ISSS-BU News 02 November 2009   ISSS-BU News

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

Visit ISSS on the Web!   http://isss.binghamton.edu

Editor’s Note: Have you recently moved?  The ISSS reminds all individuals in F or J status of the requirements under SEVIS to report any change of U.S. address to the ISSS within ten days of the change.  You may take care of this requirement and fulfill your SEVIS responsibilities by going to the following link: http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/addrChange.html

CONTENTS:

1. National Holidays for November
2. The U.S. Election Day
3. Pre-Registration for Spring 2010 Is Underway
4. H1N1 Influenza Update
5. Next International Coffee Hour is Friday, November 6
6. This Week’s Career Development Center Announcements
7. Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company to Perform at BU on November 18
8. Information for Korean Males Who are Planning Military Service
9. Thinking of Doing an Internship During the Winter Break?

1. National Holidays for November

The following countries are celebrating national holidays during the month of November:

2. The U.S. Election Day

The U.S. Election day takes place Tuesday, November 3.  Unlike many countries, elections in the United States are held on a weekday, and most offices and businesses throughout the country are open. Schools are in session. Since Election Day is not a federal holiday, mail is delivered on that day.

Voting places open and close at different hours throughout the fifty states.  In New York, voting starts at 6:00am and ends at 9:00pm.   Some voters have already voted by absentee ballots.  Only U.S. citizens can vote in elections. 

There are no national or state-wide positions being contested this year in New York State.  Residents of Broome County will be voting for County Clerk.  Residents of the Village of Johnson City and the City of Binghamton will be voting for Mayor.  There is also a proposition for Johnson City voters, who will vote on whether to dissolve the governance structure of the village of Johnson City.

3. Pre-Registration for Spring 2010 Is Underway

Currently enrolled degree-seeking undergraduate students and all graduate students can now register for courses for the Spring 2010 term. Online registration at http://bubrain.binghamton.edu continues until early registration ends on Friday, December 11.

The Spring 2010 schedule of classes is now available on line at http://bubrain.binghamton.edu.  After logging in, select “detailed schedule of classes” and then “Spring 2010: under “search by term.  Or, you can view the schedule without logging in:
https://buonline.binghamton.edu/banner/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched 
The on line version is the most up to date and accurate source of course information and is the only published version of the Schedule of Classes.
 
Complete information on Spring 2010 registration procedures may be found by visiting: http://registrar.binghamton.edu/registration.htm 
                     
4. H1N1 Influenza Update

With the rapid nationwide increase in the number of H1N1 cases, both President Obama and Governor Paterson have declared states of emergency at the national and state levels. Binghamton University continues to monitor the outbreak and has ramped up its educational and preventative measures.

Last week, the University held two H1N1 vaccination clinics for students and all supplies made available to the campus were exhausted. Additional supplies are expected next week but with the country facing a national shortage of the vaccine, the University expects to receive only a partial order. When more vaccine supplies are received, additional clinics will be scheduled and students will be notified.

One Binghamton University student has been confirmed as having contracted a mild case of the H1N1 influenza and the University’s Health Service is seeing an increased incidence of respiratory illness. Students, staff and faculty are advised to check the University’s H1N1 updates website http://www2.binghamton.edu/news/updates/index.html so they can self-monitor for symptoms and management of the illness.

Good health habits such as self-isolation when symptoms occur, hand washing, and covering one’s mouth and nose when coughing are very important. With incidents of the disease likely to affect students, faculty and staff over many weeks, faculty are encouraged to consider ways that students can complete their work at any time during the semester either online or through e-mail.

Students are encouraged to call University Health Service at 607-777-2221 and report if they develop a fever or are concerned whether they are ill with 2009 H1N1 Influenza.

5. Next International Coffee Hour is Friday, November 6

Good company! Free refreshments! Celebrate the beginning of the Fall season by coming to this month's International Coffee Hour on Friday, November 6 from 3:30-5pm in the recently remodeled Old Union Hall, next to the Mandela Room. This month's sponsor is Office of the Vice President for External Affairs.

The Coffee Hour strives to be a space where the entire Binghamton University community, including international students, U.S. students, faculty/staff, and community members are welcome. The coffee hours are informal and provide an opportunity to meet and learn more about each other in a relaxed atmosphere. They are held on the first Friday of every month in the University Union Old Union Hall from 3:30pm-5pm. Each coffee hour has free hot and cold beverages and cookies, sponsored by a different department on campus.

