Hirschi Lab, a BU research facility that uses “state-of-the-art” computational and NMR analysis, has been awarded the Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award, given by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The award is intended to support the lab’s ongoing research, with the ultimate goal being to “enhance scientific productivity.” Victor Nyagilo, a research assistant in in the Hirschi lab and a second-year graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry, said funding from the award will be directed specifically toward training post-doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as keeping the lab supplied with the necessary materials.

Jennifer Hirschi, principal investigator of the Hirschi Lab and an assistant professor of chemistry, primarily researches two main methods of catalyzing a reaction, or the facilitation of the transition from reactants to products — photoredox and biocatalysis. Hirschi, who described herself as a physical organic chemist, explained how photoredox and biocatalysis — processes that have recently “pushed forward” in organic chemistry — are not yet well-understood. Hirschi said her lab’s work is important because these kinds of reactions can produce products that are useful and products that are useless or harmful.

“Selectivity is really important in chemistry, especially in drug design,” Hirschi said. “So, you can imagine you can make a right-handed molecule or a left-handed molecule, and the right-handed molecule does what it’s supposed to, and the left-handed molecule can cause like a side effect, right? You don’t want it around.”

Nyagilo, whose research also investigates photoredox and biocatalysis, further explained how research on reaction mechanisms can improve the use of the reactions in pharmaceutical chemistry.

“In order to achieve [a pure product], then you need to know what’s really happening in a reaction,” Nyagilo said. “Because if you know what’s happening in a reaction, then you can fine-tune or optimize the conditions to target whatever you want to achieve.”

Photoredox involves using light to activate reactants before they transition into products, according to Nyagilo. Hirschi explained that this light makes it possible for many more potential products to be produced from the same reactants.

“You can activate chemicals in a way that really isn’t done traditionally or has been done before,” Hirschi said. “So with blue light, essentially you’re activating bonds that are normally inert to other types of chemistry, that you either need a metal to access or sometimes haven’t been accessed at all.”

Biocatalysis, also known as organocatalysis, is the second reaction currently being studied at Hirschi Lab. Biocatalysts are usually enzymes — catalytic proteins which originate in living organisms, according to the Conduct Science website. As Hirschi described, one aim of this stream of research is to find more environmentally sustainable catalytic materials to be used in pharmaceutical and industrial applications of chemistry. The current standard is heavy metals, such as platinum and palladium, which Hirschi described as being both rare and toxic to the environment.

Nyagilo described how the catalysis methods the Hirschi lab is studying will avoid the same risks of depletion seen in standard heavy metals.

“[Photoredox catalysis] is really important because you’re just using small amounts of catalysts in the reaction, and it turns over, so it doesn’t get completely consumed,” Nyagilo said. “So it gets ‘consumed’ and then gets regenerated.”

Other alternatives to the catalytic heavy metals include more common “earth” metals like nickel and petroleum products, which Hirschi said her lab is also investigating.

Hirschi said she is not planning on significantly changing her lab’s course of research, considering the majority of the funding will go toward maintaining the lab’s regular functions. Nyagilo said the award gives the lab financial stability that will allow its staff to continue to dedicate themselves to the research itself, rather than being consumed by funding concerns.

“If we have resources, then it means that the finding process will also be expedited, right?” Nyagilo said. “Because you have everything at your fingertips. You don’t have to worry, you don’t have to wait.”

During the event, several issues related to housing in the Binghamton Community were discussed. The primary organizer of the event was Binghamton University’s chapter of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). Other co-sponsors included the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta, the Women’s Student Union and the Roosevelt Network, with the latter two organizations having been involved in the first Summit, which took place in 2021.

Raissa Bellucci, NYPIRG’s housing and homelessness campaign leader and a sophomore majoring in classical civilizations, described how the relationship between NYPIRG and the Stakeholders — a housing activist group — was formed. The connection began through the work of both Bellucci and Josh Samuel, president of NYPIRG and a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law.

“Josh and I decided it was important for [BU’S] chapter of NYPIRG to get involved, because a large part of why there are so many issues in Broome County regarding housing is due to [BU] students,” Bellucci wrote in an email. “Since students will pay these high prices, locals get pushed out because they cannot.”

As the event kicked off, seats filled with students, community residents and speakers. Representatives of the Stakeholders and related community organizations described infractions made by “slumlords,” or landlords who demand exorbitant rent prices for poorly maintained properties, as well as the impact the financial disparity between students and local residents has on the housing market. Attending organizations also informed attendees on ways students and community members can be involved in housing activism in Broome County.

