The march, held in coalition with the Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine, the Student Power Coalition and other local organizations, is part of the SJP’s “Week of Solidarity.” According to an SJP Instagram post, the events of this week aim to “commemorate and commiserate 2 years of genocide” and “reveal the complicity of our institutions.”

“There are dynasties of tragedy written into every Palestinian life,” said a student at the beginning of the march. “Whether born under siege, under occupation or in exile, Palestinians carry 76 years of inherited grief, but also of resilience, and now, two years into Israel’s most brutal, most shameless assault in Gaza, we find ourselves still screaming the same truth, still pleading, still mourning, still counting the dead, if we are even allowed to count them. We should not have to prove our suffering to the world.”

Demonstrators met at the Glenn G. Bartle Library bridge and continued to the Pegasus Statue in front of the Library Tower. Protesters held signs reading “Free Palestine” and “Lockheed Martin Bombs Children” while chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

The student speaker then continued their speech, highlighting the role of “scholasticide” in the humanitarian crisis. According to the American Historical Association, which condemned the scholasticide in Gaza back in January, the term refers to the systematic destruction of educational institutions.

A member of the Feminist Collective spoke next, emphasizing the role of gendered violence in Gaza. She explained how sexual violence has been used as a tool of war and colonization, dehumanizing women and destroying communities.

“Gendered violence under Israeli apartheid functions as a mechanism of erasure, one that tells Palestinian women that their lives, their knowledge and their futures are expendable,” the speaker said. “It mirrors patterns seen throughout history and other genocides: women’s suffering made invisible, their pain politicized only when it serves the oppressor’s narrative.”

In a September report, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, found that Israeli authorities “committed four of the five genocidal acts defined by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.”

Over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces over the past two years, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The march then moved in front of the Engineering Building. A speaker from Georgia affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America talked about an effort to build a police training facility on the outskirts of Atlanta. First proposed in 2021, the facility, nicknamed “Cop City,” opened in April after years of protest by the local community.

The speaker argued that building this facility was akin to bringing Israeli military training onto U.S. soil. They also accused Binghamton University of spending money on a “surveillance system that prevents protests from happening before they start,” likely referencing the University’s partnership with Genetec, a Montreal-based surveillance solutions company, to integrate data from its 1,635 surveillance cameras into one system.

In a case study, Dave Martin, assistant director of security infrastructure and support at the University, said unplanned gatherings “can sometimes get out of hand,” but the new video analytics tools can “preemptively alert us” if the crowd is large enough so security can determine if the situation “needs to be addressed.”

A representative from the Muslim Student Association then spoke, reciting a prayer calling for an end to oppression worldwide.

Protesters then marched to the Couper Administration Building. A speaker from the Yiddish Bund condemned collaboration between the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science and weapons manufacturing companies.

Afterward, a registered nurse talked about their experience last year working in Gaza and described witnessing babies being delivered amid active bombings. They then read a poem they wrote about the humanitarian crisis.

Several counterprotesters waving Israeli flags were also present throughout the march, with several making comments during the speeches.

Next, a student described her time studying abroad last semester and said she saw “more Palestinian flags than I’d ever thought I’d see.” While in Morocco, she met a scarf maker who, upon recognizing her Palestinian pendant, held her hand and said, “We are all Palestinians.”

One counterprotester yelled back, “No guy held your hand, we don’t believe that.”

She continued speaking about her personal experience, telling the crowd she had not “felt that sense of humanity in a very long time.”

Finally, a representative from the Rainbow Pride Union spoke about pinkwashing, a term they said refers to “Israel’s cynical weaponization of a veneer of LGBTQ acceptance to distract from and ultimately justify its brutal oppression of Palestinians.”

“I still truly believe that there’s something beautiful about the fact that all these people come together to support this cause, to talk about this and, honestly, let Couper admin know that we are here and we stand for Palestine,” they said.

Hours after the march ended, the University sent out a Dateline announcement condemning the actions of SJP.

“Even if conducted peacefully, holding a protest on this solemn day was viewed by many as deeply insensitive,” the statement read. “We ask all members of our community to exercise empathy and awareness when expressing their views, considering how and when to do so. Freedom of expression carries with it the responsibility to assess the broader impact of our actions.”

The march was held on the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 250 were abducted. As of yesterday, 48 hostages, 26 of whom are publicly confirmed to be deceased, are still held captive in Gaza.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced on social media that the leaders of Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of a peace plan, which involves an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. According to Trump, the plan will also include the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza to an “agreed upon line.”

In a statement to Pipe Dream, the SJP called the University’s statement “disheartening,” claiming that the University’s actions do not adhere to the code of conduct or uphold principles of freedom of speech and expression. The statement further highlighted cases of alleged harassment against pro-Palestine protesters that have gone unaddressed by the University.

The SJP also argued that despite the controversy surrounding the date of the march, Oct. 7 holds significance for its advocacy as well.

“True, we could’ve held our action on another day, as every day is significant for our cause,” SJP wrote in its statement. “However, October 7th does not have a singular significance that is exclusive to ‘one side.’ We cannot entertain the notion that we are being ‘insensitive’ for holding our action on this day, while in the same breath, Zionists celebrate the Israeli-orchestrated genocide that has only intensified in the two years since.”

Dozens of community members attended the “Meet the Mayoral Candidates” event, held downtown at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator. Hosted by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, the debate focused on issues ranging from local economic development to infrastructure and public safety.

Stacey Duncan, the CEO of the Leadership Alliance, a group that partners with the Chamber of Commerce and the Broome County Industrial Development Agency to promote local business activity, thanked both candidates for agreeing to come and discuss their vision for the city’s future.

“I want to thank both of you for stepping and staying into this arena, because in the world we live in today, with intense public scrutiny, it’s not an easy thing to do, and I don’t think anybody takes this kind of work lightly,” Duncan said.

The debate was moderated by Brooke Warpus, a news anchor on FOX 40 News. A student from Vestal High School kept time. Both candidates were given three minutes for opening and closing statements, two minutes to answer questions and one minute for rebuttal if requested.
Burnett told the audience he entered the race in February because he was “fed up” at seeing the city face continued challenges, citing its high poverty rate and challenges with homelessness and vacant properties.

A South Side native, Burnett served as deputy chief of staff to State Sen. Lea Webb ‘04 from 2023 to 2024. He also worked as an aide to a former New York City councilman and the executive director of a nonprofit advancing economic development projects.

Kraham said the city undoubtedly faces “great challenges” and that he spent his first term in office working to tackle some of these problems.

Alluding to the current federal government shutdown, Kraham said he wants to be a “problem solver” who will ensure that “we keep our services up and running and our government open,” adding that shutdowns are “not an option for local leaders.”

When both candidates were asked about their biggest achievements, Burnett pointed to his time advancing new development projects and “revitalizing commercial corridors.” He added that as mayor, building new housing units would be a major focus of his.

Kraham said his public safety record is what he has “been most proud of” and highlighted that both the Binghamton Police Benevolent Association Local 2737 and the Binghamton Professional Firefighter Association Local 729 endorsed his reelection campaign. Burnett responded by saying he would implement a “team of mental health experts” to help address some nonviolent incidents and tackle a mental health crisis.

When asked about attracting new investment to the region, Burnett voiced his plan to create a local council of small business owners. Kraham pointed to a Sept. 24 article by the Albany Times Union that found the Binghamton metropolitan area to be the only region in the state that increased its share of 18 to 34-year-olds since 2019.

Turning to infrastructure, Kraham highlighted his work to get Norfolk Southern to begin repairs on decaying railroad bridges across the city. In August 2023, Kraham’s office released an over-900-page report that found a majority of surveyed bridges were in “poor” or “severe” condition. Norfolk Southern announced that it would begin repairs on seven of its bridges that October.

Both candidates were also asked about their plans to tackle poverty and rising housing costs.

“Thirty-three percent of our community lives in poverty because they cannot find a safe, affordable place to live,” Burnett said. “That’s three times the national average right here in Binghamton. And I know my opponent is talking about childhood poverty not growing, but it’s at 42 percent in our community, we have almost 400 Binghamton city school kids that are homeless.”

Kraham pointed out that several housing projects were currently under construction, including the Town and Country project in the city’s North Side.

When the debate shifted back to public safety, Kraham directly asked Burnett about his plans for police staffing. Burnett responded by saying the department should be “fully staffed.”

Asked about how they envision the city over the next decade, Kraham said he would continue to facilitate partnerships with Binghamton University to drive more local investment in the healthcare and technology sectors.

In closing statements, Burnett stressed that the community should “stop pretending that the problems don’t exist” and the changes he would make to Binghamton’s economic development. Kraham said that while there is “a lot of work to do,” his track record demonstrates how he would address the city’s most pressing issues.

“If we’re going to rebuild this city, we’re going to face the challenges we have and really have a bright future,” Kraham said in his closing statement. “It’s going to take experienced leadership that knows how to get stuff done — that represents my candidacy.”

The video shows Burnett in front of a webcam discussing the lyrics to “Smell Yo Dick,” a rap song by Riskay. In the nearly minute-long clip obtained by Pipe Dream, Burnett, who is white, repeated the N-word twice when analyzing one of the song’s verses.

When quoting one lyric of the song that uses the N-word, Burnett said, “He’s Black, it’s just a word for individual.” Later, while explaining a line from the song’s chorus that talks about a man coming home at “Five in the morn’,” Burnett said, “That’s ‘morning’ for you people who do not speak ‘ethnic.’”

Earlier this week, Burnett apologized and expressed regret for the video, which he said was recorded while he was “an adolescent child.” In a Sept. 24 Facebook post, Burnett claimed he was 14 when the video was posted and added that he would not do the same now as an adult.

“Those words were not appropriate then, and they are not appropriate now,” he said. “I got into this race to fight for a better Binghamton for everyone and that’s what I will continue to do.”

Mayor Jared Kraham, who faces reelection for a second term, condemned the video and said it should disqualify Burnett from the race. He also claimed Burnett was nearly 17 when he uploaded the video, not 14.

On Sept. 25, in response to Kraham’s comments, the Binghamton City Democratic Committee released a press statement with a link to a 2007 article about standardized testing that Kraham wrote while in high school.

The City Democratic Committee accused Kraham of “demeaning the intelligence of the black community” in the article, which was focused on standardized testing and its potential limitations. After describing his experience taking the SAT, Kraham said in the article that tests and quizzes have become a major metric that high schools use to evaluate how much students “learned” about a subject.

“Schools have to use tests to ‘standardize’ their teaching practices, even though it’s believed more and more today that tests might not be the best tool to judge the amount of material learned by a single student,” Kraham wrote in the article. “One good thing that standardized tests have done is to tell us that white, suburban, American kids are smarter than black, inner-city, American kids year after year.”

“Did you miss it?” he continued. “Let’s review that sentence: ‘One good thing that standardized tests have done is to tell us that white, suburban, American kids are smarter than black, inner-city, American kids year after year.’”

On Friday, Kraham told Pipe Dream that he was “mocking and criticizing” the idea that standardized test scores accurately reflect how much students really learn through satire.

In a post on X, the Broome County Republicans called Burnett’s video “abhorrent” and called on all elected Democrats in the county to condemn it. Benji Federman, the party’s chairman, told The New York Post that Burnett’s “hateful language and nonstop lies make him utterly unfit for public office.”

Comment requests have been sent to the Binghamton University College Democrats and College Republicans.

Karen Beebe, chair of the Broome County Democrats, said in a statement that there was “no excuse” for the video and commended Burnett for apologizing.

“I believe that children grow up and learn to be better adults,” Beebe said. “Miles is a strong and thoughtful leader who has made a deep impact on our community. He is the only candidate in this race committed to making Binghamton better for ALL residents.”

The partnership with Owego Free Academy will last throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. Around 86 students from the Ernst & Young Student Leaders Program, which helps develop students into future business leaders, will lead one-on-one mentoring sessions with the high schoolers.

College mentors and OFA students will be divided into four cohorts: first-year students will mentor Owego seniors through the college admissions process; sophomores will lead sessions on resume building, mock interviews and LinkedIn profile editing; juniors will help students consult with Hawkeye Graphics, a “student-led graphic design and print shop” at OFA; and seniors will serve as program advisors.

Phil Schofield ‘09, MAT ‘10, OFA’s principal, told Pipe Dream that he believes the new program will help students explore their future career paths and build key soft skills.

“In today’s rapidly changing world, academic knowledge alone is no longer enough to prepare students for long-term success,” Schofield wrote in an email. “Building communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving is just as critical. These skills form the foundation for thriving in both higher education and the workforce. They influence how individuals interact with others, navigate challenges, and contribute meaningfully to any team or organization.”

“I believe this partnership could benefit the EY students just as much as our students at Owego,” he continued.

The idea for the partnership was first proposed by Olivia Pasquale ‘12, MPA ’17, director of the EY Student Leaders Program. Pasquale, who is also the director of career services at SOM, told Pipe Dream her role is to ensure the OFA partnership provides “high-quality mentorship” to students and aligns with the broader objectives of the leadership program.

