IMPROVING CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE
Some of the major improvements to infrastructure completed over the summer are very visible; others are not. Read in this issue about the many major projects completed by Physical Facilities and Information Technology Services, as well as the new programs offered by the University Center for Training and Development.
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES OPENS NEW BUILDING
The opening of the new, $60-million School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University's Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City, N.Y., headlines this quarterly report, but there's also good news about collaborations, external funding and student successes. Read more in this issue.
SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES SUPPORT STUDENTS
It takes donors at many levels to make Binghamton University successful, and in this issue of the quarterly report, you can read about a number of them. Whether it's AVANGRID offering full-tuition scholarships and capstone project support, or playing golf to benefit the Alumni Legacy Scholarship, the Division of Advancement works with Binghamton supporters.
BINGHAMTON RESEARCH FUNDING SETS RECORD
Binghamton University reported research expenditures totaling $47.5 million in 2017-18, an increase of about 19 percent from the previous fiscal year. The figure tops 2011-12, the campus’ all-time best year for research funding, when just over $40 million was reported. The new record, which follows several years of steady growth, is an important sign of the campus’ creativity and innovation. Healthcare research accounted for nearly a third of expenditures, with electronics packaging and systems engineering following at about 22 percent.
BAXTER THE BEARCAT BOOSTS SCHOOL SPIRIT
The Division of Student Affairs spent the summer hosting students and families for orientation and preparing for the opening of the fall semester. With some new people on board and some others with new duties, it has been a busy time. Not too busy, though, to show Binghamton University pride, as you'll read about the new Baxter the Bearcat Bench in the University Union in this issue.
STUDENT-ATHLETES CONTINUE TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY
Student-athletes continue to shine on and off the courts and fields. The Athletics Department sets high academic standards, and student-athletes surpass them across the board. Read about the accomplishments made by student-athletes in their sports and in the classroom – and check out the videos showcasing fall sports and the new women's head basketball coach, Bethann Shapiro Ord, in this issue.
HELPING TO MAKE THE CAMPUS MORE INCLUSIVE
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works to educate and empower everyone on campus in ways that create a welcoming community. From the Udiversity Educational Institute, that holds trainings for students, faculty and staff, to the Multicultural Resource Center and Q Center, the division's offices that work to build bridges and support students though education and events such as Sundaze, part of its Welcome Week programming. Read about the division's recent initiatives in this report.
DONOR SUPPORT ADVANCES BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
The Binghamton University Foundation had a successful 2017-18 year, bringing in the second highest amount of cash ever in support of the University. Read the numbers in this issue of the quarterly report, and learn one way the Foundation celebrates its donors.
Town Gown Advisory Board holds first meeting
Binghamton University convened its first Town Gown Advisory Board (TGAB) meeting Oct. 25, a first step of many on route to the overall goal of enhancing communication between the University and surrounding communities.
The TGAB, currently comprised of 32 members, shared ideas and discussed relevant matters with the objective of making recommendations to the city of Binghamton and Binghamton University administrations regarding potential programs, funding and policies deemed relevant to improving the relationship between the city, its resident and the University.
Five subcommittees have been established: Transportation and Parking, Student Housing, Positive Community Engagement, Dangerous Drinking/Underage Drinking, and Safety.
All of the subcommittees have met multiple times and some have invited community members and community based organizations to the meetings for the purpose of consultation and information sharing.
The work of the board is a critical enterprise for the University because it allows the community to be engaged in and with the University and the University to be engaged in and with the community. Not only do both parties have a great opportunity to learn from living together, they both can also positively enrich each other.
The subcommittees have had great dialogue and have generated a number of ideas and will report out on their work at the next TGAB meeting. Already it is evident that better lines of communication need to be established. A lot of real estate is being shared in close proximity, so for exciting things that the University wants to work on, there is now an opportunity to work on them together with the community. For town-gown issues that need to be solved, the University and the community now have an opportunity to work them as a group.
The TGAB will reconvene at its next meeting Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, in the Binghamton University Downtown Center.