Greetings from the Parent Relations Coordinator
Binghamton Receives Top Rating from Kiplinger's
Seasonal Student Issues
Celebrating Valentine's Day Creatively
Spring Break Travel Planning Is Underway
Encouraging Students to Build Career Networks
Explore Combined Degree Programs
Illegal Downloading: What You Need to Know!
Be a Bearcat Fan from Afar
Give a Powerful, Immediate, Essential Gift
A Recipe from Sodexho Dining Services
Stay Connected, Binghamton Parents!
University Plaza Now Leasing for 2007-08 Academic Year
Upcoming Anderson Center Performances
Hillel at Binghamton April Anniversary Event
Calendar Items
GREETINGS FROM THE PARENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR
Happy New Year! I hope that you and your family had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break. This month's Parents' Online Newsletter is filled with advice and information on topics such as seasonal student issues, celebrating Valentine's Day creatively, spring break considerations, building career networks, University policies on illegal downloading of music and movies, upcoming events, a tasty recipe from Sodexho/Dining Services and much more. As always, our goal is to provide you with helpful information. Let us know how we're doing!
Wishing you and your family a happy 2007!
Melinda Holicky, Parent Relations Coordinator
parents@binghamton.edu
BINGHAMTON RECEIVES TOP RATING FROM KIPLINGER'S
Binghamton University ranks first in the nation for out-of-state students on Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine's new list of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges. Binghamton, which placed fifth overall, is also the best value for New York residents as no other school in the state placed higher. Click here to read more.
There's a seasonal ebb and flow when it comes to student issues. Here are a few things your student may be experiencing this month:
• Resolve to do better academically
• Renewed interest in classes
• New leadership skills starting to emerge
• Unwanted weight gain from holidays
• Winter weather blues
• Not many social activities scheduled
• Possible roommate changes
• Wedding plans for those who got engaged over break
• Anxiety and uncertainty for those who just arrived at a new school
Help is available on campus for students experiencing depression, anxiety, winter blues or other issues. Visit the University Counseling Center website for information on the range of services available and to access virtual pamphlets on a variety of topics including depression, eating disorders, beating stress, anger management and more.
CELEBRATING VALENTINE'S DAY CREATIVELY
Who says Valentine's Day is just for those who are dating or married? Valentine's Day is about love! You can show your love for your student by:
• Sending a gift basket with your student's favorite treats from home.
• Making a CD with songs your student loves.
• Calling or writing to share some of your favorite stories from your student's childhood.
• Sending a fun "romantic" movie and some microwave popcorn, a pair of cute heart pajamas or a T-shirt, or cool room decor.
• Putting together a family newsletter dedicated to your student - have siblings and extended family members write "articles," submit fun pictures and more!
• Sending a creative e-card or monkey mail message or create and send a multi-media "photo story".
Students are preparing to pack their bags! Chances are, your student has already talked with peers about spring break plans. Students' itineraries will include everything from relaxing at home or working as many hours as they can to make extra cash, to volunteering in a remote country or vacationing in a sunny destination. What are your student's plans?
If your student has plans to travel to the beach, don't be surprised. Every year, thousands of college-age students swarm sunny destinations for a chance to have fun with friends. According to the Travel Channel website, the top 10 spring break destinations are:
1. Panama City, Florida
2. Cancun, Mexico
3. South Padre Island, Texas
4. Lake Havasu, Arizona
5. Jamaica
6. Mazatlan, Mexico
7. Daytona Beach, Florida
8. Key West, Florida
9. Rosarito Beach, Mexico
10. The Bahamas
It's important to know that not every student spends spring break partying on the beach. While these sunny destinations are popular for many, so are alternative trips. These trips offer opportunities to conduct service work or to immerse oneself in another culture. Here are just three – of many – resources to get the conversation started:
Volunteer abroad for one week in Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru or Russia by working side-by-side with local people and making meaningful contributions.
Volunteer to provide hurricane relief by working in Gulf Coast communities. Or, visit the website to find out ways to make a difference in a local community or region. Volunteers can even create their own alternative spring break experiences!
Volunteer with four other friends or as part of an organized group to spend a week building a house for a family in need. Habitat for Humanity builds all over the world!
No matter what plans your student has for spring break, remind him or her to stay safe, supply you with contact information and have fun. Getting the most out of college does not have to include spring break travel. Students can also broaden their horizons right in their own backyard.
According to the Career Development Center (CDC) on campus, networking is the No. 1 way that people get jobs. In early January, the CDC and Office of Alumni and Parent Relations ran a New York City Employer Visit program to encourage students to engage in networking. More than 110 students visited alumni at their job sites for tours and career talks during which graduates advised students to start early with securing internships and building career networks.
As a parent, you can support this program by encouraging your student to participate in the future, and by hosting students at your place of employment. If you'd like to volunteer or learn more, contact Bill McCarthy, the CDC's associate director, at (607) 777-2329 or by clicking on his name to send an e-mail message.
Is your student a focused freshman or sophomore? It's never too early to start thinking about opportunities beyond the bachelor's degree. Binghamton's combined degree programs offer highly-motivated undergraduates the opportunity to finish both a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years, saving time, money, and improving employment opportunities. Students should plan early in their undergraduate career, so they can receive the academic advising needed to complete their studies in five years. Click here for more information.
