University Statements

Dear Campus Community,
 
Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we celebrate the legacy of one of America’s civil rights pioneers on the 95th anniversary of his birth.
 
We remember King as the spokesperson for the Montgomery, Ala. bus boycott, the author of “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” the orator of the “I Have a Dream” speech and the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. King’s inspirational leadership, in no small part, pushed Congress to pass the Civil Rights and Voting Rights acts in the mid-1960s.
 
“I accept this award today,” King said in Oslo in 1964, “with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind. I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history.”
 
Tragically, King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 as he was visiting Memphis, Tenn. to visit striking sanitation workers. He was 39 years old.
 
This day serves as an annual reminder of King’s life work, as do the thousands of parks, monuments, schools and streets across the country that bear his name.
 
Most importantly, all of us can pay tribute to King’s lasting messages of love, respect and social justice through our thoughts and our actions every day. As we begin a new semester, we encourage you to embrace King’s eternal optimism for a better and more just future as we work together to overcome the obstacles in our path.   
 
We owe it to ourselves to fulfill his vision of the beloved community.
 
 
Harvey G. Stenger
President
 
Karen A. Jones
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Dear Campus Community:

I couldn't sleep last night at 4 a.m., and I drove to campus to look at the memorial. I was joyful from the number of items that had been left—many bouquets, candles and notes.

The decision to cancel or hold classes today is not easy, but let me explain what I propose we do.

Coincidentally, I am teaching two classes with Liz Rosenberg this morning. I do this occasionally with her. Today just happens to be that day. They are poetry and creative writing, which I am not good at. However, I am looking forward to going to class and being with others who may want to talk about what happened yesterday. Or maybe we will just sit and read poems and stories to each other.

If we don't have classes today, we will miss seeing each other. But if we do have classes, you may not be able to participate effectively. So please do what you believe is best for you today.

Here is my proposal: Faculty, please don't cover any new material, and if you wish to cancel your class, feel free to do so. If you do have class, perhaps just have a session of Q&A. And please don't mark anyone absent.

We have very, very smart students, and missing one or two days of class won't hurt them. But also, many are still very sad and being with others may be comforting.

I apologize for not making a cancel-or-not-cancel decision. But I feel that this is a decision that each person must make on their own, but without penalty for the decision you choose.

With love and sadness,
Harvey

Harvey G. Stenger
President

I am writing to share the news of a loss within our campus community. Early Monday morning, Binghamton University Police and Harpur's Ferry responded to the Bartle Library Tower on Binghamton's main campus, where a student was discovered deceased. A police investigation has shown no criminal activity and the student's family has been notified. Our deepest condolences go to the family and friends of the student. We are overwhelmed by the tragic nature of their passing.

Today at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, there will be a supportive session in the C4 Multipurpose Room, open to all on the campus community. University Counseling Center, Case Management, Residential Life and Binghamton University Interfaith Council will be on hand to support anyone struggling with this loss.

We encourage everyone to support each other, look out for each other and share concerns with campus professionals as appropriate. We encourage you to take advantage of available resources during this difficult time. For those needing counseling services, the University Counseling Center (UCC), along with the Dean of Students Office and CARE Team, can offer support. To reach someone after hours or for emergencies, students should call 911 or the UCC after-hours counselor by calling 607-777-2772 and selecting #2. During business hours, students who would like to speak to someone should contact the UCC by calling 607-777-2772 or the Dean of Students Office and CARE Team by calling 607-777-2804.

Faculty and staff seeking assistance should contact the Employee Assistance Program at 607-777-6655 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. An off-campus coordinator can be reached after hours by calling the 24-hour EAP call line at 1-800-822-0244. The Binghamton University Interfaith Council is also available to students, faculty and staff via email at buic@binghamton.edu.

A complete list of our support services is available at the link below: https://www.binghamton.edu/dean-of-students/support/index.html

Sincerely,
Harvey G. Stenger
President

Dear members of the Binghamton University Community,

Binghamton University unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, hatred and bigotry directed at any individual or group. We stand in solidarity with all those suffering while condemning antisemitism and hate in all its forms. We strive to maintain an environment that allows the members of our community to voice their opinions and express themselves in a way where others feel mutually respected. A fundamental right secured by the First Amendment is for students at public universities to have free, expression, even on matters some may deem offensive or hateful. Nonetheless, I encouraged our campus members if they experience any direct threats or violence, please report them to the university police or student conduct. 

