ISSS-BU News 07 September 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:  Today is Labor Day in the United States.  Classes are not in session, and most campus offices, including the ISSS, are closed.

Attention Current Students!  Did you remember to confirm your enrollment in BU Brain?  If not, your Fall 2009 courses may no longer be listed.  Go to http://bubrain.binghamton.edu to check your Fall schedule.  If your schedule does not show, follow the steps explained at this link: http://www2.binghamton.edu/self-service/announce_registrar.html

New Email Address for Your International Health Insurance Questions! Effective today, International Student and Scholar Services launches a new email address for students and scholars to ask their international health insurance questions.  That address is:
intl.insure@binghamton.edu  Both Diane Sliwinski, ISSS International Health Insurance Coordinator, and Lorraine Medionte, ISSS International Health Insurance Assistant, will be monitoring that account.

CONTENTS:
1. National Holidays for September
2. Found Item: Portable Digital Dictionary
3. Be Sure You Are Registered for a Full-Time Course Load!
4. Be Sure You Have Permission in Advance to Take Less Than a Full-Time Course Load, If Applicable to You
5. Want to Know When Classes are Cancelled or if There is a University Emergency?  Sign up For Rave Wireless!  Also, Do You Know How to Reach Binghamton University Police?
6. Fall 2009 International Spouses Program (ISP) English as a Second Language Classes
7. Attention Current Doctoral Students: Please Respond to the Doctoral Survey
8. H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
9. Immigration and Tax Information Sections of the International Student Handbook Now Available
10. Johnson City School District (J.C.) Mentor Program
11. Career Development Center Updates

1. National Holidays for September

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

2. Found Item: Portable Digital Dictionary

A portable digital dictionary and case were found in Old Union Hall, University Union on August 27, 2009 and given to International Student and Scholar Services.  International Student Orientation’s Bureaucratic Essentials was held in Old Union Hall on August 26, 2009, so it is believed that it might belong to a new international student.  If the digital dictionary is yours, please come to the ISSS with a photo ID.  You will be asked to describe the two items.

3. Be Sure You Are Registered for a Full-Time Course Load!

ISSS would like to take this opportunity to remind students in F-1 and J-1 status that you are required to be registered for a full-time course load each semester.  What constitutes a full-time course load varies according to academic level.

Special Note for Graduate Students: Graduate students (both master's and PhD) who are course-completed and register for thesis, project, pre-dissertation, dissertation or other course rubrics that are eligible to be certified as full time even though the number of credits will be below the normal full-time course load do not need special permission from the ISSS for a reduced course load. Instead, such students must submit the Graduate School's "Certification of Full-Time Working Towards Degree Status For Students Not Receiving Funding” OR “Certification of Full-Time Working Towards Degree Status Funded Students Only” to their department each semester for filing with the Graduate School.

A graduate student who can be considered as “full-time” with fewer than 9 credits (such as a student taking thesis or dissertation credit) should still show as 9 credits in BU Brain because additional credits of GRAD 700 (if not funded) or GRAD 701 (if funded) will be added by the Graduate School to bring the student to 9 credits, once the student submits the required “Certification of Full-Time Working Towards Degree Status Form.”

There are some very limited exceptions to the full-time course requirement. See the next article, below.  For complete information on full-time registration, stop by the ISSS to obtain a handout on Rules for Maintaining a Full-Time Course Load, or view the handout on the ISSS website at:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/imm/RuleFTload.htm

4. Be Sure You Have Permission in Advance to Take Less Than a Full-Time Course Load, If Applicable to You

There are very few exceptions to the full time course load rule for students in F-1 status. Those exceptions include academic difficulty, medical condition, and completion of study, and there are strict criteria for each. In every instance, you must obtain PRIOR authorization from the ISSS. Only once you receive this authorization from the ISSS can you then drop the course. A F-1 student who drops below a full course of study without the prior approval of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services will be considered out of status, and must be reported in SEVIS as having dropped below a full-time course load without authorization.

There is a special form for each of the three exceptions, available in the ISSS and as a downloadable document on the ISSS website: http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/index.html
Each form must be completed by the student (and in the case of reduction in course load due to academic difficulty or due to completion of study, completed by the student’s academic advisor) and approved by the ISSS before the course may be dropped.

For detailed information on the rules that allow for a course load reduction for F-1 students, stop by the ISSS to obtain a handout on “Permissible Reasons Under F-1 Regulations to Register for Less Than a Full Time Course Load” or view the handout on the ISSS website at:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/imm/lesscourse.htm  Questions or concerns regarding this requirement?  Come to the ISSS or send an e-mail message to isss@binghamton.edu

5. Want to Know When Classes are Cancelled or if There is a University Emergency?  Sign up For Rave Wireless!  Also, Do You Know How To Reach Binghamton University Police?

