Dateline Previous Announcements
Important Change to Credentials Service Takes Effect July 1, 2010
With increasing demand from employers and graduate admissions offices for electronic dissemination of materials and from faculty and other reference writers to submit their letters electronically, the Career Development Center will discontinue its credentials file service and move to a paperless credentials system effective July 1, 2010. Interfolio, a web-based reference file management service that allows students and alumni to create an electronic reference file that can be managed 24/7, will provide state-of-the-art service to students and alumni at a reasonable cost to registrants. If you have an existing credentials file, your service will remain unchanged until July 1, 2010, but prior to that date, you will need to create an Interfolio account at http://www.Interfolio.com and submit a request to CDC to have all of your materials transferred, free of charge. For complete information on this change and how to manage your credentials file, visit http://www2.binghamton.edu/career-development-center/alumni/alumni-index.html.
Deadline Nears for Dependent Confirmation for Health Insurance
Human Resources reminds all NYS employees enrolled in a family health insurance plan with the Empire Plan or HMO that the Dependent Eligibility Verification Project ends Nov. 25, 2009.If you have not received confirmation from NYSHIP that all of your dependents are eligible to continue benefits, you need to contact BUDCO immediately at 1-888-358-2198. Failure to provide required documentation will result in the retroactive removal of your ineligible dependent from your insurance plan.
Benefit Concert Saturday to Feature Tenor, Pianist
Tenor Tony Villecco ’98 and pianist John Isenberg ’98 will present “An Afternoon of 17th and 18th Century Music” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. This event will take place in FA-Casadesus. There will be a CHOW barrel for donated food items and partial proceeds will benefit CHOW. Also performing will be Tamara Heiss, flute, Aric Phinney, piano, and Laurie Holdridge, recorder. Tickets at the door are $12 for general public and $6 for seniors and students with ID. The concert is sponsored by the Africana Studies Department. For more information, call 727-3894 or e-mail villecc@binghamton.edu.
Literary Festival to Take Place Saturday
Crossroads, a Binghamton international literary festival, will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Bundy Museum and Annex, 127-129 Main St., Binghamton. The day of poetry and narrative readings will feature 16 authors from eight countries, including Bolivia, Chile, Italy, Spain and Argentina. Binghamton University writers taking part include Diego Trelles Paz, Joe Weil, Leslie Heywood, Mario Moroni and Maria Mazziotti Gillan.
Reminder to Respond to Inside BU Readership Survey
The Office of Communications and Marketing is conducting a readership survey for Inside BU to help determine how it can best serve the campus and is seeking input from faculty and staff. Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229UVUSWDA5 before Wednesday, Dec. 2.
Research Foundation United Way Participation
Research Foundation employees still have time to contribute to the 2009 Broome County United Way Campaign. Forward contribution materials to Paul Parker in Sponsored Funds as soon as possible.
Biological Sciences Seminar Friday
As part of the Harpur College Dean's Workshops Series in Biological Sciences, Andrea Townsend from Cornell University will speak on "Balancing the costs of inbreeding in cooperative crows " at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov 20, in S3-214. Contact aclark@binghamton.edu for more information.
Putting Your Degree To Work
Computer science alumnus Dave Czarnecki ’97 will share his experiences working for Agora Games in Albany. Czarnecki 's firm owns the software that enables web access for online playing of games such as Guitar Hero. This program will take place from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in the Career Development Center: LNG-307.
Bioengineering Speaker Friday
Invited guest speaker Randall Rasmusson, associate professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at University of Buffalo, will present a talk on "Calcium Currents in Chronically Dysfunctional Myocardium" from 10-11:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 20, in BI-2221 in the Biotechnology Building of the ITC complex. Hosted by the BME seminar series for the Department of Bioengineering. Contact Jacques Beaumont at Beaumont@binghamton.edu.
