Binghamton University
EN-3: Student Life

Enactus. Enactus is a student organization that is a chapter of the international non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world. Entrepreneurial student members participate in an annual series of regional and national competitions that provide a forum for teams to showcase the impact of their outreach efforts and to be evaluated by executives serving as judges. National champion teams advance to the prestigious Enactus World Cup to experience excellence in competition, collaboration and celebration. The local chapter has focused on the Clean Local Environmental Awareness Now (CLEAN) campaign and Coins for Change. Engineering World Health (EWH). The mission of EWH is to inspire and mobilize BU to improve the quality of health care in vulnerable communities via activities such as traveling to developing countries, designing and building novel biotechnology and promoting global health awareness. Habitat for Humanity. The Binghamton University campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity provides volunteer opportunities for students looking to join the effort to overcome the housing crisis that affects our local community, our country, and the world. IDEAS for Binghamton. IDEAS for Binghamton is part of the national non-profit network IDEAS for Us, Inc. We seek to provide solutions and raise awareness to local and national environmental challenges. The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). NYPIRG is New York State's largest student-directed consumer, environmental and government reform organization. We are a nonpartisan, not-for-profit group established to effect policy reforms while training students and other New Yorkers to be advocates. Since 1973, NYPIRG has played the key role in fighting for more than 120 public interest laws and executive orders. NYPIRG's 20 college campus chapters provide much of NYPIRG's energy, resources, and activism. Each campus chapter consists of full-time staff organizers and a large core of student volunteers. Poverty Awareness Coalition. Poverty Awareness Coalition aims to raise awareness for those suffering from situations of poverty. Our goal is to form coalitions with other student groups, volunteer locally, and fundraise in order to increase support for our campaigns. Students assist in coming up with new innovative and effective ways to alleviate suffering from poverty by engaging campus student participation and support. Society for Automotive Engineers. The purpose of this organization is to provide its members opportunities to gain broader insight into the engineering profession by sponsoring meetings which will bring practicing engineers to the campus, provide a forum for professors to discuss their work and teach outside their regular classes, arranging field trips to research and engineering establishments, sponsoring student projects of engineering interest including Mini Baja, Formula, and Supermileage SAE, and participating in local SAE sanctioned activities. Students of Urban Planning. Students in Urban Planning provides a network for students interested in Urban Planning and related fields. SUP works to connect BU students with the City of Binghamton through events, activities and professional connections. Urban Planning is a relatively lesser-known field, but one that is markedly growing as land and resources are becoming increasingly scare and the global urban environment is beginning to decay. What many people also do not know is that Binghamton's Geography department offers a Major in Urban and Regional Planning. Students of Urban Planning provides a support network for students not only interested in Urban Planning, but related fields such as Architecture, Politics, Environmental Planning, and Real Estate. SUP provides professional networking opportunities, fun and engaging meetings and events, and a network of students who are passionate about community development and working to meet the needs of an ever-changing world. UNICEF. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF assists underprivileged children, by providing them with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. UNICEF at Binghamton University supports this cause through fund-raising. Binghamton University Bike Share. Binghamton University Bike Share (BUBS) is a free, bike-sharing service for the Binghamton University community. Our program aims to help to reduce carbon emissions, alleviate traffic congestion and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. Bike maintenance assistance is also provided by this student organization. Partners in Health (PIH) is a social advocacy group that raises awareness for global health inequities. PIH also holds fundraising events to help build sustainable health communities in developing countries. Animal Alliance was created to unify like-minded individuals who are interested in animal welfare and animal rights issues. This relates to many important topics, such as environmentalism, activism, and food issues.

Binghamton Acres Farm. Binghamton Acres Farm was launched in spring 2013 and provided its first harvest in the fall. Located on Bunn Hill Road on land owned by the Binghamton University Foundation, the farm serves as an example of the potential for food accessibility for Binghamton students and community members. At present, vegetables grown on the farm are used solely in campus dining halls. Food Co-op. The Food Co-Op is a student-run organization which aims to make alternative food choices available for students and the general public by providing a number of different organic, vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and local food products. Food Co-op members are committed to supporting organic and ethical food choices, and membership meetings include discussion about this mission.

