Greetings from the Parent Relations Coordinator
Seasonal Student Issues
Get in the Zone
Tuning into Campus Life
Alumni and Parent Relations News Feed
Encourage Students to Register for Text Messaging
Binghamton University's First Fall Commencement
Create Extraordinary Opportunities
Career Development Center Updates
Off Campus College
A Message and Recipe from Dining Services
A "Stay Healthy" Tip from University Health Service
Bearcat Basketball Tickets on Sale Now
Discover October in Greater Binghamton
Upcoming Calendar and Event Information
University Plaza Still Leasing for 2007-08 Academic Year
GREETINGS FROM THE PARENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR
I hope you and your student are adjusting well to the start of the academic year and have settled into a routine. Remember that just because students head to college, it doesn’t mean that they are leaving you behind. They still need your wisdom, counsel and love. They just need you in different ways. Read on for more advice, information and reminders to assist you and your student.
I look forward to seeing those of you who will be joining us for Family Weekend Oct. 20-21. Stop by the Hospitality Center in the University Union West from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and say “Hello!”
Happy Fall!
Melinda Holicky, Parent Relations Coordinator
parents@binghamton.edu
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:
• First-year students begin to realize college life is not as perfect as they were expecting it to be.
• Diversity issues become very apparent as students begin interacting with others who are very different from them.
• Conflicts between friends – both new and old – can occur as students settle into rhythms of the new academic year.
• Feeling behind in class work and wanting more contact with instructors.
• Anticipating mid-term exams and questioning academic abilities.
• Job market panic by mid-year graduates.
• Getting adjusted to college life for the first time (or once again) and dealing with loneliness and homesickness.
Help is available on campus for those students who may be experiencing depression, anxiety 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, stress, anger management and more.
Maximizing Students’ Academic and Wellness Potential - What’s New?
“Get in the Zone” is an ongoing collaborative project between Discovery and University Health Service to enhance the sharing and dissemination of health and academic-related information via street outreach to students. This approach helps to empower them to better control situations they perceive as highly stressful. You can help.
By now, your student has settled into life at Binghamton University. He or she should be experiencing some of the following situations:
• Beginning to prepare for mid-term exams and spring course registration.
• Establishing connections with faculty, staff, Discovery Assistants and Resident Assistants.
• Balancing free time and joining clubs and organizations.
• Balancing personal health and wellness (sleep, nutrition, exercise and personal time).
• Knowing the academic calendar well.
• Managing money and finances.
• Balancing new friends, friends from home, and handling long-distance relationships.
You’re encouraged to ask follow-up questions when you communicate with your student instead of just leaving it at “I’m fine.” Many students think they need to handle it all on their own and may take a bit of time to share what’s going on. While you want to give them space, sometimes a little open mindedness and curiosity can help open up communication.
The "Choosing a Major" intervention will take place from Oct. 10 to 28 in the two pilot “Get in the Zone” residential communities; Hinman College and Dickinson Community. Discovery Assistants and REACH peer educators will be conducting outreach to residents in these communities to offer assistance, important information and campus resources to help them cope with the stresses of deciding on a major, continuing with a major that is not appealing to them and changing a major. For more information about the “Get in the Zone” project, contact Scott Bennett or Bridget McCane Saunders.
Is your student taking advantage of campus happenings? Now that your student has been in school for several weeks, it’s time to take stock of his level of involvement in campus happenings. Do you get the sense that your student is taking advantage of all that college life has to offer? From academic to social to artistic to athletic, we promise that there is plenty to choose from!
You can gauge your student’s level of involvement on campus by asking the following questions:
• What are the some of the events that have been happening on campus lately?
• Have you done anything fun in the last week?
• What kinds of events are being sponsored in your residence hall?
• Are there any major speakers or performances visiting the campus this semester?
• How are the athletic teams doing?
• Where are your favorite places to hang out on campus?
• What kinds of events are going on in the local community?
• What’s the best way to find out about campus happenings?
By chatting about this topic, you’ll let your student know that you care about more than just how he does academically. Participating in things outside of classes will enrich him intellectually, physically and spiritually. Encourage him to read flyers, peruse the campus newspaper and website, attend hall events, and visit the cool nooks and crannies on campus. College is all about trying new things. Check out all that Binghamton University has to offer!