Bob Wilson, a member of the Stakeholders and an adjunct lecturer of English, was the evening’s main speaker. Wilson described how the arrival of students, with median household annual incomes $100,000 greater than residents of the local area, has led to an uptick in housing prices around the University.

“By bringing [BU students] here, we end up with [a] higher cost of living,” Wilson said. “We end up with inflated rents because landlords are virtually not regulated at all in this city and they can charge whatever they want. And they price out folks who then have to be living at the mercy of slumlords in places that are uninhabitable because they can’t afford the housing that’s marketed to [the students].”

Rebecca Rathmell, a representative of the Stakeholders, followed Wilson’s speech with information evidencing a substantial increase in homelessness in Broome County over recent years. Rathmell connected these changes to developments within the University which have driven up housing costs, such as the construction of the University Downtown Center in 2007.

Other ongoing projects were also discussed at the Summit, all aimed at alleviating housing concerns and homelessness. Terry Weathers, a representative of Citizen Action of New York, informed listeners about the Street Outreach program, where volunteers are able to directly support homeless individuals by handing out supplies to them. Hajra Aziz, the executive director of the Southern Door Community Land Trust, laid out their organization’s goal of providing “permanently affordable” homes.

Jabari Richardson, Masters of Science ‘22, is the mission impact director of the Young Women’s Christian Association of Binghamton and Broome County. Richardson gave students attending the event advice on participating in activism against increasing local housing costs.

“Talk to your fellow students, but go outside in the community and talk to your teachers, talk to your community members and get involved,” Richardson said. “Understand that you’re not just a temporary resident of this community, you affect its development.”

JP Dillon, a senior majoring in environmental studies, became involved with the Stakeholders through doing research on housing in Broome County. Dillon expressed his desire for students to continue to engage with the issue.

“What I’m hoping other students take away from this event is, although we are brought in without much knowledge or background information about what goes on in the city, kind of overarching,” Dillon said. “I hope that students will take the opportunity to learn about it.”

On Sept. 14, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced a series of financial awards to be given as part of the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition. Nine airports received funding to improve the functionality and appearance of their services, including BGM, which was given a gift of $32 million. The first of two parts to the project will involve combining the general aviation and passenger terminals, installing a new, eco-friendly airport canopy and improving many customer-facing facilities. The second part will involve the construction of a new Customs and Border Protection facility.

Mark Heefner, the commissioner of aviation in Broome County, said the airport mainly serves commercial passengers and engages in general aviation, which includes flight instruction, military flights and medical flights. While describing the future developments made possible by the funding, Heefner emphasized the importance of streamlining the travel process for passengers.

“By opening [the airport] up, that’s one of those things that you’re going to affect that people don’t realize that you’re affecting, as far as customer experience,” Heefner said. “It gives people a sense of a little more control, so to speak.”

Heefner said customers have already reported that the airport is easily navigable, though upcoming changes to the airport will further increase the simplicity of its layout. Heefner described how the new layout will aid customer enjoyment of the flying experience.

“So we’re on top of a mountain, right,” Heefner said. “Why wouldn’t you want to see something really neat like that and watch planes go through? It always brings a smile to my face.”

According to Heefner, $5 million in funding from other sources has brought the total cost of the project to $37 million.

The award is the second of two recent developments at BGM, the first being the incorporation of Avelo Airlines, which will provide flights to Orlando, Florida and Fort Myers, Florida starting in Nov. 2022. The airport was previously only served by Delta Airlines, providing daily service to the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Heefner expressed optimism that these changes are the start of continuing growth at BGM.

“So the thought process behind this is to build for the future,” Heefner said. “So build for Avelo, build for Delta, build for our future airlines as well. The money is going to go somewhere in the state. We want it here.”

Jason Garnar, the Broome County executive, was present at Hochul’s declaration of the award to BGM. Garnar detailed potential opportunities for economic growth as a result of the oncoming developments to the airport.

“In the short term, the work being done at BGM will create a number of important construction and labor jobs,” Garnar wrote in an email. “Looking more long-term, businesses that are interested in moving here really want the convenience and ease of flying directly into where their company is.”

The executive office of the Broome County government oversees many other operations, including travel and other services to the public. Garnar acknowledged that there was some room for improvement at BGM.

“Airports across the country have been making improvements that enhance passengers’ experience, provide new amenities and make flying more convenient and enjoyable,” Garnar wrote. “BGM’s terminal is almost 60 years old, and while some updates have been made over the years, it needs a major overhaul to bring it on par with other airports in New York state and across the country.”

Several students expressed positive sentiment about the renovation plan.

