Your first college experience is an exciting time. Students build lasting and fleeting friend groups, receive a thorough education and prepare themselves for their dreams. BU is home to a variety of student and campus-run organizations, as well as professional resources, to assist students in determining their futures. While my undergraduate experience was made spectacular by a variety of people, one experience stands out as my most memorable, and recent, endeavor — aspiring toward a black belt in karate.

Dale Iannone, a fifth-degree black belt and karate master and previous United States representative in the World Karate Organization and adjunct lecturer in health and wellness studies, instructs a karate class — HWS 114 — on campus, which many seniors take to fulfill their health and wellness general education requirement. However, if students register for Iannone’s karate class earlier in their college career, they will not only have the opportunity to earn credit as a teaching assistant (TA), but also to work toward earning a black belt in karate. Iannone’s karate school and program, called the University of Karate-do, are recognized through the University.

Lianne Obra, a green belt in karate, current taekwondo student and sophomore majoring in mathematics, joined Iannone’s team of TAs for the fall 2022 semester. Obra encouraged students to try out martial arts, describing her journey from being a white belt her freshman year to an aspiring black belt by graduation. One of Obra’s most memorable takeaways from the University of Karate-do has been learning “the same cool movements” seen in martial arts movies.

“I would recommend others try University [of] Karate-do because it’s a good shot to see if martial arts, or specifically karate, is something they might like,” Obra wrote in an email. “Not only is it fun, but you also get credits for physical education and wellness. Karate helps you improve your coordination and also your confidence when it comes to performing and working with peers, so I’d say give it a shot!”

My experience as a University Union associate, bus driver, legal intern and law school applicant has shown me martial arts is also an interesting talking point for employers in interviews. Being a student in martial arts demonstrates discipline and determination and offers a diverse experience to be applied later in life — inside and outside the workplace.

While learning to box or how to wield a bow staff like your favorite childhood ninja turtles is rewarding enough, some students have also joined Iannone’s University of Karate-do for mental health reasons. Vincent Gatto, a senior majoring in anthropology, described karate’s value beyond pushing oneself and improving one’s self-defense skills.

“I am only a pending green belt who is graduating this semester, but I am confident that I can earn my black belt one day,” Gatto wrote in an email. “If I knew this opportunity was available earlier, I would have absolutely joined my first semester here! Karate is freedom and is a meaningful way to deal with stress or depression. It has helped me deal with my mental health in many ways. I would recommend it to anyone who feels trapped in their heads.”

Those with prior experience in a relevant martial art have the opportunity to advance more swiftly through the program. For example, since myself and a fellow colleague earned our black belts in taekwondo a few years ago, over the course of two semesters we have been able to earn our brown belts in karate.

Iannone’s University of Karate-do is an example of the diversity of educational opportunities at BU. Karate was first brought to the United States via Los Angeles in 1955 by an instructor who had been trained at a university in Japan, according to Iannone. Since this advent, karate dojos specializing in various styles have flourished throughout America’s strip malls and empty storefronts. By beginning your karate career at BU, you have the opportunity to earn a black belt and contribute credit toward your degree without bearing the usual financial burden a karate education at a private dojo entails.

“Prior students would have had to go to an outside karate school to further their progress,” Iannone wrote in an email. “I have several students now who are on the track of working toward their black belt. I believe this program is unique to any university in the United States. My motto is that [BU] karate is for the students, by the students.”

Celia Woodruff is a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law.

As students returned to campus from Thanksgiving break, Quesera, a build-your-own quesadilla, salad and soup station, served its first customers in the Binghamton University Union. The dining station, which offers gluten free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, will remain open for the duration of the fall 2022 semester from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Quesera is located in the center of the Marketplace.

Tom LaSarso, general manager of retail operations for BU Dining Services (BUDS), described Quesera as a collaboration between the Student Culinary Council (SCC), a student organization that advocates for students’ dining options on- and off-campus, and BUDS. The groundwork for bringing Quesera to campus began around a year ago, according to LaSarso, with BUDS planning to phase in the station’s dinner hours after the upcoming winter break.

“The thought process was to make a change to a static station that was Farmer’s Field,” LaSarso said. “By implementing a station that serves quesadillas, [which are] popular with students, we are also given flexibility to provide vegan and vegetarian options. Customers will have the choice of [three] build your own options, each will provide opportunity for more fillings.”

Quesera’s webpage describes its services as featuring “an array of fresh ingredients to customize a quesadilla all your own.” This includes your choice of a white, wheat, jalapeño cheddar or gluten-free tortilla, a filling, including various meat options or Mezcal infused jackfruit — Mezcal being a smoky liquor made from roasted agaves — your choice of cheese and your choice of a finisher, including various salsas, avocado toppings and condiments to choose from, according to Quesera’s menu and azcentral.

Quesera also offers a soup of the day, salad bowls or chips. Featured soups of the day can be found on Quesera’s BUDS webpage, which has featured options such as poblano and cheddar and chicken tortilla soup. Lauren Tarpey, a freshman majoring in biology, tried a Quesera quesadilla while having lunch with some friends.

“The food is a little pricey, but overall good,” Tarpey said. “I like that there is a Mexican-style place on campus now.”

Farmer’s Field, a salad bar which used to be located in the center of the Marketplace, has been removed from the University Union, with Quesera taking its place. Ryan Marrone, a senior majoring in biology, said he was happy Farmer’s Field was gone, recalling how the establishment had served him a “gross” salad with “rotten lettuce in it twice.” However, Marrone recommended that BUDS and the SCC further advertise their openness to student input when it comes to introducing new dining options to campus.

“I was told that students are able to vote for what restaurants they want to see in the University Union while touring the University before my freshman year,” Marrone said. “However, I am now a senior and am just learning that you need to be a part of a club to vote. I think the voting should be made accessible to every student, either via email or on [BU] PODS somehow.”

Prior to BUDS’ contract with Quesera, BUDS was searching for a new concept to take over the Farmer’s Field station, according to the SCC. The SCC saw Quesera as a “great opportunity” to fulfill the requests of many students who were asking for quesadillas on campus.

Both the SCC and BUDS were involved in the formulation of Quesera’s menu, with the SCC prioritizing providing students of all dietary needs with vegan and vegetarian options, according to the SCC. As a part of this collaboration, the SCC was able to test and choose from the provider’s various cheese blends.

“It is exciting that the SCC has the opportunity to taste test items and be in on the discussion when new concepts are coming to campus,” the SCC wrote in an email. “We think it is important for students to be a part of the discussion when new caterers are coming to campus and that is exactly what the BUDS and SCC partnership allows for.”

On Thursday, Nov. 13, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she was retiring from her position as leader of the House Democrats. The next day, Hakeem Jeffries, ‘92, the fourth ranked House Democrat representing New York’s 8th Congressional District, announced his uncontested bid to succeed Pelosi, which will be decided on in a House Democrat vote on Nov. 30. Jeffries, who graduated from BU with a bachelor’s degree in political science, has gone on to be the University’s only graduate to have served in the U.S. Congress.

Jeffries is projected to follow Pelosi, the first female party leader in the Congress, as Congress’ first-ever Black party leader. According to a letter written by Jeffries to his Democratic colleagues, the campaign he plans to lead will focus on three categories — “empowering every member” of the caucus, “prioritizing security” of the caucus and “reclaiming the majority” of Americans. Jeffries attributed much of his growth to Pelosi and his other colleagues, who he described as “incredible frontline members.”

“Building upon this track record of leadership experience and collective success, I now look to the future,” Jeffries wrote. “In doing so, I am thankful for the invaluable opportunity I have had to learn from legendary figures like our iconic Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, our resolute Leader, Steny Hoyer and our historic Majority Whip, James Clyburn, who has mentored and nurtured my leadership development from the moment I arrived in Congress.”

Jeffries is serving his fifth term in Congress and is currently chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

According to Christie Stephenson, communications director for the House Democratic Caucus, Jeffries is one of four representatives to pass nine or more bills in the 117th Congress. Stephenson described Jeffries as an accomplished politician with a comprehensive plan for the Democratic party.

“Chairman Jeffries recognizes the unprecedented nature of the once-in-a-generation moment we face and therefore has taken the time to outline in detail his perspective on the path forward,” Stephenson wrote in an email.

During his time as a student at BU, Jeffries assumed leadership roles and was active in multiple on-campus organizations. This included his role as President of Kappa Alpha Psi, a historically Black fraternity known for community outreach activities, and his membership in the Black Student Union (BSU), according to BingUNews and the Kappa Alpha Psi website.

Jahi Ferguson, public relations chair for the BSU and a junior majoring in biology, said Jeffries made significant contributions to the organization as an undergraduate at BU. Ferguson described Jeffries as a “Black leader” with “admirable traits” and a “dedication and commitment to the improvement of the Black experience in this country,” and said he is optimistic about Jeffries’ political pursuits.

“During his quest toward becoming the first Black leader of the congressional caucus, the Black Student Union would like to wish him nothing but success in his expedition,” Ferguson said. “We know that the skills gained during his time in undergrad as an active member of the Black Student Union and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. will continue to help aid in his success as a Black leader in America.”

Jeffries, who has served as a representative of New York’s Eighth Congressional District since 2013, is also a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the House Budget Committee, according to Jeffries’ office webpage. Examples of legislation he has sponsored include the Student Loan Literacy Act of 2022 and the Prison to Proprietorship for Formerly Incarcerated Act.

While BU President Harvey Stenger has expressed excitement on behalf of the University over Jeffries’ potential “to make history as the next leader of the House Democrats,” some students do not share the same enthusiasm. Tzvi Salzberg, a senior majoring in philosophy, stated his uncertainty as to whether Jeffries is the “best person” to take over leadership of the House Democrats.

“I think it’s a good thing that we’re getting some fresh leadership in the house, and that we’re making the leadership of our party more diverse,” Salzberg said. “However, I think that Jeffries himself may not be the best person given his sort of alignment with the center wing of the Democrats, which seems to be dying out among the younger people.”

Matthew Winston Jr., executive director of alumni engagement, offered the University’s congratulations to Jeffries, describing his congressional career as a “significant achievement” with more accomplishments to come.

“[BU] has watched with great pride and joy Congressman Jeffries’ stellar rise in his public service career,” Winston wrote in an email. “[Jeffries] is a shining example of [BU] graduate success and a role model for other students and alumni to follow.”

Editor’s Note (11/29/22): A previous version of this article stated that Jahi Ferguson was the political correspondent for BSU. Ferguson is the public relations chair for BSU. The article has been updated with the corrected information.

A group of nine students have started a petition to change BU Dining Services’ (BUDS) current meal plan system from a pay-per-item system to a “meal swipes” system. The petition, posted to Change.org three weeks ago, has accumulated 466 signatures as of Nov. 16, and aims to address theft in dining halls and the affordability of food items. Multiple other schools that use Sodexo as their dining provider have meal swipes systems in place, including the University at Albany and Stony Brook University.

The group of students behind this petition include three freshmen — Amelia Kongevold and Natalia Pecheny, both majoring in psychology, and Luna Azcurrain, an undeclared freshman — as well as four sophomores — Angelica Rao and Rebecca Kaufman, both majoring in psychology, Ava Kiner, a double-major in psychology and women, gender and sexuality studies and Azaria Walker, who is majoring in philosophy, politics and law. Two seniors also are also behind the petition — including Sophia Richardson, a double-major in biology and women, gender and sexuality studies and Kaylei Raefski, a double-major in political science and Spanish.

The students stated that their main concern with the current meal plan system is its tendency to “push students toward unhealthy eating habits.”

“Less nutritious items, like french fries and macaroni and cheese, are the only foods that would be able to sustain a budget as restrictive as [$8] a day for [three] meals a day,” the group wrote in a statement. “Many living on campus rely solely on dining hall services, and it is a simple fact that it is impossible to maintain a well-rounded diet, with enough nutrients and calories, with the current system in place. The price for the average meal plan (Option C) is $2,950, with only $950 available to students after ‘membership fees.’”

All students living on-campus, with the exception of those in the Susquehanna Community and Hillside Community, are required to purchase meal plans, according to the BUDS Meal Plan Options web page. The web page describes BU’s pay-per-item meal plan system as being accommodating of students’ “unique eating habits”, where there are “no lost meals and no limits on how often or when you can dine.”

BU’s Student Culinary Council (SCC), a group of students who advocate for student-dining interests on and off campus, wrote that they plan to bring the petition and its concerns to the University administration.

“Students turning to unhealthy options or eating fewer meals in order to stay within their meal plan is obviously something that no one wants to see and an issue that needs to promptly be addressed,” the SCC wrote in an email. “The goal of SCC is to be the link between the student body and the dining hall administration in order to enable open and honest conversations about food on campus. We have been able to form a close relationship with the administration through our bi-weekly meetings which are open to all students, and I can say with confidence that they care about the well-being of the students here at BU.”

The group of petitioners, who had reached out to the SCC for support on their project, said they were told their idea may be outside the purview of the SCC’s powers, and that the project may take more time than the group has.

Matthew Keczmer, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, is one of the 466 students who have signed the petition. While Keczmer is not certain a meal swipes system is the solution, he expressed hope that University administration will address the petition’s grievances.

“With constantly rising food costs, it’s no longer possible for students to properly feed themselves and stay on a budget,” Keczmer wrote. “It also makes no sense to me that most students pay upwards of $3K on meal plans while only a third of that amount is available to spend. Where is the rest going?”

The group of students behind the petition also believe a meal swipe system could increase students’ food choices and decrease the amount of theft in dining halls, according to their statement. They attributed theft in the dining halls to the high cost of items and students being unable to afford three meals every day, and provided a graph illustrating dining hall meal items — such as fruit or salad bar-items — as being four to five dollars more expensive than the average breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Alexandrea Goyette, a junior majoring in environmental science, has not signed the petition but agreed its aim is “a good idea,” citing past incidents of her friends skipping meals in order to budget their meal plan.

