Living/Learning

At Binghamton you’ll discover that your residence hall is a vibrant stage for the intellectual pursuit, both formal and self-guided. Not only will there be study groups to join, but many classes, lectures and special programs take place within the residential communities, just steps away from your door.

Many of these learning opportunities are guided by the community’s Faculty Master, a tenured faculty member with an office in the community center. Part of the Master’s role is to help connect you to the academic side of the campus and to foster experiential learning right where you live. Get to know Al Vos, your Hinman Faculty Master well, for he can be a tremendous resource for you as you focus in on your chosen discipline.

And if that sounds a little dry, it’s worth mentioning that you’re just as likely to find Al sliding down a snowbank on a dining hall tray, sporting a co-rec football jersey or getting a pie in the face to help raise money for the area government. The Masters are here to help you get the most out of your college experience and they’re the first to tell you that so much of what you’ll take away from Binghamton happens outside the classroom.

First year students have a choice of three unique programs that all share one thing in common – the opportunity to live with some of the same people you go to class with.

* Area Based Courses (ABCs) – introductory courses that meet within the residence hall community and are composed entirely of residents of that community. Some ABC courses are linked, with two instructors of different disciplines exploring the same subject from different directions.

* First Year Experience Courses (FYEs) – Taught right in your community, the First Year Experience explores what it means to be a college freshman from a human development perspective. Along the way, you’ll meet faculty and staff from all over campus, discover what they do and how you can get more involved. HDEV 105 is a great way to get a jump on everyone else in becoming a part of Binghamton University.

* Learning Communities – Learning Community courses take place in your community and instructors hold office hours there as well. Residence Life staff work closely with faculty to create programs and events that enhance the classroom experience.