Student Life
Undergraduate Orientation
“Beginnings,” the Orientation program for new students at Binghamton, is presented during the summer. Students may choose one session from a number of one-day or two-day events, depending on their student status and major. A concurrent Orientation program for family members is also offered. For students entering in the spring semester, the program is scheduled just prior to the start of the spring semester.
The Orientation program gives students the opportunity to plan their academic program with the assistance of faculty and academic advisers, to learn about the services provided by various administrative offices and to meet faculty, staff and other students in various settings. Each participating student is charged a fee based on the cost of presenting the program. After each new student is admitted, an invitation is mailed from the Office of Campus Life with information about when and where the program is held and how the fee may be paid.
Off-Campus Living
Many students choose to live in the communities surrounding the University. Off Campus College (OCC) is designed to serve students living off campus and to connect the University and nearby communities in mutually beneficial ways.
OCC provides updated housing lists, lease reviews, housing search advice, tenants’ rights information and other information to interested students who wish to live off campus.
Most OCC service and academic programs have significant involvement with community agencies and individuals. For example, each semester OCC Internship Programs place approximately 125 student interns in various organizations in the Broome County community to obtain valuable professional experience in more than 30 different fields, including law, human services, education, medical services and advertising. OCC collaborates with approximately 150 local agencies to secure these internships. Additionally, an average of 250 students per semester serve as mentors and tutors to economically and academically disadvantaged youth in neighboring school districts by participating in the Johnson City Mentor Program and the GEAR UP Mentor/Tutor Program. Furthermore, OCC provides students with the opportunity to intern anywhere in the United States by offering credit-bearing internships through the Summer Internship Program and the Semester Beyond Broome County Internship Program. The volunteer programs unite more than 2000 students each year with meaningful service projects in local community agencies. Programs include an annual Volunteer and Community Resource Fair held each fall and sponsorship and support for such events as the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse Walk Against Hunger, the American Littoral Society’s Riverbank Clean-Up, the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and the Special Olympics. A weekly e-newsletter connects more than 700 subscribers to new service opportunities.
A rotating panel of local lawyers staffs the OCC free legal clinics. The Off Campus College Meeting, the student organization associated with the office, sponsors the legal clinics.
OCC functions as a resource center for individuals with community- or University-based concerns and is especially interested in reaching students traditionally less involved in University life (local students living at home, for example). The open structure of OCC encourages wide student participation in all aspects of its operation.
Transportation
Two bus systems serve the campus. Off Campus College Transport (OCCT) buses charge no fare; students need only show ID cards. Transportation fees fund transportation for students on the public Broome County Transit buses; students may ride for free by showing their ID cards. In addition, OCCT operates a lift-equipped van to enable students with mobility impairments to commute to and from campus. The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities determines eligibility for this service.
University Housing
Binghamton University has a long-standing appreciation for the importance of supportive communities for students. Through residential communities, which are fashioned after the early collegial models at Oxford and Cambridge, students obtain a small-college experience within the larger institution.
The residential colleges integrate living and learning opportunities in several ways. Faculty masters, drawn from the ranks of tenured faculty and residential fellows, serve at each community and play an integral role in its social and academic programming. With offices in the college or community, faculty masters are readily accessible to students and play a key role in the mentoring program that is part of the University’s general education.
To enhance this integrated concept, classrooms, libraries, cultural programs, activity space and faculty offices are housed within the residential settings. Formal courses are supplemented by a varied program of guest speakers, lectures, films, panel discussions, exhibits and workshops. Residential life provides opportunities for the discovery and development of such life skills as leadership, decision making, negotiation, compromise and assertiveness. It also provides an opportunity for interaction among people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Binghamton has five residential communities (College-in-the-Woods, Dickinson Community, Hinman College, Mountainview College and Newing College) and two residential apartment communities (Hillside and Susquehanna). College-in-the-Woods, Dickinson, Hinman, Mountainview and Newing house second-year returning students, as well as new freshmen and transfer students. Hillside Community houses returning, upperclass and transfer students. Susquehanna Community houses families, transfer students and undergraduate students who want a quiet lifestyle while living on campus. In all, approximately 6,200 students live in the residential communities.