The project is co-led by Hailey Chin, the EY social impact chair and a sophomore majoring in business administration, and Matthew Qu, the vice president of social impact and a junior majoring in accounting.

In an interview with Pipe Dream, Qu stressed the importance of students developing networking and communication skills early on, even before entering the workforce.

“With the way that the job market currently is, the earlier you can start, the better,” Qu said. “And so getting exposure to these sorts of things, regardless of what field you’re in, eventually everyone probably is going to have to get a job. And so, by learning even anything now, is a little head start above the rest of the people around you. So, that’s our incentive there.”

Last Thursday, Chin and Qu officially launched the project at OFA’s career center. Over three class periods, they taught students from eighth to 12th grade how to network and make elevator pitches.

To participate in the EY program, first or second-year students can apply in the spring semester for admission in the fall. Some prospective SOM students can also be invited before their freshman year begins.

If successful, the project, funded with support from EY alumni, will run annually at OFA and potentially other high schools in the region. Qu wrote that the EY program was also coordinating a trip with OFA students to the University toward the end of the semester.

“It’s been rewarding to see how this program not only supports Owego students in reaching their goals but also strengthens our university students’ leadership and sense of community,” Pasquale wrote. “I’m proud of the impact we’re making together.”

Last week, ICE officials arrested two men in Johnson City, with an agency spokesperson telling WSKG that they lacked “the proper documents to remain” in the country. Residents on social media platforms have also reported other ICE arrests in the Greater Binghamton area.

In a statement released last week, Mayor Jared Kraham indicated that ICE activity was taking place without any involvement from the Binghamton Police Department.

“I’ll again share my position from weeks ago — the Binghamton Police Department will not partner with ICE on these types of enforcement activities, nor will Binghamton police officers be allowed to serve as task force agents for ICE,” Kraham said. “Further, BPD has not and will not participate in ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows local agencies to partner with ICE on certain enforcement matters.”

ICE did not return Pipe Dream’s request for comment.

On Jan. 20, shortly after his inauguration for a second term, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to “faithfully execute the immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens.” The directive also ordered the secretary of homeland security to legally facilitate partnerships with state and local officials to assist in federal immigration enforcement.

These agreements, known as the 287(g) program, come in three different models and are authorized under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

In March, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office announced it would participate in the Warrant Service Officer program, which allows state and local law enforcement “to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens in their agency’s jail,” according to the program’s website.

A spokesperson for Sheriff Fred Akshar told Pipe Dream that his office “has not been involved with any immigration enforcement in the community” and that any warrants issued would be for individuals already in the correctional facility.

As of Sept. 19, the facility held 51 ICE detainees and 26 U.S. Marshals Service detainees. The number of detainees “fluctuate[s] frequently,” according to Ashkar’s office, and is not connected to participation in the 287(g) program.

State Sen. Lea Webb ‘04 and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo MA ‘84 called ICE’s presence “unwelcome” in the community.

“Many of those being targeted have come to our country to provide a better life for their families and are doing jobs few people are interested in,” said Webb and Lupardo in a joint statement last week. “They deserve a pathway to citizenship rather than the unjust, inhumane treatment we are seeing with these raids.”

On Sept. 11, over 150 activists and community members gathered at the United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton to listen to four panelists discuss Akshar’s participation in the 287(g) program and how new arrestees are treated in the county jail.

One of the panelists discussed the “New York for All” act, a proposed bill that would prohibit local and law enforcement officials statewide from signing agreements with ICE. States like California and Washington have enacted laws restricting certain officials from partnering with federal immigration enforcement and asking questions about residents’ citizenship status.

Miles Burnett, a Democrat running for mayor of Binghamton, claimed in a Facebook post that he would support passing a law to officially prohibit the city’s police department from cooperating with ICE if he was elected.

Nationwide, immigrant rights activists have also expressed concern about the possibility of ICE agents using racial profiling tactics. On Sept. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted an injunction placed by a federal district court that prevented immigration agents from stopping people in the Los Angeles area if those stops were based on any of the following factors: an individual’s presence at certain locations like bus stops, agricultural sites and car washes; “the type of work one does;” “speaking Spanish or English with an accent;” and “apparent race or ethnicity.”

The American Civil Liberties Union and the American Immigration Council said the decision allows for racial profiling to be used in immigration raids, while the Department of Homeland Security said the federal government enforces the law “without fear, favor, or prejudice.”

Hussein Adams, executive director and CEO of the American Civic Association, told Pipe Dream that ICE activity nationwide has instilled fear in the local immigrant community. He said that many immigration agents wear face masks and do not have body cameras, which he said creates fear and distrust of law enforcement.

The ACA can provide immigrants with various services, including naturalization assistance, status adjustments and connections with potential employers.

ICE has also reportedly placed U.S. citizens in its custody. Over the summer, immigration officials allegedly arrested several Americans in California, including a 23-year-old pregnant woman.

“As Mayor, I believe Binghamton’s police resources should be focused on neighborhood safety and crime, not civil immigration enforcement, and certainly not performative or incendiary law enforcement activity that erodes trust in our communities,” Kraham said.

“ICE should be transparent, quickly, in what arrests have been made and where they have been operating in our community,” he continued.

Administrative Judge Eugene Faughnan and District Executive Porter Kirkwood answered questions and talked to residents about the important functions their offices perform within the county legal system. State Sen. Lea Webb ‘04 was initially scheduled to attend but was unable to come.

In addition to serving as a trial judge, Faughnan is in charge of New York’s Sixth Judicial District, which covers Broome County and nine others throughout the Southern Tier. Kirkwood said his office supports the judge in handling administrative matters.

Christina Olevano, the district’s access and equal justice coordinator, led the town hall and began by reading some submitted questions. The first question raised asked how the justice system worked with community organizations outside the courtroom. In response, Kirkwood brought up an October 2020 report commissioned by Jeh Johnson, the U.S. secretary of homeland security from 2013 to 2017, which recommended expanding antibias training and improving diversity and inclusion within hiring.

Kirkwood discussed a recent shift within the courts to prioritize “customer service” and increase visibility within the community, mentioning a recent gathering with local faith leaders and community outreach events across the district.

Faughnan shared how the courts are simplifying certain forms and procedures to improve readability and accessibility. When speaking to new judges, he noted that he often emphasizes the importance of explaining the legal process to underrepresented individuals.

“Just taking that extra time, rather than just saying, ‘You don’t have what you need, case dismissed,’” Faughnan said. “We don’t do that. That’s not our approach at all. That’s not customer service, and that’s why the customer service is for everyone in the court system, including the elected judges.”

Court employees attend mandatory training on cultural consciousness and understanding. They also participated in a poverty simulator to understand the challenges people face when navigating the justice system.

Faughnan added that court employees have gone to high schools and colleges in the Southern Tier to advertise career opportunities, which can create a more diverse and talented workforce. While many jobs in the court system require applicants to take various tests, some do not and rely instead on factors like relevant background experience.

Members of the audience were also allowed to ask questions or make comments. One resident who retired from working in the court system said that recently installed artwork displays in the buildings can help build an inclusive atmosphere within the courts.

A presentation on legal resources followed. Chris Lund, the principal law librarian for the Sixth Judicial District, highlighted some of the legal help services available to residents who contact one of the court system’s help centers.

Next up was a presentation on alternative dispute resolution given by Jamie Smith, the district’s alternative dispute resolution coordinator. Smith said local courts offer several ways for many individuals to resolve legal disputes without going to trial.

Finally, a staff attorney from the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York shared how the organization can provide free legal resources for people with low incomes.

“In partnering with local agencies and the courts we strive to help close the justice gap experienced by low-income persons and other vulnerable persons within the community,” Arlene Sanders, managing attorney at the Legal Aid Society, wrote to Pipe Dream after the town hall. “Outreaches such as these are a good way to expand our ability to connect with these populations.”

Last semester, Luca Cassidy ‘25, then-vice president for student success, collaborated with Binghamton University’s Student Tenants Union to create a survey allowing students and residents to rate their off-campus housing experience. The survey asks respondents to describe the physical condition of their residence and anonymously complete a host of questions about their landlord, including if they experienced harassment, retaliation or were given an unjust eviction notice.

In 2021, a different housing survey was released to document negative experiences students had with landlords. However, it only collected about 150 responses over three years, according to Nicole Burek ‘25, a former housing organizer for the Student Tenants Union. By contrast, the current survey received more than 400 responses in its first few weeks.

The VPSS office has now launched a website for students to see how others rated their experience living at a property. It features an interface similar to Google Maps, where you can search for a particular address or all properties owned by a specific landlord. If a student rated that apartment or house in the survey, a colored dot will appear at its location on the map. Each property is rated on a scale from one to five.

Survey responses for each address are also publicly available, allowing students to read reviews of the property and see what other tenants paid in rent.

In May, Burek told Pipe Dream that this website would help students looking for feedback on a particular address before signing a lease.

“Right now, the only way that you can do that is you can look up an address, and if you’re lucky, someone has said something about it on Reddit, the address or the landlord,” Burek said. “But it’s not always that people have responses. So to have 400 responses already is way more than what you would usually find on Reddit.”

To encourage people to complete the survey, Cassidy said he messaged every student organization on campus and gave out free Celsius drinks on the Spine. On April 28, the VPSS office asked students on Instagram to fill out the survey. The post was viewed thousands of times and received 361 shares, according to Cassidy.

Abigail Connors ‘25, a first-year master’s student studying human rights, is a director of policy in the VPSS office. Last year, she and Cassidy met with several student organizations and local officials about the initiative. One of the initiative’s long-term goals is to collect and display responses from community members who are not students, making the project a citywide initiative.

Connors said the office also spoke with Amanda Finch, the assistant vice president and dean of students, earlier this year about the initiative and is planning to schedule another meeting with her.

Kristina Donders, the current VPSS and a senior double-majoring in mathematics and political science, said she hopes to reach out to other SUNY schools next semester and potentially expand the initiative.

The VPSS office has two interns in the geographic information sciences program who help make the website and survey user friendly. Rui Zheng, a senior double-majoring in environmental science and geography, created the address and landlord search feature within the interactive map. She said the initiative’s main goal is to increase renters’ awareness of bad landlord practices and prevent them from “signing themselves into potentially dangerous conditions.”

Meanwhile, Robert Sleight, a first-year master’s student studying geography, is conducting statistical analyses using the survey responses while creating user-friendly visuals.

“Finding off campus housing here can be a nightmare, and we’re no strangers to various horror stories we’ve heard regarding landlords,” Sleight wrote. “Our purpose here is to share the stories of the students in an environment that aims to create camaraderie among those with shared experiences and to arm potential tenants with the knowledge they need to choose housing that is fair and equitable.”

As many students begin considering their living options for next year, the VPSS office will continue encouraging students to fill out the survey and read other responses before signing a lease. The office plans to table around campus and display the survey on screens in the University Union.

“I do hope this project not only improves the lives of Binghamton students, but shows them they can make a difference,” Cassidy wrote in an email.

“There are a lot of problems out there, so I hope people learn that if they make friends, make community, and just do something, things will change,” he continued. “Everyday people doing small things change the world.”

The talk was hosted by the Departments of Anthropology and Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. Attendees introduced themselves before some students and professors gave formal presentations on their summer research experience.

Students of various academic disciplines participated in excavation work around the world, from the Mediterranean to Central and South America. While Binghamton University does not offer an undergraduate archaeology major, students can take several archaeology classes or pursue a minor in archaeology, according to Hilary Becker, associate professor and undergraduate director of Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies.

“Anyone can participate in an archaeological excavation,” Becker wrote in a statement to Pipe Dream. “No specific skills are required and no coursework is usually expected — skills are learned on site while you are doing them. And in hand, you have the experience of the interaction with the material culture in situ, and the opportunity to see materials that may have not been handled for centuries.”

Bailey Raab, a second-year Ph.D. student studying anthropology, worked at several dig sites over the summer. She excavated and taught undergraduate students at the Turpin site located near Cincinnati, Ohio. Her master’s thesis analyzed samples from the location, which contains remnants of a village occupied by the Fort Ancient culture around 1,000 years ago.

Raab also traveled to Peru to work at two locations — Cerro Sulcha, a northern site that holds several pre-Peruvian architectural structures, and Achomani, a hilltop site in the south.

Brittany Fullen, a Ph.D. student studying anthropology, received a Fulbright scholarship and also researched in Peru. She studies the cultural art of the Wari people who lived between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific coast from around 450 to 1000 C.E. Fullen passed around excavated pieces of ornate pottery whose designs were used by both the Wari and Tiwanaku civilizations, which thrived around the banks of Lake Titicaca in modern day Peru and western Bolivia.

BrieAnna Langlie, an associate professor of anthropology, researched in Peru’s Colca Valley and excavated stone and ceramic artifacts estimated to be about 600 to 1,000 years old.

In the lush Central American rainforests of Belize, Liliana Cheek, a first-year graduate student studying anthropology, conducted research with David Mixter, an archaeologist and assistant professor of environmental studies. Mixter runs the Actuncan Excavation in western Belize, working at the site for over 15 years.

