1. Message from Ellen Badger, Director of ISSS
2. Does the ISSS Have a Certificate For You?
3. U.S. Postage Rates Increase Effective Monday, May 14
4. BU Internationalization Awards Now Posted on the ISSS Website
5. Not Returning to Binghamton For Fall 2007? Be Sure to Complete the SEVIS-Required Departure Form
6. ISSS Office Hours During the Summer Months
7. University Health Service and Student Health Care During the Summer Months
8. Anderson Center For The Performing Arts Announces An Eight Performance Season For 2007-08

1. Message from Ellen Badger, Director of ISSS  

It was wonderful to see such a great turnout at Saturday night's International Student Graduation Reception!  We hope that everyone enjoyed the evening.  On behalf of the ISSS staff, I want to thank our co-sponsors: The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, The Office of International Programs, the BU Turkish Students Association, The Chinese Student and Scholars Association, the Graduate African Students Association, Hong Kong Exchange Square, The Indian Graduate Student Organization, the Korean Graduate Student Association, and the Taiwan Student Association for helpint to make this event possible.  I especially want to thank Gerald Sonnenfeld, Vice President for Research; H. Stephen Straight, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and International Affairs; Kenneth Holmes, Assistant Vice President for Student Life; Charles R. Westgate, Dean of the Watson School; and Susan B. Lewis, Assistant Director of International Programs for participating in the presentation of certificates to our international students.

My thanks as well to Andries Verschelden and Assistant Vice President for Student Life Kenneth Holmes for their timely and warm remarks.

2. Does The ISSS Have a Certificate For You?

A number of students who had indicated their intention to attend Saturday's International Student Graduation Reception have certificates of achievement ready for pick up in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.  The ISSS will be sending e-mail messages early this week to students who did not pick up their certificates at the Graduation Reception.

Students who were at the reception and were informed that a certificate would be ready in the ISSS this week are asked to stop by beginning Wednesday.  Thanks.

3. U.S. Postage Rates Increase Effective Monday, May 14

Mailing a letter within the United States or abroad? The cost of first class mail within the United States, overseas mail, and other fees have increased effective Monday, May 14, 2007. The cost of a first class stamp for domestic mail is now $0.41 (formerly $0.39). International air mail to most overseas destinations is now $.90.

The U.S. Postal Service Offices as well as some stores (including Wegman's) are selling the new $.41 stamps, as well as $.02 stamps and the “forever” stamps, which are selling for $.41 but will remain valid for sending a letter regardless of any fee increases.

For complete information on the new postal rates, visit: http://www.usps.com/prices/

4. BU Internationalization Awards Now Posted on the ISSS Website

Binghamton University has received a number of national awards for the excellence of its international programs. Three of those awards have come just this year! To read about the numerous national organizations that have recognized BU for these achievements, visit the ISSS home page at http://isss.binghamton.edu and click on “Awards for Internationalization” or go to the direct link in our “Publications” section: http://isss.binghamton.edu/pubs/awards.html

5. Not Returning to Binghamton For Fall 2007? Be Sure to Complete the SEVIS-Required Departure Form

If you will not be returning to Binghamton University for the Fall 2007 semester, because you have graduated, completed your program, withdrawn early, or are transferring to a new school, you must fulfill your federal SEVIS responsibilities by completing the ISSS Departure Form. This form can be completed on the web by going to the following link:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/depForm.html

If you will be continuing at Binghamton University but have changed your U.S. address, fulfill your SEVIS responsibilities by completing the ISSS Change of Address Form. This form can be completed on the web by going to the following link:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/addrChange.html

Dual-Diploma students who are going home for their third year of study in Turkey do not need to complete either a departure form or a change of address form.

6. ISSS Office Hours During the Summer Months

Many students ask if the ISSS ever closes once the Spring semester ends. The answer is; the ISSS is open twelve months throughout the year. Although staff will rotate vacations during the summer, the office remains open for its usual hours except for state and federal holidays. Holiday closings will be posted on e-mail when they occur. " ISSS-BU News " is likewise published throughout the year.

ISSS office hours do alter slightly in the summer. From May 21 – August 17, the ISSS will be open Monday – Wednesday and Fridays from 8:30am to 4:00pm, and Thursdays from 11:30am to 4:00pm. We will resume our regular office hours on Monday, August 20.

