Having lived in Broome County my entire life, I have a unique perspective on this area as both a student and a resident.
I am able to recognize the impact of Binghamton University’s students, their families, professors and faculty on the local economy, as they patronize places like Lost Dog Cafe, Little Venice and The Colonial. I am able to see how the community comes to life a little bit more when all the students are here, living in and walking around Binghamton, utilizing the public transportation and so forth.
More than anything else though, I am able to hear how often local residents, political figures and professionals boast of having “New York’s premier public university” in their backyard.
This is ironic to me because even though people are proud of having BU here, the students — who pay thousands of dollars to study in Binghamton — don’t always reflect that same pride and enthusiasm for this school or area. I wonder: why is that?
Some don’t have pride for Binghamton because they only came here to get a reputable, yet affordable education. Others argue that because the University doesn’t have a football team, it’s missing that essential piece of school spirit that allows everyone something to rally around. I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard people complain that the consistently gloomy weather, in addition to the lack of anything entertaining or fun in Downtown Binghamton, leaves a lot to be desired.
I couldn’t disagree more with those complaints.
The fact that we are getting such a high-quality education at such an inexpensive rate should be seriously celebrated. Even though Binghamton doesn’t have a football team, we succeed in plenty of the other sports we do have. Our softball team won the America East regular-season title last season and our men’s soccer team advanced to the conference finals in 2015.
While the weather is out of anyone’s control, there are dozens of delicious and fun places to eat, drink and hang out Downtown, from Galaxy Brewing Company, to Social on State, to Cafe Oasis Hookah Lounge. Not to mention major community events that go on, like the LUMA Projection Arts Festival or Restaurant Week.
Whatever reason students have for their lack of pride in this school, it needs to change — and that can only start with the students themselves.
I admit there have been days in winters past, as I trudge through the subzero temperatures, that I seriously considered transferring schools. I’m definitely not the first person to compare BU with colleges like Cornell that have a trendy and bustling city close by, as well as the beautiful gorges.
But it doesn’t take someone who’s lived here her whole life to recognize that Binghamton is a pretty great place to go to school.
Log onto any social media platform and check out accounts like What’s Goin’ On Binghamton, BingPop, The Agency and so many more to see the promotion of this area and all the good things going on here.
So regardless of if you came here because it was the only college you got into, or because it’s the university of your dreams, don’t be afraid to be proud of BU. You only get one college experience. If you do it right, and truly embrace every aspect of being here, once should be enough.
Giovanna Bernardo is a senior double-majoring in English and political science.