This weekend’s weather brought turmoil to the East Coast, knocking down trees, cutting electricity and flooding streets across the tri-state area and beyond — leaving at least nine dead. The storm, which battered parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut Saturday with wind gusts of up to 70 mph, struck about two weeks after heavy snow and hurricane-force winds left more than a million customers in the Northeast in the dark. At the storm’s peak, more than 265,000 customers in the New York City area and 235,000 customers in New Jersey were without power. The Philadelphia area reported…

Student groups to attend budget hearings Budget hearings for student groups are in process through the Financial Council. According to Assembly chair of the Student Association Elahd Bar-Shai, if group members are unsure of their meeting dates for the hearing, they can contact the office of the vice president for finance. Fees can be waived for rentals One of the cars through the Hertz Connect rental car program was replaced on Thursday with a Mazda 3. According to Bar-Shai, the registration fee on the cars will be waived with a promotional key. The key, 1872965, will waive registration fees for…

In an effort to rebel after news that the men’s basketball team would not compete in this weekend’s conference tournament, students rallied on campus Monday — but the turnout proved to be a surprise. Out of the 870 confirmed guests on the event’s Facebook event, which stated that students “must not let [Binghamton University’s President Lois] DeFleur decide the fate” of the team, about 50 people showed up to protest outside of Couper Administration Building Wednesday. “The Facebook event said that approximately 800 people would be coming out to show their support,” Seth Grossman, a senior double majoring in anthropology…

Binghamton Underground Music Presents, otherwise known as BUMP, is a student organization at Binghamton University that seeks to bring bands and set up local venues for students in the Binghamton area. According to Shana Elliot, a member of BUMP and a senior double-majoring in environmental studies and philosophy, politics and law, the organization books shows around campus that are free for students. “A lot of people are looking for good music and shows to come to Binghamton. Especially since Magic City Music Hall shut down, people started going to Ithaca to see shows,” Elliot said. “We are trying to put…

SA Briefs SA scheduling town hall forum According to Student Association President Adam Amit, there is a town hall forum in which all SA E-Board members will be present to answer any student questions, including those on the situation with the OCCT buses. The forum will be held on Wednesday at noon in the Old University Union, room 252. Haiti memorial in Mandela Room A Haiti memorial called “Nousonje,” meaning “We Remember,” will be held today in the Mandela Room, hosted by the SA and the Haitian Student Association (HaSA). According to Ricky Da Costa, vice president for multicultural affairs,…

The Caribbean Student Association (CSA) and Binghamton University administration are set to discuss the future of the Carnival — which was canceled for the fall semester — sometime this semester. A date has not yet been chosen, however. Carnival has been an annual occurrence for more than 30 years at BU, until its cancellation this past May. The event traditionally consists of two parts: a day show that includes student performances and a night show that features prominent and Grammy award-winning reggae and soca artists, who exhibit Carribbean-influenced musical genres. In the past these have included Sean Paul and Elephant…

The New University Union Food Court has seen many changes throughout the fall 2009 semester, and these updates will continue well into the spring. According to Adam Amit, president of the Student Association, the newest update will be the addition of board game tables in the seating area of the New Union Food Court, which will be brought in around the beginning of March. The idea for the game tables came about when Amit, other SA members and staff members walked around the New Union to come up with a few ideas to make it more enjoyable for students. The…

SA to host campus-wide semi-formal event The Student Association is planning a semi-formal dance, scheduled for March 13 from 8 to 11 p.m. According to Jared Kirschenbaum, executive vice president of the SA, it will be the first campus community-wide semi-formal event. The event is set to feature a DJ and is expected to host between 500 to 600 students. The theme for the dance will be Old Hollywood, and it will also be open to students who live off-campus. Senior T-shirts on sale The Senior Class Council is selling senior T-shirts for $10 each. The T-shirts will be sold…

