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    Welcome!

    The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) would like to welcome you to Cornell and to Ithaca! Whether you will stay in Ithaca for a month, 12 months, or longer, we hope that your time here will be a positive experience!

    Adjusting to a new environment, a new focus, and a new culture, can be both challenging and rewarding. We hope that the information on this web page will be helpful in facilitating your adjustment.

    This online guide is designed to help you:

    • get settled in your new home
    • find the resources necessary to build a supportive community
    • meet the demands of adjusting to a new and different life-style while preserving and celebrating your own personal and cultural values.

    If you need additional help in finding information or support, please feel free to contact us or visit our office. Specific contact information and our office hours can be found here.

    Table of Contents:



    Visa, Work and Tax Issues


    Visas

    At Cornell, the majority of international students and academic staff are accompanied by “dependent” family members holding F-2, J-2 or H-4 visas. A small number of family members who are either not eligible for a dependent visa, or will remain in the U.S. for only a very short time, may possess a B-2 visitor visa. The immigration-specific advice in this guide is meant only for the categories mentioned here. If you hold a different type of visa, and have a question about work authorization or taking classes, please visit the ISSO and speak with an advisor.



    Work Authorization

    Family members holding F-2, H-4 or B-2 visas may NOT be employed in the United States. Doing so would be considered a violation of legal status, and could result in serious consequences. J-2 dependents ARE eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly the INS), in order to be employed in the U.S. The employment must not be for the purpose of supporting the J-1. The J-2 may begin employment only after receiving the EAD. For information and an application form, please visit the ISSO.



    Social Security Numbers

    If you are not eligible for work authorization, you are not eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). At first this may appear to be a problem as you may be asked to supply your SSN when trying to open a bank account, having your phone turned on, etc. SSNs are not actually required for most of these tasks. You can find more information here about navigating life in the US without an SSN. Important Note: if you will be applying for a driver’s license, you are required to present an SSN, or if you are not eligible for one, you need to visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office in downtown Ithaca to request a letter verifying your ineligibility. This should be done no more than a month before applying for a license. The SSA Office is located at 127 W. S tate Street, 2nd floor. Once you receive an SSN, it is yours for life!



    Taxes

    If you are authorized to work and choose to do so, Federal and State taxes are likely to be withheld from your pay. The tax year runs from January 1st through December 31st. In January you will receive a statement of your earnings from your employer and will use the information provided to file a “tax return” with the IRS. When filing the return, you will be able to determine whether you owe additional taxes to the U.S. governement, or are eligible for a refund. In mid-February of each year, non-resident tax information is available at the ISSO. The ISSO also organizes basic tax workshops. For more information about taxes, please visit the ISSO's tax web page.



    Studying

    Taking casual courses is permitted for most visa categories. If you would like to pursue a “course of study” (generally defined as full-time and/or working towards earning a degree) please speak with the ISSO (particularly if you hold an F-2 or B-2 visa).



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    Family and Reproductive Health


    Well-Baby Clinic

    The Public Health Department of Tompkins County offers free immunizations for all children, newborn to 18 years of age, at the Walk-In Clinic for Immunization, 401 Harris B. Dates Drive, next to Tompkins County Hospital. Call for times and other locations at 274-6616.

    For a nominal fee, well-baby clinics located throughout the county offer free physical examinations for the purpose of immunizing children two monthsto five years of age. The fee is based on the total annual income of the family and the number of family members. This service is not for sick children. Appointments are necessary. To find out the nearest location to you and to make an appointment, call 274-6616.



    Planned Parenthood of Tompkins County

    PPTC, located downtown at 314 West State Street, provides information and counseling on birth control, abortion referral, pregnancy test, etc. Office hours vary. Call 273-1513 to find out opening hours and for an appointment.



    Childbirth Education Courses at BOCES

    CEA provides a certified instructor to teach the Lamaze method of childbirth. Lamaze involves controlled breathing exercises and muscular relaxation as well as the participation of the mother's partner. They offer an eight-week course in the Lamaze method; a four-week refresher course; and classes in early pregnancy, nutrition, exercise and prenatal care. For information call the registrar for evening classes at BOCES, telephone 257-1551.