The Binghamton Food Co-Op is a student-run organization which aims to make alternative food choices available for the students by providing a number of different organic, vegan, vegetarian, and local food products.

Binghamton University established an energy conservation investment fund in 2006 to improve energy and water efficiency throughout the campus. More than $7 million dollars have been invested with $10 million dollars saved on utility expenditure. The average building energy usage intensity (BTU per square foot per year) has also decreased by 20% as a result.

Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies seminars. The department holds a weekly seminar series during the academic year. Nature Preserve events. The Friends of the Nature Preserve sponsor several activities and events throughout the year. (The Binghamton University campus currently encompasses almost 900 acres of land, of which over 600 is presently undeveloped and in its natural state. The core of this undeveloped land is officially designated the Nature Preserve and at present encompasses 182 acres of land which includes a 20-acre wetland. The Friends of the Nature Preserve is a group of Binghamton University faculty, staff and students as well as local community members who care about the future of the remaining natural areas on campus and the local community. The Friends plan hikes and other events throughout the year to explore the Nature Preserve and learn about its history and ecology. Past hikes have celebrated the full moon, fall colors, the emergence of amphibians in the spring and other seasonal highlights. Other hikes, guided by the Friends, have been aimed at educating the local community about the Preserve. The Friends also serve the important role of habitat management and trail maintenance, from cutting down invasive plants to building boardwalks, putting down wood chips and clearing fallen trees from the trails.) Planet Fest. Planet Fest is a day long festival showcasing ways to make sustainable products and learn about ways that students can improve their carbon footprint in their residence halls. Commit to B-Fit Annual Health Fair provides information from campus services focused on all aspects of health. Participants can sample food and drink (e.g. fresh ground nut butter) , participate in exercise sessions, have a health screening and explore Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits offerings for recreational activities and equipment rentals. Evolutionary Mismatch and the EvoS Lifestyle Project. Presentation by David Sloan Wilson and Sudhindra Rao, Binghamton University Abstract: Evolutionary mismatch can occur whenever a population that is adapted to one environment experiences a novel environment. Only subsequent evolution—or human intervention—can solve mismatch problems. All species can experience mismatch—now more than ever given human-caused global environmental change. Modern human environments are so different from ancestral human environments that mismatches might account for myriad human ills—but documenting mismatches and designing interventions can be very difficult. We will provide an overview of the concept of evolutionary mismatch and describe the EvoS Lifestyle Project, which attempts to understand and address dietary mismatches. Audience members are encouraged to become participants in the EvoS Lifestyle Project. About the speakers: David Sloan Wilson is a SUNY Distinguished Professor of Biology and Anthropology at Binghamton University and Arne Næss Chair in Global Justice and the Environment at the University of Oslo. Sudhindra Rao is doctoral candidate in Biology and the EvoS Lifestyle project director. Model United Nations Team Mock Conference hosting a complete simulation of a UN committee session to debate the Refugee Crisis stemming from Syria University Greenhouse Events- This 12,500 sq. ft. facility is designed to function as a living laboratory for plant and ecology related courses. More than 6,000 exotic plants, representing over 1,200 distinct species, are maintained here. Four simulated environments - tropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and desert - facilitate students' understanding of the diversity of plant species and their ecologies. All