1. The University Union renovations will take programming space including the Tilman Lobby; Mandela Room; Old Union Hall; the South, East and West lounges; UU-133; UU-200; UU-201; UU-221; and UU-101, 102, 103 and 104 off line until August 2009. How will groups needing programming space find alternate sites to accommodate their meetings and events?
Groups will follow standard procedures to request programming space. As in the past, Resource 25 (http://r25.binghamton.edu) can be used to access information about what has been scheduled and what is available to reserve. Additional spaces will be added to the Resource 25 list to provide as many opportunities for meeting and event planners to reserve appropriate spaces for programming.
2. What programming spaces are being added to Resource 25?
The University is adding spaces that have not typically been used for programming purposes in the past, including the Susquehanna Room, UU-168, UU-252, Casadesus Recital Hall, the dining halls (after service hours) and other residence hall venues.
3. How will an individual or group request programming space?
The space reservation process has not changed. Student Groups and on-campus users will continue to reserve University Union and alternate spaces through the University Union Office. Contact the University Union office via http://union.binghamton.edu/reservationform.htm for information on reserving space.
Groups with no campus affiliation or sponsorship (off campus groups wishing to use University facilities) need to contact the Conference & Event Services Office via 607.777.6200 or jguditis@binghamton.edu.
The Anderson Center Reception Room will be used for select meetings, to be reserved through Conference and Event Services, in consultation with the president’s office.
Resource 25 (http://r25.binghamton.edu) lists what rooms are reserved or available for programming on campus.
4. How will a conflict for the same programming space be resolved?
A conflict involving the University Union on-campus rooms should be resolved through the University Union office at 777-3300. Anything else should be resolved through the Events Management Committee, by contacting Eric Backlund at backlund@binghamton.edu.
5. How is the University notifying everyone of these changes?
The University is notifying incoming and returning students via postcards sent to their permanent addresses that include basic information and the web address to obtain additional information. Faculty and staff will receive a letter with the same information.
In addition:
Information will be provided to entering students through B-Mail and at orientation sessions. Campus tour guides will also incorporate information into their tours and sessions.
B-Line messages will cover this information when the students return for the fall semester.
The Student Association is directly involved in communications planning.
The University has met with Pipe Dream to provide information on the changes that they may wish to cover in a summer edition and an early fall semester edition.
6. What other facilities on campus will be affected by the Union renovation?
There will be several changes to dining services on campus:
The Susquehanna Room will be closed for food service beginning Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, to accommodate programming needs.
Dickinson dining hall will offer comparable Susquehanna Room pricing for faculty and staff for breakfast and lunch beginning in fall 2008. Additional tables and chairs will be added to Dickinson Dining hall to add capacity.
The Chenango Room will offer a new menu, expanded buffet options and new furniture and seating.
Food offerings at coffee kiosks will be enhanced.
7. How will eating at alternate locations affect food costs for faculty and staff?
The prices offered in the Dickinson Dining Hall to faculty and staff, as well as off-campus students who are not on a meal plan, will be comparable to the prices they have paid at the Susquehanna Room.
Faculty, staff and off-campus students not on a meal plan also always have the option to put money on their ID cards for dining on campus. In order to add money to your ID card, faculty, staff, and off-campus students will need to open an off-campus meal plan. There are no fees associated with opening a Faculty/Staff or Off-Campus Plus meal plan. When money is added to your meal plan, Dining Services adds 10 percent in spending money to your account for every dollar deposited. Once a meal plan is open, money may be added by visiting the meal plan office next to the Susquehanna Room in the University Union, or go to http://budining.com to add money online. The online system will be operational by the opening of the fall 2008 semester.
