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    • ISSO Newsletter: December 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. ISSO Office Hours for December and January
    2. Immigration News and Reminders
      Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. at Winter Break?
      Graduating this semester? Apply EARLY for F-1 OPT!
      Graduating this semester? Discuss Future Plans with ISSO!
    3. Leaving Town Over Break? Police can provide security check
    4. A Sneak Peek at ISSO Spring Programs
    5. Volunteers Needed for January 17th Orientation Program
    6. Tips: Surviving Winter Weather and Driving Safely
    7. A Message From Gannett:
      Gannett's Hours for December and January
      Staying in Ithaca Over Break? Places & Activities to Explore...
    8. Let’s Talk: CAPS off-site counseling at ISSO
    9. Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours


    ISSO Office Hours for December and January

    Special hours on Wednesday, 12/20: The ISSO will be open the morning of Wednesday, December 20th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. We will then close for the rest of the day for a staff function.

    Holiday hours: The ISSO will remain open for normal business hours through Friday, December 22nd. We will be closed Monday, December 25th, through Monday, January 1st, and will reopen for business at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, January 2nd, remaining open for the duration of the Winter Session.

    We here at the ISSO hope you have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable winter break!



    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:


    Graduating this semester? Apply NOW for F-1 OPT!
    If you are graduating this fall semester, and you want to work on F-1 OPT after graduating, APPLY NOW for your F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization. The application does go to the immigration service centers and these applications have slowed down a great deal in the last 5 months. It has been taking 3 or even 4 months for most people to receive their OPT work cards. You may apply NOW if you will graduate after this Fall semester. Please read about OPT and download an application from our OPT web pages.


    December/January Graduates: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO!
    If you are graduating from Cornell this December (degree conferral date is actually January 17, 2007) 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 with the ISSO advisor on duty about any of the above or any other plans you may have after you graduate.



    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.



    A Sneak Peek at ISSO Spring Programs

    A note about trips: Dates and times are subject to change. Prices and other details will be announced via e-mail on the ISSO-NEWS-L and International-L e-lists. Unless otherwise indicated, trip sign ups will take place on the date specified at 9:00 A.M. at the ISSO (B-50 Caldwell).

    January
    17th (Wednesday)
    New International Student Orientation
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, International Lounge, Willard Straight Hall
    Interested in volunteering to help welcome students who are starting at Cornell in the Spring semester? Contact Mariah at mjs51@cornell.edu.

    25th (Thursday), First International Coffee Hour of the year!
    3:30-5:00 PM, Big Red Barn


    February
    1st (Thursday)
    First Friends of International Students and Scholars Meeting
    6:00-8:00 PM, Willard Straight Hall

    8th (Thursday)
    Valentine’s Day Celebration at Coffee Hour
    3:30-5:30 PM, Big Red Barn
    Create traditional valentine cards for your friends, family, or sweetheart!

    9th (Friday)
    Cornell Men’s Basketball vs. Brown
    5:45 PM, Newman Arena
    With ISSO Pre-Game Pizza Party! Game starts at 7:00 PM

    24th (Saturday)
    Skiing/Tubing/Snowboarding at Greek Peak
    Sign-ups start at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, February 6th.


    March
    3rd (Saturday), Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York
    Sign-ups start at 9:00 AM on Friday, February 9th.

    18th-21st (Sunday-Wednesday)
    Spring Break Trip to Washington DC
    Sign-ups start at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, February 20th.


    April
    24th (Tuesday)
    University Reception for Graduating International Students
    5-6:30 PM, Memorial Room, Willard Straight Hall


    Plus, every Thursday while classes are in session...
    International Coffee Hour
    3:30-5:30 PM, the Big Red Barn
    Make new friends or catch up with old ones as you enjoy coffee, tea, & light refreshments. This weekly event is free and all are welcome!



    Volunteers Needed for January 17th 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 17th, 2007
    9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
    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 15th, 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.



    Tips: 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:

    For information on Cornell overnight parking during winter snow storms, please visit Cornell Transportation's web site.

    While on campus, if your car ever gets stuck in the snow or your battery won't start, call the Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) for free assistance.