Spring 2010 Final Exam Requests
Spring 2010 final exam request forms must be submitted no later than Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. Use the online request form at http://registrar.binghamton.edu/forms/feform.html. Questions or concerns can be directed to Lisa Gould at lgould@binghamton.edu.
Music and Mayhem at the Elizabethan Madrigal Feast
Tickets are now on sale for the festive and merry Elizabethan Madrigal Feaste which will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5, in Old Union Hall. It is an evening of socially savvy vignettes, startling spectacles and song, roving rapscallions, fabulous feasting and sundry surprises presented by the musicians and ne'er-do-wells of the Music Department including the Harpur Chorale, the Women’s Chorus, brass musicians and actors. The menu includes bean soup, salad, roast beef, chicken with an orange glaze, green beans with mushrooms, rice pilaf, chocolate cake, wine and a wassail toast. Tickets are $38, general public; $20, students with valid ID. Reservation deadline is Monday, Nov. 23. Tickets can be purchased at the Anderson Center Box Office weekdays from noon-5:30 p.m. or by calling 777-ARTS. Groups wishing to sit together should order tickets together. This event is sponsored by the Music Department. For an online brochure and registration form visit: http://www2.binghamton.edu/music/concert-performances/index.html.
Purchasing Holiday Curtailment Bid Deadlines
See http://www2.binghamton.edu/purchasing/news.html for state purchasing holiday curtailment deadlines.
EvoS Seminar Friday
The fall 2009 Evolutionary Studies program continues at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in LH-2. Peter B. Gray of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas will present "Hormones and Human Childcare: Evolutionary and Proximate Dimensions of a Cooperative Breeder." The seminar will be followed by food and discussion. For more information, visit http://evolution.binghamton.edu/bgray.
CDC Reminds Campus of Early Credential Request Deadline
Have you been asked to prepare a letter of recommendation for a student who has a Jan. 1 or Jan. 15 application deadline? Due to the holiday closing from end of business Dec. 24, 2009, through Jan. 4, 2010, students wishing to have credentials mailed by Dec. 24 must submit requests to CDC by 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. All letters that a student intends to send must have arrived in CDC when the request is submitted. Faculty and staff whose students face early January deadlines are asked to hand-deliver recommendation letters to CDC South between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Questions should be directed to Terri Kilcy, credentials coordinator at 777-2400.
Participants Sought for Memory Study
Are you a healthy person between the ages of 65 and 85 who has memory problems that concern you? If so, a research study is being initiated, aimed at testing memory and related cognitive function activities that may interest you. Participants will come to the Clinical Science and Engineering Research Center (CSERC) in the Biotechnology Building of the Innovative Technologies Center (ITC) where their memory will be tested every three months for one year. Blood pressure and hand grip strength will also be tested. Testing should take about 90 minutes. Participants are not eligible if they have any disease or treatment that would impact memory such as any history of a neurological disease such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, a history of a major head injury, a history of drug/ alcohol abuse, history of psychiatric hospitalization or long-term treatment for major depression or attention deficit disorder, current treatment for cancer or chronic pain. If interested, contact Carolyn Pierce at the CSERC in the Bioengineering Department at Binghamton University at 777-5201 or cpierce@binghamton.edu with questions or for an appointment.
Surplus Property Catalog Online
The Property Control Office maintains an online catalog of surplus furniture offering desks, tables, file cabinets, chairs and other miscellaneous items for campus use. While the Property Control website is under development, the catalog can be accessed at http://128.226.11.99/furnitureiD1.asp. Contact Greg Precopio at 777-3155 or precopio@binghamton.edu with any questions.
Two Working for the Benefit of One – You
Facing an on-the-job challenge (maybe the issue is workplace change or interpersonal communications)? Wrestling with job/career change (maybe you need to update your résumé or prepare for an interview)? Working on it with a certified career coach is a smart way to go. Sign up now for a confidential, one-on-one coaching session at jwojcio@binghamton.edu. John Wojcio, certified career coach. Funding provided by the New York State/United University Professions Joint Labor-Management Committees, and in collaboration with the Binghamton University Center for Training and Development and the Office of Human Resources. This program is for faculty and staff.
