year that saw not only the COVID pandemic, but a host of related fiscal, educational, technological and emotional challenges.
I highlighted our continuing strong enrollment, our growing reputation for educational and research excellence, and the steps the University has taken to address the significant costs imposed by the pandemic. It truly was a successful year — and perhaps the best measure of our success is the fact that our first-year student retention actually increased to 93% from 92%, even as students and faculty grappled with the quick transition to remote learning.
I also indicated that the University would be adding a new Road Map Strategic Priority — SP6: Internationalization. It’s clear that, for the past few years, international recruitment has been challenging, not only for Binghamton but for all colleges and universities, due most recently to the pandemic, but also because of changing federal policies. Under SP6, the University will develop international research partnerships, strengthen diversity and inclusion, and contribute to the University’s resource management in ways that recognize and overcome these challenges.
The initial launch of the new Strategic Priority has been spearheaded by Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Don Nieman and Vice Provost for International Education and Global Affairs Madhusudhan Govindaraju. In addition, the Binghamton University Foundation has provided crucial early support for this initiative through funding that will help us send staff to international locations and work with partners in those countries, as well as provide for advertising and communications with students, program development and scholarships.
I’m excited about this new initiative because I strongly believe that a University absolutely must be international to be premier, and I’m looking forward to seeing the ideas and initiatives the campus comes up with.
Technology Task Force
One of the challenges the University faced in the previous quarter was an attack on our information technology services that disrupted access to campus servers. To ensure that the University was protected against future attacks, I appointed an Information Technology Task Force to identify possible threats and increase campus security. In February, the task force issued its recommendations; the Senior Officers Group has approved the recommended measures to strengthen information security for the campus. The key change will include the use of two-factor authentication (2FA) that will prevent non-approved, outside access to the campus network. This system can be easily implemented, and is more secure than the text-messaging systems that many banks use. We also have added an endpoint detection and response system that notifies key IT personnel if malicious activity is detected, so that the campus can move quickly to prevent damage. We’re confident that these changes will make our campus IT systems much more secure.
Progress at the Health Sciences Campus
January saw big changes for the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, as the college’s faculty began moving into the newly renovated facilities at 48 Corliss Ave. in Johnson City. Currently, because of restrictions to in-person teaching, most nursing students are continuing with remote classes; however, some have been able to receive instruction in the new Decker Simulation Lab on the second floor and in its large classroom on the first floor. We will be having an official opening of the facility sometime in the future when COVID conditions are better. I think everyone will be amazed by the transformation of the building from its days as a shoe box factory to what is now a top-of-the-line educational and research facility.
In other Health Sciences Campus news, the design work for the Ford Family Wellness Center has been completed and we will soon be receiving pre-engineered building structures delivered for assembly. Our goal is to have the Wellness Center up and running by the end of this year, and we look forward to working with our partner, Ascension-Lourdes Hospital, to provide health and wellness services to the region’s senior population.
I also want to thank the Binghamton University Foundation for providing funding for two projects involving the Health Sciences Campus. First, the Foundation has agreed to provide bridge funding to support hiring of faculty in our Doctor of Physical Therapy program. In addition, the Foundation also is providing funding to enhance the walkability and safety of the Johnson City campus. The Foundation’s support has enabled us to purchase adjacent properties, begin the design of a Corliss to Main Street park, upgrade lighting and develop nearby properties for biomanufacturing spaces.
Two other constructions projects are also worthy of mention: first, during the winter break, an ice-skating rink was constructed on the Old Dickinson co-rec field, with free ice skating and skate rental available to students, faculty and staff. The numbers of skaters was limited to ensure social distancing, and masks were required. This proved to be a real hit among students and it’s been a perfect way to develop socially distanced fun for the campus. Also, the New York State Department of Transportation is starting work on a greenway path from the South Side of Binghamton to Binghamton University. This 2.5-mile path will provide a direct route for pedestrians and bicyclists moving from downtown to the campus, and perhaps most importantly, will increase the safety of pedestrians moving between campus and downtown.
