News Briefs

Would you like to lose some of that excess weight without exercising, dieting or taking drugs? The Clinical Science and Engineering Research Center at Binghamton University is running a study on the role of core body temperature in regulating body weight. Adult men and women with a body mass index (BMI) over 25 are being recruited. For more information, contact Astrid Stromhaug at 777-5201.

The study requires a time commitment of about three, hours per week for at least three months, and volunteers will be compensated for expenses incurred. For information regarding your rights as a research participant, you may contact the Human Subjects Research Review office at 777-3818.

As the 2012-2013 fiscal year end approaches on June 30, departments may have fiscal year funds remaining to spend on New York state contract orders (e.g. furniture, copiers, carpet, scientific equipment, lab technology and lab supplies, etc.). Some of these NYS contracts are expiring or have expired without contract extension. Note that if there is no NYS contract, advertising in the New York State Contract Reporter and bidding may be required. Fiscal year procurement deadlines are on the Purchasing website. Bids must be opened no later than June 28, 2013, and delivered and invoiced by the first week of September 2013, if utilizing fiscal year 2012-2013 state funds. Questions may be directed to Purchasing at 777-2184.

The rigors of playing Division 1 softball haven’t stopped Mikala King from making a difference in the community.

King, a sophomore human development major who is considering a double major in English, has worked with local middle school students through the national mentoring program College for Every Student. The work helped King earn a Binghamton University Forum Scholarship.
“Anytime I get the opportunity to work with kids outside of campus, I will,” she said.
King, is from Binghamton and also is a member of the softball team, said she was “ecstatic” to receive the scholarship.
“I was so, so grateful,” she said. “It is such a generous scholarship.”
With College for Every Student, King travels to West Middle School in Binghamton and works with six to seven students in academic and social areas. The volunteer experience and the Binghamton University Forum Scholarship have proven beneficial to someone who hopes to become an elementary school teacher in the Binghamton region.
“It has taught me that I grew up with a lot of opportunities and was very fortunate to live in the community I did with such a supportive family,” she said. “I work with a lot of children who don’t have as deep of a support group. If I can be one person they can count on, that would make me feel good. It’s nice to make a difference in a child’s life.”
King also has taken part in events such as breast cancer walks and helped with cleanups during the September floods.
Community service goes with being a student-athlete, said King, who was the high school softball Class B New York Co-Player of the Year in 2010.
“I feel I have the responsibility to give back because (student-athletes) get so much from this school, whether it’s going on spring-break trips or using the fields and facilities,” she said. “Anything we can do – that’s our responsibility.”
“At Binghamton University, I’ve got great teachers and I take a lot of interesting classes,” she said. “I love the athletics and academics here. I wouldn’t change a thing about my college decision.”

“Patrons displaying current disability parking authorizations in their vehicles may still gain access to the disability spaces in this (these) lot(s).”

From Jean Fairbairn:
The only exceptions I can think of would be announcements from Physical Facilities when the lots are physically closed due to construction or obstacles, and the periodic announcement regarding the closure of Lot C when children are being bussed in to see a performance at the Anderson Center. I don’t know whether University Police would feel it unsafe to allow patrons to use disability parking in that lot under those circumstances but I’ll defer that decision to Dan Chambers.

Submissions for consideration for posting to the electronic message signs at the entrances to campus and in various dining locations around campus can be sent to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Submissions for the entrance signs must be of interest to the campus and community, with a strong campus affiliation. Submissions for dining location signs should be of interest to the campus.

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The Binghamton University Facebook page has surpassed 20k likes. Are you connected?

Like Binghamton University Facebook for the latest campus news, photos, contests and more. Also, post your department or student group information to the Binghamton wall to spread the word about your organization and reach thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community. Not on Facebook? Follow us on Twitter @BinghamtonU or join our LinkedIn group.

The STAR program (Service Tradition Awards Recognition) honors employees who exhibit outstanding quality service within the University community. Those recognized receive a STAR pin, a check for $50 and a letter from the president.