    A Message From Gannett:


    Gannett's Hours for December and January

    During the December Holiday week (December 23rd to January 1st), Gannett’s building will be closed. However, if you have an urgent health problem (e.g., require medical or counseling support), you can still consult with a Gannett provider by calling 255-5155 any time, day or night. The provider will help you determine what care you need, and how and when to get it. Gannett offers consultation and advice for all Cornell students (or for their concerned friends and family members). If you need an appointment at Gannett, we will schedule you as soon as possible. If necessary, we help you seek care with alternative providers at the Convenient Care Center (607-274-4150) and Cayuga Medical Center Emergency Department (607- 274-4411).

    If you call 255-5155 after-hours, you will be connected to Gannett's answering service, who will ask you your name, student ID number, and the phone number at which the on-call health care provider can reach you. Your call should be returned within 15 minutes, so stay by your phone. If you don't receive a call, please call the answering service again, as it is possible (on rare occasions) for phone number mix-ups to occur.

    During Winter Session (January 2nd through January14th) Gannett will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Regular hours will resume on January 15, 2007. For more information on hours and care outside of Gannett, visit Gannett's web site.

    Again, if you have an urgent health problem whenever Gannett is closed, don’t hesitate to call 255-5155 for assistance.



    Staying in Ithaca Over Break? Place & Activities to Explore...

    If you are planning to stay in the Ithaca area over the January break, you are not alone. While activities and events available on campus may be more limited, many students find the intersession a great time to explore the campus, the greater Ithaca area, and perhaps take a few day trips to nearby attractions. Here are just a few of the fun and interesting things you could do:

    • Ice Skate at Cass Park Rink, 701 Taughannock Blvd. Call 273-9211 for hours and skate rental fees.
    • Visit interesting museums in the area:
      Johnson Art Museum on campus (255-6464 for hours)
      History Center of Tompkins County (401 E. State St, 273-8284)
      Museum of the Earth (1259 Trumansburg Rd. 273-6623)
      Sciencenter (601 First St, 272-0600)
      Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, N.Y. (www.cmog.org, 800-732-6845)
    • Attend Cornell’s Varsity Athletic games or meets held on campus. For information and schedules visit the Cornell Big Red website. Winter sports include: Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey, Men’s and Women’s Track & Wrestling.
    • Learn more about birds at Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Monday night seminars (254-BIRD, or check out their website).
    • Experience a 3-D visualization at the Theory Center (call Mary Yetsko @ 254-8691 for an appointment weekdays).
    • Visit the Brain Collection (2nd floor of Uris Hall) and Insect Collection (1st floor of Comstock Hall).
    • See a play at Ithaca’s Kitchen Theatre (273-4497 for tickets).
    • Try cross country skiing on the Cornell Golf Course (rent equipment from Cornell Outdoor Education).
    • Set up a customized outing to learn the basics in cross-county skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking: call Todd (COE) at 255-8004.
    • Contact the Cornell Outing Club to learn about winter trips you could join. Call Simeon Warner at 254-8605.
    • Go down hill skiing at Greek Peak.
    • View the stars on Friday nights at Fuertes Observatory (contact Shianne Beer 253-5829 or ssb39@cornell.edu or call 255-3557 to check when open.)
    • Learn more about Cornell by taking a campus tour, offered every weekday at 1pm at Day Hall Lobby
    • Learn to climb on the Lindseth Climbing Wall (254-8255)
    • Bring a group of friends to experience the new Indoor Challenge Course: call Amy at 254-7474 to schedule a program (fee charged).
    • Check out more events at www.cornell.edu/events, www.IthacaEvents.com, or pick up an Ithaca Times free weekly newspaper for movies, music, plays, etc.

    Submitted by:
    Janis Talbot (jit@cornell.edu) 255-4782
    Health Educator, International Student Health Advocate http://www.gannett.cornell.edu



    Let's Talk: CAPS off-site counseling at ISSO

    Each Thursday from 1:30-4:30 pm, Wai-Kwong Wong will be available at the ISSO for free and confidential counselling and consultation. No appointment is necessary! Graduate students, undergraduate students, and family members are welcome to come talk to Wai about:

    • personal growth and challenges
    • depression, anxiety and stress
    • relationship issues
    • family issues
    • cultural, racial and ethnic issues
    • sexual health concerns
    • negotiating academic environment
    • any other issues of concern
    • referral and information

    For more information about Counselling and Psychological Services and a schedule of available times for off-site, walk-in consultations visit: http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/CAPS/offsiteSupport.html.



    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.