“I feel like this way kids wouldn’t be trying to starve themselves just to budget correctly, especially with how expensive the dining hall food has gotten,” Goyette said. “I visited [BU] right before [COVID-19] hit when I was a junior in high school — that was like 2018, it might have been the spring of 2019. I remember when they were talking on tour, they were boasting how you could pay a set amount of money, which was more expensive, but then you got unlimited meal swipes, if that was something you wanted as an option. So they at least had it as an option. And I think [COVID-19] changed a lot of things.”

BUDS did not respond to request for comment.

On Wednesday, Binghamton University students and alumni gathered in Old Union Hall to celebrate National First-Generation College Day — an annual holiday celebrated on Nov. 8 in honor of the passage of the Higher Education Act of 1965, according to the website for the Center for First-Generation Student Success.

The networking dinner was a part of a larger series of events centered around BU’s first-generation student population, organized by B-First — an on-campus program that provides mentorship and resources to first-generation students — and the Fleishman Center for Career and Personal Development.

Donald Hall, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, kicked off the event. Hall shared his story as a first-generation college student, describing how he came from a family and high school peer group with little college experience.

“The work that’s going on here at [BU] is critical and necessary and wonderful,” Hall said. “So many of us in my generation had to just sort of stumble and find their own way. I’m thrilled that this event is taking place. It has my full support. You are trailblazers. You are brave and adventurous. And you are going to do great things.”

Throughout the dinner, students were able to converse with first-generation B-First mentors in “speed-dating style,” moving from table to table until they had connected with every mentor.

Marissa Zelman, assistant director of Student Support Services (SSS) and co-founder and chair of the B-First Network Committee, wrote that this is the first “first-gen” networking dinner in the history of the University.

Zelman discussed B-First and the Center’s intentions behind organizing the event.

“With this event, we aim to bring attention to this invisible identity, all too often endured silently, while broadening the network of our first-gen students — helping them build social capital,” Zelman wrote in an email. “We also seek to thank our mentors for committing their time and offering their words of wisdom by providing them with a dinner, and offering them a space where they too are able to share their own struggles as first-gens, in a safe and welcoming space.”

B-First has around 199 first-generation faculty and alumni mentors and 231 first-generation mentees, according to Zelman. This is not representative of the 20 to 30 percent of first-generation students making up BU’s student body, according to the B-First webpage.

Antinea Sanchez — an undergraduate representative for the B-First Networking Committee, a first-generation student and a junior majoring in biological sciences — explained B-First’s role as not only a networking resource, but also a program that makes first-generation students “feel part of this huge school.”

“The first-gen student community contributes to [BU] by diversifying the school with students of different backgrounds and experiences,” Sanchez said. “Within the community, there are mentors that understand what other students may be going through and are willing to guide them on a path full of obstacles as a first-gen student. This community lets others know the challenges that they may face and how to tackle them ahead of time because some may not have background knowledge of college life.”

As the event came to a close, students remained in Old Union Hall to continue speaking with their newfound mentors. Mentors shared their advice, undergraduate stories and contact information with students.

Jonah Poueriet-Santana, a sophomore majoring in economics, was one such student. Poueriet-Santana expressed hope that B-First would host similar events in the future, so the mentor and mentee communities can continue to foster connections.

“This event was definitely helpful to meet people you wouldn’t normally speak to,” Poueriet-Santana said. “It was eye-opening, too. The peers that are here are all people who are just like you — they’re all first-generation students. It was great to be around people who have similar stories to you. I definitely would recommend this event, and think [B-First] should do more of these events.”

OCCT Late Nite — a service that provides downtown transportation to students — has dealt with incidents of “antagonistic behavior” before, such as a past transgression that led to a cancellation of Late Nite routes two weekends in a row. According to Toni Stefanakos, public relations coordinator for OCCT, this past Saturday, Oct. 29, Late Nite services were suspended due to an incident Friday night involving “reckless” student behavior on the corner of State Street and Hawley Street, leading to an altercation with the police. At the corner of the two streets is a Late Nite bus stop frequented by students.

“We are disheartened to report that last night, this antagonistic behavior took a sudden turn and directly targeted the police officers on the scene at State Street,” a statement from the Student Association (SA) Executive Board read. “This behavior is not only unacceptable but places everyone at risk.”

Daniel Croce — SA vice president for finance, chairman and chief financial officer for OCCT and a junior majoring in business administration — provided information regarding the perpetrators of this incident, saying they “involved a large and disorderly group of students and created great safety risks for themselves and everyone at the scene.”

Due to this incident, Late Nite services will remain suspended Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5, pending further communications between the SA and university administration, according to a SA Instagram announcement. The SA, OCCT and the Transportation and Parking Services department (TAPS) are working to reopen Late Nite services within the next few weeks, however, they are considering the “very real possibility of a permanent Late [Nite] termination,” according to Croce.

“There are a number of options that the SA, myself and OCCT are considering when it comes to a permanent solution for Late [Nite] servicing,” Croce wrote in an email. “The originally developed plan was scheduled to be fully rolled out this upcoming weekend. However, the incidents of this past weekend have required OCCT to actively review and expand the original scope of the plan. Among possible considerations include potential route changes, bus stop location changes and staffing changes.”

Many students rely on the Late Nite service as their only form of transportation back to campus during the weekends. While some students find the suspension to be unavoidable in lieu of repeated disorderly conduct, others believe there are alternative options to resolving the issue.

Adeline Roy, a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, said suspending the bus line for the rest of the semester may be necessary. Roy described the service as a privilege.

“I definitely think the Late Nite bus service is a big privilege for students who are on campus,” Roy said. “And as unfortunate as it is, I feel like given the circumstances, I feel like it being revoked — even if it’s just for the rest of the semester — it will probably make students think about their actions a little bit more. Especially because they were downtown, I’m sure they were completely drunk, too. So, and there are other ways to get downtown, there are Ubers, you can phone a friend. So as unfortunate as it is that those buses won’t be there anymore, for the meantime, I feel like it’s a good situation for the safety of the drivers. I have a few friends who drive the buses.”

Keonna Hyacinth, a junior majoring in biology, was waiting on the bus line Friday night when she witnessed “a lot of pushing and aggression.” Hyacinth expressed discomfort with the OCCT bus protocol, and said she hopes a more effective solution than suspending the service can be developed.

“I witnessed a lot of pushing and aggression between the students as people tried to get on the bus,” Hyacinth wrote in an email. “There was a police officer at the scene. I feel uncomfortable with this behavior knowing that every time I try to take the bus there may be some sort of incident. I think the school needs to put a better system in place because the amount of buses running during those times are not enough for the amount of students who are in need of the bus.”

Editor’s Note (11/3/22): This article was updated on Nov. 3 to include updated information regarding Late Nite closures.

Originally proposed in the summer of 2022 by Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, the legislation intends to expand the housing market for non-student renters and strengthen the city of Binghamton’s power in regulating student housing, according to a press release. The law has now passed, with Council members Giovanni Scaringi, Sophia Resciniti, Philip Strawn and Thomas Scanlon voting “aye,” Council member Angela Riley voting “nay” and Council members Aviva Friedman and Joe Burns absent.

After the legislation was approved, Kraham emphasized how the bill could benefit both permanent residents and students, describing students as a “vibrant part of the community.”

“I want to see students find good housing options, and I want to see families find them, too,” Kraham said. “I think [this legislation] will increase the diversified housing market for families and students. I don’t want to see students competing against families for affordable housing in Binghamton. These regulations will ensure this isn’t happening.”

Prior to voting on the bill, Riley, who represents Binghamton’s third district, expressed concern regarding the bill’s plans for individual property owners. Compared to other Council members’ districts, Riley’s district has a high concentration of student housing and student residents, according to Friedman.

“Many years ago, there was a report developed with the approval of all of the stakeholders — students, non-student residents and landlords — that was a bit more comprehensive and ensured the safety of the properties and ensured the properties would be well maintained to retain the spirit of the neighborhood,” Riley wrote in a separate statement. “As you know there are several problems in the area as it stands regarding traffic, parking, garbage, quality, safety (think of the fire on Front Street no hard-wired alarms), etc. It is during this change in the legislation that we can add additional language, as supported by the stakeholders, to benefit all.”

The City Council agreed these ambiguities would be addressed in the next Planning Commission work session on Monday, Oct. 31.

Some students expressed conflicting feelings regarding the bill’s passage. Tyler Gibbens, a junior majoring in chemistry, described his uncertainty when considering how these changes may affect his already-signed lease for the next academic year.

“I can understand [the legislation],” Gibbens said. “Some families, if they are living paycheck to paycheck, they don’t want to be in competition with, or be surrounded by, a bunch of college kids. But I don’t see it as so much of a competition, because I think there’s not as many students living in houses as some people think. I think it’s a smaller number. Also, a lot of students are living in really big houses, like five, six bedroom houses. I feel most families are smaller, and don’t need a five or six bedroom house.”

According to Kraham, the newly passed legislation will make it easier for code enforcement to determine which groups qualify as “functional families,” and can legally reside in some residential zones, and which cannot. Students with questions regarding their housing can refer to the City Charter and Code of Ordinances, or can request a zoning inspection from Binghamton Code Enforcement prior to signing their lease.

Michael Scorcia, an undeclared sophomore, offered a different point of view on the Binghamton housing conversation. Scorcia described the migration of permanent residents out of Binghamton and Johnson City — where the new Health Sciences Campus is — and into areas such as Endicott.

“I was walking recently, in Johnson City on the actual Main Street, and it’s kind of an interesting juxtaposition,” Scorcia said. “You saw a kind of newly renovated facade of the student housing, while the actual Main Street was dilapidated, and wasn’t being taken care of — not a lot of economic activity going on there, for the town itself. It looks like [the city] is dedicating some areas directly for student housing, but at the same time, students do need a place to live off campus. It is very hard to afford living on campus.”

On Thursday, Sept. 29, BCSD administration held their third of four community forums in order to discuss a “feasibility study” of their elementary schools, with a special focus on Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School. This study examined factors ranging from enrollment and student interests to asbestos in the ceilings and walls. Parents spoke with Board of Education (BOE) members and district leadership, voicing concerns over construction and the closing of a school. One of these concerns included the district’s declining enrollment.

Student housing is decreasing the supply of low-income family housing and detracting from surrounding neighborhoods’ appeal to new, house hunting families, according to attending parents, residents and district leadership. This sentiment was echoed in a CNY Fair Housing study. According to this study, “with about half of Binghamton apartments marketed specifically as student housing and rising rental costs associated with the increase in the student population, families with children, particularly low-income families are facing limited options available to rent.”

In a statement, the BCSD BOE described the declining enrollment.

“As the population has declined in the City of Binghamton, the school district’s enrollment has also steadily declined during the past two decades,” the BCSD BOE wrote. “This decline can be attributed to several factors, and municipalities across the state and region have experienced similar trends. While there is a shortage of family housing in some Binghamton neighborhoods, this is just one of several factors impacting a decline in student enrollment.”

Enrollments are expected to continue to decline throughout all grade levels, with an optimistic projection forecasting a decline in enrollment by 86 students over five years for grade-levels K-5, according to the feasibility study. Another estimate suggests an enrollment decline of 383 students over five years.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, was optimistic enrollment would rebound, suggesting ways the district could better advertise itself. According to this parent, they and their partner were told by their real estate agent that the “good schools” were in Vestal. Upon enrolling at BCSD, they were surprised at the district’s quality and parent satisfaction.

“Well that’s the problem we have, is that a lot of times, a lot of the single family housing is being converted into student housing,” the anonymous parent said. “And we try to counter that. I see it in my own neighborhood — houses bought and prepared to be rented. But there is progress being made, there are efforts being made, I think, to help preserve affordable housing, single-family housing until it builds back. So I am optimistic, and I feel that in that area fewer houses will be swallowed up by kids.”

There are three outcomes being considered, according to the BCSD BOE — rebuilding Roosevelt and keeping all elementary schools open, rebuilding Roosevelt and closing either Horace Mann Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School or Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, or closing Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s Summer Meals for Kids and Teens, teddy bear drive and its green space for children to play in, were all mentioned as parents expressed the potential impacts closing Roosevelt would have on their families.

In light of this news, some Binghamton University students raised the importance of knowing one’s surrounding community. Wendell Denis, a member of the Center for Civic Engagement Youth Initiative and a senior majoring in English, suggested the University could have more community-involved student programs. Denis said the University may not always realize its impact “on the lives of people that it would never directly touch.”

“I think there should be some kind of emphasis on the people that actually live here because it’s their home at the end of the day,” Denis said. “It’s like, you come in for a little bit of time and change up a complete structure, pretty much. You never want to keep a blind eye on that, you always want that the people that live here have their own voice, always heard in those situations.”

Sumeet Patil, a first-year graduate student in the Master of Computer Science program, offered an international student’s perspective, describing how inexpensive rent off campus is a necessity for some students.

“We are also people who want to stay there just [because] it is cheap, because staying in the University is $1,000 and the food [is] extra, but staying outside [the University], it’s more like $400 a month plus food extra, so it goes $500, $515, not more than that,” Patil said. “We are saving a lot of money on that, we are not any potential threat [to competitors]. But [locally], the solution to this could be, the University could help us get some cheap housing. Or they [could] make some buildings, like there are for [undergraduates], that would be places for graduate students, as well.”

Candela, a former assistant professor in Binghamton University’s sociology department, had for years implemented a “progressive stacking” policy in her course — Sociology 100: Social Change: Intro to Sociology. The policy, which stated that Candela would prioritize students in class discussions who are non-white, women or shy and quiet, prompted a Title IX complaint by a student claiming gender discrimination.