My focus is to support one another during this difficult time and maintain the physical safety of all students on this campus. During any event that could be volatile, there is always a security plan in place with increased police presence, both uniformed and plain clothes. 

It can be challenging for some of us to navigate this difficult time. For those struggling to process these events, I encourage you to contact a trusted faculty member or friend, and more importantly, there is a wealth of mental health resources on this campus available at one of our support offices.

Sincerely,
Harvey G. Stenger
President

Today, there is an increased patrol on campus after a call for attacks on all Jews by Hamas. This "day of rage" is being urged just a week after Hamas brutally attacked Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip.

This call to action is despicable and we are taking every possible precaution to assure the safety of our campus community and its members. University Police are adopting extra security measures including additional law enforcement officers and patrols, and we are offering escorts to Jewish students gathering during this difficult time.

I will continue engaging with all our students, student leaders and Jewish community members to ensure that everyone feels safe, and we will make every effort to address any safety concerns and encourage all of our students to support one another during this trying time.

Sincerely,
Harvey G. Stenger
President

I want to offer my condolences to the victims of the vicious attack perpetrated this weekend in Israel and mourn the loss of innocent lives due to these terrorist atrocities. As a university, we condemn such heinous acts of violence. I want to assure everyone that the safety of our campus community is our priority.

Please remember that the current state of affairs personally affects many in our community, and tensions are high. I encourage everyone to engage in respectful political discourse with a demeanor that upholds respect and civility.

One of the fundamental rights secured by the First Amendment for students at state colleges and universities is free, uncensored expression, even on matters some may think are offensive.

The entire campus will be well served by engaging in respectful political discourse. This type of conversation is crucial for fostering understanding, empathy, and peaceful solutions. As a result, the campus and the larger community benefit from increased knowledge and tolerance.

Sincerely,
Harvey G. Stenger
President

Dear Members of the Binghamton University Community,

I want to welcome back to campus all our returning students, faculty and staff, and I particularly want to welcome the newest members of the Binghamton community – the class of 2027. I hope that all of you are as excited about the months ahead as I am.

The start of a new academic year is one of the best things about being president at Binghamton University. It’s a time when there is lots of optimism and excitement for the year ahead and a chance to connect with friends old and new. People return to campus reenergized from the summer and eager to take on new projects. And the weather is almost always perfect.

I also want to extend a special welcome to our new and returning international students. Your presence on campus is evidence of the University’s growing reputation, both here in the United States and abroad, and adds immensely to the cultural vitality of our campus.

The upcoming semester looks very promising. We have a highly talented group of new students, drawn from a record number of applications — more than 58,400 students applied last spring. Approximately 3,000 first-year students, along with 750 transfer and 1,500 new graduate students will bring our enrollment to around 18,600 — just the right size to support world-renowned research programs and a thriving campus social life. And our interactions with the community have received a major boost with the news that Binghamton University is a finalist for a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines grant that may bring $160 million dollars to support battery innovation, workforce development and manufacturing in the neighboring Village of Endicott.

I know that the first weeks of the fall semester can be a bit overwhelming. There are new classes to master, books to buy, suitemates to meet, campus activities to enjoy. Through it all, please do your part to make others feel welcome — remember about one out of every three students you see on campus is new here. I hope that you will greet them with a warm “hello!”

I also encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities we offer — not just in terms of your classwork, but in the social and cultural life of the campus. Expand your horizons by taking in a play or joining a student organization that will spark a new interest. Show your support for our Bearcat athletics teams or tour our Art Museum. Embrace the diversity of our campus, both in terms of the variety of experiences available and in terms of meeting people from different backgrounds. It will make your Binghamton experience better, and it will open doors for you when you graduate.

