ISSO Newsletter: May 2007
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:
- ISSO Summer Hours
- Immigration News and Reminders
Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. this Summer?
Planning on working OFF-campus this summer?
May Graduates: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO!
Check your Documents: Is anything expiring?
What can I do if I can't get an H1B? - ISSO Summer Program Schedule
- Orientation Volunteers Needed
- Attention International Student Organization Leaders!
- Let’s Talk: CAPS off-site counseling at ISSO
- Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours
ISSO Summer Hours
While the ISSO will remain open all summer, our office hours will change slightly. Beginning Friday, June 8th, the ISSO will close one hour early on Fridays--at 3:30 rather than 4:30 P.M. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, August 6th. Please plan your visits to our office accordingly.
All of us at the ISSO hope you have a terrific summer!
Immigration News and Reminders
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:
- 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.
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. If you plan to apply for OPT, apply soon, because the fee for OPT is going to rise from $180 to $340 ANY DAY!
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 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:
- to work while in F-1 status after you graduate If you plan to apply for OPT, apply soon, because the fee for OPT is going to rise from $180 to $340 ANY DAY!)
- 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.
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.
What can I do if I have graduated and can't get an H1B after my F-1 OPT? Unfortunately, the news is true that the quota for H1B visas for NON-academic institutions was reached on the first day of filing this year -- April 2nd! Click here for further information.
ISSO Summer Program Schedule
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 A.M. at the ISSO (B-50 Caldwell).
July
13th-15th (Friday-Sunday)
ISSO trip to Boston, Massachusetts
Sign-ups start at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 26th.
28th (Saturday)
Trip to Niagara Falls, New York
Sign-ups start at 9:00 AM on Monday, July 16th.
August
13th-16th (Monday-Thursday)
PREPARE International Undergraduate Orientation Program
8th (Saturday)
International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation
Note: There will be no weekly International Coffee Hour during the summer. International Coffee Hour will resume when classes do, on Thursday, August 23, 2007.
Orientation Volunteers Needed
The ISSO depends on the enthusiasm and expertise of continuing international student volunteers to make our orientation programs a success. We need volunteers to assist with the PREPARE Undergraduate Orientation Program, and with the International Graduate and Professional Student Program. Details are below.
PREPARE International Undergraduate Orientation program
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 knows 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 motivated and enthusiastic undergraduate volunteers for PREPARE 2007 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 13-16, with a mandatory training session on August 11-12. Volunteers who have on-campus assignments for the fall will be allowed to move into their rooms beginning on August 10.
Students who want to volunteer for PREPARE will be required to sign up online by May 15th!
Get involved! Help new international students! Have fun! Sign on to the PREPARE Team!
Questions? Please contact Adriana Rovers at apr6@cornell.edu
International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation
This program will be held on Saturday, August 19th, 2007 from 3-7:00 PM in Statler Hall.
Graduate student volunteers are needed to help set up for the event, welcome new students, and generally
be on hand to answer questions and share your experiences as a continuing student. If you are interested
in helping out with this event or with the Graduate School’s ongoing orientation activities, please
send your name and e-mail address to Mariah Sawyer at mjs51@cornell.edu. There will be a volunteer
information meeting in mid-August. More details will be provided during the summer.
Attention International Student Organization Leaders!
There will be an International Student Organization Fair held in conjunction with the International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation. This event will showcase the variety of International Student Organizations available on campus. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 19th from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Park Atrium of Statler Hall’s Beck Center. Welcome new graduate students and recruit new members! If your organization is interested in participating, send summer contact information (name and e-mail) to Mariah Sawyer at mjs51@cornell.edu.
Let's Talk: CAPS off-site counseling at ISSO
Let's Talk will continue during the summer! See the summer hours below.
Each week 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
Summer hours: During the month of May, Wai will be available on Thursdays. During the months of June and July his hours will shift to Tuesday afternoons. He will not be available on June 5th or 26th. August hours will be announced later this summer.
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
Remember! We will be closing at 3:30 P.M. on Fridays, from June 8th-August 3rd! Regular hours will resume on Monday, August 6th.
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.