Binghamton Political Initiative (B.P.I.) is a group of politically and socially conscious
students and professors at Binghamton University who plan educational events (panel
discussions, workshops, speaker series, etc.) and other engaging activities in order to raise
awareness and encourage open discussions regarding important current issues.

MEETING TIME BPI meetings are held every Wednesday at 6:00pm in the Geology Lounge (Science 1) at Binghamton University FIND OUT MORE Home                 Mission Statement                Coming Events               Archives                Contact Us                Photo Gallery LINKS Broome County Peace Action Campus Anti-War Network Citizen Action of New York DemocracyNow! Experimental Media Organization/Student Action Collective Food Not Bombs Indymedia Iraq Veterans Against the War Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation Radio Not Bombs St. Patrick's Four The Radicalender

PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR FALL 2008 Food and Sustainability Campaign - You are what you eat This semester BPI will be focusing on issues of food on campus. We will organize educational events on problematic aspects of the main food providers on our campus (Coca Cola and Sodhexo) and alternative ways to a healthy and sustainable way of living and eating in our communities. We will also engage in activities for raising awareness on campus amongst students, faculty, and other university employees. It is the goal of this campaign to link issues of food and health to wider issues concerning social and economic justice, war, political oppression, resistance, etc. Justice for Sodexo Workers As students, faculty and staff of Binghamton University and customers of Sodexo food services, we demand a fair living wage and health insurance coverage for all employees working on this campus.          The average income for a full time Sodexo employee at BU is between $12,000-15,000 per year. The New York State poverty income level (as of 9/1/08) is determined to be $13,050 annually for one person and $19,200 for a family of two. Many of the full time employees on this campus have families, for whom they have to buy food and necessities. As the consumers of Sodexo products on this campus, we find it irresponsible and neglectful of Sodexo to pay a full time employee a wage below this acknowledged poverty level, especially when considering its total revenue of more than 15 billion dollars in 2007. Adequate health insurance is a necessity for all full time employees working for any contractor on this campus. BPI is currently circulating a petition in support of Sodexo workers. The newly formed Sodexo Workers Justice Coalition is meeting on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the GSO Lounge (LN 1104) for discussion of the unjust working conditions of Sodexo employees and planning of further activities. A successful rally in support of the Sodexo workers has been held on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, on Binghamton campus: http://bupipedream.com/current/index.php/articles/view/9824 For a media coverage of BPI's activities see: http://bupipedream.com/current/index.php/articles/view/9391