I just spent a weekend in Albany and just can’t help but wonder why the administration here at Binghamton University is trying so hard to distance itself from its SUNY peers. Every school has their own reputations and drawbacks, but after touring through the University at Albany, there are some things that Binghamton’s definitely missing, and could do better by taking a hint from other SUNY schools.

For instance, there’s the issue of student space. Why do we even bother calling it a ‘student’ union anymore? Anyone with privileges (administration, Student Association reps, etc.) can lay claim to any room they can weeks, even months, in advance of other groups that are clamoring for the space. Albany students I met never complained about lack of student group space or access to it; far more student groups have unfettered access to their own office space, courtesy of a ‘campus center’ which is a far more honest vision of student space than our inadequate attempt at a student union.

And I know Binghamton considers itself a research school, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have any other programs of merit; I’m kind of disturbed that plans for a Science V are being considered far more pressing and urgent than a building for, say, humanities or social sciences?

I haven’t heard any news nor fear that we’ll simply expand administration offices or throw a new science building amidst the future rubble of Dickinson Community. I don’t think that’s adequately addressing the needs of the University.

There’s the fact that at a lot of schools in places like upstate New York and New England, the schools have provided ways to beat the chill climate by not having a sprawling campus or interconnecting the buildings with shared basements or corridors between buildings. In Binghamton, you can go from Academic Buildings A and B, and that’s about it.

I know the University’s gone through a lot of beautification projects (like laying down expensive granite on half the paths through campus for no obvious reason), but I somehow doubt that’s what I’ll be thinking about when I’m freezing my balls off walking from the library to Science IV in two weeks.

What will BU do with the leftover space from demolishing Dickinson? I’m not aware yet, though someone might know. Based on past experience, it’s worth assuming that students won’t be consulted; we’ll end up with something we don’t necessarily want or need, and then we’ll be told we’re going to pay for it.