plants are labeled with information regarding their taxonomies, geographic origins, common names and economic uses. Recognized by the local Broome County Legislature for Green Business Initiative for …”innovative practices in which beneficial insects are used as a means of pest control. The facility hosts events related to the life cycle of plants that are housed within. The most infamous plant is the Amorphophallus titanum – (aka Corpse Flower) which blooms sporadically and each bloom period is captured via webcam and tours in which many students participate. Move Out Week The office of resource management organizes the collection of unopened food when students leave after the spring semesters. Bins are located in residential communities and students can donate unopened food items they don't plan to take home. Each year, tons of food is collected and donated to the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW). 22,758 pounds The amount of household items recycled and donated after students moved out of residence halls in the spring 2015. Recyclemania Colleges and universities across the country compete to see who can recycle and reduce the most waste over a twelve-week period. America Recycles Day Educational activities and demonstrations take place on campus to encourage various recycling efforts. This event takes place in the fall semester as part of a nationwide event. Earth Day A number of displays and educational activities take place at this yearly outdoor event commemorating Earth Day. National Walking Day encourages the campus community to walk around the campus “brain” which is 1.3 miles in support of the American Heart Association’s National Walking Day Campaign. IDEAS for Binghamton: What is Real Food? Two Real Food Challenge coordinators hold a workshop to address: 1, What is “real food” and how students can obtain it on campus?; 2, What are the prevalent issues of the Food Industry and how they relate to campus food services?; 3, How can we join the hundreds of schools leveraging their purchasing power to build a sustainable food system?; and 4, How do prejudices and inequities inherent in our communities prevent many people from accessing healthy, sustainable, and ethical food options? Student United Way: Trip to Carlisle After-School Program. Student United Way is a volunteer organization on campus that volunteers in the local community. The organization often visits Carlisle, a housing community for low-income families in the Binghamton area. Carlisle holds an after-school program daily, and students attend the after-school program to spend time with the children. Mental Health Outreach Peer Educators: Assertiveness Training. Fulfilling the Mental Health Advocate Certification series’ category of training in Interpersonal Skills, the Mental Health Outreach Peer Educators’ workshop teaches students how to voice their true thoughts and feelings, speak up for their needs, and stand up for themselves. Hilarity for Charity (Alzheimer’s Association) Talent Show. Hilarity for Charity is an organization founded by actor Seth Rogen and his wife that raises both money and awareness for Alzheimer's disease. BU students working closely with the HFC organization and the Alzheimer's association strive to bring much needed attention to this cause neglected cause. Hilarity for Charity hosts a fundraising Talent Show featuring BU students to support the Alzheimer's Association. Depression and College Students: Recognizing the Signs, Getting Help, and Beating It! In this seminar, students learn the facts and myths around depression, how to recognize the signs of depression, and what to do get help themselves and/or their peers. The seminar will also offer useful tips on reducing the risk of depression and managing one’s overall mental well-being. 10 Days to Zero Campaign Partners in Health fundraiser/meeting All money raised during this campaign will go towards ending Tuberculosis in Carabayllo, Peru. Of programs offered by student organizations in 2014-15 there were over 200 programs focusing on one of six area of wellness: • 28% on knowledge acquisition • 25% on physical health/nutrition • 25% on emotional/mental health • 14% on social health and • 4% on vocational planning and spiritual health