7. University Health Service and Student Health Care During the Summer Months

Students who are registered for credit during the summer months pay a summer health fee as part of their tuition and fee charges, as is done during the Fall and Spring. The University Health Service also provides care in the summer to those who may not be registered for summer courses but who are "continuing students," that is, were registered in the Spring and will be continuing studies in the Fall. Such continuing students should expect to pay the summer health fee when a visit is made to the University Health Service beginning Monday, May 21, 2007.

At the time of the first visit, a staff member will explain the summer fee policy and the student may either pay at the time of service or pay later. The summer fee covers all usual services that are provided during the academic year. There is a fee of $25.00 for each half of the summer time period. The first period is May 29 - June 29, 2007. The second is July 9 - August 10, 2007. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the University Health Service, 777-2221.

8. Anderson Center For The Performing Arts Announces An Eight Performance Season For 2007-08

The Anderson Center for the Performing will offer eight performances in the upcoming 2007-08 season, four in the series and four specials. Opening the season on Monday , July 2 , at 8 p.m. is a special performance by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons . Rock and Roll's most distinctive falsetto voice and one of the most enduring groups of all time is sure to be a crowd pleaser when they sing some of their most cherished hits. including “Sherry,” Big Girls Don't Cry,” Rag Doll” and “Can't Take My Eyes Off of You.” Tickets for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons are $55 for inside reserved seats and $30 for lawn seating.

A second special concert will take place on Tuesday , August 28 , at 8 p.m ., with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones . This innovative group blends the sounds of jazz, bluegrass, classical, pop and R&B into a musical art form that is enjoyed by people of all ages. The group was nominated for 2 Grammys in 2006 and won Best Contemporary Jazz Album. General Public tickets for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are $38 for inside reserved seats and $20 for lawn . This is the first time that the Anderson Center has offered a concert during the semester that will allow students to enjoy outdoor seating. A special price of $10 will be offered to students with ID for seating on the lawn.

Two additional specials are being offered as treats for the whole family. Just in time for the holidays, the unique Russian Stars of the St. Petersburg State Ice Ballet, a company of thirty-five champion ice dancers, will perform Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker on an iced Osterhout Concert Theater stage. There will be two performances on Saturday, December 8, 2007, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Prices for general public are $25 and $15 for children (12 and younger).

The final special on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 7 p.m., features the Russian American Kids Circus. The show is performed by kids, for kids, but definitely not just for kids.

The general public price is $10 and children (12 and younger) are $6.

The Anderson Center's series opens with Complexions Contemporary Ballet's mixed repertory featuring the world premiere of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof , inspired by Tennessee Williams' play of the same title. The premiere is on Friday, September 28, 2007, with a second performance on Saturday, September 29, 2007. Please note: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof contains mature subject matter and nudity. The company will offer masters classes for BU students during their week long residency. The performance is sponsored, in part, by Binghamton Regency and the Oakdale Mall.

The series continues on Saturday, February 16, 2008 when the State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, under the direction of Enrique Bátiz, one of Latin America's most famous conductors, performs a special program which includes two concertos offered only for the Binghamton performance: Joaqun Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto de Aranjuez

Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43; Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30

In the third performance in the series on Thursday, March 6, 2008, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and The Band of the Coldstream Guards take command of the Anderson Center stage with their majestic and time-honored pageantry, as seen in the Tattoo at Scotland's Edinburgh Castle.

Completing the series on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 will be the St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre's full-length acclaimed production of Carmen, a modern dance version of the classical ballet, based on Georges Bizet's opera .

Tickets are now on sale. Prices for a series subscription are: General Public, $148; BU Faculty/Staff, $130; Senior Citizens, $130; Students, $76. Single tickets for each performance in the series are: General Public, $41; BU Faculty/Staff, $36; Senior Citizens, $36; Students, $21. For tickets and information, call 777-ARTS or visit the website at http://anderson.binghamton.edu

ISSS-BU is a listserv owned and managed by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, Division of Student Affairs, at the State University of New York at Binghamton. It is the publisher of ISSS-BU News . Permission is granted to freely distribute the information posted to this list as long as its contents remain unchanged.