ISSS-BU News . 05 November 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
Visit ISSS on the Web! http://isss.binghamton.edu
Editor’s Note: Have you recently moved? The ISSS reminds all individuals in F or J status of the requirements under SEVIS to report any change of U.S. address to the ISSS within ten days of the change. You may take care of this requirement and fulfill your SEVIS responsibilities by going to the following link: http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/addrChange.htmlTuesday, November 6 is Election Day in the United States. Unlike many countries, elections in the United States are held on a weekday, and most offices and businesses throughout the country are open. Schools are in session. Since Election Day is not a federal holiday, mail is delivered on that day. In New York, there are no federal or state-wide contests this year, but there are a number of local positions up for election.
CONTENTS:
1. National Holidays for November
The following countries are celebrating national holidays during the month of November:
Country |
Date |
Algeria |
1-Nov |
Antigua and Barbuda |
1-Nov |
Dominica |
3-Nov |
Micronesia |
3-Nov |
Panama |
3-Nov |
Tajikistan |
7-Nov |
Cambodia |
9-Nov |
Angola |
11-Nov |
Latvia |
18-Nov |
Oman |
18-Nov |
Monaco |
19-Nov |
Lebanon |
22-Nov |
Suriname |
25-Nov |
Albania |
28-Nov |
Barbados |
30-Nov |
2. Early Registration for Spring 2008 Is Underway
Currently enrolled degree-seeking undergraduate students and all graduate students can now register for courses for the Spring 2008 term. Online registration on the BUSI (Binghamton University Student Information) system will be available from 8:00 am to 6:00am (22 hours) seven days a week until early registration ends on Friday, November 30.
Complete information on Spring 2008 registration procedures may be found by visiting: http://registrar.binghamton.edu/newinfo.html#regdates
3. Health Service Now Open Monday Evenings
The University Health Service has extended Monday evening hours to serve students requiring illness care. A nurse practitioner, two nurses and a clerical staff member will be available from 5:00pm -7:45pm every Monday. For more information, call University Health Service at 607-777-2221.
4. European Student Association is hosting Its Third Movie Night November 8
European Student Association’s third Movie Night of the semester will be held this Thursday, November 8th at 8pm in the Graduate Student Lounge. They are screening:
East-West – (Russia/ France)
June 1946: Stalin invites Russian emigres to return to the motherland.
It's a trap: when a ship-load from France arrives in Odessa, only a physician (Oleg Menshikov) and his family are spared execution or prison. He and his French wife (Sandrine Bonnaire) her passport ripped up, are sent to Kiev. She wants to return to France immediately; he knows that they are captives and must watch every step. By chance, she meets a touring French actress (Catherine Deneuve) and pleads for help. She also takes a young swimmer (Sergei Bodrov Jr.) under her wing, and several years later, he makes a bold attempt to escape. Meanwhile, the KGB is suspicious, and hope for freedom is dim. Patience, her husband's self control, and her good looks may be their only assets.
Questions? Write ESA.binghamton@gmail.com
5. Next Employment Workshop: The US Job Search, is Friday, November 9
The last in a series of Fall semester employment workshops designed exclusively for international students will be held Friday, November 9 from 2:00pm – 4:30pm in Lecture Hall 10.
The Workshop is titled: "Especially for International Students: the US Job Search." Learn how to conduct a job search in the United States.
Pat Wrobel of the Career Development Center will provide information on how to apply for jobs in the United States and how to use the CDC as a resource.
This workshop series is sponsored by the Career Development Center and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
6. Nominations Now Being Accepted for Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges
Nominations are now being accepted for membership in “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.” This national program recognizes students each year for outstanding contributions to their schools through campus leadership, scholarship and community achievements. There is no fee associated with this program and national membership does not require dues.
Undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants must have at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and be in good judicial standing. Strong involvement and /or leadership in campus/community organizations are highly recommended. Applications are available on-line through the XCEL Center’s website:
http://xcel.binghamton.edu/recognize/whoswho/
Nomination deadline is Monday, November 26, 2007 at 5:00pm.
7. Lounge Service Now Available Near US Consulates in Mumbai and Chennai, India
The most recent edition of the electronic Murthy Bulletin, published by the Murthy Law Firm, featured an article on visa application processing in India. In that article, it was announced that VFS Global Services in India is opening an optional lounge service as of November 5, 2007. The lounge offers a waiting area for visa applicants and persons accompanying them in both Chennai and Mumbai. This facility includes a comfortable waiting area, a snack counter, restrooms, a changing facility, a baggage storage area, and free coach transfer between the lounge and the consulate for those attending their U.S. visa interviews.
VFS has indicated that this is an OPTIONAL service, but applicants are encouraged to use this service to avoid inconvenience both to themselves and the consulates. The fee charged for this service is Rs 200 per person, ages 5 years and over.
The lounge at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai is located at:
U.S. Visa Application Centre
No.14, New No.4, Sadasivam Street
Gopalapuram
Chennai - 600 086
Opposite National Public School
The lounge at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai is located at:
Tirupati Apartments
Adjoining the U.S. Visa Application Centre
Bhulabhai Desai Road
Opposite Mahalakshmi Temple
Mumbai 400026
More information can be found by visiting the VFS WebSite at
https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/Home.aspx or by for calling their helpline at 044.2431.6767 for Chennai, or 022.6654.7600 for Mumbai.
To read the entire news article, visit:
http://www.murthy.com/news/n_convfs.html
8. US Consulates and Embassies Switching to New Fingerprint Scanners
In the next month, US visa posts abroad at both the consulates and embassies will be changing from the current two-print index finger scan to a full ten-fingerprint scan. For a brief period, there may be a delay in obtaining visa appointments until the new system is fully operational.
9. Information for Korean Males Who are Planning Military Service
Many undergraduate male students from the Republic of Korea consider beginning their required military service sometime during their undergraduate study. Most students return home to begin service after a Fall or Spring semester, and then return to Binghamton to resume study once their military service is over. The ISSS has prepared a summary of the requirements for leaving, and then resuming studies, and it is available at the following link:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/pubs/korean.html
10. Thinking of Doing an Internship During the Winter Break?
If you are in F-1 status, and are planning to do an internship during Winter Break, or next Spring, don’t forget that you must apply for Curricular Practical Training CPT) authorization! Whether the internship is paid or unpaid, international students must be authorized before beginning internships or employment. Protect your valid immigration status!
It is easy to apply for CPT– you will need an offer letter from your employer with certain information. Your academic advisor will also need to fill out the required Academic Advisor’s Recommendation form.
You can pick up a CPT application at the ISSS Office or download the Academic Advisor’s form from the ISSS website. More information on the federal immigration rules for CPT is found at the following link:http://isss.binghamton.edu/emp/curr.html Remember that you must have the approved authorization before the internship or other employment can begin.
If you have any questions, contact Assistant Director, Karen Keefe-Guzikowski, or International Student Advisor, Amelia Shafer. If you prefer, you can make an appointment with either of them to discuss your specific situation.
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