After holding the presidency at Binghamton University since 1990, Lois DeFleur announced her plans to retire in July. DeFleur cited her marriage this summer as well as her mother’s poor health as reasons for retirement. According to Gail Glover, spokeswoman for BU, DeFleur had spoken with the BU Council in October regarding her retirement, however, the discussion was postponed because of budget issues, plans for BU’s future law school and the review of the athletic department. Glover stated that DeFleur is hoping to take care of a few administrative issues before her upcoming retirement. “The president has indicated that she…

The ethnicity of Abdulsalam Al-Zahrani, the man charged in the Dec. 4 stabbing of Binghamton University anthropology professor emeritus Richard Antoun, has caused speculation on campus regarding the motives behind the attack. Al-Zahrani is Saudi national, and is reported to be of the Islam religion. Professors of Arabic studies within the Classical and Near Eastern studies department and campus groups such as the Muslim Student Association (MSA) are hoping that people do not carry any misconceptions linking the stabbing and the suspect’s religious beliefs. “We would like to think that we all can stay committed and not generalize about a…

Graduating Binghamton University students listened to two of their peers speak at the third annual fall commencement ceremony Sunday. Anthony Corvino, a senior majoring in political science, spoke on behalf of the undergraduate students, while Ida Jones, who is obtaining her doctorate in translation studies, spoke on behalf of the graduate-level students. Corvino, who is hoping to eventually teach elementary education, said he applied for the opportunity to be a commencement speaker when the announcement was first posted on B-Line. According to Corvino, to apply, he was asked to provide two professor recommendations and take an interview where he was…

While Binghamton University admissions officials are actively pursuing transfer students, the State University of New York system has taken steps to make transferring credits between campuses easier. “Transfer students are very focused; they want to maximize their credits at their community college as well as the four-year college to ensure a timely graduation,” said Cheryl Brown, director of undergraduate admissions at Binghamton University. “Students will be able to find a curriculum at Binghamton University to fit with their previous coursework for a seamless transition.” Through an updated credit transfer policy within SUNY, students will have an easier time transferring between…

In a live Web cast geared toward answering the questions of students from State University of New York campus news publications, State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher discussed impending budget cuts. The conference, held Thursday at the SUNY Plaza in Albany, began at 4 p.m., and was created to feature an open dialogue between students from SUNY campuses, according to Zimpher. “This is our way to reach out and serve communication the students deserve,” Zimpher said. Students from various campus-affliated newspapers e-mailed questions to Zimpher, which were reviewed and selected to be answered during the live Web cast.…

More than 50 students supporting “Beyond Coal” rallied in front of the Couper Administration Building on Tuesday to push for the elimination of coal usage at Binghamton University. According to Christine Walsh, one of 11 event coordinators for the campaign, “Beyond Coal,” affiliated with the Sierra Club, is part of a national effort to stop the use of coal as a main energy source. Students and a few faculty members stood by the flag pole holding long stretches of banner paper covered in paint handprints. “[The] 2,500 handprints are meant to symbolize each of the petitions we have collected from…

Two members of the State University of New York community recently co-authored a policy regarding how the economic crisis will affect local governments in New York state. The brief focuses on three different economic forces that will affect local governments: sharp declines in sales tax revenue, the necessity for spending cuts because of the deficit and problems with the pension fund for municipal employees. The brief, entitled “The Economic Crisis and Local Governments in New York State,” was co-written by Michael Hattery, a senior research associate of the College of Community and Public Affairs public administration department at Binghamton University,…

For students living in Mountainview College, watching others battle their way down the slippery dirt path to Lot W over lunch at the Appalachian Collegiate Center is a favorite winter pass time. But future residents may not get to experience the entertainment if a resolution passed by the Student Assembly last night pans out. Members of the Student Assembly, faculty and residents of Mountainview College are working together to have the dirt path from the Appalachian Collegiate Center, Mountainview’s dining hall, to the central campus paved. Although the path is convenient, it can become dangerous to travel depending on weather.…

