Parents and Supporters

What is Residential Life

Welcome to the Bearcat Family! Residential Life is a crucial resource to students while they live on campus. We provide a small school residential experience within a premier public ivy. Our dedicated staff and faculty educators engage with students in building strong communities that empower personal development and academic success. Our six diverse residential areas offer Bearcats a home away from home that supports learning and growth.

This page will provide specific information for parents, family members, and supporters of residential Bearcats and will be updated each month with pertinent information to be aware of.

How we can work together

Residential Life seeks to develop our Bearcats following our Residential Curriculum, which aligns with our institutional mission and values and is in keeping with the needs of students today. We look to communicate with parents, family members, and supporters to enhance this developmental journey so that residential students may have a meaningful, safe, and positive experience while at Binghamton University.

Here are some tips to keep in mind to build a partnership with our office and assist your student on their developmental journey:

1. It is always helpful for our office when we speak with students directly about any questions they may have or challenges they are working through. Please encourage your student to call or email us themselves so we may problem-solve with them and get the most accurate information of their situation.
2. On a similar note, your student should be filling out their own paperwork and completing their own requirements. This is a great learning opportunity for your student and helps them develop independence. Information such as B-Numbers, student conduct findings, and one-on-one conversations with your student are private, so it is best for your student to be the one who completes processes themselves, such as signing up for housing.
3. Encourage your student to address their issues head on and ask questions. Oftentimes, this can be the most difficult to tackle as it takes practice and time to gain that sense of confidence and initiative required to navigate college and life beyond successfully. Continue to work with your student to deal with issues as they happen and to advocate for themselves as needed.
4. Understanding what is a minor problem that a student can solve on their own, potentially with support from family and friends, versus a larger problem that may require intervention from our staff and/or other offices on campus. As students explore as they move through their time at Binghamton University, they will encounter challenges that are new to them. This may mean they can have a difficult time understanding what is a normal and even an expected challenge they will encounter, versus something that is unique and requires additional support and resources. As a parent or supporter, you too may have a difficulty understanding these differences. Examples of typical minor problems that occur for college students are roommate conflicts, adjusting to academic rigor, and making friends.

Whatever you or your student experience during their time as a Bearcat, our office is here to help. We ask that you please contact the Area Office of the community that your student lives in if you have any questions.

What’s Happening Now 

Packing List

Summer is already flying by! July is a great time for you and your student to start thinking about a packing list for student move-in happening next month. Whether you are a new Bearcat or are returning, this list may be helpful. 

Common Issues

Below are some common issues students deal with during their time as a Residential student on campus. You may find these resources helpful in understanding those issues and how to help your student understand their role in the process and empower them to positively impact the situation as they navigate new challenges.

Roommate Conflicts

For many Binghamton students this is the first time they have lived with another person and whether their roommate is a long-time friend or a person who they had never spoken to before arriving to campus, it can be overwhelming and exciting to live in a residence hall with another person. As you hear from your student about their roommate or suitemate experience, especially if it is a challenging experience, it can be tricky to navigate from home. 

Here are a few tips to support and coach your student through living with another person: 

• Assurance
  Assure your student that having a roommate conflict is not a rare occurrence. Living with someone requires ongoing communication. Most roommates are able to resolve their conflicts in ways that meet everyone's needs.
• Listen
  Listen to your student's explanation of the conflict. Ask if the issue could be a misunderstanding rather than an intentional dispute. 
• Roommate Agreements
  Find out if your student has signed a roommate agreement and whether or not it has been reviewed lately. All students are encouraged to complete one at the start of the year and review each semester. Students can obtain a roommate agreement through their Community Assistant or Residence Director.
• Communication
  Ask whether the roommates have had a conversation specifically about the issue at hand. Students often think they have communicated their feelings without having actually expressed them.
• Accountability
  Do not be afraid to question whether your student had a role in creating the conflict. Let them know that you are not criticizing, only suggesting a little self-examination, reminding them that every conflict has two (or more) sides. Encourage them to consider why their roommate might see the situation from a different point of view.
• Ask for Help
  Ask if they have contacted their Community Assistant, the Residence Director, or their living community’s Area Office about the situation. If they have not made contact, encourage them to do so in the order listed above. 

