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. BU offices re-open on Tuesday, September 6 and classes resume the same day.

Attention Students! Did you remember to confirm your enrollment in BU Brain? If not, your Fall 2011 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/registrar/students/course-registration/confirmation-enrollment.html

International Student and Scholar Services has a new Facebook page! Please go to http://www.facebook.com/ISSS.BinghamtonUniversity We hope you’ll “like” us!!!

New International Students who attended the Welcome Dinner at the Events Center on Monday, August 22, 2011 are invited to view the Welcome Dinner photos at this link:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ISSSBU/Fall2011InternationalStudentOrientation?authkey=Gv1sRgCIuZ-ufe45TPxgE#

CONTENTS:
1. National Holidays for September
2. Be Sure You Are Registered for a Full-Time Course Load!
3. Be Sure You Have Permission in Advance to Take Less Than a Full-Time Course Load, If Applicable to You
4. 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?
5. English Conversation Pairs (for Non-native Speakers of English)
6. Last-Semester Students: File Application for Degree
7. Fall 2011 International Spouses Program (ISP) English as a Second Language Classes
8. Job Opportunity! Are You A Native Or Near-Native Speaker Of Spanish, German, French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Italian, Or Some Other Language?
9. Fall 2011 Edition of the International Student Handbook Now Available
10. New Dialog and Support Group Forming: For International and Internationally-minded Students
11. Mark Your Calendars! Fall 2011 Job and Internship Fair is Coming September 15
12. Consultation Services

1. National Holidays for September

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

2. 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://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/immigration/ruleftload.html

3. 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://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/essential-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://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/immigration/lesscourse.html Questions or concerns regarding this requirement? Come to the ISSS or send an e-mail message to isss@binghamton.edu

4. 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?

Binghamton University uses 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.

And, while we have your attention…do you know how to reach Binghamton University Police on your mobile 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 to call from your mobile phone is 607-777-2393. Save this number in your mobile phone address book!

5. English Conversation Pairs (for Non-native Speakers of English)

If you are like many Binghamton University ESL students, you may find that, for a variety of reasons, you have few opportunities outside of class to hear English being spoken and to speak it yourself. This lack of opportunities to practice English may slow down your learning of the language and perhaps prevent you from doing your best work in your courses. What can you do about this situation? One answer is to participate in the English Conversation Pairs Program.

In this program, a native English speaker and a non-native English speaker will join to form a conversation pair. Each pair will meet together approximately once a week, perhaps over lunch. These meetings will give the non-native speakers opportunities to practice spoken English and to ask questions about puzzling aspects of the language and American culture. In return, the native speakers will get a valuable chance to learn more about a culture different from their own.

There will be one organizational meeting Thursday September 22nd at 4:45 in the Old University Union Room 111, where you will meet your partner. After that, each pair will decide when and where they will meet. If you join this program, you should be committed to spending one hour a week in conversation with your partner, even if you are busy. You should also plan to call your partner sometimes to arrange your meetings; don’t let your partner do all the work!

To fill out an application online visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PDR2KVP
If you have any questions about this survey please contact the English Conversation Pairs Director Shannon Hilliker-VanStrander at svanstra@binghamton.edu

Applications are due by Friday September 16th!

6. Last-Semester Students: File Application for Degree

Is this your last semester? Let Binghamton University know that you’re ready to graduate! You must file an Application for Degree (AFD - Undergraduates) or a Graduate Application for Degree (GAFD – Graduate students) in order to graduate and receive your diploma (after successfully completing all of your requirements, of course). The AFD/GAFD is a required form that notifies the University of a student's intent to fulfill his/her degree requirements at the end of the current semester. Go to the BU BRAIN and find the Fall 2011 Application for Degree on the "Student" tab. The form is also available at
http://www2.binghamton.edu/commencement/fall/students/graduation-checklist.html

Recommended filing deadline for the GAFD for graduate students is September 24, 2011. The required filing deadline for the AFD for undergraduate students is October 28, 2011.
If you are unable to access the AFD or GAFD once you have logged into BU BRAIN, contact the Degree Coordinator at mailto:kreagan@binghamton.edu
For more about the AFD/GAFD and graduation, go to:
http://www2.binghamton.edu/commencement/fall/students/graduation-checklist.html The page also contains a handy checklist (PDF) which you may print and save for easy reference.

