Greetings from the Parent Relations Coordinator
Dickinson Dining Closed Due to Weekend Incident
Seasonal Student Issues
Get in the Zone
Resolving To Do Better
Goal Setting
Celebrate Your Student
Supporting Life-Changing Opportunities
University Creates YouTube Page
Residential Life
Time to File the 2008-09 FAFSA
From the Career Development Center
Parents Encouraged to Think Binghamton
A Recipe from Dining Services
A "Stay Healthy" Tip from University Health Service
The Madness is Back
Fantastic February in Greater Binghamton
Upcoming Calendar and Event Information
University Plaza Now Leasing for 2008-09 Academic Year
GREETINGS FROM THE PARENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR
The New Year gives us all a new lease on life – a fresh start that can be invigorating! Your student may be feeling this and looking toward areas that he or she would like to improve. This month’s newsletter is filled with advice to help you help your student set realistic and achievable goals.
Also included are reminders, calendar items and campus news and information.
Welcome Back!
Melinda Holicky, Parent Relations Coordinator
parents@binghamton.edu
DICKINSON DINING CLOSED DUE TO WEEKEND INCIDENT
A fire broke out in the laundry area of Dickinson Dining Hall around 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. The University's emergency team and University Police, along with Vestal Fire Department responded quickly, and, by 10:45, the fire had been extinguished. There were no injuries reported and the campus community was alerted to the incident via text messages. Dickinson Dining Hall has been closed until further notice and students are being encouraged to use the other dining facilities on campus. The University’s Dining services are adding serving hours in some locations. For updates and other dining service options, visit the dining service website.
There’s a seasonal ebb and flow when it comes to student issues. Here are a few things some students may be experiencing this month:
• Feelings of happiness or restlessness from break
• Resolve to do better academically
• Renewed interest in classes and activities
• New leadership skills starting to emerge
• Unwanted weight gain from holidays
• Winter weather blues
• Not many social activities scheduled
• Possible roommate changes and pressure to figure out living plans for next year as the room assignment process draws near
• Anxiety and uncertainty for those who just arrived at a new school
• Contentment being back with friends after a few weeks away
• Valentine’s Day depression if not dating
• Vocational choice/internship search causing anxiety
• Spring break planning underway
The University Counseling Center is available to assist students.
Maximizing Students’ Academic and Wellness Potential - Advice for Parents of First-Year Students
• Celebrate your student’s accomplishments of going to college and completing the first semester and help her stay focused on the bigger goals when she gets frustrated.
• Recognize that the transition into college itself is an important milestone while helping your student reflect on his overall performance and goals.
• If your student did well last semester and has established a solid GPA, encourage her to seek extra-curricular activities or events that will enable her to become more involved with campus life. Doing so will help provide an outlet for your student when things become stressful and a bit overbearing.
For more information about the “Get in the Zone” project; a collaboration between Discovery and University Health Service, contact Scott Bennett or Bridget McCane Saunders.
Helping students set goals in the New Year
Help your student work toward tangible goals. For instance, when she says, “I’d like to do better in school,” what does that mean? Is she committing to a certain amount of study time each day? Does she want to challenge herself to try a new type of class? Will she make more of a point to talk with professors when she doesn’t understand something? Will she explore tutoring or other forms of assistance? Help her list some measurable, realistic goals so that she really can “do better in school.”
When your student says, “I want to be smarter with my time,” what does he mean? Does he want to join an organization that will help him explore some career possibilities? Is he going to make a concerted effort to spend less time in front of a TV or computer? Does he want to learn more about effective time management skills? Encourage him to explore what this really means and to put some ideas into action.
When she says, “I need to meet new people,” what is she looking for? Are her current friends not meeting her needs? Is she looking for folks who will challenge her positively? Does she want people around with whom she has more in common? Help her determine why this is a “need” so she can figure out the best places to seek new friends.
Resolutions are often a personal matter. However, bouncing around ideas and exploring options with your student can help lead him or her to effective goal-setting behavior. And that’s the start to a happy, productive new year.
Five Elements of Successful Goals
Some simple tips to share with your student:
• Achievable. Set goals that are realistic within the context of your life.
• Measurable. Use quantifiable words rather than fluffy generalizations that are tough to measure.
• To the Point. Keep goals short so they’re easier to keep in mind.
• Positive. State goals positively so they’re more appealing than negative ones.
• Begin/End. Determine when to start working on a goal and when it should be achieved. This offers focus and, hopefully, success!
Here are some creative ideas to let your student know that you care on Valentine’s Day or anytime during the academic year!
• Send a gift basket with your student’s favorite treats from home.
• Make a CD with songs your student loves or songs from his/her childhood.
