This is interesting. I had no idea it existed until I read an article from the 1619 series in the Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/02/12/magazine/1619-project-slave-auction-sites.html
The Center was opened this past September, and the Inauguration is April 14th. Am I right in thinking Binghamton is taking many successful steps to raise its profile? The About page provides a thorough explanation for the creation of the Center.
https://www.binghamton.edu/centers/harriet-tubman/about.html
I think they’re doing themselves a disservice by referring to Binghamton as a “premier public Ivy.” If I were an alumna/i I’d contact the administration to object to the phrase. There’s nothing wrong with being a premier public university in their own right. They should own it.
I do like the center though. I don’t remember hearing any news of its planning, construction, or opening, and I have children in the SUNY system. I hope their publicity campaign is just starting. It deserves some attention.
@austinmshauri So many schools refer to themselves as some kind of Ivy, right? It’s just marketing and doesn’t bother me, but you make a good point. It’s an excellent public research university.
I suspect it’s housed in a space that already existed, though I’m not sure. I’m wondering if it’s still somewhat a work in progress, given the inaugural event date. I’m also hoping that it will be open to the public because I’d love to have a look should anything be displayed.
Aha! The article in the Times was written by Anne C. Bailey, a history professor at Binghamton and the director of the Harriet Tubman Center. Should have caught that earlier.