Jacob Singer, a junior majoring in computer science, has been a passenger with Greater Binghamton when commuting home for break. Singer described the operations at BGM as being effective but limited somewhat by their small scale.

“There’s only a handful of people working there, as far as I know,” Singer said. “It diminishes some efficiency because the same person who was checking your bag is also the person who’s loading the bags, and also the same person who stands next to the scanner while you scan your boarding pass.”

Emily Pyatkovskiy, a junior majoring in psychology, said that although she hadn’t flown at BGM in the past, the updates were encouraging.

“I think now knowing that [the airport] brings me to Florida makes me more likely to use it in the future,” Pyatkovskiy said. “I’ve never seen the original, but I’m really happy that this is where Binghamton is investing its money.”

As a condition of accepting the funds, the project will have to be completed within 24 months of the award date, according to Heefner. Heefner expressed confidence in BGM’s ability to meet this timeframe.

“For a $37 million project to be completed in 24 months, this is going to be an absolute[ly] amazing feat, and we’ve got a team that can do it,” Heefner said.

The panel gave students the opportunity to have an open discussion about their campus jobs, as well as the expectations, responsibilities and working environments that come with it, according to the YDSA’s Instagram. Students in attendance took turns sharing their personal experiences working at BU, which included things they enjoy, dislike or wish they could change about their jobs.

One such attendee was John Ferrara, who serves as a tutor for the University’s Tutoring Services (UTS) and the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), and is a sophomore majoring in biology. Ferrara said he applied to be a tutor because it was fulfilling to help people with the same things he once struggled with. He added that he likes that EOP focuses on helping underprivileged students.

Hudson Jakubowicz, also a UTS tutor and a junior majoring in biochemistry, agreed with Ferrara, and said the job has its benefits.

“I like being able to set my own hours and just interacting with the students,” Jakubowicz said. “They make the subject fun, because something like chemistry can be a dry subject. Being able to have some discussion with them just makes the session better. It’s something that keeps me engaged and that I enjoy even though it is technically my job.”

However, Ferrara and Jakubowicz also said they wished they were paid more for their services. Ferrara mentioned that there are times when more people than expected would show up to his tutoring sessions, and that getting paid minimum wage for those uncertainties was like “a slap in the face.”

In search of better pay, Jakubowicz said he has considered becoming a private tutor but decided being associated with the University was more valuable.

“I also like to be affiliated with the University because that means that professors and other people can recommend me to their students,” Jakubowicz said. “Whereas if I was a private tutor then I’d only be able to work with people who have the means to get my services, and that is not something that I would enjoy.”

Jakubowicz added that the University often treats student jobs as educational opportunities, rather than focusing on the reasons students need the jobs in the first place.

“I just think the mentality around it ignores the fact that a lot of these jobs are one of the ways that people are trying to pay one of their biggest expenses, which is being able to attend this college,” Jakubowicz said. “Some recognition that we are taking these jobs to be able to pay for this school is something that would go a long way.”

Additionally, some students expressed a desire to have a say in what gets written into their contracts. Noelle Dutch, chair of the YDSA, an organizer of the event and a senior majoring in political science, added that many job descriptions do not include the fact that supervisors ask more of their employees than what is mentioned on the contract.

“I just wish that we were at the table to make some of these decisions about our own jobs,” Dutch said. “I guess just even getting to be in the room and to come up with a contract that kind of says what part of our role is [enough] because anything our supervisor asks of us is also our role.”

Dutch said it was important to the YDSA to be able to hold events for student workers to talk freely and [to] recognize how important they are to the campus community. The YDSA will be hosting an educational follow-up meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20, to discuss workplace communication and organizing, according to their B-Engaged page.

“A lot of our jobs are fundamental to the functioning of the school,” Dutch said. “Having students building awareness around their jobs is also really important and just being free to express how they feel about their jobs, whether it’s something positive and they absolutely love it or maybe they have complaints they haven’t been able to air before. I think providing a safe space for that is going to be super beneficial to the morale on campus and of student workers.”

Last year’s new student orientation took place entirely over Zoom in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students participated in information sessions, getting-to-know-you games and academic advising from home. This year, most of the University’s orientation experience will remain in the online format. However, students will be given the option to attend New Student Connection Days, a supplemental program which will allow students to explore the BU campus and meet other new students in person. The dates of these New Student Connection Days will be released at a later time.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, orientation took place entirely on campus, with many events tailored both to immersing students with the on-campus experience and informing them about the University’s resources. Molly O’Brien, a sophomore double-majoring in environmental science and psychology, recalled the many activities of her new student orientation in 2019.