Soon after, conservative media outlet Campus Reform published a story on the policy, followed by a variety of large media outlets, including Fox News, the Daily Mail and the New York Post. A screenshot of the syllabus had also been shared on the “Binghamton University Class of 2023 – Parents” Facebook group. While the attention has since subsided, Candela quietly resigned from her post on Sept. 1, stating she found it difficult to remain at the University.

“In the handling of the progressive stacking targeted political attack and public spectacle that I experienced during the spring 2022 semester, I was treated with such callous disrespect by members of the administration of Harpur College, by [BU’s] media and public relations and by a student in my course that to continue to contribute my labor to the institution would involve a profound lack of self-love and self-respect,” Candela wrote in an email.

Progressive stacking is a practice that was borne out of the Occupy movement, and has been used by some educators over the past few years. In her syllabus, Candela also wrote that she would ask students who were white, male or “privileged by the racial and gender structures of our society” to often hold off from asking questions, in order to give priority to others. As Candela’s implementation of the practice gained attention last year, she removed the clause from her syllabus.

Last semester, Celia Klin, the dean of Harpur College, had held a meeting with Candela explaining why the University felt the language was problematic — but Candela had not faced disciplinary action. In a letter from Donald Nieman, former provost and academic vice president for academic affairs, the University described why it had not issued a public statement in support of Candela — a demand made by many of her supporters.

“The University supports the goal of inclusive teaching, and all good teachers strive to ensure that all students have a voice in their classes,” Nieman wrote. “Undoubtedly, that was Professor Candela’s intent, and we applaud her for it. However, the controversy was not about Professor Candela’s intentions or even her actual teaching practices. It was about the language she included in her syllabus which is inconsistent with Professor Candela’s and [the] University’s obligations under federal law.”

Specifically, the letter said Candela’s policy had breached Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and Title IX of the 1972 Amendments to the Education Act. While Nieman wrote that Candela’s “intention was to be inclusive,” he stressed that the primary issue was the wording of the syllabus.

Sean Harrigan, a reporter for Campus Reform and a junior majoring in economics, had made the Title IX complaint — and was a student of the course last year. Harrigan said the news of Candela’s resignation did not affect his stance.

“My reaction to the news of her resignation is mostly indifference — my goal was never for her to be harassed, fired or pressured to leave,” Harrigan wrote in an email. “At the same time, I was disappointed in the pedagogy of the course.”

In addition to being quoted by several media outlets, Harrigan was also featured on a segment of “Fox and Friends” on Feb. 23, where he discussed the policy.

Kenyon Cavender, a teaching assistant (TA) in the course and second-year doctoral student in sociology, said Candela’s resignation would come at a cost for the department.

“Sociology is not a huge department,” Canvender said. “It’s an absolute loss for our department and it’s felt. We know why she resigned and understand, and are sad that she’s gone. We lost a really good scholar due to this situation.”

Canvender and other TAs raised the issue of privacy in their criticism of the University’s alleged lack of support, as they — along with Candela — had their names and office numbers included in the syllabus posted in the Campus Reform article. In April, Campus Reform had published another article on the class, this time publishing emails between Harrigan and a TA who required masks to be worn after the mask mandate had ended.

Emily Blakely, representative of BU’s Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU) and a sixth-year Ph.D. student studying psychology, said the GSEU was “disappointed” by the University’s “centering” of “the feelings of the right wing.”

“Campus Reform represents a real threat, as those whose identities are exposed by them are unwillingly subjected to racist hate speech and threats of harm,” Blakely said. “This has lasting implications from employees who have to return to the classroom and are forced to continue to work in hostile and unsafe work environments.”

In regard to the syllabus clause itself, students expressed a range of responses, with the Latin American Student Union (LASU) holding a protest in favor of Candela last month.

Some, like Adam Tartasky, a junior majoring in psychology who had taken Candela’s course, said they supported the policy — which Tartasky said supported “underrepresented” students.

“I found it odd that the student that felt the need to go to the local conservative tabloid media was given so much attention for voicing a grievance that, from my observation, held no discernible truth to it,” Tartasky said. “The individual that complained against Professor Candela was in my class, and in my discussion group, and was routinely called on despite his broadly unpopular comments.”

Others, like Danyal Shah, a senior majoring in biochemistry, said the clause should not have been included within the syllabus.

“I can understand that she might want to hear more unique perspectives in discussion, but the policy didn’t need to be outlined in the syllabus,” Shah said. “It sounds like a common unwritten rule that a lot of professors use.”

The sociology department has also seen a recent change in leadership, now chaired by Ji-Song Ku, an associate professor in the department of Asian and Asian American Studies. Ku said his appointment was not related to the syllabus controversy.

With Candela no longer a part of the department, Tartasky said he would miss his experiences with her as an instructor.

“I will be forever grateful for the lessons learned inside and outside of Professor Candela’s classroom, and that I was fortunate enough to be a student of hers,” Tartasky said. “It would be an understatement to say that she made me a better person.”

If the law is passed, these are the zoning changes that will come into effect:

– R1 and R3 zones will be expanded into what was previously R1, R2, R3 and C1 zones. See “Regulation Changes” to determine how the proposed law would affect these types of zones.

– Houses on streets near Seminary Avenue, Riverside Drive and Oak Street would continue to be in R1 zones.

– A small portion of Chestnut Street classified as R1 would become R3.

– Portions of the city, including a small R1 zone near Chestnut Street, will become an R3 zone.

– The R3 districts, where congregate living — such as student living — is permissible, would be expanded into the “Urban Village” area, which includes streets such as Thorp Street, North Street, King Avenue and Seminary Avenue. This is where the majority of student housing currently is, according to the Planning Commission.

– Portions of the city, including parts in R2 zones, will be converted into R1 zones.

Alongside the zoning changes, several regulation changes from Kraham’s student housing proposal would also take effect. The following are such changes:

– The new definition of “family” will clearly exclude groups of four or more students living together. This will affect some groups of students looking to live in or continue living in R1 and R2 zones. Prosecution against student housing in these zones will begin July 1, 2023.

– The new definition of “family” would not apply to a group of young professionals living together. For example, under the proposed prohibition of student housing from residential areas, a group of unrelated young professionals could share a house but not a group of undergraduate students, according to WSKG.

– The new definition of “congregate living” would change from any residential unit with multiple unrelated occupants or six or more bedrooms, to any residential unit with five or more bedrooms, and up to ten beds, except in the case of single-family, detached, five bedroom houses. Congregate living is allowed in R3 zones.

– Students would assume the “burden of proof” when it comes to future housing violations, according to the Sept. 12 Planning Commission meeting. For example, if a zoning officer were to inspect a property, they would determine whether or not the residents were enrolled at Binghamton University. It would then be the student’s responsibility to prove whether or not they qualify as a family by appealing to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

– Properties currently renting to students in what would become newly off-limits zones can continue to do so. Property owners with documentation proving their property is a legal, nonconforming, five-or-more bedroom unit would be grandfathered in. Similar properties that are not legally recognized would be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Planning Commission, or would need to be reformatted, according to the Sept. 12 Planning Commission meeting.

– Residents or property developers who may want to convert their property, or another property, into a new congregate living facility would have to bring their proposal to the Planning Commission and demonstrate ownership of off-street parking, as stipulated in the new legislation. On-street parking near the congregate living facility, or parking in a public park, would not meet the requirements for private parking within 250 feet of the congregate living.

– By July 1, 2023, student housing in R3 zones will need to be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission.

Juan González, a professor at Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information, visited Binghamton University to speak at LASU’s Latin Heritage Month Kickoff. Each year, LASU invites a speaker to the kickoff, particularly someone who is conducive to LASU’s values and significant to their annual theme. This year’s theme is “rebellion.”

González has won two George Polk awards for his career in investigative journalism.

Following fast-paced dance performances by Quimbamba, a Latino and African dance group at BU, González gave a speech describing his days as a member of the Young Lords, a revolutionary civil rights group during the 1960s and 1970s. González discussed his career in journalism and concluded the event with a Q&A period.

Lis Peguero, a political correspondent for LASU and a junior majoring in cinema, described the importance of celebrating Latin Heritage Month in recognition of Latinidad’s contributions to society.

“As an organization, LASU values the diversity that comes with Latinidad — that it’s not just dominated by what people think Latinidad should look like,” Peguero said. “It’s about the community, where we come from and celebrating how far we have come. LASU really tries to celebrate this when it comes to Latin Heritage Month because we feel it gets forgotten in mainstream portrayals of stereotypes and such. So, we always want to celebrate the diversity and everything that Latinidad has contributed to our society.”

LASU will be holding events in celebration of Latin Heritage Month every Tuesday and Thursday from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. This coming Tuesday, LASU invites students to watch the movie “Takeover” with them in UU209 at 7 p.m. “Takeover,” a documentary about the Young Lords, tells the story of how the Young Lords took over Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx, with demands for health justice, according to Variety.

In his speech, González discussed the themes, strategies and importance of rebellion and activism, emphasizing creative thinking, the disruption of physical spaces and understanding a community’s actual needs.

González explained how to address community needs through a story about how the Young Lords went from home to home in Harlem, asking households what they needed most. The Young Lords felt the majority of Harlem wanted cleaner streets, and forced the sanitation department into negotiation by blockading Harlem with its own burning street trash, according to González.

Through his retelling of how the Young Lords secured housing licenses for over 100 squatters in abandoned federal housing, González explained the disruption of physical spaces in activism. The Young Lords were not able to access the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) building, so they instead stormed Independence Hall across the street, according to González.

“It’s like a national shrine,’’ González said. “All the cops were in front of HUD, but there were only a few federal rangers in front of Independence Hall. So I said, ‘Let’s just take over Independence Hall — it’s a federal building, it will definitely get a lot of attention.’ So we took all of the families, marched them into the park and rushed them into Independence Hall.”

Around 150 students attended LASU’s kickoff. One of those students, John Cepeda, an undeclared freshman, said González’s speech inspired him.

“Me personally, I wasn’t very informed about the Young Lords, so this made me more interested in learning more about the stories from the Latin community,” Cepeda said. “I’m looking forward to learning more.”

Melanie Ibagon, president of LASU and a junior double-majoring in music and linguistics, said González’s speech embodied this year’s LASU Latin Heritage Month theme — rebellion in activism and a recognition of the Latinidad community’s contributions to society.

“I think [the speech] was really inspirational, especially in terms of activism because the [LASU] itself is very political,” Ibagon said. “Even last year when we did our protests, we aspired to continue activism on campus.”

As the event came to a close, González left the audience with a final message regarding what today’s generation can learn from the Young Lords.

“We freed our minds from thinking what the system tells us is the only way things can be,” González said. “We can change history. We can change our own society.”

The SOC Committee’s primary purpose is to help students implement plans in order to manage challenges they may be facing, and to help them stay enrolled at the University. The SOC serves all undergraduate and graduate students on and off campus, and works with BU’s Consultation, Advocacy, Referral and Education (CARE) Team — a campus resource that supports students’ needs throughout their personal and professional development.

This past academic year, the SOC assisted 293 student cases, with 84 percent of student cases from the SOC Committee’s fall 2021 semester, and 86 percent from the SOC Committee’s spring 2022 semester — successfully completing both semesters without any student withdrawals.

Colleen Rozelle, case management coordinator for the CARE Team, wrote that the committee works with around 150 to 300 students per academic year, with about 85 percent of those students successfully addressing their concerns.

The kinds of student cases referred to the SOC, either by CARE Team staff or other student services offices, include students who are facing complex problems or “students who demonstrate violence, threats to self or others or are significantly disruptive,” according to Rozelle.

“A hypothetical case might involve a student who is struggling with a failing relationship that has begun to cope by excessive drinking, which has led to a loss of motivation in classes and poor grades that now threaten a scholarship on which the student relies,” Rozelle wrote in an email. “Multiple issues have to be managed at once in this example. By bringing together staff from multiple student services offices to work as a case team with that student, the SOC can help the student create a coordinated solution that accounts for all of the inter-related concerns.”

The SOC Committee is a collaboration between several campus resources. Some members of the SOC have monitoring or emergency roles, such as Residential Life or Binghamton’s New York State University Police (UPD). Others offer services, such as the Services for Students with Disability (SSD) or TRIO Programs, which are designed to help students overcome financial, social or cultural barriers in higher education.

The greater BU community can also contribute to the SOC Committee’s work in detecting concerns about students. Peers, family, faculty and staff are able to submit a CARE Team Referral Form regarding a student they are concerned about. Then, either the CARE Team staff or another student services office will refer the student to the SOC Committee based on the student’s needs or concerns.

Pericles Andon, a senior double-majoring in sociology and anthropology, said both himself and his friends have had experiences with BU’s mental health care services. Andon stated that the University has a responsibility to try and identify students of concern, as well as provide resources for students who seek help themselves.

“Not just the moral responsibility, they probably also have a legal responsibility,” Andon said. “Certainly, [BU is] an institution for a lot of kids who are living on campus, and so their health and safety is certainly within the University’s purview. Whether or not these students should also feel comfortable to reach out to services on their own, I certainly hope they would be. I guess everyone has a responsibility to take care of themselves, but of course if you’re really in dire straits and you really need help, it’s not always easy to identify for yourself that you might need it, or know where to get help.”

For students seeking help through the University, Rozelle recommended the Binghamton Support Network. Students can search for their concerns on the Binghamton Support Network website in order to match with the on-campus resource right for them.

Located at 93 Front St., the house’s first floor was found in violation of New York State Property Maintenance Code 107.1.3, “Structure unfit for human occupancy,” and 107.1.4, “Unlawful structure.” The City of Binghamton was made aware of the unapproved use of the commercial space as an assembly area through posts on social media, such as those from @college.cribz, which details fraternity activities.

According to its website, BU’s Phi Kappa Psi fraternity is a philanthropic fraternity that represents “a group of diverse people who always strive for the highest level of excellence.”

