Work to Begin on Social Learning Center
Work is expected to begin on the Institute for Child Develpment's social learning center on Monday, July 21, directly behind the ICD. The project site will be secured with an 8-foot fence. Work includes constructing a social learning center, or playground, specifically adapted to the needs of children who are challenged by autism and other developmental, learning and emotional disorders. The project will take approximately three months to complete. Contact Gregg Konnick with any questions at gkonnick@binghamton.edu or 777-2598.

University Changes Text Messaging Provider
Binghamton University has moved to the SUNY NY-Alert messaging system as its emergency text messaging provider, requiring those who had previously registered to re-register in the new system. Faculty and staff may immediately register for the SUNY NY-Alert messaging system at. The website should prompt for a login username and password - your standard campus username and password should be used. The new system will allow you to register up to three numbers to receive text messages, up to three numbers to receive voice messages and one number to receive fax messages. Once you've logged in, you can access frequently asked questions about the system. All members of the campus community are encouraged to register.

Volunteer for the Empire State Games
Volunteers are still needed to help with the Empire State Games, From Wednesday, July 23 through Sunday, July 27. Volunteers are needed for opening ceremonies, to register athletes, to help visitors navigate the campus and to staff sport venues. Volunteers can sign up in person during the Volunteer Reception from 3-6 p.m. Friday, July 18, in the Events Center or visit.

New Phishing Scam Alert
The campus is reminded that the University does not ever request user name, password or personal information via e-mail. If you receive a request from the Binghmaton.edu Support Team addressed to Binghamton.edu Webmail Subscriber, do not respond and delete it immediately. No business or government entity would ever require you to send it sensitive information it already possesses. Information Technology Services advises people to never send any passwords via an e-mail message for any reason. If you're unsure of the validity of the message, call a contact number for the organization obtained from paper correspondence or the telephone book.

Information Security Officer Named
SUNY has recently implemented new Information Security Guidelines which recommend a number of actions for campuses to take to establish a sound information security program. One requirement is that each campus have an information security officer. Effective immediately, in addition to her current duties as Binghamton's internal control officer, Terry Dylewski, has assumed responsibilities as the campus information security officer. Dylewski has an MS in management information systems from Clarkson University and years of experience in internal controls and audit. Additional information about Binghamton's Information Security Program will be communicated in the near future.

OCC Transport Getaway This Weekend
The Seneca Lake Wine Tour Getaway is scheduled for Saturday, July 19. If you would like to attend this trip, purchase your tickets as soon as possible. Space is limited. For more information, or call (607) 777-6989.

Empire Plan Benefit Changes
Human Resources announces benefit changes effective July 1, 2008, for Empire Plan enrollees represented by CSEA, UUP, PEF, M/C and retirees. For a brief summary of these changes go to and select HR News. A complete detailed description of changes has been mailed to home addresses directly from the Dept of Civil Service - Employee Benefits Division. 

Mileage Reimbursement Rate Increases
The Internal Revenue Service announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008. The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008. This is an increase of eight (8) cents from the 50.5 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008.

Binghamton University Alumni Association Day at the Races
Binghamton Alumni and staff will attend a Day at the Races in Saratoga, N.Y. on Sunday, Aug. 24. Cost is $35 and covers the bus ride to and from, brunch at Siro's, grandstand admission, grandstand seat and handicapping seminar. Buses will leave from the East Gym parking lot at 8 a.m. and return after the last race. Seats are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the Alumni office at 777-2424 or alumni@binghamton.edu to reserve your spot. Payment is due with reservation. Reservation deadline is Friday, Aug. 15.

Research Foundation Mileage Reimbursement Change
Effective July 1, 2008, the mileage reimbursement rate for use of a personal vehicle will be 58.5 cents per mile when using Research Foundation accounts for travel costs. Contact Joe Walker at 777-6752 in Sponsored Funds if there are questions.

Lots Closed to Parking During Orientation
Parking Lots O, P and Q will be reserved for orientation parking from Monday, June 30 to Monday, July 21. Park in an alternative lot during this time. All handicap spaces will still be accessible to those with the appropriate permits. 

Day of Caring is September 11
Binghamton University will participate in the annual Day of Caring on Thursday, September 11, joining with volunteers from area businesses and other organizations to work on projects at local not-profit agencies. The day is held to commemorate events of September 11, 2001. Last year over 100 Binghamton staff and faculty worked to improve facilities and programs in 23 locations in our community. Employees who wish to participate may do so without charging leave credits. Make appropriate arrangements with supervisors. Consider creating a team. Lists of available activities can be requested from Mary Beth Willis, mbwillis@binghamton.edu. 