“I remember orientation being really chaotic but really informational,” O’Brien wrote. “We would go from sessions about where we would live the next year to academic advising to different sessions [of] 20:1. We also had the opportunity to go to a [Late Nite Binghamton] event in the [University Union] that helped us bond with each other and make new friends.”

O’Brien added that orientation offered her experiences she would have otherwise missed out on.

“I feel like orientation definitely helped mentally prepare me for my freshman year,” O’Brien wrote. “I was really nervous that I would end up embarrassing myself if I didn’t know where the dining halls were or if I didn’t know where a certain building was, but I really got to know the campus at orientation, so I wasn’t as terrified to come to campus that August.”

Alyssa Cohen, program coordinator for new student programs, said the goals of new student orientation remain the same despite COVID-19-related restrictions.

“We want students to learn about the various resources on campus, meet with academic advising to register for their fall classes, start making social connections and building their community and get excited to become a [BU] student,” Cohen wrote in an email. “We try our best to set students up for success by giving them the tools and information they will need in their first semester.“

Students will be able to sign up for one of many orientation sessions between June 16 and July 7, with each section catering to specific schools and programs. Academic advising, social events and updates about University resources will be made available online, including through email and on the myBinghamton dashboard.

According to Marissa Mazzara, an undeclared freshman who participated in the new student orientation in 2020, the virtual format for orientation was not without its limitations.

“To be honest I left the Zoom early because it was basically no help,” Mazzara wrote. “It was just basic things we could look up on the [University] website, and it wasn’t anything special.”

Mazzara also expressed she felt there was too little opportunity to connect with other students, especially in the context of many presentations about the University itself.

“I just wished that it would be more informative for freshmen and not just basic facts,” Mazzara wrote. “It didn’t really prepare me [for the college experience], I just wish it had more of a social aspect like breakout rooms and meeting more people.”

However, Cohen feels this year’s program will be more refined and filled out to best serve incoming students.

“Having completed an entire virtual summer, we have been able to take this year to plan ahead and think intentionally about what students need before starting classes,” Cohen wrote. “We’ve worked hard to fill gaps and provide the same well-rounded orientation experience that we provided in person.”

Research Days, the University’s annual public celebration of scientific and humanities research, made a rapid switch to an online format in April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, more than 300 students will be presenting 145 research projects online via Zoom. The event, which will be taking place from Monday, April 26 to Friday, April 30, offers an array of workshops on various topics, including research, writing and presentation and public speaking.

Rachel Coker, director of the Office of Research Advancement and a member of the organizing committee for Research Days, noted the adaptability of students and faculty to a remote context.

“In a typical year, we’d have a variety of in-person talks, lab tours, poster sessions and workshops planned,” Coker wrote in an email. “I have been impressed by people across campus finding ways to reimagine these programs in light of [COVID-19] safety measures.”

Despite the onset of COVID-19, the research itself at BU has not slowed down. According to Coker, while research-related spending decreased slightly this year, research funding itself for the 2019-2020 year was 23 percent greater than it had been the previous year. Coker added that interest in research remains high at BU.

“The campus reported a 10 percent increase in proposals submitted to external agencies to support faculty research efforts, many of which focus on health sciences related to the pandemic as well as resulting policy, social and economic issues,” Coker wrote.

Molly Battaglia, an undeclared freshman, became involved in research through the Dickinson Research Team (DiRT). Her project, covering the role of gender diversity in the workplace and academic productivity, was completed in collaboration with the faculty of the BU School of Management (SOM). Battaglia said she was hopeful about the impact of her work on workplace inclusivity.

“Gender diversity and equality mean everything to me as a woman pursuing a [science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)] career, and I hope that research like mine can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women, as well as foster greater understanding for all about the importance of diversity,” Battaglia wrote in an email. “The past year’s constant discord is evidence of the need for more conversations like these in the educational environment. Our future depends on what we learn today.”

The University’s research is not limited to STEM pursuits alone, as exemplified in the research conducted by Katie Dullaghan, an undeclared freshman, who found her research topic through the course

History 186A: Immigration and Refugee Settlement, a research stream in The Source Project, BU’s social science research program for first-year students.

“My project is about Latinx immigrants’ access to health care in the United States,” Dullaghan wrote in an email. “I am passionate about this topic because I want to pursue a career in medicine, and it’s important for this research to be pursued because healthcare is a human right.”

Another project, by Johanna Seppala, a sophomore majoring in political science, and Leah Wardlaw, a sophomore majoring in human development, tackles the Chinese government’s subjugation of Uyghur Muslims to “forced sterilization, mass surveillance, cultural genocide and forced labor,” according to the project’s abstract. Wardlaw expressed the gravity of the issue and the importance of this research.