“We are actively communicating with the city regarding the code issue and will work with our landlord to properly address them,” BU’s Phi Kappa Psi wrote in an email. “Our members currently living in the residential portion of 93 Front St. will continue to reside at the premises.”

The first floor is a commercial area separate from upstairs, where the fraternity brothers live. This space could be used by a local business or restaurant, but as of yet has no approved use, according to Kraham. In an interview with WBNG, Kraham referred to the area’s most recent use as a “party room that serves one fraternity”.

“The first floor commercial space was condemned for two reasons,” Kraham said. “One of those reasons was that the unsanitary condition of that first floor made it unfit for human habitation or to have people occupy it safely — unsanitary to the point of being unsafe. But secondarily, the first floor space does not have an approved use through the City of Binghamton.”

Isabella Tomaselli, a junior majoring in English, described her past experiences at the house, mentioning that she sometimes felt “unsafe” in the house and its bathrooms.

“I opened the bathroom and it was a toilet in the center of the room, the floor was black and there was a sink with the handles broken,” Tomaselli said. “There was a chunk out of the wall where the bathroom was, so I could see the people and the lights outside. And I was like, ‘This is kind of terrifying, scary.’ I remember at the same place downtown, there was also a pipe that was leaking onto everyone and their clothes.”

When condemnation action is commenced on a property, the landlord or owner may attempt to legalize their use of that area, but, ultimately, it is up to the Planning Commission whether or not to grant approved uses.

Jerry Willard, executive director of Binghamton’s First Ward Action Council — a community-based provider of housing services — said the use of the property does not represent the entirety of student housing in Binghamton.

“If there’s a problem or complaints, it’s important we look at that individual case and how it needs to be dealt with, which I believe is what’s happening,” Willard said. “But that’s nothing that should reflect on student housing as a whole — this is one particular incident. I don’t have all the particulars of this incident, but I think the city is making an effort to address these issues at hand.”

Kraham said the timing of this code violation discovery was not planned, and that the City of Binghamton will bring condemnation action against any commercial space which does not have an approved us.

“I know that there has been coverage of some of my proposed changes to the student-style living,” Kraham said. “This is in no shape or form related to that, nor would anything change as part of new legislation.”

First proposed in July, the law would prohibit four or more college students from living in areas of Binghamton deemed single-family and two-family residential zones, known as R1 and R2, respectively — which include large parts of the West Side. Unless student housing is either in a commercial zone or multi-unit residential areas, also known as an R3 zone, the units will be subject to prosecution by July 1, 2023.

The Binghamton Planning Commission will review the legislation before it is sent to Binghamton City Council. Constituents will be able to attend a virtual public hearing to voice their opinions to the Planning Commission, with the Zoom link found on the Binghamton City calendar.

Juliet Berling, director of planning, housing and community development (PHCD), said the Planning Commission will factor public comments into their decision letter to Binghamton City Council. In addition to the virtual hearing, the Binghamton City Council will also hold a public hearing prior to issuing the final vote on this legislation, according to the Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development, though the date has yet to be announced.

According to Berling, the Planning Commission has a “good approximation” of where the majority of students currently reside, and they believe the new zoning law will not change where many students live. Berling said that safer student housing is among the main concerns for the commission.

“One reason we’re doing this is to require everyone to have a code review,” Berling said. “We want to make sure the buildings students are living in have been [reformed] correctly and are safe.”

Many R1, R2 and R3 zone uses will require review, needing an approval by the Planning Commission, according to a Student Housing Legislation Summary of Changes, provided by Anindya Debnath, the Student Association vice president for student success.

JP Dillon, a senior at Binghamton University double-majoring in environmental studies and biology, questioned how the legislation would be effectively enforced. Dillon owns the Instagram page, @ny.victorian, a photography page that features Victorian houses and their history across New York state.

“The city has had issues with its current code displacing residents if enforced, which sometimes leads to situations in which the landlord is not fixing an apartment and tenants aren’t moving out because there is simply nowhere to go,” Dillon wrote. “Essentially what I’m saying is, their current method of code enforcement is problematic, so I don’t see how this new code-enforced legislation could be anything beneficial. I have knowledge that all these apartments within the new development zone will have to undergo inspection, but I want to raise questions as to timelines and protocol for that. Especially if students are inhabiting those units at the times that code enforcement is inspecting.”

Some students also expressed concern that these potential changes will make affording BU more difficult for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Aviva Friedman, a Binghamton City Council member, explained that she is taking into consideration this point of view, with her goal being to promote safe student housing.

“I always approach this by trying to incentivize rather than punish,” Friedman wrote in an email. “If we look at this legislation and what issue it’s attempting to address, in my mind it’s an attempt to address predatory renting practices by landlords, or not landlords, but student housing developers that will often buy up properties and then rent them out to students. Will this fix this problem? That remains to be seen, but I never want something I vote for to be punitive.”

When Mayor Kraham first announced the legislation, he said the goal was to preserve the “integrity of single-family residential neighborhoods” while also increasing the non-student market, so that Binghamton families “living paycheck to paycheck” are not competing with college students.

Dillon said he is doubtful this legislation will be effective in these goals.

“This plan does nothing to create more city-owned [Binghamton Housing Authority] units, of which there is already a deficit, and it does nothing to encourage or provide funding to either developers or to organizations like the Southern Door CLT for developing more housing for the low-income, disabled or those who receive benefits from government organizations,” Dillion said. “I believe they should highly consider enforcement and branding of this legislation. If they would like it to help those living paycheck to paycheck, the absolute best thing they can do is to provide housing for them.”

In Kraham’s press release, he stressed the importance of balance between housing for long-term families and students.

“Students are a vital part of Binghamton’s culture and economy, but an absence of student housing regulations have created neighborhood problems that negatively impact students and families alike,” Kraham said.

BU has removed its surveillance testing policy for vaccinated students. However, those with symptoms will still have access to free diagnostic testing by appointment at Decker Student Health Services or through home test kits. University-provided home test kits can be found in several locations — the Tillman Lobby in the University Union, the security desk at the University Downtown Center, room PB-110 in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and at the Binghamton New York State University Police dispatch walk-up window in the Couper Administration Building. Additionally, students with mild symptoms may schedule an appointment for a rapid PCR test on their student health patient portal.

Richard Moose, medical director of the Decker Student Health Services, said the center is also offering appointments for certain students.

“Students with more severe symptoms, or those who wish to be evaluated by a medical provider, should schedule an appointment on the [student health patient portal] using one of these reasons: cold symptoms, cough, sore throat, fever or sinus problem,” Moose wrote.

Students will no longer be required to wear masks in University facilities or around campus. However, individuals will still be required to wear masks at the Decker Student Health Services Center, the surveillance testing site in Old O’Connor and on Broome County Transit and OCCT buses, according to BU’s latest guidance plan and the Broome County New York website.

Jun Na Peng, a junior majoring in psychology, said she feels safe at BU with the current COVID-19 safety policies in place. While Peng believes the majority of the public is not as worried about COVID-19 as they were a few years ago, Peng said she still wants to be respectful to those who are.

“At this point, I think people believe [the pandemic] passed or are over it,” Peng said. “I’m not saying that’s right or wrong. I just do what I do. For example, if I’m on a public bus or something — and other people are wearing masks — if I have one, I’ll put it on because I want to be respectful of the people around me.”

According to Moose, in accordance with CDC guidelines, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must still be isolated. Otherwise, there is a risk of spreading the disease to individuals who may “develop life-threatening complications.” Moose discussed the importance of differentiating between quarantining and isolating in BU’s fall 2022 COVID-19 policy.

“If you test positive you should isolate until midnight on the fifth day,” Moose wrote. “Day zero is the first day of symptoms or the day of a positive test, if you are asymptomatic. On-campus residing students are required to notify both Safe Housing and Decker Student Health Services Center of their positive test, unless the test was done at an on-campus testing center — either Decker Student Health Services Center or the surveillance site. Dean of Students Consultants will contact the student, make a formal determination of their isolation start or end dates and notify Decker Student Health Services Center if they need medical assistance.”

Moose also explained that students should take precautions if they come across someone with COVID-19.

“If you are the close contact of someone with COVID-19, you should immediately begin wearing a mask until midnight on the tenth day following exposure,” Moose wrote. “Day zero is the last day you were exposed to the person with COVID-19. Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms. Self-isolate and get tested if they occur. Get tested on day six if you remain asymptomatic.”

The CDC no longer recommends quarantining to individuals who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 after tested negative themselves.

Ryan Yarosh, senior director of media and public relations, discussed the difficulties the pandemic has presented over the past school years.

“The pandemic has made the past two years especially challenging for students, faculty and staff here at [BU], placing new responsibilities on everyone to ensure the health and safety of our University community,” Yarosh wrote in an email. “This was an experience that took everyone out of their comfort zones. We are excited that for the first time in two years we are beginning the semester in the traditional manner and, while the latest variants of the disease are less virulent, they do seem to be more transmissible, so we are continuing to encourage everyone on campus to maintain health and sanitation protocols.”

Editor’s Note (8/25/22): An earlier version of this article stated that masks are no longer required on University transportation. This was inaccurate, masks are still required on OCCT buses. The article has been updated with the correct information.

The law would prohibit groups of four or more college students from living in the city’s single-family (R1) and two-family residential (R2) zones, with student housing not in multi-unit residential zones (R3) or commercial zones becoming subject to prosecution starting July 1, 2023. By that same date, existing student housing in R3 zones will need to be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission. Many students currently live in R1 and R2 zones, which are comprised of large parts of the West Side.

Kraham said the proposal aims to fix the ambiguities of previous zoning laws.

“You can imagine a scenario that’s difficult to enforce that functional family definition,” Kraham said. “If you have six students who shop together, they eat together, they have the same schedule, it’s very difficult for the city to prove that they aren’t functioning as a family under the current law. The new law makes it clear that four or more unrelated college students does not constitute a family unit, and therefore no matter how they act or function, would not be eligible to live in those single-family zones.”

The law will be brought before Binghamton City Council on Monday, Aug. 1, during their work session. If the law secures sponsorship by four council members — or at least two in the committee in which it is filed — and isn’t expedited, the entire council will vote on whether or not to pass it during their business meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Aviva Friedman, a Binghamton City Council member, said there is a long-standing history of tension between Binghamton residents and student housing developers and landlords — not necessarily students. Friedman said she often hears two concerns from her constituents — being priced out due to rent hikes and dealing with the shifting neighborhood culture created by a “transient” population of student residents.

”I know that [Binghamton University] students are an integral part of our community, and I say this having been a BU student which brought me to Binghamton in the first place,” Friedman said. “But there are certain ways we can coexist and promote student welfare that’s not at the expense of long-term residents who aren’t happy with a lot of the things going on. Those are the two most prominent things I’m considering. I can’t speak for the other council members, but I assume that’s also what’s going on in their mind.”

The zoning proposal would affect areas in the West Side / Sourced from binghamton-ny.gov

Not all are in support of the proposal, however. McKenna Bunnell, BA ‘22, a first-year graduate student pursuing a Masters of Art in teaching adolescence education, has lived in both R2 and R3 zones during her time at BU — as have many other students.

Bunnell expressed concern over how the proposed zoning law may exacerbate rent already inflated by the onset of COVID-19.

“I had difficulty finding an apartment under $550 per bedroom on the Westside this year,” Bunnell wrote. “I did not have this issue when searching for an apartment off-campus two years before. This issue will only worsen if this new law is passed as it will reduce the amount of ‘affordable’ — affordable in comparison to luxury apartments like U Club [Binghamton] and 20 Hawley — apartments. It is important to note that this law would greatly impact students with a lower socioeconomic status. If housing options on the Westside are taken away, I can only imagine how the cost of rent for students might rise.”

Alexander Conti, a Ph.D. student in geology and a New York State licensed realtor who owns five local rental properties, detailed his feelings over the effectiveness of current zoning laws.

“While zoning may contribute, in part, to the rise or fall of the City of Binghamton, it is important to focus on the individuals who live here,” Conti wrote in an email. “While advocating for luxury housing (e.g., 50 Front), ubiquitous student housing, or a downtown restaurant may seem grand, it is important to note Binghamton’s median annual income is $34,487. Focusing on housing for residents who live here long-term (e.g., non-students) should be paramount. While this proposed legislation is a step in the correct direction, I must reiterate the elephant in the room—again, why propose new legislation when the current-standing legislation is unenforced?”

Certain R2 zones with existing student housing will also be converted to R3 zones if the proposal is made into law. Arthur O’Sullivan, a junior double-majoring in biological sciences and classical civilization, lives in one of these areas.

O’Sullivan said he sympathizes with the law and its intentions.

“Unfortunately, students are pricing [neighbors and locals] out of decent houses and apartments, renting from slumlords for exorbitant prices — often paid for by student loans,” O’Sullivan wrote. “In places such as my block, where student housing is the majority, there is very little ‘community’ to speak of, as students almost entirely concern themselves with their friend group at the University, leaving the few locals in the area somewhat isolated. Therefore, I sympathize with this law and what it intends to accomplish, though I’m not sure that it will work out as it’s hoped.”

Kraham explained his belief that the bill will improve the housing market for low-income families and students alike, and said the proposal has significant support among residents in the West Side.

“We want [students] to be able to have the off-street parking that they need, the close amenities, maybe more commercial amenities that they need, businesses that are closer to them that you wouldn’t find in order areas of the city,” Kraham said. “To me, [this law] will only strengthen the student housing neighborhoods and incentivize people who are providing student housing to do so in the walkable neighborhoods that are close to commercial areas and close to downtown that we know students want to live in instead of having a sprawl of student-style housing all across the city which isn’t good for the neighborhoods.”

Editor’s Note (7/29/22): A previous version of this article misstated the number of council members required for the law to proceed to a council vote. The law would need to secure sponsorship from four council members, or at least two in the committee in which it is filed. The article has been corrected with the proper information.