Sexual assault and social justice
The University also continues working to address the concerns about social justice and equity issues that attracted much attention both nationally and on our campus over the past year. This effort has involved a broad-based approach involving campus pedagogy and policies, and perhaps more significantly, an examination of the University’s history and culture. For example, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Karen Jones and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald Nieman have launched an inclusive pedagogy series, in concert with the Center for Learning and Teaching, that helps faculty develop concepts and techniques to foster cultural inclusion and broader engagement in their classrooms. I am impressed by a new initiative from the University’s Harriet Tubman Center for the Study of Freedom and Inequality. Under the leadership of director Anne Bailey and associate director Sharon Bryant, the center has established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that is holding hearings to give people the opportunity to confidentially share their experiences of inequality on campus. The commission will then develop a report for the campus that will identify areas of concern and suggest ways for us to learn from the times when we’ve fallen short of our goals of equity and inclusion.
We also are continuing to address concerns about sexual assault and improving the campus climate by hiring Amy Zieziula to serve as the deputy Title IX coordinator. Zieziula comes to Binghamton from SUNY-Broome Community College where she was director of housing and student life. Her duties at Binghamton involve creating reports, overseeing efforts to coordinate interim accommodations and support services, assisting in investigations, and working with local agencies and campus representatives for outreach and engagement. We also recently opened a new Violence, Abuse and Rape Crisis Center (VARCC) to provide support for victims of sexual assault and harassment and including 24-hour Zoom assistance through a partnership with the Crime Victims Assistance Center, Inc. (CVAC) in Binghamton.
These changes were discussed in the recent examination of the campus’s policies and procedures regarding sexual assault and gender equality conducted by Husch Blackwell LLP, a nationally recognized law firm with specialization in Title IX Higher Education compliance. The firm was hired to review the University’s Title IX compliance following complaints raised by students last summer. Husch Blackwell has completed its review and issued its report in mid-March.
Significantly, the report states that they “have certainly been unable to identify any broad systemic compliance failures. The University’s personnel are well-trained practitioners in their respective fields and the University’s infrastructure for responding to Title IX-related matters is robust,” and that complaints about campus negligence or unprofessionalism are “unsubstantiated.” The report also made recommendations regarding the strengthening of the campus’s Title IX compliance — for example, by establishing a Violence, Abuse and Rape Crisis Center (VARCC) — which we have now done, as noted above. Of course, we take all complaints and concerns about gender inequity very seriously, but we are gratified to hear from Husch Blackwell that our programs and commitment are strong and working the way they should.
As the quarter came to an end, the nation was shocked and dismayed to learn of a shooting in Atlanta, Ga., that took the lives of eight people, most of whom were Asian women. This attack continues a growing trend of anti-Asian violence in America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the emotional harm that these appalling actions can do to our Asian and Asian American students, I issued a statement to the campus deploring the spate of anti-Asian violence and reaffirming our support for the Asian American community on campus. Race and gender-based violence and harassment run counter to the ideals of learning, open-mindedness, diversity and inclusion that lie at the heart of our campus, and I called on anyone who experiences or witnesses this type of discrimination to report it immediately to campus police.
Campus accolades
The University continues to receive recognition from both the public press and the accrediting agencies that ensure that we are maintaining the highest educational standards. Most recently, the School of Management (SOM) received some welcome news when the website Poets&Quants, which covers the business education environment, ranked Binghamton as the 28th-best undergraduate business school in America. Not only is this ranking the best SOM has ever polled, but it represents a jump of 19 spots from last year’s ranking. The website also ranked SOM in the top 15 of all public business schools; this is a testament to the strength of the school’s programs and progress, as well as to the relevance and rigor of its curriculum. The school’s business and accounting programs also achieved accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for another five years. Their accreditation is part of a continuous review process to ensure they are meeting the high standards set by AACSB. Congratulations to SOM and to Dean Upinder Dhillon.