“The Uyghur crisis is a human rights crisis happening right now, and we need more information and research in order to be able to respond or combat the abuses that are occurring,” Wardlaw wrote in an email.

Wardlaw added that despite the long, sometimes fruitless hours of searching for answers, the lessons learned made the difficulties worth it.

“This project has taught me about the process of researching, including all of the highs and the lows, which were incredibly frustrating at times,” Wardlaw wrote. “However, the highs were totally worth the lows, and the products that we will be able to put out into the world will hopefully make a difference, which is incredibly exciting.”

Even for those who are not participating in research, there is much to be gained from attending this week’s events, according to Coker.

“Research Days are a great time for students to learn a bit about their professors’ scholarly work,” Coker wrote. “There’s fascinating research going on in so many areas.”

New York State Vaccination Site

10 Gannett Drive, Johnson City, NY 13790

Phone: State hotline, 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829)

The New York state vaccination site in Johnson City is offering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments can be made online here [https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/]. For their first shot, students should bring photo identification such as a driver’s license, proof of eligibility such as a student ID or work permit and their insurance information or insurance card.

BU is offering a shuttle to this site from the Admissions Center bus stop until Friday, April 23. One can make a reservation for the shuttle here [http://cglink.me/2eQ/r1070224]. Alternatively, the number 17 and 15 Broome County Transit buses can drop students off near the site, though both include a walk to the vaccination center. For more details, see Google Maps or the Broome County Transit site.

Potential side effects of the Pfizer vaccine include tiredness, headache, pain at the injection site, muscle pain, fever, chills and nausea. The Pfizer vaccine is available to all individuals age 16 or older.

Broome County Health Department (BCHD) Vaccination Site

SUNY Broome Community College Ice Center, North College Drive entrance, 907 Front St., Binghamton, NY 13905

Phone: BCHD Immunizations, (607) 778-2839

The county-run vaccination site is offering both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Only a photo ID is required, and appointments can be made online here [https://www.gobroomecounty.com/hd/coronavirus/vaccine]. The number 9 Broome County Transit bus will take students from the University Union to the SUNY Broome Baseball Field, from which it is possible to walk to the vaccination site.

Potential side effects of the Moderna vaccine include pain and swelling at the injection site and fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea, vomiting and fever. The Moderna vaccine is only available to individuals 18 years of age or older.

United Health Services Vestal

4417 Vestal Pkwy E, Vestal, NY 13850

Phone: UHS COVID-19 Vaccine Center, (607) 240-2892

The United Health Services location in Vestal is offering the Moderna vaccine. Appointments can be made online here [http://apps2.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?OpID=B9996975FD7104BCE0530A6C7C166199]. Students need to bring a photo ID, such as a driver’s license and their insurance card. UHS, located on Vestal Parkway, is a 15-minute walk from the University Union. Alternatively, students can take the number 15 Broome County Transit bus to the Vestal/Old Lane stop, which is a seven-minute walk from UHS.

Cornerstone Family Healthcare

35 Felters Road #8, Binghamton, NY 13903

Phone: (607) 201-1200

Cornerstone Family Healthcare in Binghamton is offering various vaccines. At this time, Pfizer and Moderna are the only ones available. In order to make an appointment, students need to fill out a contact form [https://cornerstonefamilyhealthcare.org/covid-19-vaccine-contact/] and wait to be contacted before scheduling. Students need to bring a photo ID and insurance card to their vaccine appointment.

CVS

163 Robinson St., Binghamton, NY 13904

Phone: (607) 722-4976

39 Park St., Owego, NY 13827

Phone: (607) 687-5623

There are two CVS locations in the area that are currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine. The Binghamton location is offering Pfizer, and the Owego location is offering Moderna. Appointments can be made online at the CVS website here [https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine]. Students need to bring a driver’s license or other photo ID and their insurance card.

Price Chopper

10 Glenwood Ave., Binghamton, NY 13905

Phone: (607) 770-7151

There are multiple locations of the Price Chopper Pharmacy in the area, but, currently, only the Binghamton location is offering the COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccine available at this Price Chopper is Moderna. Students can sign up online here [https://scrcxp.pdhi.com/Portal/Member/3e419790-81a3-4639-aa08-6bd223f995df] and must bring a driver’s license or other photo ID and their insurance card.

Rite Aid

201 Conklin Ave., Binghamton, NY 13903

Phone: (607) 772-0624

511 Hooper Road, Endwell, NY 13760

Phone: (607) 754-6880

Both the Binghamton and Endwell locations of Rite Aid are offering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Rite Aid recommends that the following be brought to the vaccine appointment: all insurance cards, including medical and pharmacy, a photo ID such as a driver’s license or government-issued ID and your vaccine administration record if it is available.

