SUNY at Binghamton

SUNY at Binghamton Summary

Binghamton University, also known as the State University of New York at Binghamton, is a public university located in Vestal, New York. The Fisk Guide to Colleges has labelled Binghamton University, “The Premier Public University in the Northeast,” a quote that has become prominent in the school’s marketing. The school was founded in 1946, initially as part of Syracuse University, and became part of the State University of New York in 1950. 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. After Harpur was selected as one of the four university centers of SUNY in 1965, it was renamed as Harpur College, 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 State University of New York at Binghamton. In 1992, the university adopted Binghamton University as its popular name; Harpur College is still the largest of Binghamton University’s constituent schools, with more than 60% undergraduate and graduate students. In the early 1940s he collaborated with a group of local leaders to initiate the creation of Triple Cities College (of Syracuse University), which would later become Harpur College, and finally Binghamton University. According the US News Binghamton University is currently the highest-ranked public university in New York State. Binghamton University is cited by The Fiske Guide to Colleges as “the premier public university in the Northeast,” and is considered by Greenes’ Guide to Educational Planning as a Public Ivy. In the works are the Binghamton University Downtown Center in downtown Binghamton scheduled to open for the fall 2007 semester, new outdoor athletic facilities, two new residential communities, renovations to the East Gym and the Old Student Union, a new Science Building (Science V), and a great deal of landscaping/campus upgrades. Binghamton University is comprised of the following colleges and schools: Dormitories at Binghamton University are grouped into seven communities patterned after the residential colleges of Oxford University. Binghamton University is specifically designated an advanced research institution and has recently been declared a New York State Center of Excellence, which will help provide considerable funding for many of the University’s research projects. The University’s organized research centers include: The University’s institutes for advanced studies include: Although not considered a research center, the Geographic Information System (GIS) Core Facility , located within the Department of Geography, is at the forefront of spatial analysis and social research. Other rivals typically depend on the sport, but include: Cornell University, Boston University and University of Vermont The Binghamton University Men’s Basketball team has experienced many ups and downs throughout their Div. – “Pardon the Interruption” – In all episodes of PTI, a Binghamton University Bearcat can be seen on the side of the desk of co-host Tony Kornheiser, a Binghamton alum, and self proclaimed intramural sport master. The Student Association, which bills itself as “an all encompassing organization that every single student is a member of as soon as they pay their tuition,” functions as Binghamton University’s independent student government. Binghamton University students also publish several journals, newspapers, and other periodicals, including Pipe Dream, the Binghamton Review, The Element, the Binghamton Prospect, The Spark, Asian Outlook, Han Perspective, and the BU Free Press. Binghamton University students also run the all-volunteer Harpur’s Ferry Student Volunteer Ambulance Service, which was named New York State EMS Agency of the Year in 2005. Binghamton University is also home to several student a cappella musical groups, including The Binghamton Crosbys, who won the national championships in 2003. Other student a capella groups include The Harpur Harpeggios (“The Pegs”-all female), The Binghamtonics (“The Tonics”-the first co-ed group), The Vibrations (“The Vibes”—oldies co-ed), Rhythm Method (1980s co-ed), Kaskeset (Jewish co-ed), Koinonia (Christian co-ed) and the newest addition, The TrebleMakers (alt-rock co-ed.) The University is also the home of the non-chartered sketch and improvisational comedy group, The Pappy Parker Players, founded in 1992. Fraternities and sororities include Alpha Kappa Psi, alpha Kappa Delta Phi,Kappa Phi Lambda, Iota Nu Delta, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Nu Alpha Phi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Phi Iota Alpha, Pi Lambda Phi, Phi Kappa Psi, Delta Chi, Zeta Beta Tau, Zeta Psi, Chi Phi, Alpha Phi Delta, Tau Alpha Upsilon, Tau Epsilon Phi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Delta Chi, Alpha Chi Rho, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Xi Delta, Alpha Phi, Delta Phi Epsilon, Sigma Delta Tau and Phi Sigma Sigma. According to a 2006 report from the University’s Office of Institutional Research and Planning, 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 alma mater, “In the Rolling Hills of Binghamton,” was composed by David Engel ‘86, and is performed at the University’s Commencement each May. The lyrics are: “In the Rolling Hills of Binghamton ‘Neath ever changing skies Where two gently flowing rivers meet We form our cherished ties Oh Binghamton!

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

SUNY at Binghamton History

Binghamton University was founded in 1946 under the name Triple Cities College, originally a part of Syracuse University. It was renamed Harpur College in 1950, in memory of a pioneer of the area, and then named as a university center of SUNY in 1965.

SUNY at Binghamton Academics

Binghamton’s colleges and schools include the Decker School of Nursing, Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, Health and Physical Education department, School of Education and Human Development, School of Management, and the Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Binghamton in the top 50 public universities nationwide, and has for the last 8 years.

SUNY at Binghamton Unique Programs

The Bachelor of Arts in Cinema develops leaders in the field of creative film. Students learn critical analysis and appreciation, as well as artistic expression. Interdisciplinary topics include sociology, economics, and history. The curriculum focuses on production and analysis, as well as artistry. The program recognizes the growing influence—and, therefore, importance—of cinema, and imparts that appreciation on its graduates.

The Individualized Major Program allows students to identify and create their own path of study, based on interest or career goals. An advisory panel of faculty and administrators determines the curriculum’s validity and approves or disapproves a student’s proposed curriculum. Such majors may include dual topics of study, group projects, or even new courses.

SUNY at Binghamton Financial Aid

The majority of student scholarships awarded at Binghamton University are need-based. Therefore, students are encouraged to file their FAFSA as early as possible after January 1 in anticipation of the following academic year. No forms or applications in addition to the FAFSA or application for admission are required; students are profiled based on the academic information presented in their admission documents. Students are encouraged to pursue other means of scholarship funding, either through their high school or local community.

SUNY at Binghamton Students

There are 5,500 undergraduates living in University facilities on the Binghamton campus. Each “unit” of residence has its own life and organization. Freshmen are required to live on-campus and have housing accommodations guaranteed upon admission. There are University and public buses and taxis to shuttle students around Binghamton University and around town. More than 200 student organizations are registered with the Student Association, including cultural, political, and social organizations. There are 41 fraternities and sororities on the Binghamton campus. Other activities include musical productions, concerts, theatre, the campus radio station, and student volunteer opportunities.

SUNY at Binghamton Local Community

The Binghamton area is actually composed of the towns of Binghamton, Endicott, and Johnson City, making the surrounding area more like a small metropolis than collection of towns. The greater Binghamton area includes such diversions as orchestras, theaters, and art. There are numerous parks and opportunities for sporting activities.