ISSS-BU News 26 October 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

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Editor's Note: Did you know that Daylight Savings Time ends next Sunday? November 1 will be the first day of Eastern Standard Time.  You will want to fix your clocks and other electronic devices by setting them one hour earlier when you go to sleep on Saturday, October 31.

Saturday, October 31 is Halloween.  You are likely to see children (and even a few adults) dressed in costume.  In some neighborhoods, children will travel from house to house to collect candy in the late afternoon and early evening.  For more information on this holiday, visit: http://www.halloweenmagazine.com/history.htm

CONTENTS:
1. Need to Have Your Fall 2009 Health Insurance Fee Adjusted?
2. Free Intranasal H1N1 Flu Clinic for Students Wednesday, October 28; Consent Form Required
3. Come to the BU Japanese Association Ghost House on Halloween!
4. Registrar’s Office Reminds Students of Important Deadlines
5. English as a Second Language Credit-bearing Courses for Spring 2010
6. Spring 2010 Course Schedule Now Available On-line; Early Registration Starts This Week
7. Fall 2009 Binghamton Foundation Travel Grant Awards for Graduate Students
8. News from the Career Development Center

1. Need to Have Your Fall 2009 Health Insurance Fee Adjusted?

If you are a funded graduate student who has enrolled in employee health insurance and needs an adjustment to your Fall 2009 health insurance fee, please request the adjustment by using the on line form available at:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/insurance/insurance.cgi

Questions about your international health insurance?  Come to walk-in hours Tuesdays from 10:15am to 12 Noon, or send an email message to intl.insure@binghamton.edu

2. Free Intranasal H1N1 Flu Clinic for Students on Wednesday, October 28; Consent Form Required

A free intranasal H1N1 flu vaccine clinic for students will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the University Union Mandela Room. There is a limited supply and doses will be administered as long as the supply lasts. The intranasal form of flu vaccine is contraindicated in those with a weakened immune system and those with chronic health issues such as heart disease, lung disease (i.e. asthma) and metabolic diseases (i.e. diabetes). Other contraindications can be found on the Vaccine Information Statement at http://www2.binghamton.edu/health/document/h1n1/VIS_for_Nasal_H1N1.pdf

To receive the free vaccination, students must present a valid, signature ID and a signed consent form.  The consent form can be downloaded and printed at:
http://www2.binghamton.edu/health/document/Screening-Consent-H1N1-Form.pdf

Interested students will help lessen any waiting time at the upcoming clinics by downloading and completing the required consent form in advance. Consent forms and information about the vaccine are available for downloading from the related links on the H1N1 Updates page at http://www2.binghamton.edu/news/updates/index.html Students who are not yet 18 will need consent from a parent or guardian, so it is important they begin the process in advance of the clinics.

Additional clinics will be scheduled as necessary and dependent upon vaccine supply, and will be publicized on B-line and at http://www2.binghamton.edu/news/updates/index.html

3. Come to the BU Japanese Association Ghost House on Halloween!

BUJA is holding a Ghost House event, together with the SAPB, on Saturday, the 31st of October, from 5:00pm-10:00pm, in the University Union Mandela Room (Room 115) and University Union Room 120.  Prices are $2 for BU Students and children 10 and under, $2 for re-entry, $5 for general admission. A portion of the proceeds will go to support the Jifahamu Kenya Foundation (JFK), an organization that strives to rid the world of oppression and help underdeveloped nations through education and public awareness.

4. Registrar’s Office Reminds Students of Important Deadlines

Students who wish to withdraw from a course, change their grade option or apply for Fall 2009 graduation are reminded to complete the following steps by Friday, Oct. 30:

• Withdrawals: You may drop a class, but since the add/drop deadline has already passed, a “w” will appear on your transcript for the course grade when you withdraw. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. For step-by-step instructions, visit the Registrar’s website at http://www.registrar.binghamton.edu/.

• Grade Option Changes: To have your grading option for a course changed (either from a letter grade to pass/fail or vice versa) you must print and complete the Grade Option Change form available at http://www.registrar.binghamton.edu
and drop it off at the Registrar’s Office in SW-119, between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. by 4:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.

• Application for Undergraduate Degree for fall 2009: Undergraduate candidates planning to graduate this semester must submit this online form available at https://binghamton.edu.185r.net/survey/index.php?time=2009-12-19%2000:00:00&id=130&timeID=2825 by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.

5. English as a Second Language Credit-bearing Courses for Spring 2010

There are more courses than ever offered in the ESL Program this coming Spring! 

