Binghamton University to resume in-person classes

Joined by SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger today announced that the University will resume in-person classes Thursday, Oct. 22, after a two-week pause.

“All of us at Binghamton can be proud of what we have accomplished,” Stenger said. “We have been successful because everyone did their part, something that typifies a campus that comes together to solve challenges.”

Stenger also thanked the staff who are ensuring that our surveillance testing center in Old Union Hall operates at peak efficiency, as well as Richard Moose, MD, medical director at Decker Student Health Services Center and his staff for handling diagnostic testing. “They are looking after our students’ health,” he said, noting that 787 individuals had been tested the previous day, with only one positive result.

“I applaud the campus community. They took a pause and kept doing the right thing,” Malatras said. “There were a lot of sacrifices. I know it was tough to do this and that staying on campus is not the easiest thing to do, but we don’t want to spread the virus, so we appreciate everything students have done over the last two weeks.”

Binghamton’s positive percentage stands at .54% today, and that’s something most places would be thrilled with in this environment, Malatras added. “The campus is lower than the surrounding community. It’s a great day to have one of our campuses like Binghamton be fully reopened to the pre-paused levels.”

Binghamton ramped up its testing during the pause and is now testing about 800 individuals each weekday. More than 16,000 tests have been analyzed since the start of the semester.

“It is a great day and I note the enthusiasm and excitement in President Stenger’s voice and I share that,” Malatras added. “We’ll continue to keep doing everything we can working together.”

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar spoke of the great example the University set by being proactive and doing the right things to flatten the curve. “Binghamton University stepped up and we’ve asked Broome County residents to do their part and stay home,” he said. “Binghamton University wanted to find out where the positives were and isolate those and that is exactly the right way to attack this and what we need to do in Broome County. Take this approach, social distance, wear a mask and stay home, and we, too, can be under 1% in a few weeks.”

The University is not seeing any difference in infection rates between on- and off-campus students, Stenger said. “They’re very similar. Once you find where someone is positive, you can start testing in that area to get them out of circulation so we can slow the spread.

Stenger added that keeping students on campus during the pause was the right thing to do. “We were very clear when we went on pause that you cannot go home and if you do, you can’t come back,” he said. “To not restrict movement during this time would have been a mistake. We did not have many who left and weren’t coming back. Most students wanted to stay here and didn’t want to go home.

“And now, If you don’t absolutely have to go someplace, don’t go,” he said. “We all know that wearing masks and social distancing work.”

Malatras echoed Stenger’s statement: “If we have a problem on our campuses, we don’t want students to bring that home. Our SUNY students are stepping up in a big way to protest their campuses and the larger communities where they’re from. Students here deserve the credit for staying here.”

The University begins its next two-week period Saturday, Oct. 24, Stenger said, and will need to remain under the 100 positive number to remain in person. “If we stay well under 100, which I’m confident about, we will stay in person,” he said. “We have two 2-week periods left. I think we’ve figured it out and students know how we can stay at this level. Students have to recognize that this is not the time to go to a restaurant or to the mall to go shopping. This is the time to stay in and not travel.”

All activities and events that had been put on pause will resume effective Oct. 22. Dining halls will reopen, though the number of tables in the dining halls may be further reduced, Stenger said, to limit students sitting together with face masks off.