CONTENTS:

1. National Holidays for April

2. Join a Conversation on Promoting and Cultivating 2^nd Language Research Skills Across the Disciplines On Wednesday, March 30 

3. Presentation by BU International Alumni on How to Reach Your Career Goals, Thursday, March 31

4. Next International Coffee Hour is Friday, April 1

5. Registrar’s Office Reminds Students of Important Deadlines THIS WEEK 

6. April 1 is the Deadline for Spring 2011 Health Insurance Adjustments

7. Pre-Registration for Fall 2011 Begins March 31 for Graduate Students and April 7 for Undergraduate Students

8. Attention Undergraduates: Help With Selecting Courses During Pre-Registration

9. Important Notice From Student Accounts Regarding Fall 2011 Pre-Registration

10. Don’t Forget the April 18, 2011 Deadline for Filing Income Tax Forms

11. H-1B Visa Issues are at the Forefront This Week

12. Important Workshop on Post-Graduation Employment Issues Friday, April 8

13. Nominations for Student Speaker at the Graduate Commencement Ceremony 

14. International Student Graduation Reception is Friday, May 20

1. National Holidays for April

The following countries are celebrating national holidays in April

2. Join a Conversation on Promoting and Cultivating 2^nd Language Research Skills Across the Disciplines On Wednesday, March 30 

This is a joint videoconference workshop open to faculty and graduate students interested in the use of world languages in disciplines across the curriculum. Led by Tanya Kinsella, Ph.D. and Director of Languages Across the Curriculum (LAC), UNC-Chapel Hill &  Suronda Gonzalez, Ph.D. and Director of Languages Across the Curriculum (LxC) Binghamton University.  It will take place Wednesday, March 30, 2011 from 2:00pm -3:30pm in Academic A – Room G05. 

Space is limited. Email LxC@binghamton.edu to reserve a spot. 

3. Presentation by BU International Alumni on How to Reach Your Career Goals, Thursday, March 31

Mark Your Calendar for Thursday, March 31^st at 5:00pm for a very informative presentation by several BU international alumni titled: Developing Your Success Piece by Piece

Come meet successful international Binghamton alumni and hear about their journey to success. Learn about the resources they used and the resources you can use to help you achieve your career goals and succeed. This event will take place from 5:30-6:00pm on Thursday, March 31^st, in University Union Room 202.  Take the opportunity to not only connect with alumni who can relate to your experience but also learn how to connect with an employer!

Alumni Guest Speakers include:

·        Laila Beavogui-Koma, BS’08, Distribution Planning Engineer at National Grid in Boston

·        Chang Cho, BS ’08, Accountant at CVE Group, Inc in Riverdale New Jersey

·        Guruprasad Madhavan, MBA’07 PhD’09, Program Officer at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C.

·        Sevay Ozdemir, BS’07, Telecommunications Analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York City

·        Oktay Sekercisoy, MSS’00, MBA’02 Associate Director for Dual Diploma Programs at Binghamton University

Other featured speakers include:

·        Wren Fritsky, Career Counselor, Career Development Center

·        Karen Keefe-Guzikowski, Associate Director, International Student and Scholar Services

This event is hosted by Discovery, and is co-sponsored by Binghamton University Alumni Association, Career Development Center and International Student and Scholar Services.

4. Next International Coffee Hour is Friday, April 1

Good company! Free food! An opportunity to gather prior to the start of Spring break and visit with friends and classmates!

This month's International Coffee Hour will be held on Friday, April 1 from 3:30-5:00pm in the University Union Mandela Room. Please note the change in location for this month only!  This month's sponsor is the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations.

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. Each coffee hour has free hot and cold beverages and cookies, sponsored by a different department on campus.

5. Registrar’s Office Reminds Students of Important Deadlines THIS WEEK 

Students who wish to withdraw from a course, change their grade option or apply for Spring 2010 graduation are reminded to complete the following steps by Friday, April 1:

• 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, April 1. For step-by-step instructions, visit the Registrar’s website at http://www2.binghamton.edu/registrar/news.html

• 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 Financial Aid and Registrar’s Student Services Office in SW-109, between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. by 4:45 p.m. Friday, April 1.

