Friday, September 12, 2008

Student Film Project and Survey
Help a group of students develop a film recreating the SU experience by taking a fun survey. The film’s mission is to inform and orient new international students before their arrival to Syracuse. If you would like to be a part of the project, complete a survey available at the front desk of the Slutzker Center or click HERE to be a part of the online survey.

English Conversation Program
Anyone (students, spouses, or scholars) interested in improving informal English language skills, is invited to join the Slutzker Center English conversation program.

This program offers FREE weekly one hour meetings. During these meetings you will have a chance to meet other international students and to learn more about life in America. The conversation groups usually consist of 3 or 4 international students and an American group leader. The focus is on informal conversation. Meetings are conducted during office hours at the Slutzker Center for International Services.

Blue sign-up forms for the program are available at the Slutzker Center downstairs desk. Please write clearly on the form and be sure to include your e-mail address and the days and hours you are available for an English Conversation Group Meeting. Riet DeKleermaeker, Coordinator English Conversation Program, will contact you by email to inform you about the day and time for your group meeting.

Graduate Student Career Seminars for September
Find out how to get that fabulous CPT or OPT or H1 B placement by attending a career seminar on one of the following dates. Topics covered include: 

Days: Thursdays, September 18, & 25
Time: 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Location: Slutzker Center for International Services

Friday/Saturday Night Comedy at Schine, Free Admission
Visit the Schine Underground for some free laughs this weekend. Orange Night Live is bringing three campus comedy groups, each specializing in a different genre of comedy, to the Schine Underground this weekend.

While Zamboni Revolution perform “improv” in the Jabberwocky Café on Friday evening, Penguins Without Pants perform “sketch” comedy on Saturday. However, if it is “stand-up” that you like the best, don’t miss Woo Hoo Comedy Hour’s performance, also on Saturday evening.

For more details about all three events, check the Upcoming Events section of this newsletter or visit Orange Night Live’s events page.

Friday Night Gaming: South Campus
Orange Night Live hosts its first South Campus Game Night of the semester on Friday, September 12th at 8 p.m. in 201 ABC in Goldstein Student Center. Compete with friends, and strangers, in Guitar Hero, Rock Band and Wii (all will be available).

Light the Night Walk
The Light the Night Walk is The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s nationwide walk to raise awareness and funds to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Join them on Wednesday, September 17 in Clinton Square as we walk to gain awareness for those suffering and lost to these blood cancer diseases.

Maxwell Blood Drive
The Center for Policy Research at the Maxwell School will host a blood drive on Wednesday, September 17th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Executive Study Room (204 Maxwell Hall).
To set up an appointment to donate, please contact Peg Austin at 443-9070 or by email at mmaustin@maxwell.syr.edu

Keeping Good Rental Records
Lack of knowledge regarding leases or other rental agreements can cause a variety of problems.  By keeping records of rental repair requests, security deposit disputes, and other important issues related to rental agreements, you can alleviate many of these types of problems.  The most frustrating problems occur when the tenant cannot document their grievances.  To prevent this, start a rental file as soon as you sign the lease and add to it throughout your lease term.  A rental file is easy to keep, considering the money you may recover through rental modification or qualifying for full return on your security deposit.  If a rental problem arises, it is easier to negotiate a solution with the landlord when you have written records that show the extent of the problem, what you asked the landlord to do about it, and how the landlord responded.

Your Rental File Should Hold:
A Rental Log
Use a simple notebook to write all dates and times you contacted or tried to contact your landlord; make a note of any discussion.  Logs are a useful permanent record of how the landlord did or did not respond to problems.
Apartment Condition Checklist
This is proof of the condition of the apartment when you move in and out.  Keep a copy and send the original to the landlord by certified mail and return receipt.
Correspondence With Your Landlord
Make any complaints or concerns in writing and keep copies on file.  All verbal requests should be followed up in writing with copies in your file. 
Reports
Keep copies of the Certificate of Suitability, building inspection reports, police reports, and any other reports from other agencies.
Photographs
Photos may be the evidence you need to document a repair or security deposit problem.  Photos should be dated and signed by a witness.