According to the New York State (NYS) Flu Tracker, as of the week of Nov. 20, 231 total cases of influenza type A have been confirmed in Broome County, a 76 percent increase from the week of Nov. 13. There have been 27,171 total confirmed cases in New York state, compared to only 1,137 cases at the same time last year.

Chelsea Reome-Nedlik, a public health educator for the Broome County Health Department, encouraged students to receive their flu shots, as large numbers of flu-related hospitalizations can overwhelm hospitals’ ability to care for other health issues.

“It’s not too late to get a flu shot if you haven’t already,” Reome-Nedlik wrote in an email. “This season is off to an early and strong start — and a flu shot is your best defense against the flu. Additionally, stay home if you’re feeling sick, avoid contact with sick people, wash your hands and consider masking in public if you’re living in or visiting an area with a lot of flu cases.”

The Decker Student Health Services Center’s (DSHSC) Flu Clinic website states that influenza is thought to be contracted through exposure to respiratory droplets from those who have it. The center encourages students and staff to reduce their risk of spreading or catching the flu by getting the flu shot, washing their hands regularly, avoiding close proximity to people who are sick, covering their mouth when coughing or sneezing and disinfecting surfaces that are touched often.

Some students believe university conditions make avoiding illnesses such as the flu difficult. Jun Na Peng, a senior majoring in psychology, described how although she managed to avoid illness throughout middle school and high school, upon arriving on-campus she has contracted an illness at least once every semester.

“I think the nature of living with other students who are told to quarantine in their dorms — given that they test negative [for COVID-19] — [makes] their roommates much more susceptible to catching whatever illness [they’ve] got,” Peng said. “And — last thing — being in 400-plus people psychology lectures, where people are constantly coughing and spreading germs around to literally hundreds of other people, doesn’t help the situation either.”

Those who are feeling sick or have the flu are encouraged to isolate, only leaving home for medical attention, until their temperature has dropped below 100 degrees for 24 hours, according to the DSHSC Flu Clinic website. Students experiencing flu-like symptoms can make an appointment for a check-up with the DSHSC through the student health patient portal.

Andy Getzow, a sophomore majoring in computer science, said that although he has not personally seen much sickness on campus, he still believes taking preventative measures against the flu is important.

“I always try to get a flu vaccine — it’s free at the school or apparently you can get it at the same time as the [COVID-19] vaccine at like CVS,” Getzow said. “There’s no personal reason for me not to get the flu vaccine. I also had the flu once and it was really really bad. I was out for like a full month, it’s probably the most sick I’ve ever been.”

Students are able to sign up for a free flu vaccination through DSHSC, accessible through the student health patient portal. Faculty, staff and community members can also use the VaccineFinder tool on Vaccines.gov to find and book appointments to receive the flu vaccination in places such as CVS and Walgreens in Broome County.

Kerry McBrearty, a medical secretary with United Health Service (UHS), encouraged students to be aware of sickness in their environment and, accordingly, make the appropriate medical choices.

“We all need to take responsibility for educating ourselves and consult our doctors on the options available to us,” McBrearty said. “If we all start to take steps to protect ourselves we’ll protect each other as well.”

BU’s Public Archaeology Facility (PAF) has recently been awarded a $71,630 grant from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) to continue searching for Fort Bull, the unknown site of a battle in the French and Indian War. The search will resume in the summer of 2023 with the help of military veterans and youth from the Oneida Indian Nation, whose homeland is part of the excavation site.

Laurie Miroff, director of the PAF, said locating the site is important because of how vital it was to the development of its surrounding areas in New York state.

“Locally, the site is a key part of the history of the Oneida Carry and the development of the City of Rome,” Miroff wrote in an email. “The battlefield has been part of local memorialization and preservation efforts since the mid-19th century. Today, the battlefield continues to be the focus of an active preservation initiative. From an Indigenous perspective, the battlefield falls within the cultural and historic territory of the Oneida Indian Nation.”

The expedition to find Fort Bull began in 2018, when the PAF was awarded a Preservation Planning Grant by the ABPP to further define the military landscape associated with the battle. Since then, archaeologists from the PAF have recovered several battle-related objects, and timber from a structure that was thought to be at the site. BU was selected from among a field of 42 applicants this year to receive another Preservation Planning Grant from the ABPP to continue the search.

Philip Bailey, a historian and grants management specialist with the ABPP, wrote in an email that the project design was completed independently by BU’s PAF, and that the grant will offer resources for them to execute it.

“Preservation Planning Grants support planning, interpreting and preserving battlefields and sites associated with armed conflicts by providing financial assistance,” Bailey wrote in an email. “These grants are funded by direct appropriation and administered by the National Park Service through National Park Service’s ABPP.”

Fort Bull was originally one of two forts the British built in 1755 as a defense for the Oneida Carrying Place — a boat portage between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek. It was assumed to be a strategic site because it offered the British a direct supply line to both Albany and Oswego, but was destroyed in 1756 when French soldiers and Haudenosaunee warriors attacked. A powder magazine caught fire and exploded, leaving the exact location of the fort unknown. Historians have long debated on whether or not the location of Fort Bull is found directly under Fort Wood Creek, the site that replaced it after its destruction, or if it is somewhere else in the area.

Brian Grills, the senior project director at the PAF, emphasized that PAF is looking forward to working with the Oneida Indian Nation on the project, because it will help with future interpretation and understanding of the site.

“We are excited to be working with Oneida Indian Nation youth and adults for this grant, building relationships with the Oneida and providing an opportunity for youth and adults to experience the discovery of the region’s history firsthand,” Grills wrote in an email. “Working with the Oneida Nation will ensure that Indigenous knowledge of the site, located within their ancestral homelands, and the conflict’s impact on their community will be integrated into preservation planning.”

