ISSO Newsletter: December 2005
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:
- Immigration News and Reminders
Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. at Winter Break?
January Graduates: Working after Graduation!
January Graduates: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO! - WARNING: Identity Theft Scam Targeting Internationals
- Leaving Town Over Break? Police can provide security check
- Driving in the Winter
- Book Awards!
- Counseling Hours at the ISSO: Thursdays 3-6pm
- Volunteers needed for January International Student Orientation program
- Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours
Immigration News
Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. at Winter Break?
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:
- Documents you need to have to re-enter the U.S.
- If you need to apply for a new visa stamp, please read this web page.
January Graduates: Working after Graduation! F-1 Students: If you are graduating in January you MUST APPLY for your Optional Practical Training (OPT) NO LATER THAN January 17, 2006 or (if you are an advanced graduate student), the day before your last day as a registered student. Read about OPT and download an application from our OPT web pages.
J-1 students: If you are graduating in January you MUST APPLY for your Academic Training no later than graduation. If your DS-2019 form was issued by Cornell, you may read about 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.
January Graduates: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO! If you are graduating from Cornell this January 2005, 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:
- to work while in F-1 status after you graduate
- to work while in J-1 student status after you graduate
- to go on to another degree at a Cornell
- to go on to another degree at a different school
Check with the ISSO advisor on duty about any of the above or any other plans you may have after you graduate.
WARNING: Identity Theft Scam Targeting Internationals
We want to warn you of an identity theft hoax that is targeting internationals. This one comes to you as an email notification from someone with an email address with "ins.gov" in it. In the email, they say that there is something unclear or wrong with your immigration documents and therefore you need to sent them information by a certain deadline. DO NOT RESPOND AND DO NOT SEND ANY INFORMATION. This is absolutely a scam.
If you ever receive any request from an office claiming to be related to the U.S. government's immigration service, please do check with us first or with an immigration attorney. Also, in general, the various branches of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who deal with immigration would not contact you by email.
You may find the following links helpful which are on identity theft and fraud:
- Department of Justice Fraud Section
- Federal Trade Commission identity theft page
- SSA's "Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number" publication
- Better Business Bureau
- Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
- Identity Theft Resource Center (has known scams & consumer alerts)
Leaving Town Over Break? Police can provide security check
The Ithaca Police would like off-campus students who leave town for any length of time to let them know if they'd like their house/apartment building checked in their absence. A substantial number of burglaries take place over the breaks. Download the application form here.
Surviving Winter Weather and Driving Safely
Winter is here, which requires all Ithacans to take a few precautions to survive and thrive outside in the cold and on our hilly streets. Please take a few moments to review ISSO’s tips on staying warm and happy during our cold, snowy, and less sunny days.
You can dramatically increase your safety while driving with a few techniques presented on a number of state and federal web sites:
- Wisconsin State Web site
- Connecticut Department of Transportation
- Federal Emergency Management
- Maine Farm Safety Program
- New York State Thruway Winter Driving Tips
For information on Cornell overnight parking during winter snow storms, please visit Cornell Transportation's web site.
If you ever get stuck in snow or your battery won't start, call the Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) for free assistance.
Congratulations to our Fall 2005 ISSO Book Award Winners!
The ISSO Book Award was established in 2001 to recognize the vast contributions that the international student population adds to Cornell. It is awarded each semester to international students who have made significant contributions, through extracurricular and academic pursuits, to the international community at Cornell, and have promoted international education and communication on campus, in the Ithaca community, and beyond.
We are delighted to announce the winners of the Fall 2005 ISSO Book Award... Congratulations to our undergraduate winner Ji Gu, and to Diana Looser and Anandita Philipose, who will share this semester's graduate student award! Below is a brief sampling of their individual contributions and achievements:
- Ji Gu, of China, is a junior the College of Engineering, majoring in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering. She has been an active member of the International Student Program Board, EARS, Cornell Singapore Student Association, and CUTonight. She was also selected as a delegate to attend the 2005 Forum for American/Chinese Exchange (FACE) in Beijing.
- Diana Looser, of New Zealand, is a PhD student in Theatre Arts. She was elected in 2004 to the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) as a representative for the field of Theatre Arts on the Council of Representatives, and in 2005 as one of the seventeen voting members of the Assembly. She also serves on the General Committee of the Graduate School (GC). As the only international student member of the GC, Diana considers it her responsibility to draw attention to the concerns and experiences of international graduate students.
- Anandita Philipose, of India, is pursuing a Masters in Public Administration degree with the Cornell Institute of Public Affairs (CIPA). She is the president of the Women in Public Policy student organization, and the director of the student-run public affairs television show, Point of View. She has served as the international student representative on the Cornell Public Affairs Board, and is currently working with the Public Service Center's REACH program as their K12 graduate aide.
Counseling Hours at the ISSO
Every Thursday, 3-6pm
Mahnaz Mousavi will hold counseling hours this Thursday, December 8th, but then will not hold hours again until the Spring semester.
Counseling hours with Mahnaz Mousavi every Thursday, 3-6pm, at the ISSO (B-50 Caldwell Hall). International students, staff, faculty, or family members are welcome.
Feeling stressed out? Need to talk to someone? You don't have to struggle alone.
Free and confidential consultations with a counselor are available to all students at sites around campus. No appointment is necessary. Just drop in. Visit their website for more information.
Come talk about:
Hours and locations:
You also might benefit from talking to other students with similar concerns in a confidential setting. Feel free to check out their discussion groups.
Volunteers needed for January International Student Orientation program
Do you remember your first days as a new international student at Cornell or in another country? What do you know now that you wish you had known when you first arrived? Here is your opportunity to spread your wisdom to new international students and welcome them to Cornell!
We're looking for 10-15 student volunteers to assist with January's New International Student Orientation program which will be held:
Wednesday, January 18th
9:30am-2:30pm
International Lounge, Willard Straight Hall.
This orientation program is small, with an anticipated 30 to 50 participants in attendance. The majority of these new students will be studying at the graduate level, but there will be several undergraduates as well. Volunteers will be asked to assist with sessions by handing out information, discussing their own experiences, and making the new students feel welcome. Breakfast snacks and lunch will be served.
There will be a volunteer information meeting on Monday, January 16th, 4:30-6:00 pm at the ISSO. Pizza will be served! At this time we will discuss the agenda and format of the orientation program, assign duties, and provide copies of the handouts students will receive.
If you are interested in volunteering, send Mariah Sawyer an e-mail containing your name, degree program and country of citizenship, and whether or not you will be able to come to the planning meeting. If you have questions, call Mariah at 255-5243.
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 12-1pm 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.