SUNY Broome Looking for More Integration, Not Merger with B.U.

SUNY Broome Community College President Kevin Drumm says work continues to develop a plan to better integrate the school's operations with Binghamton University.

Drumm said he expects there will be a greater collaboration between the university and SUNY Broome admissions offices.

In a WNBF News interview, Drumm said "athletics would always be separate - they have to be." He added that "the actual formal governance have to be separate" because "that's all required by accreditation and state ed law."

Drumm said "the talks of any kind of merger aren't realistic so it's unfortunate that got out in the news."

The SUNY Broome president was asked about the long-term prospect of the community college actually merging with Binghamton University. He said there's "a remote possibility but it isn't likely." He said "it's not necessary to achieve what we'd like to achieve."

Drumm said a merger "would be a heavy lift." He said "changing the laws in Albany to do that would be substantial and might not ever happen if anybody was even interested in that at some point down the road."

Drumm said he and Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger met with John King, the new SUNY chancellor, a few days ago to discuss "the concept of closer collaboration" between the schools.

Drumm said he doesn't expect any formal announcements about new arrangements between SUNY Broome and the university "in the foreseeable future during my tenure most likely."

Drumm last spring announced he planned to retire as SUNY Broome president this year. He's served in the post since February 2010. He said his actual retirement date will depend on when a successor is chosen and is able to begin work.

LISTEN: SUNY Broome President Kevin Drumm on WNBF Radio on January 23, 2023.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.