In order to investigate without damaging the environment, the PAF has made use of ground-penetrating radars and aerial drone technology.

Arthur Simmons, executive director of the Rome Historical Society, which oversees the land where the excavations will be taking place, wrote in an email that he hopes to locate the area as soon as possible to pursue its long-term preservation.

“Today, the fort is threatened by relic hunters and developers who seek to exploit it without hesitation,” Simmons wrote in an email. “The site must continue to be responsibly researched and protected for future generations.”

Several students expressed an interest in the project.

Thomas Holland, a junior majoring in history, hopes that finding Fort Bull will help deepen the connection of local communities to their history.

“In addition to benefiting historical societies, I would hope groups like veterans and Indigenous people, especially the Oneida Nation, whose traditional homeland includes the area of the battlefield, benefit as well,” Holland said.

Paige Bagley, a sophomore majoring in English, also discussed the expedition’s relation to Indigenous communities, expressing hope that the PAF will be able to locate Fort Bull for the benefit of these communities.

“I hope that it reinforces the bond that the Indigenous people who lived here have with the community,” Bagley said. “A lot of Indigenous land has been gentrified by so many communities and it would be nice to give back to them by providing closure on this battle site.”

The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps Hub: Interior Northeast Region (IN I-Corps) aims to provide students with the skills to bring new research and technology to business markets. Led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Cornell University, the IN I-Corps is planned to launch in January of 2023, and will offer BU students funding, training and a network of connections to help with the creation of new research and business endeavors.

BU’s partnership with NSF started in 2017, when it was offered a $500,000 grant to found the Innovation Binghamton I-Corps Site at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator. Olga Petrova, director of the Innovation Binghamton I-Corps site and assistant director of entrepreneurship and innovation partnerships at BU, wrote that the I-Corps site has been beneficial for BU students and faculty due to the tools it provides them with to move into entrepreneurship.

“Since 2017, the Innovation Binghamton I-Corps Site program has been helping BU students and faculty learn about the basics of entrepreneurship, explore the commercialization potential of their ideas and inventions, establish and grow new startup companies and connect with experienced entrepreneurs and business mentors,” Petrova wrote in an email. “In addition, the program has been providing funding to select teams (up to $3,000) for their entrepreneurial pursuits, and supporting them in applying to the national-level NSF I-Corps Teams program, which comes with a $50,000 grant.”

The site has held over 25 entrepreneurship training courses and trained over 220 teams across 16 universities, including 46 startups. Due to these results and their previous partnership, the NSF invited BU to become a founding partner of the IN I-Corps.

Erwin Gianchandani, the NSF assistant director for technology, innovation and partnerships, wrote in a statement that he hopes the new regional I-Corps hubs will expand the national growth of the NSF.

“I am delighted the I-Corps Hubs that we are awarding today will expand the footprint of the National Innovation Network, harnessing the innovation potential that exists all across the country by establishing clear pathways for researchers to engage with NSF’s Lab-to-Market Platform,” Gianchandani wrote. “Each regional I-Corps Hub provides training essential in entrepreneurship and customer discovery, leading to new products, startups and jobs. In this way, the I-Corps program will open up new economic opportunities throughout the United States.”

William Kim, a freshman majoring in business administration, said the hub may provide some economic stimulation for less densely populated areas.

“The hub seems like a very interesting and unique way to spur economic growth to rural areas,” Kim said. “It is definitely a strong move that empowers underrepresented groups to perform research.”

According to Petrova, the IN I-Corps will aim to expand all the services currently offered by the Binghamton I-Corps hub. IN I-Corps will implement inclusive education models and workforce preparation, designed for and by individuals in rural areas and small cities such as Binghamton.

Kelly Monterroso, communications specialist for the NSF, wrote that I-Corps Hubs can accelerate the translation of discoveries into solutions for societal issues by training researchers to be in touch with consumer needs.

“The I-Corps curriculum is not about how to write a research paper, business plan or NSF proposal,” Monterroso wrote in an email. “The result is not a publication or a presentation of slides. Instead, I-Corps participants receive direct, hands-on experience in customer discovery — a key step in the entrepreneurial process that involves talking to potential customers, partners and other industry stakeholders. The interview results allow the team to evaluate the commercial potential of their innovation for translation into a successful product and/or service.”

Victoria Kapusta, a junior majoring in business administration, expressed that she is looking forward to seeing how the IN I-Corps supports students with less access to research and business resources.

“The [NSF] Hub seems to demonstrate a great opportunity to provide the resources in order for students to cultivate their scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit,” Kapusta said. “I am looking forward to hearing about how the [NSF] Hub expands its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion through providing talent development to more minority groups.”

Lea Webb, the Democratic candidate for the 52nd district, was featured in a meet and greet held by BU’s College Democrats. The event was held in Lecture Hall 7, and students were invited to ask Webb questions in an open Q&A format.

Webb currently serves as a diversity education coordinator at BU’s division of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Webb began by discussing her start in politics at the age of 15, when she volunteered as a community organizer and worked on issues such as health care reform, affordable housing and racial and social justice. She explained her initial hesitation in running for office, primarily because of her status as a female minority candidate.

“What often impacts diverse candidates running for office are financial barriers and questions of electability,” Webb wrote in an email. “There is research that demonstrates that, although women make up the majority of the population, we are still underrepresented in elected office at every level. You have to raise significant funds in order to run for office, [and] in addition deal with implicit bias that often drives perceptions around ‘electability’. It is my hope that, with my campaign, that it will encourage other community leaders to not only run for office but also become more involved with government.”

Webb said the continued support of Binghamton community leaders is what eventually convinced her to run in the election. In 2007, Webb became the first African-American and youngest person ever to be elected to the Binghamton City Council. Since then, Webb has led initiatives to ban fracking in the City of Binghamton, worked with nonprofit organizations to establish more housing and supported the passage of the New York Health Act, among other efforts.

