About Opentopia
Opentopia Directory Encyclopedia Tools

Binghamton University

Encyclopedia : B : BI : BIN : Binghamton University

left

Binghamton University, also known as the State University of New York at Binghamton, is a public university located in the 'Greater Binghamton', NY USA area. It is one of the four university centers of the State University of New York system. Binghamton University offers a wide variety of programs to its 11,000+ undergraduate and 3,000+ graduate students and is the highest-ranked public university in New York and the Northeast United States (Supported by Fiske Guide to College's claim, calling Binghamton University "the premier public university in the northeast," for the past 3 years consecutively). As of 2006 [US News] has ranked BU as #30 for [public universities] and #74 for all [national universities.]Ranked 74 nationally in the [2006 U.S. News & World Report National University Rankings].. and lists Binghamton among the top 10 "best buys" in public institutions in the nation.

Contents

History

Colonial Hall at the original Endicott Campus.
Enlarge
Colonial Hall at the original Endicott Campus.

Binghamton University (BU) was established in 1946 as the Triple Cities College to serve the needs of local veterans returning from World War II. Established in Endicott, New York, the college was a branch of Syracuse University. When the college was incorporated into the State University of New York (SUNY) in 1950, it was renamed Harpur College, in honor of Robert Harpur, a Colonial teacher and pioneer who settled in the Binghamton area. Of the four University Centers (Stony Brook, Albany, Buffalo and Binghamton), BU was the first to join SUNY. In 1961, the college was moved to its current location in Vestal, New York. After Harpur was selected as one of the four university centers of SUNY in 1965, it was renamed as the State University of New York at Binghamton. As other schools were added, Harpur College retained its name as the liberal arts college core, and largest component, of the university. In 1992, the university officially adopted Binghamton University as its new name; hence BU began replacing the commonly used nicknames of SUNY Binghamton and SUNY-B. Harpur College is still the largest of Binghamton University's constituent schools, with more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and the only college in the SUNY System to have a name other than the name of the community in which it is located.

Today

-->

-->
The University Union
Enlarge
The University Union

-->
Binghamton University has grown to include roughly 100 buildings, many of which were recent additions from a 2.2 billion dollar capitol plan. New facilities include a brand new housing complex, new academic facilities, a new indoor athletic stadium to accommodate the bearcats now in their 6th season as Division I, a new student union, and the partially completed Innovative technology complex. In the works are the Downtown Center scheduled to open for the Fall 2007 semester, new outdoor athletic facilities, a great deal of landscaping and renovations, and even talks of two new residential communities.

The landmark Glenn G. Bartle Library Tower is still home to offices as well as the Library (holding over 3.3 million volumes). The antenna atop the building transmits WHRW, the campus' FM radio station, to an approximate 30-mile radius. A Cingular cellular phone tower sits atop the building as well. Simulated bells ring at select hours from atop the building.

Lois B. Defleur is the fifth and current president of Binghamton University and has held the position since 1990.

The campus is spread over 887 acres (3.6 km²) just south of the Susquehanna River. It features a 190 acre (0.8 km²) Nature Preserve, a forest and wetland area that includes a six acre (24,000 m²) pond that adjoins the campus.

There is also a $29 million Education and Community Development Center currently being constructed in downtown Binghamton. Once complete, the center will house a new school, the College of Community and Public Affairs.

The school's sports teams are called the Bearcats (formerly the Colonials). They participate in NCAA Division I athletics through the America East Conference.

Colleges and schools

Binghamton University is comprised of the following colleges and schools: Beginning in Fall 2006, The school of Education and Human Development will be separated into the School of Education and the College of Community and Public Affairs. The latter of these, to consist of three departments -- Human Development, Public Administration, and Social Work -- will be relocated to the new Downtown Campus in the Fall 2007 semester.

Statistics (as of 2005-2006)

-->

Placement

Important Note: Unlike MOST schools, Binghamton allows (with guidance) any student who truly wishes to apply to a graduate school the opportunity. Most programs below have their own advising program.

Noteworthy research and programs

Binghamton University is specifially designated an advanced research institution and has recently been declared a "Center of Excellence," which will help provide considerable funding for many of the University's research projects. The following are highlights of some of the research conducted at the University.

More information about Binghamton University research can be found [here.] More information can be found on the EvoS program [here]

Libraries

Main stacks of the Glenn G. Bartle Library.
Enlarge
Main stacks of the Glenn G. Bartle Library.