Students and experienced staff excavated various parts of an ancient Mayan settlement over the summer. Cheek’s research focused on exploring the pyramid complex as a ritual space. Mixter focused on how water would have been distributed from man-made reservoirs to the local population (11) (17:50, 16:14).

Others spent the summer at sites in Europe. Zach Powell, a senior majoring in chemistry, travelled to southern Italy and worked at Pompeii, an Ancient Roman city destroyed after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 C.E. Powell went with students from the ​​Casa della Regina Carolina Project, led by Cornell University to examine “relationships between domestic material culture, social performance, and historical change” at a large house in Pompeii.

Powell cleaned samples and analyzed the chemical composition of pigments on excavated materials.

“Archaeology is absolutely not just for archaeologists,” Powell said. “It takes a whole variety of experience and skills to help pull everything together and to help analyze what’s actually going on on-site.”

Becker also conducted research at the site, using various techniques to identify what color pigments were used on the walls by isolating any chemical elements present. She was able to determine that a wax coating was applied to protect the walls sometime in the 19th century because of the sulfur present.

Jesse Lynch, a junior majoring in ancient Mediterranean studies, studied an ancient Roman bath complex with a field school at Cosa, a Roman settlement in southern Tuscany. He was awarded the Saul and Ruth Levin Educational Enrichment Grant from the Department of Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies to help cover expenses.

In France, Emile Rebillard, a junior majoring in medieval and early modern studies and mathematical sciences, helped excavate and survey a Roman burial site near the Pyrenees Mountains.

Becker believes that archaeology is valuable to the wider public because it is a discipline that explores how humans relate to the world around them.

“Archaeologists, regardless of their temporal, cultural, or geographic focus, are committed to the careful documentation of past peoples,” she wrote. “In so doing, their goal is not only to document as carefully as they can what it is that people’s experience (what they made, what they ate, what they believed), but also to apply this documented human experience to what it is to be a human being.”

During an event at Utah Valley University, Kirk was answering questions from a crowd of students when shots were fired. According to a video captured of the shooting, Kirk was struck in the neck. After being rushed to the hospital in critical condition, his death was confirmed by President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote in the post. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.”

A suspect has not yet been apprehended.

Before Kirk’s death was announced, politicians condemned the shooting.

“The shooting of Charlie Kirk is sickening and heartbreaking,” Rep. Josh Riley wrote in a post on X. “We must take the temperature down and reject political violence always and everywhere. Praying for his family and everyone impacted.”

Kirk founded Turning Point USA when he was 18 years old. The organization engages young people at more than 3,500 high schools and college campuses, according to Turning Point’s website.

In 2019, Turning Point tried to open a chapter at Binghamton University. That November, more than 100 students gathered on the Spine to protest a table set up by Turning Point and the Binghamton University College Republicans. The organizations were spreading awareness about an upcoming talk featuring Arthur Laffer, an economist who served on Ronald Reagan’s Economic Policy Advisory Board.

Event flyers and a poster reading “I’M PRO CHOICE. PICK YOUR GUN” were shown hours after a school shooting in Santa Clarita, California.

Six months ago, a federal judge dismissed all legal claims filed against University President Harvey Stenger and Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose in connection with the 2019 campus protests.

“The Binghamton University College Democrats condemn all forms of political violence,” the BU College Democrats E-Board said in a statement to Pipe Dream. “Acts such as these stifle honest debate and further the deep polarization that plagues our nation. The family of Charlie Kirk is in our thoughts following this horrific tragedy.”

A comment request has been sent to the BU College Republicans.

This is a developing story, and it will be updated.

Editor’s Note: Kevin O’Connell, a member of the BU College Democrats E-Board, is an opinions columnist. He had no part in the writing or editing of this article.

The council was deadlocked in a 3-3 vote, as Councilwoman Kinya Middleton, who represents the second district, was not present at the meeting. Kraham said the money, provided by the Community Development Block Grant, came from unspent funding for older projects that would otherwise be “clawed back by the federal government.” He added that his office worked with the city’s fire chief and the Binghamton Professional Firefighters Association Local 729 to identify a funding source.

The money would be used to purchase two emergency response vehicles and turnout gear for firefighters to wear on duty.

“I believe that City Council should do the right thing and should fund this equipment,” Kraham said. “We cannot wait, we cannot let this money go to waste. It will be sitting in a bank account if they do not approve this funding.”

At the Aug. 27 council meeting, the clerk read a statement opposing Kraham’s plan written by Tarik Abdelazim, a Democrat who served as the city’s deputy mayor from 2006 to 2009. He argued that the fire department has received millions of dollars in local, state and federal funding in recent years and that it was “patently absurd” to accuse the legislative body of not supporting the fire department.

Robert Cavanaugh II, a Democrat who represents the third council district, spoke in support of the plan, saying that using the grant funds represents the quickest way to meet the fire department’s equipment needs and that additional Community Development Block Grant funding will still be available for future projects.

By contrast, Councilwoman Rebecca Rathmell, who represents the sixth district, was opposed to transferring the federal funds. She said every council member believes that new fire equipment is a “valid need,” but that the funding “is not an appropriate source” nor the only option for the equipment.

Rathmell also claimed the city is sitting on over $700,000 in unspent Community Development Block Grant funding.

“This is over $700K that — instead of being allocated to support affordable housing development or preservation efforts, which is the intended use of these federal grant dollars — has simply been left to sit,” Rathmell stated last week in a press release. “This missed opportunity to target critical housing assistance to underserved neighborhoods is itself unacceptable, but it also represents a pattern by Mayor Kraham of allowing these funds to accrue in order to plug his broken budget instead of allocating them to address the affordable housing crisis he claims to have made a priority.”

Councilman Nate Hotchkiss ‘12 also criticized the plan, saying it was “no way to manage a budget.”

In the press conference, Kraham said that the money “was not allocated for housing” but was unspent funds for administrative costs and salary lines that cannot be recouped. He also pointed to several ongoing construction projects, frequent public updates and investment into affordable housing under his administration.

The Binghamton Professional Firefighters Association supported Kraham’s proposal. Scott Johnson, the organization’s secretary, spoke at the mayor’s press conference and said using grant money would help in “easing the burden put on the city’s budget.”

Earlier this summer, the firefighters’ union endorsed Kraham’s reelection campaign.

Michael Dundon, the council president, voted in favor of transferring the funds, saying that while the Community Development Block Grant money should ideally be used to fund housing construction, he has a “lifelong track record” of supporting unions. Dundon, a union member himself, is the vice president of the Broome-Tioga Central Labor Council.

Kraham called for the council to call a special meeting and approve the funding plan.

“This funding that we’re providing to the fire department is about public safety,” Kraham said. “It’s about responding to 911 calls, making sure that our firefighters are safe, that their equipment is up to date.”

“I can’t think of a better priority that we have to spend our money and especially funding that will go away if we don’t repurpose it and use it for an eligible purpose,” he continued.

Protesters stood along Court Street and in front of the Broome County Courthouse, waving handmade signs reading “Workers Unite! Stop Trump” and “We The People Say No Kings.” Hundreds of other “Workers Over Billionaires” protests occurred nationwide on Labor Day in a campaign to mobilize support for labor rights. Activist groups Indivisible Binghamton, Citizen Action of New York and the 50501 Movement were among the rally’s organizers.

Speakers stood at the top of the courthouse steps in front of signs that spelled out “Support Workers.” The first speaker, Linda Quilty, co-lead of Indivisible Binghamton, told the crowd that while the protest focused on Labor Day and labor rights, there were other important issues that people should feel free to speak out about.

Later, Quilty referenced Glennon Doyle, an author and motivational speaker who quoted a metaphor about a flowing river from Michelle Alexander, a civil rights activist and The New York Times opinion columnist. The flowing river symbolizes the march toward obtaining “justice, love, equality and shared humanity,” with each boat sailing on the river representing a different cause. From immigrant rights to universal healthcare, Quilty suggested that it is up to each person to join together and support one another on the journey.

“When we get on those boats, and each one on a different boat, we yell to the other boats, ‘Keep on going, we’re with you. Go, go, go down the river of justice and love,’” Quilty said. “We don’t yell for them to come on our boat — we need all the boats.”

“We don’t just protest, we dance and we love each other so that our boats are irresistible to everyone who wants to join in,” she continued. “We lovingly keep them — the people who join — because everyone wants a loving, vibrant place to live.”

Next to speak was Ravo Root, lead organizer at Citizen Action of New York. A union worker, Root said that organized labor helped create the working class in the United States, as they fought for higher wages, safe working conditions and other protections. Addressing concerns that increasing taxes would cause wealthy people to leave the state, Root denied this and said that the number of millionaires in New York has grown in the past decade. He added that it is a “moral obligation” to ensure that “the wealthiest among us pay their fair share into the system.”

After rally goers joined in a chant calling for an end to corporate greed, Michael Kane, a Citizen Action board member, said Monday’s protest symbolized workers’ solidarity.

“This event isn’t just a celebration,” Kane said. “It’s a statement that we, the workers in the community, are united and we will keep pushing for a world that values labor over greed.”

Quilty then returned to the stage and introduced Philip Shanahan, president of the Broome-Tioga Central Labor Council. He began by detailing the history of Labor Day, telling protestors that it took strikes and “a lot of blood, a lot of pain” to achieve recognition of workers’ rights. He added that Labor Day is not just for Democrats or Republicans, but for all workers.

Addressing rhetoric about returning to America’s “golden days,” Shanahan said the wealthy were taxed at higher rates back then compared to today and that people were able to raise a family without having to work multiple jobs.

“Why can’t we bring semiconductors and the new industries and everything back to this area?” Shanahan asked the crowd. “We had our golden age here before and we can have it again. This is a beautiful area. Who wouldn’t want to live up here in Binghamton, New York?”

Barbara Mullen, another co-lead of Indivisible Binghamton, shared her recent experience traveling to Finland, Denmark and Canada and said “everyone is concerned about the United States of America.”

The final speaker, a representative from the New York Trade Justice Coalition, criticized trade policies by President Donald Trump and his predecessors over the past 35 years and said Trump’s deals contain “big giveaways” to Wall Street and large corporate interests.

After the speeches, protesters marched down Court Street and looped back.

In a press interview, Root called upon elected Democratic officials like Gov. Kathy Hochul to raise taxes on the wealthy and protect the working class. He said Trump appealed to working-class voters by “selling them a false narrative.”

“It’s really important that as working class people, we all band together in this moment because our democracy is under threat, but also the eroding of the working class and the middle class is showing,” Root said.

Ariel Hochman ‘24 MPA ‘25 told Pipe Dream that she became involved with the center after she lost a family member due to domestic violence. As a graduate student wanting to serve the campus community, she interned for Binghamton University’s Healthy Campus Initiative, which provides resources to support all dimensions of student health. Building on her campus involvement, Hochman said her new position at the center fits “right in like a puzzle piece.”

As campus advocate coordinator, Hochman is available Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the University’s Violence, Abuse and Rape Crisis Center, located on the third floor of Old Johnson Hall. Alongside the campus advocate coordinator representing CVAC, VARCC offers private and confidential services for victims of sexual violence, including a sexual assault advocate, trauma recovery and reporting assistance.

Unlike private resource providers, who are mandated reporters for sexual violence, domestic abuse and stalking, Hochman’s service is confidential, so she is not required to report information students tell her unless someone plans to harm themself or others.

“If they’re coming to me just to tell me about crime that they’ve experienced and the trauma they may have gone through, I’m there to support them in that, and I’m there to also walk them through what avenues, what paths they may want to go down — whether that’s going to be going to Title IX at the University, going to the University police, going into the community and getting resources out of there,” Hochman said. “I can help be that guide for them and explain to them what their resources could be in the near future.”

Students seeking support during a medical or legal appointment can ask Hochman to accompany them to the hospital or court as an advocate.

CVAC offers resources to victims and survivors of all crimes, including sexual violence, stalking, harassment and domestic violence. Much of its funding comes from New York’s 2015 Enough is Enough law, which requires all colleges and universities in the state to adopt a uniform definition of affirmative consent and conduct campus climate surveys gauging student awareness of resources available to survivors of interpersonal violence.

The program helps fund 52 rape crisis programs in the state “to help provide services to student survivors of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking,” according to New York’s Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Additional funding comes from other sources, including the Office of Victim Services, which provides resources to crime victims and their relatives.

The center also provides custom training for faculty and staff on topics like relevant law and what to do if a victim comes forward seeking help.

In 2019, a survey conducted by the Association of American Universities found that 13 percent of students experienced “nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force or inability to consent.” Female and transgender, genderqueer, nonbinary or otherwise gender nonconforming individuals experienced the highest rates of harassment, intimate partner violence and stalking.

In the study, less than a third of women who reported sexual assault connected with a supportive program. When asked why they did not reach out, 15.9 percent of those women said they felt “embarrassed, ashamed or that it would be too emotionally difficult to seek assistance.”

“I think that there’s a huge stigma around victimization in general because nobody feels like it’s going to happen to them until it does, and then when it does, a lot of victims may feel a lot of shame around what has happened to them,” Hochman said. “They’ll go down a rabbit hole mentally about what they could have done differently and how they’re going to proceed in the future and all of these different things.”