Why should you take an ESL course?

Reserve your place in any of our credit bearing courses early during pre-registration. You may now register yourself, but remember that you must have taken the Placement Exam and tested into a course to be eligible. 

Course descriptions can be found at http://esl.binghamton.edu/courses.cgi

ESL 205 –  Advanced Listening and Speaking, “O” credit
MWF 1:10 – 2:10
T/R 10:05 – 11:30 & 2:50 – 4:15

ESL 210 – Advanced English as a Second Language, Composition, “C” credit
MWF 9:40 – 10:40 & 10:50 – 11:50
T/R 11:40 – 1:05

ESL 215 – Speaking Skills for Bilinguals, “O” credit
T/R 10:05 – 11:30

ESL 715 – Advanced Listening and Speaking
MWF 1:10 – 2:10
T/R 10:05 – 11:30 & 2:50 – 4:15

ESL 720 – Advanced English as a Second Language, Composition
T/R 11:40 – 1:05

ESL 725 – Oral Communication for Professional Purposes
T/R 1:15 – 2:40

6. Spring 2010 Course Schedule Now Available On-line; Early Registration Starts This Week

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.

Currently enrolled graduate students can register for courses for the Spring 2010 term beginning Wednesday, October 28.  Currently enrolled undergraduate students can register for courses beginning Thursday, October 29. Online registration in BU Brain will be available seven days a week until pre-registration ends on Friday, December 11.

*Students are assigned starting times (called "Time Tickets" in Banner) for registration according to their total completed cumulative credit. This does NOT include in progress courses. To know the earliest starting time for Spring 2010 early registration for your credit level, visit: http://registrar.binghamton.edu/registration.htm  You may log into BU BRAIN to view your personal registration start time.

Financial obligations and missing health forms will block registration: Students with outstanding financial obligations to the university and students who have not submitted a health form to the Health Services office will be blocked from registering. Students may view their account balances and pay any outstanding debts through the BU BRAIN. Please note: release of financial holds will not occur until the next business day.

Accessing your schedule: You can view and print your schedule online by logging into the BU BRAIN. Room assignments shown online are the most accurate and up to date, but know that these assignments are subject to change.
 
Credit limit: The maximum number of credits you may register for each semester is 18 credits. This includes any HPEY or MUSP credits and is enforced, no matter your GPA. If you seek to register for more than 18 credits, please follow your school's procedure for petitioning for an overload.

7. Fall 2009 Binghamton Foundation Travel Grant Awards for Graduate Students

The deadline for submission for the Binghamton Foundation Travel Grant Awards Fall 2009 is November 7, 2009.  Eligible Graduate Students should complete and drop off the application (with accompanying paperwork) for Fall by this date.  Here is the link to the website: 
http://www2.binghamton.edu/grad-school/prospective-students/funding-graduate-studies/foundation-travel-grant.html

8. News From the Career Development Center

Resource Of The Week: Recommendations From The Intern’s Desk –The Career Advancement Program
- Erin F, (Human Development ’10) CDCI Marketing Intern, Career Development Center

The Career Advancement Program (CAP) is a revolving loan fund to which students may apply for assistance in covering costs associated with pursuing their professional interests.  Expenses associated with graduate school applications, credential fees, professional attire, traveling for grad school visits and interviews can be a great financial burden on students during a stressful time.  CAP offers students an interest-free loan of up to $300 for 6-months. The program, managed by the Career Development Center, is made possible by the generous support of the May Company, parent company of Lord & Taylor.

For more information, stop by the CDC or visit us on the web at http://www2.binghamton.edu/career-development-center/quick-reference-guides/cap-loan-app.pdf. Good Luck!

Upcoming Programs LSG= Library South Ground Floor, UUW = University Union West

Tuesday, October 27
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
LSG 500 – CDC South

Express: How to Make a Strong, First, Professional Impression!

You only get one chance to make a first impression! Learn how to make it strong and professional.

Thursday, October 29
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
LNG 307

CDCI Winter Internship Info Session

Learn how to obtain credit for your winter 2009 internship! All sophomores, juniors and seniors welcome to attend.

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: Assistant Buyer Internship with Ross Stores; Assistant Branch Manager with NBT Bank; XIG Technical Manager with Xerox; Social Worker - Adoption - Wendy's Wonderful Kids with Hillside Family of Agencies; Environmental Health Division Intern with Broome County Health Department; Foreign Service Diplomatic Courier with US Department of State.
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.



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