• Application for Undergraduate Degree for Spring 2011: Undergraduate candidates planning to graduate this semester must submit this online form available at

http://www2.binghamton.edu/commencement/spring/application-for-degree.html

by 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 1.

6. April 1 is the Deadline for Spring 2011 Health Insurance Adjustments

Please note that effective with the Spring 2011 semester, there is a deadline for requesting a Health Insurance Waiver or adjustment. – International students requesting a waiver or adjustment of their international health insurance fee must do so by April 1, 2011 for the Spring 2011 semester. To file a waiver or adjustment request go to: http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/health-insurance/waiverinfo.html. Filing a request does not guarantee a wavier or adjustment. You must either be a graduate assistant (G.A.), Teaching Assistant (T.A) or Research Assistant (R.A.) funded through Binghamton University and enrolled in employee health insurance, OR meet the standards for comparable coverage outlined on the ISSS Health Insurance web page located through the above link.   

If you have questions about the International Student Health Insurance, please contact the International Health Insurance Team at intl.insure@binghamton.edu

7. Don’t Forget the April 18, 2011 Deadline for Filing Income Tax Forms

If you were present in F-1, F-2, J-1 or J-2 status in the United States during any portion of calendar year 2010 (even for just a few days) you are required to file an income tax form with the US Internal Revenue Service, even if you had no US income!

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services offers CINTAX free of charge to BU international students, alumni, scholars and faculty.  CINTAX is a web-based income tax preparation system designed exclusively for international students, scholars and faculty who file federal forms 1040NR EZ, 1040NR and form 8843 as Non-Residents for tax purposes.  CINTAX computes and prints the required federal income tax forms.  You can be anywhere in the world, and as long as you have an internet connection, you can complete your tax forms.

In order to use CINTAX, you must first be assigned a valid CINTAX access code.  The ISSS has set up a web page for you to request the access code on-line.  Please go to the following link to request your access code: http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/taxes/cintax.html

The ISSS will then verify your identity and send the password and a pdf attachment with specific instructions to you.  This process will take no more than two business days.

Please note that CINTAX is designed to prepare and produce only federal non-resident forms.  CINTAX does not complete state income tax forms.  Other options include ISSS-sponsored income tax webinars, walk-in assistance (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:00am to 1:00pm through April 15, 2011) or using a qualified volunteer or professional tax preparation preparer.  Please go to the following web link for details. http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/taxes/taxsem.html

8. Pre-Registration for Fall 2011 Begins March 31 for Graduate Students and April 1 for Undergraduate Students

The Registrar’s Office has posted the Fall 2011 Schedule of Classes on BU Brain It can be viewed as a grid schedule of classes and as a detailed schedule of classes. The online schedule is the most up to date and accurate source of course information and is the only published version of the Schedule of Classes.

Fall 2011 Pre-Registration begins on March 31 for graduate students and on April 1 for undergraduate students.  Pre-registration ends on Friday, May 13th.  For general information on registration times visit: http://registrar.binghamton.edu/registration.htm  For your specific registration time for Fall 2011 pre-registration, go to BU Brain

Students with outstanding financial obligations and students who haven't complied with health requirements to the Health Service office will be blocked from registering. Students can also view their account balances and pay any outstanding debts through BU Brain.

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 are listed by student level and term at http://registrar.binghamton.edu/registration.htm  These limits include HPEY or MUSP credits and are enforced regardless of GPA. If you seek to register for more than the stated limit, please follow your school's procedure for petitioning for an overload (see http://bulletin.binghamton.edu).

9. Attention Undergraduates: Help With Selecting Courses During Pre-Registration

Undergraduates are invited to attend a series of programs where you can receive assistance with selecting courses during the Fall 2011 pre-registration period.

Undergraduates from all schools are invited to an Academic Advising and Scheduling Fest on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm in University Union Old Union Hall.  This event is sponsored by the Discovery Center.