    Sexual Health Services

    Gannett Health Services provides a broad range of medical and counseling support services for students, spouses and same-sex partners and children over age 14. They know that the U.S. medical system can be particularly difficult to navigate for students from other countries. Healthcare providers may ask questions that feel inappropriate or unnecessary. This may be especially true when it comes to sexual health.

    Their medical staff will do their best to help you understand the reason for their questions and the recommended care and treatment. While some questions may feel intrusive or too personal, the questions are asked only so they can provide established medical practice and care. Their intention is not to insult or to pry into your personal life. Confidentiality is an important component of the U.S. medical system, and they do all that they can to ensure that your care and medical records will be carefully protected at Gannett.

    Available sexual health services include contraception, women's gynecological care and examinations, pregnancy testing and referral for obstetrical care, infection diagnosis and treatment, as well as individual and couples counseling on many issues including sexual health care, sexual identity, sexual dysfunction, relationship issues, pregnancy options, healthy relationships, and sexual decision-making.

    Gannett also offers language assistance (in over 140 languages). If translation would be helpful to you, let them know when you are making an appointment. You are always welcome to bring a family member or friend with you to your appointment. Gannett is open Monday - Friday (8:30 am-5:00pm) and Saturdays (10am-4:00pm) during the academic year. Visit their website for more information.



    For more information about pregnancy and childbirth in Ithaca, see our Pregnancy in Ithaca handout.



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    Counseling and Support Services


    The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program

    The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) offers free, confidential, professional counseling and consultation services by telephone or in person. FSAP services are available to all benefits-eligible faculty, staff and their dependents. Find details online.



    "Let's Talk"

    "Let's Talk" is a program that provides easy access to students and their spouses for informal confidential consultations with counselors from Gannett Health Services. Counselors hold walk-in hours at 10 sites around campus Monday through Friday. There is no fee and no appointment is necessary. The International Students & Scholars Office is one of the "Let's Talk" sites. Walk in service available every Thursday at ISSO from 2:30-4:30 pm. For more details and additional campus locations, visit their web site.



    Family and Children's Service

    Family and Children's Service is an organization that provides home-care and general counseling services for families. It is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Their office is located at 204 North Cayuga Street, telephone 273-7494. You can also visit them online at http://www.fcsith.org/.



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    Child Safety


    Unattended Children

    It is illegal to leave small children or babies unattended in a home by themselves. If you and your spouse must leave your children at home, you must arrange for an adult (e.g., a friend or neighbor) or responsible older child (12 years or older) to supervise your children's activities. U.S. laws make a parent liable to charges of negligence if an unattended child is injured. If you need to find suitable supervision for your children such as a nursery school or day care, contact the Day Care and Child Development Council of Tompkins County at 273-0259.



    Car Safety Seats

    The law requires children under the age of four to be restrained in a federally approved car seat when riding in a motor vehicle. If the weight of a child under the age of 4 exceeds 40 pounds, the child may be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system, allowing the child to use a booster seat. Children ages 4, 5,and 6 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system, one for which your child meets the weight and height recommendations of the child restraint manufacturer. A child safety seat or harness/vest or booster seat may be used. The vehicle's safety belts are not defined as a child restraint system under this law, as safety belts are not designed for children under 4'9" and therefore, do not protect young children. Details are available online.



    Poison Control Center

    The Poison Control Center can give you the latest information on emergency treatment for poisons. Their telephone number is 1-800-252-5655, and they are open 24 hours a day. in case of an emergency, you could also call your pediatrician, or take your child to the emergency room of the hospital. Never treat a child who has consumed a poisonous substance without instructions from a poison center or a doctor.