One frequent query at the Q&A session was how Webb planned to engage with the Binghamton community and encourage them to vote for progressive issues. Webb explained that having conversations with people, and meeting them where they are, is what can gain support in working toward solutions that help everyone.

“When you see such efforts from people in certain positions of power to repeal and push back rights, they are hoping you stay home,” Webb said. “They are hoping you feel apathetic and powerless in your situation — but you’re not.”

Policies that Webb planned to enact also came up, and how they would affect BU students. Many students expressed concern regarding access to health care, housing and work in the Binghamton area.

Webb explained that many of the policies she prioritizes have the ability to directly impact the welfare of students, such as affordability, job access and environmental justice. She also stated that New York state needs to strengthen its protections for reproductive rights. In addition, Webb said that while reproductive health care is an essential health care service for all, it is an issue that especially impacts marginalized communities.

According to the New York Civil Liberties Union, the New York state constitution currently only protects an individual from religious and racial discrimination. The New York State Equality Amendment aims to prevent any discrimination on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, age, national origin, pregnancy and sex. The amendment would also prevent any government involvement in an individual’s reproductive health care autonomy.

Students that attended the meeting expressed agreement with the positions and stances Webb took on many issues. Nadia Nabeel, a freshman double-majoring in economics and philosophy, politics and law, said she particularly agreed with Webb’s stances on community engagement.

“I think it is very interesting that she is actually part of the community,” Nabeel said. “And that she grew up here so she has an invested stake in what happens here.”

When Webb was a health care organizer at Citizen Action, she successfully gained support for the Affordable Care Act, expanded health care insurance. In addition, Webb played a large role in passing equal pay legislation in Binghamton.

Leo Katzman, a member of BU’s College Democrats and an undeclared sophomore, wanted to hear from Webb to become better informed on his positions. With the upcoming election in November, he said it was necessary for all people to educate themselves on the various candidates.

“When she talked about the relationship between the students and the University, and its economic influence and then the residents of the area when balancing that, that’s especially important,” Katzman said.

Chance Fiorisi, president of BU’s College Democrats and a sophomore majoring in political science, expressed hope that people will be inspired to vote for Webb due to her progressive platform.

“Lea Webb has been an astounding and historical figure in the Binghamton community,” Fiorsi said. “I’m hoping her progressive run will inspire a lot of students to get involved and start to give back to the community. For those who think that voting is nothing, let the last few months be a reminder that voting means literally everything.”

On Aug. 24, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) counted mail-in ballots submitted by workers at the Starbucks on 2540 Vestal Pkwy. In a vote of nine in favor and four against, with two challenged ballots, the workers successfully formed a union, making them the 25th Starbucks store in New York State to unionize and 226th nationally. The process behind the store’s unionization began in May, when workers filed for a union election with the intention to join Starbucks Workers United, a union organizing committee.

Alex Yeager, a former worker and union organizer at the Vestal Starbucks, is a graduate student enrolled in the student affairs and administration program at Binghamton University. Yeager described overstaffing, poor communication and inconsistent hours as some of the reasons that her store pushed for unionization, despite the risks she felt came with it.

“A lot of the things you hear about union-busting are true,” Yeager said. “My hours were getting cut, I was accused of harassment and I was in constant meetings with managers and my district manager in which I was persuaded to stop the union effort and threatened with the loss of my job and benefits. They said I was being selfish and putting everyone in jeopardy when that just isn’t true.”

Yeager has since been discharged from the company for “constructive reasons.”

In support of the Vestal Starbucks workers, a “sip-in” event was held on Sept. 4, organized by the BU chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA). At the event, students and workers gathered to show support for the union effort and collect signatures from customers who supported the movement.

Noelle Dutch, chair of the YDSA and a senior majoring in political science, wrote in an email that she feels, as students who have mostly recently moved to the area, it’s important to show up for workers in the Binghamton community.

“I want fellow students to realize the importance of the working class to the functioning of a society.” Dutch wrote in an email. “Every good or service we consume is put into our hands by our friends, family and neighbors. We can determine the value of our work through organizing, whether you work part-time on campus to pay through college, full-time at Starbucks to provide for your family or with a career in the field you enter once you graduate.”

Kayla Blado, the director and press secretary for the NLRB’s Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, stated that 324 unfair labor practice charges have been filed against Starbucks since national union efforts began.

“The NLRB Regional Offices have conducted 295 Starbucks ballot counts,” Blado wrote in an email. “Out of this, 236 have voted for a union, 52 have voted against a union and seven are challenge-determinative. Of the 236, 222 have been certified and the employer must begin bargaining in good faith with the union.”

According to Starbucks Workers United, over 100 workers involved in union activity have been wrongfully fired by Starbucks over the past several months. This includes seven Starbucks workers in Memphis, Tennessee, whose case was successful in the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, when the court reinforced the lower court’s order to rehire them.

On Sept. 1, Heather Sullivan, an employee of two years at the Vestal Starbucks store, was fired by Starbucks for having a pocket knife with her. In a statement from Starbucks Workers United, Sullivan wrote she had already received permission from her manager to carry the item, and that she believes she was fired because of her work with the union.

“I was clearly terminated in retaliation for my role in the union,” Sullivan wrote. “All I was doing was trying to get to and from work safely, and Starbucks used that as an excuse to fire me.”

In response to this incident, a picketing event was held in support of Sullivan and the other wrongfully fired workers on Sept. 10, at the Vestal Starbucks store.

Lora Kaganovsky, treasurer for the YDSA and a senior majoring in graphic design, condemned the actions of Starbucks’ upper management.

