ISSS-BU News . 27 August 2007. ISSS-BU News
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
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Editor's Note: Today is the first day of classes for the Fall 2007 semester. ISSS-BU News wishes all of our student, staff and faculty subscribers a successful and productive Fall semester!
Next Monday, September 3 is Labor Day in the United States. Classes will not be in session, and virtually all University offices, including International Student and Scholar Services, will be closed.
Beginning next week, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services will start subscribing new students to ISSS-BU News. Some new students have already subscribed themselves, using their binghamton.edu e-mail account. Our issues can also be read on the internet, and are usually posted the same day as the e-mail version. Just go to http://isss.binghamton.edu and select “ISSS-BU News.”
CONTENTS:
1. International Student Orientation Is the Largest Program Ever; New Students Still Checking In
More than 475 new international students took part in International Student Orientation activities August 20-24, making it the largest attendance ever (Fall 2006 holds second place with 423 new students). A few new students have only just arrived, or will arrive this week. If you meet a newly arrived international student, please remind them to report to the office of International Student and Scholar Services so that staff can photocopy their visa documents, give them a new student folder, and provide other important information.
The ISSS has scheduled a series of special new student orientation meeting for students who were not able to attend the regular international student orientation August 20-24. Students will be scheduled for those sessions when they come to the ISSS.
2. Attention Current International Students Who Have Returned from a Trip Abroad
Many continuing international students were fortunate to be able to travel abroad during the summer vacation. If you obtained a new visa while you were away or entered the United States using your new SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019, please come to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services with your passport and visa documents so we can make copies for your files. Thank you!
3. Change This Week in Insurance “Walk-In” Appointments With Diane Sliwinski
Diane Sliwinski, Special Programs Coordinator of the ISSS, has walk-in hours to answer your insurance questions each Wednesday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Due to a scheduling change, this week’s walk-in hours with Diane will take place Thursday, August 30, 2007 from 1:30pm to 3:30pm instead of the usual Wednesday.
4. Opening Week Services Offered
Opening Week Services will be available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays through Wednesday, Aug. 29, in the Old Union Hall. Representatives will be available for meal plans and BUC$ services, Parking Services, Human Resources (Benefits) and GSEU, M&T Bank, Registrar/ID Office and Telecommunications. There will also be information available for refrigerator rentals, library services, Financial Aid Services, Health Services and Computing Services.
5. Immigration and Tax Information Sections of the International Student Handbook Now Available
Last week the Office of International Student and Scholar Services announced that the BU International Student Handbook is now on line. This is the same handbook we make available to new students at Orientation. The Immigration and Tax information sections of the Handbook are now available for viewing.
The on line Handbook is a great source of information on a variety of topics that has been gathered in one place. 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://isss.binghamton.edu/Handbook/index.html
6. Academic Calendar for Fall 2007
| Aug 28 | Classes begin |
| Sept 3 | Labor Day (no classes) |
| Sept 7 | Course-drop deadline |
| Sept 7 | Course-add deadline |
| Sept 10 | Last day for seniors to submit an application for degree for Spring 2008 |
| Sept 12 | Classes recess 1:00p.m. (Rosh Hashanah) |
| Sept 17 | Classes resume |
| Sept 21 | Classes recess 1:00p.m. (Yom Kippur) |
| Sept 24 | Classes resume |
| Oct 26 | Course-withdraw (with a “W” deadline*) |
| TBA | Registration and academic advising for Spring 2008 |
| Nov 21 | Classes recess 1:00 p.m. (Thanksgiving) |
| Nov 21 | Residence halls close 2:00 p.m |
| Nov 26 | Classes resume |
| Dec 7 | Last day of classes |
| Dec 8-9 | Reading period |
| Dec 10-14 | Final examinations |
| Dec 15 | Residence Halls close 11:00am |
7. Planning To Visit Canada During the Upcoming September Holidays?
The Fall academic calendar provides for a long recess in mid-September, that begins Wednesday, September 12. Some students may be considering a trip to Canada during this break.
Please visit the following link for information on Canadian Entry Visa Requirements:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/travel/index.html#three
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services has paper copies of the Canadian Entry Visa Application and instructions.
Canada does not require visitors from all countries to obtain entry visas (called temporary resident visas), but there is a lengthy list of countries whose citizens will first need to obtain visas before they can enter Canada. The link above will take you to the list. In New York State, Canadian entry visas are issued that the Canadian consulates in Buffalo and New York City.
Students in F or J status who need to apply for entry visas are required by Canadian Immigration to obtain a letter of certification signed by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. In addition, the travel signature on page 3 of the I-20 (page 1 of the DS-2019) must be less than six months old. Students will need to visit the ISSS to have the signatures on their forms updated. Letters of certification may be requested from the ISSS by visiting or by filling out an on line form at:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/LOC.htm
If you know that you will travel to Canada soon, do not wait until the last minute to have your I-20 signed or letter of certification prepared. Instead, come to the ISSS well in advance of your trip.
8. International Student Festival is Coming Soon!
Planning is well underway for the seventh annual International Student Festival! Preliminary sports begin the weekend of September 7 – 9 and the Cultural Showcase will be held Sunday Evening, September 23.
Please note that BU alumni from the participating cultural associations may compete in all sports events, provided that they notify their former cultural association of their intent to participate before September 6. This will allow enough time for the associations to submit names of alumni to Campus Recreational Services. All alumni participants must have photo ID (such as a driver’s license) with them when they come to play.
The African Continent and the countries of China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Turkey will have cultural display tables at the Cultural Showcase on Sunday evening, September 23 in the University Union Tilman Lobby. If any international students would like to create a cultural display table for a geographic area not listed above, please send an e-mail message to isss@binghamton.edu before September 6.
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