“Every victim has their own story and their own method of healing from that,” she continued. “And so part of my role is to guide them through that healing as well.”

Other spaces offering confidential resources include the University Counseling Center, the Student Association’s Title IX Peer Advisors and the Decker Student Health Services Center.

For students looking to get involved, CVAC offers internships and volunteer opportunities where participants are trained in crisis counseling and provide administrative assistance.

“The University is fortunate to have the collaboration and support of such well-trained advocates as those working for CVAC and our students,” Beth Riley, assistant dean for early intervention and crisis management at the University, wrote in a statement to Pipe Dream.

The Student Power Coalition, now composed of 13 organizations, was formed last year out of collaborative activist work done by several organizations protesting Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip after Oct. 7, 2023. Led by BU’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, the coalition was founded on four major principles — campus democracy, anti-Zionism, antimilitarism and antiracism.

“Defending and expanding student democracy” is the coalition’s chief objective for the new academic year, the group’s chairperson wrote in a statement to Pipe Dream.

“Democracy is under attack by the American government, by our University administration, and by our previous Student Congress,” the statement read. “To this end, Student Power will fight for the will of students, inside and outside of the Student Association: divestment from genocide, the military-industrial complex, and Sodexo; expansion of DEI programs; and protection for protestors and international students.”

Many of the coalition’s members, including Binghamton’s Students for Justice in Palestine, the Latin American Student Union, the Abortion Advocacy Coalition, the Disabled Student Union, the Muslim Student Association, the Yiddish Bund of Binghamton, the Henna Club and the Feminist Collective, also joined together [HYPERLINK: https://www.bupipedream.com/news/campus-news/divest-from-death-coalition-backs-pro-bds-resolution/152013/] last year urging the SA to adopt a Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions resolution calling on the University to end partnerships with and divest funding from Israel and defense companies.

After a tense, nearly five-hour long meeting [HYPERLINK: https://www.bupipedream.com/news/bds-resolution-passes/152111/] in April 2024, the SA Congress passed the resolution with 14 representatives voting in favor, 11 voting against, two abstaining and one vote deemed invalid. The resolution also directed the SA to deem Israel’s military actions in Gaza as a genocide and Israel as an apartheid state.

Two weeks later, the SA Judicial Board struck down parts of the resolution because it determined that three clauses violated the SA Constitution.

In October, the SA Congress reversed course and repealed the BDS resolution. At the same meeting, the body also passed two other notable resolutions — the first prohibits SA chartered organizations from working with Binghamton Solidarity for Palestine, BinghamtonBDS and SUNY BDS, while the second expressed support for passing a state law to “prohibit the use of hoods, masks, and other facial coverings to conceal identity during lawful and unlawful assemblies or riots.”

The SA E-Board vetoed both measures the following week.

That same day, YDSA, LASU, SJP and the Disabled Student Union joined SHADES Binghamton in posting a statement on Instagram commending the SA E-Board for vetoing the resolutions, writing that “our pressure on administration made a difference” and that student outcry against the measures “made it untenable for the Student Association to continue with these unpopular policies.”

The Thurgood Marshall Pre-Law Society and the Powerful United Ladies Striving to Elevate also released statements opposing the resolutions. Both organizations are part of the Student Power Coalition.

During last year’s tumultuous SA elections cycle, the coalition made endorsements in two races. The coalition backed incumbent McKenzie Skrastins for SA president, now a senior majoring in mathematics, for reelection against opponent Joseph Kornblum, a senior majoring in business administration. In the race for BU Council Representative, the coalition endorsed Irene Cui, now a junior majoring in economics, to unseat Mackenzie Cooper, the incumbent and a first-year graduate student studying public administration.

“Exercising student voices is vital because each time they are heard, our campus community grows stronger,” Skrastins wrote in a statement to Pipe Dream. “As SA President, my goal is to be a resource for all student groups, meeting their needs in whatever capacity possible. I am here to listen and assist any student or organization that reaches out to me.”

Cui won her race against Cooper by just 36 votes out of 2,686 total ballots cast, while Skrastins defeated Kornblum by a larger 520 vote margin.

“In today’s climate, strengthening student democracy is more important than ever,” Cui wrote in a statement to Pipe Dream. “I value the role that student organizations play in fostering dialogue, advocacy, and community on campus. I’m committed to working with all groups of students at BU to ensure their voices are heard and represented.”

Last week, Student Power began encouraging students interested in running for SA Congress to fill out a Google Form to get connected. On Instagram, the coalition criticized last year’s body for “trying to ban masks at protests, attempting to overturn a student election, and upholding support for Israel’s genocide.”

The coalition plans on endorsing student candidates running for SA Congress this year.

Student Power hosted a general interest meeting last Thursday for students interested in joining one of the organizations. Attendees also met and greeted each other while decorating cupcakes.

“The strength of students lies in their numbers,” wrote the chair of Student Power. “The university can expel one student or ban one group.”

“When our disparate organizations act separately towards singular concessions, we achieve nothing,” they continued. “Only when students act together can our goals be realized.”

Hosted on Aug. 14 by Bob Joseph, the long-time anchor of WNBF’s “Binghamton Now” program, the debate saw incumbent Mayor Jared Kraham, a Republican, face off for the first time against Democrat Miles Burnett.

Kraham issued a statement last Monday calling on Burnett to commit to three live debates before early voting starts on Oct. 25. Later that day, Burnett released a statement agreeing to a debate with Kraham. Both candidates quickly agreed the following day to debate that Thursday morning.

Both candidates began with opening statements. Kraham introduced himself to listeners by saying he has “developed a meaningful and measurable track record delivering results” during his first term, focusing on his efforts in public safety and housing construction. He added that the “biggest choice” voters face is electing a “competent, experienced leader in this very tumultuous time that we see in Albany and in Washington.”

Burnett highlighted his experience as deputy chief of staff to State Sen. Lea Webb ‘04 and as executive director of a nonprofit organization that “focused on economic development and small business initiatives.” He said he entered the race to “build a better Binghamton for everyone.”

After opening statements were made, both candidates were asked about the city’s housing and homelessness crisis. Kraham pointed to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2024 designation of Binghamton as a “pro-housing” community [HYPERLINK: https://www.bupipedream.com/news/community/gov-hochul-designates-binghamton-johnson-city-as-pro-housing-communities/148013/] and recent housing construction as signs of progress.

Burnett said that “new vision” is needed to fight back against rising housing costs, adding that he believes the city itself has become “one of the worst landlords” in the area and that greater investment is needed toward building emergency shelters. Kraham countered by pointing out that several affordable housing developments are now under renovation, including the construction of 256 affordable units at the Town and Country Apartments in the city’s North Side neighborhood.

Turning to the state of abandoned buildings around Binghamton, Burnett said the city must hold vacant property owners accountable and invest more in “affordable, safe, permanent” housing for residents.

Kraham touted the prosecution of and later settlement with Isaac Anzaroot, who Kraham labeled as being “the most notorious slumlord probably in Binghamton’s history,” and the hiring of a city code prosecutor tasked with holding negligent landlords accountable. He also said the city must “ensure that we do not have encampments in public spaces,” citing safety and sanitation concerns.

After a commercial break, the debate resumed with a focus on public safety. Kraham said his campaign is supported by members of the Binghamton Police Department.

“This is the biggest area that there’s a difference between myself and my opponent in this race,” Kraham said. “I have been involved in public safety for the last 12 years of the city.”

Burnett said that he grew up around family members who were public servants and that more resources should be directed to first responders. He added that the police department continues to grapple with retention issues.

The debate turned to the city’s “blue bag” policy requiring residents to purchase and dispose of trash in city-issued blue plastic bags. Before the rule was implemented in 1991, property taxes were used to pay a fee for every ton of garbage dropped at the county landfill.

Burnett reiterated his longstanding pledge to replace the blue bag requirement with a more affordable option and look at different models adopted by other municipalities.

“It became clear to me that they are a weekly reminder to people of the status quo that we currently have in city government,” Burnett said of the blue bags.

Kraham said the current model is supported by a variety of community organizations and claimed that eliminating the program would increase garbage removal costs for families.

The final topic discussed was the future of the Binghamton Plaza shopping center. In 2024, a state court unanimously ruled in favor of the city’s effort to acquire the property through eminent domain.

On Aug. 6, Kraham announced that Binghamton would offer $1.55 million to Galesi Realty Corporation for the property. Under law, the owners will have 90 days to respond.

Burnett expressed concern that the city’s move was made without sufficient input from the community and the businesses that still operate in the plaza.

“My opponent again confirmed that he has no plan for Binghamton Plaza, vacant properties, housing, public safety, or our city,” Burnett said in a statement to Pipe Dream. “He doubled down on the status quo by reciting empty promises from rehashed press releases, that is when he wasn’t spewing baseless attacks.”

Kraham said the city plans to expand the neighboring Cheri A. Lindsey Memorial Park and promote new commercial development on the property. He ended the debate by saying he was the “only candidate qualified” to serve as mayor for a new term.

Both candidates agreed to a second live joint appearance on WNBF in October before early voting begins.

Over 10 months after Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger announced his intent to step down, the SUNY Board of Trustees named the University’s next president.

Anne D’Alleva, the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Connecticut, was appointed on Tuesday morning during a closed executive session meeting. She will begin her duties on Nov. 1.

Before becoming UConn’s first female provost in 2022, D’Alleva was dean of its School of Fine Arts for seven years, where she co-founded the Krenicki Arts and Engineering Institute. She received an undergraduate degree in art history from Harvard University in 1986 and her M.A. and Ph.D. in art history from Columbia University, along with a graduate certificate in feminist theory. D’Alleva is the author of several books, including “Fundamentals of Art History” and “Methods and Theories of Art History.”

As provost, D’Alleva was responsible for “strategic planning, budgetary management, faculty development, and curriculum innovation” across UConn’s 14 schools and campuses. She also expanded UConn’s work in artificial intelligence and strengthened ties with Connecticut’s Native American nations.

“I am so eager to work with Binghamton’s faculty and staff, the SUNY system, the community and industry partners we will engage to build even greater research strength, expand economic impact and extend the University’s reach across New York, the nation and the world,” D’Alleva said at the meeting. “In fact, Binghamton already possesses many of the hallmarks of a world class institution.”

“Our task now is to ensure that the world recognizes Binghamton as such,” she continued.

During an otherwise ordinary BU Council meeting last October, Stenger announced he planned to leave his post, saying it was a “difficult decision” to make because he will greatly miss “working with Binghamton University’s wonderful students, faculty, staff, community members and alumni.”

A presidential search committee, led by BU Council Chair Kathryn Grant Madigan, first met in February to find Stenger’s replacement. The committee selected WittKieffer, an executive search firm that previously assisted the University in finding candidates for other administrative positions, to help search for the next president.

The search committee hosted 15 listening sessions with select faculty, students, alumni and community members during the spring semester to gather input.

Over 90 applicants were considered for the position, Madigan reported. In a June 16 update, the committee announced it would interview 12 candidates on Zoom and eventually narrow the pool down to “no fewer than 5 semi-finalists.”

Unlike a fully “open” search process, where the names of semi-finalist candidates are publicized, the BU Council and SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. allowed the committee to use a hybrid approach, giving various communities and stakeholders a confidential voice in the process while protecting candidates’ identities. An open search could deter some highly qualified candidates from applying if their employers were made aware they were applying to a new position, Madigan wrote.

From July 6 to 14, six candidates were interviewed on campus by the search committee and other groups. After one semi-finalist withdrew their application, the committee submitted a list of five individuals to the BU Council, which picked three to attend final interviews.

Stenger was selected in November 2011 after a 17-month search was launched following former University President Lois DeFleur’s retirement. The process first began as an open search in April 2010, which ended after then-SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher rejected the two recommended finalists. The process resumed in July 2011 as a closed search with no information released publicly about potential candidates until Stenger was named in November.

Stenger congratulated D’Alleva on her selection as the next University president.

“She brings with her a reputation as a multidisciplinary collaborator in research and scholarship, a leader in expanding and enhancing Connecticut’s facilities, and an administrator who has developed innovative solutions to support student success,” Stenger said. “I wish Anne the best in her time as Binghamton president, and I look forward to many future successes for the University, its people and the local community.”

Radenka Maric, the president of UConn, announced that Pamir Alpay, vice president for research, innovation and entrepreneurship, will be appointed interim provost once D’Alleva leaves on Oct. 3. In a statement to UConn students and faculty, Maric said BU was “fortunate to have Anne stepping in as their leader,” adding that D’Alleva’s leadership at UConn was “characterized by vision, practicality, tenacity, and the highest degree of collegiality.”

The search for UConn’s next provost will begin early next year.

According to the New York Board of Elections, Democrat Miles Burnett raised $76,340 from 397 individual donors, as of July 11, since he entered the mayoral race in February. Burnett ended with $67,431 after the campaign spent $8,909 on expenses.

After starting with $12,276 in January, incumbent Mayor Jared Kraham received $50,227 over the past six months and ended with $49,257.
In a July 16 press release, the Burnett campaign attributed its fundraising advantage to its community outreach and focus on issues like affordability and youth services.

