Admissions Alumni Volunteer Basics

Before Event

Spend time reviewing the Admissions Alumni Volunteer Program web pages and the great wealth of information we offer every volunteer.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the opportunity or opportunities you've volunteered for.

You and/or your alumni partner (larger events may have an additional volunteer to assist you) will be sent recruiting materials to bring with you to the fair.

After Event

Return to the Undergraduate Admissions Office:

• College fair evaluation (PDF) – we value your feedback and evaluate future participation based upon your input
• Completed student inquiry cards – we use the information to follow up with each and every student. Encourage all students to complete and return cards to you at the event.
• In the postage-paid envelope within three days of completed event: Completed program evaluation and inquiry cards to:

Binghamton University
Undergraduate Admissions Office
PO Box 6001, Binghamton, NY 13902-6001

During Event

• Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the fair and staff your booth during fair hours
• Dress to best represent Binghamton University
• Stay for the entire program
• Make sure to check in at the registration table
• Recruitment is restricted to booth/table space
• At program’s end, please leave some extra materials on table for the sponsor to keep
• Displays cannot exceed or obstruct the view of adjacent booths
• Be courteous to other exhibitors and fair attendees
• Keep the aisles clear of boxes and materials

Last-minute Emergency?

 If you cannot make your event, call Andy Morris at 607-743-7514,  or Jeannette Lowell at 607-777-5980,  or e-mail Andy at ahmorris@binghamton.edu as soon as possible. We want to make sure we have adequate time to find a replacement volunteer.

Key Ways & Messages To Share

•  Speak formally, and initially say "Binghamton University,” and then say "Binghamton” on second reference.
• Please refrain from saying SUNY Binghamton, SUNY-B, Harpur College or Bing. And yes, it's Binghamton, not Binghampton.
• Focus your discussions, personal and professional stories and points on Binghamton University’s three key messages:

1. Academic Excellence: Binghamton University is a top-U.S. public university with more accolades than any other public university in New York state. With more than 130 undergraduate academic programs, our academics are as diverse as our student body. Binghamton is a dynamic leader in higher education, driven to set the standards of academic excellence for public universities in the U.S.

2. National Reputation: Binghamton University continues to garner national distinction by the top college guide books, magazines and research institutes. Here are just a few of those accolades:

"The premier public in the Northeast." -- Fiske Guide to Colleges, 2010

"A public Ivy" – Greenes’ Guide, 2006

Highest "green rating" score for campus environmentally related policies, practices and academic offerings (Princeton Review, 2011)

3. Value: As one of the nation’s best public universities, Binghamton provides you with an excellent education and – because it’s public – a price that says value.

We are the #1 Best Value among the nation’s public colleges (Kiplinger’s, 2011)

• Don’t say anything negative about other universities – not even as a joke. This is a key guideline outlined in "Principals of Good Practice” from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
• It is OK to say, "I don't know the answer to that question." Refer prospective students to the Binghamton web site, www.admissions.binghamton.edu or Binghamton University Undergraduate Admissions Office whenever you encounter a question you are unable to answer.
• Encourage students to visit Binghamton to get a feel of the campus. We do tours and presentations throughout the year. They can sign up for a visit online at visit.binghamton.edu.

Event Table Setup

Here is an example of how to set up your table at a college fair. The alumni package you receive from us will include various Binghamton University Undergraduate Admissions materials.