All freshmen are required to live on campus for their first academic year, unless they receive permission to live off campus from the Office of Residential Life. Exempt from this policy are families, local students living at home and/or students over 21 years of age. First-time freshmen are housed in the five undergraduate residential communities (College-in-the-Woods, Dickinson, Hinman, Mountainview and Newing). Students in these residential communities must contract for one of several residential meal plans. Residents of Hillside and Susquehanna may opt to purchase a meal plan. Meal plans are in effect from the first day of registration through examination period, except for vacation periods. Meal contract options include standard diet, kosher, health food or special diet plans arranged by the licensed dietitian.
Break housing is available to residents who have a need to remain in Binghamton during the break periods (Thanksgiving, semester and spring break). Break housing is offered in Hillside and Susquehanna communities, as well as Windham Hall in Mountainview College, Mohawk Hall in College-in-the-Woods and Bingham Hall in Newing College and Lehman Hall in Hinman College. Because dining halls are closed during break periods, students requiring break housing are encouraged to consider one of the apartment communities for their housing choice; each apartment includes kitchens with full-sized appliances.
Students are actively involved in governing the residential communities. Elected councils develop programs, govern the use of facilities and recommend changes in policies; each council is also part of the Student Association.
Chemical-free housing is offered in College-in-the-Woods, Dickinson, Hinman, Mountainview and Newing. Additionally all residential communities are smoke-free accommodations.
Undergraduate Accommodations
Each of the residential communities consists of four to six individual residence halls (each housing approximately 200 to 300 students) and a dining hall. Within each residence hall are laundry rooms, vending machines and study and recreation lounges. A typical residence-hall floor accommodates approximately 30 residents. Room styles vary from four- or six-person suites with bath and small lounge to more traditional rooms built as doubles and triples with common bath facilities for each floor or corridor. All rooms are equipped with an extra-long twin bed, a dresser, desk, chair, floor lamp, closet or wardrobe and venetian blinds for the windows.
Upperclass/Transfer and Family Accommodations
Hillside and Susquehanna communities are on-campus apartment complexes. Hillside houses upperclass and transfer students. Susquehanna provides a quiet environment for families, transfer students and undergraduate students. Family housing in Susquehanna Community is limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Apartments in Hillside are arranged in three configurations: the four-bedroom and six-bedroom apartment, housing four and six students respectively in single bedrooms, and the six-bedroom apartment, accommodating eight students in four single bedrooms and two double bedrooms. Two configurations are also available in apartments in Susquehanna Community: a four-bedroom apartment, housing four students in single bedrooms, and a two-bedroom apartment, housing three students in a single and a double bedroom. Students with families are accommodated in two-bedroom apartments.
Each apartment in both communities contains a living/dining room, kitchen and bathroom(s) within the apartment. Apartments are completely furnished (including utilities) and carpeted, and include an outlet for direct access to the campus computer network and campus cable TV system.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
“Rules of Student Conduct and Procedures for Review of Student Conduct,” published annually as part of the Student Handbook, outlines University rules for student conduct, student rights and judicial procedures. Students are responsible for obtaining a copy of this document and knowing the contents. These rules and procedures seek to provide an environment in which the rights of all members of the University community are protected.
Judicial Process
Judicial discipline at Binghamton University is based on “Rules of Student Conduct and Procedures for Review of Student Conduct.”
The judicial process focuses on student development by encouraging responsibility and fostering a respect for the rights of all University community members. The University judicial system has two main objectives: to hold students accountable for inappropriate behavior as described in “Rules of Student Conduct and Procedures for Review of Student Conduct,” and to modify those behaviors in order to maintain a safe environment conducive to living and learning.
The Office of Judicial Affairs, located in College-in-the-Woods 3B, provides information on the judicial process, hearings, board membership, training, judicial review and University rules and expectations.
