August, 29, 2008

Slutzker Center Welcomes 650 New International Students!

Approximately 400 graduate and 250 undergraduate students from all over the world have joined our campus this fall. An upcoming issue of SCISNEWS will provide a breakdown by country, college, and level of study. Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry are so happy to have you with us!

Late Arrival International Student Orientation to Be Held Saturday, Aug. 30

For any new students who missed the international orientation programs which were held on August 17 and 20, please attend the LATE ORIENTATION program this Saturday, August 30, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Slutzker Center! 

Having Trouble Finishing the Shared Reading Book, A Long Way Gone?

Immediately following the Saturday orientation program, a presentation by the director of the Slutzker Center, Dr. Patricia Burak, will be held, providing an overview of the shared reading a long way gone.  We will give you the information you need to contribute to class discussions on this book which had been sent to all U.S. students during the summer.  International students received the book in their ReadySet packages upon arrival at the Slutzker Center. Understanding that you may not have had sufficient time to read the book yet, we have been offering sessions for you to learn about the book and the author, Ishmael Beah, in an easy, one hour session! Pizza and soda, provided by the College of Arts and Sciences, will be served for all who attend the session. Hope to see you at 3 p.m. on Saturday if you are interested.

Returning International Students: Please Submit Copies of Updated Documents

If you have renewed your passport, visa, or health insurance recently, please submit an updated copy of the document to the Slutzker Center. You may either scan and email the document(s) to lescis@syr.edu [subject: Copy of Updated Document(s)] or submit a copy of the document(s) to the Slutzker Center front desk (please write your SU ID number on the copy).

SU Men’s Soccer Schedule

The SU Soccer Program greatly appreciates the support of the international student community. There is FREE ADMISSION AND FREE PARKING for all home games; home games are played at the SU Soccer Stadium.

2008 Syracuse University Men’s Soccer Team Home Schedule:

Reduced Price Tickets To the New York State Fair—Aug 30

As a part of Syracuse Welcome 2008, Syracuse University and SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry students can purchase reduced price tickets ($5) to the Great New York State Fair for Saturday, Aug. 30. Tickets are on sale at the Schine Student Center Box Office; you will have to provide your SU I.D. or SUNY-ESF I.D. and $5 payment at the time of purchase. Students are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible as they tend to go quickly.

Transportation to and from the fair is available to SU and SUNY-ESF students at no charge. Pick-up and drop-off points are at College Place and the main gate at the New York State Fairgrounds. Students must carry their SU or SUNY-ESF student I.D. for admittance onto the bus.

Buses will begin departing from the Schine Student Center, bound for the fair, at 10 a.m. and will run in 30-minute intervals until 5:30 p.m. Destination signs on the buses will read "State Fair" for buses leaving the Schine Student Center heading to the fair.

Buses will begin returning from the fair to the Schine Student Center at 10:30 a.m. and will run in 30- minute intervals until 7 p.m. Destination signs on the buses will read "Syracuse University" for buses leaving the main gate of the fairgrounds returning to the Schine Student Center.

E.S. Bird Library Now Open 24 Hours A Day, Sun Through Fri

Beginning this semester, the Learning Commons on the lower three floors of E.S. Bird Library will remain open from Sunday at 10 a.m. through Friday at 10 p.m. These new, extended hours will provide access to study spaces, technology and library resources at times convenient to student schedules. In general, areas will be staffed until midnight and a Public Safety officer will be present in the building during the overnight hours. A valid SU/SUNY-ESF I.D. is required to enter the building after 9 p.m.

Bus Schedule for Monday, Sept 1

Syracuse University shuttle service will be operating on an abbreviated schedule on Monday, September 1, 2008 in observance of Labor Day. Bus schedules have been posted at all shelter locations and on our website at http://parking.syr.edu. Printed schedules are available at Bird Library, the Parking & Transit Services Office at 621 Skytop Road, at both the Goldstein and Schine Student Centers and at Public Safety in the basement of Sims Hall. Regular service resumes on Tuesday, September 2, 2008.

Off-Campus Housing Information Sessions

The office of Orientation and Off-Campus Programs will be hosting 4 Off-Campus Housing Sessions which will cover how to begin an apartment search, ways to research the property and the landlord, and details about a lease in NYS.   

Tues, Sept  2          6:30 p.m.     Goldstein 201
Wed, Sept 3           6:30 p.m.     Boland Hall Lounge
Thurs, Sept 4         6:30 p.m.     Watson Auditorium
Fri, Sept 5              2:30 p.m.     Schine 228A

Off-Campus Housing Tour:  Sept 5 at  3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m., begins at Schine Student Center

For more information please e-mail oocp@syr.edu or call 443-1012.

New Bus Service Available From Wegmans Plaza In Dewitt To SU

Centro has added convenient one-seat ride service that operates from Wegmans Plaza in Dewitt to Syracuse University. This service is now part of the #30 Westcott line. The #30 Westcott now operates to and from Wegmans Park and Ride via East Genesee Street, Westcott Street, Euclid Avenue, Comstock Avenue and University Place. For trip times, visit Centro's website at http://Centro.org/webpdf/westcott.aspx .

For all "One-Seat Ride" trips to/from Syracuse University visit our website at http://parking.syr.edu.

The Office of Orientation and Off-Campus Programs Welcomes You to the Neighborhood

The Office of Orientation and Off-Campus Programs (OOCP), located at 754 Ostrom Avenue, offers students services and support throughout the off-campus housing experience, providing information and resource referrals to all undergraduate students seeking to move off campus in the future, as well as graduate, professional, and transfer students who are new to Syracuse University and the City of Syracuse and require off campus housing, information, and assistance.

The OOCP plays an active role in educating the off-campus student community regarding their rights and responsibilities, both as tenants and as members of the community. The OOCP staff is dedicated to providing programs and services to all students who live off-campus. We strive to assist the off-campus student community in connecting to the university and making a positive impact on their off-campus living experience.

You can visit the Office to learn about the network of educational and community services available to them.   The Office will provide you with information on finding suitable housing, exercising your rights and upholding your responsibilities as tenants and as members of the community, and identifying where to get help with any questions. 

We invite all off-campus students to participate in our 10th Annual Taste of Westcott Street Reception on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at the Erwin Methodist Church, located at 920 Euclid Avenue.  In addition to sampling the area food, you will have the opportunity to meet your new neighbors, as well as mingle with the key community people that can provide you with as you transition into the neighborhood. You can also make contact with community organizations and learn ways to get involved in their new neighborhood.  Last year, over 600 individuals participated in this event.

For more information, contact us at http://oocp.syr.edu; oocp@syr.edu; or, 315-443-1012.  

Congratulations Nilo Alcala, Winner of the 2009 Young Composer Award in Polyphonos

Nilo Alcala, an international graduate student from Lucena City, Philippines and Billy Joel Fellow in the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music in Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), has won the 2009 Young Composer Award in Polyphonos, an international choral composition competition sponsored by the Esoterics, a vocal ensemble based in Seattle.