Purchasing Reminds Campus of Discretionary Limits
Requisitions for more than $2,500 must be submitted to Purchasing and comply with state procedures (e.g., quotes, bidding, single/sole source justification, etc.) per http://www2.binghamton.edu/purchasing/purchasing-procedures/index.html. Recently, state funded goods more than $2,500 were ordered by a requisitioner using only an approved requisition number. Purchasing reminds campus requisitioners that their discretionary authority is for items less than or equal to $2,500. Goods exceeding that amount ordered without procedural compliance may be returned and invoices unpaid.
Campus Wide Safe Zone Training
The Binghamton University Safe Zone was established to provide a visible institutional support network for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning individuals. There will be a campus-wide Safe Zone Training at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in UUW-325. For more information or to become a Safe Zone Member, contact Jen Hapgood, Safe Zone coordinator at jhapgood@binghamton.edu.
Real to Reel Binghamton
In this episode of Real to Reel, senior Katie Richards takes us to Black Student Unions' annual Fashion Show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfrEU6hDbCY. Real to Reel films, which showcase what’s happening in Binghamton, are made by students for students. If you have an idea for a video or would like to submit your own video, send a message to http://www.youtube.com/binghamtonuniversity.
New Professional Vacancies
The following are new professional vacancies:
Resident Director (SL-2): http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=16193.
Construction Site Representative (Assistant Facilities Program Coordinator, SL-3), Physical Facilities: http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=16163.
Project Coordinator (Assistant Facilities Program Coordinator, SL-3), Physical Facilities:
http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=16164.
Confucius Institute Videos Now Online
To watch videos from the grand opening of the Confucius Institute of Chinese Opera, visit http://www.youtube.com/binghamtonuniversity.
November Blood Drives Scheduled
Blood drives during the month of November will be held from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in UU-252, sponsored by Phi Delta Epsilon, Charles Drew Society and Omego Phi Psi; from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in Old Union Hall, sponsored by Sigma Alpha Lambda and Kappa Phi Lambda; and from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, in the basement lounge of Dickinson’s O’Connor Hall, sponsored by BSSI and Tau Beta Pi. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
No Seasonal Vaccine Available for Clinics
The Employee Assistance Program is unable to schedule seasonal flu clinics for employees at this time due to the unavailability of seasonal flu vaccine. Though clinics had been scheduled as in years past, EAP has been unable to arrange for seasonal vaccine supplies this fall. When seasonal flu vaccine does become available, clinics for faculty and staff will be scheduled and publicized on Dateline. Members of the campus community are encouraged to seek advice from their primary care health providers about whether they are candidates for the seasonal or H1N1 vaccines and to arrange for necessary vaccinations with them if possible.
Responses Sought to Inside BU Readership Survey
The Office of Communications and Marketing is conducting a readership survey for Inside BU to help determine how it can best serve the campus. Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229UVUSWDA5 before Wednesday, Dec. 2.
Vacation Accrual Reminder
The Office of Human Resources reminds professional UUP and Management Confidential staff that as of the close of business on December 31, 2009, vacation accruals must be at or below 40 days. Systems will automatically reset vacation balances to the appropriate level as of January 1, 2010. If operationally feasible, staff with vacation balances in excess of 40 days are encouraged to either use vacation time prior to January 1, or consider donating the time to the sick leave donation program by using the form at http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/forms/forms-doc-files/LeaveDonate.pdf. If you have questions or concerns, contact Vicki Metritikas at vmetriti@binghamton.edu or 777-4463, Alison Gierlach at agierlac@binghamton.edu or 777-6625, or Jeff Hadley at jhadley@binghamton.edu or 777-4249.