A completed consent form, found on the Rite Aid website here [https://www.riteaid.com/content/dam/riteaid-web/campaigns/FY21/holidays-and-events/covid-19/vaccine/COVID-vaccine-screening-form.pdf] must also be brought to the appointment. Appointments can be made online here [https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier].

Walgreens

Binghamton:

85 Robinson St., NY 13901

Phone: (607) 722-4221

37 Pennsylvania Ave., NY 13903

Phone: (607) 722-2106

1250 Upper Front St., 13901

Phone: (607) 723-8291

Johnson City:

335 Main St., NY 13790

Phone: (607) 777-9801

Endicott:

100 E Main St., NY 13760

Phone: (607) 754-4594

All five of the Walgreens locations in the Binghamton area are providing the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments can be made online here https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19?ban=covid_vaccine1_landing_schedule], and the appointment confirmation number, a driver’s license or other photo ID and, optionally, an insurance card should be brought to the appointment.

Wegmans

650 Harry L. Drive, Johnson City, NY 13790

Phone: (607) 729-7227

The Wegmans in Johnson City is offering the Moderna vaccine. Appointments can be made online here [https://www.wegmans.com/covid-vaccine-registration/]. Students should bring a photo ID and insurance card to their appointment. If needed for vaccine eligibility, interested individuals should also bring proof of employment, which according to Wegmans’ “COVID-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know” page may be in the form of “employee ID or badge, recent pay stub or a letter from your employer.”

Either the number 17 Broome County Transit bus from the Admissions bus stop or OCCT Oakdale Mall (OAK) route will take students to this Wegmans location.

The Pop-Up Thrift Shop, run by Jacob Kerr, a senior majoring in science communications, has for the past three years fundraised on behalf of the Nature Preserve, raising about $1,000 each time. In the past, its funds have been used to treat the hemlock trees of the Nature Preserve to protect them from a species of destructive invasive insect. This year, proceeds from the shop will be split equally between BU’s Food Pantry, which will use them to purchase produce and perishable items for sale over the summer, and the Nature Preserve. The Pop-Up Thrift Shop will take place this Friday, April 16, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the College-in-the-Woods Dining Center.

When Dylan Horvath, steward of natural areas of BU, was first approached about the event, he was inspired by Kerr’s motion to create it.

“I think it’s great that [Kerr] took the initiative to do fundraisers, and it shows that he really cares about the Nature Preserve,” Horvath wrote in an email. “Event planning really isn’t in my skill set, and I think more about providing nature management experience when interacting with students, so I don’t ever think of suggesting fundraisers.”

Linda Salomons, assistant director of parent and family programs and Food Pantry operations, saw the thrift shop as an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about and build the community around the BU Food Pantry.

“I actually saw a pop-up thrift shop promoted on [Instagram] in the fall of 2019 and sent a private message to ask if I could talk to the organizer,” Salomons wrote. “I thought working with a student or student organization on a thrift shop would be a perfect partnership for the Food Pantry.”

In the past, food donations for the BU Food Pantry have been raised via events like the You Give Goods online drive, which occurs every semester and generated nearly 1,500 pounds of food last semester. This semester’s event ends on Friday and donations can be made here [https://yougivegoods.com/bingfoodpantrys2021]. The Stop Hunger campaign, sponsored by BU Dining Services (BUDS), raised over $1,000 for the BU Food Pantry. The Nature Preserve also runs largely on donations, according to Horvath.

“The majority of actual management in the Nature Preserve relies on donation of funds, effort, time and sometimes materials,” Horvath wrote. “Land has been bought partially with donated money. Volunteers donate time and effort to help. In keeping with environmental thinking, we reuse donated materials as much as possible. For example, signs are made with donated or scavenged wood.”

Aside from monetary donations, Horvath said students can continue to support the Nature Preserve by volunteering, “following the rules, not littering and using good trail ethics.”

Madalyn Petherick, a graduate assistant at the BU Food Pantry and first-year master’s student pursuing a dual degree in public administration and student affairs administration, became involved with the food pantry as soon as she began the graduate program. During an interview with Salomons for acceptance into the master’s program, Petherick said she was struck by Salomons’ passion for the work of the food pantry. Petherick expressed the importance of novel events like the Pop-Up Thrift Shop.

“The food pantry is such a major need for students,” Petherick wrote. “[The Pop-Up Thrift Shop] is a fun and different way to raise awareness and funds to benefit pressing issues on campus, such as food insecurity and maintaining the Nature Preserve.”