ILLEGAL DOWNLOADING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
Binghamton University works to educate students about the potential pitfalls of illegally downloading music or videos. Each semester, the University conducts an anti-piracy campaign that includes brochures, posters, ads in the student newspaper and information that appears on monitors when students register computers for campus network use. There will be negative consequences if students download music or videos illegally. Click here to read more.
The University strongly encourages students to choose a legal means to download music and movies. For more information on University policies governing computer use, see these related links:
http://computing.binghamton.edu/policies/acceptable-use
http://library.lib.binghamton.edu/copyright/
Did you know that you can listen "live" to all men's and women's basketball games and participate in an interactive Monday night coaches show through the University athletics website? Click here to listen to games online, access schedules, buy tickets or view and purchase Bearcat merchandise.
The Binghamton University Foundation extends a special "thank you" to all of the parents and families who have supported the 2006-07 Binghamton Fund to date.
The Binghamton Fund offers alumni, parents and friends of the University the opportunity to make a powerful difference at Binghamton. Gifts have an immediate impact by providing critical resources to fund important campus needs that benefit all students. Tuition and state support alone do not provide for many fundamental programs and services that are essential to the University's success.
If you have not yet supported the Binghamton Fund for 2006-07, you will be receiving materials from us shortly. In addition, you may be contacted by one of our student Telefund callers, who can answer your questions about academics, campus life, and more.
There are many ways to make your tax-deductible contribution to the Binghamton Fund. To do so, simply respond to a Binghamton Fund mailing or make a secure gift online right now! If you prefer, you can contact the Binghamton Fund Office at (607) 777-6209 to donate with a credit card over the phone. Thank you for considering a powerful, immediate and essential gift to the University!
Warm up this month with healthy and delicious apple-nut muffins!
Make these by the dozen to freeze and take some out at night for use the next morning. Instead of oiling the muffin pan, you can simply use paper muffin cups. For a Valentine's Day treat, bake them in heart-shaped muffin tins!
Applesauce Nut Muffins
Makes 12
3 tablespoons canola oil
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg or 2 egg whites
1 cup applesauce
¾ cup apples, peeled and finely diced
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup chopped walnuts or raisins
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¾ teaspoon allspice
1. Preheat oven to 400º.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the oil, brown sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in applesauce and diced apples.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, spices, and nuts. Stir into the applesauce mixture, just until moistened. Do not over mix.
4. Spray 12 muffin cups with cooking oil spray, fill, and bake for 15-18 minutes. Let muffins cool in the pan for five minutes, then remove from pan and cool on a rack.
Per serving: 135 calories, 3 gm protein, 21 gm carbohydrate, 5 gm fat, 0 gm saturated fat, 2 gm mono fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 2 gm fiber, 180 mg sodium
STAY CONNECTED, BINGHAMTON PARENTS!
Join our Parents' Online Network and receive regular communications from the University with links to helpful information for you and your child. E-mail parents@binghamton.edu to register.
UNIVERSITY PLAZA NOW LEASING FOR 2007-08 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 2007-08 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)
UPCOMING ANDERSON CENTER PERFORMANCES
Be part of a memorable evening at Binghamton University's Anderson Center for the Performing Arts when NPR records the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, on Friday, February 2 at 8 p.m., in the Osterhout Concert Theater. Conducted by Swiss maestro, Thierry Fischer, the evening's program includes: Strauss' Don Juan, Op. 20 ; Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 3 ; Stavinsky's Petrouchka ; and Britten's Four Sea Interludes from the opera Peter Grimes.
On Thursday, February 22 at 8 p.m., the Anderson Center presents the Bulgarian State Opera performing Puccini's exotic opera, Turandot, in the Osterhout Concert Theater. This story of a cruel Eastern princess, who slays those who love her, offers a musical score that, many feel, places this work at the peak of Puccini's achievement.
Moscow Festival Ballet's company of 50 presents The Sleeping Beauty on Monday, April 23 at 8 p.m. in the Osterhout Concert Theater. This full-length performance promises to be a sumptuous treat for the eye and ear with a lush musical score, rich luxurious sets and costumes, plus bravura dancing.
Ticket prices: $39 General public; $34 Senior Citizens/BU Faculty & Staff; $20 Students. Group rates are available.
For tickets and information on all performances call (607) 777-ARTS or visit the Anderson Center website.
HILLEL AT BINGHAMTON APRIL ANNIVERSARY EVENT
Join Hillel at Binghamton as we celebrate our fifth year on campus and the rich history of the Jewish Student Union on Wednesday, April 18 at The Westside Loft, 336 W. 37th St., New York, N.Y. We will be honoring Hillel at Binghamton's founding patrons: Reuben and Jane Leibowitz, Tobee and Leonard Kaplan, The Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal of UJA-Federation of New York (COJIR), and The Solelim Fund of UJA-Federation of New York; Yedida Kalfon Stillman (in memoriam) and Prof. Norman Stillman; Rodger Summers, vice president for student affairs, Binghamton University; and Gary Coleman, executive director of Hillel at Binghamton. The evening will feature a silent auction and a performance by Yoel Sharabi and Avram Pengas & the NOGA Group. For more information, contact Hillel at Binghamton at (607) 777-3424 or e-mail Kerry Newman.
Binghamton Fund Parents Campaign Telefund begins January 28th
Spring Break will take place March 8-11
Family Weekend 2007 will take place October 19-21. Plan to join us!
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