Impression of Binghamton University

pha516
Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:26:27 +0000

My son was a Spring admit and I certainly understand that Spring admission is going to be a little different than Fall admission. We were advised that the Spring admits should move in on Thursday 1/22/15 after 9:00 am and to check in to their dorms. When we got to the school there was no one directing us,no signs, no one to greet us at all. My son had the name of his dorm so we went to the dorm and did not have any idea where to park or who to meet with. We saw one or two other confused families also not knowing what to do or where to go as Spring admits. My husband sat in the car in front with his flashers on while my son and I went up to the dorm. We came in the first set of doors and since we did not have a key card we could not get into the building. We saw through the glass some people in a room and banged on the door for a good 5 minutes before we got anyone’s attention. The person in the front office had no idea what to tell us to do. He gave my son 2 keys and a card to get in his room and said we could go to the room and bring my sons belongings in. I asked him if there was anywhere else we should be checking in and he said he did not know and to check down by the student union. We drove to the student union and when we went in we were asked if we were there for orientation. I said my son was a spring admit and asked if there was any where to check in for that and they said not that they know of. I then said “so I guess we are on our own”? and the reply was I guess so.

We went back to the dorm and my son and I went to the room. When we walked in the room I have never seen so much dust and dirt in my life. I understand for the Spring admits the rooms cannot start out clean at all because of the other roommate already living there, but what a horrible first impression of the dorm for a Spring admit. I went back to the front office and asked to borrow the vacuum they had sitting there. I vacuumed the floor and we brought my sons stuff into the room and set up. There was no one else in the building yet. Since this was Thursday I said to my son that there might not be anyone there until the weekend. There was nothing planned for the Spring admits to get together that night, no welcoming dinner, nothing. I just felt this was the most unwelcoming welcome for a new student.

My son’s roommate did not show up until Sunday so my son was alone in the room from Thursday until Sunday. No one else on his floor was there either and when they started coming back he realized he was in an all Sophomore dorm. When you are a Spring admit they put you anywhere they have a spot. My son has been trying to change his dorm since the first day but still has not been able to. When my son finally met his roommate it ended up he was an International student form India. My son is the most easy going person you could ever meet. He likes everyone and had no problem with having an international student as a roommate.The issue is that the student does not talk to him at all. He will say hello and goodbye but will make no other conversation with my son.

Don’t get me wrong, My son is very happy to be attending Binghamton and is very excited about his college experience.He has made some friends and is trying to stay positive about the dorming experience. He tries not to come back to his room because he finds it so depressing. Binghamton is a school run by the kids, not the faculty. Even the bus system is driven by the kids. Prior to my son attending we had attended two orientations. We were told prior to the first orientation that they would be registering for classes at the orientation only to be told at that orientation that registration would not be that day. When we got an email stating that there would be a date to register we asked if we could do it on line and were advised that we must come back to the school to register. So we had no choice but to make another trip to the school. At the first orientation one of the parents asked if this was the first year for Spring admits and the president of the school replied yes. It was not. From what I read on line it started the previous year.
I have another son that attends University at Buffalo. In the 4 years that he has been there I have never had a complaint… the school is double the size and is extremely organized.

Binghamton has such a wonderful reputation… I’m sure academically it lives up to that reputation. I have never been one to complain but I was just hoping my son would have a great first year experience at a top school like Binghamton. I am just wondering if anyone else who was a Spring admit has had any type of similar experience.