Binghamton University houses roughly 3.3 million volumes between multiple libraries. The main library on campus is the Glenn G. Bartle Library, named after the University's first president. The Bartle Library was completed in several phases. The original library was one of the first buildins errected on the new campus in the early 1950's. Soon after a 15 story faculty tower was added on, now called the Library Tower. Today, these two sections host the Harpur College Dean's office, Harpur college departmental and professor offices, the Watson School Dean's office and lab space, a cafe, classrooms, study rooms, and the Fine Arts and Special Collections. In the 1970's a 5 story addition completed the third and largest section. Today, this is where you can find the large majority of Binghamton's library collection. Large sections of the addition have been renovated to be very bright and contemporary, with areas such as the Information Commons hosting various technology support and recourses. Besides the main library, there are also satalite libraries. The largest of these is the Science Library, conveniently located in the science complex. Also, the Hinman, Newing, and CIW libraries offer convenient study spaces right at the residential communities.

Attractions

This theater complex has three main stages: Watters Theater, seating 550, The Chamber Hall, seating 450, and the most impressive, Osterhout Concert Hall, seating 1,200. The Concert Hall has the unique ability to become an open air theater, with their tremendous removable floor-to-ceiling glass windows which open up to a grassy hill. This venue has hosted world-class performers, such as The Russian Symphony and Ballet, the Praque National Symphony, and the Shakespearian Theater Company. In March 2006, they recorded an overflowing house, filling all of their theaters to hear guest speaker, Noam Chomsky The University's art collection is housed in a couple locations, all within the Fine Arts Building. The main level gallery hosts various artifacts which belong to the permanent collection, though typically showcases student work on a rotating basis. The Permanent Collection in the basement level showcases antient art from Egypt, China, and so on. Lastly, the Roshevsky Gallery displays special exhibits and portfolios. 
-->
This brand new addition to campus is the areas largest venue for athletics, concerts, fairs and more. Home court to the Binghamton Bearcats Basketball teams, the stadium seats about 7,000 people. For concerts, commencement, and other larger events, the center can hold up to 10,000 people. This has been the home site of the America East Conference Men's Basketball Championships in 2005 and 2006. The court is slated to host the Women's championships for 2007. Major concerts include Green Day, Bob Dylan, Incubus, Ludacris, and Harry Connick Jr.
Nature Preserve, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
Enlarge
Nature Preserve, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY

The university nature preserve is a 190 acre plot of land on the South end of campus. Though it is not an official preserve by any authority outside of the university, students have actively worked to make sure this space remains untouched. In 2002, some controversy was struck by the construction of a new 1,000 student housing community which required to elimination of a small wooded section of the preserve (the excitement dwindled quickly). The Preserve features miles of maintained paths, a large lake, marsh areas, vernal pools, tall hills, and even a hill-top meadow. A popular hang-out spot is a long wooden boardwalk constructed across one of the marshes, overlooking the lake. The Nature Preserve is the home of the Bearcat Cross Country Team's home course.

Residences

-->
The school features five traditional residential communities based on the Oxford college models and two apartment style residential communities. The residence hall communities, in order of completion, are: The apartment communities are:

Student activities

-->
Bearcat athletics are becoming an increasingly large pastime for students. While just 7 years ago, basketball games observed a few hundred fans, today's games boast thousands. The student section is now a recognized student organization called, "The BU Zoo."

The [Student Association at Binghamton University] (SA) is in a unique situation where it is a separate entity of the University yet still retains the sole right to charter and recognize groups on campus, other than social fraternities and sororities. Currently the SA charters approximately one hundred and ninety student organizations.

The SA is made up of three branches - executive, legislative and judicial. The executive branch is made up of the President, Executive Vice President, Financial Vice President, Academic Vice President, Vice President for University Programming and Vice President for Multicultural Affairs, as well as all of the professional and student staff employed by the SA. The legislative branch is known as the Student Assembly and is made up of six representatives from each of the residential communities, four from the Hillside Apartments, two from the Susquehanna Apartments and one per every two hundred students that lives off campus. The Judicial Branch is made up of nine justices that serve two year terms and are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Assembly.

The school also boasts one of the few remaining free-format college and community FM radio stations left in the United States, WHRW. Apart from the radio station, the college also is home to the student-run college television station, [BTV].

Binghamton Crosbys are a nationally-recognized a cappella group, having won the national championships, and various other awards for arrangements, albums, and more. Binghamton is home to seven other a capella groups as well: The Pegs (all female), The Binghamtonics (The first co-ed group), The Vibes (oldies co-ed), Rhythm Method (80's co-ed), Kaskeset (Jewish co-ed), Koinonia (Christian co-ed), and the newest addition, The TrebleMakers (alt-rock co-ed.)