6. This Week’s Career Development Center Announcements

• Upcoming Programs: CDCI Winter Internship Information Sessions; Begin Your Summer Internship Search NOW; Choosing a Major; Take a Year off by Taking a Year ON!
• Nursing Forum (Fair), 11/2/09
• CDCI WINTER Internship Program
• Recruiting Updates: New Opportunities Posted Daily!  Collateral/Margin Analyst; Fantasy Sports News Reporter Internship Education/Advocacy Intern; Campus Actuarial Associate; and an Internship with The Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation.
• Credentials Transitioning to Interfolio

Upcoming Programs:  UUW= University Union West

Nursing Forum (Fair)
Monday, November 2
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Mandela Room, University Union
This event is open primarily to Nursing majors but students interested in healthcare related fields can attend and speak to recruiters. Visit http://cdc.binghamton.edu for a complete list of participating organizations.

CDCI Winter Internship Program

Students – it’s time to start thinking about a possible winter internship! Winter session students can intern just about anywhere in the world at an approved agency and receive either 2 or 4 credits. Students will participate in an online academic component in order to maintain their credit-worthy internship.  The course instructor has final say in final grades. Students must attend a mandatory CDCI Winter Internship Info session to participate! Visit the CDCI website for more information and session dates/times!

Recruiting Updates – New Positions Posted Daily!
CDC posts new internships and full-time positions on a daily basis! Visit eRecruiting today! Students may view and apply for positions through their eRecruiting account. All matriculated students have an account. Here is a sampling of exciting new positions: Collateral/Margin Analyst with Wall Street Services; Fantasy Sports News Reporter Internship with NovaFantasySports, LLC; Education/Advocacy Intern with the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier; Campus Actuarial Associate with Towers Perrin; and an Internship with The Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation.
Students are encouraged to also attend employer information sessions to learn about internship and full-time employment opportunities as well as gather general information about the organization.

Credentials Transitioning To Interfolio
The CDC is pleased to recommend Interfolio to provide Binghamton University students and alumni an efficient and paperless system to manage references files.  For complete information on this change, please visit the CDC Credentials website.

7. Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company To Perform at BU on November 18

On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at 8 p.m. the Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company returns to the Anderson Center stage with its energetic company of eighty musicians and dancers in what the New York Times has called “ a must for any dance lover.”  The company first appeared, at the Anderson Center, in 2004, in a spectacular sold-out performance!

The company, founded in 1937, by Pavlo Virsky, is known for its breathtaking leaps, spins and rich, colorful costumes. Eighty dancers and musicians will perform 16 dances rooted in Ukrainian tradition but infused with influences from many dance disciplines such as ballet, step and even a hint of Broadway.

Tickets: Student, $21; BU Faculty/Staff, $36; Senior Citizen, $36; General Public, $41. (Special group rates available. Call the box office for details.)

Call 607-777-ARTS or visit http://anderson.binghamton.edu Sponsored, in part, by Mix 103 and WINR

8. Information for Korean Males Who are Planning Military Service

Many undergraduate male students from the Republic of Korea consider beginning their required military service sometime during their undergraduate study.  Most students return home to begin service after a Fall or Spring semester, and then return to Binghamton to resume study once their military service is over.   The ISSS has prepared a summary of the requirements for leaving, and then resuming studies, and it is available at the following link:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/pubs/korean.html

9. Thinking of Doing an Internship During the Winter Break?

If you are in F-1 status, and are planning to do an internship during Winter Break, or next Spring, don’t forget that you must apply for Curricular Practical Training CPT) authorization!  Whether the internship is paid or unpaid, international students must be authorized before beginning internships or employment.  Protect your valid immigration status!

It is easy to apply for CPT– you will need an offer letter from your employer with certain information. Your academic advisor will also need to fill out the required Academic Advisor’s Recommendation form. 

You can pick up a CPT application at the ISSS Office or download the Academic Advisor’s form from the ISSS website.  More information on the federal immigration rules for CPT is found at the following link: http://isss.binghamton.edu/emp/curr.html  Or, you can view our on-line CPT workshop at: http://isss.binghamton.edu/emp/empWebinar.html

Remember that you must have the approved authorization before the internship or other employment can begin.

If you have any questions, contact Associate Director Karen Keefe-Guzikowski  If you prefer, you can come to employment walk-in hours, held each Tuesday from 1:30pm to 3:15pm

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