Lin Fang, an intern with the food pantry and a junior majoring in biology, expressed her support for initiatives like Kerr’s, recognizing that both past drives and the thrift shop event provide an opportunity for students to rid themselves of unused items while supporting a good cause.

“[Food drives] not only help reduce waste from students’ unused groceries, it also allows for the relocation of food supplies to support students who are more in need,” Fang said. “Likewise, I think that the Pop-Up Thrift Shop will be an effective fundraiser if advertised properly because it allows students to clear out their wardrobe while generating profits that directly benefit the pantry.”

Megan Tapia, an intern for the food pantry and a senior majoring in human development, was also supportive of the effort and looks forward to future student-run benefits.

“I’m excited to see that we are going to be able to help [Kerr] with the Pop-Up Thrift Shop,” Tapia wrote. “I think it would be a fun idea to collaborate with other organizations on campus which also serve the dietary needs of students, for example the Food Co-op. I’m excited to see what other programs we can help out with in the future!”

Editor’s note: Jacob Kerr was Pipe Dream’s News editor from 2019-2020 and Pipe Dream’s Digital editor during the fall 2020 semester.

The resolution was presented at the SA Congress meeting on March 9 over Zoom. It is hoped that the implementation of this seminar will improve students’ understanding of the importance of equity and inclusion, both on campus and in the wider world. David Hatami, SA vice president for multicultural affairs (VPMA) and a junior double-majoring in political science and business administration, said he hopes BU’s administration begins to pursue implementing diversity education for incoming students.

“I think the proposal is an important one, as well as one which the administration should take and consider seriously,” Hatami wrote in an email. “It is for this reason, among others, I have sponsored the resolution. Diversity education is something which is desperately needed at not just our University but all other colleges in the nation. Too many times have I been approached by students due to instances of inappropriate dialogue and/or racist remarks. New student orientation is the perfect space to install such a course, as it can accompany other courses, such as 20:1, quite well.”

The initiative precedes the massacre in Atlanta involving the murders of six Asian women, but it follows months of heightened violence against Asians and Asian Americans, as well as a summer of resistance to police violence against Black Americans. Eden Greenberg, a representative of the SA Congress, author of the resolution and a sophomore majoring in human development, expressed the importance of making this program an integral part of a student’s introduction to campus culture.

“We hope that this will show students how pressing diversity and inclusion are on this campus and why their awareness is extremely important,” Greenberg said. “If this were implemented, I think it would prove that issues concerning discrimination and justice were top priorities for our school.”

The University offers educational programs about racial injustice on campus, including the reading, viewing and discussions of “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption” by Bryan Stevenson, which ran in accordance with the new-student initiation process of last year’s fall semester, and the ongoing racial healing dialogue series. These programs have not been mandatory for students to attend.

Sabrina Benchaabane, an undeclared freshman, said she believes there is a lack of racial education on campus, which might be fulfilled by a required and up-front introduction to diversity and inclusion.

“Personally, I don’t think [BU] is doing enough to educate its students on issues of racial injustice,” Benchaabane said. “The ‘Just Mercy’ readings in the beginning of the year weren’t mandatory, and most of the people I know didn’t bother to do the reading, especially because the school didn’t end up sending each student a copy.”

George Lee, an undeclared freshman, said that while he felt his education had prepared him to explore issues of race in conversation, he did not think other students were inclined to do the same.

“Those who did not have them also do not want to have these hard conversations,” Lee said. “Often they skip them. These events are not interesting for students because they seem more like graded discussions than open conversations. They do not educate people at all to the extent of change on campus because they do not integrate it into classes.”

Jackie Brandel, an undeclared freshman, agreed that the incorporation of race education into required campus programming could alter campus culture for the better.

“Especially in a [predominantly white institution], I think an amazing thing for the school to require is a one- or two-credit course on race because racist/culturally insensitive college students are just going to become racist/culturally insensitive doctors, scientists, teachers, et cetera,” Brandel wrote in an email. “More needs to be done.”

Greenberg said she believes that the SA’s initiative can help resolve some of the places where the University has fallen short in terms of compelling students to think about race.

“The University does a lot of preaching about diversity, equity and inclusion but few initiatives are truly publicized and available to the community public,” Greenberg wrote. “We wanted something that would be available to all students that people would not need to seek out.”

Greenberg is hopeful that the administration will seize the opportunity to be a part of the impulse for positive change.