University Union
The University Union is the focus of many social, cultural and recreational activities for students, faculty and staff. In addition to housing meeting and multipurpose rooms, the University Union is the location of the University Union office; the Campus Life office; Off Campus College; a billiards room, bowling lanes and video games; Munchies, the campus convenience store and dry-cleaning service that shares space with Take One, a video and DVD rental shop, and Bokays, a balloon and flower shop; the University Bookstore; the University Post Office; a full-service bank; a food co-op; the Susquehanna Room, the Kosher Kitchen and the Food Court (food services); the student radio station, WHRW-FM; BTV (the student television station), and offices of many organizations such as Pipe Dream (student newspaper) and the Student Association (student government).
The University Union is open throughout the calendar year, except for an occasional holiday when classes are not in regular session; hours of operation are posted at the main entrances.
Campus Life
The Office of Campus Life is made up of four functional areas: New Student Programs, Campus Activities, Student Involvement and Leadership Development, and Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. Each area offers support to individual students looking to become involved and student groups and their programs through a variety of means. Campus Life staff are on hand to show students a wide variety of organizations, programs and activities that they can become involved with in order to realize their collegiate experience. Staff members are also available to meet with student leaders to discuss their programs.
The Student Involvement and Leadership Development component of Campus Life is the home for the XCEL program (The Center for Excellence in Student Leadership). XCEL is designed to build and improve leadership skills in students. The XCEL center offers a series of leadership recognition programs, a mock interview program in conjunction with the Career Development Center, a public speaking lab, a leadership-skills resource library, workshops and conferences for all students.
Campus Activities coordinates the Late Nite Binghamton program, which not only offers positive leisure opportunities to students on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights but also offers undergraduate students opportunities to shape the direction of the program. Each weekend, students can expect to find movies, live music, crafts, tournaments, bowling, billiards, and other activities available. Campus Activities works with various campus groups to bring large campus-wide events to fruition, such as Welcome Back Weekend, University Fest, Homecoming, Spring Fling, and various concerts and cultural celebrations.
The Student Association (SA), the undergraduate student government, represents the undergraduates to the University administration and provides a number of services for the student body.
A member of the New York State Student Assembly (NYSSA), the SA is administered by elected executive officers, representatives of each of the residential areas, and off campus students.
The SA is made up of an executive branch, a legislative branch, and a judicial branch. All three of these areas offer undergraduate students different ways to become involved on campus. The legislative branch is known as the Student Assembly. The Assembly meets weekly and is the group that addresses and debates issues on campus, through a system of resolutions.
The executive branch is made up of six offices: President, Executive Vice President (EVP), Financial Vice President (FVP), Academic Vice President (AVP), Vice President for Multicultural Affairs (VPMA), and Vice President for University Programming (VPUP). The President’s office helps guide the association as well as acts as the chief ambassador between students and administration. The Executive Vice President’s office chairs the meetings of the Student Assembly and oversees the actions and registration of SA groups, as well as all of the community governments. More than 170 student organizations flourish on campus, including journalistic, musical and cultural groups, political associations, community service organizations, and sports and special-interest clubs. The Academic Vice President’s office is in charge of creating academic programs for the students such as grad fair and College Bowl, and provides student input to academic committees of the different schools, the Faculty Senate and Harpur College Council. The Vice President of University Programming’s office is in charge of organizing concerts, festivals, comedians, and lectures. Past examples of performances include Green Day, 50 Cent, Lewis Black, Ludacris and Dave Chappelle. The Vice President of Multicultural Affairs’ office works with all the cultural groups on campus as well as with the Inter Cultural Awareness committee to organize programs and events to promote culture and intercultural awareness. The Financial Vice President’s office is in charge of all expenditures made by the SA and its member organizations. The Executive Board members are asked to sit on or fill many different university wide committee seats. These positions offer a variety of opportunities to be involved in university governance that are open to any student that is interested.
Cultural organizations represent a wide variety of student interests and concerns and present an enriching program of cultural events to the University community. A small sample of organizations include the Asian Student Union, Black Student Union, Caribbean Student Association, Chabad, Haitian Student Association, Hillel — The Jewish Student Union, Indian International Student Union, The Muslim Student Association, The Latin American Student Union, Rainbow Pride Union and the Women’s Center.
Entertainment organizations, through the University Programming Board, plan many social, cultural and recreational programs for the campus. These events include movies, dances, lectures, popular concerts and the annual Spring Fling.