Pedestrian Detours Near Science Library 
Phase D of the high-temperature hot-water line replacement project will continue Wednesday, June 25, with work near the Science Library and Anderson Center. Signs indicating pedestrian detours will be posted at various areas affected by the work. A photo of the project area can be found at.  Phase D is also indicated by a green line on the project map at the same website. This phase of the project is scheduled to be complete July 27. Phases A, B and C of this project, which encompass the work near the Administration Building, is scheduled to be complete at the end of June.

Banner System to be Temporarily Offline
The Banner Project is approaching several important milestones requiring the system to be temporarily unavailable on the following dates and times:
o 4 p.m. Friday, June 20 until 8 a.m. Monday, June 23, to load accounts receivable information. 
o 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 until 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, to load student academic history. 

Student Opinion of Teaching Requests for Summer 2008 
 To request SOOT online using Blackboard, go to and follow these simple steps:

1) Enter your username and password. If you have never logged into Blackboard, your Blackboard ID and password are the same as your Pods ID and password.
2) From the list of Tools on the left side of the page, click on SOOT Surveys.
3) Click on the courses you want surveyed and hit Request Surveys.

Once you have completed these steps the survey will become available for the students enrolled in your course. Your students will use Blackboard to respond to the survey during the surveying periods:

o Term I - June 13-June 27
o Term II - July 25-Aug. 8
o For courses with an ending date different than Term I or II, the survey period is 14 days before the end of class until the end of class

If there are any other persons enrolled in your Blackboard course and given the role of “Instructor”, they will also have opportunity to request a SOOT survey.

To maximize the number of responses, give your students several reminders. Remind your students that the survey is anonymous and that faculty members see only the aggregated results after they have submitted final course grades. 

Results will become available July 11 for Term I; Aug. 22 for Term II; or 14 days after the end of class for classes with different ending dates. You will need to go into Blackboard to access and print your SOOT results.

If you have any questions about using Blackboard, call the Help Desk (7-6420).

To request paper survey forms, go to. 

You will need your social security number for this secured site (it is safe to proceed despite the security certificate warning). Once you have requested your forms, print the confirmation and instruction sheet for use when administering the SOOT. Your forms will be delivered within 3-4 working days. This website will be available to your request between June 9 and Aug. 8. Completed surveys must be returned to the Computing Services Help Desk in person by the student administrator. It will take approximately six weeks after the end of classes for you to receive your results if you choose the paper method. If you have questions about using paper SOOT forms, call the Office of Institutional Research and Planning (7-2365).

Note: Regardless of whether you choose online or paper, if the instructor of the course you are teaching is listed as “Staff” in the BUSI system, you will not be able to request a SOOT survey. Your department will need to contract the Registrar's Office to update the information in the BUSI system. 

Business Office Travel Voucher Deadline
Travel vouchers for travel prior to July 1, 2008 must be received in the Business Office for payment against July 2008 funds by August 5, 2008. Any travel vouchers received after August 5, 2008 will be processed for payment against the new year (2008-2009) funds. 

Foursomes, Sponsors Needed for Golf Event
Organizers of the annual Binghamton University Alumni Golf Classic, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1, at Traditions at the Glen, are seeking foursomes and sponsors. The tournament, a fundraiser for Alumni Association programming, is open to the general public and will use a captain and crew format. The $440 foursome entry fee includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, lunch, barbecue dinner and a blues concert featuring the Parlor Cats. Admission for the dinner reception is $30 for guests not playing in the tournament. The entry deadline is July 18. For more information, contact Dan Polhamus, associate director of alumni relations, or Steve Seepersaud, alumni communications specialist, at 777-2431 or go to. 

Career Coaching Appointments Available 
Appointments to meet with certified career coach John Wojcio are available from 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays in the Office of Human Resources. These appointments are available for faculty and staff of Binghamton University and the Research Foundation. Wojcio can help with your résumé, cover letter or interview techniques. Contact Kate Hastings at 777-2187 or hastings@binghamton.edu to set up an appointment.

Request Publications Office Services Online
The Publications Office is now offering an online print request form. You can now request a meeting, order business cards or place a project request via the project request form at.

Shredding Services Available on Campus
Confidential shredding services will be provided by ICS Industries. Locked carts are in the entrance areas or loading docks of more than a dozen campus buildings. Students, faculty and staff are asked to place all confidential documents for shredding in these carts. The campus will retain a file of NAID Certificates of Document Destruction in a centralized area. Copies of these certificates can be made available as needed. These carts will be serviced every other Monday starting May 12. If you require an additional cart, contact Juliet Berling at 777-3411 or jberling@binghamton.edu.