If this message is not displaying properly, click here to launch your browser.
	Think Binghamton MARCH/APRIL 2012

Advocates meet with state legislators during annual Albany visit About 60 faculty, staff, students and administrators made the annual trek to Albany on March 6, where they met with legislators to talk about Binghamton University's successes, as well as its plans for the future. Their message: Binghamton University is all about excellence, access, economic impact and innovation – and has plans to grow. After taping a segment with Sen. Thomas Libous for the Tom Libous Reports to You program -- available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seeUpF2TMb0 -- President Harvey Stenger and his team met separately with Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo; Sen. Kenneth Lavalle, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee; Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari; Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos; and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, chair of the Assembly's Higher Education Committee. In all of his meetings, Stenger told legislators that passage of Binghamton's NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grant proposal, which would support enrollment growth of 2,000 students, is critical for the University. "What's unique about it is that because we have such a strong applicant pool, we know we can grow without sacrificing quality," Stenger said. Along with the new students, the University will hire 150 faculty and 175 staff over the next five years and supplement student financial aid to "keep the focus on the students with need to provide access." Full story> Advocacy News Binghamton University hosts regional SUNY Showcase The "power of SUNY" was on display in the Mandela Room on March 14, as Binghamton University played host to a regional showcase for Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and several State University of New York schools. The Southern Tier SUNY Showcase featured displays of programs and innovations from Binghamton University, Broome Community College, Cornell University's statutory campus, Corning Community College, SUNY Delhi and Empire State College. "I'm very, very proud of Binghamton University, SUNY and the campuses that are here," President Harvey Stenger said. "We pulled together a great event with several hundred people in the room and dozens of displays." Full story> New York state budget update New York legislators are working to finalize the 2012-13 budget by March 31. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2012 Executive Budget and Reform Plan, presented in late January, maintains general fund operating support for SUNY colleges at prior-year levels and accommodates authorized 2012-13 tuition increases by providing $113.2 million in additional spending authority for SUNY. According to news media sources, the budget will likely be finalized the week of March 26, meeting the April 1 deadline. For a brief budget Q&A, read Associated Press writer Michael Gormley's article: "NY's budget: A short course in politics, numbers". Binghamton University Day at the Mall Binghamton University held its third annual "Day at the Mall" event Feb. 25, at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City. More than 250 Binghamton University faculty, staff and students contributed through a wide variety of displays, interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities and performances. President Harvey Stenger was there to meet the community and take part in the day's events. Check out a photo album at the Think Binghamton website on the Advocacy News page. Watch local television coverage of Binghamton University Day at the Mall. University News and Accomplishments President gives first report to full faculty Stenger discussed NYSUNY2020, smart energy and enrollment growth in his first bi-annual report to the full faculty. Full story> 2012 Graduate Excellence Award winners 22 students were honored in teaching, research and service/outreach categories. Read about the winners University strives for $100 million in Bold. Brilliant. Binghamton Campaign Binghamton University reached its gifts campaign goal four months ahead of schedule and raises the goal to $100 million. Full story> TEDx: President Stenger makes case for 'Cloud-Grant University' Hybrid teaching and its integration of technology is "a fundamental priority for higher education," President Harvey Stenger said at TEDx Binghamton University on March 11. Associate Professor Leigh Ann Wheeler discusses importance of women's history at event. Full story> Research 'Lucky' numbers make for unlucky customers Chinese consumers pay too much for goods and services because of superstitions surrounding particular numbers, Binghamton economist Zili Yang says. Full story> Ancient forest may offer climate-change insights A team including Binghamton's William Stein reports the discovery of the floor of the world's oldest forest in a cover article in the March 1 issue of Nature. Full story> Mathematician seeks practical solutions Shelley Zacks creates mathematical models to solve real-world problems. Full story> Geographer focuses on cultural landscape John Frazier explores the rapidly changing cultural landscape of America to understand the motivations and impacts of these shifts. Full story> New facility a boon for neuroscientists The new Science 5 facility reflects the growth of Binghamton's behavioral neuroscience program, which integrates the techniques of biology with experimental psychology. Full story> Diane H. Greiwe Advocacy Communications Specialist University Communications and Marketing Binghamton University PO Box 6000 Binghamton, NY 13902 think@binghamton.edu dgreiwe@binghamton.edu 607-777-3658 Think Binghamton! Join the Think Tank as an advocate today at http://think.binghamton.edu.	Think Tank Snapshot Members: 9,000 Messages sent: 68,600 Double your impact by asking your friends to join Binghamton's advocacy group. Thank you for your help. IN THIS ISSUE: ADVOCACY NEWS Advocates meet with state legislators during annual Albany visit Binghamton University hosts regional SUNY Showcase New York state budget update Binghamton University Day at the Mall UNIVERSITY NEWS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS President gives first report to full faculty 2012 Graduate Excellence Award winners University strives for $100 million in Bold. Brilliant. Binghamton Campaign TEDx: President Stenger makes case for 'Cloud-Grant University RESEARCH 'Lucky' numbers make for unlucky customers Ancient forest may offer climate-change insights Mathematician seeks practical solutions Geographer focuses on cultural landscape New facility a boon for neuroscientists

Advocates meet with state legislators during annual Albany visit