“Every day, our campaign is out meeting people where they are at, hearing their concerns and ideas for how we can build a better Binghamton for everyone,” Burnett said. “This filing is more than a number: it shows that people are hungry for a new vision for our community and a change to the status quo.”

Benji Federman, chair of the Broome County Republicans, criticized Burnett for accepting a donation from the owner of Maryam’s Taste of Halal, a popular late-night spot for students and community members. In April, state officials issued a violation against the store after several underage individuals reportedly became sick from eating cannabis gummies.

Additionally, Federman said in a statement to Binghamton Homepage that Burnett was “dodging questions on his inexperience and past campaign finance violations.”

Maryam Grocery LLC and the store’s owner made two separate $1,300 donations to the Burnett campaign on June 18.

An individual can make a maximum one-time donation of $1,351 to a candidate running for office in the city of Binghamton, according to the Broome County Board of Elections. Members of a candidate’s family can donate higher amounts. The individual donation limit varies based on the number of registered voters in a jurisdiction.

“Rather than attacking one of our city’s small business owners, who clearly did not violate the contribution limit as stated on page 30 in the NYS Campaign Finance handbook, Kraham should be addressing the serious issues facing Binghamton,” Karen Beebe, chair of the Broome County Democrats, said in a statement responding to Federman.

Burnett also received a $1,300 donation from The Grove LLC, a bar located next to Maryam’s run by the same owner. Another $1,300 came from Yams Grocery LLC, which was established by the same owner as Maryam’s in 2023, though the donation came from a different individual.

Several local organizations also donated to Kraham’s re-election bid. In March, the Binghamton Professional Firefighters Association gave $1,000 to the campaign. The group also endorsed Kraham in a July Facebook post.

The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, an organization representing more than 800 businesses and nonprofits in the region, donated $100 to Kraham’s campaign on March 28.

Several labor unions weighed into the mayoral race. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 158 donated $1,000 and $500 toward Kraham’s reelection. The New York State Laborers Political Action Committee, a non-partisan group that supports political candidates who fight for labor rights, gave $100 to Burnett’s campaign.

The next mandatory filing date for both candidates is October 3.

Molinaro, who represented Greater Binghamton in Congress before losing to Democrat Josh Riley last November, will head the agency responsible for supporting the nation’s public transit systems.

“I am grateful to President Trump for placing his trust in me, and to Secretary Duffy for his confidence in my leadership,” Molinaro said in a press release. “I am committed to supporting our nation’s public transportation systems and ensuring a safer, more accessible, and better-connected America.”

Created in 1964, the agency, part of the Department of Transportation, spends billions of dollars annually to maintain the country’s “buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries,” per its website.

Molinaro testified on March 27 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

“We are indeed at a great moment of possibility: a golden age,” Molinaro said at the hearing. “Together, we can ensure that transit not only moves Americans but helps to move America forward.”

“And just as our own circulatory system connects every part of the body to sustain life, transit binds our communities together — urban and rural, coastal and heartland — ensuring opportunity access and resilience flows to every corner of our nation,” he continued.

Molinaro received support from a coalition of transit advocates and labor unions, including the Transport Workers Union of America, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO.

On April 3, the committee approved his nomination in a 20-4 vote. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts and the committee’s ranking member, said she appreciated Molinaro’s desire to improve public transportation and support workers but could not support him.

“I have no doubt about it,” Warren said, referring to Molinaro’s commitment. “But it seems clear that the White House and Musk will terminate FTA employees and take other actions that undermine the DOT.”

“I will not vote to confirm these administration officials when co-presidents Trump and Musk are actively destroying these agencies while we just sit here,” she continued.

The confirmation comes as the Trump administration modifies public transit policy nationwide. In April, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the federal government will take over the Penn Station construction project in Manhattan. Under the new directive, the Federal Railroad Administration, a sister agency in the Department of Transportation, will empower Amtrak to continue the project on a reduced budget.

Molinaro has also strongly opposed New York City’s congestion pricing plan, which requires drivers who enter Manhattan at or below 60th Street to pay $9 during peak hours.

The plan, first approved by the Federal Highway Administration in 2023, was set to be implemented in June 2024. Gov. Kathy Hochul delayed its implementation until after the November election, where Democrats won back several House seats on Long Island, the Hudson Valley and the Syracuse region. Hochul also reduced the fee from $15 to $9.
Revenue from the program is expected to reach $500 million by the end of the year, according to a press release from Hochul’s office.

Duffy revoked the Transportation Department’s approval of congestion pricing in a February letter to Hochul, claiming the program would negatively impact working-class people and was not authorized by federal law. The department initially gave New York until March 21 to comply.
On March 20, Duffy extended the deadline by one month. A new deadline was issued in April, giving New York until May 21 to stop collecting funds or risk the federal government halting construction projects throughout Manhattan.

A federal judge temporarily stopped Duffy from ending congestion pricing on May 27, stating that New York “would suffer irreparable harm” if the federal government withdrew funding from infrastructure projects across the city.

In an X post earlier this year, Molinaro said congestion pricing was a “cash grab” and that the MTA is “in desperate need of reform, transparency & accountability.”

A final decision on the program’s legality is expected in the upcoming months.

“Marc Molinaro’s bipartisan support in the US Senate demonstrates he’s the right person to advance our critical transit systems into the future,” Benji Federman, chair of the Broome County Republicans, said in a statement to Pipe Dream. “We look forward to seeing all he’ll accomplish for the American people.”

A video, taken last Friday, reportedly showed Susan Rice, 44, approach two teenage males on the front porch of a home in Johnson City. In the video, she argued with the group, saying phrases like “We are the police,” despite not working for law enforcement. She also made inflammatory comments to the teenagers and asked, “What do you do, Section 8?”

Rice then walked onto the porch and punched both teenagers. The younger, 16-year-old boy then struck Rice in the face, causing her to fall to the ground. Zikuski, who was off duty, then helped Rice stand and leave the scene. She later received medical treatment, while neither teenager was hurt.

“The female in the video is a private citizen — not employed by the City of Binghamton nor affiliated with the City in any official capacity,” Kraham said in a July 20 statement. “Still, I’m troubled by her language and the implication that she is in any way above the law because of a personal association with a member of law enforcement.”

Johnson City police later arrested and charged Rice with trespass, harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.

On Wednesday, Kraham announced in a press release that the city of Binghamton hired attorney Karl Sleight to conduct an “independent third-party investigation” of the incident to “determine if any violations of police department policy or misconduct occurred.” Sleight served as executive director of the New York State Ethics Commission from 2001 to 2007. Before assuming that role, he was the state’s deputy inspector general, leading investigations into fraud and misconduct in the government.

Zikuski has been police chief since 2008. He was placed on administrative leave in 2015 for over three months after sexual harassment allegations.

Rice, a nurse, was “immediately placed on leave” from her job at the Greater Binghamton Health Center, according to a statement sent to Fox 40 by her employer. The center is operated by the Office of Mental Health, which manages other psychiatric facilities statewide.

“OMH has a zero-tolerance policy for violence, and we expect our employees to conduct themselves in public in a manner that doesn’t negatively reflect on our agency,” the statement read.

A report is expected to be publicly released once the investigation is completed.

A May 27 cable message sent by Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to suspend interview scheduling while officials prepared to release further guidance, as first reported by Politico.

Under the new order, issued June 18, applicants will be asked to “adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public’ in order to facilitate vetting,” according to a department spokesperson.

“Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form,” the spokesperson added. “Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.”

The Free Press, an independent news site, reported that consular officers were instructed to identify individuals who “bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles” and flag applicants who allegedly advocate or support “designated foreign terrorists” and “other threats to U.S. national security.” Officers will have discretion in determining whether an applicant’s online activity constitutes a true threat.

Embassies can now resume scheduling interviews, but were advised to prioritize individuals looking to study at universities “where international students constitute 15 percent or less of the total student population.”

Since 2019, the department has required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on certain forms.

“In every case, we will take the time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the United States and that he or she has credibly established his or her eligibility for the visa sought, including that the applicant intends to engage in activities consistent with the terms of admission,” the spokesperson wrote.

In March, Rubio ordered consular officers to refer certain applicants to the “Fraud Prevention Unit” for a “mandatory social media check.” Officers were told to check for any “derogatory information” indicating an applicant is “advocating for, sympathizing with, or persuading others to endorse or espouse terrorist activities.”

On April 9, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the agency will “consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity” when evaluating immigration benefit requests.

In May, Rubio announced that the Trump administration would “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students,” who made up about a quarter of all international students during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Late in June, Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident detained in March by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for his pro-Palestinian activism at Columbia University, was released on bail. According to the Associated Press, a federal district judge said it was “highly, highly unusual” for the government to detain a legal resident who was not accused of committing violence and unlikely to flee the country.

The Trump administration motioned to appeal the judge’s decision later that evening.

In early April, a University spokesperson told Pipe Dream that five students had their visas revoked. These students and 41 others at SUNY schools have since had their legal statuses restored, a temporary reversal while officials create a new system to review and terminate records for international students.

Over 21,000 international students enrolled at SUNY campuses last fall, with 2,048 attending Binghamton University.

“The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission,” a June 18 department press release read.

The battle for county clerk was the top race in this year’s primary. Former Binghamton city mayor Rich David, who served from 2014 to 2021, faced off against Aaron Martin, a county legislative clerk for the past 14 years.

Martin earned 54.17 percent of the vote while David received 45.44 percent. The next day, David posted a statement on Facebook thanking his supporters.

“While we didn’t get the result we hoped for, I’m proud of the effort we put forward and grateful for the people who stood with me,” David wrote. “It was a hard-fought race and I wish my opponent well.”

In February, David kicked off his campaign at the Old Union Hotel in Binghamton’s First Ward. He received endorsements from several Republican officials, including Joseph Mihalko, the current clerk since 2018, who announced in January that he would not run for reelection.

That week, Martin launched his campaign with fellow supporters and said he felt “confident that I have the experience to take this on.”

The county clerk is responsible for overseeing the Department of Motor Vehicles and maintaining county records.

“Over the months, we’ve knocked on thousands of doors to meet voters face-to-face to introduce ourselves and hear directly from them about what is on their minds,” read a statement on Martin’s campaign Facebook account. “Along the way, we also earned the endorsement of many County, Town and Village officials — those doing the work every day to serve the community.”

“We’re grateful for the support of so many voters yesterday, and look forward to continuing to work hard between now and General Election Day in November,” the statement continued.

In Johnson City, voters also selected two candidates for village trustee. John Walker and Clark Giblin, who currently serve as trustees, both received 207 votes and defeated two other Republicans on the ballot.
The local Democratic, Conservative and Working Families Parties did not hold a primary this year.

The winning candidates will now advance to the Nov. 4 general election. Martin will likely face off against Nick Libous, the son of the late State Sen. Tom Libous, a Republican who represented the Binghamton area from 1989 to 2015.

Binghamton’s mayoral election will also take place in November, where Mayor Jared Kraham is up for reelection. Kraham, elected in 2021 as the city’s youngest-ever mayor, faces a challenge from Democrat Miles Burnett.

“Congratulations to our strong slate of Republican candidates and all of the primary challengers who had the guts to run for office,” Benji Federman, chair of the Broome County Republicans, said in a statement. “We have healthy competition amongst our ranks because the Broome Republicans offer candidates the best chance at victory in November as we continue to over-perform and win tough races.”

“Now it’s time to come together to face our common opponents — reckless local Democrats who’ve already pledged to defund our police, raise our taxes and advance backwards priorities,” the statement concluded.

In New York City, registered Democrats last Tuesday selected their top choices for mayor. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, whose federal corruption case was dismissed in April, pulled out of the party’s primary that month, opting to run for reelection as an independent candidate.
In a notable upset, Zohran Mamdani, a progressive state assemblymember representing a district in Queens, defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 after an investigation by the state attorney general’s office found he had sexually harassed 11 women. Mamdani won 56 percent of votes after ranked choice tabulation, compared to Cuomo’s 44 percent.

Despite this, Cuomo declined to drop out of the mayoral race altogether, likely ensuring his name will appear next to the “Fight & Deliver” ballot line in the general election.

Primary elections for city council, borough president and district attorney were also held.

In Buffalo, Democrat Sean Ryan, a state senator endorsed by the Erie County Democratic Committee in February, defeated Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon in a primary race. Ryan criticized Scanlon for accepting donations made from a relative of Carl Paladino, a Republican and former congressional candidate who supports President Donald Trump.

Released on May 29, the endorsement list included all seven Binghamton City Council members and three current Broome County legislators. If elected, Burnett would be the city’s first Democratic mayor since Matt Ryan ‘83, who served from 2006 to 2013 and endorsed Burnett.

“I am so proud to have this impressive group of public servants supporting my candidacy,” Burnett said in a press release. “Their knowledge of government and commitment to local democracy are vital resources to Binghamton and the future Burnett administration.”

“To move our city forward, we need strong, dedicated partners like these folks,” he continued. “Each of these current and former elected officials have gained and nurtured the public’s trust and worked hard to deliver for their constituents.”

