Editor’s Note: The ISSS Newsletter is distributed monthly. Between monthly newsletters, please follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram to learn more about programs, events, and updates.
Contents:
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Reminder of ISSS Availability
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Next International Coffee Hour: Wednesday, December 3 at 3:00pm
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Board Games and Cocoa: Monday, December 15
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Winter Break and Travel Information Reminders
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Extension of Stay
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International Health Insurance Team is Now Accepting Insurance Fee Waiver Requests
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Winter Break Housing
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Deadline extended: Leadership Volunteers needed for Spring 2026 International Student Orientation
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1. Reminder of ISSS Availability
Advising Hours:
The office of International Student and Scholar Services holds advising hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00am to 11:45am and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Please visit the ISSS website for updates.
Special Notices:
The ISSS will be unavailable on Friday, December 12 from 11:30am to 4:30pm and on Wednesday, December 17 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
Winter Hours:
On Monday, December 15, the ISSS will begin to operate on “winter hours.” This means that staff will be available from 8:30 am to 3:45 pm Monday-Friday during the winter break.
The ISSS will be available remotely on Wednesday, December 24 and unavailable from Thursday, December 25 through Friday, January 2 during the Holiday Curtailment Period. ISSS will resume winter hours of operation on Monday, January 5, 2026. During this period, there will be no mail delivery into or out of offices, ISSS staff will not be on campus, and voice mail and e-mail will be monitored periodically. Please plan ahead if you need ISSS services prior to the holiday break. Please visit the ISSS website for updates.
2. Next International Coffee Hour: Wednesday, December 3 at 3:00pm
Good company! Complimentary refreshments! Come relax at our International Coffee Hour, 3:00 - 4:30pm on Wednesday, December 3 in the Old Champlain Atrium (Old Champlain, Room 133). December’s Coffee Hour sponsors are Harpur Academic Advising, Harpur Edge, and Harpur Graduate Affairs.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the sponsor while mingling with both international and domestic students. There will be games, interactive activities, winter crafts, and complimentary coffee and snacks!
We will also be celebrating our fall 2025 graduating students!
If you have any questions about International Coffee Hour, contact Annie Smith at dsmith66@binghamton.edu. All are welcome!
3. Board Games and Cocoa
Monday, December 15 | 2:00-4:00PM | Old Champlain Atrium
Staying in Binghamton over the winter break? Join ISSS for a relaxing afternoon of cocoa, cookies, and board games, with new and old friends!
If you have any questions about this event, contact the ISSS Programming Coordinator, Annie Smith (dsmith66@binghamton.edu).
4. Winter Break and Travel Information Reminders
The ISSS Office recommends that you use caution when planning travel outside the United States. Travel restrictions have the potential to affect your ability to return to the United States. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the U.S. for an indefinite amount of time.
If you choose to travel outside the United States:
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- Make sure that you have all of the required documents to return to the US, including a valid passport, a valid F-1 or J-1 visa, and an I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature. If the signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 will be more than 12 months old (6 months for students on OPT or STEM OPT) when you return to the US, you should visit the ISSS office for an updated signature before you leave or request a new I-20 or DS-2019 online. Review the detailed instructions on our Travel page for more information. Students who are on OPT or STEM OPT should review our OPT Travel page.
- Be aware of anything you have posted on social media or any public statements you have shared. The U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security have indicated that they are using AI to review information that international students and scholars have posted online, and this information may be used in decisions for visa issuance, entry to the U.S., and immigration enforcement.
- If your passport will be expiring soon, make sure that you start the renewal process as soon as possible. Your passport must always be valid at least 6 months into the future.
- If your F-1 or J-1 visa has expired, you should use extra caution when traveling. Be sure to schedule your visa appointment in your country of residence and as far in advance as possible. Visa processing times can vary greatly between consulates, and you may be subject to administrative processing or other delays. You should be prepared for the possibility that you may be delayed outside the U.S. for an extended period of time or even indefinitely. Individuals who are applying for visas will likely be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.” The Department of State has indicated that they will be conducting a comprehensive and thorough vetting of each applicant’s online presence, which could include additional online information beyond social media accounts.
- If you have experienced any interaction with law enforcement, you should consult with an ISSS advisor about the potential risks of travel.
- Monitor emails from ISSS for any updates related to travel restrictions. It is possible that new travel restrictions could be enacted while you are outside the U.S. that would prevent you from returning.
- Plan to return to Binghamton BEFORE the start of the spring semester on January 20, 2026.
If you choose to travel outside the United States, you should ensure that you have back-up plans in place in case you are delayed or are unable to return to the U.S. Please note that entry to the U.S. is always subject to the discretion of Customs and Border Protection, and ISSS cannot guarantee re-entry. If you face difficulty when entering the U.S., you or a CBP officer can contact ISSS during business hours at 607.777.2510. If you are re-entering the U.S. and face difficulty outside of business hours, you or a CBP officer can contact the University Police Department at 607.777.2393.
If you have questions regarding travel, we encourage you to visit the ISSS office or call (607.777.2510) during advising hours to speak with an ISSS Advisor. ISSS has advising hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00-11:45 am and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 pm.
5. Extension of Stay
If your I-20 or DS-2019 is ending this semester but you will need additional time to complete your degree, you must apply for an extension at least 30 days before your I-20 or DS-2019 will expire. You can review the requirements for an I-20 or DS-2019 extension on the ISSS website. If you have questions about the extension process, you should speak with an ISSS advisor during advising hours or email intlext@binghamton.edu.
6. International Health Insurance Team is Now Accepting Insurance Fee Waiver Requests
The International Health Insurance Team is now accepting requests from those who believe they meet the requirements for an international health insurance fee waiver for the Spring 2026 semester. In order to qualify for a waiver of the fee you must:
RAs/TAs/GAs with health insurance (NYSHIP or Empire Blue) will no longer be automatically waived from the standard SUNY International student insurance policy, as was the case in previous semesters. Any student who wishes to file an application for a spring 2026 semester waiver from the standard international student health insurance plan will need to complete an international health insurance waiver e-form. You will be notified if your waiver is approved and your charges will be adjusted accordingly.
Please note that a submission does not guarantee approval. A full review of your policy must be conducted to ensure compliance. Approved waivers are valid for one semester only. Students must submit a health insurance waiver request every semester. The deadline for submission of a waiver request for the spring 2026 semester is February 15, 2026. No exceptions are granted.
7. Winter Break Housing
The Binghamton University residence halls will close for winter semester break at 10:00am Saturday, December 13 and reopen at 9:00am on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Students (including those in the Apartments) who need to remain on campus for any portion of the winter break must apply to do so by submitting the Winter Break Housing application, which is available on the Residential Life website. Students must submit this form by December 12, or they will not have access to their residence hall during break.
More information can be found on the Residential Life website. If you have any questions about break housing, please email reslife@binghamton.edu.
8. Leadership Volunteers needed for Spring 2026 International Student Orientation
Are you interested in helping new international students during Orientation and adding leadership and cross-culture training experience to your resume? Then register to be a Leadership Volunteer! The ISSS is currently recruiting Leadership Volunteers for the Spring 2026 International Student Orientation! All international and domestic students are welcome! Leadership Volunteers are a select group of current Binghamton University students who join ISSS staff to welcome new international students during orientation.
Spring 2026 Leadership Volunteers commit to assisting the ISSS during our one-day, in-person orientation on Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 8:00AM to 6:00PM.
A mandatory brief LV Training will take place on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from approximately 12:00-4:00PM.
If you would like to volunteer, please complete this application by Friday, December 5. If you have any questions please email Annie Smith at dsmith66@binghamton.edu.
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