BU continues construction on new welcome center

The center will be named after Charlene and Roger Kramer.

Binghamton University is continuing construction on a new welcome center at the campus’ main entrance.

Last year, the BU Council — a body responsible for certain University operations — voted to build a new welcome center on Glenn G. Bartle Drive. Currently under construction, the center will be connected by a canopy to the information booth situated at the main entrance. The purpose of the welcome center will be to provide resources to campus visitors.

The project was made possible by a $1.2 million donation from Roger Kramer ‘72, a BU alum, and through capital funds from a SUNY construction project, amounting to a budget of about $2.5 million.

Ryan Yarosh, senior director of media and public relations at BU, described the amenities the new welcome center will offer.

“The project combines an enhanced information station, [a] welcome center with gathering space and dedicated parking area that will provide a sense of arrival to new and returning visitors to campus,” Yarosh wrote in an email. “The welcome center will enhance visitors’ first impressions of campus, engage returning alumni and build pride in the University.”

In an interview with FOX 40, BU President Harvey Stenger said the welcome center may include “brochures available for area attractions and flatscreen TVs advertising local restaurants,” providing a marketing opportunity for local businesses.

The building will be named after Roger and his wife Charlene Kramer ‘73, who both received their undergraduate degrees from BU. Since their time as students, they made multiple financial contributions to the school over the years to improve the campus, also providing financial assistance to students through their scholarship.

Yarosh elaborated on the Kramers’ contributions to the BU campus as a whole.

“The new building will be named the Charlene and Roger Kramer Welcome Center in recognition of significant support from Roger Kramer ’72 and his late wife, Charlene Kahlor Kramer ’73,” Yarosh wrote in an email. “In 2017, the University community celebrated the naming of the Charlene Kahlor Kramer Traditions Hallway in the Alumni Center at Old O’Connor Hall. The Kramers’ loyal support also includes student aid via the Charlene Kahlor Kramer ’73 and Roger Kramer ’72 Scholarship.”

During Roger Kramer’s time at BU, he met his wife and became the first in his family to earn a college degree.

“I have such fond memories of my time at [BU] that I wanted to give back to my school,” Kramer wrote. “Helping out with the construction of a welcome center was a great opportunity. My late wife, Charlene, and I were both the first generation of our families to graduate from college and the University helped my wife, in particular, by providing her with scholarships and work-study opportunities. We were both so grateful to have received our undergraduate degrees from [BU].”

Although this project has been ongoing since summer of 2022, students can expect the welcome center to open its doors soon. According to Karen Fennie, the communications specialist for Physical Facilities, the construction project is currently 25 percent complete, and its estimated end date is January of 2024.

Selina Chan, a freshman majoring in mathematics, was excited to hear about a new building being added to the information booth.

“I’m thrilled to see the new extension to the information center,” Chan said. “I think it’s important that the welcome center will provide information about the University and the community that surrounds it to campus visitors.” non-binary and gender nonconforming students on campus.

“In a society where trans lives are often threatened and ostracized, it is vital we supply acceptance on a community level,” La Scala wrote in an email. “Most cisgender people do not understand the time, money and courage it takes to complete legal documents to transition in the eyes of the government — or even a trans person may not have the desire to legally transition. As a community that prides itself on inclusion, this is one of the many steps [BU] had to take in order for the documents to mirror the person they are.”

Rachel Del Fierro, a sophomore doublemajoring in psychology and anthropology — and a staff member of the Q Center — said she is hopeful for the policy and the acceptance it can establish on the University campus for gendernonconforming students.

“I champion all efforts to make SUNY campuses, especially BU, more inclusive and supportive of gendernonconforming students, who are all too often dead-named, misgendered and otherwise discriminated against,” Del Fierro wrote. “I want everyone to remember, though, that this is just the beginning. Gender-nonconforming students deserve consistent protection and affirmation. I am optimistic that this will be the first of many changes to make that a reality.”