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    • ISSO Newsletter: December 2008

    The ISSO sends out a monthly web-based newsletter. It contains the latest information about immigration and ISSO services, as well as important reminders about work authorization, visa applications, and more. Please read it! View the ISSO newsletter archive here.

    Newsletter Contents:

    1. ISSO Hours for December and January
    2. Immigration News and Reminders
      Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. at Winter Break?
      Graduating in January? Apply EARLY for F-1 OPT!
      Graduating soon? Discuss Future Plans with ISSO!
    3. Leaving Town Over Break? The Police Can Look After Your Home
    4. ISSO Spring Program Preview
    5. Volunteers Needed for January 14th Orientation
    6. Winter Driving and Parking Issues
    7. Staying in Ithaca Over Break? Activities to Explore
    8. Let’s Talk: CAPS off-site counseling at ISSO (winter hours)
    9. Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours


    ISSO Hours for December and January

    Special hours on Wednesday, 12/17: The ISSO will be open the morning of Wednesday, December 17th, 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 Noon on Wednesday, December 24th. We will be closed the afternoon of December 24th, through Friday, January 2nd, and will reopen for normal business hours at 9:00 AM on Monday, January 5th, 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 in January? Apply EARLY for F-1 OPT!
    If you are graduating this fall semester, and you want to work on F-1 OPT after graduating, APPLY EARLY 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 recent months. It has been taking 3 months or more for most people to receive their OPT work cards. You may start applying NOW if you will graduate after this Fall semester. Please read about OPT, and download an application from our OPT web pages.



    Graduating Soon?: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO!
    If you are graduating from Cornell this December (degree conferral date is actually January 14, 2009) 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?
    The Ithaca Police Can Look After Your Home

    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.



    ISSO Spring Program Preview


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

    January

    14 Wednesday
    International Student Orientation
    9:30 AM-2:30 PM, International Lounge, Willard Straight Hall
    For all incoming undergraduate and graduate students.

    20 Tuesday
    Job/Internship Interview Program for International Students
    presented by Donna Ramil from Cornell Career Services 5:00 PM-6:30 PM, Location TBA, RSVP required.

    22 Thursday
    First International Coffee Hour of the spring semester!
    3:30 PM-5:30 PM, Big Red Barn

    31 Saturday
    Men’s Basketball Game, Cornell Big Red vs. Yale
    Come to the ISSO Pre-game Pizza Party,
    5:45 PM, Kaplan Room in Bartels Field House

    February

    7 Saturday
    Snowshoeing with Cornell Outdoor Education Program
    Details available soon.

    12 Thursday
    Valentine's Day Celebration at Coffee Hour
    3:30 PM-5:30 PM, Big Red Barn

    21 Saturday
    Skiing, Tubing, or Snowboarding at Greek Peak
    Sign-ups at the ISSO starting 9:00 AM, Tuesday, February 3

    25 Wednesday
    "Visas After Graduation"
    Presented by an immigration attorney from the Miller Mayer Law Firm along with ISSO staff, 7-900 PM, Hollis E. Cornell Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall

    TBA Thursday
    International Flag Painting Event at Coffee Hour
    Sponsored by International Students Programming Board (ISPB)
    3:30 PM-5:30 PM, Big Red Barn

    March

    4 Wednesday
    Job Search Workshop for International Students
    presented by Donna Ramil from Cornell Career Services 5:00 PM-6:30 pm, Location TBA, RSVP required

    15-18 Sunday-Wednesday
    Spring Break Trip to Washington D.C.
    Sign-ups at the ISSO starting 9:00 AM, Tuesday, February 12

    April

    26 Saturday
    Day Trip to Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY
    Sign-ups at the ISSO starting 9:00 AM, Monday, April 2

    27 Monday
    University Reception for Graduating International Students
    5:00 PM-6:30 PM, Location TBA



    Plus every Thursday while classes are in session, join us for International Coffee Hour from 3:30-5:30 PM in the Big Red Barn. Meet new friends over light refreshments and world music. All are welcome!



    Volunteers Needed for January 14th Orientation


    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 14th, 2009
    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 12th, 4:30-5:30 PM at the ISSO. Light refreshments 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 Adriana Rovers 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 Adriana at 255-5243.



    Winter Driving and Parking Issues


    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:

    Please be aware that if you leave your car parked on city streets over winter break, your vehicle may be considered “abandoned,” and be ticketed, towed, and impounded. In addition, the City of Ithaca enforces odd/even parking rules from November 1-April 1. That means no parking from 2-6:00 AM on the odd-numbered side of the street on the odd-numbered days of the month, and on the even-numbered side of the street on the even-numbered days. Violating the rules will get you a city parking ticket.

    For information about parking on campus during winter break or overnight during snow storms, as well as other Cornell transportation issues, please see Cornell Transportation and Mail Services' most recent newsletter.

    If you have a dead battery, flat tire, are out of gas, or stuck, call Cornell's Motorist Assistance Program (M*A*P) at 255-0000 and they will give you a hand (your vehicle must be on university property). Response time is usually between 5 and 20 minutes. M*A*P operates from 7:30 AM–6:00 PM (5:30 PM during the summer). If your car becomes incapacitated after hours or on the weekends, call CU Police at 255-1111. While the police cannot provide assistance, they will make sure your car won’t be ticketed or towed.



    Staying in Ithaca Over Break? Activities to Explore


    • 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 Ken Ridley at 351-6209 or e-mail kdr1@cornell.edu for a weekday appointment).
    • 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).
    • Contact the Cornell Outing Club to learn about winter trips you could join. Contact Lindsay Watkins at 717-329-3073 or law35@cornell.edu or Simeon Warner at 254-8605 or simeon@cs.cornell.edu.
    • Go down hill skiing at Greek Peak.
    • View the stars on Friday nights at Fuertes Observatory. Visit their website to check their hours.
    • Learn more about Cornell by taking a campus tour, offered every weekday at 1:00 PM from Day Hall Lobby
    • Learn to climb on the Lindseth Climbing Wall. Call 254-8255 for hours and fees.
    • 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 (jit1@cornell.edu) 255-4782
    Health Educator, International Student Health Advocate http://www.gannett.cornell.edu



    Let's Talk: CAPS off-site counseling at ISSO (winter hours)


    Winter Break Hours: Let's Talk will not be available at the ISSO on December 18th or for the duration of winter break. After winter break, Let's Talk will resume at the ISSO on January 22, 2009.

    Each Thursday during the semester, from 2:30-4:30 PM, a CAPS counselor from Gannett Health Services 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 him 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.