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    • ISSO Newsletter: March 2008

    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
      Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. at Spring Break?
      Planning on working OFF-campus this summer?
      May Graduates: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO!
      Reminder: You must update your address with the ISSO!
    2. Tax Information
      3. General Tax Information
      U.S. Federal Tax Forms
      Accessing the Software
      New York State Forrms
      W-2 and 1042-S
      1098-T
      Warning: Identity Theft Scam disguised as tax refund!!
    3. ISSO March/April Programs
      3/29 Trip to the Corning Musuem of Glass (full)
      4/3 Humphrey Fellow presentation at Int'l Coffee Hour
      4/21 University Reception for Graduating Int'l Students
    4. Spring 2008 ISSO Book Award Recipients
    5. Heal Kenya campaign
    6. English for International Students and Scholars Summer Program
    7. Let's Talk: CAPS off-site counseling
    8. Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours


    Immigration News




    Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. at Spring 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:


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


    Reminder: You must update your address with the ISSO!
    Anyone in F-1 or J-1 status at Cornell MUST update your address with the ISSO when you move by filling in our on line address form. If you haven't updated your address with the ISSO since moving, do it now!



    Tax Information


    Read the ISSO tax information here.

    Read the tax frequently asked questions here.

    Tax season is here! The deadline to file your tax return is April 15, 2008

    If this will be your first time filing tax forms in the U.S., or if you are confused about the U.S. tax system, please click here and start by reading through our TAX FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) here.

    U.S FEDERAL TAX forms:
    The ISSO has purchased web based software for all internationals in the Cornell Community to assist with filing U.S. Federal NON-RESIDENT Tax Forms. All internationals temporarily residing in the U.S. are required to file at least one U.S. Federal Tax Form (the 8843) even if you were not employed. The tax software will help you fill out that form and will determine if you need to fill out other forms as well. To determine if you are Non-Resident for tax purposes, click here.

    TO ACCESS THE SOFTWARE:
    You only need your net id and password to access the software. Click here to get to our tax information page and to read important information about what you need before you fill in the tax forms using the software.

    NEW YORK STATE TAX forms:
    The software described above does NOT complete New York State tax forms. Click here for everything you need to file your New York State tax forms. (PLEASE NOTE: You must complete your federal tax form BEFORE you may complete your New York State tax form.)

    Questions about W-2s and 1042s's:
    Click here for any questions regarding W-2 and / or 1042s forms.

    Questions about the 1098-T:
    Click here for any questions regarding the 1098-T form. Most international students file U.S. tax forms as Non-Residents and should IGNORE the 1098-T form. The 1098-T form is a tax document that Cornell fills out to reports to the student (and the IRS) any tuition charges and financial aid for a calendar year. Starting with the 2007 calendar year Cornell University will be issuing 1098-T forms “Tuition Statement”, to all students at Cornell, including foreign nationals, when the following criteria is met; tuition charges exceed financial aid.

    The 1098-T form assists students in evaluating whether s/he is eligible for one of the following educational credits, the Hope Credit or Life Time Learning Credit. Unfortunately, any international who is filing tax returns as a Non-Resident for Tax purposes, is NOT eligible for any of these educational credits and you should ignore the 1098-T form. For more information read here.



    Tax Refund Spam Emails!

    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 "irs.org" in it. In the email, they say that you are eligible for a tax refund and that therefore you need to sent them information such as your SSN and the PIN # of my ATM Card. 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 a U.S. government office, please do check with us first or with an attorney. In general, the various branches of the U.S. government do not contact you by email unless you are already in correspondence with a particular individual.

    You may find the following links helpful which are on identity theft and fraud:



    ISSO March/April Programs

    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).


    Trip to Corning Museum of Glass
    Saturday, March 29
    This trip is already full..


    Humphrey Fellows presentation at International Coffee Hour
    Thursday, April 3
    3:30-5:30 PM, Big Red Barn
    The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows invite you to join them for a special International Coffee Hour. Enjoy a slide show presentation, special foods, and music from the Fellows' home countries and surrounding regions. For more information about the HHH Fellowship program, visit http://ip.cals.cornell.edu/professionaldev/hhhfellowships.cfm.


    University Reception for Graduating Int'l Students
    Monday, April 21
    5-6:30 PM, Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room
    More details will be announced soon.

    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! Note: Coffee Hour will take place at the Trillium Mezzanine in Kennedy Hall on Thursday, March 27th, from 4-5:30 PM. It will then be held at the normal time and location for the rest of the semester.



    Those who are interested in going on an ISSO-organized trip must sign up beforehand. In most cases, minimal fees will apply. Spaces are generally limited and participants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. You may sign up for yourself and up to two friends or family members. The ISSO accepts cash or checks made out to Cornell University. The ISSO cannot accept credit cards or bursar charges.



    Congratulations to the Spring 2008 ISSO Book Award Recipients!


    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 that there were four recipients of the Spring 2008 ISSO Book Award...Congratulations to our undergraduate winners Emma Banks and Gerardo Zepeda, and our graduate student winners Alper Bozkurt and Mao Ye. Below is a brief sampling of their individual contributions and achievements:

    Emma Banks, of Canada, is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, and has been accepted into the College Scholars Program. Her many academic and extra-curricular activities focus on international relations and immigration policy. She co-authored an article about NAFTA for the Cornell International Affairs Review, and works with Catholic Charities’ Immigrant and Refugee Services. She has also joined the Committee on U.S.-Latin American Relations (CUSLAR) where she is involved with the Committee’s creation of, in partnership with the Cornell Organization for Labor Action (COLA), an Ethical Purchasing Task Force.