Anyone can nominate an individual for a STAR award, and self-nomination is encouraged. Any employee of the University including faculty, staff, graduate/teaching assistants, Research Foundation, Binghamton Foundation, Sodexo Campus Services, Barnes & Noble, Campus Pre-School & Early Childhood Center, FineHost and M&T Bank personnel is eligible. Visit the website for nomination forms. For more information, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

As the SEFA campaign surpasses its $60,000 goal, the campus organizing committee announces the following people as winners of $50 gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants: Juergen Schulte, Shuxia Susan Lu, Janice Whipple, Annette Burnett, Carl Darling, Pamela Turrigiano, Peter Knuepfer, Shamsher Dhillon, Erin Rushton and Lora Searles

Each of the winners became eligible for the drawing of gift certificates from Target, Outback Steakhouse, Wegman’s, AMC, Pizzeria Uno, Applebee’s, Weis, Best Buy, Texas Roadhouse and TGI Friday’s by donating $78 or more by Dec. 1.

Do you know of a Binghamton University graduate who is eager to give back to his or her alma mater, and promote alumni volunteerism?  Please nominate him or her for the Alumni Association Board of Directors.  This 21-member, all-volunteer body sets policy for the Alumni Association, and works in a close partnership with Alumni Relations staff members on key projects, and directly participates in committee work, events and activities.  This is a working board that meets three times per year (twice on campus, once in New York City), and has regular committee conference calls.  Nominations can be submitted online by Dec. 31 at http://www2.binghamton.edu/alumni/forms/board-of-directors-nomination-form.html.

The Lois B. DeFleur Academic Prize is given to a faculty member or a group of faculty for an achievement that increases Binghamton University’s reputation for excellence, innovation and collaborative endeavors. Achievements in teaching, scholarship and public service are all eligible for the prize. These achievements should rise above our general expectations for a high level of faculty performance. Faculty members at any stage of their career are eligible.

The $10,000 prize is awarded annually for a specific contribution, as opposed to a career of accomplishments, distinguishing the criteria for this prize from those used in tenure and promotion decisions. To qualify, the contribution must not only be recognized on campus, but it must also have received acclaim beyond the campus from peers or an organization. Nominations should include a description of the achievement and its demonstrable recognition. These flexible funds are intended to enhance the awardees’ teaching, research and/or service activities and, thereby, further the University’s mission.

While nominations may be submitted at any time, the final deadline for nominations for this academic year is March 15, 2013. Submit nominations to Michael F. McGoff, vice provost for strategic and fiscal planning, Office of the Provost.

In keeping with campus tradition, President Harvey G. Stenger cordially invites faculty and staff to attend a Holiday Reception from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, in the University Union’s Mandela Room. Celebrate the season and take a break from the end-of-semester rush with light refreshments and cool
jazz. For more information, contact Peg Kelly at 777-4502.

The online Student Opinion of Teaching survey period is Nov. 23 to Dec. 14. To read the memo and get information on SOOT requests for fall 2012, go to http://www.binghamton.edu/oira/soot.html.

Binghamton University Dean of Students April Thompson announces the appointment of Lester Coghill as director of Greek Life, a position that has been upgraded from assistant director to strengthen oversight of Greek Life activities.

Coghill, who will begin his duties Jan. 2, 2013, comes to Binghamton from his position as assistant director of campus activities and student engagement at the University of Maine, Orono, where he has served as the main contact for over 1,000 student members of 22 national and two local fraternities and sororities at the University of Maine. He has also advised its Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils and their subsidiary groups, and overseen all aspects of IFC and Panhellenic recruitment.

At Binghamton, Coghill will work closely with student leaders within Greek letter organizations and advise chapters and councils on programming, new member recruitment procedures, and ongoing membership education programs to promote responsible membership, citizenship and chapter management. He will also collaborate with staff in the Dean of Students Office to develop and implement leadership development training, risk management programs and other programming for Greek organization leadership and members.

The Undergraduate Research Center offers awards to support Binghamton University undergraduates who will graduate in spring 2014 or later to conduct special research, scholarship or creative activities during the summer with faculty mentors.

The $3,000 fellowships support a student’s original research or creative projects, not research assistance for a faculty member’s research project. Faculty mentors will receive $1,000. Proposals from all academic disciplines are welcome.

The deadline for fellowship applications is Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. Awards will be announced no later than mid-March. For criteria and application information, visit the Undergraduate Research Center website at http://www2.binghamton.edu/undergraduate-research-center/summer-scholars-and-artists-program/index.html.