Fraternities and sororities. Social Greek-lettered organizations make up approximately 10 percent of the student population. Six governing councils oversee the operations of the constituency members. The Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) governs nationally affiliated and local fraternities; the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) governs nationally affiliated sororities; the Latino Greek Council (LGC) governs fraternities and sororities focusing on service to the Latin community; the Asian Greek Council (AGC) governs sororities and fraternities focusing on the Asian community; and the National PanHellenic Council (NPHC) governs nationally affiliated fraternities and sororities that historically have assisted the African American community; and the Multicultural Greek and Fraternal Council (MGC) oversees those organizations founded with the intent of creating organizations of diverse students from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Overseeing and setting policy for the social fraternities and sororities is the Fraternity/Sorority Leadership Board, composed of the council presidents, faculty and administration.
Religious interests are expressed through such groups as BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ), Campus Bible Fellowship, Chabad, Hillel — The Jewish Student Union, the Muslim Student Association and the Catholic Students — Newman Association.
Sports clubs for students are found within the Campus Recreational Services, Club Sports Office. Binghamton University offers participation in a number of club sports for all students. Club sports are student organized and are sponsored and funded by the Student Association. However, they are administered through the Department of Campus Recreational Services. There are professional staff members to help oversee and assist club leaders with all aspects of managing club sports. Club sports are arranged into two categories, recreational and competitive. Recreational clubs meet on an average of once a week and participate with other members of the club. Competitive clubs meet as often as two or three times to everyday of the week. In addition, they compete against other colleges in both leagues and tournaments. Some of the more competitive clubs have the possibility of post-season play and regional and national championships.
Musical organizations include chamber music ensembles, Harpur College Chorale, Harpur Jazz Ensemble, the Sinfonia, the University Chorus, University Symphony Orchestra and the Wind Ensemble. In addition, students may audition for groups such as the Binghamton Crosbys, Binghamtonics, Harpur Harpeggios, Kaskeset, Koinonia, Rhythm Method, the Vibrations and Binghamton University Gospel Choir.
Campus media include Pipe Dream, the twice-weekly newspaper written and edited by students. OFF!, a publication regularly produced by Off Campus College. The yearbook, Pegasus, is produced by editors from the student body. Experimental Media Organization distributes a variety of publications concerned with world issues. Binghamton Review is an alternative conservative newspaper. WHRW-FM, the student-run campus radio station, broadcasts music, public affairs and news to the campus and the Southern Tier seven days a week. BTV presents a variety of programs through the campus cable system.
Special service organizations include Escape, a group that arranges transportation to the New York City area for weekends and holidays; High Hopes, a peer counseling call-in service; the Women’s Center; Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD); alcohol and other drug prevention and education programs; the New York Public Interest Research Group; Harpur’s Ferry, a volunteer ambulance service; and Off Campus College Transport, a student-operated bus service.
The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) represents graduate students and their concerns to the administration. It also disburses the graduate student activity fee and produces the GSO Voice, a newspaper with news of special interest to graduate students.
The GSO executive board is composed of an elected president, vice president and treasurer, and an appointed assistant to the president. Elected senators (at least one per department), one non-voting representative from Susquehanna Community, and one non-voting representative from each GSO-sponsored non-departmental sub-organization constitute the Senate. Senate meetings are generally held biweekly and are open to all graduate students. The GSO is responsible for committee openings and the various appointments of graduate students made throughout the year to ad hoc and standing committees of the University.
In addition to addressing graduate student issues and concerns with University administrators, the GSO provides various services for graduate students. These include discounted photocopying and coffee, a cooperative child-care register, a register of persons offering thesis/dissertation typing and a newsletter announcing events of particular interest to graduate students. GSO sub-organizations sponsor speakers, conferences, cultural events, parties and other opportunities for graduate students to increase their knowledge and meet others with similar interests. The GSO holds an annual orientation “bash” in the fall semester. There is also a graduate student lounge available for quiet study and meetings.