    Gerardo Zepeda, of Honduras, is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is a member of Alpha Zeta, a professional, honorary, and social fraternity, and is the current president of Los Aficionados del Español, a student organization focused on Spanish language and culture(s). After participating in Alternative Breaks, which promotes service-learning opportunities in several US cities during Spring Break, he joined CRESP’s Centro de Idiomas, which shares a similar mission as Alternative Breaks, but at the international level, and became a trip leader for the winter 2007-08 trip to Nicaragua.

    Alper Bozkurt, of Turkey, is pursuing a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is the current president of the Cornell Rumi Society, which works to promote dialogue and understanding between different religions and Islam, and to bring together people interested in Turkish Islamic culture and spirituality through educational and cultural events. Such events have included: the Ramadan Dialogue Dinner at the First Unitarian Church of Ithaca; a talk entitled “Modern Muslim Peace Movements: A Dynamic Alternative to Violence”, co-organized by the Cornell Catholic community; and CURW’s “Soup & Hope” series. Alper has also been actively engaged in his research in Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), and was recently contacted by Disney to consult on the film, G-Force which is slated for release in May of 2009.

    Mao Ye, of the People’s Republic of China, is pursuing a PhD in Economics. He is the current Student-Elected Trustee to Cornell’s Board of Trustees and has worked hard, in this position, to advance the causes of international students at Cornell, and promote positive interactions between international and domestic students. Among other projects, he has urged the administration to assist students with uninsured or underinsured spouses, and proposed the idea of declassifying CALS course evaluation results to students, an idea that resulted in a resolution passed by the CALS Faculty Senate.



    Heal Kenya Campaign


    In response to the humanitarian crisis that followed the post-election violence in Kenya, Kenyans and East Africans here at Cornell through the "Wananchi Association" (Wananchi means citizens in Swahili) have organized a Heal Kenya campaign that runs from 27th Feb to 28th March.

    The aim is to raise awareness and funds to enable to Kenya Red Cross meet the needs of the more than 300,000 displaced people many of whom are in the over 300 camps set up all over the country.

    According to Kenya Red Cross estimates, $20 will enable a displaced family of 5 in these camps to meet their basic monthly needs for food, water & sanitation and medicine.

    Our activities:

    1) A Funds drive:
    • Donations can be dropped off at one of four locations: CIIFAD (31 Warren Hall); IAD (170 Uris Hall); Africana Studies and Research Center (310 Triphammer Rd), ISSO (B-50 Caldwell Hall).
    • "Penny-o-peace" penny drive - drop your change in containers placed strategically around campus

    2) A Discussion forum will be held March 28th at 3:30 PM at the Africana Studies and Research Center (310 Triphammer Rd)

    3) A Fundraising dinner will be held March 28th at 7:00 PM, also at the Africana Studies and Research Center

    If you would like to be involved in this campaign please contact: Joseph Kimetu (President, Wananchi Association) jmk229@cornell.edu OR Amos Kung'u (Communications facilitator) akungu@gmail.com.

    For more information visit http://ciifad.cornell.edu/getinvolved/HealKenya/kenyaaid.cfm.



    English for International Students and Scholars Summer Program


    Cornell University is offering the English for International Students and Scholars (EISS) program again this summer.

    Participants include incoming graduate students preparing for their first semester at Cornell, summer visitors, undergraduates who will return to their home country after studying in the summer and visiting scholars.

    The Summer Session EISS program, which will run from June 23-August 1, provides full-time intensive English instruction and cultural orientation for those interested in working and studying in an academic environment in the U.S. or in using English professionally.

    It offers instruction at all levels, from low intermediate through very high advanced. The program features small class sizes to enhance students' ability to learn English and to enable instructors to provide personal attention and encouragement.

    Core classes are scheduled from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. weekdays, with additional afternoon electives and evening events.

    Summer EISS is designed specifically to help participants:

    • improve their ability to speak and write accurately in English;
    • communicate in culturally appropriate ways;
    • prepare for studying or working at a U.S. university;
    • develop the language skills required to achieve their professional, academic, and personal goals;
    • practice academic reading, note-taking, and listening to lectures; and
    • use English in daily communication.

    Participants are eligible to use the Language Resource Center, the Cornell libraries, sports facilities, and on-campus computer labs. In addition, students are invited to participate in field trips sponsored by the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) and to attend the Summer Session concert and lecture series.

    Summer EISS participants are eligible to receive a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant [F-1] Student Status). Interested students should apply before May 1 to allow time for visa processing.

    For more information and to register, please visit the program Web site at http://www.sce.cornell.edu/exec, or contact Mary Adie at mea36@cornell.edu or by calling 607.255.7259.



    Let's Talk: CAPS off-site counseling


    Each Thursday from 2:30-4:30 PM, counselor Meera Murthi, Ph.D. 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 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
    Remember! We will be closing at 3:30 P.M. on Fridays, from June 2nd-August 14th!

    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.