• Call or write to share some of your favorite stories from your student’s childhood.
• Send a fun or “romantic” movie and some microwave popcorn, a pair of cute heart pajamas, T-shirt, or room decorations.
• Put together a family newsletter dedicated to your student—have siblings and extended family members write “articles,” submit fun pictures and more!
• Send a picture of your family (include pets!) or your hometown/country
• Send a creative e-card or other electronic message
• Converse with Conversation Hearts. Send a pack of conversation hearts and challenge your student to make up a story using the phrases on them. It could be interesting!
• Take Care of Your Heart. Make a pact with your student to take better care of your own hearts, whether through adding 1,000 steps a day, signing up for an aerobic activity or checking out the American Heart Association’s National Body Challenge 2008.
SUPPORTING LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES
The Binghamton Fund is the foundation for transformational experiences and one of your best options for immediately meeting the greatest needs at Binghamton University – needs that benefit your student directly. For instance, gifts to the Binghamton Fund support undergraduate research initiatives. They connect current students with alumni who serve as professional mentors. They encourage international travel. In short, your gift to the Binghamton Fund makes life-changing opportunities possible. Our students have begun calling Binghamton parents to request a gift to the Binghamton Fund. When you say yes, it is a vote of confidence – in them, in their goals, and in their future. Make a secure gift online today.
UNIVERSITY CREATES YOUTUBE PAGE
The University has established its own YouTube page, offering the campus community a place to highlight videos. The page debuted with “The Binghamton Advantage,” a 30-second commercial featuring All-American pole vaulter Rory Quiller. The spot will air locally and nationally during televised America East Basketball games.
Although it seems early, your student will soon need to make a decision about where to live next year. Students who want to live on campus must pay their $200 housing deposit by Feb. 11. Please note this is separate from the spring semester housing bill. Encourage your student to learn about our online housing process; instructions will be distributed in February. Remember, housing sign-ups are not automatic. It is the student’s responsibility to make it happen!
If your student is interested in moving off campus, encourage him or her to stop by the Off Campus College office in the University Union to get valuable information about getting an apartment.
Wherever your student wants to live, be sure they are utilizing campus resources – we’re here to help them make the decision that is best for their situation! Visit the ResLife website for more information.
To take advantage of federal and state funding options, students must file their FAFSA every year. Apply online today!
Student Information Sessions Planned for Spring 2008
“Summer & Financial Aid”, “Debt Management” and “Loan Consolidation & Loan Forgiveness” will be offered this semester. Watch for dates and times.
FROM THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER (CDC)
Is your Binghamton student looking for a job or internship? Encourage him or her to attend the upcoming Job & Internship Fair on Thursday, Feb. 14. A complete list of participating organizations is available on the CDC website and is updated regularly as additional employers register. CDC will offer programs on many topics this semester. Make sure your student bookmarks the CDC website so he or she doesn’t miss out on important happenings!
The CDC, Office of Alumni & Parent Relations, Harpur College, and School of Management recently partnered on the New York City Employer Visits program. Alumni hosted students for career talks and tours at Nickelodeon, Lord & Taylor, Goldman Sachs, Corcoran Group, White & Case, Protiviti, PricewaterhouseCoopers, JP Morgan, SportsNet New York (pictured), McGladrey & Pullen, Macy’s, UBS, New York Life, FOX5, Very Short List and Time, Inc.
"The objective is to encourage students to network by introducing them to successful alumni working in a variety of fields," said Bill McCarthy, CDC associate director.
Read more about this program.
PARENTS ENCOURAGED TO "THINK BINGHAMTON"
As competition for the best minds and financial support continues to intensify, higher education needs advocates to help in the critical role of communicating its value to elected officials. In November 2007, Binghamton University launched the Think Binghamton advocacy website and is now recruiting Think Tank members. The website provides information about current issues affecting higher education, University news and achievements. As important legislation develops, members will be invited to participate in advocacy activities, such as sending letters to elected officials and the media.
We especially welcome parents of Binghamton University students to become Think Tank advocates. Your support is critical now to help us build on Binghamton University’s tradition of excellence. For more information, call Diane Greiwe at 607-777-3658.
We are pleased to share the following recipe:
Roast Stuffed Chicken
Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 5 large mushrooms, chopped
• 3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 3 tablespoons currants
• 1 tablespoon sherry
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 8 (5-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon rosemary
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 cup water
Directions:
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and mushrooms and cook until onion wilts.
• Turn off heat and add parsley, breadcrumbs, thyme, currants, sherry, egg white, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Pound chicken breasts to flatten slightly.
• In baking rack, place about 3 tablespoons of stuffing under each chicken breast. Tuck corners of breasts snugly over stuffing mixture to form a half-roll.
