Binghamton University - Colonist / Pegasus Yearbook (Vestal, NY)

Page 9 text:

7 7 P II, .of,-' LAY yaal vaaeis f it L, Y EL SR P se 17, vy Il over the Harpur campus the earth is sprouting physi- cal evidence of a master plan that's been a long time brewing in the air over our heads. Suddenly the vague abstractions of discussion rooms and drawing boards are becoming tangible re- alities. State University of New York at Binghamton is being born at Harpur College and all of us are feeling the labor pains. State University Center at Binghamton of the State of New York. What a strange pseudonym for the phenomenon of the conglomeration at Harpur College. Every- thing seems to be breaking up at once. At first there was just a lot of talking and writing about what was going to happen to the school as it grew, but it just wasn't personal. Even the construc- tion during those first couple of years was on the outskirts of the campus. But slowly the change which seemed so distant became an actual fact.

Page 8 text:

odls able of Contents B vomiction - ';2::?; arpur College 1965-1966 o . D yministration ; umanities . ; Jcience and fMathematics ocial Science 4. $ 2D enior Directory and Portfolio Iuh Directory E 5 e tlsmg anh iBatrnns 114 120 134 146 169

Page 10 text:

e watched rocks and dirt pile up all over the campus, and we groaned inwardly, and often aloud, about the loss of space, about the overcrowded parking lots and dorms. We immediately missed those outdoor places where we studied and picnicked and played ball. It was easy to resent the intruding construction; it was inconvenient. But the holes were soon filled with trees or with skeletons of new buildings. And just as there were some who were frustrated by the sleep- less mornings and dirty windowsilFs, there were others who were fascinated by the machines, excited by the unex- pected completion of a building. There were other changes which accom- panied the physical change. We could sense the difference in a growing lack of intimacy, combined with a new excite- ment; the change from hootenannies to rock 'n roll dances. We could sense the q N J LTl 4 vy, q FErgg, - Ty T - Ly Tt EASA . a growing lack of intimacy . . . difference in the increased class sizes, the immediate closing of good courses being taught by good men. At times, the whole college seemed amnesic; unable to re- call 1ts former identity and unable as yet to create a new one. Yet while the college is abstractedly strug- gling with its new 1dentity, most of us are much more concerned with our own identities. We feel ourselves a part of the school, and have changed with it and be- cause of it, yet we want to emerge as in- dividuals. Graduation brings these thoughts to a focus. . A i, b 7V Y R S B S S s z - WS 3 fas aar'. n's . increased class sizes eaving Harpur is a frightening and an ex- citing prospect. Suddenly everything beyond the little world we have built for ourselves seems threatening and difficult. Above all it seems indifferent, even more so than the growing indifference of the school we must soon leave. And when we think of this, the mud and the noise and the constant change become less bothersome - as graduation nears, they can be viewed almost affectionately. There's been a lot of change; we've changed too, perhaps more than anything else, and that is why there is so much ?or us to re- member.