Speaking Center

The Speaking Center, located on the upper level of the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center (C4), can help you polish up and practice your presentations. The Speaking Center provides personalized sessions where you can present for student staff members who provide feedback to improve your speaking skills.

University Tutorial Services

The University offers tutoring services to students for all courses. Seek them out if you need help in a class or want to boost your grade.

Services for Students with Disabilities

If academic accommodations are needed to help you succeed as a student, the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) can help. Located in room 119 of the Binghamton University University Union, SSD allows students to register with them to gain access to meetings with staff and obtain accommodation letters.

Career Resources — A large part of college is preparing yourself for your future career. Connecting with BU’s career resources can be a useful way to start off your college journey and find a support network

Pre-professional Advising

Check out BU’s pre-professional advising offices. BU offers students separate pre-professional advising offices for nursing, pharmacy, medical, law, social work and more. Connect with alumni and schools, start building your application and ask all of your questions to our advisors.

Student-run professional organizations

BU also has student-run professional organizations, like the Thurgood Marshall Pre-Law Society, Charles Drew Minority Pre-Health Society or BU’s Finance Society. Get involved, participate in events and trips and find support in your journey to professional school or your desired career.

Handshake

Handshake lets you see the job and internship opportunities available to students. It can also help with finding an on-campus job or federal work-study. Make an account, upload your resume and start applying as soon as you want.

Mental Health and Spiritual Resources — For many incoming freshmen, this will be their first time away from home. BU offers mental health resources so students can maintain their mental wellness and spiritual resources to keep in touch with their faith.

SEEK

SEEK is BU’s non-emergency helpline. Accessible at 607-777-HELP (4357), it is entirely student-run and open to all callers from 8-11 p.m., provided that classes are in session.

M-HOPE

Gain self-care skills and learn about on- and off-campus resources for your mental health through M-HOPE, a group of peer educators who host several workshops. M-HOPE can be reached at outreach@binghamton.edu.

Binghamton University Interfaith Council

The Binghamton University Interfaith Council hosts many events for its religious students and can connect students with religious organizations on-campus. Check them out on BU’s website.

University Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center (UCC) offers a variety of counseling services to students, some of which include individual counseling, group counseling and same-day urgent counseling. The center is located in room 264 of Old O’Connor Hall and can be reached at (607)-777-2772. More information on scheduling appointments can be found here.

Additional Student Resources — BU offers many resources on campus to help students thrive in their new life at the University. Know how to get in touch with your artsy side, when buses are available and where you can get a good sweat in.

Art Museum

BU’s art museum, located in the Fine Arts Building, features themed collections throughout the year for students to visit. Keep an eye on the B-Line News email blasts to know when new collections are available for viewing.

East Gym

Get into healthy habits with East Gym, BU’s on-campus gym available to all — including those who are not student athletes. The East Gym’s main component is the FitSpace, which offers strength and cardio training equipment to students with membership access. The East Gym also offers all students access to a lap pool, massages, indoor basketball courts and more.

Off Campus College Transport

Off Campus College Transport (OCCT) provides all ID card-carrying students with free bus rides. The buses can be recognized by their blue exterior. Make sure you know the bus schedules so you can best navigate the city of Binghamton at a low cost.

Information Technology Services

Need tech support, a temporary computer or help with your free Microsoft subscription? Visit Information Technology Services (ITS), located in the Technology Hub, or email ITS at helpdesk@binghamton.edu, for assistance with all of your tech-based needs.

Visions Federal Credit Union

Visions Federal Credit Union can help you open a bank account or credit card and give you financial advice with regard to budgeting and investing your money. You can set up an appointment with Visions Federal Credit Union online on B-Engaged or visit them in person at the University Union, near the second floor of the campus bookstore.

Late Nite Binghamton

Late Nite, which offers programming to students in the University Union, offers movies every Friday night and themed events on Saturdays. Movies shown this past year include Dune and Sing 2, while the events included campus organization-sponsored events such as Casino Night and Mardi Gras. All Late Nite events and movies are free to students with their student ID.

Clubs and Organizations

Get involved in one of our many student-run organizations, from cultural organizations to Binghamton’s Cheese Club. You can also check out our registered fraternities and sororities. You can explore and register for clubs through BU’s B-Engaged website. 

Ten people were killed and three were wounded in the shooting, 11 of whom were Black. Investigators said the alleged perpetrator had driven to Buffalo from his home in Conklin, a town in Broome County miles away from Binghamton. After combing through the suspect’s online posts, including messages on Discord claiming that the location was chosen due to the percentage of Black residents within its ZIP code, investigators said the suspect had planned the attack well in advance, according to the New York Times. The gun used in the shooting — an AR-15 style weapon — was legally purchased at a gun store in New York state.

Since the incident, various Binghamton University organizations and departments have shared responses. BU President Harvey Stenger and Vice President Karen Jones released a written statement on Sunday.

“[BU] grieves with the families of the victims and the city of Buffalo following the senseless shooting that killed 10 people and wounded others,” Stenger and Jones wrote. “The spirit of racism, hatred and acts of violence has once again shown its ugliness, destroying the lives of innocent people — targeted simply because of who they are, for what they represent as a people. There is no place in our society for such blatant racism, hatred and violence.”

Four of the victims killed in the attack were employees at the supermarket. Many were well known in their community, including Aaron Salter, 59, a security guard, Katherine Massey, 72, a longtime civil rights activist and Pearl Young, 77, a substitute teacher from a local school district.

The accused perpetrator, Payton Gendron, 18, had referenced the “great replacement theory” as a motive behind the attack in an alleged 180-page manifesto posted online, which also included detailed plans for an intended shooting. The conspiracy theory, a false concept often propagated by white supremacists, alleges that white people are being replaced in a coordinated effort through methods such as immigration. Gendron has since been charged with first-degree murder and plead not guilty.

On Monday, BU’s Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP) released a statement on the incident, describing it as part of a larger framework of identity-based violence. In the statement, I-GMAP called for stronger gun-control, accountability of social media companies that promote radicalization and the confrontation of mass-perpetuated conspiracy theories.

“The particular conspiracy theory that ensnared the perpetrator, so-called replacement theory, argues that a shadowy cadre of liberal political elites uses immigration policies as part of a broader plot to replace white Americans with members of other ethnic and racial groups,” I-GMAP wrote. “While fringe white supremacist sites peddle this theory in blunt terms, a spectrum of Republican politicians and pundits, such as Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, have adopted their own version of replacement theory, tailored for wider consumption and dissemination.”

According to Broome County District Attorney Michael Korchak, the accused was a former student at Susquehanna Valley High School, having graduated in June 2021. The high school had previously contacted New York State Police last year after the student made “disturbing” comments regarding murder-suicide.

Korchak said the student had not made threats against the high school or students, and returned to school following a mental health evaluation at a local hospital.

“From the information provided to this office, the Susquehanna Valley Central School District and the New York State Police followed the procedures and protocols that were in place at that time,” Korchak wrote in a press release. “I am certain that members of the New York State legislature will review the facts and circumstances of this case and propose appropriate changes as necessary, regarding mental health and background checks when purchasing firearms.”

In an alleged social media post by Gendron from Jan. 30, 2022, the suspect claimed he was able to return to school following his mental health evaluation by claiming his murder-suicide plans were a joke, when in reality the comment had detailed what he was “planning to do,” the suspect wrote in the post.

Some BU student organizations shared statements on social media following the shooting, including the Latin American Student Union (LASU). In an email, LASU expressed solidarity with the Black community.

“Our identities and very existence are ruthlessly debated, dehumanized and targeted but we can always find solace within our own communities,” LASU wrote in an email. “We will always fight for our Black community members and practice the acts of love and care that have resiliently survived every attempt to eliminate our voices.”

Locally, the Stakeholders of Broome County, a housing activist group, has organized a candlelight vigil to be held in honor of the victims of the shooting. At the vigil, which is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Peacemaker’s Stage on Court Street, the Stakeholders plan to collect donated items to provide to the affected Buffalo neighborhood.

As the campus community continues to respond to the shooting, Stenger and Jones encouraged the community to work toward promoting change.

“The emotional and psychological toll these incidents have on our communities is profound and members of our communities are silently suffering as they try to cope with these horrific events,” Stenger and Jones wrote. “It is time for us to come together as a nation and a campus to prevent this type of violence from becoming the norm; we must work toward seeing the humanity in each other.”

Several individuals spoke prior to the planting ceremony in a speaker series held in the Fine Arts Building. The series was hosted by BrieAnna Langlie, an assistant professor of anthropology, and Barrett Brenton, a faculty engagement associate in the Center for Civic Engagement, featuring visitors from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Around 100 people attended the event in-person, with others tuning in over Zoom. The “Three Sisters” are bean, squash and corn — all sacred to the Haudenosaunee, whom the event was meant to honor, according to Langlie.

“I really hope the lecture and panel on Wednesday, as well as the ceremonial planting, acknowledges in a formal way those who came before us on this land and the incredible ingenuity of their agricultural system,” Langlie said. “The Three Sisters are a part of their creation story, but more than that, as a scientist I recognize the brilliance of planting them together in biological symbiosis. They were some of the best scientists, the Haudenosaunee.”

Angela Ferguson, a traditional corn grower from the Onondaga Nation Farm and member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan, was the first speaker in the series. She described her life experiences, the meaning of land acknowledgements and retold the creation story of the Three Sisters. Ferguson used a can of Green Giant sweet corn to exemplify the disconnect that has developed between people and food, prompting laughter from the audience.

Sarah Patterson, of the Onondaga Nation Farm and a member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan, showed the audience an ear of grandfather corn — the corn that all corn varieties are derived from that strengthens any corn it’s grown with — during her talk, holding up the can and the cob for everyone to see.

“If it didn’t come out of the earth or it didn’t have a looking, breathing pulse, then don’t put it in your mouth,” Ferguson said. “That’s what an elder told me.”

After the speaker series, the event moved to the Science I courtyard where students and volunteers had already built the garden for the ceremonial planting. The ceremony included an Indigenous Thanksgiving blessing from a Faith Keeper and Fire Keeper of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and a statement from Ferguson acknowledging that it has likely been 200 years since Indigenous seeds were planted in this soil. Langlie also thanked the collaborators who were involved in the event.

BU President Harvey Stenger began the ceremony by welcoming the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

“What we’re doing here today is really something that’s been happening for almost forever,” Stenger said. “And we owe a lot of what we’re going to do today to the nations that lived here long before we came here. The planting of the three sisters — beans, squash [and] corn — is a tradition rooted in not only making sure the Earth is preserved, but also making sure that we are sustaining it, and that we eat and that we live. So it’s a very practical ceremony, as well. I’m proud that [BU] was chosen, selected and encouraged to bring our visitors down today to do this.”

Langlie expressed hope that the event will give momentum to the creation of a Native American and Indigenous Studies program and degree at BU.

“There is a Native American and Indigenous Studies Working Group that has been organized in a sort of grass roots manner by faculty,” Langlie wrote in an email. “We hope to establish a Native American and Indigenous Studies degree and program here on campus. Many of those faculty were in attendance today, and we hope this event inspired students, professors and administrators from across the University to see a program of this sort come to fruition in the future here at [BU].”

Chelsea Brothers, a freshman majoring in English, found the discussion about the connection between people and food interesting.

“They were truly inclusive and informative on the importance of land and that connection,” Brothers said. “I’ve realized I’m not as connected with my food, but they brought everyone in together to understand it better.”

Vincent Gatto, a senior majoring in anthropology who helped build the garden, said he was grateful for the garden and planting ceremony.

“I think it’s about time that our campus acknowledged the Haudenosaunee and I think I speak on behalf of all students that we should be honored and so thankful to have something like this on campus,” Gatto said. “That connection that’s been void for so long is finally back and will hopefully bring more love and what all gardens bring, happiness back to campus.”

New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the Office of Cannabis Management’s (OCM) Seeding Opportunity Initiative on March 10. Through the initiative, “equity-entrepreneur” applicants with previous cannabis-related offenses and experience owning and operating a qualifying business will be eligible to receive conditional adult-use retail dispensary licenses. Qualifying applicants must have a cannabis-related offense from before the passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), or have relatives or dependents with a pre-MRTA cannabis offense in New York state.

The intent of the Seeding Opportunity Initiative is to put these applicants at the “front-end of the adult-use market,” according to Hochul’s announcement. One hundred or more of the first marijuana retail licenses will be granted to those with marijuana convictions, or those with family members who have marijuana convictions.

“New York state is making history, launching a first-of-its-kind approach to the cannabis industry that takes a major step forward in righting the wrongs of the past,” Hochul said in the announcement. “The regulations advanced by the Cannabis Control Board today will prioritize local farmers and entrepreneurs, creating jobs and opportunity for communities that have been left out and left behind.”

Less than a month prior, Hochul had also signed the Conditional Cannabis Cultivation Bill, a related piece of legislation which provided opportunities for hemp farmers to grow cannabis starting in spring 2022, according to Hochul’s announcement. On Thursday, 52 of the new Adult-use Cannabis Conditional Cultivator Licenses were granted, as part of the attempt to provide current hemp farmers with a head start on marijuana farming to meet the new industry’s demand.

Damien Cornwell, owner of Just Breathe., a local cannabis shop in Binghamton, and director of operations for the Broome County Urban League — a nonprofit that assists disadvantaged people in achieving economic self-reliance — along with his fiance, Sarah Hogan, the scheduling and store manager at Just Breathe., said they supported both initiatives.

“I don’t know what Gov. Hochul’s overall intent is, but look, it’s a start,” Hogan said. “It’s a start that’s allowing us to bridge gaps and so we support it.”

Cornwell and Hogan said dispensaries can contribute to their communities in numerous ways, such as through a roundtable they had hosted at Just Breathe. The event had included government and community “movers and shakers” like local business owners and residents, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, Jennifer Lesko, the CEO of the Broome County Urban League and Carly Norton, Hochul’s Southern Tier regional representative.

