BU alumna
Molly Peacock ‘69 returned to discuss and read her poetry See page 4
Thursday, March 7, 2019 | Vol. XCV, Issue 13 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
University rises to Research I category in Carnegie rankings Recognition could boost BU’s reputation, but some worry about maintaining status Melanie Gulbas & Kimberly Gonzalez Pipe Dream News
Binghamton University has risen into the Research I University category in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education rankings, data that is used to compute other college rankings, including the ones seen in the U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review. The University’s entrance into the category indicates that BU’s students and faculty members are conducting a high amount of research activity. Currently, there are 131 institutions, all of which are doctoral-granting universities, in the United States that are classified as a Research I University, including Stony Brook University, the University at Albany and the University at Buffalo. The level of research activity is calculated based on a research activity index, including the aggregate level of research activity as well as obtaining the per capita research activity. To obtain the Research I title, a university must be able to provide a large number of resources available for research as well as have a great deal of students and faculty
members conducting research. Additionally, an institution must have been awarded at least 20 research or scholarship doctoral degrees during the most recent year. If the number is less than 20, then it must have awarded at least 30 professional practice doctoral degrees in at least two programs. Institutions also must have at least $5 million in total research and expenditures. University President Harvey Stenger wrote in a statement that this title will impact BU as a whole. “This is exceptional news that will have a far-reaching impact for Binghamton,” Stenger wrote. “This classification underscores the innovative work of our researchers as well as the importance of research funding on our reputation and for the growth of our graduate programs — two key measures that we are continually growing faster than our peers.” In recent years, BU has taken steps to increase research funding and the number of doctoral degrees awarded, including hiring new faculty members, increasing the number of tenured and
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ariel kachuro assistant photography editor Binghamton University has been recognized as a Research I University in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education rankings, which indicates that BU’s students and faculty members are conducting a high level of research activity.
BU acquires two 15th-century prayer manuscripts Books have never been studied, are first of their kind on campus Jeremy Rubino news intern
The Binghamton University Center of Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CEMERS), BU Special Collections and University Libraries have acquired two 15th-century books on biblical
scenes, the first of their kind that BU has obtained. The books of hours, or personal prayer books, titled “Use of Paris” and “Use of Langres,” are handwritten medieval manuscripts from France featuring miniatures that depict biblical scenes, readers’ notes from centuries of use and historiated initials beginning each prayer. This is the first time these manuscripts are being studied by the public eye.
According to Bridget Whearty, a leader in acquiring the manuscripts and an assistant professor of English and medieval studies at BU, books of hours were widely available during the Middle Ages. However, these manuscripts were produced before mass printing and are all handwritten, deeming the 500-yearold texts rare to 21st-century scholars. Whearty wrote in an email that these books of hours were tools of prayer used frequently throughout the day.
“A book of hours is a tool that people tried to use to achieve lives of action, in the world and contemplation,” Whearty wrote. “They were portable guides, tools you could carry through the day, to pause seven times over the course of your day at regular set intervals to contemplate the great mystery of your faith tradition and your place in the cosmos.” Whearty noted that the books exhibited signs of wear and damage over the years. Marilynn Desmond, another
leader in acquiring the manuscripts and a SUNY distinguished professor of English, wrote in an email that she believes that some of the wear is attributed to the extent of personal devotion, including kissing pages that were meaningful to readers, over the course of centuries. Whearty emphasized the uniqueness of the texts and their significance in surviving to the 21st century.
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Politicians talk youth engagement Faculty Senate votes for new TAE committee Benjamin Reynolds, Conrad Taylor discuss civic involvement Rosalie Coschignano
Temporary joint committee to oversee research programs
contributing writer
For Benjamin Reynolds, 19, and Conrad Taylor, 22, it’s never too early to become involved in politics. The two visited Binghamton University on Monday to encourage students to become more politically engaged. Reynolds, the youngest elected official in New York state, a village trustee in Johnson City and a freshman at SUNY Oneonta, and Taylor, ‘17, a Binghamton City Council member elected while attending BU, spoke at Youth Civic Engagement Night, which was hosted by March For Our Lives (MFOL) BU and Generation Vote. The event featured a Q&A during which Reynolds and Taylor answered various questions from attendees regarding their journeys to significant political involvement at young ages. They also offered advice to students looking to
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Erin Kagel
pipe dream news
rose coschignano pipe dream photographer Benjamin Reynolds, a village trustee in Johnson City and a freshman at SUNY Oneonta, and Conrad Taylor, ‘17, a Binghamton City Council member, speak to BU students at “Youth Civic Engagement Night” on Monday night in the University Union.
ARTS & CULTURE
As of last month, the Faculty Senate passed a resolution recommending the establishment of a temporary committee at Binghamton University charged with examining and reviewing the hiring process for assistant professors, as well as the work being done by the Transdisciplinary Areas of Excellence (TAE). There are currently six TAEs that deal with contemporary issues such as human rights, data science and sustainable communities while fostering faculty relationships within different disciplines. At the beginning of the semester, the TAE Evaluation Committee and Joint Task Force on Transdisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Work, both established by the Faculty
OPINIONS
Senate, recommended the creation of a joint committee to oversee the governance of the TAE and the execution of the recommendations from both panels. Jonathan Karp, chair of the Faculty Senate and an associate professor of history and Judaic studies, wrote in an email that he believes the creation of a committee is necessary and that it will exceed the recommendations given by the Faculty Senate. “After deliberation, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee passed a resolution to create a temporary committee that would have among its tasks to consider the recommendations of both reports and, hopefully, to synthesize them,” Karp wrote. “The temporary committee would also identify any additional issues of concern not covered explicitly in the two reports.” The creation of the committee
see tae page 3
SPORTS
Hinman Production Company returns with BNL,
Be more active this winter with these hiking trails,
The Editorial Board criticizes the University’s student fee increases,
Track and field compete at regional meet,
Women’s basketball eliminated from AE playoffs,
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