Visit:
Campus Life
Late Nite Binghamton
Student Association
Athletics
Campus Recreation
Involvement = Academic and Personal Success
“Student engagement is positively related to grades and to persistence between the first and second year of college.”
- from the 2006 report from the National Survey of Student Engagement
Research shows that students who engage in campus happenings – whether it’s joining an organization or attending campus events – often feel more a part of their school. They also learn to juggle more, leading to increased academic success. So, instead of warning your student away from out-of-class involvements, consider encouraging him to balance his academics with some campus happenings. His social life, sense of belonging and grades will likely thank you!
It’s no longer necessary to continually check our website, hunting for news and other updates. By using RSS (Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication) technology, we can feed the latest information to your computer’s Web browser or news aggregator. It takes just a few minutes to set this up, and it’s very easy to use. Find out more.
ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO REGISTER FOR TEXT MESSAGING
With an enrollment of more than 14,000 students, only about 2,700 members of the Binghamton University campus community have registered their cellular devices to receive text message alerts in the event of an emergency.
Parents are encouraged to have their sons and daughters register for the service online. Click on the Emergency Notification button to be taken to the Rave Alert registration page. Click on “Join Now!” and follow the prompts. Once registered, students will receive alerts in emergency situations. The text messaging service can deliver approximately 18,000 messages per minute to tell people how to be safe.
The text messaging service cannot currently accommodate parent registrants, but in the event of a campus emergency, the University will continue to use reserved, toll-free phone lines, the website and external media to update those off campus.
BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY'S FIRST FALL COMMENCEMENT
Binghamton University is proud to host its first annual Fall Commencement on Dec. 9, 2007 at noon in the Events Center. This ceremony will celebrate the achievements of our doctoral, master’s and baccalaureate students for Summer and Fall 2007.
If your son or daughter is a Fall 2007 candidate and interested in attending this ceremony, he or she must submit the online Commencement RSVP form by Nov. 9, 2007. This form ensures they will be able to purchase their caps and gowns at the University Bookstore, request their guest tickets and advise us if they need special accommodations for their guests. The RSVP form is located on the Commencement Website. Visit the site regularly to learn more about the graduation process, ceremonies and the latest information. Questions may also be e-mailed or directed to 607-777-3200.
The Binghamton Fund provides a powerful opportunity to make a gift every year that makes an immediate difference every day in ways that create extraordinary opportunities for your student and others. Alumni, friends and parents support the Binghamton Fund for very personal reasons. Dr. Anwer and Mary Puthawala, parents of six – three of whom have attended Binghamton University – said, “Binghamton University’s tuition is a bargain for a premier education. We are pleased to contribute to the Binghamton Fund beyond tuition, because it finances extraordinary opportunities for students that not only enrich their education, but will carry influence long after graduation.”
Whatever your reason, the results are the same: powerful, immediate, and essential. Please join the Puthawalas in their support of our students with a gift to the Binghamton Fund. For more information, contact 607-777-6209 or visit the website to make a gift today.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER (CDC) UPDATES
There is a great deal happening through the CDC this semester to help students with career exploration, job searching and applying to Graduate School. Visit the CDC’s new web page for parents. Also, you will find a calendar of programs and events on topics that will appeal to first-year students through graduating seniors. These also include employer information sessions.
Fall is a busy recruiting season for employers who are interested in hiring students for jobs and internships. Juniors and Seniors in particular should be actively using their eRecruiting account so they don’t miss out on great opportunities to interview on campus. Freshmen and sophomores will also want to complete their eRecruiting profile and attend employer information sessions to learn about career opportunities.
Are you a parent of a student who lives off campus? If so, encourage your child to visit the OCC office located in University Union West 204. OCC acts as a resource center for students living within the communities that surround the University.
The OCC professional and student staff is able to advise students on a wide range of issues associated with living off campus, such as preparation for moving off campus, lease review, good neighbor and safety tips, tenant’s rights, and much more. For more information, or to access our computerized housing/sublet lists, visit the OCC website.
A MESSAGE AND RECIPE FROM DINING SERVICES
A Be Healthy BU event will take place at Newing Dining Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event will showcase healthy food options on campus, a massage therapist, blood pressure checks, stress ball making and healthy food samplings. Great food, great fun! Visit the Dining Services website for tips for your college student to stay healthy on campus.
We are pleased to share the following recipe.
