Friday, March 28, 2008
Volunteer To Be A Goon Squad Member
Syracuse Welcome 2008 is looking for Goon Squad members! The Goon Squad is a tradition at Syracuse University that dates back to the 1940's that has evolved into a way to help incoming first-year students move into their residence halls on Wednesday, August 20th and Thursday, August 21st. By being a Goon Squad member you also get to move into your residence halls early, help meet and greet with new students, recruit for your student organizations, and become part of an old Syracuse tradition—sign-up online.
19th Annual Tribute to the African American Women
National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. and Student African American Society Presents....
a night of awards, performance, and fellowship featuring the talented and gorgeous Tracee Ellis Ross from the sitcom Girlfriends.
Day: Friday, March 28
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Schine 304 ABC
Admission is FREE!
Earth Hour Global Event
Saturday, March 29, Syracuse University and the SUNY-ESF will join cities, universities, and businesses around the world as participants in Earth Hour. For one hour, starting at 8 p.m., the clock tower on SU's Hall of Languages will go dark as a symbol of the universities' participation. Students in residence halls and campus apartments will be asked to minimize their use of electricity. More information….
Paving the Way: Asian Pacific Americans in Sciences
The Office of Multicultural Affairs invite you to attend a Panel Discussion
with Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate Esteem Faculty. A light dinner will also be provided. More information…
Day: Friday, April 4, 2008
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Location: Syracuse University, Bird Library Room 114
RSVP to: Marissa Willingham (mlwill07@syr.edu) by
April 3, 2008
H-1B Visa Issues: USCIS Issues Interim Rule on H-1B Visa Processing
Starting April 1, 2008, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin to accept H1-B petitions for fiscal year 2009 employment starting on October 1, 2008 that are subject to the “cap” or limit. Congress has set a limit of 65,000 for most H-1B workers. Additionally, the first 20,000 H-1B workers who have a U.S. master’s degree or higher are exempt from the cap. Once USCIS receives 20,000 petitions for aliens with a U.S. master’s degree or higher, all other cases requesting the educational exemption are counted toward the 65,000 cap. Once the 65,000 cap is reached for a fiscal year, USCIS will announce that the cap has been filled and reject further petitions subject to the cap. As has been the case in previous years, it is expected that the available visa numbers will run out quickly.
USCIS has published an Interim Final Rule on H-1B visas modifying the selection process and prohibiting multiple filings. The official rule was published in the Federal Register of March 24, 2008.
USCIS states that the rule will ensure fair and orderly distribution of available H-1B visas by providing companies filing H-1B petitions which are subject to the congressionally mandated numerical limits an equal chance. This rule will affect the filing of H-1B petitions beginning April 1, 2008.
The changes cited in the interim final rule include:
- USCIS will apply a random selection process among all H-1B petitions received during the first five business days of accepting applications for the coming fiscal year (for 2008, all petitions received April 1-7 would be included in the process)
- USCIS will deny petitions from an employer who files multiple H-1B petitions for the same employee.
- Note: This rule does not preclude related employers (such as a parent company and its subsidiary) from filing petitions on behalf of the same alien for different positions, based on a legitimate business need., e.g. both need a CFO (see example in supp. info to ITR)
- USCIS will first conduct the random selection process for U.S.-earned master’s degree or higher petitions, if more than 20,000 are received in the first five business days available for filing. Only after the random selection is made for the U.S.-earned master’s degree or higher petitions will it begin random selection for petitions to be counted toward the “regular” 65,000 cap.
- Petitions eligible for the U.S.-earned master’s degree or higher exemption that are not selected to receive an H-1B visa number from the 20,000 cap will be considered with the other H-1B petitions in the random selection for the 65,000 cap filed on the first five business days.
- USCIS will deny petitions that incorrectly claim an exemption from any H-1B numerical limits.
- USCIS will not refund fees for any petitions denied as multiple-filings or incorrect claims of exemption.
- Premium processing requests will not begin until after the random selection process has been completed
Additional resources:
-- USCIS & ISSS-BU News 24 March 2008
Healthy Snacking
Here are some ideas for healthy snacking:
- Trail mix
- Raisins
- Low-fat yogurt/ soy yogurt
- Fruit—all kinds are great for you!
- Granola bar and low-fat or skim milk or soy milk
- Peanut butter crackers—best if the crackers are 100% whole grain.
- Rabbit bag—put some raw veggies and fruits in a zip lock bag. For example, use orange wedges, apple slices, cauliflower and carrots. The orange gives everything a nice flavor and keeps the apple slices from turning brown.
- Soup—low-sodium, low-fat vegetable or bean soup is the best for you. You can microwave it in seconds.
- Smoothie—blend skim milk or soy milk, fruit and wheat germ to make a milkshake-like drink.
- Sandwiches—stuff a whole wheat pita with lean turkey or beans, lettuce, tomato and a little low-fat mayo or vinegar and oil for a healthy treat.
- Tuna or salmon on toast—make tuna or salmon salad with low-fat mayonnaise. Spread it on whole wheat toast and top with fresh tomatoes and lettuce.
Some ideas from Food and Health Communications are available online.
-- Office of Orientation and Off-Campus Programs
Hisako Fujitsuka Award for Outstanding International Service and Caring
The Slutzker Center for International Services announces that on-line applications are available for the 2008 Hisako Fujitsuka Award for Outstanding International Service and Caring.
This award will be given to a full-time undergraduate junior or senior international student who has demonstrated exceptional service, commitment, caring and academic excellence within the Syracuse University community. The student’s GPA should be at least 3.4. One award will be given, consisting of a certificate and cash prize of $500. A luncheon is hosted by the selection committee for the recipient and those who write recommendation letters for the winner.
If you are interested, you can view information and instructions on how to apply online. The deadline for applications is April 4, 2008.
Income Tax Resources
General income tax information, tax seminar webcasts, and the CINTAX: Complete International Tax Preparation Software online password request form are currently available on the Slutzker Center website. (If requesting a password, please be sure that the provided email account mailbox is not full.) 2007 income tax materials including Federal tax forms and State tax forms are also available online; tax forms should be downloaded and will not be provided by the Slutzker Center.
Volunteer for The Big Event!
The Big Event, April 12, is an opportunity for Syracuse students, campus organizations, and faculty/staff to show its appreciation for the surrounding community by spending a day giving back to the city that gives us a home! By sending volunteers into nonprofit agencies throughout the city, The Big Event connects eager volunteers with agencies that have limited resources, staff, and time to undertake spring cleaning projects or service initiatives. Register online.
For more information about The Big Event and how you can get involved, come to one of our info sessions on Wed, March 26th or Thurs, March 27th from 7:00-7:30 p.m. in Hall of Languages 207. More information…
Rebuilding Hope: A Documentary Film About South Sudan
Three “Lost Boys” fled home when civil war forced them to flee South Sudan as young children. This is the documentary of their journey discovery and their efforts to provide health and education to their communities.
Day: Thursday, April 10th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Grewen Auditorium, Lemoyne College
For more information call: 315-445-4294