News Briefs

The Institute for Child Development invites children 7-12 years of age interested in volunteering to participate in exciting and fun social activities with children with special needs. The program will be conducted from 9-11 a.m. Monday through Thursday from July 15 through Aug. 15. Part- and full-time volunteers are needed. For more information, call 777-2829.

Thinking about selling your home? This informative hour-long workshop from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, in UUW-324, will cover real estate market analysis, preparing your home for sale, agency representation and getting the best return on your investment under the present economic conditions.

Susan G. Stephans, MBA, licensed associate real estate broker and relocation specialist, will lead this informal discussion. Bring your lunch and real estate questions with you. To register call 777-6362 or click on the "register for workshops" link at http://uctd.binghamton.edu.

On April 8, 2014, both Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 will officially reach their end-of-life. At that time, Microsoft will no longer provide any security updates or patches for either Windows XP or Office 2003. The lack of security updates means that University computers may be at risk if they continue to use Windows XP or Office 2003 after April 8, 2014.

Because of this, Information Technology Services (ITS) strongly recommends that departments (or individuals) take the following steps for University-owned machines:
• Identify systems running Windows XP or Microsoft Office 2003.
• Contact the ITS Help Desk and request a price quote.
• Replace the XP systems by July 31, 2014.
• Upgrade Office 2003 to Office 2010 any time at no charge.

ITS will work with departments over the coming year and make recommendations on how to proceed.

For more information about Windows XP and Office 2003 end of support, visit the website or contact the ITS Help Desk at 607-777-6420 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and a desktop support analyst will contact you.

This new video highlights Binghamton University’s Center for Autonomous Solar Power (CASP), which just passed the one-year mark. CASP now is the second-most productive University lab in the world in terms of demonstrating the efficiency of its solar technology. According to University officials, becoming the leader in efficiency is within reach, hopefully within the next year.

Campus Recreation is running a Get Your Wellness On series this summer. All activities are open to current students, faculty and staff with valid University ID (no membership required). No need to pre-register; just show up and get your wellness on! This week’s activities are:
• Fitness Apps at noon Wednesday, June 12, in EG-18
• Zumba Toning at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, in EG-106
For a complete listing of all activities in this series, go online and click on Wellness Activities and Classes.

Walkway repairs will be make to sections of the walkway running on the south side of the Library from Monday, June 10, through Friday, June 14, weather permitting. This walkway runs from the permit/metered parking lot on the west side of the Library to the Engineering Building. Pedestrian traffic may be detoured across the road during this work. Contact project coordinator Don Whittemore with any questions at 777-5464.

The fire alarm system on the second and third floors of Engineering Building will be temporarily affected as the contractor relocates feeders on the third floor and tests the second floor M-Pod system. During the testing portion occupants will hear fire alarm audibles/bells periodically. There is no need to exit the building during the testing. M-Pod/second floor will be affected from 1:30-2:30 p.m. today, June 7. The third floor will be affected from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Monday, June 10. If you believe there is an actual emergency during these periods, contact University Police immediately. Contact project coordinator Jennifer Bourassa with any questions at 777-5047.

Culinarians have taken advantage of summer flavors by creating new dishes featuring the best of the season. These delicious dishes are available only for a limited time. Contact the catering department to schedule your next event. For the summer menu, go online. To place an order or speak with the catering department, call 607-777-2925 or go online.

Pedro Ontaneda will give three lectures titled “Riemannian Hyperbolization” at 3:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday, June 10, and at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 11. All three lectures will be held in LN-2205.

The University Academic Calendar for fall 2013 was updated in early 2012. The first day of classes for the fall 2013 semester is Monday, Aug. 26. No classes will be held from Aug. 31 through Sept. 8, in observance of the Labor Day and Rosh Hashanah holidays. Classes will resume Monday, Sept. 9. The complete academic calendar is available online.

Join members of the local Watson community, past and present, for an all-campus celebration of the Watson School's 30th anniversary from 3-5 p.m. Friday, June 14, in the ITC Rotunda. Refreshments will be served. Cash bar. RSVP online by Friday, June 7. All are welcome at this informal gathering.

To prepare the for year-long celebration, your contributions to the archives are invited. If you have a favorite photo, memorabilia or story to share, contact Bonnie Cornick or Susan Ryan. The items will be showcased during Homecoming Weekend and at special events throughout the year.

Inside, the weekly newspaper for faculty and staff, wants to publicize your achievements. Have you received an award, published a paper, attended a conference or been elected to a position with a professional organization?

E-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with the news so it can appear in the Kudos section of a future edition of the paper.

Bahgat Sammakia, vice president for research, announces the appointment of Per Stromhaug as executive director of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships. Stromhaug most recently served as the first coordinator for the Research Foundation’s technology transfer regional hub, providing technology transfer and intellectual property support to two- and four-year comprehensive campuses in the State University of New York system. Previously, Stromhaug was a licensing associate and assistant professor at the University of Missouri. He holds a doctorate in cell biology from the University of Oslo, where he did his undergraduate work. Stromhaug also received an executive MBA from the Henry W. Block School of Management at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

All University employees are invited to participate in the 2013 YMCA Corporate Challenge on Thursday, June 13, at Broome Community College. The events consist of:
• A 5K road race (5:15 p.m.)
• Predicted mile (walk or run) (6 p.m.)
• Relay race (7:30 p.m.)
• Executive mile (8:15 p.m.)
• Awards ceremony (8:30 p.m.)
This friendly competition with other area employers offers a great social, team-building and healthy activity. Athletic ability is not a requirement, just a desire to have a good time! You can come for just one or two events or stay for all. The cost is $19 per participant for the first event and $7 for each additional event. Fee includes a YMCA Corporate Challenge t-shirt and the University will provide a shirt for you to wear that evening to show your spirit! Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, including registration form and other materials, go to http://www.bcymca.com/Event%20Page.htm. Sara DeClemente-Hammoud will collect all the registration information for campus participants. She can be reached at 777-4939 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Forward your registration information directly to her and she will submit all the forms, checks, etc. for the Binghamton University team.

Work-Life Services offers six programs that help thousands of state employees better balance their daily lives; programs that connect employees with needed resources or save them money and time. The newsletter for June has been posted. Find information about these programs online.