Local alumni meet President Stenger at on-campus breakfast
By Steve Seepersaud
More than 100 people attended a breakfast on campus that served as the formal introduction of President Harvey Stenger to Binghamton-area alumni. The event, held July 11 at the Events Center, also introduced the Alumni Association's Greater Binghamton Chapter.
Stenger discussed the University's strategic planning process, saying that hundreds of campus community members will be placed into "Road Map" teams — each covering a critical area, such as student success or reputation and rankings — that will start work this fall on crafting ideas, innovations and initiatives. The goal is to have, prior to January, a list of initiatives for the next five years.
Stenger also discussed the NYSUNY 2020 legislation, which has potential far-reaching impacts for the University and surrounding community. Binghamton University has applied for a challenge grant and expects to be accepted within weeks. The funds would enable the University to increase its enrollment and add 150 new faculty members over the next five years.
"[An important part of NYSUNY 2020] is the maintenance of effort clause, meaning the state cannot cut SUNY's budget for the next five years," said Stenger (pictured at right with Dominic DePersis '95). "Not cutting the budget allows us to plan in a more rational way and it allows the State University of New York to raise tuition rationally following the Higher Education Price Index − 5 to 6 percent per year for the next four years."
With NYSUNY 2020 approval, the University is also poised to establish a new Smart Energy Research and Development Facility at the Innovative Technologies Complex.
Marcia Steinbrecher, a 1990 graduate and member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, told the guests in attendance they could play a role in the University's progress by serving as volunteers. She encouraged them to help plan events and programs for the local chapter.
"While we all had different experiences as students, I feel strongly that we are what we are today because of what Binghamton encouraged us to become," Steinbrecher said. "As alumni, we are living symbols of what the University produces and we are the keepers of tradition. It's up to all of us to give back in meaningful ways."
