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    • ISSO Newsletter: April 2006

    The ISSO sends out a monthly web-based newsletter. As it contains the latest information about immigration and ISSO services, it is very important that you read it! We promise to try and keep it as short as possible. View the ISSO newsletter archive here.

    Newsletter Contents:

    1. Immigration News and Reminders
      Planning on working OFF-campus this summer?
      May Graduates: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO!
      Check your Documents: Is anything expiring?
      Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. this Summer?
    2. Tax Information
    3. April ISSO Programs
    4. President's Reception for Graduating International Students
    5. Summer Job Opportunities at the ISSO
      PREPARE Logistics Coordinator
      Program Assistant for Graduate & Professional Student Orientation
    6. Volunteer to help at Orientation!
      PREPARE
      Graduate & Professional Student Orientation
    7. Congratulations to our ISSO Spring 2006 Book Award Winners!
    8. Counseling Outreach Hours: Free and Confidential Counseling Across Campus (at ISSO Thursdays 3-6:00 P.M.)
    9. Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours


    Immigration News


    Planning to work OFF-campus this summer?
    F-1 Students: If you are planning to work OFF-campus this summer you MUST APPLY for work authorization through the ISSO. Read about F-1 work authorization here or come to one of our workshops on off-campus work authorization.

    J-1 students: If you are planning to work OFF-campus this summer you MUST APPLY for work authorization through the ISSO. If your DS-2019 form was issued by Cornell, you may read about J-1 student off-campus work authorization, known as "Academic Training," and download an application from our J-1 Academic Training web pages. If your DS-2019 is not issued by Cornell University, you must contact your sponsor (whoever issued your DS-2019) to discuss whether or not Academic Training is allowed.


    May Graduates: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO!
    If you are graduating from Cornell this May 2006, and you plan to stay in the U.S. to either work or to pursue another degree, please come to the ISSO to discuss your plans. In order to maintain your valid immigration status in the U.S., there are specific procedures you will need to complete in order to do any of the following:


    Check your Documents: Is anything expiring?
    Please take a moment to check your documents. If your I-20 or DS-2019 is about to expire and you know you will need more time to complete your academic, please come to the ISSO to complete an F-1 Program Extension or a J-1 Student Program Extension. It is very important that you do so before your current documents expire!! If your I-20 or DS-2019 is due to expire in May 2005 and you intend to remain at Cornell next semester, you should do an extension NOW. If you fail to complete an extension, you will be out of legal immigration status.

    If it also very important that you keep your passport current. If it will expire in the near future, make plans to extend or renew it. If you aren’t making a trip home soon, contact your country’s consulate here in the United States for instructions on extending your passport.


    Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. this Summer?
    Make sure you have the correct Re-Entry Documents!!! If you will be leaving and re-entering the U.S., PLEASE be sure that you have all the documents for re-entry as described on these web pages:

    Check with the ISSO advisor on duty about any of the above or any other plans you may have after you graduate.



    Tax Information

    Read the ISSO tax information here.

    Tax season is here! If you are a foreign national, you are required to file some kind of paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), whether or not you were employed.

    Please follow the links listed here for more information:


    The deadline to file your tax return is April 17, 2006


    We wish you a smooth tax season!!!!



    Update your mailing address:
    If you earned U.S. source income during the year 2005, please make sure that you have updated your mailing address in "Just the Facts" as well as with any other U.S. employer you may have had during the year. Cornell payroll uses the address provided in "Just the Facts" to send you the income tax statement you will need to complete your tax return. To avoid delays in receiving your statement, please use your local Ithaca area address, rather than your address in your home country.

    Fill out the Foreign Nationals Tax Questionnaire:
    Cornell's Tax Compliance Office requests that all non-residents fill out a "Foreign Nationals Tax Questionnaire." This questionnaire helps the Tax Office determine whether or not you are eligible for a tax treaty and (possibly) adjust your pay accordingly. The questionnaire is available online at http://www.payments.cornell.edu/Foreign_Nationals.cfm". Even if you have not completed a Foreign Nationals Tax Questionnaire, you may still be eligible to claim tax treaty benefits when filing your tax return.



    April ISSO Programs


    6th (Thursday): F-1 & J-1 Student Employment Authorization Workshop
    1:00 - 2:00 P.M., Room 100 Caldwell Hall


    6th (Thursday): International Student Discussion Group at Int'l Coffee Hour
    3:30-5:30 P.M., Big Red Barn


    27th (Thursday): A Taste of Culture at Int'l Coffee Hour
    3:30-5:30 P.M., Big Red Barn
    co-sponsored by the Public Service Center's Translator Interpreter Program (TIP)


    27th (Thursday): The President's Reception for Graduating International Students
    5-6:30 P.M. Robison Hall of Fame Room, Schoellkopf Hall
    For more information and to register, see announcement below.