“A barista or cashier is no less of a laborer than someone working in a factory or a warehouse,” Kaganovsky wrote in an email. “Corporations know that unions will limit the ways they can abuse their employees and that’s why they work so hard to stop them. I want every student to know that they have the power to organize their workplace and YDSA exists on campus as a resource for them to reach out to about first steps.”

Up to 20 students from each class year raced on the 1.3 mile long “Brain” sidewalk on campus, with the three fastest individual times being recognized in a medal ceremony. The fastest overall class year was also recorded and added to a trophy, which also displays winners from previous years.

Participants lined up to race at 9:00 a.m., starting at a relay three minutes apart from each other. The overall fastest runner was Benjamin Mulvehill, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, who won the event with a time of 07:19.7. The class of 2023 was the overall winner with an average time of 08:43.5.

Jennifer Keegin, associate director for campus activities, said the race initially started in 2020 as a way to hold a socially distanced event for students amid COVID-19.

“I’m actually a really big Tour de France fan, and so that got me thinking of setting up a time trial type of event where people are still able to race and win while not in direct contact with each other,” Keegin said. “I was pleased to do something new [because] I’m always trying to create new campus traditions even if it takes a while to let them grow.”

One of the biggest challenges she faced while organizing the event was attracting participants. Keegin said she felt that the morning time-slot, as well as the event being scheduled for Labor Day weekend, may have been a deterrent for some students.

Lisa Foreman, a junior double-majoring in Russian studies and political science, said the event is fun and most likely safe for racers, but also hopes that more people learn about it next year.

“I don’t think there is enough marketing for this, especially since it’s held fairly early in the semester and new students likely wouldn’t know about it,” Foreman said.

Despite this, Keegin and the participants expressed satisfaction with the event. Thomas Spencer, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering and second place finisher of the race with a time of 07:19.8, wrote in an email that a lot of good competition was present, which made him work hard for his placement.

“Although I came second, I’m happy the person I lost to was Mulvehill because he is a great runner and a fellow member of the running club,” Spencer wrote in an email. “The time between first place and second place was very close, which makes me want to train harder for next year’s Run the Brain.”

According to Keegin, some ideas are currently being developed to diversify next year’s race in order to draw more competitors and potential spectators. One of these ideas is a nighttime event with a glow-in-the-dark theme.

Mulvehill wrote in an email that his previous placements of bronze in the 2020 race and silver in the 2021 race gave him the motivation to compete again this year and go for gold.

“I was shocked and pleased with my time and performance, and was happy to see a good showing by the running club members as well,” Mulvehill wrote. “The event has a history of having Binghamton Running Club members winning, so [I’m] glad to keep that rolling.”

In an Aug. 16 B-Line News Addition, Binghamton University Dining Services (BUDS) announced that all on-campus dining establishments will no longer accept any form of cash payments. BUDS encouraged students to use alternative payment options, such as meal plans, dining gift cards, credit cards and digital payment options such as Apple or Google Pay.

Thomas LaSarso, director of retail operations for Sodexo at BU, explained that there has been an internal debate about switching to a cashless system for the past decade. LaSarso wrote that recent supply chain and staffing issues are what led to the change being implemented now.

“The big driver of going cashless is that cash sales have been on the decline over the last several years,” LaSarso wrote in an email. “Our cash sales are roughly one percent of overall sales volume. Within the Marketplace alone, we would cash out registers over 40 times a day. The amount of time required to issue, balance a cash drawer in the morning, then, at the end of the shift, balance the same cash drawer and make a deposit and reissue the drawer for the evening thus repeating the process required an immense amount of time.”

Keonna Hyacinth, a junior majoring in biology, expressed concern with the nature of the announcement and its potential effects.

“I don’t think the school did a good job at getting this information to students,” Hyacinth said. “I heard of this only by overhearing a conversation from other students.”

LaSarso acknowledged that some students may be concerned that they can no longer purchase items with cash, but said that remedies for this are currently being planned. Four Visions Federal Credit Union ATMS are also available for use on campus. Two are located in the University Union, one near Dunkin’ Donuts and another near the Binghamton University Bookstore. The rest are located near Jazzman’s Cafe in the Library Tower and outside of the Events Center.

Tabitha Spencer, lead at the Appalachian Collegiate Center, agreed with BUDS’ decision to move away from cash payments. Spencer said cash transactions usually occur as a last resort.

“Students don’t typically even pay in cash that frequently here,” Spencer said. “Mostly the only times we’d really ever see anyone pay in cash would be toward the end of the semester when their meal plans were starting to run low.”

Tonique Blair, a junior double-majoring in accounting and mathematics, said the new policy shows BUDS is working to improve, although the communication could be better.

“I think the dining halls are trying to make improvements for this new semester because last year there were many unanswered complaints,” Blair said. “They need to do a better job at communicating to students and showing that they do care. I hope things improve.”

Students can currently exchange their cash for BUDS gift cards at the future Quesara station, and the University is in the process of providing a permanent machine that will exchange cash for a BUDS gift card, according to LaSarso.

Harvey Stenger has served as president of BU since January 2012. Prior to this he held the positions of dean and professor at Leigh University and, later, the University at Buffalo. Stenger’s undergraduate studies were focused on chemical engineering at Cornell University, a discipline he later pursued for his doctoral studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As president, Stenger has placed a large emphasis on increasing the enrollment and academic excellence of students at BU. In order to accomplish this, Stenger has expanded academic and graduate programs, research initiatives and communication between students and faculty. Stenger can be contacted at (607) 777-2131 or at president@binghamton.edu.

Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose

Brian Rose has served as vice president for student affairs at BU since 2008. His job consists of overseeing the division of student affairs as they work with the offices of the president and provost to support student academic growth. Rose and his office conduct ongoing assessments of the programs they launch in an effort to prepare students for their full transition into work after graduating. Rose can be contacted at (607) 777-4788 or at brose@binghamton.edu.

