An advocacy group at Binghamton University could play a part in supporting new legislation that would give individual SUNY campuses more autonomy.

“Think Green. Think Global. Think Binghamton.” is an outgrowth of Think Tank, which started in 2007 as a program that sought to strengthen the role public universities play in sustainability of the state economy through innovative research, programs and job creation. Think Green. Think Global. Think Binghamton. now exists as an advocacy group that sets BU’s needs and concerns apart from the SUNY system as a whole.

The program was designed to organize accessibility and contact with political officials, allowing Binghamton’s faculty and students to freely express how acts and legislation affect BU. The advocacy group was also meant to set and supervise goals that would improve both the state and the University.

Through this campaign, BU promises to aid the new goals enacted by New York state and its community with a continued emphasis on a greener economy and maximizing benefits to the University. According to the BU Web site, this includes 12 new on-campus buildings, as well as new global partnerships.

But in the wake of New York Gov. David Paterson’s budget proposal, Think Green. Think Global. Think Binghamton. will take on a new task.

On Jan. 15, Gov. Paterson introduced the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act, which, if passed, will focus on cutting back over-regulation of public university tuition with a more flexible state budget for SUNY and CUNY schools — an agenda that seems to work hand-in-hand with the advocacy plan at BU.

According to the BU Web site, the University is hoping that with the continued progression of the program and the passing of the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act, there will be at least 1,800 more jobs for faculty and staff, with a 5,000 person increase in student enrollment.

According to Diane Greiwe, an advocacy communications specialist for the Think Tank program, BU is working to promote the passage of the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act in the New York State Legislature in 2010.

“Think Tank advocates are invited to participate in advocacy activities,” Greiwe said. “Sending letters to elected officials √É¢’ to support the University, its mission and the value it delivers.”

Currently the value of tuition and public higher education budgets are managed by the state and fluctuate with state budget gaps. The passing of the new act would lower this frequent fluctuation, creating a more affordable public university statewide. Yet even if the act for public higher education does pass, the goals BU has set for its future may not happen overnight.

“The Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act introduced by the governor would begin to be implemented and phased in as soon as it is passed,” Terrence Kane, BU’s director of state relations, said. However, “student population growth, related construction investment and reflected regional job growth have been calculated over a 10-year period.”

Think Green. Think Global. Think Binghamton. is Binghamton’s way of thinking alongside the state of New York and establishing itself as an important player in the future of the New York economy. It is the first step to an improved budget statewide.

Advocates, including students, can start an account with “Think Binghamton” through the school’s Web site at www2.binghamton.edu/think/our-vision/ where they can receive information, such as news articles, resources and be informed with ways the individual can help the school’s political involvement.