Hand to Heart Sign-ups Extended
The Hand to Heart sign-up deadline has been extended. Due to the fact that a
number of gift requests have not yet been filled, NRHH and Residential Life are
extending the Hand to Heart gift bag sign-up deadline. If you would like to
brighten a child’s holiday season by filling a gift request, either by
yourself, along with your office or with your friends, contact Jean Pitely at JPitely@Binghamton.edu or 777-2028.
Hand to Heart is an annual gift drive on the Binghamton University campus
sponsored by Residential Life and the National Residence Hall Honorary-Rho
Lambda Chapter.
Health Insurance Books Available by Request
Health Insurance Choices books for state employees are available from the Human Resources Office. If you would like a book mailed to you on campus, e-mail jsprague@binghamton.edu or ckoban@binghamton.edu or call 777-4850 or 777-4885 to make your request. Copies are also available for pick up in the Human Resources Office, AD-244. Health Insurance Rates for 2010 have not yet been determined, but will be announced campus-wide as soon as they are made available.
Flex Spending Accounts Enrollment Deadline Nears
Human Resources reminds faculty and staff that the final days of open enrollment for the Flex Spending Accounts (Health Care Spending and Dependent Care Advantage) are approaching. The deadline for 2010 enrollment is November 16, 2009 and is strictly enforced. If you wish to enroll in either of the plans, you must enroll online at http://www.flexspend.state.ny.us or apply by telephone at 1-800-358-7202 by November 16, 2009.
Student Chancellor’s Award and President’s Award Nominations Due in December
Nominations are sought for the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence and the President’s Award for Undergraduate Student Excellence. The Chancellor’s Award honors graduating students, both undergraduate and graduate. The deadline for application is Friday, Dec. 18. The President’s Award recognizes juniors and seniors. The deadline to nominate a senior is Friday, Dec. 18. Nominations for juniors are due in February. Visit http://www2.binghamton.edu/academics/provost/excellence-awards/student-ex-award.html for more information. Contact Janice McDonald at 777-4324 or jmcdona@binghamton.edu with questions.
October Light Performances
The Binghamton University
Theatre Department presents October Light,
on stage Nov. 13 through Nov. 22, in the Anderson Center Chamber Hall. Staged
in celebration of the Anderson Center’s 25th anniversary season, October Light is written by John
Bielenberg and based on one of John Gardner's masterworks. The penniless widow
of a once-wealthy dentist, Sally Abbot now lives in the Vermont farmhouse of
her older brother, James Page. Polar opposites in nearly every way, their clash
of values turns a bitter corner when the exacting and resolute James takes a
shotgun to his sister's color television set. The play uses the turbulent
siblings as a stepping-off point from which it expands upon the lives of their
extended families and the rural community that surrounds them. It also engages
larger issues of how liberals and conservatives define themselves and considers
those moments when life transcends all their arguments. Directed by Tom Kremer.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Nov. 13-14 and Nov. 20-21, and 2 p.m. Nov. 22.
Tickets are $18, general admission; $16, faculty/staff/senior citizens; $10
students and available by calling 607-777-ARTS. Group discounts available.
New Professional Vacancy
Assistant Vice President for Development (MP-3): http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=15833.
Sign Up for Annual Holiday Drive
The Student Association and the Binghamton City School District are hosting the annual Holiday Drive and are seeking people, organizations, offices and departments to come together and support the drive through gift-giving. Participants will be able to help families in need to provide gifts for their children this season. Once you or your department/organization responds, you will be contacted with a list of items for the number of family members you are requesting. Gifts must be dropped off at the Holiday Drive Celebration at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, in the Old Union Hall. To sign up for the holiday drive, go to http://tinyurl.com/HolidayDrive2009 and submit your form by Monday, Nov. 16, so you can have your shopping list before Thanksgiving break. If you have any concerns or questions, e-mail kcarr@sa.binghamton.edu.