Cornwell said he had provided support to initiatives similar to Hochul’s in the past.

“I also do a lot of work with the [Broome County] Urban League and I helped write one of the workforce development grants that, in part, dealt with expungement services and helping people get their records concealed that had been formerly incarcerated due to a nonviolent drug charge,” Cornwell said. “And the reason why it tied into the workforce was because we had a hard time getting employment a lot of times for people whose records weren’t concealed.”

The workforce development grant had helped around 23 people get their records concealed and 60 people find jobs, according to Cornwell.

Hogan said that while the Seeding Opportunity Initiative is a start, there is still more to be done.

“If someone from the top who has the power to make this decision can, they should say, ‘Alright, let’s try to level the playing field a little bit,’” Hogan said. “Does it completely level the playing field? No, there’s a million things that we could do to level the playing field, but that’s going to take a lot of time. But with regard to this specific bill, that initiative, I believe it absolutely needs to be there. It aligns with what our vision is.”

A poll conducted in late March by Siena College, however, indicated that the majority of New York state voters, or 54 percent, opposed the initiative, with 33 percent of voters in support. Support for the initiative was largely divided across certain demographic boundaries, with voters who are white, Republican, independent and not from New York City more likely to oppose the initiative, and voters who are Black and Latino strongly in support.

One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said they have sold marijuana before and that it was important to reimburse those with convictions for selling marijuana.

“They did run a business, it was just a personal one without all the official stuff,” the student said. “And I think offering it to them first is a good idea because when you’re convicted of things, it is so hard to find employment. So giving them the power back for something they were convicted of that’s now legal feels obvious. It’s reparations for taking away from their livelihood in the first place, for however long they spent in prison, for something that’s now legal.”

Around 60 people attended Sadik’s talk over Zoom, titled “Developing the Next STEM Leaders in the Age of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” Sadik is the first speaker in this year’s Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equity annual speaker series, the theme being “Rethinking the Future: Lessons from the [COVID-19] Era.” Anne Bailey, co-director of the Tubman Center and professor of history, and Sharon Bryant, associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion for Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, began the event by thanking the organizations involved in this year’s speaker series.

Sadik’s connection to the University extends beyond her visit as a guest speaker, as she spent 22 years of her academic career at BU. Sadik has also been recognized for her research in biosensors and sustainable technology, holds six U.S. patents and has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications, according to Bailey.

Throughout her talk, Sadik utilized the scientific method to examine the question of systemic racism in the scientific workforce, defined diversity, equity and inclusion, discussed how diversity could foster “better science” and discussed possible solutions that go beyond recognizing the problems identified in her investigation. Sadik cited different statistical theories and studies as she walked the audience through her investigation.

“It’s important that we develop this diverse workforce so that we can be competitive and retain our competitiveness,” Sadik said. “We need to nurture these coming generations, we need to set clear and specific goals, we need to follow these guidelines. Not just come up with policies and problems, we need to really not pay just lip service to some of these things.”

John Mancusi, a senior double-majoring in business administration and history, wrote that Sadik’s talk had “struck a chord.”

“My older sister is a BU [alumna] and getting her Ph.D. in cancer biology right now,” Mancusi wrote in an email. “Hearing how some groups are marginalized within the [science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)] community is disheartening, but having talks like this is encouraging. The talk was very interesting and Dr. Sadik had tons of statistics and facts to back up her information. At one point, I believe she said there is only one Black chemistry professor in England, which is a little nuts. Again, talks like this are great because if I ever do dabble in STEM recruiting or hiring, I will be sure to understand the nuances and complexities around [diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)] in STEM.”

Some other problems that surfaced throughout Sadik’s investigation included the inequities in hiring, promotions, publications and research funding. Sadik also discussed DEI solutions in STEM, including in primary education.

Matthew Johnson, an attendee and director of clinical training and professor of psychology, wrote that Sadik made a strong case for the presence of systemic racism in STEM.

“I appreciated the way she presented data and contextualized the data to help us understand the implications of the data,” Johnson wrote in an email. “She described how systemic racism and sexism in STEM has costs for the nation and world.”

Sadik described a particular issue in DEI in STEM by telling the audience an anecdote a female student’s college experience, where the student had felt she was not expected to do well. Afterward, Sadik said it was important to find solutions to such problems.

“We need to be aware because we don’t know who these students are going to be in the future,” Sadik said. “And they could be the ones to save us, or save our family members. Anybody could have some disease that there are no solutions to, and who knows if these people are going to be the ones that discover them.”

When talking about the future, Sadik also said a diverse STEM leadership and workforce will be imperative for future generations’ success.

“According to the latest Census Bureau projections, minorities will account for 56 percent of the U.S. population by 2060,” Sadik said. “This is the projected number of Hispanics, Asians and persons of multiple races. What can we do to harness these important resources? What are we going to do to better utilize the diverse thinking that is resonant in these groups? If we keep excluding them, we’re excluding the next solution. We’re excluding the social well-being. We’re excluding the economic well-being.”

Students and faculty were invited to attend the two remaining talks in the series: “Lessons from the Past and Present: Policing in the Age of COVID” with Leslie Alexander, an associate professor of African and African American studies in Arizona State University, and “Building Anew: Constructing the Future Paradigms of Race and Food” with Henry Obispo, social-entrepreneur and founder of ReBORN FARMS and Born Juice.

Pipe Dream: Why did you apply to be a speaker at this year’s TEDx event?

Elisheva Ezor: “First, I love public speaking, I have for a long time. It’s something I’m really passionate about. I go into this in my speech a little bit, but I have a couple of learning disabilities that impacted my ability to write and read, so speaking was always the way I was best able to communicate. Because I developed a really strong connection with this, I also had this confidence and connection to public speaking because I thought, ‘OK, I can use this voice that I’ve developed,’ because it’s really hard to speak out about things you care about. Also, I’ve always had a dream about giving a TED talk. My brother gave one last year. It was really cool to see him go through the whole process and I was really inspired by that. This is a story I’ve been wanting to tell for a while, I just haven’t found the right place. I thought about it for my college essay but it didn’t fit, and I tried a couple other times, but I didn’t have the right stage to present it, so I wanted a place to tell this story.”

PD: Could you tell me a little bit about what you do at Binghamton University? Does your occupation as a student relate to your TEDx talk?

EE: “It’s funny, the story’s about activism, and while I’ve been on campus, I actually have been involved in a couple of progressive things. I’m [in] a queer club, [Rainbow Pride Union] [and] I’ve been on E-Board. There’s just been things I’m really proud of, and I’ve took a lot of energy and pushing through to actualize. But I didn’t feel comfortable talking about them in the TEDx Talk because I thought this was personal to people who didn’t want their information out and I’m not using this talk to say, ‘Oh my god, I did this thing,’ those things I did because I wanted to do them and I didn’t want to commodify them through a speech. But because of those events through activism through school, it inspired me for this speech. Like the speech ‘farmed,’ because of a lot of my experiences at college. I’ve met some really great people here and I’ve gone to administrators about important conversations that I want to start and initiatives I want to enact, so those experiences have really shaped me as someone who wants to create impactful change. That’s what my speech is about.”

PD: Tell me what your TEDxBinghamtonUniversity talk is about.

EE: “It’s about a revolution that I had in sixth grade against my spelling bee. There were a couple other titles we were thinking of, like “Down with the Spelling Bee,” “This is a Democracy” and stuff like that, but I didn’t want to spoil that part of the talk. So ‘Tales of a 6th Grade Revolutionary’ is kind of a kitschy title for a kitschy story. It’s very cute, but it means a lot. I want it to feel like a book. It feels like a story, like if I was in sixth grade I would read a book called ‘Tales [of] a 6th Grade Revolutionary’ and think, ‘Oh, cool, what’s that?’ So that was where the talk title came from.”

PD: Why do you think it’s important for people to hear your talk?

EE: “That was actually a really big question that I struggled with because I didn’t want to come off as preachy, especially since this [talk] is so much about my personal experience. So I’m kind of viewing it as a performance art of, ‘I am an example of what I’m saying, and I’m proving it through speaking.’ I’m talking about speaking out about issues, overcoming fear and being overwhelmed in my speech. At the same time, I’m giving a speech where I’m feeling scared and putting myself out there to talk about issues. It’s just proof of concept. What the other speakers are talking about is so amazing and so informative, and I recognize that I’m coming from a very juvenile place in terms of, I’m only 20. I’m very grateful for the experiences I’ve had in my life that have shaped me and I love the perspective I’m coming from, but there’s also a lot of recognition in my speech that I have a lot to grow. The importance of listening to it is very much proof of concept and inspiration for other people. Especially for young people in the audience who are the same age as me, to be able to take that same step forward. This talk isn’t for me to be like, ‘Here’s a lesson.’ The lesson is for me.”

PD: How does your talk fit into this year’s theme of “Welcome to Tomorrow?”

EE: “I think a lot of young people can relate to what I’m about to say, but the world right now is so overwhelming. I hear so much where someone says an individual can’t make change or feels that way because the issues are so big. Like war, famine or the environment. These issues are so major. I’ve definitely had that ‘analysis paralysis’ where I’m like, ‘What can I do?’ So my speech is really about that moment, like the pinnacle of being stuck, but still having to move forward because the future, the change we want to bring and the tomorrow we want to bring can only happen if we overcome those feelings. If we look at people who protested for Black Lives Matter, and our protest here for ending Asian hate, everyone who went to those protests spoke up and shared their stories. That is how you bring a tomorrow you want to see. So I really see the foundation — I use language like moving forward, taking a step and movement language — because I think in order to shape what you want, you have to keep moving. If you stay stuck it’s not that you’ll be left in the past, but you’re going to be left in a situation where the future comes and you’re unhappy with it.”

PD: What do you hope the audience takes away from your talk?

EE: “Definitely good things, but I want them to get who I am. I want them to actually see me, but I also want them to see themselves. I don’t want it to be inaccessible. I want my story to be relatable. When I was working on my speech, I was working with one of the directors, Sofia [Fasullo], and there were points where she said, ‘Oh, I related to that one part where you talked about being overwhelmed,’ or, ‘I related when you said I don’t know what to do about the environment’ — things like that. There’s this one line in my talk where I say, ‘When surety disappears you still have to keep moving forward,’ when you don’t know what to do. And that, at least for me, is the message I want to relay the most. I think sometimes when you see activists, they seem so sure of themselves and so passionate, and it’s really inspiring. But even when I appear that way it’s not that I feel that way inside, but that certainty comes from knowing that it’s important to try.”

The search committee for the new provost, co-chaired by Karen Jones, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion and Barry Jones, department chair and professor of economics, began reviewing applications four months ago, with Donald Nieman, the current executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, set to step down from the position at the end of the academic year after 10 years of service.

“I greatly appreciate the work done by the search committee, led by Vice President [for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] Karen Jones and Professor Barry Jones, to find exceptional candidates among a large, national pool of applicants,” Stenger said in a Dateline announcement. “The committee’s work enabled the campus community and me to select [Hall] as our next provost. [Hall’s] experience and leadership positions at renowned institutions are strengths that made him the clear choice. I look forward to working with him to continue our growth and progress as a premier public university.”

Hall has had 30 years of experience in public and private higher education. He will be leaving his current position as the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Dean of Faculty of Arts, Sciences and Engineering (AS&E) at the University of Rochester. As chief academic and financial officer of AS&E, Hall oversaw the second-largest unit on the University of Rochester’s campus.

Hall had previously served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Lehigh University for seven years, and in administrative and professorial roles at public universities, including California State University, Northridge and West Virginia University, for 20 years. Hall said he looks forward to his new role as provost at BU.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining [BU],” Hall wrote in an email. “The students whom I met during my interview on campus were incredibly impressive. I was blown away by their dedication, ambition and social conscience. I can’t wait to get to know more students and hear about their aspirations.”

Some of the responsibilities Hall will have as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost include overseeing recruitment and admissions initiatives, the budgetary process, the BU Art Museum, promoting student success and collaborating with other vice presidents and deans at BU.

In his cover letter and resume for the position, Hall had mentioned a variety of qualifications, including starting diversification efforts at four universities.

“At [California State University, Northridge], I chaired hiring committees that replaced half of the department’s faculty in less than a decade (after a wave of retirements) and largely with members of traditionally underrepresented groups who mirrored the changing demographic of the student population,” Hall wrote. “Such cohort-based hiring led to a strong retention success.”

Hall also highlighted his personal experience with LGBTQ activism at both Lehigh University and University of Rochester, his interest in contributing to BU’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and his success at raising money for student study abroad programs.

As he waits to assume his role on July 1, Hall said he hopes to build upon the objectives set by administration.

“The University has been climbing the ranks dramatically in national and international reputation, and I want to do everything I can to support its goals and those of President Stenger,” Hall wrote in an email. “I have a very deep commitment to social justice issues and campus internationalization. I know the University does too and that is one reason why this was such an exciting opportunity. I’m looking forward to the transition this summer and I’ll be ready to meet as many students, faculty and staff as possible in my first weeks and months on the job. ”

The panel discussion, titled “Women Entrepreneurs in Binghamton Restaurants,” was organized and hosted by Stephanie Malmberg, assistant dean for distance learning and professional development at Broome Community College (BCC), and Maria Montemagno, chairperson and associate professor of the hospitality programs department at BCC. Panelists at the event included Elizabeth Hughes and Marie McKenna, co-owners of the Lost Dog Cafe & Lounge, Ely Rooney, owner of De Colores Cookies y Mas, Eugenie Zynda, co-owner of The Shop and Sara Liu, co-owner of Parlor City Vegan.

The event was intended to bolster the voices of women in the culinary arts and hospitality fields, as a resource for BCC students studying in hospitality programs and as a “counternarrative” following recent allegations against Downtown restaurant owners — with the event serving to demonstrate the possibilities that occur when women lead, according to Malmberg.