The campaign officially launched in February. Burnett, a South Side native, served as deputy chief of staff to State Sen. Lea Webb ‘04 from 2023 to 2024. He also worked as an aide to Andrew Cohen, a former New York City councilman, and the executive director of a nonprofit advancing economic development projects.

At a Feb. 25 kickoff party, Burnett listed several issues he wanted to address as mayor, from public safety to affordable housing. He pledged to hold “absentee and out-of-town landlords accountable” and support expanding home ownership opportunities. Touching on public safety concerns, Burnett stressed the importance of investing in violence prevention programs and mental health resources, along with supporting first responders.

He also shared his vision for supporting the city’s young residents, highlighting mentorship programs and job training as ways to encourage students and youth to live in and contribute to the local community.

“Miles Burnett is running the most exciting Mayoral campaign in a generation,” Michael Dundon, a city council member, wrote to Pipe Dream. “I’ve known Miles since well before he declared his candidacy and know him as an energetic leader with a passion for our community.”

“I’m impressed with his ability to bring people together, understand issues from different perspectives, and put forward common sense solutions,” he continued. “I trust Mayor Burnett to take on issues in the bold, forward-thinking ways our city needs, but has lacked for a long time.”

Ten former city council members also signed the endorsement letter, along with John Hutchings and Karen Beebe, both former county legislators. Beebe is now chair of the Broome County Democrats. Burnett previously received endorsements from the Working Families Party, Citizen Action of New York and the Binghamton University College Democrats.

In April, Burnett’s campaign submitted more than 1,000 signatures to qualify for both the Democratic and Working Families Party ballot lines.

His opponent, Jared Kraham, is the city’s incumbent Republican mayor. Elected in 2021, Kraham is Binghamton’s youngest mayor. He formally began his reelection campaign in April.

Speaking to supporters at the Phelps Mansion Museum, Kraham listed a series of accomplishments achieved during his term, ranging from housing construction to promoting economic growth.

One issue raised by both candidates is the Good Cause Eviction law, which the council unanimously passed in February to protect tenants against retaliatory or unjustified evictions and sharp rent increases. Kraham vetoed the legislation in March, writing in a letter that “Binghamton is not New York City” and raising concerns with the measure.

The city council overturned Kraham’s veto a few days later, and the Good Cause Eviction law went into effect on April 2.

Burnett told Pipe Dream in February that he supported Good Cause Eviction but that the city should study its effectiveness. On May 20, a request for legislation proposed by Burnett passed into law, which will “begin a process to study the effectiveness of Binghamton’s newly installed Good Cause Eviction Law,” according to a campaign statement.

“Now more than ever, every Binghamton resident deserves a mayor they can trust, a mayor who will put their needs, their families and their communities first when running this city,” the Broome County Democrats wrote to Pipe Dream. “Miles Burnett is that mayor. With his background supporting small businesses, running a nonprofit, and advancing local and state legislation, Miles has the experience and leadership we need.”

Amid retention rate dip, University to launch ‘Baxter chatbot’ for new students

Following a drop in first-year retention rates, Binghamton University unveiled an artificial intelligence chatbot to connect new students to campus resources. Named after Baxter the Bearcat, the chatbot was created in partnership with the Dean of Students Office and EdSights, an educational technology corporation. Launched in October, the chatbot “fielded over 15k text messages” to first-year students in its first six months, according to Amanda Finch, the dean of students.

Months after its release, Pipe Dream interviewed three students to gauge their experience using the chatbot. All three students said it prompted them to answer general questions on topics like their experience at the University so far and their mental health. The chatbot is not anonymous, as University personnel can read messages students send.

SJP leads walkout and rally by Engineering Building in solidarity with Palestinians

One year after Oct. 7, 2023, Students for Justice in Palestine held an afternoon walkout and rally in front of the Engineering Building to demonstrate their continued solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The rally began at 1 p.m. amid a heavy police presence. Several other student organizations, including the Black Student Union, Dissenters, the Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine and the Latin American Student Union, condemned Israel’s attacks in Gaza.

Speakers called for divestment and criticized collaboration between the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science and weapons manufacturing companies like Lockheed Martin. Several counterprotesters approached the rally goers, with some stepping onto a brick ledge in front of the building before University police officers asked them to step down. Other organized protests were held throughout the year.

University’s Jewish community holds Peace Quad vigil, memorial exhibition commemorating first anniversary of Oct. 7

On the same day, members of the University’s Jewish community held a vigil to remember the lives lost in the Hamas attack, which killed an estimated 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, with around 250 taken hostage. Leaders from the Binghamton University Zionist Organization gave opening remarks, followed by former Rep. Marc Molinaro.

Twelve memorial candles were lit by students in remembrance of the kibbutzim immediately affected in the attack, the victims, the Israeli Defense Forces and Omer Neutra, an admitted student who was killed on Oct. 7 and whose body is believed to be held in Gaza. A memorial exhibition was also held in the Mandela Room during the day, remembering the lives lost at the Nova music festival and to raise awareness of the captured hostages.

University President Harvey Stenger to step down

During what began as an ordinary BU Council meeting, President Harvey Stenger announced his intent to step down from his post, marking the end of a 13-year tenure. In 2011, Stenger was chosen as the University’s seventh president following a 17-month search. In a B-line message, Stenger said the University is a “wonderful place with tremendous potential” and he would work toward ensuring a “seamless leadership transition.” Stenger is expected to remain in his post until a successor has been appointed.

SA Congress rescinds BDS resolution

Six months after the Student Association Congress passed a resolution expressing support for Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, the same body reversed course and repealed the action. Authored by Saul Hakim ‘25, the repeal claimed that calling for divestment from Israel undermined “the integrity of the Student Association” and alienated “Jewish students and supporters of Israel from the campus community.”

At the same meeting, the SA Congress passed a resolution prohibiting SA recognized organizations from collaborating with Binghamton Solidarity for Palestine, BinghamtonBDS and SUNY BDS and another resolution expressing support for new laws prohibiting the use of “hoods, masks, and other facial coverings to conceal identity during lawful and unlawful assemblies or riots.” Both of these measures were vetoed by the SA Executive Board, while the Judicial Board later struck down parts of the resolution rescinding support for BDS.

Judge finds Hamail Waddell guilty of two misdemeanors

About one month after a two-day trial was held, a judge found Hamail Waddell guilty of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. On New Year’s Day in 2023, Waddell was apprehended by police. Video showed Brad Kaczynski, a Binghamton police officer, kneeling on Waddell’s neck and back, sparking outrage in the community.

Last May, the New York attorney general’s office released a report concluding excessive force was used in the arrest, a finding rejected by the City of Binghamton. In December, the judge sentenced Waddell to a one-year conditional discharge. Waddell’s attorney told Pipe Dream after the sentencing that he would file a lawsuit against Kaczynski in federal court.

Local Democrats notch several Election Day victories

Amid an otherwise disappoiting Election Day for the Democratic Party nationwide, several local Democrats clinched victory in Broome County. Josh Riley, an Endicott native, defeated Rep. Marc Molinaro for New York’s 19th congressional district. State Senator Lea Webb ‘04 won reelection against Republican Mike Sigler with 57 percent of the vote.

These local victories came four days after a local get-out-the-vote rally was held in Downtown Binghamton featuring Rep. Hakeem Jeffries ‘92, the House minority leader, New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado and other local elected officials.

Voters across New York also passed Proposal One, adding to the state constitution protections against discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex — including pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

Community mourns accepted student Omer Neutra

In December, community members gathered in the Mandela Room for a memorial service honoring Omer Neutra, a Plainview, New York native who was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Neutra deferred his admission to BU to serve in the Israeli military. The service was led by BUZO in collaboration with Chabad, Hillel and the Jewish Learning Initiative On Campus. Candles were arranged in a Star of David as mourners sat in a large circle, reciting prayers and comforting songs.

Faculty Senate passes three resolutions affirming commitment to academic freedom, student protest

In February, the University’s Faculty Senate passed three resolutions supporting academic freedom and student protest. The first resolution reaffirmed a commitment to freedom of speech, academic freedom and student assembly, particularly regarding “matters of domestic and global significance, including but not limited to Palestine-Israel.”

The second resolution expressed concern with how the University handled the Peace Quad encampment, set up on May 1, 2024, by students to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians and protest the University’s ties with military-industrial companies. The final measure called on the University to “refrain from threatening heavy-handed punitive action in response to peaceful student protests” going forward. During discussion, several faculty members said students were threatened with harsh penalties like having grades withheld and courses not being counted.

After weeks of debate, City Council unanimously passes Good Cause Eviction law

On Feb. 12, the Binghamton City Council unanimously voted to pass New York’s Good Cause Eviction law. Introduced by Democrat Nate Hotchkiss ‘12, who represents the fourth district, the law protects tenants from retaliatory or unjustified evictions, prevents rent increases of over 10 percent and allows for lease renewals if renters are not in violation of their contracts or missing payments. Various community members and constituencies voiced their opinions on the proposed legislation over the previous weeks.

In March, Mayor Jared Kraham vetoed the bill, arguing in a letter that “Binghamton is not New York City” and the city should study the impact of these regulations in other upstate municipalities where they have been adopted. The council later overturned Kraham’s veto, ensuring that Good Cause remains on the books.

The search for a new University president officially begins

The hunt for University President Harvey Stenger’s successor began in February when the presidential search committee first met. The committee consists of 21 members, including students, faculty, University Council members and the president of SUNY Broome.

WittKieffer, an executive search and leadership advisory firm, was selected to aid in the search. Over the past few months, the firm has conducted listening sessions with student representatives and other constituencies. In a June 16 announcement, the committee announced that it will soon begin interviews with 12 candidates, with the goal being to narrow this pool to “no fewer than 5 semi-finalists.”

University one of 60 colleges warned of ‘potential enforcement action’ by Education Department over antisemitism concerns

As the Trump administration sought to influence policies adopted by colleges and universities, the U.S. Department of Education in March sent a letter to the University and 59 other higher education institutions warning of “potential enforcement actions” if their obligations to protect Jewish students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act are not met. In 2024, the department launched an investigation into the University over an alleged failure to respond to antisemitism concerns on campus.

On Feb. 3, the Office for Civil Rights began investigations into five universities over reports of antisemitic harassment, including Columbia University, which lost $400 million in federal grants and contracts due to “the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”

18-year-old arrested on campus last month had an assault weapon in his trunk

In March, Pipe Dream learned that University police arrested an out-of-state 18-year-old on Feb. 22 in Lot B by Old Rafuse Hall. Gregory E. Mincher Jr. of Virginia was charged with a litany of alleged offenses, including possessing an assault weapon and a large-capacity feeding device and resisting arrest. Court filings indicated the arrest took place at approximately 1:44 a.m., at which point Mincher allegedly resisted and injured a police officer, who had his left leg immobilized in a brace.

Before this reporting, University administrators did not publicly release information about the incident.

Following federal reversal on student visas, all 46 SUNY students, including five at BU, see legal status restored

The Trump administration revoked hundreds of student visas in April, impacting five students here at the University. They were among 46 students across the SUNY system who experienced a change of visa status. It is unclear why these students were specifically affected — however, the administration has increased scrutiny over visa and green card holders with pro-Palestinian sympathies. Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who led negotiations on behalf of pro-Palestinian activists at Columbia University, was detained by the government on March 8.

On April 25, the administration abruptly reversed course and restored the legal statuses of the students. A New York Times report indicated that a Department of Justice lawyer revealed the change in federal court, characterizing it as a temporary measure while the administration develops a new system to review and terminate records for international students.

Ginsberg wins EVP special election, according to preliminary results

This past year’s SA elections were especially turbulent. In the race for executive vice president, Batia Rabin, then-incumbent and a senior double-majoring in philosophy, politics and law and women, gender and sexuality studies, received 47 percent of votes cast in the March election. Their opponent, Nicholas Ginsberg, now a senior double-majoring in political science and sociology, received 45.5 percent of the vote. After the Elections and Judiciary Committee moved to certify the results, Ginsberg filed a grievance in front of the SA Judicial Board, leading the SA Congress on April 1 to table certification.

After a grievance hearing, the Judicial Board ruled in favor of Ginsberg. In an over 4,000-word opinion, the Judicial Board determined the Elections Committee “grievously erred” in its decision to certify the results when no candidate received more than half of counted votes and, among other things, ordered a special election. In a reversal, Ginsberg won the April 24 special election with 747 votes against Rabin, who received 654 votes. The special election capped off one of the most contentious SA races in recent memory.

Caravan of protesters calls for divestment from Israel

Binghamton Solidarity for Palestine hosted a traveling caravan on Tax Day to protest weapons manufacturers and defense companies “receiving billions of taxpayer dollars in weapons contracts each year,” wrote an organization representative at the time.

Protestors lined up in Owego, New York near the Lockheed Martin facility before approaching the property to deliver a letter addressed to both the CEO of Lockheed Martin and the Owego plant manager, calling for the company to demilitarize. A police officer collected and offered to give the letter to the facility manager. The caravan then traveled to the BAE Systems facility in Endicott, where they walked to the building’s main entrance to deliver another letter.

