ISSS News 11 May 2009

An electronic news service for international students and scholars, owned by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at Binghamton University, State University of New York

We are delighted that so many international exchange students and graduating students have informed the ISSS that they will be attending the 23rd Annual International Student Graduation Reception in the University Union Susquehanna Room, Friday, May 15 at 7:00pm. Invitations were sent by email several weeks ago, and a reminder was sent late last week.

If you are completing your program or are graduating, and have not yet responded to our invitation, please do so soon by using our on-line response form:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/prog/GradRec/

Students who graduated in December 2008 or who will graduate in Summer 2009 and would like to participate in the International Student Graduation Reception should also use the invitation link, above.

Each student will receive a certificate from the ISSS, in recognition of your achievements. If you will be graduating, or completing your exchange program this month, come join the ISSS staff and your fellow students for good food, short speech making, (only three!), and lots of photo opportunities!

No one has to miss your graduation.

Perhaps you have a family member or friend who is unable to make the trip to Binghamton University. They can still share your special moment with you.

Spring 2009 Commencement may be accessed and viewed live online at http://commencement.binghamton.edu Make sure you tell them the time of your school’s ceremony.

While they’re waiting for the ceremony to begin, they can page through the Commencement program available on the Commencement site.

Order a copy of the event to view time and time again. A DVD is available for purchase via the Commencement website, too. The cost is only $10 per DVD.

So, tell your friends and family to bookmark http://commencement.binghamton.edu and view the ceremony live on either Saturday, May 16 (for Graduate Students) or Sunday, May 17 (for Undergraduate Students).

3. Attention Undergraduate Seniors! Please Complete The 2009 On-Line Survey of Graduating Students

The Career Development Center, in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs Assessment & Strategic Initiatives and the Office of Institutional Research & Planning, has just launched the 2009 survey of graduating seniors. All graduating seniors in all schools and colleges who have not yet completed the survey will receive an email reminder on Wednesday, May 13 at their BU email account directing them to the online survey.

This information will tell the University the future plans of our graduating seniors and gain insight into how they feel the university has prepared them.

4. Not Returning to Binghamton For Fall 2009? Be Sure to Complete the SEVIS-Required Departure Form

If you will not be returning to Binghamton University for the Fall 2009 semester, because you have graduated, completed your program, withdrawn early, or are transferring to a new school, you must fulfill your federal SEVIS responsibilities by completing the ISSS Departure Form. This form can be completed on the web by going to the following link:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/depForm.html

If you will be continuing at Binghamton University but have changed your U.S. address, fulfill your SEVIS responsibilities by completing the ISSS Change of Address Form. This form can be completed on the web by going to the following link:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/addrChange.html

Dual-Diploma students who are going home for their third year of study in Turkey do not need to complete either a departure form or a change of address form.

Students who are graduating are advised that your BU e-mail account remains active for a period of six months after you graduate. Students applying for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) are asked to provide an alternative non-BU email account on their Academic Advisor’s Recommendation Form for OPT, so that the ISSS can be in contact with you during your period of OPT.

6. Fall 2009 International Student Orientation - Leadership Volunteers Needed

Are you interested in helping new international students during Orientation and adding Leadership and U.S. Culture Training experience to your resume? There is still time to sign up to be a Leadership Volunteer!

Leadership Volunteers are a select group of Binghamton University students, who join ISSS staff to welcome new international students during Fall International Student Orientation. Leadership Volunteer recruitment is now underway.

Leadership Volunteers engage in a 5-day training program to help prepare them for their role during Orientation. The training program is organized by the 5 goals of the Orientation program:

The Training Program includes activities that give all Leadership Volunteers the opportunity to:

During Orientation, Leadership Volunteers greet new international students at Check-In, welcome them during the Introductory Meeting, lead small group discussions, accompany them to all meals, provide reassurance and essential information, and most importantly contribute to a warm and sincere presence during the new international student's first few days on campus. Many new students tell the ISSS how important the Leadership Volunteers were to their initial experience at Binghamton University. Many Leadership Volunteers tell the ISSS how valuable the training was to their own professional and personal development.

Leadership Volunteer Training will take place Monday, August 17 to Friday, August 21, 2009. International Student Orientation starts Monday, August 24 and ends on Wednesday, August 26, 2009.

We’ve been sharing our “smart moves in a tough economy” suggestions throughout this semester and wanted everyone to know that making those “smart moves” really does pay off!

Meet Melissa!
Melissa is a junior majoring in anthropology who just landed a fantastic internship with a top financial firm. One might think “An anthropology major in a financial firm?” but as it turns out, her knowledge and skills are a great match for organizations looking to enhance their globalization efforts. Congratulations Melissa!

How did she do it?
When applying for internships, Melissa didn’t restrict herself to opportunities specific to anthropology. Instead, she branched out to a variety of opportunities, even some that seemed out of reach. Melissa spent time revising her resume, networking, and preparing for interviews by thoroughly researching the organization and honing her skills. But additional preparation and skill development began long before with her involvement in activities outside the classroom, such as being a mentor to a local student through the Johnson City Mentor Program. Way To Go Melissa!

