Binghamton University is ready to go for fall reopening

“We are ready to go!” Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said. “It’s been a long time, but we are ready. It’s been a great challenge that we’ve risen to.”

The University has worked night and day for the past several months to develop a safe reopening plan for the fall semester, Stenger told the media at a socially distanced press conference held Aug. 12, at the University’s Events Center.

Noting that the University is just one piece of the giant reopening puzzle, Stenger said administrators, faculty and staff “have literally worked 24/7 for the past three months,” often in collaboration with the City of Binghamton, Broome County and others municipalities, to formulate a safe plan.

“We’re looking forward to the return of our students,” he said, “but we understand that there are concerns people may have about restarting — particularly regarding the influx of students from other regions of New York and other states.”

The good news, Stenger said, is that New York state as a whole is doing an excellent job of reducing the transmission and spread of COVID-19, with regions seeing fewer than 1.5% of tests coming back positive, and fewer than 1% in Broome County. “Even New York City and Long Island, where most of our students come from, are experiencing rates of around 1%.

“A recent analysis done by the Public Health Department of Upstate Medical University of the risk presented by students returning to SUNY campuses shows that Binghamton University presents a risk level of “very low to low,” Stenger added. “I acknowledge it is not zero, but it is the lowest rating achievable in their analysis.”

The plan includes testing close to 7,000 on-campus residing students before they enter their residence halls over a seven day move-in period beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19. Those who test positive will return home or move into a dedicated space on campus for 14 days of isolation. The first day of classes is Wednesday, Aug. 26.

“This is our new normal and we need to be proactive for the benefit of the overall community,” said Binghamton Mayor Rich David. “The plan Binghamton University has put into place is a solid one and a great many experts worked together to ensure the best, safest, most responsible way to move forward to ensure our community continues to benefit with a low infection rate.”

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar also spoke of partnering with the University, in particular through the expertise of the Broome County Health Department and its Office of Emergency Services. “I don’t know if we quite understood, until this county shut down because of a global pandemic, and students left and buildings closed, what the true value that this University has to Broome County,” he said. “This is a plan that has had a tremendous amount of input from various county agencies on the ground fighting this pandemic since March. It’s a good plan, a safe plan and we’re excited about people coming back.”

David also said that students who live in the city will see changes, including a partnership that expands and enhances the presence of Binghamton University Police in the city. “We will have concurrent responses with city of Binghamton Police for any large gatherings that involve Binghamton University students and student activity,” he said. “It will be a combined response and we will provide more coverage on the weekends.”

David expects to sign the “social host” law this week that will reduce high-risk, underage use of alcohol and drugs in the city. The law will become a tool for police to enforce for COVID-19 social distancing violators. The law carries with it the potential for fines of up to $1,000 or 15 days in jail for those found guilty of hosting gatherings where underage drinking and drug use occur.

Vestal Town Supervisor John Shaffer, SUNY Broome President Kevin Drumm and Stacey Duncan, executive director and CEO of the Agency and the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce also made remarks.

“The community should be encouraged for the safe restart plan,” said Duncan. “Students bring their curiosity, energy and vibrancy here and are part of the fabric of who we are. It is vital that we serve as the home away from home for Binghamton students. We can truly move forward to a safe and successful start of the school year.”

Learn more about the Restarting Binghamton plan online.