Mission of EOP
The mission of the Educational Opportunity Program at Binghamton University is to enroll students who meet academic and financial guidelines. We provide support and advocacy for our students from the time of admission through graduation and beyond. The Program is designed to strengthen personal development and assist in building academic skills as students transition to the University's social and cultural environment.
Binghamton University's highly successful EOP is committed to providing opportunities to its students so that they may reach their full potential, with a focus on academic excellence, cultural awareness and social responsibility. Through personal attention and academic and cultural support, EOP gives students the tools they need to graduate and pursue their graduate school and career aspirations.
Office of Opportunity Programs
The Office of Opportunity Programs provides oversight to Educational Opportunity Programs that enable access and provides academic and financial support to disadvantaged students who have the potential to study at the baccalaureate level and beyond. See more
History of EOP
The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) was officially recognized by SUNY Central in Albany and Binghamton University in 1968.
During the Civil Rights Movement in 1967, then first-year Assemblyman Arthur O. Eve, 141st Assembly District, gave further notice to the principles of access and opportunity by developing the appropriation bill that gave birth to the EOP.
The primary goals of the EOP are to facilitate the recruitment, enrollment, retention and graduation of its students. This is accomplished by providing EOP students with an array of educationally related support services. EOP's purpose is to fulfill New York State's commitment to providing opportunity and access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students who possess great potential to succeed in college.
Students accepted to Binghamton University under the auspices of the EOP participate fully in all campus academic and social activities and are held to the same standards as all other students at the University.
Graduation and Retention Rates
Binghamton University EOP is very proud to have one of the strongest programs in the state. Binghamton's EOP has a graduation rate that is higher than the national average, and most colleges.
EOP boasts a 98% retention rate (freshmen to sophomore) and this exceeds the retention rate of the regularly accepted students here at Binghamton University.
Binghamton University EOP Fun Facts
- Since 2017, there have been four EOP students elected to serve as the President and CEO of the Student Association at Binghamton University. They are Jermel McClure ’18, Jerry Toussaint ’19, Khaleel James ’21, and current SA President Nia Johnson.
- The three most recent EOP directors to serve in the role at Binghamton are all EOP alumni. Current director, Karima Legette ‘01, ’05 and Dr. Calvin Gantt, ’85 are graduates of Binghamton University.
- The summer of 2020 presented an option for BEP to continue un-interrupted by offering B-Virtual, EOP’s first online summer experience due to the Coronavirus global pandemic. Due the generosity of an anonymous donor, all EOP incoming first-year students were provided with a new Dell laptop in order to be able to participate in the B-Virtual BEP 2020.
- Starting in summer 2011, EOP students participating in BEP (with the exception of BEP 2020) earned a total of eight academic credits, as well as two general education attributes toward their degree at the conclusion of the summer program. Tuition for these summer credits is paid for by the Office of the Provost. To date, that support has exceeded $1.54 million.
