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.
Educational Opportunity Program, Binghamton Enrichment Program
Beginning in the summer of 2013, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Summer Program, locally known as the Binghamton Enrichment Program (BEP), will implement exciting academic changes: For the first time in the program’s history (established in 1968), students will receive academic credit for all BEP courses.
Through wonderful collaboration between EOP and University faculty in mathematical sciences (MATH), the Writing Initiative (WRIT), geography (GEOG) and human development (HDEV), EOP has been able to provide rigorous courses during the summer program in an effort to provide an exciting, enriching and academically intense experience to our EOP freshmen. These courses have all been endorsed by the department chairs and are being spearheaded by Binghamton University faculty.
Each BEP student will be enrolled in MATH 100A: Algebra Enrichment I, MATH 100B: Algebra Enrichment II or MATH 100C: Algebra Enrichment III, depending on his/her pre-test scores. Students will have the opportunity to earn two (2) credits for taking the course.
Each student will also be enrolled in WRIT 101: Bridging Academic Writing, and he/she will have the opportunity to earn two (2) credits along with the Harpur Writing “W” General Education requirement. This course will have a common syllabus that each of the instructors and students will follow throughout the summer.
Also this summer, students will have the opportunity to enroll in either HDEV 107: Culture and Context in Development or GEOG 103: Multi-Cultural Geographies of U.S., which carry the Global Interdependencies “G” General Education requirement and the Pluralism in the U.S. “P” General Education requirement, respectively.
EOP is thrilled to be able to grant more flexibility and choices for its students, and still provide them with an opportunity to earn eight (8) credits for participating in the BEP summer program.
Binghamton University now becomes the only EOP Summer Program in New York state where all of the classes taken during the experience are credit-bearing.