What advice does Melissa have for other students?
“My advice is to take risks. There are so many stories circulating of people NOT getting jobs during this time, but there are plenty of success stories. A major can sometimes feel limiting, but if you believe in your ability and use the Career Development Center to build your skills and resume, that will come through to future employers.“

Meet Niko!
Niko is a senior accounting major who landed a great full-time position with a mid-size accounting firm. Congratulations Niko!

How did he do it?
Niko made it a priority to stay focused, through whatever distractions arose – and there are many on a college campus! He also made sure he had supporting experience through out-of-class activities such as an internship, part-time job, and involvement in student groups. And Niko made sure he took full advantage of all the resources that Binghamton University has to offer in regards to career development, participating in numerous events, including resume critiques, networking, professional dining and etiquette, preparing an elevator pitch among countless others. These events taught him how to conduct himself professionally in job fairs, interviews, and networking events. Another step Niko found essential is having a support system. “It is very easy to get discouraged, so I found a support system by networking with alumni and recruiters as well as close friends and family.” Way To Go Niko!

What advice does Niko have for other students?
“Among all the steps that I have taken, the most essential step was believing in myself. It is human nature to compare yourself to others, but when you compare yourself to yourself, you do not feel inferior or prideful. So, do not compare yourself, create your own path to success.”

Meet Shannon!
Shannon is a human development senior who recently received not one, but TWO job offers for full-time positions with a non-profit organization. Congratulations Shannon!

How did she do it?
Aside from working hard to keep her grades at the top of her class, Shannon honed skills and gained significant experience in a variety of settings including internships, volunteering, and part-time and summer employment. In preparation for her job search she met repeatedly with counselors in the Career Development Center to review her resume and cover letters, as well as to prepare for interviews. After her interviews, she promptly sent a thank-you to the interviewers – a smart move that earned her a second interview. One week after her interview she called to check in, reinforcing her interest in the position. Now she has a great job lined up with excellent benefits. Way To Go Shannon!

What advice does Shannon have for other students?
“Be aggressive. Get opinions on your resume and visit CDC for a review. Dress and act professionally. And no matter what, send a thank-you letter – it could be the deciding factor that will set you apart from other candidates.”

Have your own Smart Moves success story to share? Let us know! Visit CDC during Counselor-on-Call hours to tell us what smart moves YOU’RE making!

Become A Mentor! Applications Being Accepted For Fall 2009 Jc Mentor Program

The Johnson City Mentor Program is a partnership between Binghamton University and the Johnson City School District. The program's primary objective is to provide Johnson City School District students with role models and extra academic support. BU students encourage mentees to develop their organizational, planning and social skills while serving their community. Since its inception in spring of 1997 over 500 BU students have successfully participated in the program. Visit the JC Mentor website for additional information and application procedures.

Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) is an organization that serves as a catalyst to increase resources for the Latino and Latin American civil sector and increase Latino participation and leadership throughout philanthropy. HIP’s work is designed to contribute to the greater effectiveness of philanthropy and to greater equity and diversity. Our flagship initiative is the Funders’ Collaborative for Strong Latino Communities, a grantmaking program that pools funds from 100+ foundation, corporate, government, and individual donors to provide capacity-building grants and technical assistance to 400+ Latino-led nonprofit organizations in 18 sites across the U.S. and Latin America. Sites in the Northeast Region include New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts/Rhode Island, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. More information is available on our website: www.hiponline.org.

Qualifications: Qualified candidates must have a demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), Dreamweaver, HTML, CSS and be familiar with database work. Must have high level of verbal and written communication skills, and a demonstrated interest in the philanthropic or non-profit sector. Candidate must be organized and have attention to detail, have ability to meet deadlines and juggle multiple tasks. We are looking for a team player with a sense of humor. Proficiency in Spanish is preferred but not required. This position will report to the Program Coordinators for the Northeast region.

To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to Patricia Yanez, Hispanics in Philanthropy, 55 Exchange Place, Suite 503, New York, NY 10005, or email to pyanez@hiponline.org. E-mail submissions are preferred.

Please note, eRecruiting accounts for graduating students will expire on June 30, 2009. If you wish to extend your eRecruiting access, there is a $10 per year charge for alumni. Please stop by Career Development Center in LSG 500 to pay for the extra service and to activate your alumni account.

New Weekly eRecruiting Announcement – Hundreds Of Positions With Low Applications

Employers Are Still Hiring!! Apply Today! The Career Development Center has hundreds of positions listed on eRecruiting, and new opportunities are posted daily! As we work together to combat this competitive job market, we have some very valuable resources to share with students. Each week, from April 13th until May 22nd, we will be using eRecruiting to send out a list of opportunities including:

1. Jobs and internships from the CDC that have zero to low number of applicants and
2. Jobs and internships from Experience (eRecruiting) that are targeted to Binghamton University.