7. Fall 2011 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 began on Monday August 29th but students are welcomed at any time

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

Basic Conversational English (Beginner- Pre-Intermediate):
Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:45pm to 3:15pm
Location: Student Wing Room 306

Time is spent on all four skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). There is work done using material out of various ESL text books that include a focus on grammar and sentence structure, while conversation is always incorporated into the lessons as well.

Intermediate-Advanced English
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:45pm to 3:15pm
Location: Tuesdays, Student Wing Room 312
Location: Thursdays, Student Wing Room 306

There is an ongoing focus on grammar and sentence structure while tenses such as the passive, past perfect, future perfect may also be covered. Additional topics may include verb patterns, everyone’s favorite verb “get”, reported speech as well as other topics in between. Articles covering topics of interest will also be discussed.

Discussion Group
Fridays time to be a Fridays 1:45pm to 3:15pm
Location: Hinman Commons Conference Room, Room 120B

Open to all levels of English and native English

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 fourth year as our ISP ESL instructor.
If you have any questions about the ESL classes, please contact the instructor at mstanton@binghamton.edu

8. Job Opportunity! Are You A Native Or Near-Native Speaker Of Spanish, German, French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Italian, Or Some Other Language?

The Languages Across the Curriculum (LxC) program is now accepting applications for the position of Language Resource Specialist (LRS) for Fall 2011 who speak Spanish, Korean, Russian, French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Italian, and a host of other languages.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Based on work with LxC staff, instructors and other LRS colleagues, LRSs design a syllabus for the Languages Across the Curriculum study group and research and prepare reading assignments (or films or internet-based assignments). LRSs lead discussions of these assignments in the study groups and evaluate students' performance. Throughout the semester, LRSs compile a Blackboard-based teaching portfolio consisting of all the materials used in the study group. LRSs are expected to meet weekly for mandatory LxC staff training.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: The ideal candidate will have previous teaching experience, strong analytical and critical thinking skills; be eager to develop pedagogical skills that foster a globalized understanding of the world, have very strong English language skills and native or near-native proficiency in one or more other languages. LxC supports an array of courses in a variety of disciplines including, but not limited to: Environmental Studies or Life Sciences, American History, Political Science, Education and Human Development, Theater, International Business, Engineering, and Marketing.

Pay begins at $9/hour and LRSs work 5-10 hours per week. Weekly study group meetings led by each LRS begin in the 5th week of classes, scheduled at the convenience of the LRS and her/his students.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN ASSISTANTSHIP.
Use the PDF form available in this link to apply: http://lxc.binghamton.edu/forms/LRS_appl_form.pdf , or call for a hard copy to be mailed to you.

All applications should be submitted to the Languages Across the Curriculum office as hardcopy or via email ( lxc@binghamton.edu). The office is located in Hinman Commons (Rockefeller Center Building) Rooms 209-210.

Some interviews will take place during the next few weeks. For more details you can call the LxC office at 607-777-2499, or email us: lxc@binghamton.edu

9. Fall 2011 Edition 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 on line Handbook is a great source of information on a variety of topics that has been gathered in one place. New students will find much valuable information arranged in one compact publication. 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://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/handbook/index.html

All of the contents may be viewed in the menu on the left side of the screen.

10. New Dialog and Support Group Forming: For International and Internationally-minded Students

This new group, Called “Cultures and Conversations” welcomes students who would like to discuss their experiences at BU as international students and who are looking forward to meeting new friends. We are a welcoming and inclusive group that aims to promote feelings of connection and belonging and welcome those who are “international at heart.” We will explore typical issues that international students encounter: homesickness, loneliness, academic stress, language and communication difficulties. Time and place for meetings will be announced, based on students’ schedules. For more information, call the University Counseling Center at 607-777-2772 or email Sefali Bhutwala at bhutwala@binghamton.edu

11. Mark Your Calendars! Fall 2011 Job and Internship Fair is Coming September 15

The Fall 2011 Job and Internship Fair, sponsored by the Career Development Center, will be held Thursday, September 15 from 11:00am to 3:30pm in the Events Center. More than 80 employers are expected to attend. For more information, and a list of participating employers, visit http://binghamton.experience.com/stu/cf_registered_employers?fhnd=5124

12. Consultation Services

Roommate troubles? Boyfriend/Girlfriend troubles? Parent troubles? Want to consult with someone removed from the situation but wise enough to help? Come to the University Counseling Center. Contact the University Counseling Center for more information or to sign up: 607-777-2772.

The University Counseling Center is located on the first floor of the Bartle Library Lobby, Room LN Room 1202. Telephone: 607-777-2772. http://www2.binghamton.edu/counseling/

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