![construction on campus](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180830_scienceIV11_jwc.jpg)
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.
![academics photo](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180717_PharmBld06_jwc_%281%29.jpg)
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.
![Division of Advancement](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180914_bass25_jwc.jpg)
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.
![research](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/introblurb_%2815%29.jpg)
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.
![student affairs](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180824_BaxterBench02_jwc.jpg)
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.
![athletics photo](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180919_paintThePaws11_jwc.jpg)
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.
![construction on campus](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180826_sundaze04_jwc.jpg)
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.
![foundation photo](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/20180815_peacequad02_jwc_%282%29.jpg)
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.
![Open house helps court ‘the best and the brightest’](http://www.binghamton.edu/presidents-report/images/Jeff_Barker_at_open_house.jpg)
Open house helps court ‘the best and the brightest’
Bryan Rose, a senior at Penfield High School in Rochester, has been admitted to three different colleges, including Binghamton University. He doesn’t know where he’ll go yet – he’s got to see what each college has to offer first – but he does know that he’d like to explore each school sooner rather than later.
“It’s good to have an all-around idea sooner,” Rose said. “It’s better when it gets down to the line.”
Rose was one of a small pool of students to attend the Admitted Student Open House for Binghamton University Scholars and PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholars held Feb. 16.
In an effort to engage exceptional students before they enroll elsewhere, the University broke from tradition and offered an open house in February for the first time in its history. Rather than wait until April, when many top applicants have already decided where they’ll go to college, the University presented itself to this year’s incoming pool of high-achievers with plenty of time to spare. This early open house was particularly crucial for the school’s two scholars programs — the Binghamton University Scholars Program and the PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholars Program — in connecting with eager-to-succeed, top-level students.
“This is our first time doing it this early,” said William Ziegler, executive director of the Binghamton University Scholars Program. “We want to get on everyone’s radar early before they start getting multiple offers, which all of these students will get. I think it’s really good to be out in front rather than behind. I think that this gets them thinking of us first.”
Randall Edouard, assistant provost and director of admissions, said that the University needed to try something different this year to connect with early admits, who, nationwide, are deciding upon a college to attend earlier.
“I accessed how we did things and found that we were admitting these top-tier, cream-of-the-crop students in January, and we didn’t offer them anything until April,” he said. “These are the top students. These are the folks that can go anywhere. We need to have something for them. We need to show them that we really want them.”