There are several student journals and newspapers on the Binghamton University campus. Notable publications include Pipe Dream (newspaper), the Binghamton Review, the Binghamton Prospect, [The Spark], Asian Outlook, Han Perspective, The Vanguard, La Voz Latina, OFF!, She's Aloud, and Earth Tones.

The University provides students with very convenient bus transportation. OCC Transport is one of the few student run and student managed bus services in the country. It provides service to both on campus and off campus locations, para-transit services, and for hire charter service. Escape provides students with transportation to New York City and Long Island for the weekends and holidays. Getaway is another organization that provides special charter bus service to various desinations.

Social fraternities and sororities are recognized by the University's Office of Campus Life and make up around eight percent of the population.

Economic Impact

Binghamton University faculty, staff, students and visitors spent more than $400 million in the 2004-05 fiscal year, creating an economic impact of about $700 million in Broome County and $894.5 million in New York State alone.

The University’s Office of Institutional Research and Planning, also found that 1. For every dollar the state invests in the University, about $8 is returned to Greater Binghamton and New York State. 2. The presence of the University supports 11,900 full-time jobs in New York State, nearly 10,000 of which are in Broome County. The University employs about 1 in 10 residents in the Greater Binghamton area. 3. The University spent $44.3 million on construction projects in 2004-05, resulting in an economic impact of nearly $100 million for the state. Major construction projects are expected to continue. 4. Volunteer services provided by students are appraised at millions of dollars annually.

From the year 2000, the University's economic impact has increased by about 12%, and is expected to continue growing substantially. It is also estimated that Binghamton alumni provide over 80 million dollars in New York state income tax, and over 40 million in sales tax.

Harpur's Ferry Student Volunteer Ambulance Service

The University is protected by Harpur's Ferry Student Volunteer Ambulance Service, [link], which has served the University since 1973. This organization is staffed and run by approximately 140 students and university staff members who also volunteer their time as Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics. In 2005 this agency was named New York State EMS Agency of the Year. Harpurs Ferry was also named agency of the year at the 2005-2006 National Collegiate EMS Conference. Not only is Harpur's Ferry one of the top collegiate EMS agencies in the country but they are one of the very few that is Advanced Life Support certified. Harpur's Ferry typically responds to 400 calls per semester both on and off campus, as well as responding to calls on campus during the Summer session when there are both students on campus and local groups who make use of the campus facilities.

Intake of new members occurs at the beginning of every semester. Typically 150 to 170 students apply for about 25 spots. New members then attend a semester long EMS orientation course known as AFAEC that teaches them basic first aid skills and prepares them for taking the New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician course the following semester. Among the approximately 150 members are about 30 certified ambulance drivers and both Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support crewchiefs who carry portable radios that allow them to respond to calls when either there is no full on-duty crew, comprising both a driver and a crew chief, in the squadroom to staff an ambulance, or the on-duty crew is already on another call.

Harpur's Ferry currently staffs two ALS ambulances, 7621 and 7622, and also has two "fly-cars", 7651 and the brand new 7652. These two vehicles are both ALS and BLS capable and serve as utility vehicles and are also available for on-duty ambulance drivers and crew chiefs to use to allow them to respond to calls quickly. The Spring 2006 semester saw Harpurs Ferry place into service a John Deere Gator all-terrain vehicle enabling quicker and more efficient responses to athletic fields as well as the sprawling nature preserve that occupies the southern part of the University's campus. Harpur's Ferry also placed into service a special operations trailer to transport the Gator as well as serve as a command post for major emergency incidents that occur on campus as well as concerts, festivals, and other large public events that demand major EMS coverage. The university's alma mater, "In the Rolling Hills of Binghamton," was composed by David Engel '86, and is performed at the University commencement each May; it is also played daily by the campus carillon. The lyrics are:

Alma Matter

"In the Rolling Hills of Binghamton 'Neath ever changing skies Where two gently flowing rivers meet We form our cherished ties

Oh Binghamton! We carry thee With us for all our time And through us individually Forever may you shine!

Together we spend these years United in our aim Through our bold pursuit of excellence We proudly bear your name

Oh Binghamton! We carry thee With us for all our time And through us individually Forever may you shine!"

Prominent alumni

Trivia

References

External links

 

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.

Search Titles
0123456789
ABCDEFGHIJ
KLMNOPQRST
UVWXYZ?

E-mail this article to:

Personal Message: