News Briefs

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.

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.

Human Resources announces that due to Hurricane Sandy, the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations has extended the 2013 Flex Spending open enrollment period. The open period has now been extended through 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. The electronic application system at http://www.flexspend.ny.gov will be suspended at midnight on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012; however it will re-open beginning Friday, Nov.16, and will continue to be available through 10 p.m. Nov. 30. During the open enrollment period, employees without Internet access, or those who prefer not to use online enrollment, may enroll by calling 800-358-7202 (select Option 1 to speak with a customer service representative).

The Office of Commencement invites all faculty to participate in Binghamton University’s Fall 2012 Commencement ceremony at noon Sunday, Dec. 16, in the Events Center. If you are interested in participating, simply complete the Faculty Participation form available on the Commencement website at http://www2.binghamton.edu/commencement/fall/faculty-and-staff/faculty-participation.html. The participation form allows you to indicate your planned participation in the ceremony as well as to submit a request for rented regalia. Questions? E-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The 2012 State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) Campaign kicks off this week with the Campaign theme, “State Employees offer their hands and hearts by supporting charities through SEFA.” Last year, University employees generously donated more than $63,000 to the campaign.  Faculty and staff will receive information packets in their campus mailbox this week.

Donations can be directed to specific agencies and may be designated to local agencies to assist individuals in the local community. Those who donate a minimum of $78, or just $3 per paycheck, before Dec. 1, will have their names entered into a drawing for one of 10 gift certificates from local stores and restaurants donated by the President’s Office, each valued at $50. SEFA contributions may be made by check or through payroll deduction.

For more information, contact Martha Gahring at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). SEFA donations should be sent to Cornelia Mead, SEFA Committee Chair, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Research Foundation employees participate in the United Way Campaign and have already received information about how to contribute. For more information on the United Way campaign, contact Paul Parker at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Nominations are being sought for the Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Faculty Service, Excellence in Librarianship and Excellence in Teaching. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, Dec. 12, with completed dossiers due to the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, attention P. Allie Dugan, by Friday, Jan. 4.

Visit http://www2.binghamton.edu/academics/provost/excellence-awards/service-ex-award.html for information regarding the faculty service award, http://www2.binghamton.edu/academics/provost/excellence-awards/library-ex-award.html for information regarding the librarianship award and http://www2.binghamton.edu/academics/provost/excellence-awards/teaching-ex-award.html for information regarding the teaching award.

The Binghamton University Globalistas (BUGS), a volunteer group of faculty, staff and students devoted to internationalization, has created a LinkedIn group for students, alumni, faculty and staff to discuss international topics. It’s a place to talk about international travel, study, work and more. The group, which has nearly 300 participants, is also a great way to learn about globally oriented events on campus. To join the group, named B Global, visit http://go.binghamton.edu/bglobal.

Student Health 101 is a free newsletter for students, faculty and staff. In its monthly issues, you can learn how to achieve or maintain a healthy lifestyle both on and off campus.

Through articles, videos and graphics, it as an easy and informative way to learn how to fuel your body with energy to get you through those long work days and various fitness tips and exercises you’ll love. With videos from students at various colleges, you can learn how your students may be feeling pertaining to their health on campus. The newsletter covers all dimensions of health from physical to social to emotional to environmental to spiritual and intellectual.

The Health and Wellness Department has monthly issues and be sure to look out for its next one, which will include information about the new Health and Wellness minor.

Go to http://readsh101.com/binghamton.html to view the Student Health 101 September 2012 issue.