Graduate Student Conference, Travel and Research Fund (GSCTRF). Created by GSO, the Alumni Association and the Binghamton University Foundation, GSCTRF awards funding for individual and group travel for conferences that provide recognition to the University, the program, the department or school and the individual participants. Major emphasis is on travel and related expenses for conferences in which the individual is an invited participant.
Funds are also provided for research requests approved by the GSCTRF awards committee. Although funds may not be used for typing or copying PhD dissertations, graduate students are encouraged to apply for grants to enhance their academic resources.
Health, Physical Education and Athletics
The entire campus community is encouraged to participate in the programs offered by the Department of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. A wide assortment of opportunities are available, ranging from required and optional health and physical education classes to intercollegiate athletic competition and related supporting activities.
Intercollegiate Athletics
The intercollegiate athletic program offers 21 varsity teams (11 men’s and 10 women’s) and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, America East Conference. A highly successful and competitive program, varsity sports for men include baseball; basketball; cross country; golf; lacrosse; soccer; swimming and diving; tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor) and wrestling (Colonial Athletic Association). Binghamton’s women’s teams compete in basketball; cross country; lacrosse; soccer; softball; swimming and diving; tennis; track and field (indoor and outdoor); and volleyball. Additional opportunities to participate in varsity programs are available as student athletic trainers, managers, cheerleaders, dance squad, kickline and pep band. Altogether, close over 500 Binghamton students have direct involvement with intercollegiate athletic programs each year, and are joined by thousands of supporters from the student body and the greater Binghamton community. As permitted by NCAA legislation, Binghamton University awards athletes financial aid or scholarships. Scholarship opportunities are available in all 21 varsity sports.
Intercollegiate athletic programs are conducted in accordance with the regulations of the NCAA; consequently, all prospective and continuing student athletes must meet NCAA academic and athletic standards. Incoming students may obtain information about the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse from their high school guidance offices or visit the website at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Questions involving eligibility should be directed to Binghamton’s NCAA compliance officer (607-777-6733) in the Intercollegiate Athletics Program.
Eligibility for Intercollegiate Athletics
In order for students to be eligible for both practice and competition in intercollegiate athletics at Binghamton University, they must fulfill the following requirements:
1. They must be full-time matriculated students (“full time” at Binghamton University means enrollment in a schedule of 12 credit hours per semester).
2. They must be in good academic standing (Binghamton University defines “good academic standing” as a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 for all University courses taken for credit).
3. They must pass a minimum of six credit hours per semester.
4. Additionally, students must meet “Progress Toward Degree Requirements.”
· They must pass 24 credit hours before they enter their second year of full-time enrollment.
· They must have passed 18 credit hours since the beginning of the previous fall term or since the beginning of the preceding regular two semesters (hours earned during the summer may not be used to fulfill this requirement).
· By the beginning of their third year of full-time enrollment, they must declare a major.
· Additionally, they must fulfill 40 percent of their degree requirements by the beginning of their third year of full-time enrollment, 60 percent by the beginning of their fourth year of full-time enrollment, 80 percent by the beginning of their fifth year of full-time enrollment, if applicable. This applies to both transfer and continuing student-athletes.
5. The NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse must certify the eligibility of all incoming freshmen for practice and competition.
6. All incoming transfers must meet the appropriate transfer requirements in order to be eligible for practice and competition.
Recreation
The Department of Campus Recreational Services offers a multifaceted program that encourages positive lifestyle choices and promotes lifelong learning through both wellness and physical activity for Binghamton University students, faculty and staff. Information on all programs is available online at campusrecreation.binghamton.edu or by calling 607-777-2113.
Open Recreation programming provides unstructured activities and drop-in hours for basketball, volleyball, badminton, racquetball/squash, swimming, fitness, tennis and walking/jogging. These activities are designed to meet the overall needs and interests of the University community for informal recreation. Schedules vary due to facility availability, but are posted throughout the facility and online or available by calling 607-777-PLAY.
Intramural Sports programming offers extracurricular competitive and recreational athletic activities within a variety of individual and team sports that involve more than one-third of the student body annually. Individual sports include tennis, racquetball, billiards and table tennis. Team sports include flag football, basketball, dodgeball, volleyball, indoor and outdoor soccer, softball, floor hockey, bowling and arena flag football. Registration and specific league information is available online or by calling 607-777-4318.