Protestors then made their way to the University. They marched to the Couper Administration Building, where they gave speeches and attempted to deliver a letter to Stenger, calling for complete divestment from Israel and banning military partnerships with defense companies. JoAnn Navarro, the vice president for operations, said she would bring the letter to Stenger’s office. Protestors then entered the Engineering Building to deliver another letter at the Watson Career and Alumni Connections office.

Stenger signs statement against ‘undue government intrusion’ in higher education

Hundreds of college and university leaders signed a statement in April criticizing the Trump administration’s recent actions that have affected higher education. Framing the purpose of higher education as “essential to American prosperity,” the statement opposes “undue government intrusion” in education.

When the statement was first released on April 22, Stenger was not among those who had signed. A University spokesperson told Pipe Dream the University is not part of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, a body that held national meetings to develop the statement. A few days later, the spokesperson said the University received an invitation to join and “did so immediately.”

When the statement was first released on April 22, Stenger was not among those who had signed. A University spokesperson told Pipe Dream the University is not part of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, a body that held national meetings to develop the statement. A few days later, the spokesperson said the University received an invitation to join and “did so immediately.”

Delgado’s platform calls for initiatives like universal childcare and solutions to the statewide housing crisis, like a rental assistance program and greater investment in public housing. In a June 1 campaign video, he introduced his background and presented a broad policy vision, saying that New York needs “bold, decisive, transformational leadership.”

“It’s important for us to believe that democracy can work for the people,” he added. “There’s a reason why we are at the center of the Trump administration’s attack: we represent everything they want to tear down.”

In early February, Delgado did not commit to endorsing Hochul’s 2026 reelection bid when asked by Politico, saying his “focus is on governing right now.” On Feb. 24, Delgado announced he would not seek reelection with Hochul.

His campaign announcement comes as Hochul faces uncertain political standing. An April poll conducted by the Siena College Research Institute found that Hochul had a 44 to 43 percent approval rating, an improvement from her 40 to 50 percent approval rating in March. Still, 48 percent of registered voters would prefer to elect someone else as governor, compared to March’s 34 to 56 percent.

A Rhodes scholar born in Schenectady, New York, Delgado graduated from Harvard Law School and worked for years at a global law firm. In 2018, he beat six other candidates to become the Democratic nominee for New York’s 19th congressional district.

That November, Delgado defeated Rep. John Faso, the Republican incumbent elected in 2016, becoming the first person of color to represent upstate New York in Congress.

At the time, Ithaca and Binghamton were not part of the congressional district, then composed of counties in the Hudson Valley, the Capital region and the lower Mohawk Valley.

On Aug. 24, 2021, then-lieutenant Hochul became governor when Andrew Cuomo resigned after an investigation by the state attorney general’s office found he had sexually harassed 11 women. Two days later, she selected Brian Benjamin, a state senator representing parts of northern Manhattan, to be lieutenant governor.

Benjamin resigned in April 2022 after federal prosecutors charged him with a litany of campaign finance violations from his time as state senator, leading Hochul to pick Delgado as his replacement.

That August, Pat Ryan, a Democrat, narrowly beat Republican Marc Molinaro to temporarily fill Delgado’s congressional seat until the end of the year. Molinaro ran again and won the general election against Democrat Josh Riley under a new congressional map, with the 19th district now including all of Broome County.

Ryan won in the neighboring 18th district, defeating Republican Assemblyman Colin Schmitt. On Monday, Ryan announced his support for Hochul in an X post, calling her a “person of integrity” and a “fighter.”

As lieutenant governor, Delgado publicly disagreed with Hochul on several occasions. Last year, he called on former President Joe Biden to end his primary campaign, even as Hochul reiterated her support of Biden as the Democratic nominee.

In February, Delgado called on New York City Mayor Eric Adams to resign, leading a Hochul spokesperson to comment that Delgado “does not now and has not ever spoken on behalf of this administration.”

Delgado made several trips to the Binghamton area over the past year. In March, Delgado participated in a downtown protest against potential Medicaid cuts. One month earlier, Delgado ceremonially swore in State Sen. Lea Webb ‘04 for her second term.

Last November, Delgado spoke at a get-out-the-vote rally to boost support for local Democratic candidates. He was joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries ‘92, Webb, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo MA ‘84 and Riley, who defeated Molinaro by around two points in the congressional race.

On Monday, the Democratic Governors Association released a statement supporting Hochul’s reelection bid.

“The Governor knows how to take on big fights and win for New York families — and her agenda is overwhelmingly popular with New Yorkers on both sides of the aisle,” said Meghan Meehan-Draper, the organization’s executive director. “The Democratic Governors Association is 100 percent behind Governor Hochul as she continues to deliver for New York, take on Donald Trump, and build the operation it will take to beat Republicans up and down the ballot in 2026.”

Some New York Republicans rumored to be considering a run against Hochul weighed in on Delgado’s primary challenge. Representatives Mike Lawler and Elise Stefanik issued statements calling Hochul “the worst Governor in America.” Stefanik added that Delgado’s primary bid is evidence Hochul “lost support” among Democrats and independent voters

In 2022, Hochul narrowly won reelection by 6.4 points. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won the state by 12.6 percent in 2024, a notable decline from Biden’s 23.2 percent victory in 2020.

Shortly after November’s election, Delgado wrote a guest opinion in The New York Times criticizing the Democratic Party’s “neoliberal era” and urging leaders to “challenge the systems and institutions that have caused Americans to lose faith in government.” Writing that “common sense should rule the day,” Delgado called on the party to address economic inequality while securing the Southern border and protecting “American workers from bad trade deals.”

“The powerful and well-connected have their champions,” Delgado said in the campaign video. “I’m running for governor to be yours.”

In August 2023, Kraham released a 914-page report finding that most of the city’s railroad bridges faced major structural issues. Of the 25 bridges surveyed, only three were in “good” condition.

Norfolk Southern, a private railroad giant operating 19,500 miles of track nationwide, owns most of Binghamton’s railway bridges. Unlike roads, railways in the United States are largely owned by private companies, posing a challenge for local government oversight. Over a month after the report was released, Norfolk Southern agreed to begin repairs on seven bridges.

“It’s an honor to receive this award from NYCOM recognizing our work to improve crumbling railroad bridges in Binghamton and hold negligent railroad companies accountable,” Kraham said. “This project provided an innovative solution to a decades-old problem, serving as a model to municipalities across New York State and beyond. I’m proud Binghamton is once again in the spotlight for taking action to fix complex problems and improve quality of life for everyone who lives here.”

Copies of the report were also sent to elected officials. On Sept. 18, 2023, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand penned a joint letter to the Federal Railroad Administration calling for a “separate, federal audit and inspection of the bridges.” Two days later, the agency launched an investigation into Binghamton’s railway infrastructure.

Since then, several bridges have been repaired throughout the city, like one on Glenwood Avenue between Clinton and Brown Streets on the West Side. Last September, crews replaced the concrete columns and protective siding on the Jarvis Street underpass.

In April, a deteriorating overpass on Front Street was replaced. The bridge, built over a century ago, suffered from severe structural deterioration.

More repair work at other sites is expected in the “coming weeks,” Deputy Mayor Megan Heiman wrote to Pipe Dream.

In 2023, Binghamton received the same award for its Affordable Homes Program, partnering with the Broome County Land Bank to convert “vacant single-family properties into safe, quality housing for income-eligible residents.” The city directed $2 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to the program.

NYCOM represents 578 cities and villages across the state. Kraham was appointed to the conference’s executive committee in January.

“The City of Binghamton’s creative and comprehensive approach to improving infrastructure is truly commendable,” said RuthAnn Loveless, the conference president and mayor of Hamilton, New York. “By documenting unsafe and unsightly conditions and holding private companies accountable, Binghamton has improved quality of life for residents while protecting the public interest.”

“I commend Mayor Kraham and his team for their leadership and tenacity,” she concluded.

According to The New York Times, Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, gave the order in a cable message to U.S. embassies and consulates on Tuesday. The suspension comes as the department considers expanded review of applicants’ social media activity.

“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days,” the cable read, as first reported by Politico.

Applicants who have already scheduled their visa appointments can still attend.

To obtain a student visa, an individual must first be admitted to a school participating in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. After filling out a form, paying a fee and registering in a federal information database, the prospective student can make an appointment with a U.S. embassy or consulate. Applicants aged 14 to 79 are required to attend an interview.

Since 2019, the department has “required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms,” according to a spokesperson who declined to comment on “internal communications.”

“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” the spokesperson added. “Every prospective traveler to the United States undergoes interagency security vetting. Prohibiting entry to the United States by those who might pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety is key to protecting U.S. citizens at home.”

On March 25, Rubio ordered consular officers to refer certain visa applicants to the “Fraud Prevention Unit” for a “mandatory social media check,” first reported by The Handbasket, an independent news site. Officers were instructed to look for any “derogatory information” indicating an applicant is “advocating for, sympathizing with, or persuading others to endorse or espouse terrorist activities.” Enhanced vetting will also be performed on individuals who held a student or exchange visa between Oct. 7, 2023 and Aug. 31, 2024 or had their visas terminated since Oct. 7.

Two weeks later, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the agency will consider “social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity” when evaluating immigration benefit requests like a green card application.

On Wednesday, Rubio said in a press statement that the administration will “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students,” who make up a large portion of international students. He said that students with “connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields” will be among those facing visa revocations.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, 277,398 Chinese students attended schools in the United States, about a quarter of all international students. Around 17 percent of international students attending Binghamton University are from China.

In early April, a University spokesperson confirmed that five students had their visas revoked. The students, who have since had their legal statuses restored, were among 46 SUNY students impacted. On April 25, a Justice Department lawyer told a federal judge the reversal was temporary while officials create a new system to review and terminate records for international students.

Last Friday, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, a decision temporarily blocked by a federal judge later that day. Harvard enrolled nearly 6,800 international students for the 2024-2025 academic year, comprising 27.2 percent of its student body.

More than 21,000 international students enrolled at SUNY campuses in fall 2024, with 2,048 attending BU.

Foreign students contributed $43.8 billion to the country’s economy last year, according to estimates from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. In New York, international students contributed $6.3 billion.

“International students represent nearly 6% of SUNY students, and these federal actions are a threat to enrollment at SUNY and colleges and universities across the country,” a SUNY spokesperson told Pipe Dream. “The ability to attract talent from around the world contributes immeasurably to the strength of American higher education and our national economic competitiveness.”

Christina Fuller ‘19, MPA ‘21 began the project in 2018 to reduce waste as off-campus students pack up their belongings before returning home. The volunteer-run project is coordinated by the Susquehanna Group of the Sierra Club and partners with Binghamton University.

In 2022, the project began operating on campus. This year, on-campus students have until May 20 to drop off items in collection bins at seven locations: the University Union’s donation nook; Appalachian Dining Hall; Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center Multi-purpose Room; College-in-the-Woods Iroquois Commons; Hinman Dining Hall; Susquehanna Coffee House; and Hillside Commons.

From May 14 to 16, volunteers also set up outdoor collection sites at dorm communities.

The Move Out Project accepts a variety of items like books, toys, games, unopened personal care items and small appliances.

Donated items are then sent to a sorting facility before being distributed to community organizations. For the first time, this year’s sorting room is on campus, located in UU120. After all items are weighed and arranged into different categories, volunteers then organize the room “like a thrift store” for donation partners to select from.

“A lot of similar models across the country, they kind of have a sale with this stuff, which we think is great, but we really like that we’re able to give the items back to community organizations who are already working with individuals in need,” Fuller said. “And we’ve heard very positive feedback from that.”

“They get these items that they would have to purchase otherwise to give to their clients, and a lot of nonprofits and churches, stuff like that, they don’t have the funds to do that,” she continued.

During the spring 2023 cycle, the Move Out Project “was able to collect, sort, and donate over 18,000 pounds of material” that would have been sent to the landfill, according to its website.

Donations have made a real impact in the lives of those in the local community, Fuller said. Three years ago, the team received two donated pairs of tap dance shoes. It connected with a local dance studio, which used the shoes for students who might not be able to afford a pair.

That same year, a student donated a giant stuffed teddy bear that was later picked up by the Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference, a local organization providing residential support and care for children and their families.

The teddy bear is now in a pediatrician’s office used by the Children’s Home.

“Over the years, we’ve significantly expanded our on-campus collections and have heard great feedback from students who say if they weren’t able to donate to MOP, their items would’ve ended up in the trash,” Fuller wrote in a statement. “Instead, we make sure they get back into the community.”

Students can donate nonperishable foods like canned goods and unopened snacks. Fuller said that Chris Harasta, volunteer coordinator for the Move Out Project and sustainability manager for Binghamton University Dining Services, reached out to a national hunger relief group and arranged for it to send enough bags for every campus dorm. The food is then distributed to the University Food Pantry and other donation partners.

For seniors not planning to keep their cap and gown, the project team is partnering with the Student Association and TRIO to collect graduation regalia to help future students attend commencement.

Volunteers will drive and pick up items from off-campus students through May 31. Last year, the Move Out Project received about 60 pickup requests, Fuller said. The team advertises on graduate listservs while connecting with large housing companies to boost student awareness.