Dean of Students Randall Edouard

Randall Edouard has worked as the dean of students and assistant vice president for student affairs at BU since 2019. Edouard’s stated mission is to provide opportunities on campus that expand the educational resources available for students and their personal growth. This also includes helping students with situations involving sickness, the loss of a loved one and other emergencies. Edouard can be contacted at (607) 777-2804 or at dos@binghamton.edu.

Student Association President Nia Johnson

Nia Johnson, a senior majoring in human development, is the 2022-2023 Student Association (SA) president. Johnson has pledged to address issues on campus in the areas of mental health, sexual assault and cultural competency, and also pledged to help connect students of color to staff and faculty of color. Outside of the SA, Johnson is part of the mentoring committee for the Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program (JUMP Nation), where she works with at-risk inner city youth. Johnson is also a member of the Black Student Union (BSU) and a member of Powerful United Ladies Striving to Elevate (P.U.L.S.E.). Johnson can be contacted at president@binghamtonsa.org.

Medical Director Richard Moose

Richard Moose serves as the medical director at Decker Student Health Services Center. Moose has over 29 years of experience in the medical field and primarily specializes in family and emergency medical practices. Moose graduated from SUNY Upstate Medical University and has previously operated his own private practice. Moose can be contacted at 607-777-2221 or rmoose@binghamton.edu.

Case Management Coordinator Anna Jantz

Anna Jantz has served at the Violence, Abuse and Rape Crisis Center (VARCC) since its establishment in 2021. Currently, she works as the case management coordinator for the center, overseeing patient cases and matching patients with proper resources. Jantz has stated that her goal is to make the VARCC a safe and friendly space that students can come to in times of need or crisis. Jantz can be contacted at 607-777-3302 or ajantz@binghamton.edu.

Assistant Director of the LGBTQ Center Nicholas Martin

Nicholas Martin has served as the assistant director of the Q Center at BU since September 2021. The Q Center aims to serve as a resource for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff at the University. Martin has over seven years of experience with progressive student affairs and aims to promote the holistic development of all students at BU. As assistant director, Martin’s agenda is to move toward establishing the Q Center as a hub for students, staff and faculty to come together. Martin can be contacted at martinn@binghamton.edu.

BU Council Representative Avery Benzaken

Avery Benzaken, a senior majoring in economics, is the 2022-2023 BU Council Representative. Benzaken’s role in the council is to represent both the SA and Graduate Student Organization (GSO), intending to foster a connection between the groups and administration. Benzaken has stated that his primary goal is fostering communication and demonstrating commitment in his position. Previously, he has served as an SA congress representative and treasurer. Benzaken can be contacted at bucrep@binghamton.edu.

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Women’s Student Union (WSU) at BU held their annual Week of Action against sexual and interpersonal violence from April 25 to April 29. Various events were held during the week to raise awareness for survivors and speak out against sexual assault. The “Take Back the Night” rally is an annual event intended to empower survivors that takes inspiration from various rallies of a similar nature that date back as far as the 1970’s. Since then, the Take Back the Night Foundation has become an organized front for establishing and supporting these rallies.

The Take Back the Night Foundation is a global coalition and initiative against sexual and interpersonal violence that supports college campuses in different parts of the world. Founded in 2001 by Katie Koestner, the foundation’s goal is to take action against and end all types of sexual violence. In pursuit of this goal, it has supported over 300 events that have taken place in the years since its inception.

The “Take Back the Night” rally was held on Thursday, April 28 on the Peace Quad. It had three stages, the first being a rally led by E-Board members of the WSU. Following this, the WSU and other students in attendance marched a lap around the Brain, chanting against rape culture and a lack of action to support survivors at BU. Afterward, a “Survivor Speakout” was held in the Undergrounds, where student speakers shared their own experiences with sexual and interpersonal violence.

Isabel Gurwitch, an intern for the WSU and a junior majoring in human development, wrote that events that highlight sexual and interpersonal violence give survivors a safe space and platform to discuss their experiences. Gurwitch said she believes BU does not promote safe or accessible avenues for survivors to seek help or community.

“Rape culture at BU and on much larger scales, creates conditions where it is taboo to discuss sexual violence and abuse,” Gurwitch wrote in an email. “’Take Back the Night’ enables participants to shatter the silence and demystify the narrative about sexual assault.”

“The Line the Spine & Chalking” event held on Monday on the Spine saw various members of the WSU invite students to get involved with speaking out. Students were encouraged to use chalk to write phrases in opposition of rape culture or in support of sexual assault survivors. These phrases included “Fuck rape culture,” “Abolish Greek Life” and “Reminder: you are not alone.”

KT Fitzgerald, the public relations representative for the WSU and a junior double-majoring in psychology and women, gender and sexuality studies, expressed hope that the event is able to send a message that sexual violence should not be tolerated on campus.

“I think that this is a really important event for survivors,” Fitzgerald said. “I hope it reaches them because it’s empowering and affirming to walk out on your campus and see that there’s people out there who support you and believe you and want you to know that you have a safe space and that, most importantly, there are ways to empower yourself as a survivor.”

Others said that the University should be more active in discouraging rape culture on and off-campus. Alex Kersh, a junior majoring in English who attended the rally, said not enough action was being taken to mitigate sexual violence within BU.

“It feels like the campus could be doing a lot more,” Kersh said. “Promoting events like this and acting on reports faster and more efficiently are just some of the ways they could begin to improve.”

Some said that BU has had a history of prioritizing its image as opposed to the health of its students. Lora Kaganovsky, a junior majoring in graphic design, highlighted the recent Title IX complaint filed by a student against sociology professor Ana Maria Candela. The situation received national news coverage and the University promptly acted on the matter and had Candela issue a clarifying statement on her affirmative action policy. Kaganovsky felt that BU didn’t respond to complaints regarding sexual assault as quickly.

