An electronic news service for international students and scholars, owned by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services atBinghamtonUniversity, State University of New York
Visit ISSS on the Web! http://isss.binghamton.edu
Editor’s Note: Classes recess at 1:00pm on Wednesday, September 28 for a religious holiday and will resume on Monday October 3. The ISSS and most University offices remain open for regular hours during this time period.
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!!!
CONTENTS:
1. Binghamton Highly Ranked by Annual College Guides
2. International Health Insurance ID Cards and Insurance Information
3. International Student Grant-in-Aid Now Accepting Applications
4. College Culture Series for Undergraduates
5. This Week’s Campus and Community Connections Newsletter
6. Getting Together With Others in Common
7. Last Semester Students: File Application for Degree
1. Binghamton Highly Ranked by Annual College Guides
U.S. News & World Report has recently published its 2012 listing of America’s Best Colleges. Binghamton was ranked in the top 50 of U.S. public institutions (number 39) and in the top 100 of all U.S. institutions, public and private (number 80). The U.S. News & World Report rankings measure peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving and “graduation rate performance”.
To read more about how Binghamton is recognized by some of the country’s leading publications, go to:
http://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/binghamton-university-again-features-prominently-in-rankings-college-guides
2. International Health Insurance ID Cards and Insurance Information
BU international students enrolled in the University’s mandatory international health insurance plan for the Fall 2011 semester should have received an email message to their Binghamton.edu email accounts on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 from HTH Worldwide.com. The subject line of the message was: SUNY-Your Health Insurance ID Card.
Please open the email message if you have not already done so, make note of the certificate number assigned to you, and follow instructions to go the www.hthstudents.com website and access and print your health insurance ID card.
The only international students who would not have received an email message on September 21 are:
There were also a group of funded graduate students who receive health insurance as an employee benefit, who were sent the email message in error. Those students have already received a follow-up email message from the ISSS.
Sometimes, students have trouble accessing their insurance id cards, even when following the instructions in the HTH email. If you have a problem/question about your insurance ID card, please contact the ISSS health insurance team at intl.insure@binghamton.edu or come to health insurance walk-in hours Tuesdays from 10:15am to Noon.
For the Fall 2011 semester, your insurance dates back to 15 August 2011. The cost of the SUNY International Student Health and Accident Insurance is included in your tuition bill (INT’L. INS.”).
For further information, please visit the “Health Insurance section of the ISSS webpage, http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/health-insurance/index.html Review How to Use Your International Student Health Insurance. If you need to locate a doctor or health care facility, review Finding a Participating Doctor or Hospital.
If you have questions about your health insurance coverage, or about a billing for services you receive from a doctor’s office or hospital, request an appointment with Terry Creeden, the International Health Insurance Coordinator by calling or visiting the ISSS office for an appointment, 607-777-2510. Terry and Lorraine Medionte, the International Health Insurance Assistant, also have walk in hours every Tuesday from 10:15am until 12 Noon. You may e-mail Terry and Lorraine at intl.insure@binghamton.edu
3. International Student Grant-In-Aid Now Accepting Applications
Each semester, awards of up to $500 are made to a small number of international students who have a severe financial need. To be eligible, students must be in F-1 or J-1 status, have been in attendance at Binghamton University at least one year (began their studies at Binghamton University in Fall 2010 or earlier), document need, have no outstanding obligations to the university, and be full-time students in good standing.
Some students may find themselves in financial difficulty through no fault of their own. Examples can include reduced support from a sponsor, or unanticipated expenses. Applicants are strongly advised to carefully document their financial situation when submitting the application form, as there are always more students seeking assistance than there are funds.
Students with outstanding balances in their student account with the University should note that based on BU policy, any scholarship award will first be applied towards the balance on their student bill.
Applications are available now in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services and must be submitted no later than Wednesday, October 5, 2011.
4. College Culture Series for Undergraduates
The Office of Residential Life is sponsoring a series of workshops for undergraduate international students, especially those who live in the on campus residence halls.
Session Monday, September 26th at 7:30pm in Susquehanna Community Coffee House
Topic: Kitchen Safety and Healthy Eating
Help students learn about cooking safety and personal health and wellness including how to deal with dilemmas revolving around food, alcohol and drugs and visiting a doctor.
5. This Week’s Campus and Community Connections Newsletter
The latest Campus and Community Connections newsletter has been posted at:
http://www2.binghamton.edu/cce/connect/CCC-Fall2011-4.pdf
There is also a special Flood Recovery edition at this link:
http://www2.binghamton.edu/cce/connect/CCC-Fall2011-2nd_FLOOD_RECOVERY_SPECIAL_EDITION.pdf
Students and student groups continue to be needed as volunteers to help with the local recovery efforts.
The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) publishes Campus and Community Connections to provide BU students with information on ways to participate in activities both on campus and in the local community, including:
* Upcoming Campus & Community Events
* Volunteer & Service Opportunities
* Internships (Credit & Non-Credit)
* Community-Based Research Project
Previous newsletters are archived at: http://www2.binghamton.edu/cce/campusconnect.html
For more information on the Center for Civic Engagement, visit http://www2.binghamton.edu/cce/
6. Getting Together With Others In Common
The University Counseling Center facilitates group meetings of students who have some commonalities. Topics include: Bereavement, Powerful Gentlemen, Combat Veterans Support Group, Resolving Sexual Abuse, Yoga and Meditation, Eating Awareness, & Interpersonal Relationships. 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/
7. 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.
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