Habitat for Humanity's Shack-A-Thon The Binghamton University chapter of Habitat for Humanity hosts its second annual Shack-A-Thon (an event that raises awareness for homelessness and poverty housing). The event displays different student groups’ “shacks,” and students vote for their favorite! Amnesty International's JAMnesty Concert. The Binghamton University chapter of Amnesty International holds a concert featuring performances by fellow BU students while supporting human rights. The event also hosts a Write for Rights letter campaign to help support activists who were wrongfully arrested for exercising their right to an opinion with Amnesty International's national chapter.

Campus Recreation Services (CRS). CRS is the home to our Outdoor Pursuits program, also known as “BOP” (Binghamton Outdoor Pursuits). BOP is dedicated to the promotion of physical activity, wellness and a deeper understanding of nature through experience-based outdoor, adventure and environmental education. This mission is fostered through: • environmental awareness and minimum impact travel • service learning and conservation efforts • skill development and personal challenge • positive group dynamics • and having a great time BOP provides activities, workshops, credit classes and a rental center for hiking, camping and winter gear. The Leave No Trace Principles is a baseline ethical standard of operation of BOP and the services it provides.

One of the residential communities - Mountainview College offers an opportunity to participate in a series of meetings and events that will explore social, political, economic, and environmental issues. Throughout the academic year, there will be opportunities to participate in social change events.

Learning Community at Mountainview . Social activists are concerned about social, political, economic, and environmental issues and actively work toward change. They dream of a better community, nation or world and are passionate about contributing to the realization of their vision. Activists believe that all people should have basic human rights, that they should be treated equally and have fair access to community resources. Activists believe that the natural condition of the planet should be respected and left unharmed for future generations. If this description sounds like you or the person you hope to become, then you should apply for Mountainview's Social Activism Learning Community (SALC). Members live in one community, on the same floor, providing them with the opportunity to interact, converse and plan with individuals who share similar interests and have a passion for activism.

Binghamton University's Material Management Program is operated mostly with student employees including recycling and compost collection. Positions are available through internship or credit-hour offering. https://www.binghamton.edu/physical-facilities/recycling.html

Compost Organic Garden Demonstration Project. The Compost Organic Garden Demonstration Project promotes composting and organic gardening through active demonstrations as well as serves as a field lab for an ecological agriculture course. The garden consists of a bio-intensive mini-farm, compost crops, and a children's garden (in the design phase) A 50 tree orchard was planted in Fall ‘06. Binghamton B-Healthy. Binghamton has joined the Partnership for a Healthier America and 19 other colleges and universities in a new initiative aimed at making our nation's campuses healthier. Through collaborative efforts across Binghamton University divisions, the Healthy Campus Initiative strives to cultivate a culture that is supportive of individuals and groups in pursuit of their optimal potential. Students are provided many wellness resources focused upon “health” (in a broad definition), B-Healthy was named a 2015 Outstanding Student Affairs Program in the category of Student Health, Wellness, Counseling and related by the State University of New York Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers (CCSAO) and the Office of University Life. These awards honor outstanding student affairs programs that have demonstrated a positive impact on students and their development. Criteria include clarity of program objectives, creativity and excellence of program design, effectiveness of program implementation, evidence of collaboration, outcomes assessment establishing the effectiveness of the program. ReNewing. ReNewing is a student group that aims to educate its Newing College peers about the sustainable efforts of Newing College and about LEED certification. ReNewing strives to create an environment that allows students to actively participate in reducing their carbon footprint through programming and role modeling that behavior for the community. Admissions Tour Guide Pedometer Program provides pedometers to the tour guides and participants on the campus tours to introduce the prospective students and their families to our Healthy Campus principles B-Healthy Walking Program encourages the campus community to walk more by providing an online tracker and prizes for participation. Participants register online using the American Heart Association’s Activity Tracker. Program participants receive a pedometer. One of six college campuses to be HEARTSafe certified In 2014 Binghamton University (Harpur's Ferry Student Volunteer Ambulance Service) was named a HEARTSafe CAMPUS by the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation (NCEMSF). The HEARTSafe CAMPUS designation was developed to encourage and promote community awareness of the potential for saving lives with effective CPR and early defibrillation. NCEMSF, with support from the HEARTSafe COMMUNITIES, the American Heart Association, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, developed the award program for colleges and universities with a specific focus on the awareness, training and safety of cardiac arrest emergencies. HEARTSafe Campuses promote and support: • Rapid Response by CPR and AEDTrained First Responders • Rapid Public Access to Defibrillation • Early Access to Advanced Care • Public CPR and AED Training for the Community • Engagement in Preventative Cardiovascular Healthcare Activities Binghamton named to Greatist's list of the 25 Healthiest Colleges Binghamton University is among the nation's top 25 healthiest college campuses according to Greatist, an organization whose mission is to "help the world think of health in a healthier way" by publishing "award-winning, crazy-sharable articles" about being healthy, happy and empowered. When putting together its list of the healthiest colleges, Greatist looked for schools that go above and beyond to create an environment where students have access to an array of healthy food, top-notch fitness facilities, and robust medical and mental health services