“The Title IX complaint made against Professor Candela recently was handled instantly while several sexual assault victims have had to wait until after they’ve graduated to have any action taken,” Kaganovsky said. “I think that’s proof the University cares more about their image and outrage media as opposed to their students that actually need help through the Title IX office.”

Tonique Blair, a sophomore double-majoring in accounting and mathematics, wrote that she hopes BU is able to do more to support the well-being and voices of survivors.

“I hope that survivors get that they are not alone and that they have an army ready to back them up,” Blair wrote in an email. “They need to realize how strong they actually are and the fact that they are using their voices to educate people really makes me admire them.”

The “I’m a Complex Kid!” (ICK!) science fair is an annual event, held by the Binghamton Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), in which children from kindergarten to fifth grade interact with science experiments run by BU student volunteers. The event was held in the Innovative Technologies Complex (ITC) Rotunda on April 24, marking the 15th-annual ICK! fair and the first held in person since 2019.

David Godovich, president of BMES and a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, said the event faced some complications with transitioning back to an in-person format.

“It was definitely a challenge,” Godovich said. “We haven’t had an in-person event for three years and we had to learn everything from scratch, like how to get the reservation for the ITC, how to get the materials for the stations and how to get the word out to kids and their parents.”

Multiple tables were set up with different experiment stations hosted by student volunteers, and kids and parents were able to move freely to each exhibition. At each table, an explanation and interactive demonstration for each experiment was given. Children were encouraged to ask questions about what they observed in each exhibition.

Dhamar Blanco, a senior majoring in biochemistry, operated a station where children were able to observe the difference in longevity between bubbles blown with just soap and water, and bubbles blown with soap, water and corn syrup. Blanco felt that educating kids about the specifics behind the experiments was helpful for their growth.

“I think it’s really important for children to see all areas of science and learn young about what their likes and dislikes are,” Blanco said. “There are many different fields of study they can find out they’re interested in.”

Dimitri Gouvoussis, another attendee and a junior majoring in biomedical engineering, said he believed it is important to help kids better understand various areas of science. Gouvoussis piloted a station that showed kids how differences in dye and oil density and chemical properties cause a firework-like effect when put in water.

“I got involved with the event really to help get more kids involved in these fields,” Gouvoussis said. “I’m hoping the kids come away from this with an interest in science.”

Clara Zook, a freshman majoring in biology, ran a station that demonstrated how the weight of stringed beads when layered in a cup can be used to propel the beads out of the cup. When pulled, a linked bead balanced on the edge of a cup will shoot up in an arc, causing an “anti-gravity-like” effect. Zook said she enjoyed her time working with the kids, and felt she was making a difference.

“I’ve always loved volunteering and science, that’s why I’m here today,” Zook said. “I think the kids really like it a lot too, although one little boy tried to drag me and the beads away with him.”

Some members of BMES, like Joseph Heinle, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering, said the event helped to bridge the gap between students at various levels of education.

“This is a great way to connect to the upperclassmen that are leaving us and the future generations of scientists,” Heinle said. “I want kids to think that science is fun and be nerds like us — try new things and don’t be afraid to have a good time.”

Parents were also encouraged to engage, ask questions and interact with the demonstrations as much as their kids. Jessica Sergent, a parent and resident of Broome County who attended the event with her children, said there were many interesting and enjoyable stations to visit at the fair.

“It’s been fun but messy, but learning is messy and they’ve learned a lot,” Sergent said. “There’s been a lot that I haven’t even known so it’s been enjoyable for both me and my kids.”

Sherrina Abdool, the community outreach coordinator for BMES and a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, said they were initially worried about how the fair would turn out due to all the previous members that had run an in-person event having graduated. However, Abdool said there ended up being a great turnout of engaged attendees.

“I would say the event has been successful,” Abdool said. “It’s really rewarding for the volunteers to see the kids so engaged, they’re so curious, they’re asking so many questions and the parents are so happy to see their kids interested in why things happen the way they do. We’re influencing careers here.”

The New York State Climate Action Council, a 22-member committee, presented its recently created Draft Scoping Plan to the Binghamton community. The draft details ways to transition sectors such as heating, transportation and electricity generation to an energy system that is not reliant on fossil fuels. Some of the plan’s goals are to move toward zero carbon emission electricity, transportation that runs primarily on electrical power and eliminating carbon and methane emissions in various sectors of energy use, such as waste and agriculture. From April 5 to May 11, the Council is hosting a series of hearings to gauge public response to the proposal.

The committee was founded by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, signed into law in July 2019. The Council was tasked with the development of proposals that aim to reduce New York state’s carbon emissions, create job opportunities in clean energy and improve the health of the state’s residents and communities. With the initial draft of the scoping plan completed, the Council plans to incorporate feedback received at these public hearings into a final scoping plan by the end of 2022.

The event started with the introductions of some key board members on the Council and a brief overview of what the Draft Scoping Plan entailed. Four scenarios are proposed by the plan to attempt to address the current climate crisis. Each scenario is built on the foundations of reduction of nonelectric travel, the spread of electrification, mitigation of methane use and a zero-emission power sector being achieved by 2040. The Council then invited those in attendance to express their questions, comments and concerns about the plan.

Anna Purtell, a junior double-majoring in biology and environmental science, said it was urgent to address the impending climate crisis with approaches focused on developing technology for wind and solar power.

“We cannot waste time with false solutions like biofuels and so-called green hydrogen as fuels, as they take more energy to produce than they generate themselves,” Purtell said. “Or those that reinforce the existing fossil fuel infrastructure and contribute to ongoing air pollution such as renewable natural gas and waste incineration. These false solutions are just a facade for maintaining old and broken systems. We cannot afford that, we need sweeping change.”