TIAA-CREF Reps to Visit Campus
TIAA-CREF representatives are available on campus by appointment for one-on-one counseling sessions. Dates are available for November and December. To schedule an appointment, go to http://www.tiaa-cref.org/moc or call 1-800-732-8353.
Writers Sought for ‘Ask a Scientist’
The Binghamton University "Ask a Scientist" program is seeking contributors. In a partnership with the Press & Sun Bulletin, faculty and staff answer questions submitted by area school children. Answers, which run 250-500 words, are published in the newspaper and appear on the University’s Web site. Deadlines are flexible. For more information or to participate, contact Ryan Yarosh at 777-2180 or ryarosh@binghamton.edu. To see a recent column, visit http://askascientist.binghamton.edu.
Volunteers Needed for Fall Commencement
Celebrate with students and their families by volunteering at the Fall 2009 Commencement at noon Sunday, Dec. 13, in the Events Center. Volunteers may choose from the following opportunities: guest seating usher; handicapped seating usher; ticket taking; program distribution; VIP guide and seating usher; student registration; lost and found assistant. Upon successful registration, volunteers will receive an e-mail with complete details: parking locations, training, arrival times, event dress, behind-the-scenes info, activity responsibilities and more. To register, go to http://commencement.binghamton.edu, click on Fall Commencement, and then navigate to “Volunteer.”
University Directories Available for Pickup
The University Directories have arrived. Departments may pick them up in the Telecommunications Office in LN-G216 between 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Chancellor’s Award Nominations Due in December
Nominations are sought for the Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Professional and Classified Service. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 14, with completed dossiers due to the Office of the Vice President for Administration by Dec. 22. Visit http://administration.binghamton.edu/awards/nominations.html for more information. Contact Tracey Debnar at 777-2157 or tdebnar@binghamton.edu with questions.
Check for Accurate Home Address
Annual W-2 statements of earnings will be mailed directly to faculty, staff and student home addresses in January 2010. Human Resources needs to confirm that home addresses are correct in its systems to ensure the mailing is successful. All faculty, staff and students should check the address as recorded on their paycheck to be sure it is accurate. If you need to make any changes, report this to your department and it will submit the necessary Oracle personal data change form. Otherwise, print this form: http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/forms/forms-doc-files/Address_Change.pdf, complete it and send it to Human Resources, AD-244.
Productivity Enhancement Program Open Period
Human Resources announces the open period for the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP), which runs through Nov. 27. This program allows certain employees represented by CSEA, UUP (professional employees or those earning vacation accruals), PEF and MC employees to exchange up to three days of annual leave for a credit toward their share of the health insurance premium. Enrollment forms will be mailed directly to you on campus. For more information, go to http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources. Human Resources reminds anyone enrolling in the PEP (Productivity Enhancement Program) to not charge their leave credits until they receive confirmation of their enrollment from Human Resources.
Volunteers Needed for Research Study
Healthy, non-pregnant adult women are needed for a study of a non-invasive, painless therapy that may help people with leg swelling. The study will be conducted in the Biotechnology Building and requires about two hours of time (evening and weekend hours are possible). To sign up, contact Ruta Paranjape in the Department of Bioengineering at rparanj1@binghamton.edu or 607-624-5649.
Bills-Patriots Bus Trip Dec. 20
The Alumni Association is offering a round-trip charter bus trip to see the Buffalo Bills play the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo on Sunday, Dec. 20. Tickets for the 1 p.m. game are $90 per person (section 307, row 30-31, gate 6). The bus will leave the East Gym parking lot at 6:45 a.m. Return time is about 10 p.m. To register, and for more information, call 777-2424.
Subscribing to Dateline
Dateline is a daily subscription listserv of campus news and events compiled by the Office of Communications and Marketing. New faculty and staff members must ask to sign up if they wish to receive the e-mails; they will not be added to the mailing list automatically. To sign up, send a note to dateline@binghamton.edu.
