The Binghamton University Foundation is launching its first Internet-based fundraising campaign that will allow viewers to connect with the school from their own homes.

The two-hour “Bold. Brilliant. Binghamton.” comprehensive gifts campaign, which begins at 8 p.m. Thursday, is an opportunity for BU to acquire funding that will steer the University into the future despite “dwindling state support,” said Rebecca Benner, senior director of advancement services/campaign operations of the BU Foundation.

The campaign will include live presentations about academic programs, after which viewers can interact with the professors featured in the videos.

Viewers will also have the opportunity to pose questions to President Lois DeFleur and well-known BU alumni.

“As far as we can tell, we will be the first university to launch a campaign this way,” said University spokeswoman Gail Glover. “I’m sure with the economy the way it is, we won’t be the last.”

According to Benner, the virtual fundraising campaign costs approximately half as much per person as compared to a traditional-style campaign launch. Traditionally, campaigns are launched at exclusive invitation-only events. This way, the University will not have to pay for a venue, food and drinks, gifts, giveaways and invitations.

The first comprehensive gifts campaign, held locally in 1999, had an invite list of only 438 people. Benner said she expects between 750 and 1,000 guests to log in to Thursday’s campaign.

The event will consist of 360-degree pre-recorded tours of sites on campus, including the Events Center, a dining hall, the Glenn G. Bartle Library and the University Downtown Center.

“Participants will be able to celebrate Binghamton University from around the corner or around the world,” Glover said.

On Monday, the University held three training sessions for students who would be involved in the campaign launch.

The sessions were held by Benner and Matthew “M.J.” Herson, the developer of the website and principal of Herson Group Ltd., a not-for-profit co-operation that creates strategic communications for universities.

“I have wanted to do this [set up a virtual campaign] for years … because it is very hard to get the donors and the alumni to come back,” Herson said.

Guests will have to register to get a password in order to access the event. Registration is now open at www.bold.brilliant.binghamton.edu/register.