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    Child Care Information and Referral Services


    The Child Development Council of Tompkins County

    The Council provides an information and referral service for child care throughout Tompkins County. It matches parents' needs with more than 50 child care and development programs and more than 170 family day care providers. The office is located at 609 West Clinton Street. For more information, call (607)-273-0259, or visit their web site.

    Resources and referrals are also available from the Office of Workforce, Diversity, Equity and Life Quality at 160 Day Hall. Cornell Dependent Care Consultant, Eileen McCoy Whang is available to assist Cornell students, faculty and staff with child care and elder care issues. For more information call 607-255-1917 or email emw76@cornell.edu.



    UCNS, A Cooperative Nursery School

    The University Cooperative Nursery School is located at 59 Dart Drive, off Warren Road near the airport. The international enrollment at the nursery school is substantial. Children who are between three and five years of age by September 1 may apply. Tuition is based on the total income of the child's family; families with demonstrated need may receive a scholarship. Because it is a cooperative, parents volunteer in the classroom and serve on committees which oversee the running of the school. To find out more or to request an application form, call 266-9680 or visit them on the web.



    The Cornell Child Care Center

    The Cornell Child Care Center is located at 150 Pleasant Road, Ithaca and can be reached by phone at 607-255-1010. Information can also be found online here.



    Child Care Grant Subsidy Program

    Cornell University’s Child Care Grant Subsidy Program for students, faculty and staff is designed to assist with covering the costs of eligible child care, including infant and toddler day care, pre-school/pre-k programs, school holidays, summer camps and programs, and before/after school care. Information is available at the following websites:
    http://www.hr.cornell.edu/life/support/child_care.html
    http://www.studentparents.dos.cornell.edu.



    Cornell Family Helper List

    The Cornell Family Helper list helps address the need for additional babysitters and family helpers within the Cornell community. The service establishes a link between Cornell faculty, staff, and students to access various life quality services. This service can only be used by current Cornell faculty, staff, and students. You must have an active Cornell NetID to access the list. A profile of all potential helpers is available on this site. Profiles will include helpers access to transportation, previous experience, references and days and times helpers are available. See details online.



    For more information about child care services, see our Family and Children's Services handout.



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    Schooling and Immunizations


    Public School education is free in the U.S. for all children age 5 and older. A child must be 5 years of age by December 1 in order to begin school that same year. To enroll your child, contact your local public school office. For a list of local schools and contact information see www.ithacanet.org/Education.

    It is very important that you register your children as soon as possible so that school officials will be able to place your child in the proper level.

    To enroll your children in school or child care, you must have a record of their immunizations along with their birth certificate or passport. New York State public health laws require that all children enrolling in school or child care facilities have the following immunizations:

    1. Diptheria/persussis/tetanus toxoid: a series of three or more doses (usually called DPT or DT).
    2. Trivalent oral polio: (a series of three or more doses); or Salk polio vaccine: (a series of four doses).
    3. Evidence of having received mumps, rubella, and 2 injections of live measles vaccines on or after the first birthday. If the child actually had measles or mumps, that fact must be verified by a physician's signature. If the child had rubella, a certified blood test is required.

    For up-to-date information about required immuinzations, visit the Ithaca City School District's website.



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    Activities and Practical Matters

    ISSO Programs

    In addition to providing immigration assistance, the ISSO also organizes a series of fun activities, trips, and informational workshops. Fall highlights include a fall break trip to New York City and day trip to Niagara Falls. For a schedule of our upcoming programs, visit http://www.isso.cornell.edu/programs/programs.php. We also have a free weekly International Coffee Hour, held each Thursday from 3:30-5:30 PM in the Big Red Barn. Spouses and family members are encouraged to participate in all ISSO programs and trips.




    Family-Friendly Activities on Campus and in the Community

    The Cornell Division of Human Resources website is filled with links to family friendly activities on campus and in the community. It lists performing arts venues, museums, outdoor recreation, storytimes and more! Visit http://www.hr.cornell.edu/life/connections/.




    "JOINT VENTURES", a club for spouses and significant others of students in the Johnson Graduate School of Management.

