1. Spring Travel Series Has Begun
2. New OPT STEM Extension Rule
3. Workload Issues in the ISSS
4. Income Tax Update
5. Romeo and Juliet Coming to Binghamton University
6. Russian American Kids Circus On Stage Friday, May 2
7. International Student Graduation Reception Update
8. J-1 Students and On-Campus Employment
9. US Postage Increase
10. Latest H-1B Visa Update

1. Spring Travel Series Has Begun

Later today, the ISSS will begin to distribute its four-part series of travel articles electronically on the ISSS-BU listserv.  Each article contains up to date information on what you need to know if you are an international student who will travel this summer.  Publication will continue this week.  These articles can also be viewed on the ISSS website by going to the following link: http://isss.binghamton.edu/travel/index.html

2. New OPT STEM Extension Rule

The ISSS is working on the various documents needed for former students currently on their initial period of F-1 Post-Completion Optional Practical Training who are eligible to apply for the 17-month STEM extension.  U.S. colleges and universities had been advised that the U.S. government would issue operating instructions for processing STEM extension requests by Friday, April 18.  Unfortunately the instructions are not yet available.  The ISSS hopes to have its extension documents posted on the ISSS website by the end of this week.

To read the earlier summary on the new OPT STEM Extension and other changes to OPT regulations, visit:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/emp/newOPT08rule.html and
http://isss.binghamton.edu/new/2008/OPT08upd.html

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will not apply the unemployment provision to any student whose OPT was approved before April 8, 2008.

3. Workload Issues in the ISSS

As we get closer to May, the ISSS is in the midst of its busiest work period. New student visa documents are being mailed on a daily basis and current students come to the office with questions regarding travel, practical training employment, and extensions to name a few! The ISSS is always happy to be of assistance to you, but as will naturally occur during a busy period, it takes staff longer to accomplish office tasks. This includes forms processing, appointments and responses to e-mail messages. So, if it is necessary for you to meet with Karen Keefe-Guzikowski, Amelia Shafer or Ellen Badger, or if you are sending an e-mail message to either the isss@binghamton.edu account or to the personal account of someone in the office, or need to have paperwork processed by ISSS staff, please allow extra time for an appointment, e-mail reply, or paperwork. They are doing the best they can, and they appreciate your understanding. Thank you!

4. Income Tax Update

CINTAX continues to be available to Binghamton University students and scholars for those who are filing late, and will stay available until June 15, 2008.  CINTAX users should remember to print a copy of their CINTAX -prepared tax forms for their files before June 15, 2008.  CINTAX will purge its system of data on June 16, 2008.

To date, 732 current and former BU international students and scholars have accessed CINTAX.
558 users were eligible for refunds, and nearly six million dollars in total gross income was reported by BU CINTAX users.

5. Romeo and Juliet Coming to Binghamton University

Visiting Director Chen Lincang and his team from the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing, China, are working with Binghamton students to stage five performances of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in the tradition of Beijing opera. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, April 25-26 and May 2-3, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4, in the Watters Theatre, Fine Arts Building. For tickets and information, call 777-ARTS or visit http://theatre.binghamton.edu. Tickets are $8 for students and children, $12 for faculty, staff and seniors, and $14 for general admission.

6. Russian American Kids Circus On Stage Friday, May 2

The Russian American Kids Circus On Stage will perform amazing stunts at the Anderson Center on Friday, May 2, 2008, at 7:00p.m., in the Osterhout Concert Theater.   This magical show has something for the entire family.

The Russian American Circus On Stage is a professional production starring children between the ages of six and sixteen, who will dazzle and entertain you with acrobatics, unicycling and juggling performed using state of the art techniques combined with the traditions of circus.

In its twelve years of operation, The Russian American Kids Circus On Stage has delighted audiences all over the world and has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “The Cosby Show,” “MTV” and at Walt Disney’s Epcot Center. The New York Times has said, “…The Russian/American Kids Circus On Stage makes spirits soar and crowds roar.”  Learn more about the troupe at http://www.rakidscircus.org/

Come for an evening of drama, comedy and pure fun on Friday, May 2, when the Russian American Kids Circus On Stage draws you into the magical world of the circus.  Ticket prices are $10 for the general public and $6 for children 12 and under.  For tickets and information, call 607-777-ARTS or http://anderson.binghamton.edu

7. International Student Graduation Reception Update

The 22nd annual International Student Graduation Reception is Friday, May 16 at 7:00 pm in the University Union Mandela Room. Invitations will be sent by e-mail in about one week. All students completing their programs who plan to attend need to respond by completing the on-line reply card no later than Monday, May 7! Be sure to indicate any guests who may accompany you by indicating the appropriate number on the response form.

A large number of international students are graduating Binghamton this year, and we look forward to seeing many of you there.  Please note that the date has been changed to commencement weekend.  Food and beverages will be served, there will be many photo opportunities, and a commemorative gift will be given to each student being honored.

Students frequently ask about appropriate dress for the reception. While business suits are not required, consider it a Friday evening out, so feel free to dress up in Western or traditional clothing! The reception should end before 9:00pm, so there will be plenty of time for you to enjoy other evening plans following the reception. Cameras are encouraged, as there will be lots of opportunities for picture taking. This is your evening to celebrate your achievement!

8. J-1 Students and On-Campus Employment

Students in J-1 status who have been offered on-campus employment opportunities for either Summer 2008 or Fall 2008 are reminded that even on-campus employment must be authorized in advance.  The ISSS has developed a simple on-line form for J-1 students to complete so that the appropriate authorization letter can be prepared.  Visit: http://isss.binghamton.edu/emp/jempframe.htm

9. US Postage Increase

The U.S. Postal Service has announced that the cost of mailing a first class letter within the United States will increase to 42 cents effective May 12, 2008.   Express mail, priority mail and international mail will also see price changes.  For complete information, visit:
http://www.usps.com/prices/welcome.htm?from=bannercommunications&page=prices

10. Latest H-1B Visa Update

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published an announcement on April 18, 2008 that affects a limited number of F-1 students who had an employer file a timely H-1B petition that successfully made it through the random selection process, but for whom the employer had requested consular processing rather than a change of non-immigrant status.  The USCIS has announced a short-term measure that will allow the employer of any F-1 student whose H-1B petition was randomly selected to now request a change of status, if the change of status application was not included in the original filing and if such requests are received within 30 days of the issuance of the receipt notice for the I-129 H1-B petition.  The advantage of this option is that a F-1 who had planned to travel to their home country to apply for the H-1B visa in order to obtain H-1B status (usually because his or her OPT expires prior to October 1) now has the choice of remaining in the United States.

Individuals who believe they can benefit from this measure should contact the employer (or the employer’s designee) that filed the H-1B petition for full information.

The complete text of the announcement may be read at:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/update_f1students_041808.pdf

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.