Mina Hoblitz, the government relations and public policy manager at the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce and a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Administration, questioned how cost-effective the scoping plan would be. Hoblitz felt the stipulations of the plan would be too expensive for business owners, and force them to leave New York state.

“We understand how the cost associated with this plan will impact our businesses,” Hoblitz said. “Therefore, we strongly oppose any proposals that will drive employers out of our community. Our membership is extremely concerned with both your affordability and reliability.”

Others, like Sarah Nickerson, the outreach coordinator at Sustainable Tompkins — a citizen-based group that aims to promote sustainable living and working — felt switching to clean energy would reduce energy-related costs for New York state over the course of the next few decades.

“We need to resist claims regarding any need to keep fossil fuels as backup energy, or that electricity is more costly than gas,” Nickerson said. “As stated by representatives of the Climate Action Council in a recent webinar presented by the League of Women Voters of New York State, inaction by New York state will exceed the costs of the actions proposed in New York state’s climate plan by more than $90 billion.”

Similarly, a research scientist working in an analytical and diagnostics lab at BU said economic concerns are not a sufficient enough reason to stop moving toward renewable energy, and that the health of the planet and community should take precedence.

“I don’t think it makes a lot of sense to invest anymore money in fossil fuels, especially if we’re thinking about things like natural gas and whatever is a sort of bridge on technologies,” the researcher said. “It doesn’t really make sense to waste money on a temporary bridge, when you could just go straight to renewable energies.”

Some, like Mark Petzold, a resident of Tioga Center, felt that their choices regarding the plan were inconsequential if New York state did not enact regulations to reduce the use of fossil fuels and methane in energy-intensive, nonessential industries.

“My emission reduction pales in comparison to the drainage Bitcoin operation that earned 3.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas in 2021,” Petzold said. “The scoping plan mentions cryptocurrencies only once. Why is New York state leadership pandering to a known climate-damaging industry that provides no benefit to an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers? I want leadership that values my choices as a citizen, not the wishes of industry.”

Evan Ostroff, a sophomore majoring in environmental science, wrote that he felt the United States and other energy giants alike prioritize economic efficiency and affordability over the protection of natural systems.

“With the Climate Action Council pushing for 100 percent zero carbon emissions by 2040, there is hope for reversing, or at least slowing, the effects of climate change,” Ostroff wrote in an email. “As with any other environmental issue, policy implementation and action is the ultimate goal of advocacy and change.”

Harm reduction is an approach to patient care meant to reduce the negative consequences of drug use by meeting patients “where they are” in relation to their substance abuse. The Master of Public Health Graduate Student Organization (GSO), in partnership with Real Education About College Health (REACH), the Addiction Center of Broome County, Truth Pharm and Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, hosted a series of harm reduction symposiums in an effort to provide more information and resources regarding harm reduction strategies to BU students.

The symposiums were held in honor of National Public Health Week, which takes place in the first full week of April in an effort to recognize contributions in public health. Three symposiums were held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, in which a representative from the partnered organizations gave presentations about harm reduction. The floor was then opened to students to ask questions and provide thoughts on what was discussed.

Chelsea Ogindo, president of the Master of Public Health GSO, an attendee and graduate student in the Master of Public Health program, wrote that the organization felt holding the symposiums during National Public Health Week would be appropriate because harm reduction places an emphasis on community education and partnership.

“With this event, we are hoping to educate the Binghamton community on the importance of harm reduction as an approach to reducing harm associated with addiction, as well as bringing public health awareness,” Ogindo wrote in an email. “We hope that this event can assist in removing the stigma associated with substance use disorders.”

Dr. Justine Waldman, a presenter at the Monday symposium and chief executive officer (CEO) of REACH Medical, said equity in health care needs to be improved. According to Waldman, data being used regarding people of color and Indigenous populations when developing health care strategies for addiction is often inaccurate. Waldman suggested harm reduction as the most evidence-based practice that can be used for opiate use disorder.

“I think a more data-centric approach that really works on looking at health equity, issues of disparity, all those sorts of things would do a tremendous amount for medicine,” Waldman said. “I think we would be spending much less money if we had that approach, also.”

Waldman’s organization, REACH Medical, aims to help those who have faced adversity in health care environments regardless of their financial status. The organization currently offers services for opioid use disorder, primary and acute care, human immunodeficiency virus or HIV and hepatitis C treatment and more.

Miesha Marzell, associate professor of public health in Decker College and faculty adviser to the Master of Public Health GSO, said she was happy to bring more awareness to the field of public health.

“Harm reduction saves lives, period,” Marzell wrote in an email. “It has been around for decades and for the addiction community it is an approach that is needed.”

Alaina Brown, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience, felt that opioid usage in Broome County is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Brown said she feels these health concerns can be especially prevalent in smaller towns and communities.

“I’m happy that the Master of Public Health [GSO] is trying to spread more information regarding strategies to handle the opioid addiction in Broome County,” Brown said. “Intervention strategies are very important for those who are struggling with an opioid addiction or have a loved one struggling with an opioid addiction.”

Susan Hoskins, a graduate student in the Master of Public Health program, said she attended the event because of all the work her peers and professors had put into its planning. Hoskins felt the symposium had a lot of pertinent information related to the ongoing addiction crisis.

“With the growing drug use and abuse in Broome County, it is crucial to understand the background and what we can do to help keep the community safe,” Hoskins wrote in an email. “With that said, I plan to use this knowledge to shape my future career in public health.”

The SUNY Distinguished Faculty Rank program aims to recognize university faculty and professors that have made significant contributions to the field of education through research, community service endeavors and commitment to their institute’s faculty. The three honored professors join 11 other distinguished faculty in Watson College and a total of 35 current distinguished faculty from Binghamton University.