Binghamton University students got a chance to speak their minds and flaunt their First Amendment rights through a megaphone on Monday. The BU College Libertarians hosted a Freedom of Speech Contest, an SA-chartered event that took place from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at a table outside of the New University Union. According to Mark Dello Stritto, co-president of the College Libertarians, the contest is meant to celebrate the rights given to Americans by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. “Contestants [got] about 30 seconds to a minute to come and speak their mind,” Dello Stritto said. “Each…

The State University of New York’s Board of Trustees held an Executive Committee meeting Tuesday, broadcast over the Internet, that partially focused on Binghamton University. According to David Henahan, director of media relations at SUNY, the meeting covered four subjects: the appointment of Monica Rimai as senior vice chancellor and chief operating officer of SUNY, the investigation of BU’s athletics department, a SUNY budget update and the next phase of the SUNY strategic plan. The first discussion brought to the table was the proposed candidacy of Monica Rimai as senior vice chancellor and chief operating officer. Rimai formerly worked as…

The Student Association at Binghamton University has created new campaign posters to better advertise groups and activities available to students on campus. The set of posters, designed by SA President Adam Amit and Media Director for the SA President Jeremy Gundel, will feature various pictures of student groups along with a new slogan to help advertise them. The new campaign posters will break away from the original slogan, telling students to “Get Involved,” according to Amit, and will be replaced with the marketing campaign asking students, “What’s your passion?” The posters will consist of three different sections. “At the top…

Frank Warren, author of the PostSecret blog that makes him “the most trusted stranger in America,” is coming to Binghamton University as part of the Homecoming 2009 weekend events. Sponsored by Student Assembly Programming Board (SAPB), Late Nite and Hillel, the event will be held on Friday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. in the Anderson Center, according to Aaron Cohn, the vice president for programming at BU. Warren is currently touring the United States promoting the Oct. 6 release of his fifth book involving PostSecret, titled “Confessions on Life, Death and God.” According to a press release from BU’s Office…

The State University of New York (SUNY) system has added a new position, vice chancellor for global affairs, to strengthen their efforts in worldwide education. Dr. Mitch Leventhal, formerly the vice provost for international affairs at the University of Cincinnati, has taken on the new position for SUNY as of Tuesday, Sept. 15. According to Leventhal, as vice chancellor for global affairs he is responsible for developing a global strategy at SUNY. “I will be working with study abroad programs, international students and companies to ensure everything works smoothly,” he said. “It will be the same thing I’ve been doing…

Binghamton University officials have announced the schedule for the Homecoming 2009 weekend, which will mark the anniversaries of many on-campus landmarks. This year’s Homecoming, scheduled for Oct. 2 to 4, will host anniversaries including the 50th anniversary of the Dickinson Community, 25th anniversary of the on-campus apartments, the 20th anniversary of Pi Lambda Phi, the 20th anniversary of the African Student Organization and 30th anniversary of the Caribbean Student Association, according to Steve Seepersaud, alumni communications specialist for BU. According to BU’s Web site, events such as dinners, bonfires and cocktail receptions are being held to welcome back alumni who…

Binghamton University’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) has brought in a new director who will oversee the organization’s summer program and tutorial center. Randall Marie-Jacques Edouard began his work on March 2 to coordinate the EOP’s 2009 summer program. According to Edouard, he deals with the many day-to-day operations of the EOP. One of the EOP’s largest aspects is the four-week summer program, which focuses mainly on summer classes. The program teaches students how to navigate college life and learn proper decision-making skills, Edouard said. “EOP is almost like a small college within a college,” Edouard said. According to Edouard, this…

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is currently in the process of creating an H1N1, or swine flu, vaccination which could be available at Binghamton University as early as October. Still, delays are to be expected due to government screenings, according to Dr. Michael Leonard, medical director at the University Health Center at BU, which could push back the vaccine’s arrival on campus. Leonard said the swine flu vaccine will most likely come with some kind of booster or secondary shot. “Since swine flu is a very particular variety of the flu, it is very new when introduced into…