Last month, two owners of the Colonial, Yaron Kweller and Jordan Rindgen, had been arrested following a Binghamton Police Department investigation involving allegations of sexual assault.

Malmberg also sought to highlight local businesses that had adapted amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The past two years of [COVID-19] threw our wonderful local establishments curveball after curveball, and with each change in protocol and regulation, the businesses we are featuring rose to meet the evolving challenges,” Malmberg wrote in an email. “They protected the safety of their staff and guests, thought of new and innovative ways to serve our community and helped many of us at home maintain some sense of normalcy, one take-out order at a time.”

At the start of the event, hosts and panelists introduced themselves and their experiences in the restaurant industry. The panelists were asked how their management approaches have been shaped by their past experiences, and many panelists said they were influenced by their start in a male-dominated industry either as waitresses, line cooks or dishwashers.

Rooney, from De Colores Cookies y Mas, said she started out as a 16-year-old waitress and dishwasher in Houston, Texas before moving on to culinary school. Rooney said her experiences drove her to inspire change.

“You’re working in a male-dominated industry,” Rooney said. “Unfortunately, there’s going to be sexual harassment, and you know these are things you’re going to have to face. I’ve helped this change because I took the reins, and I started my own business.”

McKenna said when the Lost Dog Cafe & Lounge opened in 1994, neither herself nor Hughes had much management experience but were excited to “set the tone” in their own restaurant, having witnessed sexual harassment, women being hired based on looks and not skill and women being asked to wear clothes they were uncomfortable with.

McKenna said the restaurant community has changed from when their restaurant first opened when most of the restaurant owners and sales representatives in Binghamton were men.

“I’m not sure they knew what to do with us or how to equitably develop a relationship with us,” McKenna said. “We would often learn about great deals or opportunities from our male restaurateur friends who had strong relationships with their reps because of time spent golfing or dining together. Gradually, over the years, we have noticed more women being hired as reps from our wine, beer and food companies and we are really pleased to see that.”

McKenna listed several other women-owned restaurants that did not attend the event, including 205 Dry, PS Restaurant, Little Venice Restaurant, Cortese Restaurant, Remlik’s Grille & Oyster Bar and Water Street Brewing Co.

Zynda said she believes Binghamton now has a strong women-restaurateur community.

“It’s such a tight-knit community with lots of women and such a supportive environment where everyone knows each other,” Zynda said. “We’re going back and forth between each other’s restaurants all the time.”

Panelists were also asked what they prioritized in management. Liu said because of her background in nonprofit management and higher education, Parlor City Vegan emphasizes transparency.

“We definitely prioritize transparency and try to pay well above the industry average because we want to make sure everyone’s taken care of,” Liu said. “That’s really important for me coming from a nonprofit background.”

After the event, Rooney said De Colores Cookies y Mas tried to be a safe space for students before winter break, when allegations of sexual assault had begun to spread.

“I wanted to provide free coffee or tea to anyone who just wanted to get out of their house and comfort zone or apartment and have that be a place you could go without any obligation to buy something from us,” Rooney said. “As a mother of four kids, it was very important for us to recognize the safety they could feel as they walked through those doors.”

Hughes and McKenna wrote that it was important for Binghamton’s women entrepreneurs in restaurants to get together and discuss the problems women experience in the restaurant industry.

“As hospitality professionals, we believe in recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of everyone we interact with,” Hughes and McKenna wrote in an email. “This applies to our customers, staff and vendors. Our staff, as part of our restaurant culture, has been trained to do the same. So many of the businesses downtown have worked really hard to create dynamic, fun and safe spaces. We truly hope that people realize this and these events don’t cast a shadow over Binghamton.”

To Malmberg, the event provided an outlet for the panelists to motivate and educate those around them during Women’s History Month.

“We hope our students, faculty, staff and community members hear about the experiences of these amazing women, learn about navigating the industry as a woman and understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our talented panel,” Malmberg wrote.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on 3/29/2022 at noon to add quotes from Stephanie Malmberg and adjust information that was mistakenly reported incorrectly. Pipe Dream regrets the errors.

The FWAC, a nonprofit organization specializing in developing and expanding housing in Broome County, has been certified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and funded by the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Neighborhood Preservation Program since 1982. The FWAC has put nearly $30 million into community housing projects, including the $11 million Crandall-North Street Revitalization Project in 2018. FWAC’s newest construction project is located at 95 Walnut St.

Before construction began, the FWAC helped current tenants find temporary, suitable housing at a variety of other locations, according to Jerry Willard, executive director of the FWAC. Willard said the final housing project will cater to lower-income residents in Binghamton.

“It’s low-moderate income housing,” Willard said. “The rents are lower, and the units are only available to people who have lower incomes. Our projects usually end up looking very nice, improving the neighborhood and providing affordable housing. Another one a couple years ago turned out very well — Crandall Street. We assume that this one will end up being equally as nice.”

Willard also said that FWAC has another housing project for Vestal’s senior citizens coming soon.

Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said the housing project is intended to “restore integrity” to Binghamton’s West Side by providing affordable and safe housing up to code, with 23 new affordable homes being introduced to the housing market.

George Homsy, board member for the North of Main, a community organization located at 85 Walnut St., and an associate professor of public administration at BU, wrote that FWAC’s Crandall Street project renovated about a dozen properties into affordable housing for low-income families and single people.

“The FWAC takes care of their properties and the streets they are on, making them feel more comfortable for all residents,” Homsy wrote in an email. “The lawns are mowed, buildings are repaired and trash is picked up.”

The FWAC applies for the majority of its funding through a federal program that provides low-income housing tax credits which, if secured, are sold to private investors, according to Willard. The city of Binghamton is contributing $355,000 in funding for this project, according to Kraham.

Kraham said the FWAC’s construction projects contribute more than new housing to the community.

“The FWAC has a long track record of developing affordable homes in the city of Binghamton,” said Kraham. “From the Front Street Gateway project to the Lincoln Court Apartments, to this project and the [Crandall-North Street] Revitalization Project, these are all positive, impactful initiatives for the neighborhood. Another project moving forward is creating short-term construction jobs and long-term solutions for affordable housing. We can use affordable housing developments to make investments in public safety, infrastructure and affordable housing, which restores integrity to the neighborhood and provides people with safe, quality affordable homes.”

Rachael Warner, ‘18, had interned with the FWAC and wrote the FWAC was one of a few developers in Binghamton who was improving the city’s housing stock without major profit incentives.

“In addition to its role as a developer, FWAC also manages these properties and offers homes to residents of all incomes, provides emergency housing, offers repair services and administers grant programs to homeowners,” Warner wrote. “I think FWAC is an incredible resource for the Binghamton area and will continue to be instrumental in revitalization efforts going forward.”

Karen Barzman, a professor of art history, wrote the FWAC’s projects improving housing conditions have benefited both BU students and Binghamton residents in areas with heavy numbers of both.

“And unlike the new ‘luxury’ options for student housing in Downtown Binghamton and Vestal, this housing on the West Side, north of Main Street, was (and in many cases still is) owned by delinquent landlords with poor management of their properties (with numerous code violations),” Barzman wrote in an email. “Students were living in dilapidated apartments, in horrendous conditions, next door to Binghamton residents forced to live in similar circumstances.”

KT Fitzgerald, a junior majoring in psychology, said Binghamton needs more affordable housing and attributed increasing housing prices to student housing.

“There is ample housing, but none of it is affordable,” Fitzgerald wrote. “People are spending most of their limited funds on rent in a time where the price of existing housing has skyrocketed with no rise in wages. Student housing has exploded and has artificially inflated property values and rent prices, exploiting students and leaving local families with no place to comfortably live.”

Ana Maria Candela, an assistant professor in the sociology department, wrote in the syllabus for her Sociology 100: Social Change: Intro to Sociology course that she would be practicing “progressive stacking,” a practice in which priority is given to marginalized groups, in her classroom. The syllabus stated that when calling on students in discussion, priority would be given to nonwhite students, women and to “shy and quiet” students who do not often raise their hands. The syllabus also said that students who were white, male or “privileged by the racial and gender structures of our society” would often be asked to hold off on questions or comments, in order to give priority to others.

“Our experience with this practice is that within little time, those who feel most privileged to speak begin to take the initiative to hold space for others who feel less comfortable speaking first, while those who tend to be more silenced in our society grow more comfortable speaking,” Candela wrote in the syllabus. “As you can imagine, it has tremendous benefits for our society as a whole when we learn to hold space and listen to others whose voices are typically disregarded and silenced.”

Candela has since removed the section from her syllabus, following a Title IX complaint filed by a student claiming gender discrimination. According to Ryan Yarosh, senior director of media and public relations at BU, this section of the syllabus was found to violate the University policy.

“The Faculty-Staff Handbook outlines principles of effective teaching, which include valuing and encouraging student feedback, encouraging appropriate faculty-student interaction and respecting the diverse talents and learning styles of students,” Yarosh wrote. “The syllabus statement you have brought to our attention clearly violates those principles.”

Donald Nieman, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, said he does not believe Candela intended to exclude students.

“Her intent, I believe, was to ensure that everyone participates,” Nieman wrote. “The way she stated her policy was ill-advised and led to an impression she did not intend. To her credit, she has adjusted her syllabus to more accurately reflect her actual practice.”

Candela said she was not obligated to remove the statement from her syllabus by the University, and was instead asked to put out a statement explaining the progressive stacking policy, which the University could distribute to concerned students and campus community members. Candela said the University has not yet released her statement of clarification.

According to an article by the New York Post, the syllabus was the subject of a Title IX discrimination complaint to BU filed by Sean Harrigan, a student in Candela’s class and a junior majoring in economics.

“It is concerning that a professor at a top public university would think prioritizing based on race and sex was an acceptable thing, even if it is against white males,” Harrigan wrote in an email.

Harrigan said he felt progressive stacking could be counterproductive.

“People do not realize white males have to deal with the opioid crisis, bad literacy rates, smaller number of scholarships, homicide, violence, suicide, job-related deaths, etc.,” Harrigan wrote. “I also come from an Irish family who was discriminated against and not even considered ‘white’ just a few decades ago. Other groups may have to deal with worse, but my point is that everyone has difficulties, some more than others, yes, but this does not mean we should treat each other differently because of how we were born.”

Candela explained her progressive stacking classroom policy, stating that she has used the practice, which originated from the Occupy movement, for years.

“When [progressive stacking] works really well, as I have seen in my classes during the last couple of years, students with greater privilege and power in the classroom learn to self-reflect on the ways in which they tend to hegemonize the conversation and learn to respectfully wait and give others priority,” Candela wrote. “This requires creating the conditions for self-reflection, and that means naming the structures of power at the beginning of the semester and on the syllabus so that when I ask students to hold off, over and over, they start to get it because they make the connection to the forms of power they might embody, frequently whiteness and/or masculinity.”

Candela’s online faculty page has since been removed in order to remove her contact information. According to Candela, hateful and threatening messages are also being received by the sociology department and the Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACAS) department.

Several professors in BU’s sociology department have expressed support for Candela’s practice. William Martin, a professor of sociology, started a petition titled “Promote Inclusive Classrooms–SUNY-Binghamton”] in which he applauded Candela’s addition of progressive stacking.

“Our lives and education take place within and are reproduced by limited choices and experiences,” Martin wrote in the petition. “Many of our students all too often feel marginalized, and discussions are constrained and limited as a result. We should not pretend otherwise. Good teachers encourage students to engage and challenge these inequalities.”

Kelvin Santiago-Valles, a professor of sociology, also expressed dissatisfaction with how BU handled concerns with the syllabus, criticizing the vagueness of some policies in the Faculty-Staff Handbook.

“The wording in the [Faculty-Staff] Handbook is not as clear-cut as [BU] says it is, thus lending itself to the facile interpretation recently issued by the administration in the case of Prof. Candela,” Santiago-Valles wrote in an email. “More to the point, I think [BU] should take more seriously and more consistently the underlying principles of affirmative action as it might apply, by analogy, to Prof. Candela’s syllabus. All Prof. Candela did was translate policies favoring underprivileged groups in the allocation of resources or employment and apply that principle to the classroom setting.”

Gladys Jiménez-Muñoz, an associate professor and chair of the sociology department, also signed the petition and expressed support for Candela’s classroom policies, stating the policy offered a way to deal with social inequalities while students are reading about the same topics.

Students have expressed mixed sentiments on the issue. Elham Taher, a sophomore double-majoring in political science and chemistry who is in Candela’s class, wrote that students should be more open-minded on policies like progressive stacking that emphasize marginalized communities.

“I think it would do some good to some students are complaining about [progressive stacking] to maybe see if they can get their minds around the fact that we are shaped by our environment and experiences, which might explain why growing up as a white male in America, you might feel a sense of entitlement without thinking about whether you truly have any form of protection offered in this society by virtue of the way you were born,” Taher wrote in an email.

Some students in Candela’s class felt the policy would affect their participation grades. One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said they understood frustrations with the policy but support the message it aims to bring.

“Due to oppressive structures in our society, certain groups of people are more likely to feel confident in sharing their ideas in the classroom and it is important to make an effort to ensure that all students are being heard and given a fair chance to speak,” the student wrote. “I still do not think [Candela] should have included that paragraph in her syllabus especially since 20 percent of the class is graded by participation. Understandably this might have stressed out many students worried about getting a good grade in the class.”

Taher stated that in practice, however, Candela called on all students during lectures and had an online discussion platform that allowed for participation outside of the classroom.

“As for the policy itself, I didn’t even notice it in the syllabus but frankly it doesn’t matter,” Taher wrote. “Students can participate in lectures, which only a couple regularly do and so she actually calls on whoever raises their hand. They can participate in discussions and the best part is that they also get to participate in online discussions if they get socially anxious or need more time to reflect on the material.”