All positions are currently accepting applications; you will be surprised by both the quantity (this week’s count is NEARLY 300!) and the variety of the opportunities within the list. Students must have an updated eRecruiting profile and resume to apply!
International students with F-1 or J-1 visas should consult with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services to see if your internship or job meets federal requirements and whether it requires work authorization.

USCIS reports that applications continue to be processed, but there has been little change to the numbers reported a week ago. Approximately 45,000 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.

USCIS will provide regular updates on the processing of FY2010 H-1B petitions. The updates can be found on the USCIS’ Web site at www.uscis.gov/h-1b_count

Many students ask if the ISSS ever closes once the Spring semester ends. The answer is; the ISSS is open twelve months throughout the year. Although staff will rotate vacations during the summer, the office remains open for its usual hours except for state and federal holidays. Holiday closings will be posted on e-mail when they occur. "ISSS-BU News" is likewise published throughout the year.

ISSS office hours do alter slightly in the summer. From May 18 – August 21, the ISSS will be open weekdays from 9:30am to 3:45pm, except Thursdays when ISSS hours are from 11:30am to 3:45pm. We will resume our regular office hours on Monday, August 24.

10. University Health Service and Student Health Care During the Summer Months

Students who are registered for credit during the summer months pay a summer health fee as part of their tuition and fee charges, as is done during the Fall and Spring. The University Health Service also provides care in the summer to those who may not be registered for summer courses but who are "continuing students," that is, were registered in the Spring and will be continuing studies in the Fall. Such continuing students should expect to pay the summer health fee when a visit is made to the University Health Service beginning Monday, May 18, 2009.

At the time of the first visit, a staff member will explain the summer fee policy and the student may make payment at the Office of Student Accounts. The summer fee covers all usual services that are provided during the academic year. There is a fee of $25.00 for each half of the summer time period. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the University Health Service, 777-2221.

The following information is provided by the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts.

The Anderson Center, noted internationally for its critical acclaim and memorable highlights throughout its short history, is proud to announce the 2009-10 season celebrating 25 years of world-class artists on a world-class stage.

The season opens on Wednesday, July 22 with Hippiefest, which includes five acts from the 60s and 70s playing the music that defined this influential time period. The line-up includes: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie; Chuck Negron formerly of Three Dog Night; Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals; Mountain featuring Leslie West & Corky Laing; and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland.

Melissa Etheridge, Live and Alone rocks the house on Sunday, August 23. Etheridge is an Academy Award-winning, two-time Grammy Award-winning rock singer-songwriter and musician who has released ten albums, including three multi-platinum and two other platinum albums plus two gold albums.

Fresh from televison’s “Dancing with the Stars, heart-throb Chuck Wicks brings a little country to the Anderson Center stage on Thursday, September 3. His debut single, “Stealing Cinderella” topped the Hot Country Songs charts at #5 in 2007 and was the single biggest debut for any new country singer that year.

The season continues on Saturday, October 17 with the world- renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company featured as the centerpiece of the Anderson Center’s anniversary season. Enhancing the three Taylor masterpieces to be performed for Binghamton will be live music by the University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Timothy Perry.

The celebration continues with the return of the Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company on Wednesday, November 18. This choreographically explosive treat was a complete sell-out when the company previously appeared at the Anderson Center.

On Tuesday, February 16, the Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra will present a “Russian Composers Gala” featuring the works of Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Khachaturian. The special Binghamton performance will offer two Tchaikovsky concertos: the Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 35, considered by many to be the most difficult concerto ever composed; and Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op 33 cello concerto, performed by the seventeen year old child prodigy, Julian Schwarz. Schwarz is the son of Gerard Swartz, who conducted the Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra on stage at the Anderson Center in 1987.

Closing the Anderson Center’s silver anniversary season on Wednesday, March 24 will be the Moscow Festival Ballet Theatre performing, only for Binghamton, the second acts from two quintessential ballet’s: Giselle and Coppelia. Both acts will be fully staged productions.

Subscription series prices (package includes Paul Taylor Dance Company, Virsky Ukrainian Dance Company, Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra and Moscow Festival Ballet) Students, $84; BU Faculty/Staff, $136; Senior Citizen, $136; General Public, $156.
(Subscribers receive a 10% discount on tickets plus a pass for complimentary parking for the performances in the series.)

Single ticket prices:
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Student, $30; BU Faculty/Staff, $45; Senior Citizen, $45 General Public, $50.
Virsky Ukrainian Dance Company, Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra and Moscow Festival Ballet
Student, $21; BU Faculty/Staff, $36; Senior Citizen, $36; General Public, $41
(Special group rates available. Call the box office for details.)

Specials:
Hippiefest
Inside reserved, $55; Lawn, $27.50
Melissa Etheridge
Inside reserved, $60; Lawn, $30
Chuck Wicks
Inside reserved, $25; Lawn, $15

Tickets are now on sale. For tickets and information, call 607-777-ARTS or visit http://anderson.binghamton.edu (Please note that subscriptions cannot be ordered on-line)
The Box Office is open weekdays, noon-5:30 p.m.

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