Club Sports are student organizations formed by individuals who are motivated by a common interest and desire to participate in a particular sport. Participants may learn new skills, improve existing skills, engage in competition and enjoy social fellowship. Recreational clubs generally remain on campus and include badminton, handball, running, golf, outdoor activities and a variety of martial-arts clubs. Competitive clubs often travel to compete against other colleges and universities within the region and national sites. Our competitive clubs include crew, cycling, equestrian, field hockey, ice hockey, kickline, rugby, roller hockey, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, water polo and racquetball. Additional information including club descriptions, game schedules and specific club contacts can be found online or by calling 607-777-4318.
Wellness Services combines four separate and distinct programs: FitSpace, Group Exercise, Individual Services and Specialty Wellness to provide participants with an array of opportunities to improve their personal health and well being. Program offerings range from typical fitness center activities to Spinning® and kickboxing classes, fitness evaluations, personal training, American Red Cross certifications, yoga and swim instruction. Programs are designed in both individual and group formats with the aim of enhancing all areas of personal wellness. Wellness Services is committed to providing the community with a positive, safe, and fun environment for personal development and relaxation. Additional information is available online or by calling 607-777-2919.
Outdoor Pursuits programming provides students with wellness-based outdoor adventure programs that highlight environmental awareness and personal challenge in a dynamic and positive setting. Outdoor Pursuits teaches credit courses through Health and Physical Education, leads non-credit recreational programs and activities, and operates an outdoor equipment rental center. Activities include hiking, backpacking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, winter camping, snowshoeing, canoeing, kayaking and fly fishing. Additional information is available online or by calling 607-777-6414.
Academic Advising
Undergraduates in each of the schools rely on their academic advising office for curricular information.
Advice concerning majors or programs is obtained in Harpur College through departmental advising, and in each of the professional schools through the respective advising offices.
Academic advising for graduate students is conducted through the programs, departments and schools in which they are registered. Non-matriculated undergraduate students and students in the Older Adults Program should seek academic advising in the Office of Continuing Education & Outreach.
Career Development Center
The Career Development Center (CDC) assists graduate and undergraduate students from all schools and colleges throughout their years on campus and later as Binghamton alumni. The Center has received numerous awards for excellence from the SUNY Career Development Organization.
CDC’s website (cdc.binghamton.edu) offers detailed information about services, programs, and special events such as the fall and spring Job and Internship fairs, Graduate School Fair, Law Day, Nursing Forum and etiquette dinners. Links to many career-related resources are also provided.
CDC’s Web-based service, eRecruiting, enables students to identify and apply for internships and jobs. It also provides a wealth of current information on various careers and industries. The On Campus Recruiting program facilitates student interviews with visiting employers. Students can open a credentials file to manage reference letters for graduate school and employment.
In cooperation with the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, the CDC provides online access to the Alumni Career Network, more than 3,000 Binghamton alumni eager to speak with current students about their professional lives. The Career Resource Area, with its online catalog through Bearcat, provides materials about careers, internship opportunities, graduate school, job search, and employers. CDC also produces Quick Reference Guides on various topics including resume and cover-letter writing, applying to graduate school and job search that are available in the Center and on CDC’s website.
Binghamton students serving as peer assistants provide a welcoming environment and introduction to the center. Students are encouraged to visit the CDC early in their time at the University to make full use of services.
University Counseling Center
It is the mission of the University Counseling Center (UCC) to assist in the University’s dedication to enhancing the psychological and personal development of students. The Center provides individual and group counseling and psychotherapy, referral services, consultations and psycho-educational programs. Consultations are also provided to those concerned about a student’s well-being.
The goals of the UCC are to help students integrate their college experiences and to cope with the stresses that are inherent in a diverse institution of excellence. Services are free and confidential. See the UCC website at counseling.binghamton.edu for self-help guides and up-to-date information on available services. The phone number is 607-777-2772.