It also reached out to Off Campus Programs and Services and the SA’s Off Campus College Council to spread the word about its services.

“I absolutely love this program and would commend each and every person who participates,” wrote Ryan Yarosh ‘02, MPA ‘09, the University’s senior director of media and public relations. “Beyond the impact on the community, we’re also keeping all of this stuff out of the landfill, which is so important as well.”

As students prepared for final exams, several injured deer ran across campus on Sunday, causing chaos and confusion. Two deer crashed into the Engineering Building on Sunday, creating a commotion inside, while another was reportedly dragged onto the grass outside, shot and hauled away.

At around 3 p.m., a deer toppled the metal fence surrounding construction on the Lois B. DeFleur Walkway, according to a video obtained by Pipe Dream. Two other deer then ran onto the construction zone, with one slamming into a University Union door before following the others.

A deer was found dead near the exit ramp at the lot between the University Union and the Engineering Building.

The Engineering Building’s garage door was open at the time as members from Binghamton Motorsports, an organization composed of two teams that design vehicles “made in-house under the supervision of experienced shop technicians and faculty,” worked outside on parts for their Formula SAE electric vehicle. They were joined by Cefast, a Formula SAE team from Brazil that Binghamton Motorsports was hosting before its competition in Michigan later this week.

At around 3 p.m., a deer bolted through the garage entrance into the Fabrication Lab, followed moments later by another. A video from Binghamton Motorsports showed the deer acting erratically and stumbling to the ground while in the lab.

Lara Ahmad, a sophomore majoring in computer engineering, was working on a final project with her friend in the Engineering Building’s basement. After stepping out to grab food, her friend called and told her a “rabid” deer was inside the building. Upon returning, Ahmad found “blood smeared all over the glass where we were working,” she told Pipe Dream.

Ahmad shared a video of the deer by the lab’s glass doors. The deer, bleeding from its mouth, appeared confused before it bumped into a panel and smeared blood onto the glass frame.

One of the deer then left the building and ran straight to the University Union’s side door entrance.

“The deer just ran straight into the Union doors,” said Jennifer Pillai, a freshman majoring in industrial systems engineering. “And then it just kept banging its head against the door, it was bleeding everywhere. It looked really scary, really dystopian too, like blood all over the face.”

Pillai said the deer eventually ran across the street and disappeared into the trees by College-in-the-Woods.

Around 3:40 p.m., a police officer and another individual dragged the second deer out of the Engineering Building and onto the grass. Another officer told a nearby crowd of students to back away from the scene and “give [the deer] some peace.”

Students said that within a few minutes, a gunshot rang out. The deer’s body was left on the grass before being hauled into a University vehicle.

Requests for comment have been given to the University Police Department, Facilities Management and other administrators. It is unclear what caused the deer to behave erratically, or whether the bodies will be tested for illnesses like rabies or chronic wasting disease.

“You don’t expect to be getting Dunkin’ and going back to studying and just seeing blood smeared onto the door walls and everything,” said Aleksandra Berrios, a junior majoring in psychology. “So it was very shocking, and I personally am not that comfortable taking videos or taking pictures of that sort of stuff, so I didn’t. But then I saw some people that were also very caught up in what was happening and everything.”

“So very shocking for that to just happen when you’re in the midst of studying for finals and doing projects and stuff, and then you kind of just have to go back to whatever you were doing.”

Panelists included Fadel Abdulghany, the executive director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights; Assaad Al Achi, the president of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression; Bassam Alahmad, the executive director of Syrians for Truth and Justice; Razan Rashidi, the executive director of The Syria Campaign; and Beth Van Schaack, a distinguished fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Human Rights and International Justice.

Maxim Pensky, a philosophy professor who serves as a co-director of I-GMAP, moderated the Zoom webinar, where interpreters gave attendees the option to listen in Arabic or English. He began by defining transitional justice, saying it requires not just “not raising risks of future violence” but also implementing policies that ensure justice for victims and accountability to perpetrators.

“It’s a tall order for any society,” Pensky said. “In the case of Syria, I think it is an exceptionally great challenge.”

Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship over Syria ended in December 2024 after an almost 14-year-long civil war, resulting in hundreds of thousands killed and half the population displaced.

Pensky asked Rashidi to refute the idea that “Syria has neither the tolerance nor the capacity” to seek justice for victims and perpetrators. She responded, saying people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds protested the lack of accountability for their missing loved ones.

Al Achi, however, said the Syrian government has taken actions that do not reflect a commitment to transitional justice. He added that sanctions against the government hamper efforts for economic recovery, raising the risk of further violence.

Several panelists discussed the possibility of establishing a truth committee in Syria to facilitate the carrying out of justice. Van Schaack said creating a body “representative of different communities within that society” is critical to centering people at the core of transitional justice efforts.

“There are elements that exist within the current Syrian authorities that are our allies,” Al Achi said. “We should not alienate them. We should find ways to connect with them, support them and lobby with them against whatever we don’t like that the Syrian authorities are doing today.”

Abdulghany said establishing a truth commission focused on reform could be difficult, citing various logistical and ethical concerns, like documentation, selecting which victims should be given justice and time frames.

In January, 51 organizations working on transitional justice met in Damascus, Rashidi said. In 2014, The Syria Campaign, a human rights organization, was formed to support “Syria’s heroes in their struggle for freedom, justice and democracy,” according to its website.

Disinformation, misinformation and hate speech were discussed as key barriers to sharing stories and gaining momentum. Rashidi said it may be wise to partner with “nontraditional actors” in transitional justice, like journalists and those involved in arts, culture and the media, as these individuals influence public opinion and perception.

“Survivors have given testimony, many of them dozens of times — to journalists, to local civil society groups, to international organizations — but to put that into a formalized record and to have that acknowledged, I think, is something that a truth commission can do,” Van Schaack said. “Especially because we know that justice can never be comprehensive. Every victim will not have their day in court.”

According to Abdulghany, civil society actors could be key partners in the accountability process by monitoring and criticizing the actions of a transitional justice committee, while also ensuring the body reports to the media and other channels.

Pensky read a question asked by Gregory Stanton, the founding director of Genocide Watch, an organization that aims to foster “an international movement to prevent and stop genocide,” considering if a globalized civil society could bring transitional justice to Syria. Van Schaack said it was possible.

“We now have 50 years of empirical longitudinal research, plus really deep and rich case studies of individual societies, and we know that there are a number of models that are available that have different degrees of hybridization, different degrees of different ways in which mechanisms can be sequenced — and all of this can be adapted for the Syrian context, but it has to be locally driven,” Van Schaack said. “So this is where having an open dialogue with the various communities within Syria and creating a process that’s genuine and inclusive and participatory for that to happen.”

Al Achi and Alahmad said a broad swath of Syrian society must come together to shape the country’s future. Abdulghany urged for a national dialogue between groups who disagree and for involving experts in this process.

“Allow Syrians a chance to succeed,” Al Achi said. “And for Syrians to have a chance to succeed, all sanctions need to be lifted on the Syrian government.”

Released on Tuesday, the statement was authored by the American Jewish Committee and two higher education groups: the Association of American Universities and the American Council on Education, which represents more than 1,300 institutions, including Binghamton University.

“America’s higher education and Jewish communities share and endorse the Trump Administration’s priority of eradicating antisemitism,” the statement read. “We come together to ask the Administration to pursue this important goal in ways that preserve academic freedom, respect due process, and strengthen the government-campus scientific partnership that has made America stronger, healthier, and safer.”

The American Association of Community Colleges, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities cosigned the statement.

The statement also criticized recent actions taken by the Trump administration in pursuit of this goal. In January, the administration ordered restrictions on the National Institutes of Health, reducing indirect discovery, which was later halted by a temporary restraining order.

“In the name of combating antisemitism, the federal government has recently taken steps that endanger the research grants, academic freedom, and institutional autonomy of America’s higher education sector,” the statement continued. “AJC, the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, believes that when these actions are overly broad, they imperil science and innovation, and ultimately detract from the necessary fight against antisemitism while threatening the global preeminence of America’s research universities and colleges.”

On Jan. 29, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,” directing his Cabinet and agency heads to submit a report identifying all legal mechanisms that “might be used to curb or combat anti-Semitism.” The directive also ordered the executive branch to compile a list of all complaints against higher education institutions “related to or arising from post-October 7, 2023, campus anti-Semitism.”

The next day, the White House released a fact sheet indicating that Trump supported revoking student visas for those involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. In mid-April, a University spokesperson first confirmed to Pipe Dream that five students at BU saw a change-of-visa status amid a federal crackdown. Around two weeks later, each student had their legal status restored.

“We cannot allow ‘fighting antisemitism’ to be used as an excuse to defund education or unjustly detain anti-genocide protesters,” the Yiddish Bund of Binghamton, an anti-Zionist Jewish group, wrote in a statement. “Antisemitism, anti-intellectualism, capitalism, and colonialism are all intertwined issues; the only way to address one is to dismantle them all.”

On Feb. 3, the Department of Justice formed a multiagency task force to combat antisemitism. In a press release, the Office of Public Affairs stated that “the Task Force’s first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses.”

A few weeks later, the Task Force announced it would meet with 10 universities that allegedly failed to protect Jewish students and faculty from discrimination, including Columbia, Harvard and New York University. On April 14, the Task Force announced a $2.2 billion freeze in grants to Harvard.

One week later, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing the freeze violated the First Amendment and did not follow proper procedure.

In March, the University and 59 other higher education institutions received a letter from the U.S. Department of Education warning of “potential enforcement action” if their obligations to protect Jewish students were not met under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

“The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon after the letters were sent.

The coalition argued the federal government should combat antisemitism through existing antidiscrimination laws, which “allow for vigorous enforcement while providing due process rights.”

A University spokesperson did not return a request for comment.

In April, University President Harvey Stenger signed a different statement opposing “undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.” While Stenger did not sign when it was first released on April 22, a University spokesperson told Pipe Dream that he later received an invitation to sign and “did so immediately.”

“We welcome today’s statement and are encouraged to see a broad commitment to addressing antisemitism on college campuses from so many stakeholders,” the BU Zionist Organization wrote in a statement. “BUZO remains committed to working with university administration to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students in this challenging climate.”

On Jan. 29, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring the Secretary of Education and other cabinet officials to create an “Ending Indoctrination Strategy, including a plan to strip federal support for “illegal and discriminatory treatment and indoctrination” in elementary, middle and high school.

The lawsuit alleged that on April 3, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent an email to state education agencies requiring them to sign a letter acknowledging they must eliminate all DEI programs that “advantage one’s race over another” or face a loss in funding. Each state was also required to gather responses from its local education agencies.

“For entities and institutions that use DEI practices in violation of federal law, those entities may incur substantial liabilities, including the potential initiation of litigation for breach of contract by the Department of Justice in connection with civil rights guarantees contained in federal contracts and grant awards seeking to recover previously received funds paid to them under these contracts and grants,” the letter read.

All state agencies were initially given 10 days to return the letter. Four days after the letters were sent out, the Education Department extended the deadline to April 24.

Led by New York state Attorney General Letitia James and the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Massachusetts and Minnesota, the coalition said there is “every reason to expect that” the Education Department would “unlawfully terminate funding” to education agencies that do not obey. It cited the cancellation of $600 million in grants to organizations the federal government claimed were “using taxpayer funds to train teachers and education agencies on divisive ideologies” and the freezing of $2.2 billion in funding to Harvard University.

“Every student has the fundamental right to learn in an environment that is welcoming and open to everyone,” James said in a press release. “The Trump administration is illegally trying to stop efforts that prevent discrimination in our schools, support students with disabilities, and provide resources for students in need while jeopardizing billions of dollars in essential federal education funding.”

The lawsuit comes over a month after James and other attorneys general issued guidance [HYPERLINK https://www.bupipedream.com/news/letitia-james-leads-coalition-of-attorneys-general-to-release-new-guidance-on-diversity-and-inclusion-in-education/163729/] to K-12 schools, colleges and universities on fostering diversity and inclusion. The guidance was issued shortly after a Feb. 14 “Dear Colleague” letter from the Department of Education urging educational institutions to stop considering race in admissions, financial aid and “all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.”

The guidance said targeted campaigns that make “students from underserved communities” in K-12 schools aware of college preparatory resources are permissible in certain circumstances.

The coalition argued that the Trump administration based its opposition to DEI programs on an “unsupported and unlawful” interpretation of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling to outlaw race-based affirmative action. The Education Department also failed to specify what aspects of DEI programs are unlawful, the complaint read.

Plaintiff states receive billions in federal funding under Title I of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.

“The impending loss of federal funding harms Plaintiff States’ provision of public education to students from kindergarten through high school,” the complaint read.

The lawsuit alleged the Education Department’s actions improperly followed procedure, conflicted with statutory law and were “arbitrary and capricious” in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The actions also conflict with various constitutional provisions, the attorneys general wrote.

The U.S. Department of Education did not return a request for comment. The New York State Education Department’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion also did not respond to a comment request.

“As a proud graduate of New York public schools, I will always step up to protect our schools and stop illegal attacks on our most vulnerable students,” James said.