Dylan Horvath has been BU’s steward of natural areas for 13 years See page 5 Monday, March 25, 2019 | Vol. XCV, Issue 15 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com
University sees 3 percent decrease in applications from previous year Valerie Puma
EBBING APPLICATIONS
assistant copy desk chief
For the 2019-20 academic year, Binghamton University is seeing a decline in the number of incoming applications. For the 2015-16 academic year, applications numbered at 30,615, for 2016-17, at 32,105 and, for 2017-18, at 33,406. Although applications increased steadily throughout these years, the 2019-20 numbers have fallen short of continuing the pattern. According to Krista Medionte-Phillips, director of undergraduate admissions, in comparison to last year’s record high, counting at 38,716 applications, first-year applications are down by about 3 percent, with slightly more than 37,000 submitted to date. Medionte-Phillips wrote in an email that the downturn in applications is not unique to BU, with schools across the State University of New York (SUNY) system seeing similar decreases. “Like other SUNY University Centers and four-year colleges, Binghamton has seen a slight decrease in firstyear applications this year,” Medionte-Phillips wrote in an email. “Compared to two years ago, first-year applications are up by about [12 to 13 percent].” According to Medionte-Phillips, the University is looking into why applications may have decreased for the upcoming academic year. “Each year, the Admissions Office assesses our initiatives and strategies,” Medionte-Phillips wrote. “However, we do feel that we have a robust pool of applicants to continue to enroll a top class. It is too early to pinpoint the exact cause of the decrease, but it is something that we are analyzing and discussing throughout SUNY.” Ryan Yarosh, senior director of media and public relations, wrote in an email that the University has still received an impressive number of applications for the class of 2023. “I think it’s important to keep in mind that the University received over 37,000 applications for over 2,000 spots as Binghamton continues to build a strong academic reputation as a place where the best students in the nation — and the world — come to learn,” Yarosh wrote. But despite the decrease, some applicants still considered the University one of their top choices, including Meagan Hui, 17, of Livingston, New Jersey, who applied to BU via early action and was accepted in February. She will start at the University next fall, and said she chose to apply because her mother and aunts are alumni. “When I visited, I fell in love with the campus — I’m from the suburbs and personally prefer an open campus unlike NYU or other colleges in the city,” Hui said. “The thing about BU was that it also has an amazing business school. I already knew I was going into accounting, and BU has lots of recruiters for internships and jobs for large firms, which is amazing.” Amy Donovan contributed reporting to this article.
The Free Word on Campus Since 1946
Number of first-year applicants 2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
30,615
32,105
33,406
2018-19
2019-20
To date, first-year applications are down
3% 38,716
~37,000
from the 2018-19 academic year, but up approximately
20% from 2015-16.
Source: Binghamton University Undergraduate Admissions Office cory bremer design manager
Students cultivate syrup from campus trees Student Association elections see low turnout Dickinson Community starts sustainability project Laura D’Angelo news intern
Binghamton University students walking toward the East Gym may have noticed various orange buckets leaning against trees on campus in recent weeks, part of a maple syrup cultivation project led by students in Dickinson Community. Josh DeMarree, a greenhouse assistant at BU, had the initial idea to make syrup on campus. DeMarree has experience with the cultivation process, and makes his own maple syrup at a farm in Cortland. Carl Lipo, associate dean for research and programs in Harpur College, director of the University’s environmental studies program, sustainable communities program adviser and a professor of anthropology, connected DeMarree with Kimberly Jaussi, a collegiate professor of Dickinson Community and an associate professor in the School of Management, who helped get the project underway for students through the Dickinson Town Council (DTC). DeMarree wrote in an email that the project provides a unique experience for BU students. ”I think it is an amazing thing
see syrup page 3
About 2,000 students vote, four candidates run unopposed Sasha Hupka news editor
The Student Association (SA) has solidified its executive board for the 2019-20 academic year after more than 2,000 students voted in student government elections on Tuesday. According to unofficial election results, Emma Ross, a junior double-majoring in political science and psychology, carried the president’s race, with about 76 percent of voters designating her as their first choice, one of the largest margins for an opposed candidate in the history of SA elections. Ross, who currently serves as the speaker of SA Congress and received endorsements from Pipe Dream, Newing College, Hinman College, College-in-the-Woods, Mountainview College, the Hillside and Susquehanna communities and Off-Campus College Council, will replace current SA President Jerry Toussaint next fall. rebecca kiss photography editor As part of a Dickinson Community program, Binghamton University students are collecting sap from trees along the path to the East Gym.
ARTS & CULTURE
OPINIONS
see elections page 2 SPORTS
Pep up your step with these new songs to add to your spring playlist,
Reduce your environmental footprint with these helpful tips,
Contributing columnist Kaitlyn Liu criticizes the high costs of healthy food on campus,
Women’s lacrosse edged by UNH in America East opener,
Four BU wrestlers compete in NCAA Championships,
SEE PAGE 5
SEE PAGE 5
SEE PAGE 4
SEE PAGE 7
SEE PAGE 8