    To learn about these and other Spring programs, visit www.isso.cornell.edu/programs/programs.php


    Plus, every Thursday while classes are in session: International Coffee Hour at the Big Red Barn, 3:30-5:30 P.M. Complimentary coffee, tea and light refreshments! All are welcome!



    President's Reception for Graduating International Students


    ARE YOU GRADUATING in MAY or AUGUST 2006, or DID YOU GRADUATE in DECEMBER 2005?

    If so, we cordially invite you to the annual President's Reception for Graduating International Students. This reception for Graduates and Undergraduates will honor the contributions and achievements of all International students at Cornell. Graduating students are welcome to invite spouses, partners, and a faculty guest.

    The Reception will take place on the evening of Thursday, April 27th, from 5:00-6:30 P.M. in The Hall of Fame Room in Schoellkopf Hall. Honorees and their guests will enjoy some words of congratulation from Cornell Administration officials, delight in foods from around the world, and mingle with other International students about to embark on the next stage of their careers!

    If you can attend, please RSVP at the following web address by Thursday, April 20th: http://www.isso.cornell.edu/programs/PresReception.php.

    If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact Paula Senno at pr37@cornell.edu.

    We look forward to honoring and celebrating with you!



    Summer Job Opportunities at the ISSO

    Are you looking for a summer job? Interested in working at the ISSO? Check out our current student job openings!

    PREPARE Logistics Coordinator

    The central responsibility of the Logistics Coordinator of the PREPARE International pre-orientation program is to ensure that the new student arrival and room check-in runs smoothly and effectively, ultimately fulfilling its stated purpose of easing the participants' adjustment to Cornell. The Logistics Coordinator works under the supervision of the Program Coordinator in the ISSO, collaborates closely with the Student Coordinator to plan the first day of PREPARE, and supervises the van drivers and volunteer move-in assistants and greeters.

    Hours:

    • August 7 through August 17: 30-40 hrs/wk.
    • Help facilitate Volunteer Training, August 12-13.
    • During PREPARE Check-in Day, August 14: 7 AM until arrival of final participant.
    • August 15-17: 30-40 hours.
    • Post-PREPARE: approx. 5hours of follow-up work, including writing a final report.

    Application Procedure: Please request the complete job description by e-mailing Adriana Rovers at apr6@cornell.edu. After reviewing the description, submit a hard copy of your resume and cover letter indicating your interests and qualifications related to the Student Logistics Coordinator position by May 1, 2006 to:

    Adriana Rovers
    International Students and Scholars Office
    B-50 Caldwell Hall
    Ithaca, NY 14853


    Program Assistant for Graduate & Professional Student Orientation

    The Program Assistant will help in the planning and execution of all aspects of International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation program, including but not limited to: producing & updating orientation-specific publications, revising general publications, creating publicity materials, creating & maintaining the ISSO Housing Corner, soliciting door prizes from area businesses, answering (or referring) questions from incoming students, recruiting and training student volunteers, preparing mailings, and communicating with other campus offices and international student organizations as needed. The Program Assistant may also be asked to perform general clerical duties for the office as needed.

    Candidates must be able to work independently, have strong organizational, communication and computer skills, and be detail-oriented. Exact starting date and number of hours per week are negotiable, but applicants should be available to work starting mid-June and through the end of orientation activities (end of August) at an average of 15-20 hours/week. Preference will be given to continuing international graduate students!

    If you are interested in this position, please send a resume and cover letter to Mariah Sawyer at B-50 Caldwell Hall or via e-mail to mjs51@cornell.edu. In your letter, describe your motivation in applying for the position, relevant skills, leadership experience, international background, and any other information you feel is relevant to the position. Applications must be received by 4:30 P.M. on Monday, May 1st.



    Volunteer to help at Orientation!


    PREPARE: Pre-Orientation Program for New International Undergrads

    Attention undergraduate students...Are you an international student who would like to welcome new international undergraduates to Cornell? Or are you an American student who has had experience living in another culture and know how it feels to dive into something so different? Then use your experience to help welcome new international students to Cornell!