University Health Service
All students born on or after January 1, 1957, are required to submit proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. All students are also required to complete a meningitis response form, included with the health form, acknowledging receipt of information about meningitis and meningococcal vaccination and identifying whether or not one has chosen or declined to be vaccinated. These are New York State Public Health Laws and a condition of class registration. Details and forms are available under the New Student option at health.binghamton.edu. Questions may be directed to University Health Service at 607-777-2221.
All full-time students (12 or more credits) must complete the Mandatory Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire and may (if indicated) need to provide proof of a negative PPD or chest x-ray performed in the U.S. or Canada within one year prior to entrance to Binghamton University. The questionnaire is part of the health form packet that all new students receive. This information must be submitted to the Health Service no later than the fifth Friday after classes begin, in the student’s first semester of full-time status or readmission.
A completed health history and physical examination form is recommended. New students may submit their completed forms at the time of admission. Transfers may submit copies of their health forms from their former schools, providing they contain all the information required by Binghamton University Health Service.
The Health Service regularly presents programs on important health issues to student groups and in the residential areas. In addition, its clinic, located in the Health Service building, is open Mon.-Fri., from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., when classes are in session; summer and holiday hours vary. Students must show validated ID cards on each visit to the Health Service. The clinic is staffed by physicians, including a part-time psychiatrist, nurse practitioners, registered professional nurses, health educators, HIV test counselor and an alcohol/drug counselor. Students with medical problems or concerns see staff nurses on a walk-in basis, with referrals to Health Service physicians or nurse practitioners as needed. The University Health Service does not have an inpatient (overnight) service. Emergency medical care is provided by a student-run ambulance service 24 hours per day, seven days each week during the academic year.
Office visits are prepaid by the health fee; no office charge is incurred at the time of the visit. The health fee also makes medication and common medical supplies available at no cost when ordered by Health Service medical staff. However, students are responsible for paying bills related to most laboratory tests, certain elective immunizations and injectable medications, and any off-campus referrals.
The University Health Service does not routinely issue medical excuses for missed classes, exams, papers and other academic assignments. Students are encouraged to make individual arrangements with their instructors when illness interferes with coursework. Students may sign release-of-information forms to allow Health Service staff to discuss their medical problems with their instructors, should the instructor choose to phone the clinic.
All student health records are confidential, and no information is released to anyone without the signed authorization of the student to do so. Exceptions to this policy are in cases of a court-ordered subpoena, where concern is for the safety of the student or others or when the Health Service is required to report certain conditions to the public health department.
Students sometimes have medical problems or accidents requiring care that is not provided at the Health Service. Care in the community is often very costly, and for this reason all students are strongly advised to carry adequate insurance. Undergraduate students taking 12 or more credits are required to enroll in the student sickness and accident plan unless information is submitted naming an alternate coverage. Forms for this purpose are mailed to each student. Graduate students, part-time students and dependents of enrolled students are encouraged to consider enrolling in this campus program, but are not obligated to do so. International students are required to enroll in a separate health insurance program.
Web-based information about University Health Service is available at health.binghamton.edu.
International Student and Scholar Services
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services provides programs and services for Binghamton University students who are in the United States on non-immigrant visas. The office is the central reference source for 1,678 international students and more than 80 international scholars on campus (fall 2006 enrollment figures). Services include issuance of required federal visa documents; assistance with immigration regulations governing enrollment, employment and travel; administering the mandatory health and accident insurance program; and publishing a weekly electronic newsletter, which provides important and timely information on a variety of topics. The office conducts an orientation program for all new international students, coordinates a variety of cross-cultural programs and acts as liaison between students and other University offices, student groups and U.S. and foreign government agencies.
International students on non-immigrant visas are required to visit the Office of International Student and Scholar Services when they arrive on campus, and are encouraged to maintain close contact with the office throughout the year.
Services for Students with Disabilities
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) offers a wide range of assistance to Binghamton University students with physical, learning or other disabilities. Key services include supportive counseling, consultation, advocacy for appropriate reasonable accommodations, academic support services, access to adaptive computer technology, the loan of specialized equipment, and eligibility determination for OCC Transport’s wheelchair accessible van service.