Similarly, the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science was recognized by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, having been awarded a Bronze-level award from ASEE’s Diversity Recognition program.
The Business Journals also highlighted Binghamton’s growth, noting that the University has grown about a third over the past decade and focusing on the development of the Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City as a way to help the area’s economy while developing new programs in pharmacy and other health sciences.
The University’s impact in the community was also highlighted by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand when she visited the University Downtown Center in March to discuss her proposal to increase federal funding for the Community Schools program that helps support the comprehensive needs of students both in and out of the classroom. Over the years, our College of Community and Public Affairs has been a regional leader and role model for other campuses in helping schools integrate community resources to combat intergenerational poverty and create a more equitable school environment that leads to increased student success and stronger communities.
Binghamton’s growing reputation and recent rise in rankings is having a positive impact on the University’s admissions and enrollment. By mid-March, out-of-state applications for next fall were up 25 % compared to last year — and particularly impressive was the increase in interest in the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, which has seen applications increase 33% compared to last year.
Still, one area of particular concern is our Educational Opportunity Program, which has seen applications decline by 24% for our campus, and 38% for SUNY as a whole. We believe that this is symptomatic of some structural issues in higher education and society in general, where COVID is causing particular harm to vulnerable populations. This is tragic, and the University is looking for ways to reach out and connect with these students. That said, I am optimistic that the coming year will provide opportunities for these students as we come out of the pandemic.
I expect a very high demand next year for admission, and equally important, we will begin to see a stronger climate for higher education as a whole, with increased federal support for research and scholarship, as well as funding to help us recover from the impact of COVID.
While we are looking forward to our next cohort of incoming students, we also are preparing to say goodbye to the class of 2021. Unlike last year, when Commencement ceremonies were postponed until December and offered virtually because of COVID, this year we are planning a hybrid Commencement comprised of both virtual ceremonies and in-person graduation walks.
This past quarter has been one filled with challenges: rising COVID positivity rates and restrictions on the social life of the campus, concerns about gender equity and social justice, and worries about the impact of the pandemic on our underserved student population. At the same time, the University has reason for optimism: our programs continue to receive accolades and recognition, we are making progress on major initiatives such as our Health Sciences Campus and new Road Map initiatives, and we are preparing to welcome an outstanding entering class. But most of all, we are beginning to see the glimmerings of normalcy on campus — with hope for a fully in-person fall semester and a vibrant campus life. I can’t wait.
Sincerely,
Road Map to Premier Update
Academics
Weathering COVID-19: A look at the past year
Taking a look back on the past year of living through COVID-19 is nothing new. Binghamton University’s year was not necessarily unique. Though it’s difficult to sum up, it has certainly been a learning experience about how to work together.
Pharmacy students administer COVID-19 vaccine
Pharmacists have been on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, including about 125 Binghamton University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences students who are continuing to assist with COVID-19 testing and are now administering the vaccine.
Contact tracing is all in a day’s work for these public health students
Cindy Courtney and Ted Vanluvender ’17, students in Binghamton University’s Master of Public Health program, have been working as contact tracers for the Broome County Public Health Department since fall as part of their required internship.
Binghamton University School of Management jumps to top 30 in prominent business school ranking
SOM jumped 19 spots in the Poets&Quants 2021 Best Undergraduate Business Schools ranking
A renaissance North of Main in Binghamton
A neighborhood known as NoMa (North of Main) has begun to see a renaissance led primarily by those who live there, aided by city officials, local nonprofits and businesses, and several groups and individuals from Binghamton University.
Binghamton University Scholars Program builds community
Back in 2010, Bill Ziegler, then associate professor of computer science and collegiate professor for Newing College, was looking for more and better ways to build relationships with students.
Binghamton University student research group examines Adderall abuse
The Binghamton Student Managed Adderall Research Team (B-SMART) investigates the harmful effects of Adderall abuse on college students.
