ISSS-BU News . 11 December 2006. ISSS-BU News
Visit ISSS on the Web! http://isss.binghamton.edu
Editor's Note: Classes for the Fall 2006 semester have now ended, and for many students, final exams have begun. ISSS-BU wishes all of our student subscribers success with their academic work as the semester draws to a close.
CONTENTS:
1. Holiday Closing Dates for International Student and Scholar Services: Don't Delay in Getting Your Paperwork Completed
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services will be closed for what is traditionally known as the "holiday shutdown" period. We will close at 4:30pm on Friday, December 22, 2006 and will not re-open until Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 9:00am. During this period, there will be no mail delivery into or out of the office. Voice mail, e-mail and fax will be monitored periodically, but not every day.
International students and scholars who have paperwork that needs to be processed by the ISSS should note these dates, and remember that at this busy time of year, up to 7-10 business days may be required to review and complete documents. Please do not wait until the last minute, as doing so may require you to wait until after January 2nd for documents to be returned to you!
2. Holiday Greetings From the ISSS Staff
Staff in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services extend our best wishes at the holiday season to all Binghamton international students and scholars. It is our privilege to know and work with you. May the new year be one of peace, good health, happiness, and success for all. We also hope you will find some time for rest and relaxation during the intersession period!
Ellen Badger, Karen Keefe-Guzikowski, Diane Sliwinski, Sonal Dedhia, Amelia Shafer, Teresa Kozina and Lorraine Stoke.
3. Fall 2006 Grades Information
Grades for Fall 2006 courses are usually submitted by faculty within 72 hours after the last class or the final exam for a course. Students can access their grades as soon as they have been processed by the Registrar's Office in several ways; by phone (607-777-5000), on BUSI, or on the BUSI Web Center at: http://busi.binghamton.edu
4. SEVIS Compliance for Students Not Returning for Spring 2007
Students not returning to Binghamton University for the Spring 2007 semester need to complete a departure form with the ISSS, unless they will be on optional practical training. The departure form can be completed on the web by visiting: http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/depForm.html
A paper version of the departure form is available in the ISSS. Those needing to complete a departure form include:
5. Important Off-Campus Work Authorization Reminders!
The ISSS wants to remind students applying for work authorization (Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, Academic Training and Off-Campus Employment Based on Economic Hardship) that you may not begin employment until you receive the appropriate work authorization:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT): I-20 endorsed on Page 3 with a CPT approval
Optional Practical Training (OPT): EAD card issued by USCIS
Academic Training: Work authorization letter from the responsible officer for your J-1 Program
Economic Hardship: EAD card issued by USCIS
Beginning employment in advance of receiving the appropriate work authorization is a VIOLATION of immigration regulations governing F-1 and J-1 students and may have VERY SERIOUS consequences, including the revocation of your valid immigration status.
Please be sure that you allow adequate processing time for all work authorization applications. Normal processing time, once the ISSS receives a completed application, is approximately 7-10 business days.
If you have questions or concerns about employment-related issues, please contact Karen Keefe-Guzikowski kkeefe@binghamton.edu
6. A Reminder About Optional Practical Training EAD Cards
F-1 students who have obtained authorization for Optional Practical Training from the USCIS are reminded to please bring their EAD cards to the ISSS so that we can make a photocopy for your files. Having a photocopy in the ISSS could become very important to you in the future, if we need to verify your F-1 status or if the card is lost or stolen.
7. Important Reminder from Human Resources
International students who have jobs on campus (GA positions, TA positions, and hourly wage assignments) are reminded to be sure to copy the appropriate Human Resources Office on campus for any change of U.S. address. Just look at your address on your most recent pay stub. If it is not accurate, be sure to report it to your department or office where you work so that the address can be updated in the Oracle Personnel System by your department submitting a Personal Data Change Smart Form. If you are on the New York State Payroll, your change of address is needed so that you can receive your W-2 Wage and Tax Statement forms in late January, as well as any checks that may be coming to you if you are leaving at the end of this semester.
Also, if you have obtained a social security number since starting work, it is essential that you report your social security number to Human Resources for W-2 purposes. If you are uncertain whether or not this is a problem for you, check your most recent pay stub, and look for the social security number being reported as well as the address to which the pay stub was addressed.
8. Grades of Incomplete from Previous Semesters
International students are reminded that if you received a grade of “Incomplete” for any course that you took for the Spring 2006 semester that ended in May 2006, and you have not yet submitted the required work for the course, the incomplete grade will automatically convert to “withdrawn” for graduate students and “failure” for undergraduate students after December ends. If the course was being counted towards your full-time registration, conversion of the incomplete grade to W will effectively place you in violation of your F-1 or J-1 status. You are urged to either complete your work by the deadline, or request that your professor file for an extension of your incomplete. Do not place your immigration status in jeopardy!
9. Intersession Opportunities to assist you in your internship and job search
The Career Development Center offers the following intersession activity announcements
NEW JERSEY COLLEGIATE CAREER DAY
Thursday, January 4, 2007 from 9:30am - 3:30pm
Rutgers University - New Brunswick Rutgers Student Center & Brower Commons, College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Open to all college students and graduates.
Over 200 employers expected with full time jobs and internships.
Go to: at http://careerservices.rutgers.edu and look for the link “information for candidates”:
Contact Janet at jbernard@rci.rutgers.edu with questions.
NYC EMPLOYER VISITS 2007!
Make great use of your time during semester break by visiting an employer in New York City! Employer visits will increase your awareness of career opportunities while seeing the inside of an organization. Hear from recruiters or alums!
Employer Visit sites include:
Bloomberg
Bridal Guide Magazine
Goldman Sachs
Google
JP Morgan Chase Legal Department
NBC Universal
Newsday
NYC Teaching Fellows Program
Protiviti
Time, Inc.
Students will need to provide their own transportation to visit sites. Registration requirements are based on employer needs. There is limited space so sign up as soon as possible. Students must register on line through eRecruiting at http://binghamton.erecruiting.com/er/security/login.jsp
Conduct an employer search for “NYC Employer Visit.” Read about the visit at this page, review employers participating, and apply to sites you are interested in. A professional resume is needed to sign-up and be accepted for an employer visit. If you have questions, contact Bill McCarthy at the Career Development Center bmccarth@binghamton.edu or call 777-2329.
10. Upcoming Job Fairs for Japanese-English Bilingual Students
DISCO International is sponsoring two upcoming job fairs for Japanese-English bilingual students, one in Tokyo, Japan and one in New York City:
2006 TOKYO WINTER CAREER FORUM
December 21 & 22 (Thurs. & Fri.), 2006
Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo, Japan)
http://www.careerforum.net/event/tkw/index.asp?lang=E
Some of the companies participating are:
Bloomberg / Toys"R"Us-Japan Ltd. / Acom Co., Ltd. / KPMG Business Assurance Co., Ltd. / Sandisk Corporation / Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited / IBM Japan, Ltd. /Japan Food Corporation (Nippon-Ham Group)
2007 NEW YORK CAREER FORUM
February 23rd & 24th, 2007 (Fri. & Sat.)
Penn Plaza Pavilion Exhibition Hall (New York, NY)
http://www.careerforum.net/event/ny/index.asp?lang=E
Last year's participating companies included:
Mitsui & Co, Ltd. / BNP Paribas / Blackrock National Instruments Japan Corporation / Aozora Bank, Ltd. / Kddi America, Inc.
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