University efforts to educate students on the prevention of binge drinking has spread across the country, from a new death prevention program at Stony Brook University to training programs here at Binghamton University. Stony Brook University has created their new program, Red Watch Band, to teach students how to watch out for their peers in a binge-drinking-related emergency. According to Jenny Hwang, the associate dean and director of the Center for Prevention and Outreach at Stony Brook University, the voluntary program consists of a four-hour training session where participants learn how to recognize and react to alcohol-related emergencies. In addition…

Binghamton University English majors may have more trouble fulfilling major requirements starting next semester because of tighter caps on some of their courses. According to Harpur Associate Dean Jennifer Jensen, English majors are having problems getting into courses, including: ENG 227, 228, 245, 300M, 300P and 300W (See Page 5). Many of these concerns and disputes are a result of the addition of a new introductory writing course, WRIT 111. WRIT 111 was created in fall 2008 for first-year students in place of the previous courses offered under the ENG 115 heading. “The course is part of the writing initiative…

Finishing off its second school year, the University Downtown Center has heard some praises. Located at 67 Washington St., the facility houses Binghamton University’s College of Community and Public Affairs. “At first, people were shocked because of the change of moving off campus. People complained about not being prepared for the change and rebelled,” said Jodi Epstein, president of the Human Development Association, which is a student group. “Initially there was some dissatisfaction with the center. Currently we have essentially no issues and the problems were remedied as quickly and effectively as possible.” According to Epstein, these problems were solved…

A Binghamton University professor was recently placed on the International Biographical Centre’s list of “2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century.” Gisela Brinker-Gabler, a professor of comparative literature, and the other notables chosen for the list were selected by how closely they bore resemblance to the meaning of intellectualism. “The Oxford English Dictionary defines intellectualism as the ‘doctrine that knowledge is wholly or mainly derived from pure reason’ and it follows by saying that an intellectual is a ‘person possessing a good understanding, enlightened person,’” The Centre’s Web site said. “This statement has been uppermost in the minds of our…

Graduate and undergraduate students campus wide are seeing the toll of budget cuts as they enroll in classes for fall 2009. “I was looking at the course offerings for psychology for fall 2009 and it does seem like they might be offering fewer classes, like seminars,” Irene Martin-Alciati, a junior psychology and art history major, said. “It doesn’t seem like the change is too drastic, though.” Mathew Eng, a sophomore biology major, has also noticed the smaller number of seats and classes available. “I’m trying to take some upper-level classes, 400-level seminars, next semester, and there don’t seem to be…

A lecture focusing on a financial crisis 200 years ago and lessons that could be learned from it drew about 100 people to the Anderson Center last week. The talk, held Friday afternoon, focused on the Panic of 1792. Richard Sylla, a professor of economics at New York University, addressed Alexander Hamilton, the financial crisis of the late 1700s and the lesson the panic could teach people about the current economic crisis. Sylla had two main themes to his lecture: the differences between rich and poor countries, and why Americans are so concerned with the current economic crisis. “A lot…

In addition to other cuts facing Binghamton University, the vice provost position is scheduled to be phased out. The vice provost for undergraduate education and international affairs, Dr. H. Stephen Straight, said he will be leaving his post to return to teaching full time in the anthropology and linguistics field at BU. The change is set to occur this fall. The decision to remove the vice provost position came after the administration received information that “the budget cuts would be critical,” Straight said. “I always intended on going back to teaching; the removal of the vice provost position just came…

Here are some highlights from Facebook’s current terms of use: • First you (the user) agree to arbitration should you ever come into a conflict with Facebook (arbitration means that the argument will be settled out of court). • Facebook uses ALL of your content that has been uploaded to promote its business ends. This means that they find information like taste in music or movies to advertise to you and other Facebook users more effectively. When giving this information to a third party site, they don’t give out your name; it is only for promotional reasons. • Under the…