Fall Harvest Sauté
Ingredients:
• ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup basil leaves
• ¼ cup fresh parsley
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1 medium yellow squash, sliced
• 1 cup cooked (or canned and rinsed) black beans
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
Directions: In a food processor or blender, process pine nuts, garlic, basil, parsley, first listed olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Set pesto aside.
In large skillet, heat second listed oil over medium heat. Add vegetables and sauté for 8 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Add reserved pesto and stir to coat vegetables. Serve vegetables with a hot, cooked grain.
Servings: 6.
Per Serving: Calories: 251, Carbohydrate: 23 grams, Protein: 8 grams, Fat: 16 grams, Percentage of Fat: 57
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year. As the seasons change from summer to fall, the incidence of respiratory illness increases. This is partly because of closer contact among individuals as they spend more time inside, avoiding cooler temperatures and the elements that fall and winter weather can bring. College campuses are ripe for these illnesses as lack of sleep, poor eating habits and stress can further increase a student’s risk of catching the flu and other upper respiratory illnesses.
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against influenza virus to develop. Therefore, it is best to be vaccinated in October or November. University Health Service will be offering flu vaccine to students for $10/dose. Students can obtain the vaccine at the health service daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Availability will begin in mid-October pending arrival of the vaccine and will be widely advertised across campus. Encourage your student to stay tuned! In addition, University Health Service student peer educators will be out on campus, as well as in residential communities, engaging students in conversations regarding strategies surrounding flu prevention. Please assist us in our endeavors by reminding your student(s) of the importance of good nutrition, rest and sleep, stress management, frequent hand washing, not sharing personal belongings, and good cough etiquette as we all work towards a healthy campus community this winter.
Additional information can be obtained by calling University Health Service at 607-777-2221.
BEARCAT BASKETBALL TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Looking for a great family friendly activity? Love to watch Division I Basketball? Now is the time to order your Binghamton University men’s and women’s basketball tickets and find out what all the excitement is about. Take advantage of our season ticket holder savings and benefits by visiting the Athletics website or calling 607-777-3741. The website has all the latest stories, player profiles, box scores and live streaming video. Catch up on all the latest scores at the Bearcats Sportsline: 607-777-6666.
Don’t forget to catch the men’s and women’s soccer teams in action this fall at the new Bearcats Sports Complex. Watch all the action at this state-of-the-art facility as the Binghamton men compete for another America East Championship title and a spot in the NCAA tournament. Order your tickets today.
DISCOVER OCTOBER IN GREATER BINGHAMTON
Fall is in the air. Mother Nature is changing our rolling hills into bursts of red, orange and yellow. And, the cider is being pressed. October is a perfect month to Discover Greater Binghamton. There are so many events taking place that our date book is chock full. To help you plan a visit, we have compiled a listing of October happenings. For the complete calendar, please visit www.visitbinghamton.org or www.gobroomecounty.com
and click on the "Discover October" logo. Then, hop in the car and experience upstate New York in its Autumn glory!
UPCOMING CALENDAR AND EVENT INFORMATION
Oct. 2: Graduate School Fair, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mandela Room/Old Union Hall
Oct. 3: Law Day, 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Mandela Room
Oct. 5, 6, 7: Homecoming/Alumni Reunion Weekend
Oct. 20-21: Family Weekend
Oct. 26: Course withdraw (with a “W”) deadline
Oct. 26: Room changes end for Fall 2007
Nov. 2: Last day to submit a cancellation request for Spring 2008 housing without incurring a $200 late cancellation fee.
Nov. 5: Nursing Forum, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Old Union Hall
Nov. 16: Last day to submit a request to move to a different room and/or community for the Spring 2008 semester.
Nov. 21: Classes recess 1 p.m. (Thanksgiving). Residence halls close at 2 p.m.
Nov. 25: Residence halls re-open at 2 p.m.
Nov. 26: Classes resume
Dec. 7: Last day of classes
Dec. 8-9: Reading period
Dec. 8: Russian Stars of the St. Petersburg State Ice Ballet featuring Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, 2 and 7 p.m., Anderson Center for the Performing Arts
Dec. 9: Fall Commencement
Dec. 10-14: Final Examinations
Dec. 15: Residence halls close 11 a.m.
UNIVERSITY PLAZA STILL LEASING FOR 2007-08 ACADEMIC YEAR
It's not too late to think about housing options for this year. University Plaza, the newest apartment complex in the area, is 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)
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