Effective immediately, Binghamton University will use Rave Wireless as its provider for emergency text and e-mail messages when a situation arises that warrants immediate communication to the campus community. We urge all students, faculty and staff to register and manage their account information at https://www.getrave.com/login/binghamton. You may sign in using your current Binghamton University e-mail address and be prompted to complete the registration process. Additional information may be found at http://www2.binghamton.edu/banner/rave.html.  There is no additional expense to you to participate except for any per-text message fee your cellular phone provider may charge. Binghamton University will continue to maintain NY Alert as a backup system to provide redundancy for this essential service. If you have questions, contact the University's Help Desk at 607-777-6420 or Call Center at 607-777-2000. 

And, while we have your attention…do you know how to reach Binghamton University Police on your cell phone if you are on-campus and have an emergency?  Don’t call 911 when on campus, as that call will go to the County Emergency Dispatch Station.  If you are on campus, which includes the Downtown Campus, Vestal Campus (main campus) or ITC and need University Police in an emergency, the number is 607-777-2222.  The non-emergency number is 607-777-2393.  Save these numbers in your cell phone address book!

6. Fall 2009 International Spouses Program (ISP) English as a Second Language Classes

These are non-credit bearing classes for spouses of BU international students, faculty and staff.  BU Research Scholars are welcome to join as well.  These classes are NOT intended for current BU students. The focus is to practice conversation, reading, grammar skills and daily living in the United States. Classes have begun, but students are welcomed at any time

Two classes and a Discussion Group are offered this semester at the following times:

A $5.00 fee per semester per student is requested towards the copying of materials (no need to purchase a textbook for these classes).  The instructor will collect this fee.

Our ESL instructor is Ms. Myriam Stanton. Myriam has many years experience teaching English overseas and ESL here in the United States.  This is her second year as our ISP ESL instructor. 
If you have any questions about these ESL classes, please contact the instructor at mstanton@binghamton.edu

7. Attention Current Doctoral Students: Please Respond to the Doctoral Survey

Continuing Doctoral Students were recently sent an email message by Mr. Sean McKitrick of the Office of Institutional Research & Assessment (OIRA) requesting that they complete a survey of their graduate educational experience to date.  This is a national survey that collects data on topics such as: information provided by the program to prospective students, curricular breadth and flexibility of the program, teaching experience, professional development, time-to-degree, interdisciplinary research and some others.  All student responses are confidential and only aggregate summaries will be released to departments. 

All continuing doctoral students (including those who are presently at the pre-master stage of their doctoral program) are encouraged to complete the survey. The larger the response, the better perspective your department will obtain from the survey.

8. H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

Some students have made inquiries regarding what Binghamton University is doing to help prevent the spread of H1N1 flu, and other communicable diseases.

The following information comes from the “Swine Flu Update” link at the home page of the University Health Service: http://www2.binghamton.edu/health/

“Binghamton University’s top priority is to provide a healthy environment where people can live and learn. With that in mind, an educational campaign to promote good health habits to help prevent the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus continues on campus. Our initiatives also include installation of hand sanitizers in all kitchens and dining halls on campus and close monitoring of H1N1 issues.

Here are a few things you can do to help:

Practice good hand hygiene

• Practice respiratory etiquette
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu
• Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness and remain home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever
• Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu.”

For additional information on these tips, visit: http://www2.binghamton.edu/news/updates/index.html

When you visit the ISSS, you will find a bottle of hand sanitzer atop the reception desk.  That bottle is there for all visitors to use.  Please do so.

9. Immigration and Tax Information Sections of the International Student Handbook Now Available

The BU International Student Handbook is now on line.  This is the same handbook we make available to new students at Orientation.  The Immigration and Tax information sections of the Handbook are now available for viewing.

The on line Handbook is a great source of information on a variety of topics that has been gathered in one place.  The Handbook is updated each semester, so that current students who have outdated copies of the Handbook from when they participated in Orientation will be able to view the latest materials with ease.

The Handbook is available at:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/Handbook/index.html

10. Johnson City School District (J.C.) Mentor Program

Undergraduate students who are at least sophomore level are invited to apply to the J.C. mentor program to serve as tutors and mentors.  Participants will earn two academic credits.

You’ll work one-on-one with a student focusing on academic subjects in supervised school setting.  You’ll Work with teachers and school counselors to identify problem areas in J.C. students’ scholastic performance.  You’ll provide a social and academic role model and assist in skill building (i.e. organizational and study skills).  Lastly, you’ll provide encouragement to your mentee.