After facing an uprising from account holders, Facebook has backed down from changing their terms of use. The social networking Web site originally updated its terms of use on Feb. 4. According to Consumerist.com, Facebook’s old terms of service had an agreement with users where once the account was deactivated, Facebook could no longer claim any rights on uploaded content. However, the updated terms stated that anything uploaded to the Web site could be used by Facebook, in any way the networking site saw fit. Facebook users, mostly college students, began making their sentiments known to Facebook’s creator, Mark Zuckerberg.…

Same-sex couples are denied about 2,400 benefits that married heterosexual couples are given, according to a Binghamton University professor. Sean Massey, a human development professor, said he was disappointed with the democratic state leadership for not bringing the topic of gay marriage to a vote. Last week, State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith said there wouldn’t be enough votes in the State Senate to legalize gay marriage in New York until at least next year. Democratic senators are in the minority on the hot-button issue, according to a Nov. 5 article in The New York Times. Residents of the state…

A new computer software group has started on campus. The group, named Sun Open-Source University Meet-up, or OSUM for short, will hold its first meeting in room N22 of the Engineering Building at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12. Gaetjens Lezin, a junior computer science major and the Sun Microsystems’s campus ambassador, hopes the meeting will encourage students to come and support the group, as it has not gained enough signatures to become an official on-campus group yet. OSUM is sponsored through Sun Microsystems, a global company looking to create social networking communities around the world. According to a 2008 press…

Binghamton University’s Career Development Center has created a series of events to help students manage the daunting task of finding a job in these hard economic times. The series, “Smart Moves in a Tough Economy,” started Feb. 5. The program is offering students “a smart move to start moving now,” said Holly Horn, assistant director of the Career Development Center. There are 22 “Smart Moves” programs scheduled for February and March, although more programs could be added this semester, as well as for fall 2009, said Career Development Center director Nancy Paul. So what are some “Smart Moves”? Help with…

Hillary Clinton’s replacement as New York’s junior senator has vowed to help improve higher education and the economy in New York state. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, is “a strong advocate to keep higher education more affordable for middle-class families,” according to Rachel McEneny, the senator’s press secretary. McEneny said Gillibrand’s new federal position will increase her ability to make higher public education more affordable. This should come as a relief due to the increased tuition costs many schools, including Binghamton University, have been faced with. Gillibrand wants to make Stafford loans, in particular, more available to college students,…

Though Binghamton University is expected to face more budget cuts, officials cannot confirm when the cuts will occur or what departments will get hit hardest. Gail Glover, a spokeswoman for BU, said that decisions on budget cuts have not yet been finalized. “Yes, we anticipate that there will be more cuts, but we’re not sure if they will take place this year,” said Michael McGoff, acting vice president for administration at BU. In mid-November New York state Gov. David Paterson proposed a plan that would cut aid to BU by $4.2 million and raise tuition by $300 next semester. According…

Binghamton University’s Symphony Orchestra will present a Winter Lights concert this weekend in celebration of the upcoming holiday season. The concert will start tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the Osterhout Concert Theater of the Anderson Center. Admission is free for students, $5 for faculty, staff and seniors, and $10 for the general public. Timothy Perry, Ph.D., conductor of the BU Symphony Orchestra for 23 seasons, described the show as a “combination seasonal concert.” According to Perry, the concert’s repertoire will include six pieces: an operetta piece called “Vie Fleder Mouse,” Vivaldi’s “Winter Concerto” from “The Four Seasons,” a concert waltz…

For students and residents looking to give back to the community, one organization in the city of Binghamton offers a few different opportunities, all promoting a healthy lifestyle. Faith in Action, which offers a Binghamton branch, is a group “designed to come together and help elderly and chronically ill residents in the local community,” according to Francine Urda, a director of one of the organization’s sub-programs. The group was established in the city 12 years ago, and is an offset of the national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Faith in Action Program Director Joanne Kays said. The Foundation works to “improve…