“We want to stand for something bigger than ourselves, and, if we feel we cannot do much to help enact change, I know we can all vow to learn more,” Greenberg wrote. “That is always the first step. I really hope this training can continue and be available for students throughout the school year and their time here at BU.”

On March 11, 2020, New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that all SUNY schools would shift to a remote learning model for the remainder of the semester starting on March 19. This unprecedented shift was against the backdrop of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. The announcement marked the beginning of a new reality for all students, faculty and staff, as education and campus operations were shifted into uncharted waters.

The shift to remote learning was a procedure University administrators were prepared for but still posed many challenges, according to BU President Harvey Stenger.

“We were already anticipating something like this and had already begun a remote teaching pilot program through the Center for Learning and Teaching,” Stenger wrote in an email. “Still, the announcement required us to make a number of changes involving almost every aspect of the campus, since not only were classes going remote but so were almost all of the University’s day-to-day operations, with the exception of what were deemed ‘essential’ campus services.”

While campus administration was actively preparing for this outcome, students like Victoria Gilliams, ‘20, were shocked by the sudden situation.

“When the campus actually shut down and everything started to set in I got scared, especially for my family given I live a block away from New Rochelle, where the outbreak was traced back to,” Gilliams said. “Unfortunately one day my parents just showed up to my apartment unbeknownst to me and told me to pack everything up. At that moment, I was really upset and knew college was over, I wasn’t going to have a chance to say bye to my friends and realized that it was highly unlikely there’d be a graduation.”

Along with students, professors and teachers like Amy Parker, who is a teaching assistant and doctoral student in English and creative writing, faced many obstacles with the sudden change to remote teaching. Parker taught Writing 111: Inquiry and Academic Writing, a class focused on in-person instruction, during the shift to remote learning and recounted the stress of restructuring the class.

“The Writing Initiative guides instructors with the class, and they continued to do so during [COVID-19], but no one saw this coming,” Parker wrote in an email. “For me, the switch to Zoom presented issues, especially concerning workshops and presentations, as nonverbal cues can contribute to the atmosphere of the class. This is also why I prefer teaching in person — I can tell how responsive students are.”

These challenges continued into the fall 2020 semester, as the University administration and students faced challenges in a multitude of areas, including the cost of testing BU community members for COVID-19, providing quarantine and isolation housing to students, new sanitization procedures and the cancellation of social and athletic activities.

Many leadership roles throughout campus shifted due to the pandemic and fostered new obstacles as well. One particular challenge was the expanded role resident assistants (RA) assumed to maintain COVID-19 precautions in on-campus housing, such as mask and social distancing violations. RAs were now obligated to write up students to Residential Life for possible expulsion on campus. An RA, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed frustration about their new status as a “bad guy” among fellow students.

“Pre-[COVID-19], I was able to bond and connect with residents in a much more open, comfortable and natural way,” the anonymous RA wrote in an email. “Now, all interactions feel forced, and nobody likes being told that they have to meet with their RA. [Residential Life] implements an artificial relationship in the building. Everyone is trying to do their best, but [Residential Life] has significantly cut our budget from last year. That’s what really got me. This proved to me that [BU] is a business.”

The spring 2021 semester aimed to fix many of the issues and grievances expressed from the previous semester. For example, the implementation of rejuvenation days to support student mental health and the creation of more accessible testing procedures for students and faculty. Even with improvements in certain aspects on-campus, COVID-19 cases remain at an all-time high with 407 estimated positive cases on-campus during the Feb. 27 to March 12 period. This increase in numbers has resulted in shortages in isolation and quarantine housing. Despite the continuing issues on campus, Brian Rose, vice president for student affairs, said he believed that as long as students and faculty maintain diligence, the campus will eventually see improvement.

“My ask for all members of our community, including but not limited to students, is to continue to care for each other and come together,” Rose said. “Follow safety guidelines to protect your friends, classmates and peers. Instead of pointing out the examples of failures that can be easy to find amidst such an overwhelming challenge, acknowledge the many successes and the efforts of all those doing their best to provide a genuine residential educational experience.”

Along with Rose, Stenger said he believed if the University unites together as one, there will be a sense of normalcy in the near future.

“I’d like to tell everyone how proud I am of the campus and the way our community has pulled together,” Stenger wrote. “And while the crisis isn’t over, it is time to start looking ahead to what the next year or two will be like. Fiscally, there will be some challenges, and we will need to be cautious in how we address them. But I think that there is a lot to look forward to, as well. I think there will be a great deal of demand for [BU] over the next year or two, particularly as travel restrictions from other states and nations are relaxed. And while I don’t have a crystal ball, I think that the University should be well on its way to normal by next fall and certainly by next spring.”