In Candela’s written statement, which has not yet been released by the University, she described multiple avenues of participation for students in addition to online discussion boards — including the presence of 20-person weekly discussion sections. Candela said each student that wants to participate in the class is given “ample opportunity” to do so.

Candela said the policy was motivated by inclusion, not exclusion.

“Progressive stacking as a practice aims to allow for greater incorporation of diverse voices and perspectives into the conversation,” an excerpt from the statement reads. “It is not, in any way, intended or used to deny anyone the right to speak on the basis of race, class or gender. Given concerns regarding the wording of the progressive stacking statement on the [Sociology 100: Social Change: Intro to Sociology] syllabus, I have removed it so as to ensure no one feels discriminated against as that is not at all what takes place in the classroom in practice.”

As discussions on the policy continue to take place, Harrigan wrote that he is content with the University’s response.

“My experience has been as expected for a sociology class in 2022, very political and not objective,” Harrigan wrote. “I am very satisfied with how the University handled it considering they did exactly what I asked them to do.”

Jiménez-Muñoz commented on hate emails and harmful comments made about Candela by email and by phone. She expressed her appreciation for Candela as a professor and for her efforts.

“Prof. Candela is one of the most admired faculty in our department for her support to our students, her commitment to their education and the high standards she set in her classroom and her teaching,” Jiménez-Muñoz wrote. “We, as a department, are lucky to have her as a colleague and friend.”

The University now has 320 beds available to students who would like to remain on campus during their quarantine or isolation period, a 150-bed increase from the year prior. The quarantine duration has also changed, now shortened from 10 days to five, in accordance with United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.

David Hubeny, executive director of emergency management, said the University expanded quarantine housing in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases associated with the Omicron variant.

“The University has reserved multiple on-campus and off-campus buildings for [quarantine and isolation] housing but the need to occupy these spaces has remained low,” Hubeny wrote in an email.

Caroline Sandleitner, BU Council student representative and first-year graduate student studying public administration, said the University has also added additional staff to its isolation and quarantine team, though COVID-19 case rates have remained relatively low.

“It is my understanding that the University strengthened their [COVID-19] response following the recent winter break, which is why the semester was pushed out by one week,” Sandleitner wrote in an email. “During this time, they increased isolation housing and prepared to have students move onto campus. In the past few weeks, especially with mandated surveillance testing, the number of students in isolation housing has decreased compared to previous semesters.”

According to both Hubeny and Sandleitner, the College-in-the-Woods Dining Center was able to reopen because of the low demand for quarantine and isolation housing. BU currently has 253 estimated positive cases over a 14-day period as of Feb. 20, according to the SUNY COVID-19 Case Tracker. Although COVID-19 cases remain low, students are still expected to schedule an appointment and report to mandatory surveillance testing during their designated weeks.

Besides an increase in the staff and beds and the shortening the quarantine period from 10 to five days, Hubeny said student accommodations will remain consistent with previous semesters.

“The health and safety of our students continues to be our priority, and students in [quarantine and isolation] housing continue to receive the same level of service and quality of care as they have previously received,” Hubeny wrote.

Julyna Ho, a sophomore majoring in psychology, had isolated on campus last year and said the University’s new, lower isolation period would have improved her experience as she dealt with the effects of isolation.

“It was nice having visitors,” Ho said. “Friends are able to bring you anything you need, like food if you don’t like the dining hall food. Snacks are one of the things I forgot to bring. Besides that, it was really hard to get my work done, especially with how sudden the move was. It was more dreadful during the 10–day quarantine policy because we wouldn’t have any social interaction during that time, so it was hard to get work done.”

If a student tests positive off campus, they must email Safe Housing at safehousing@binghamton.edu, according to the Decker Student Health Services. The email should include their B-Number, cell phone number and the date of their positive test. The COVID-19 Response Team will contact the student via cell phone to discuss their isolation options, during which students should wear masks, stay in their room and monitor their phone.

On Jan. 5, 2022, in her first State of the State Address, Hochul announced her plan to make the SUNY system the best statewide public education system in the nation. This included her designating the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University as flagship universities, and Binghamton University and the University at Albany as nation-leading research and teaching universities.

By declaring University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University as flagship universities, Hochul said she plans to make them world-class research institutions that will rank in the top-20 public universities nationally for research expenditure. To start, each university will receive funding for a new building to house some of their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and engineering programs.

Lupardo and Akshar responded to Hochul’s announcement in a joint letter of concern. Lupardo elaborated on her position in an email, saying the flagship designations will make it harder for BU to secure top students and research funding.

“[University at] Buffalo and Stony Brook [University] may have been selected because they are members of the Association of American Universities,” Lupardo wrote. “Regardless, all four University Centers are widely respected R1 research universities. BU consistently receives the highest rankings of any SUNY school, has the highest graduation rate and largest growth of enrollment of the four centers. In response to this proposal, I sent a letter with Sen. Akshar to Gov. Hochul outlining our concerns with the ‘flagship’ proposal. We would support creating four flagships or none at all.”

Akshar said he agreed with Lupardo, writing in an email that he believes the flagship proposal only makes sense if all four universities — University at Buffalo, BU, University at Albany and Stony Brook University — are designated flagships.

Ryan Yarosh, senior director of media and public relations, said BU will continue to strengthen its programs, regardless of the proposal.

“[BU] is proud of its reputation and its accomplishments,” Yarosh wrote in an email. “We also recognize the significant contributions of all of the SUNY Centers. While we understand the desire to name a flagship, we will continue to provide a quality higher education experience and maintain our premier reputation regardless of what transpires with this discussion. We look forward to working with the Governor and all of the SUNY campuses to strengthen the entire SUNY system and maintain its reputation as one of the country’s largest and finest higher education systems.”

Valerie Imbruce, director of BU’s External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center, described the accomplishments of BU’s research programs, cited by Lupardo and Akshar.

“A strength of [BU] is how we unite our research enterprise with educational opportunities, which is an approach that aligns well with Gov. Hochul’s overall vision for SUNY and should be part of any strategy moving forward,” Imbruce wrote in an email. “[BU] graduates go on to excellent post-baccalaureate opportunities in graduate school and in the workforce and win competitive research awards through highly regarded sponsors such as Fulbright, [the Goldwater Foundation] and the National Science Foundation.”

Maya Cowan, a doctoral candidate in the anthropology department, wrote that the proposal should include the recognition of all schools.

“If we are introducing that designation into the SUNY system to only [University at Buffalo] and Stony Brook [University], it stands to reason that potential students could be making assumptions about us based on an arbitrary classification system,” Cowan wrote. “Lupardo and Ashkar’s proposal makes a lot of sense. I don’t see why SUNY can’t formally recognize its top research institutions without leaving out two outstanding schools.”

Brendan Szendrõ, a doctoral candidate in the political science department, wrote that Hochul’s decision may affect the perception of certain communities in government.

“Gov. Hochul has clearly tried to make her mark and differentiate herself from her predecessor, for better or for worse,” Szendrõ wrote in an email. “In theory, designating Stony Brook [University] and [University at Buffalo] as flagships is a way of recognizing both downstate and upstate as integral parts of state politics — after all, they’re at opposite ends of the state. This is something that her predecessor faced a lot of criticism for — neglecting upstate New York. The problem is that it feeds into a broader trend of neglect for most of the smaller upstate communities, like [BU].”

While Vanessa Jaeger, the assistant director of the External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center, helped organize the roundtable, Jaeger wrote in an email that the event was largely organized by Shermont Bradwell, a senior majoring in psychology, who acts as the undergraduate research ambassador for the External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center.

Panelists included Nathan Klembara, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate studying queer theory in archaeology, Lynn Schmitt, an adjunct lecturer of chemistry and postdoctoral researcher, Sean Massey, a researcher and associate professor of women, gender and sexuality studies and Leora Wasserman, a junior double-majoring in psychology and English who is an undergraduate researcher for the Human Sexualities Lab.

The event kicked off with Bradwell introducing the panelists. Bradwell asked a variety of questions to the panelists, leaving time for audience questions at the end. Panelists were given the opportunity to discuss their lives and professional experiences as people of the queer community.

Massey told attendees about his time during the AIDS epidemic in New York City, where he began his education in psychology.

“Eventually I found my way to Hunter College, New York City, during bad times during the AIDS epidemic,” Massey said. “I was very much a part of the AIDS movement as a volunteer and researcher.”

Schmitt discussed their experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and chemistry.

“As far as I know, I’m the only queer person out in the chemistry department,” Schmitt said. “For some of my students, I might be the only queer chemist they know, and I want to be there for them as an example of a successful queer chemist who has their Ph.D.”

Schmitt also described their experience with misgendering in the workplace.

“I started paying attention and noticing how I would get misgendered,” Schmitt said. “It seems little at first, happens once, happens twice. And then it comes to the point where … you’ve told several people once or twice, and you have six people refer to you as ‘she.’ It feels piddling, and I came to see why some people would leave.”

Klembara said one of their mentors and a leading researcher in the queer archaeology field was denied tenure because their research “wasn’t rigorous enough,” according to their tenure committee. Klembara went on to say this individual switched to the private research sector.

When asked about how the University handles queer research, the panelists had some recommendations.

“We have a lot of work to do before students get here,” Massey said. “Comprehensive sex education is still lacking pretty much everywhere. Thinking of the professional schools on campus, we’re training the social workers and teachers and so forth that are going out into the world and having an effect, and the people they are interacting with are coming here.”

Massey advocated for a more comprehensive sex education, whether through the University or lower education.

Wasserman, who works as a tour guide for the University, said BU could do more for its students before they arrive on campus.

“The University seems to be kind of dismissive of sex education,” Wasserman said. “We just this year started doing names and pronouns when you introduce yourself to your [tour] group, and for what we include in the tours, the diversity thing is a three-line throwaway — the [Multicultural Resource Center (MRC)] and our actual statistics, and I think that goes back to what can we do before people come to campus. There are queer students here, we’re not just a number, we’re not just the Q Center. Sex education and queer education are so important to individual identities, and the way our University handles them definitely has an impact on our students.”

Klembara said that the University has become too loose in its academic requirements and can do more in its curriculum for queer and sex education.

“A stricter liberal arts curriculum across the board would force students to confront things they’re uncomfortable with or challenge them,” Klembara said.

While optimistic about the event’s discussion, Bradwell hopes future panels will be more diverse.

“We have differences in terms of age and [generations], we have a graduate student and an undergraduate student, we have a panelist well into their tenure and one just starting off,” Bradwell said. “I wish we had some more Latinx or Black panelists, so we could talk about intersectionality. These panelists might not want to do that because they don’t have that experience.”

At the end of the event, Briana Lopez-Patino, a sophomore majoring in philosophy, said that events like this “LGBTQIA+ Research Roundtable” are necessary, so undergraduate students can have important conversations.

“I think these discussions are necessary especially at the undergraduate level, because it creates a comfortable environment for people to ask questions and meet researchers established in their fields,” Lopez-Patino said.

At the conclusion of the “LGBTQIA+ Research Roundtable,” Bradwell asked panelists what people who identify as allies can do for the queer community.

Massey provided advice that the entire panel agreed on.

“Know what the word means,” Massey said. “Don’t just do it when we can see you. Be an ally when we can’t.”

BU Community Schools is part of a larger national program known as the Coalition for Community Schools, run by the Institute for Educational Leadership. BU Community Schools supports the disadvantaged youth, families and neighborhoods of community schools outside the classroom by providing community resources and services.

The funding will be used to provide support to counties in New York state. The counties that will receive assistance from BU Community Schools were selected based on county COVID-19 infection rates and the percentage of students experiencing economic disadvantage, according to BingUNews. The organization received $2.5 million this past April for the same purpose.

Tara Edmunds, the community school coordinator of BU Community Schools, wrote in an email that BU received the funding because of its strong relationships with communities and schools across the state.

“[BU] will facilitate partnerships in the following counties in [New York state]: Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Schenectady, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester,” Edmunds wrote.

According to Edmunds, the NYSED gave BU and Fordham University funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) through their Community Schools Technical Assistance Centers to launch the New York State Cares for Communities (NYSCFC) initiative.

Edmunds said that through NYSCFC, BU Community Schools will partner with school districts and community-based and faith-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status that serves youth and families to provide services to the communities listed. The resources and services from the funding will target four program areas — social-emotional learning and mental health services, academic enrichment, digital literacy for students and families and family services.

According to the BUCS website, current and past projects that the partners and faculty of BUCS have done include telemental health services, youth financial literacy focus groups and a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program. The NYSED Central/Western Region Community Schools Technical Assistance Center offers a variety of similar services as BU Community Schools coordinated on a larger scale.

Edmunds wrote that BU Community Schools has been actively assisting communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Across the colleges of [BU] and despite being in the midst of a pandemic, BU Community Schools interns and volunteers were able to serve 229 students and 9,255 hours, impacting 3,108 youth throughout the 2020-2021 academic school year,” Edmunds wrote. “This was done by providing academic and social emotional support, tutoring, homework help, pen pal initiatives and many more!”

Olivia Saccamano, a junior majoring in biology, has volunteered with kids from Binghamton’s local school districts through the MentorNOW program.

“[The BU Community Schools] program [BU] has is a good thing,” Saccamano said. “I feel that many have focused on how [COVID-19] affected adults and the workforce over children’s needs. Many children have been expected to step up with the pandemic. Older siblings have been expected to take on traditional parenting roles and look after their younger siblings so their parents can work. These expectations can work against these older siblings as they are already struggling with the switch to online school. Having funding to help relieve stress will not only help adults but our youths as well.”

According to Edmunds, there are intern and volunteer opportunities available with both the NYSCFC and BU Community Schools initiatives. These include data collection, marketing and grant management. Students interested in getting involved can contact the Center for Civic Engagement.