Binghamton has the nation’s highest-ranked real estate market, according to NBC’s “The Today Show.” On the Oct. 27, 2008 episode of “The Today Show,” real estate expert Barbara Corcoran said that Binghamton was the best city in the country for “making money and having a great quality of life to boot.” According to a press release issued by the city, Binghamton is ranked ahead of Amarillo, Texas; Charleston, W.Va.; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Des Moines, Iowa, which made up the remainder of the top five. John Burns Jr., the owner and broker of Century 21 John Burns Realty, a real…

The owners of The Sports Bar, a staple on State Street since 1993, may be looking to lease the property to a new buyer, according to a former employee. Kathy DeVoe, the bar’s general manager for the 15 years it was open, said that the proprietors, Don Jackson and Kenny Kapikian, are searching for new tenants, and that they have an interested party looking at the property this weekend. Jackson and Kapikian were originally considering opening with a new store manager at the start of the season, but those plans are now at a standstill, she said. According to DeVoe,…

Students having trouble figuring out what courses to take next semester can find some relief at next week’s Scheduling Fest. The academic advising session is set to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the Susquehanna Room of the Old University Union. According to Scott Bennett, assistant director of the Discovery Program which runs the event, Scheduling Fest was first held in the fall of 2007 and organizers say it’s continued to help students since then. A host of campus faculty members, such as professors from each school, peer academic advisers and Career Development Center…

Applying to law school can be a tedious and tiresome undertaking for many pre-law students at Binghamton University. According to Mary Daly, the pre-law adviser at BU, students need to concentrate not only on test preparation for the Law School Admissions Test, but also on working to keep grades up and meet all of the application requirements. Many of the pre-law students at BU start dealing with the admissions process from the minute they enter college, Daly said. The first and often most dreaded step of the law school admissions process is taking the LSAT. Not only are students required…

Delegates from all 64 SUNY schools are set to discuss potential tuition increases this weekend at the the semi-annual State University of New York Student Assembly board meetings in East Syracuse. The conference begins today and runs through Sunday at the Double Tree Hotel. Tuition has been frozen at $4,350 per semester for in-state students for nearly five years. According to a press release from David Belsky, director of communications for the SUNY Student Assembly and a 2008 Binghamton University graduate, the SUNY system is facing a $210 million funding gap. A 3 percent annual increase is proposed. Josh Berk,…

Two Binghamton University students won top places in this past summer’s first “I Love New York” short film contest. Sean Cunningham, a cinema major alumnus who graduated last year, was the Grand Prize Winner of the competition. Justin Hartough, a senior political science and cinema major, placed as Best Student Film Maker. The competition was announced on May 29, 2008, and ran throughout the summer. Contestants were allowed to submit their entries between June 1 and July 15. According to Ryan Yarosh, a BU spokesman, anyone over the age of 14 was eligible to participate in the contest. All films…

Every Friday during the month of October members of the Binghamton University wrestling team take an hour out of their schedules to read to a class of fourth graders at Chenango Forks Elementary School. This second annual event originated from an idea assistant wrestling coach Scott Green had while trying to find an interesting way for the athletes to help the community. “[The] younger students can hopefully have a role model in the wrestlers,” he said. Green said that he and his wife, Jennifer Green, an alumna of Binghamton University and a fourth grade teacher at Chenango Forks Elementary, believed…

The first ever Binghamton Blowout Block Party will hit the Downtown area tonight, bringing with it a wide variety of performances, shows and music. Scheduled for 4 to 9 p.m., festivities will include more than 70 informational tables, musical and street performances, food vendors, trolley tours, planetarium shows, movies, yoga demonstrations, raffles and more. The event, nicknamed B3P, is sponsored by Catalysts for Intellectual Capital 2020 (CIC2020) with the help of Binghamton community leaders. According to Adam Amit, director of CIC2020, the Block Party concept was created with the hopes of providing an atmosphere where students could see all of…