• Brush olive oil over surface of each chicken breast.
• Place rack in small baking pan. Pour 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water into pan.
• Roast chicken, basting occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add more vinegar when pan juices begin to evaporate.
• Serve with Cajun chili sauce.
Servings: 8. Per Serving: Calories: 297, Carbohydrate: 9 grams, Protein: 36 grams, Fat: 13 grams
With the beginning of spring classes, we all hope for a semester of academic success, and new, rewarding and enjoyable experiences for our students. While we encourage our students to have fun, we do not want them to do so at the expense of academic success, and physical and mental health. It’s quite likely that your student has or will come into contact with drinking behaviors this semester. This could be in the form of personal use or influences from the drinking behaviors of others. The American College Health Association reports that nearly 7 percent of college students surveyed reported alcohol use as affecting their individual academic performance.
What you can do to discourage alcohol abuse and encourage academic success:
• Have high expectations of your student’s effort in his or her studies.
• Remember that alcohol is a drug. Do not discount the dangers of drinking compared to the use of other drugs.
• Check in often and stay interested in how your student spends free time.
• Question why a class is missed, trouble with roommates, and increased stress as alcohol is often involved in each of these issues.
• Become aware of the toxic and negative effects of alcohol. Additional information may be found here.
• Lastly, make use of the various resources that Binghamton University has to offer students and their parents.
Contact Gerry Johansen, associate director for the Alcohol & Other Drug Program in the University Health Service for information, advice and connection to other services. Gerry can be reached at 607-777-2254 or through e-mail.
March Madness Returns to Binghamton
Binghamton University is proud to host the 2008 America East Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament. Join us March 7-9 at the Binghamton University Events Center as all nine America East teams battle for an automatic bid in the NCAA Basketball Championships. Visit the Athletics website to purchase all-session packages for $52 each. Individual tickets will go on sale Monday, March 3.
The Spring sports season kicks off early this year with the women’s lacrosse team hosting the Colgate Raiders on Feb. 22. The men host their first home match on March 1 against Drexel. Men’s and women’s lacrosse tickets go on sale Monday, Feb. 18 and can be purchased online.
FANTASTIC FEBRUARY IN GREATER BINGHAMTON
Winter may be in full force, but there are so many ways to keep warm in February. Some events taking place include the monthly First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Binghamton and the prestigious I Love NY Gymnastics Cup regional meet. Roberson Museum & Science Center will debut the “John J. Audubon – American Artist and Naturalist” exhibit featuring rare and valuable works from this exclusive collection; the exhibit runs through June. There are also plays and musical performances galore. See a complete listing.
UPCOMING CALENDAR AND EVENT INFORMATION
Feb. 8: Last day for seniors to submit an application for degree form for Fall 2008
Feb. 8: Course drop/delete deadline
Feb. 8: Course add deadline
Feb. 10: Romance, Fantasy, Tragedy, 3 p.m., Anderson Center Chamber Hall - Click here for ticket information.
Feb. 11: Student housing deposit due (for students living on campus)
Feb. 14: CDC Spring 2008 Job & Internship Fair, 11 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Mandela Room/Old Union Hall, University Union
Feb. 16: State Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, 8 p.m., Osterhout Concert Theatre - Click here for ticket information.
March: Little Women, Watters Theatre - Click here for ticket prices, times and dates
Mar. 6: The Pipes, Drums and Dancers of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and The Band of the Coldstream Guards, 8 p.m., Osterhout Concert Theatre
Mar. 7-9: America East Men’s Basketball Tournament, Events Center
Mar. 21: Residence halls close 9 a.m.
Mar. 21-30: Spring recess
Mar. 30: Residence halls open at 2 p.m.
Mar. 31: Classes resume
Apr. 4: Course withdrawal (with a “W”) deadline
TBA: Registration and academic advising for Fall 2008
Apr.18-21: Recess begins 1 p.m. Residence halls will remain open
Apr. 22: Classes resume
UNIVERSITY PLAZA NOW LEASING FOR 2008-09 ACADEMIC YEAR
It's not too early to start thinking about housing options for next year. University Plaza, the newest apartment complex in the area, is now leasing for the 2008-09 school year.
Each apartment is completely furnished, has a washer, dryer, and high-speed internet. Rent includes local phone service, water, electricity, HVAC, and cable television. The facility is monitored by security and has keycard access. University Plaza is located on the Vestal Parkway, just east of campus. Call 888-775-4615 or click here. (PAID ADVERTISEMENT)
TOP OF PAGE | PARENTS HOME PAGE | CONTACT US
2007 BACK ISSUES: JANUARY | MARCH | APRIL | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER