ISSS-BU News . 10 December 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: Classes for the Fall 2007 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.
Please note that on Tuesday, December 11, the ISSS will be open but with greatly reduced staffing, as most ISSS staff will be in an all day program review. If you need to conduct business at ISSS, you are encouraged to do so any other day this week.
There are more articles than usual in this week’s issue, because we have some time-sensitive announcements, but most of the articles are brief. ISSS-BU News will continue to publish each Monday during intersession break.
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, along with most other university offices, will be closed for what is traditionally known at the University as the "holiday shutdown" period. The official holiday shutdown starts on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 with offices re-opening on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, but many offices will have limited or no staff on Monday, December 24 as well. During this period, there will be no mail delivery into or out of offices. 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 anticipate that after Friday, December 21, there will be a wait until January 2 before work resumes. It is strongly recommended that any requests for documents be made no later than December 14 to assure timely processing. Remember not to 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, Lorraine Stoke and Elaine Scanlon.
3. Fall 2007 Grades Information
Grades for Fall 2007 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 by visiting the BUSI Web Center at: http://busi.binghamton.edu You will need your Student ID number (or social security number) and PAC to log in.
4. SEVIS Compliance for Students Not Returning for Spring 2008
Students not returning to Binghamton University for the Spring 2008 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 and who used a mailing address other than the ISSS Office for their EAD cards 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, RA 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 any 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 your payroll office 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 to see if your social security number as well as your current address are included properly.
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 2007 semester that ended in May 2007, 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 Opportunity to Assist You in Your Internship and Job Search
The Career Development Center offers the following intersession activity announcement
Friday, January 4, 2008 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 250 employers expected with full time jobs and internships.
Go to: http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/NJCCD_Jan.html and
Contact Janet at jbernard@rci.rutgers.edu with questions.
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:
2007 TOKYO WINTER CAREER FORUM
December 20th & 21st (Thurs. & Fri.), 2007
Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo, Japan)
http://www.careerforum.net/event/071102/index.asp?lang=E
2008 NEW YORK CAREER FORUM
February 29th & March 1, 2008 (Fri. & Sat.)
Penn Plaza Pavilion Exhibition Hall at the Hotel Pennsylvania (New York, NY)
http://www.careerforum.net/event/ny/index.asp?lang=E
35 global companies are expected to attend, and travel scholarships are available.
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