Requirements include undergraduate status, at least sophomore standing, and the ability to be patient, a good listener, and friendly while setting a good example.  Commit at least 5 hours per week at the assigned school (50 hours per semester) and attend one-hour weekly seminar on campus and complete all assignments – 2 credits awarded.  Note: A car is necessary to participate in this program.  There is no public transportation available.

Application deadline is Friday, September 11.  Submit the required JC Mentor Program application form http://www2.binghamton.edu/career-development-center/pdf/JCMentorApplication%20Info%20PageFact%20Sheet.pdf
including personal statement and one letter of recommendation to the Career Development Center (CDC) North (Library North Ground Floor Room 300) and sign up for an interview.  The interviews will be conducted on campus Tuesday, September 15.  Selected students will attend an orientation on Wednesday, September 16.

Questions? Call CDC at 607-777-6758

11. Career Development Center Updates

Updates From The Career Development Center

Major Events:
•         Job & Internship Fair
Wednesday, September 16
11:30 am-3:30 pm
Events Center
A full list of registered employers can be viewed through the Career Development Center website.

•         Graduate School Fair
Tuesday, September 22
11:00 am-2:30 pm
Events Center.
A full list of registered graduate programs can be viewed through the Career Development Center website.

•           Law Day
Wednesday, September 24
1:30 am-2:45 pm
Events Center
Law Panel 3:00, TAU Bearcat Room
A full list of registered law schools can be viewed through the Career Development Center website.

Upcoming Programs LSG=Library South Ground Floor, UU= University Union

Give, Share, Learn  Johnson City Mentor Program Now Accepting Applications
Work one-on-one with local middle school students and serve as a social and academic role model . Earn two credits and attend a weekly seminar. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are Eligible to apply. BU students must have a car to participate. Information Session – Thursday, September 3rd at 4 p.m. in LNG 307. Applications are due on Friday, September 11, 2009 by 4 p.m. Applications and fact sheet available at http://cdc.binghamton.edu

Career Development Center Internship (CDCI) Program
The CDC Internship (CDCI) Program is the largest credit-bearing internship program at Binghamton University.  Faculty and staff working with students seeking internships are encouraged to direct them to visit the Career Development Center in LSG 500 or visit the CDC website.  Students are required to attend an information session the semester prior to interning.

CDCI Information Sessions:
        

• Monday, September 21, 12:00pm-1:00pm, UUW 324
• Monday, September 21, 3:30pm-4:30pm, UUW 324
• Thursday, September 24, 3:00pm-4:00pm, UUW 325
• Thursday, September 24, 10:00am-11:00am, UUW 325
• Thursday, September 24, 3:00pm-4:00pm, UUW 325
• Monday, September 28, 4:45pm-5:45pm, UUW 325
• Tuesday, September 29, 4:30pm-5:30pm, UUW 324
• Wednesday, September 24, 12:00pm-1:00pm, UUW 324
• Wednesday, September 24, 3:30pm-4:30pm, UUW 324

International students in F-1 or J-1 status should check with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to see if work authorization is required before beginning any internship, including credit-bearing internships. 

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.

Optimal Letter
Optimal Resume has expanded!  Binghamton University now has Optimal Letter. The letter builder combines expert advice and high quality samples to help you create focused, professional letters for every opportunity. The letter builder will help you select the correct type of letter and do the formatting for you! Unlimited number of career documents! All Binghamton University students have access to Optimal Resume, Optimal Interview,  and now Optimal Letter!

On-Campus Recruiting Announcements
Students may view and apply for positions through their eRecruiting account. All matriculated students have an account. STUDENTS GRADUATING IN MAY 2010 SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN FALL 2009 RECRUITING! Employers visiting campus in the fall semester are generally seeking candidates to begin in the summer or fall of 2010!

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.

To sign on to ISSS-BU from an e-mail account on the Binghamton.edu server, send an e-mail message to listserv@listserv.binghamton.edu
Leave the subject line blank. In the message text, type: 
subscribe ISSS-BU first name last name
Replace “first name last name” with your name. 
           
If your e-mail account is on a server other than Binghamton.edu,
send an e-mail message to   isss@binghamton.edu
In the message text, type:  Please subscribe isss-bu, your e-mail address, your first and last name.

If you are a registered student and don't have an e-mail account, you may claim an e-mail address and password from https://buonline.binghamton.edu/banner Be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully.  If you encounter difficulty, visit the Help Desk in the lobby of the Computer Services building.