Krishnaswami Srihari, dean of Watson College and fellow distinguished SUNY professor, believes the three professors raise the bar for the level of academic discourse both in Watson and across campus.

“These are three superb faculty who have achieved international distinction and recognition in their respective domains,” Srihari wrote in an email. “All three faculty are truly world-class academicians. The elevation to distinguished rank is done only after a very thorough and rigorous review, assessment and evaluation of their (respective) academic credentials. This is a very difficult promotion to get, and these three faculty certainly surpassed the expectations associated with this prestigious rank.”

Weiyi Meng, chair of the computer science department and one of the newly appointed distinguished service professors, wrote that much of his work involves managing tasks such as working with Ph.D. students to perform research, preparing lectures and contributing to the professional field through organizing international conferences and reviewing journals.

Meng’s department is also tasked with the preparation and launch of new degree programs, one of which is the Master of Science in Information Systems launching fall 2022. Meng wrote that he was “pleased and excited” to have received the recognition.

“My goal is actually very simple,” Meng wrote in an email. “I would like to contribute to the readiness of my students for a rewarding career, either for a job in industry or for more advanced graduate study.”

Kaiming Ye, chair of the biomedical engineering department and another newly distinguished professor, wrote that his research’s primary focus is advanced biomanufacturing. Ye’s research group has developed multiple different vaccines that combat avian influenza as well as cancer. The group is also one of the first to establish the feasibility of generating functional human islets, or hormone-producing cells, for the treatment of diabetes. Ye wrote that he was honored when he found out he was selected for the promotion.

“[Watson College] is a big family,” Ye wrote in an email. “I felt so lucky to have opportunities to work with so many talented faculty, staff and students. They inspire me every day.”

Mohammad Khasawneh, chair of systems science and industrial engineering and the third new distinguished professor, wrote that his primary goal is to use the concepts of systems engineering that have been invaluable to other disciplines and apply them to the health care field. Khasawneh’s main objective is to make health care reach a higher standard of quality, efficiency and effectiveness all while becoming more equitable. Khasawneh wrote that he was humbled when he learned of his promotion.

“This promotion would truly not have been possible without my incredibly dedicated, talented and loyal students and alumni, of whom I am especially proud,” Khasawneh wrote in an email. “I also get to work with great teams and colleagues — at the department, college and university levels and beyond — which is incredible. It is a team effort, and I am proud to be a member of Team Watson and BU as I accept this award.”

Rafsan Mahmud, an undeclared freshman, said he feels more confident in Watson College after hearing of the promotions.

“Learning that three professors have distinguished themselves as academic leaders has allowed me to be excited for what’s to come in the future,” Mahmud said.

Students in the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences will soon have the option to add a digital and data studies minor to their degree. The coursework for the minor will include an introduction to coding class, a data and society course and a capstone project, in addition to elective courses relevant to students’ coursework.

Nancy Um, a member of the faculty advisory committee for the minor, associate dean for faculty inclusion and an art history professor, said the interdisciplinary program is meant to give Harpur College students — regardless of their major — a common baseline of knowledge that they can bring to an increasingly digital world.

“[The goal of the minor] is to provide a coherent path for Harpur College students to begin to understand computer programming as an important contemporary mode of inquiry, for our students to work with data to understand critically what data is and how it works and how people use it and for our students to understand the internet is a complex issue landscape,” Um said.

Sample capstone projects for a variety of majors, including English, geography and graphic design, are available to view on the minor webpage minor webpage. According to Um, students who are interested in the minor should consider taking Harpur College-Wide 150: Coding in Action or Harpur College-Wide 151: Coding in Action II — the introductory coding courses — this fall.

Andreas Pape, another member of the faculty advisory committee for the minor and associate dean of the graduate school, said data skills are useful in every field.

“Say you were an English major where your primary interest is studying literature, but you also want to know how to pull Twitter data and evaluate it,” Pape said. “Instead of every discipline coming up with different ways to include these technical skills, this minor provides one way.”

Teaching Harpur College students hard skills related to coding and data analysis has been an ongoing venture on campus. Crash courses through Harpur Edge give students the opportunity to earn micro-credentials in Excel, Python, communication and search engine optimization and more.

Hard skills like data analysis and computer technology are in demand in the current job market, according to Indeed. Erin Cody, director of Harpur Edge, predicts the new digital and data studies minor will be successful.

“We look at a crash course as an entry point,” Cody said. “Now, with this minor, students can build it into their curriculum — build it into their plan as students. And I’m so thrilled that not only the academic side of the house and Harpur College sees this as a value, but also our alumni see this as a value, our students see it as a value — so yeah, I think it’s going to be a home run.”

A coding crash course on R, a coding language, set for this weekend has a waitlist of about 50 students, according to Cody. She said this demonstrates demand for these subjects from liberal arts students.

“I know that the minor is going to help us serve more of Harpur College with these skills and also connect them, which I think is exciting,” Cody said.

Chloe Vecchio, a sophomore majoring in art history, said the minor will make Harpur College students less intimidated by classes like coding, which are typically geared toward students in technology-oriented majors.

“The pressure of not understanding or not feeling like [arts students] fit into these courses is now eliminated,” Vecchio said. “It’s more welcoming for these students to experiment into new fields that they never probably would have considered.”

Um said the minor’s curriculum was designed to be compatible with any major, and that the program will allow Harpur College students to pursue the studies they find most interesting.

“[Liberal arts students] don’t have to go into these majors that they are under the impression are ‘more career-driven,’” Um said. “This is going to be an added value to some of the majors that we already offer.”

Students like Harrisen Ip, an undeclared freshman, feel the minor will inspire students to take their majors in different directions.

“I think one of the biggest benefits from this minor is how widely it can be used,” Ip wrote in an email. “Taking this [minor] might allow a student to see opportunities outside of their major, as well as open up pathways to an entirely new profession.”