ISSS WEEKLY UPDATE FOR 3/25/2003

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. SEVIS & NEW REGULATIONS INFORMATION SESSION
2. SEVIS UPDATE
3. ISSS OPEN DIALOGUE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
4. JOB INTERVIEWS SESSION: HOW TO PREPARE, WHAT TO EXPECT, THURSDAY, MARCH 27!
5. F-1 CURRICULAR/OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING WORKSHOP, FRIDAY, MARCH 28
6. SMALL WORLD COFFEE HOUR THIS UPCOMING FRIDAY!!!
7. FALL 2002 AND 2003 GRADUATES ALSO INVITED!

REPEATED ANNOUNCEMENTS:

These are announcements from previous ISSS Weekly Updates.  They are current and relevant to this week. To read the full text of each repeated announcement, please refer to the dates indicated below on the ISSS Weekly Update web page:

1. J-1 FORMS NOW AVAILABLE ON WEB (3/18/2003)
2. NEW EXCEPTION FORM FOR F-1 VISA HOLDERS (3/18/2003)
3. CURRENT INS* FEES (3/18/2003)
4. ISSS CLOSED TUESDAYS (3/18/2003)
5. FINANCIAL AID WALK-INS (3/18/2003)
6. Fall 2003 International Friendship Group Leader Application now available (3/11/2003)
7. INS MOVES INTO DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (3/11/2003)
8. TAX WORKSHOP ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE (3/4/2003)
9. TAX SOFTWARE IS NOW AVAILABLE (2/25/2003)
10. DEPENDENT STUDY:  F-2s AND J-2s (1/14/2003)
11. ON-CAMPUS WORK PERMIT ENDS ON GRADUATION DAY (12/17/2002)

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.  SEVIS & NEW REGULATIONS INFORMATION SESSION

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) went into effect on February 15, 2003.  Under SEVIS, ALL international students and scholars on F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 visas need to be aware of the new immigration regulations and how it will affect them.  Decisions about registration and travel are two important areas most likely to be affected.  Please attend the following information session that will provide the most up-to-date information on SEVIS and the new immigration regulations:

Wednesday, March 26
Mayo Memorial Building, room 125 (East Bank campus, Minneapolis) 3:00 p.m.

At the sessions, important information for your legal status in the U.S. will be presented and there will be plenty of time to ask questions.  Staff and faculty members who work with international students and scholars are also welcome to attend these sessions.

New SEVIS information will be added very often to our web site.  Please check it frequently:

2.  SEVIS UPDATE

DELAY IN DOCUMENT PROCESSING:

F-1 Students:  F-1 students are reminded that under SEVIS it takes longer to process documents.  Students should plan on a one- to two-week processing delay.  F-1 students can not begin Curricular Practical Training employment until they have the authorization in hand.  F-1 Optional Practical Training applications must be submitted to INS before the date of completion; it is taking 90 to 120 days for INS to process OPT authorization.

J-1 Students and Scholars:  J students and scholars are reminded that, under SEVIS, it takes up to 4 weeks to process documents.  Therefore, you should plan well in advance when submitting applications.  Also, please remember that if you have J-2 dependents that need documents, our office will have to enter the J-1 in SEVIS and issue a new DS-2019 for him/her before being able to produce a document for the J-2.

APPLICATION WINDOW FOR OPT APPLICATIONS LENGTHENED:

Due to the SEVIS delays in processing F-1 Optional Practical Training recommendations, students are now able to submit their OPT applications to ISSS up to 5 months before their program completion date.

F-1 SEVIS RECORDS TO BE GENERATED BASED ON COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP:

All F-1 and F-2 visa holders must have a record created in SEVIS before July 31, 2003.  ISSS will send an e-mail with an attached questionnaire to F-1 students based on country of citizenship.  ISSS will start at the beginning of the alphabet in selecting countries.  F-1 students from the following countries should expect to receive the ISSS e-mail and questionnaire by April 1:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana.

3.  ISSS OPEN DIALOGUE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26

International students and scholars are invited to an open dialogue to discuss your reactions to the war in Iraq.  This is not meant to be a political debate, but rather a chance to hear one another and to share perspectives and concerns in a safe environment.  We realize that it is hard to be away from home, friends, and family during times of crisis and we want to offer a time and place to support one another.  Please come and bring your friends: 

Wednesday, March 26

Heller Hall, room 110 (West Bank campus, Minneapolis)

1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

4.  JOB INTERVIEWS SESSION: HOW TO PREPARE, WHAT TO EXPECT, THURSDAY, MARCH 27!

The Job Interviews Workshop is on Thursday, March 27!  International students often report that interviewing is the most perplexing aspect of finding a job.  Please attend this session to learn about interview purpose, format, standard questions, effective communication, and dress.  Tips for preparation will be provided.

The Career Workshop sessions will be held every Thursday through April 3, 2003, (except Thursday, March 20: Spring Break) from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in Blegen Hall, room 10, on the West Bank of the Minneapolis campus.  These workshops are free.  Registration is not required.  Detailed information about this workshop series is available on the ISSS web site:

5.  F-1 CURRICULAR/OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING WORKSHOP, FRIDAY, MARCH 28

Attend one of these workshops to find out everything you need to know about Curricular and Optional Practical Training!  This workshop is from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Humphrey Center, room 289.  CPT information begins at 2:00 p.m., and OPT at 3:00 p.m.

For more detailed information, please visit this workshop and the whole ISSS career series on the web site:

6.  SMALL WORLD COFFEE HOUR THIS UPCOMING FRIDAY!!!

WHEN:  FRIDAY, March 28

TIME:  4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Heller Hall, room 110 (West Bank campus, Minneapolis)

Join us at the next Small World Coffee Hour to celebrate spring and the outdoors!  We will offer resources available to anybody that would like to visit Minnesota's beautiful parks or take advantage of Minnesota's opportunities for outdoor activities.  To celebrate the return of the warm weather, we will serve ice cream sundaes, banana splits, and snacks.  You are invited to BYOB (that means Bring Your Own Banana!).  See you there!

7.  FALL 2002 AND 2003 GRADUATES ALSO INVITED!

As ISSS announced previously, we are planning a graduation celebration for international students on Friday, May 2, 2003.  Please note that even though this event will take place during spring 2003, students who graduated or completed a program during fall 2002, or will do so later during 2003, are also invited!!  We hope to see you there!  Please read details below:

All international undergraduate, professional, and graduate students who graduated or completed a program from fall 2002 through all of 2003 are invited to attend a celebration with ISSS and the Office of International Programs.  Your families, academic advisers, and friends are also invited to come for this celebration honoring you.  Please join us on Friday, May 2, 2003 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the Humphrey Ballroom, Radisson Hotel Metrodome, 615 Washington Avenue S.E., Minneapolis.  A short program will begin at 4:30 p.m.  No reservation is necessary.

Please be sure that you have contacted your college directly about their specific requirements and deadlines for graduation and commencement.

UNIVERSITY EVENTS CALENDAR Click

Visit the University Events Calendar regularly for programs, films, concerts, and celebrations of special interest to you! Many events are free or affordable to University Community members and the public.

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