A world of possibilities: Global studies prepares students for diverse paths
No matter your field or career trajectory, a global perspective can only broaden your world. That’s the philosophy behind the Global Studies minor, available through the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences.
Red and green: Research explores the Soviet Union’s environmental legacy
The Soviet Union focused its attention on the development of Siberia starting in the 1950s. Mariia Koskina, a doctoral candidate in history, researches the USSR’s environmental legacy and how it continues to shape us today.
Watson College honored with diversity award
The American Society for Engineering Education has honored Watson College for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
In the woods: Research shapes Brendan Enochs’ Binghamton experience
What happens to soil communities when a leafy invader enters the picture? That’s what Brendan Enochs ’21 and a team of researchers led by environmental studies instructor George Meindl are working to discover.
Bespoke nutrition and fitness: More than a fad, essential for mental health
Customized diets and lifestyle changes could be key to optimizing mental health according to Binghamton University researcher Lina Begdache, PhD ’08, whose work was published in Nutrients in Dec. 2020.
Alone, Together: Art project documents life during lockdown
Senior Hadar Arens explores isolation in “Alone, Together,” a documentary project she made in partnership with the Memory Maker Project, a Binghamton-based nonprofit that provides cultural events and advocacy for aging adults.
Making remote instruction more engaging
Classroom upgrades have been made for spring 2021, again centered on making instruction more engaging and interactive for all students, and user-friendly for instructors.
Advancement
Alumni Association recognizes success and service
In a virtual ceremony March 18, the Binghamton University Alumni Association presented its highest set of honors to four outstanding graduates.
University community celebrates TAG Day
On TAG (Thank-a-Giver) Day, held this year March 3, the Binghamton University community celebrated the impact of donor generosity across campus.
Regional networking mixers go virtual
The Alumni Association leveraged the power of technology to provide opportunities for Binghamton graduates to meet with peers living in their region.
Students experience power of alumni network
Binghamton’s alumni network stepped up in January to provide assistance to students who are navigating difficult job and internship searches.
New service opportunity for alumni
The annual Alumni Global Days of Service unite Binghamton University graduates in service to humankind, showing Binghamton pride and the collective power of volunteerism.
Connecting with alumni through virtual events
Through the Binghamton Learning Network webinar series, the Alumni Association provides insights on current topics from alumni experts who are dynamic speakers.
Athletics
Communications and Marketing
Diversity
UDiversity Educational Institute, spring 2021
Pandemic doesn’t slow the work of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Multicultural Resource Center, spring 2021
MRC launches new virtual center for spring 2021 and many other initiatives
Q Center, spring 2021
Active Ally programs launches Deep Dive Workshops.
Foundation
Operations
Research
Biologist earns major early-career grant
Jessica Hua’s career is a bit like the wetlands she studies.
Biologist blends studies in ecology and evolution
A Binghamton doctoral student recently received a prestigious early-career grant from the American Museum of Natural History.
Research inspires future nurse’s career
Recipient of a 2021 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, Decker student Alyssa Vilda leaves behind a legacy of mentorship, professional development and networking that will help future students pursue healthcare careers.
Computer scientist elected to National Academy of Inventors
The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) recently named 61 academic inventors to the 2021 class of senior members. Among them is Professor Lijun Yin from Binghamton University’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Student Affairs
Binghamton University COVID-19 Commemoration
A campus commemoration was held to honor all of those lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Campus COVID Response Team (CCRT)
The Campus COVID Response Team continued to monitor for compliance on campus.
Student Transition and Success: A Success Coaching Model
Peer-to-peer and professional coaching helps support students.
Chancellor visits the Binghamton University Food Pantry
SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras visited the Binghamton University Food Pantry to announce small grant program for SUNY schools to help fight food insecurity.
Fleishman Center collaborates with Admissions to host Career Exploration Week for prospective students
A collaboration between the divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs connects students with careers.
Residential Life, spring 2021
Occupancy rates hold steady during pandemic
Dance Marathon Initiative
Student group continues annual dance marathon fundraiser.