Well it’s that time of year again. Finals week. While we’re all freaking out about our own grades, let’s take a minute to turn some tables and do some grading ourselves.
President Stenger: A
Last year, we held off on giving the then-new president an A because he was the new kid on the block. Now that he’s been here for a full year, we can tell that he is, indeed, who we thought he was and could be. Under President Stenger, this school has reversed the culture of opacity that defined its administration for years. That change has stretched from the president’s office down to the athletics department. That change is long-awaited and certainly welcomed.
President Stenger has not only laid out a vision for this Binghamton’s future, he has done so in a personal manner, linking himself to that future. It is not uncommon to see him strolling around campus, attending events like Chabad’s Dreidel Spin-off, or otherwise making himself readily available to students. He’s also made student fitness a priority, inviting students to join him on morning runs and penning an editorial reminding them to exercise.
Athletics: B
We’re implementing a learning curve here, because, barring a miracle, Binghamton athletics will never be the kind of Division I school that Duke or Florida is. But relatively, things are looking up. The men’s basketball team has already matched its win total from last season, and Tommy Dempsey seems like the exact man the program needed to get back on its feet. Volleyball made it back the NCAAs, and two wrestlers are currently ranked nationally. And perhaps the most promising of all was how the athletic department handled the arrests of two men’s basketball players. Breaking from the tradition of years past, the department released a statement before the news broke and remained open and available for questions throughout the process, adamant about maintaining a policy of transparency under new athletic director Pat Elliott.
Programming: B+
Brianna Friia (Bri Frii) assured us at the beginning of the semester that this would be the best year of programming yet. So far, so good. We’ve had some seriously big names, and sure, we would like something a little more top 40, but we did have three big shows: Lewis Black, Afrojack and Childish. Also worth noting, the Undergrounds had Kaki King, and Daughtry and 3 Doors Down played the Broome County Arena. So we’ve had variety, and I don’t think it’s fair to say we want more quality, but maybe a group that’s a little more established, since Childish and Afrojack are new names in the music scene. But we have faith in you, SAPB. Don’t disappoint us.
Greek Life: C+
The Greek community came under a great amount of pressure this semester, and expecting a 180-degree turnaround from last semester may be unrealistic. That said, Greeks knew at least partially what to expect this semester; after the furor surrounding last semester’s New York Times article and the subsequent suspension of pledging, it was impossible for business to continue as usual.
That said, Greek Life did little to improve its standing in the administration or our eyes. Despite IFC and many Greek members’ promises to end hazing, AXP’s recent ouster tells a different story. And, though there’s been some increase in philanthropy and on-campus involvement, it’s left a lot to be desired. Let’s hope, for their sake, that Greeks find a way to step it up next semester.
Off-Campus Housing: B+
Downtown got a shot in the arm this semester with the grand opening of two student living powerhouses: Twin River Commons and 20 Hawley. More students are living and breathing Downtown Binghamton, walking the streets … by the light of day! We’d give housing an A, we would, we really want to, but we can’t. Because it’s just such a new thing. This many college kids haven’t been living Downtown in a few years, so we’re still adjusting. The bus system is inadequate and 20 Hawley is still only partially occupied. But the future is very bright for Downtown Bing and for student housing. Off campus has never been more in style.
Dining: F+
It’s great that the new New Union will offer students expanded dining options. But it won’t be ready for over a year, and in the meantime there’s nothing that functions as even a semi-decent replacement of the old New Union. The Tillman Café is lacking in options and nearly always has long lines. Jazzman’s is lacking in options and nearly always has long lines. Einstein Bros. Bagels is lacking in options and nearly always has long lines. Notice a pattern here? It really should not take over 20 minutes to order a bagel. The University and Sodexo desperately need to get their acts together.