At Binghamton our number one goal is to help students be successful. We have many resources on campus that will help you on your scholarly journey, from academic advising and tutoring to career coaching and leadership development. Still, the most important factor in student success is the motivation and commitment of our students themselves. I’d like to offer a few study tips as a hint to new students and as a reminder to existing ones:

Use your time well. Try not to procrastinate, as work will build up and bury you pretty quickly.
Get plenty of sleep, exercise, and follow good nutrition – your body (and brain) will thank you for it.
Set aside some “me” time. A balanced study life is crucial to your success.
Meet with your professors early in the semester. Help them put a face to the name on the class roster.
And most of all, develop a study routine and stick with it. Here at Binghamton, studying and classwork is your job. Be consistent in your work and you will be rewarded.
So, to our students, I wish you a successful and engaging year ahead; to our faculty, may you have a productive year pursuing knowledge and imparting it to your students; and to our staff, may you have a rewarding and constructive year.

Sincerely,
Harvey G. Stenger
President

To the Campus Community,

Juneteenth — officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day when it was signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden in 2021 — celebrates its first full year as a federally recognized holiday. While widespread cultural awareness and recognition of Juneteenth are relatively recent, the roots of Juneteenth celebrations run deeply through Black American culture.

A contraction of "June" and "nineteenth" — Juneteenth observes the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans when, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to declare the end of the Civil War and freedom of enslaved people. Even this military order did not immediately spell freedom for many of the 250,000 enslaved people in Texas. The day has endured as a touchstone for Black Americans to celebrate their history, to continue to stand for racial equality as well to speak out against social injustices. Unfortunately, the day also is a constant reminder that, even today, equality, and social justice for Black Americans, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) remains elusive.

This year, let us recognize Juneteenth as a call to action for the work that continues to remind us of our humanity; that everyone is deserving of respect. The recent domestic terrorist attack in Buffalo, N.Y., and other violent incidents stemming from hatred and racism, are all-too-frequent reminders of how members of our community continue to face challenges, injustices, and undeniable discrimination. It is incumbent on all of us to persist in our fight against these long-standing prejudices around race, equity and justice.

To that end, Binghamton University recognizes Juneteenth as an opportunity to recommit to the ideals embedded in the founding of this country — that all people are created equal. As we mark — and celebrate — Juneteenth as a milestone in America's march toward equality, we also recognize it as a moment to pause and assess. We must not only measure how far we have come, but acknowledge how far we still need to go to address lingering racial and psychological traumas.

In observance of the second anniversary of Juneteenth National Independence Day, Binghamton University will be closed Monday, June, 20. We encourage everyone to use this day for action and reflection. Here are some ways you can get engaged:

Participate in the local Juneteenth Celebration hosted by the Binghamton Juneteenth Committee on Saturday, June 18, at Assata Shakur Park.
Support Binghamton University initiatives that advocate for BIPOC students, faculty and staff:
the George Floyd Scholarship for Social Change and other scholarship funds
the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and Student Support Services
the Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equity and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Read, watch, listen and learn with this list of books, movies, podcasts and more to help you better understand and combat racism.
Volunteer at a local non-profit that serves and/or advocates for racial, social, and economic justice.
We must work together, to create conversations and valuable solutions to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment. Racial injustices impact everyone, and Binghamton University is fully committed to its role in helping to identify and rectify inequity and inequality in all forms.

Sincerely,

Harvey G. Stenger
President

Karen A. Jones
Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

To the Campus Community,

When Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to invade Ukraine on Feb. 24, he unleashed violence that has led to death and destruction and will echo around the world for years to come — in innocent lives lost, in shattered infrastructure, in broken economies.

Binghamton University strongly condemns this unprovoked attack, the responsibility for which rests on Putin, not on the people of Russia. This is an unconscionable power grab by an autocrat who has no regard for his people or the norms of international law.

We offer our deepest sympathy to all members of our campus community who may have personal ties to the invasion — those with Ukrainian ties and those with ties to those in the Russian community who deplore these acts of aggression.

The impact of these events extends far beyond the nation of citizenship reflected on an individual’s passport. Acknowledging that many people also have family and friends in Eastern Europe and in branches of the military that are deploying to countries bordering Ukraine reminds us that the impact of this unjustified invasion is broad. The University is making every effort to ensure that all of our students and scholars affected by the invasion are aware of support services available to them, both on campus and in our surrounding community.

Sincerely,

Harvey G. Stenger
President