Healthy Sleeping Habits

The age old adage of getting a good night’s sleep rings true, especially for college students who are experiencing a new environment and different pressures as compared to high school. Living with other people in a shared community, academic rigor, and social pressures often can affect a student’s ability to get enough sleep. Studies show that lack of adequate sleep each night can affect a student’s academic performance and can even cause sleep disorders such as insomnia. 

• Set Boundaries
  Encourage your student to discuss their sleep schedule with their roommate(s), suitemates, and friends. Setting boundaries, such as instilling agreed upon quiet hours, with those they live with will help prevent misunderstandings or further issues in the future.
• Rest Before a Big Day
  Talk to your student about getting sleep before important days or during busy times. There will be high periods of stress for students depending on their course work, their extracurriculars, and the time of year, such as midterms and finals. Getting rest before a big day can positively impact a student’s success and mental health.
• Take Naps
  While napping may be seen as suitable only for small children, college students can actually greatly benefit from incorporating a nap into their routine or during especially tough days. Napping is a healthy sleeping habit that can be implemented in between classes if time permits. If you find your student struggles to get enough sleep at night, talk to them about incorporating naps into their schedule to give their mind and body a break during the day.
• Utilize Resources
  If you find that your student is struggling with incorporating healthy sleeping habits into their schedule, encourage them to speak with their Community Assistant or Residence Director. Both resources can offer on-on-one assistance with walking through their schedules and referring them to more in-depth resources on campus if needed.

Sharing Space and Living in a Community

Similarly to living with roommates and/or suitemates, living in a shared community with others around the same age can be a new experience for students. Differences in identity, culture, opinion, and lifestyle are just some of the ways college students may encounter a challenge which is an opportunity for growth in their understanding of the world around them and in themselves. 

• Community Guidelines
  At the start of each semester, your student’s Community Assistant will establish community guidelines for everyone on the floor of their residence hall to participate in and respect. If your student is finding that others on their floor or in their residence hall are not following these guidelines, they should try the following methods in this order to remedy the situation:
  

  • Your student should try to first speak directly with the other student or students who are not complying to the guidelines. This can be the hardest step, but is oftentimes the most important because it more often than not will resolve the issue, but it also allows your student a learning opportunity to advocate for themselves and address conflict head on.
  • If for some reason there is not a positive outcome after your student has spoken to the person directly, their Community Assistant would be the next resource they can utilize to address the issues. Their Community Assistant is a student themselves but is also trained to enforce community guidelines and can mediate the situation as a neutral third party.
  • If the Community Assistant deems it appropriate, the Residence Director or the community’s Assistant Director may be involved to further mediate. The Residence Director and Assistant Director are always available to assist your student but we highly recommend your student try the first two methods before moving up the chain.
• Respect
  Speak to your student about respecting community guidelines and how their actions can affect those around them. Just as your student expects others to follow the community guidelines, they themselves should strive to follow them as well. Behaviors that may have been acceptable at home can now have an effect on their roommate(s), suitemates, and floor neighbors, such as playing loud music or making excessively loud noises, not keeping a cleanly space or cleaning up after themselves, or smoking in their rooms (Binghamton University is a smoke-free campus, so smoking of any kind is prohibited inside or outside of the residence halls).

Developing New Life Skills

As students experience more freedom living on their own on a college campus, they may encounter a level of independence and self-sufficiency that is new to them. They will need to perform daily “adulting” tasks and take on responsibilities that their parents, families, and supporters may have provided for them or assisted them with during high school. It is helpful to discuss these skills early and often so your student feels empowered to take on new challenges and feels safe and comfortable in their new environment. 

