A Staged Review of Binghamton University: A Student's Perspective on Inequities and Injustice
I spent two years at Binghamton University (2020-2022) as an accelerated nursing student, an experience that left me with a lasting impression of an institution that seems more concerned with maintaining the status quo than ensuring academic and ethical excellence.
Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences: Unethical Undercurrents
The Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences was the focal point of my academic career there, and it was also the breeding ground for an unethical and inequitable environment. As a student of color, I felt constantly targeted and mistreated. The fa?ade of a supportive academic community was consistently shattered by pervasive mistreatment, discrimination, and unethical behavior from the administration and faculty.
Financial Aid, Discrimination, and Cover-Ups
My initial experience with the Financial Aid department was troubling from the outset. When I reported mistreatment, the department initially blocked my financial aid in an apparent attempt to cover up underlying issues. It wasn’t until a female employee courageously came forward and revealed the truth to me that I learned about the cover-up. This situation highlighted the systemic issues within the institution, where only the voices of marginalized individuals were muffled.
Inequitable Behavior and Ethical Failures
The Office of the Dean of Students played a significant role in the mistreatment I experienced. A Case Management Coordinator intentionally fabricated and redacted documents against me, further exacerbating the unethical environment. The Academic Affairs Office of the Vice Provost and Provost refused to take my reports of mistreatment seriously, further deepening the feeling of systemic neglect and injustice.
Unequal Treatment and Ethical Failures in Support Systems
Both the Counseling Center and the Risk Management and Administrative Compliance Department selectively reported and documented our interactions with attentional bias. The witnessing and documented instances of mistreatment by these departments were either ignored or watered down to maintain the illusion of a supportive environment. The actions of these departments were nothing short of shameful, showing a blatant disregard for ethical treatment of students.
The Role of the Office of the Ombudsman, Vice President, and President
The Office of the Ombudsman, Office of the Vice President for Research, and the Office of the President all failed to provide the necessary support and accountability. These offices either made excuses for the inappropriate behavior exhibited by faculty or completely ignored my numerous reports of mistreatment. The Office of Student Conduct and University Police received my reports but still couldn't escape the targeted nature of the mistreatment I faced from both faculty and students.
The Services for Students with Disabilities and Diversity Equity and Inclusion Offices
The Services for Students with Disabilities Office did nothing about the mistreatment I reported, despite having already logged a complaint against Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences regarding my disability accommodations. The Diversity Equity and Inclusion Office, similarly, failed to provide adequate support, repeatedly gaslighting me about the mistreatment I had endured.
Strikingly, SUNY Headquarters, the highest administrative authority, refused to intervene despite reports of discrimination, intimidation, and stalking, leaving me both legally and academically marginalized.
Based on my experience, I would strongly advise against recommending Binghamton University as a discriminatory institution where equity and integrity take a back seat to maintaining the status quo. My dismissal without a formal grievance hearing or appeal procedure further highlights the institutional failures and the crucial need for reform within the university.