Brendan McGovern – Binghamton Chapter President

Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched something deeply troubling unfold right here at Binghamton University. At least five of our international student’s have had their visas revoked – some without warning, others mid-semester, with no clear explanation. These students weren’t accused of wrongdoing. Their only “offense” appears to be their status as international students in a political climate growing increasingly hostile to immigrants, public education, and the freedom to think critically.

Make no mistake – this isn’t isolated. It’s part of a broader pattern. A growing number of students across SUNY and the country are facing similar actions. And while five students may not sound like many, the chilling effect on campus is real. International students are afraid. They are asking questions their advisors can’t answer. Faculty are wondering what to say – and more importantly, what not to say – lest they draw the wrong kind of attention.

Read the rest of Brendan’s statement here.

Read the joint statement from UUP, PSC/CUNY, and NYSUT calling on SUNY and CUNY chancellors to defend our students, protect our campuses, and resist every attempt to dismantle the freedoms that make higher education a public good.

Click here to read the full resolution.

Resolved: that the Binghamton chapter of United University Professions endorses the call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire;

Resolved: that the Binghamton chapter of United University Professions rejects as infringements of our members’ political rights and workers’ rights any sanctioning, harassment, or censorship resulting from the expression of views, organizing teach-ins or debates, participating in demonstrations, as well as the climate of fear that results in self-censorship, is antithetical to academic freedom, and harms members by closing intellectual opportunities and conversations that are critical to student learning;

Resolved: that the Binghamton chapter of United University Professions demands that the University administration uphold our basic rights as workers and members of this community by publicly committing to free speech, academic freedom, and the right in particular to express and advocate for solidarity with Palestinians, as the group that in this instance and at this moment is facing atrocity and mass death in an illegal act of collective punishment that threatens rapidly to become even deadlier.

A local dentist recently dropped out as an in-network dental provider with Delta Dental. Please see the message below from Doreen Bango, UUP Director of Member Benefits and Services. Also click here to see a list of 41 In-Network Dental Providers within 10 miles of Binghamton.

UUP is on top of this situation. We are doing our best to ensure we have the most robust Dental Plan UUP can negotiate. We are in discussions with Delta Dental weekly.

Please let me explain how dental reimbursement works. Delta Dental cannot negotiate provider contracts on a case-by-case basis. Once Delta Dental decides to increase the provider’s reimbursement rate it must go through the following process, and this takes time. New York State mandates that the reimbursement rates must be filed with the NYS insurance department by regions and approved for their book of business. Providers in all regions must be reimbursed the same amount for each procedure. Therefore, the entire book of business in the southern tier region must be increased. 

UUP has informed Delta dental of the drop out by providers. Delta Dental is doing its best to increase their network and provide a robust dental plan. 

For the year 2023 UUP’s submitted dental claims were over $69 million. If not for the discounts that Delta negotiates with its providers, UUP’s dental plan would be unsustainable. In other words, it would become too expensive for UUP, and we would need to decrease our benefits within our plan. This scenario applies to all dental carriers including CIGNA, MetLife, and Excellus. Every three years UUP’s dental plan is sent out for bid by our consultants and every three years it comes back as Delta having the most competitive rates and the most robust network. 

I understand and respect your frustration, please be patient as we are working on a resolution to this situation.
Sincerely,

Doreen M. Bango, UUP Director of Member Benefits and Services / Fund Administrator