Say what you will about Binghamton. It might rain and it might be cold, but it is far from boring. In fact, this week has to have been one of the most eventful weeks in this little town thus far.
On one hand, we had the returning alums come back for the homecoming game against Rhode Island, which received a great turnout (it would have been better if we won, though). No lie, I saw one Bearcat Hooligan in nothing but his green and white wig and his underwear. Nothing quite says school pride like revealing outfits, but who’s to judge.
On a more unpleasant note, a great chunk of the key veteran basketball team members were cut, leaving many students hopeless and confused about Binghamton University’s future in the America East Conference, and perhaps even the NCAA.
A less publicized event involved less alleged drug dealing and scandalous wardrobe malfunction escapades: the revival of Late Nite Binghamton.
Let’s face it. Late Nite is the clear alternative for students who want to find something legal to do on a Friday or Saturday night. This was made difficult last year when the events were held in or around the mail room. I mean, I understood the circumstances that surrounded the construction situation and everything, but that’s ghetto.
I was never really interested in Late Nite, but I must admit the new additions don’t sound half-bad. I’d like to bowl or sit back and enjoy a song from a local band while sipping on a virgin pi√É.√±a colada from the Undergrounds Caf√É.√©. That’s a change from the nights spent sleeping on my bathroom floor.
Downtown Binghamton does not have a reputation for being safe, cheap or clean. In fact, it is the epitome of all that is evil in the world. Of course, I exaggerate, but with the recent cop raids and gun-drawing and knife-pulling, I think I’m going to take a break from the parties for a while.
Late Nite offers students a place to kick back and chill without worrying who is going to get busted or which one of your friends is going to end up waking up with a bad case of alcohol poisoning. Like most students at Binghamton, I enjoy the occasional night out, but that could get hectic and pretty costly, especially considering everything between going to the bars and taking the cabs.
Whoever said happiness was free has not gone to the Rat.
I am glad all the cranes and fences we’ve seen on campus for the past year were not actually a conspiracy to lead us all to falsely believe that our tuition was going toward something useful. Surprisingly, it has amounted to a better atmosphere and therefore, a better Binghamton.