The Harpur College Academic Advising Office is offering two “Spring into Advising” programs for Harpur College undergraduates.  The first will be held on Wednesday, April 6 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm in Student Wing Room 331.  The second will be held of Tuesday, April 26 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm in University Union West Room 324.  Attend either one.

10. Important Notice From Student Accounts Regarding Fall 2011 Pre-Registration

Any outstanding balance on your Student Account the must be paid or cleared at least 24 hours prior to your Fall 2011 pre-registration time. Please do not wait until the last minute to resolve any outstanding debts in order to ensure that you will be able to register at your priority time.  You can view and/or pay any balance due by visiting http://bubrain.binghamton.edu and select “Quick Pay Student Payment.”

11. H-1B Visa Issues are at the Forefront This Week

Our readers who are familiar with the H-1B “specialty occupations” visa know that Friday April 1, 2011 will be the first day that H-1B petitions subject to the visa “cap” or limit can be submitted by employers to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to hire foreign nationals with bachelor’s degrees or higher for the new federal fiscal year.  The fiscal year starts October 1, 2011.  So, it is on April 1 that all “cap-subject” H-1B petitions with start dates of October 1, 2011 will begin to be processed by USCIS.

The April 1 date is watched closely each year, because the available number of H-1B visas is always used before the year ends.  For full details, please refer to the portal links below, which are from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

General Information on H1-B

http://www.uscis.gov/h-1b_count

USCIS Processing Announcement

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=31f803aea7ace210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b56db6f2cae63110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

12. Important Workshop on Post-Graduation Employment Issues Friday, April 8 

What may be the most important immigration workshop offered this year will be held Friday, April 8 at 4:00pm in Academic A, Ground Floor, Room G08. Will you be seeking employment in the United States after graduation? Do you have questions regarding H-1B visas, labor certification, PERM and employment-based permanent residency? Are you confused about the H-1B “cap” and the “cap gap?”   How long are H-1B visa numbers likely to last, and what is the earliest date for submitting an H-1B petition with an October 1, 2011 start date?  What about those 20,000 extra H-1B visa slots for those with U.S. master’s degrees or higher?  What is going on with H-1B placement agencies, the new deemed export attestation requirements, and are there any issues if you travel into the United States with a new H-1B visa? You do not want to miss this workshop!

Learn about your options under U.S. immigration law from special guest and featured speaker, nationally known immigration attorney Stephen Yale-Loehr from the law firm of Miller Mayer LLP in Ithaca, New York. This workshop is sponsored by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

13. Nominations for Student Speaker at the Graduate Commencement Ceremony 

The Graduate School is seeking names or (self nominations) of graduate students from the  Spring 2011 graduating class for consideration as student speaker at the graduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 21^st at 5.00pm.   The nominee should be a candidate whose academic accomplishments and values are exemplary.  This student must also be interesting, engaging, and be able to come up with a message that appeals broadly to fellow graduates with varied backgrounds, interests and concerns. 

Send E-mail recommendations, including the name, department and contact details of the nominee to Catherine M. Smith at cmsmith@binghamton.edu no later than April 8^th, 2011.

Selected students will be notified by April 15th, to schedule an interview. The interviews will be conducted and the students notified of their selection status by April 29^th , 2011.

14. International Student Graduation Reception Friday, May 20 

Students who are graduating, and exchange students completing their programs may wish to mark their calendars now for the 25th annual International Student Graduation Reception, taking place Friday, May 20 at 7:00pm in University Union Old Union Hall. This is the Friday of commencement weekend. 

Invitations will be sent by e-mail in several weeks, but we wanted to alert our readers who are graduating. If you graduated in December 2010 and are returning to campus for the May 21 and 22 Commencement Exercises, and would like to receive an invitation to the International Student Graduation Reception on May 20, please let ISSS know by sending an e-mail message with your current e-mail address to: isss@binghamton.edu

The information provided to the ISSS by the Registrar's Office only lists Spring 2011 graduates, but they know some Fall 2010 graduates will return for the ceremonies, and they want to be sure they don't miss anyone! Also, if you will graduate in Summer 2011 and would like to attend the International Student Graduation Reception on May 20, please follow the instructions above.

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