All academic buildings are equipped with automatic doors, and various accessible on-campus housing options are available through Residential Life. Bartle Library and the University’s computing facilities provide access to technology adapted or designed for use by students with various disabilities. Assistive listening systems for patrons with hearing impairments are available in a number of lecture halls and in the Anderson Center for the Arts. Off Campus College Transport operates wheelchair-accessible transportation to, from and on campus, and disability parking is available at strategic locations throughout the campus.
For a comprehensive overview of office philosophy, disability documentation requirements and services, we invite you to visit the SSD website at ssd.binghamton.edu. Students having questions or requests related to their individual needs should call the office at 607-777-2686 (voice/TT) or write to Services for Students with Disabilities, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000.
Veterans Affairs
The University welcomes veterans. The Admissions Office recognizes the maturity of veterans as a positive factor and is sensitive to the impact that extenuating circumstances may have upon academic records. For these reasons, admission criteria for veterans often vary from those used for other applicants. Each veteran is urged to submit, as part of the application, a personal statement on his or her behalf, which the Admissions Office will consider carefully as the admission decision is made.
Enrolled students may be eligible for educational benefits from the Veterans Administration under Chapter 30 — Montgomery GI Bill; Chapter 31 — Vocational Rehabilitation; Chapter 32 — Veterans Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 35 — Survivors/Dependents; Chapter 1606 — Selected Reserves; or Chapter 1607 – Reserve Education Assistance Program.
Upon acceptance to the University and prior to each semester of attendance, veterans who are enrolling should contact the TRIO/Veterans Office in order to complete and submit the appropriate forms relating to their benefits.
Campus Pre-School and Early Childhood Center
The Campus Pre-School and Early Childhood Center offers full- and half-day programs for children from 18 months of age through kindergarten. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri., for child care. The center is staffed with dedicated professionals who offer developmentally appropriate opportunities to advance perceptual skills, large and small motor coordination, science and nature study, socialization, art, music and movement in a nurturing classroom atmosphere. Children are encouraged to develop independence and celebrate the joy of discovery in a safe, stimulating environment.
Enrollment
The Campus Pre-School and Early Childhood Center gives enrollment priority to children of students, then to faculty and staff. Children from the Binghamton community are enrolled as space permits. There is usually a waiting list, so contact the office at 777-2695 for an information packet. Tuition discounts are available to Binghamton University graduate and undergraduate students.
The Campus Pre-School and Early Childhood Center is a not-for-profit corporation operating under a formal memorandum of understanding with the University. It is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and licensed by the state of New York. The facility is located behind the East Gym.
Alumni Association
The Binghamton University Alumni Association represents more than 90,000 graduates of the University. The association exists to promote and coordinate alumni support with the purpose of strengthening the high-quality academic, research and public service programs of the University. The association involves graduates in the life of the University through a wide variety of programs such as Homecoming, held each fall.
The alumni website, Binghamton University Magazine and e-newsletter Alumni Connect are the main communication links with alumni.
B-connected, Binghamton’s virtual alumni community, can be found at www.bconnectalumni.binghamton.edu and connects classmates through a password-protected online directory. Also, through this online community, alumni may share their knowledge and experiences with students in the Alumni Career Network. The network provides students with access to several thousand alumni across the globe willing to share their professional expertise. Students may access the network from the BUSI webpage.
Regional networks across the country, special-interest networks (e.g., Hinman Alumni Network, Educational Opportunity Program alumni organization) and alumni networks affiliated with each of the six schools help to bring the University home to graduates. Alumni volunteers assist in fundraising, career development activities with students, recruitment, internships and legislative relations.
Alumni are proud advocates for the University and look forward to interacting with undergraduates throughout their student lives at Binghamton University.
The Alumni Association promotes an affinity credit card for students, parents and alumni. Each time the card is used, it demonstrates pride in Binghamton University and returns revenue to the Alumni Association to help defray the costs of student and alumni programs.
The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations links the University with the Alumni Association and approximately 14,000 parents. The office sponsors a Family Weekend each fall and publishes the Parents’ Handbook, provided to families of new students during Orientation. A newsletter and webpages are additional services for parents. The webpages may be found by clicking on the “Alumni & Parents” link on the University’s homepage, then on “Parents’ Home Page.”