    Joint Ventures' mission is to foster ties of friendship and personal growth among Johnson School students, their partners, their families, and the greater Cornell and Ithaca communities. Visit http://forum.johnson.cornell.edu/students/orgs/jointventures/.



    ISSO Electronic Mailing Lists

    The ISSO has several different electronic mailing lists, each with a distinctly different purpose.Join iPrograms-L if you are interested in receiving announcements specifically about ISSO trips, programs, and non-immigration services. Consider International-L if you are interested in joining a large list which subscribers typically use to post announcements of upcoming events, find information, meet new friends, or discuss current events and issues of local or global concern. For information about all of these lists, visit http://www.isso.cornell.edu/about/interl.php.



    University Family-Related Electronic Mailing Lists

    Various University E-lists distribute information and resources for Cornell University families. Members can ask questions, share event information, and connect with others. Detailed information on joining these electronic mailing lists can be found at: http://www.hr.cornell.edu/life/connections/elists.html.



    Take a Class!

    If English is not your native language, Cornell and Ithaca offer a variety of courses to help you improve your written and spoken English. Many are informal and inexpensive, and can easily be worked into your academic schedule. They are also a great resource for dependent spouses. For a complete list of your options visit http://www.isso.cornell.edu/ithacalife/english.php.

    Part time extramural courses are available to anyone who is not enrolled in a Cornell degree program and is interested in taking one or two courses a semester. Visit http://www.sce.cornell.edu/exmu/ for information. To get started, you must obtain the instructor’s written permission on a form provided by the Office of Continuing Education and Summer Session. Non-immigrants may register for extramural study only after their visa status has been confirmed.

    Note: US Immigration does not consider extramural study to be a full course of study; F-2s are eligible to take a class, but will not be able to obtain an I-20 form to change to F-1 student status. If you are interested in becoming a full time student, visit the ISSO.

    A variety of non-academic classes and workshops are available in the Ithaca area, encompassing a wide range of topics including dance, art, music and more! Just a few suggestions are listed below:



    Volunteering and Community Service

    If you are new to a community, sometimes the best way to meet people is to volunteer with a local organization. Your broad range of experiences and talents will be a great asset to the community! Below are just a few volunteer sites to choose from. For more options, visit the Cornell Public Service Center in 200 Barnes Hall. Examples of volunteer sites:

    • Adult Literacy Project
    • Friends of the Library
    • American Red Cross
    • AIDS Work
    • Habitat for Humanity
    • SPCA (Animal Shelter)
    • Ithaca Youth Bureau



    Cornell International Host Program

    The International Host Program matches students and scholars with local alumni and other community members who are committed to providing cultural, educational and social support. This program is intended to enhance the lives of all participants who will share experiences, learn new skill sets, and build lifelong relationships. Popular activities may include sharing holiday dinners, sight-seeing, picnicking, shopping and including the student in family celebrations or events. Click here for more information.

    Other Practical Matters

    • See the Cornell and Ithaca Resources: A Practical Guide handout.
    • The ISSO website (http://www.isso.cornell.edu) has a great deal of information about everything from banking to surviving Ithaca winters.
    • CUInfo (http://www.cuinfo.cornell.edu) is a terrific source for information about all things Cornell. It provides links to information about news and events, special weather conditions, searches and directories, and more.
    • Check out the ISSO’s online Coming to Cornell guide for new international students: http://www.isso.cornell.edu/students/comingtocornell.php.
    • The Office of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion (WDI) has launched a "Personal Money Savings Solutions Blog”, which you may find helpful. Topics this blog will cover include: discounts, energy savings tips, financial assistance programs in the community, grocery and holiday savings tips, transportation resources, and more! We also encourage you to share your favorite personal savings tips, so that others may benefit too! Click on “Share a resource” at the blog for information on how to do so. You may subscribe to this blog by entering your email address at the website. As a subscriber, you will receive email notification when new tips and resources are posted. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact WDI at wellbeing@cornell.edu.



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