    The ISSO is looking for a few dozen motivated and enthusiastic undergraduate volunteers for PREPARE 2006 in August! PREPARE is a four-day, intensive pre-orientation program for new international undergraduates, where participants and volunteers have the opportunity to meet one another and help each other acclimate to life at Cornell. Over 150 new students, plus 40 volunteers will participate in PREPARE. Volunteers are crucially important, and are expected to attend all events throughout the program. They may not be OCs in the university orientation, as conflicts of time and commitment often arise.

    PREPARE will run from August 14-17, with a mandatory training session on August 12-13. Volunteers who have on-campus assignments for the fall will be allowed to move into their rooms beginning on August 11.

    For all those interested in becoming a PREPARE volunteer, we are holding an information meeting on April 18 at the ISSO from 5-6:00 P.M.

    Students who want to volunteer for Prepare will be required to sign up on line and will be able to do this sometime after April 18. We will be sending out an email updating you on the process. Web site information is available at http://www.isso.cornell.edu/prepare/volunteers.php

    Questions? Please e-mail Adriana Rovers.

    Get involved! Help new international students! Have fun! Sign on to the PREPARE Team!


    Graduate & Professional Student Orientation

    We are looking for energetic volunteers (U.S. and International students) to help at this year's Graduate & Professional Student Orientation program, to be held on Sunday, August 20th. Volunteer duties including setting up prior to the event, acting as a stage assistant and leading small group "break-out" discussions. If you are interested in helping incoming Grads, making new friends, and having some fun, please e-mail Mariah Sawyer.



    Congratulations to our ISSO Spring 2006 Book Award Winners!

    The ISSO Book Award was established in 2001 to recognize the vast contributions that the international student population adds to Cornell. An award of $500 is granted each semester to two deserving students.

    We are delighted to announce the winners of the Spring 2006 ISSO Book Award...Congratulations to Evgeny Aleksandrov and Zuoming Wang!

    Evgeny is a first year Cornell student from the Russian Federation pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. He is the Vice-President of the Jewish-Russian Club, a Peer Advisor for the College of Engineering, and has been selected for a Resident Advisor position on North Campus next year.

    Zuoming is a 3rd year PhD student from P.R. China pursuing a degree in Communication. She has worked with the International TA Development Program, has served in several capacities on the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, and is currently a graduate student representative on Cornell's Student Insurance Advisory Committee. She has also worked closely with the ISSO and GPSH on lobbying for the reestablishment of an office to assist students with off-campus housing issues.

    Both students have drawn on their experiences and connections as international students to make a significant contribution to student life at Cornell. We thank them for their dedication and tireless efforts!



    Counseling Outreach Hours: Free and Confidential Counseling Across Campus (at ISSO Thursdays 3-6:00 P.M.)


    Many of you know that counselor Mahnaz Mousavi provides free and confidential counseling at the ISSO every Thursday from 3-6:00 P.M. International students, staff, faculty, or family members are always welcome. But did you know that Mahnaz and other counselors are available at other times and locations, too? No appointment is necessary. Just drop in. For a complete schedule and more information, please visit www.gannett.cornell.edu/CAPS/offsiteSupport.html

    Hours and locations:

    • Caldwell Hall (Room 384), Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 A.M. with Sharon Mier, PsyD.
    • Computing and Communications Center (CCC), Wednesdays, 1:00-2:30 P.M. with Laure Conklin Kamp, M.S.
    • Carol Tatkon Center, Mondays 3:00–5:00 P.M. in 3335 Balch Hall, with Matt Boone, LMSW. Print a Talk It Out! poster.
    • International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO), Thursdays 3:00–6:00 P.M. in Caldwell B50, with Mahnaz Mousavi, MS.
    • Latino Studies Program (Rockefeller Room 433), Fridays 1:45-5:00 P.M., with a CAPS counselor TBD.
    • Law School, Wednesdays 1:00-5:00 P.M. in Room 252 Hughes Hall, with Mahnaz Mousavi, MS.
    • Olin Hall (Room 115), Tuesdays 2:30-4:30 P.M., with Wai Wong, PhD.
    • Ujamaa Main Lounge, Fridays 3:00-5:00 P.M., with Maurice Haltom, MSW.

    You also might benefit from talking to other students with similar concerns in a confidential setting. Feel free to check out these CAPS discussion groups.



    Have Immigration Questions?
    Come to ISSO Office Hours


    ISSO Advising Hours:
    Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9-12:00; 1:00-4:30
    Wednesday 1:00-4:30

    Advisors are available on a walk-in basis except from 12-1 P.M. daily, or by appointment. You may stop by to see us during office hours, check out our website, email us at isso@cornell.edu, or call us at 255-5243.