• Protecting Keys and Your Student ID Card
  Discussing the importance of your student locking their room and/or suite doors, especially if no one will be present in the space when they leave. Additionally, your student will need to protect their student ID card and brass key (depending on their room type); these items should be kept with your student at all times. Lost ID cards can be reported to the Office of Admissions, who will issue your student a new card at an additional cost. Lost Residential Life brass keys should be reported to your students Community Assistant or Residence Director for further assistance. Any stolen property should be reported to the University Police Department as well.
• Cooking Practices 
  Each residence hall has a communal kitchen for students to use in addition to their meal plans. Students are also allowed to have a mini fridge, microwave, and internal-heating source appliances in their living spaces. Students may be cooking on their own for the first time or using spaces or appliances that are new to them. You’ll be surprised how many students forget to add water to their microwave mac and cheese! Talk with your student about safe cooking practices and the impact improper cooking can have on their community.
• Doing Laundry
  Each residence hall also has its own laundry room with multiple washers and dryers that are available at no additional cost for residential students to use. Speaking with your student about how to properly use a washer and dryer, such as cleaning out the lint tray after use, will help to keep the living community clean and safe.
• Cleanliness
  Cleanliness in general is a big part of living in a shared space. Keeping your personal space clean is important, but also being mindful of all common spaces, such as bathrooms, area in a suite, floor lounges, kitchens, and laundry rooms, is important as well. While shared bathrooms are cleaned on a regular schedule by our facilities staff, other personal spaces, such as your student’s room, are not cleaned by staff. Talk to your student about practicing cleanliness habits, such as taking out their trash, washing their sheets, and removing food waste regularly. Cleanliness prevents odor and pests and helps to keep the residence halls a comfortable and safe place to live.
• Study Habits
  Students are used to completing homework but the level of studying and homework that is necessary in college can sometimes be hard to transition to and to incorporate into a daily schedule. In addition to academic study spaces across campus, such as the library, all living communities also have Success Centers. These spaces are conveniently located for residential students to study outside of their rooms or buildings to get a change of scenery and have access to studying devices such as desktop monitors and printers. Speaking with your student about incorporating study habits and dedicated study time into their schedule will be helpful in creating skills that promote academic success.
• Personal Safety
  Encouraging personal safety practices is an important topic for parents and supports to speak with their student about. New personal freedom can bring moments where safety is disregarded or endangered. Speaking with your student about responsible alcohol and drug use, forming safe and positive interpersonal relationships, and knowing who to turn to when they are in need are just some of the topics to cover when it comes to safety. Binghamton University’s campus prides itself on being a safe place to live and we have many staff and resources dedicated to keeping our campus community secure.
• Mental Health and Wellness
  One of the most difficult but most important topics to speak to your student about is having positive mental health and practicing wellness habits. Developing skills in resiliency, positive thinking, and self confidence all take time, but college is a great opportunity to start practicing as you develop a new sense of self. Binghamton University offers many services and programs to support students on their wellness journey, and as parents and supporters, talking to your student about the importance of wellness and positive mental health will impact your student’s ability to feel comfortable, safe, and confident during their time at college.

Parents, families, supporters, and residential students should review the housing agreement as well as our other forms and policies as it relates to living on campus on our Forms and Policies website.

Making Friends and Finding Belonging

A big part of a student’s success at college is their ability to find belonging on campus. Belonging is a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome you and accept you. There are many opportunities for your student to meet new people and make friends, while finding new hobbies and interests that can develop them as a person. The biggest thing in supporting your student finding their belonging on campus is encouraging them to put themselves out there, take chances, and explore. 

• Community Events
  Each residential community puts on many small and large-scale events and programs throughout the year focused on socialization, developing skills, and de-stressing. Events happen right in the community and are free of charge for students to attend. Oftentimes they involve free food or giveaways! 
• Hall/Community Government
  Hall and Community Government is a great way for students to get involved in their community and have a voice in programming, operations, and making changes. Being a general body member is open to all in the community and there are opportunities to serve on an Executive Board or in a Committee to take on a leadership role.
• Clubs and Organizations
  Binghamton University has over 450 different clubs and organizations ranging in club sports, Fraternities and Sororities, and cultures and religions; your student is bound to find something that peaks their interest. Your student can take the Club Match Quiz to help narrow down their search.
• Campus Events Calendar
  Encourage your student to view the Binghamton University Events Calendar. This calendar is updated daily with events happening all across campus that students can participate in. 

The most important part is encouraging your student to take advantage of all of the listed events and opportunities above. Continue to discuss the importance of putting themselves out there and exploring new interests and hobbies. Once students start to build a support system on campus and have extracurricular activities to look forward to, their time in college will be more enjoyable.

We are here for you and your student if you have any questions! We ask that you please contact the Area Office of the community that your student lives in if you have any questions.

We look forward to partnering with you!