ISSO Newsletter: May 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:
- ISSO Summer Hours
- Immigration News and Reminders
Graduating in May? Discuss your plans with ISSO!
Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. this Summer?
Planning on working OFF-campus this summer?
Check your Documents: Is anything expiring? - Tax Information
Beware of Tax Email Scam!
- ISSO Program Update
Summer Trips & Other Programs
Celebrate National Employee Health and Fitness Day with the ISSO Walking Program - Summer ESL Opportunties
Campus Club ESL Classes Started May 8th
English for International Students and Scholars (EISS) Program Starts June 26th - Upcoming Job Opportunities at the ISSO
(Summer) Program Assistant for Grad Orientation
(Fall) Student Coordinator for International Coffee Hour - Be an Orientation Volunteer!
PREPARE
Graduate & Professional Student Orientation - Counseling at ISSO Continues this Summer: Thursdays 3-6:00 P.M.
- 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 2nd, 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 14th. Please plan your visits to our office accordingly.
All of us at the ISSO hope you have a terrific summer!
Immigration News
Graduating in May? 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:
- 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.
Are you 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 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.
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.
Tax Information
Tax season has come and gone! But don't fear, the software we purchased to help all internationals in the Cornell community will be up until June 15th!!
Please follow the links listed here for more information:
- First time dealing with the U.S. tax system? Click here for Frequently Asked Questions
- Read the ISSO general tax information here.
- U.S. Federal Tax filing: Free software for filing U.S. Federal Non-Resident Tax forms.
- Not sure if you count as a "non-resident for tax purposes"? Click here to find out.
- New York State tax filing: For information and assistance with New York State tax forms, click here.
The deadline to file your tax return was April 17, 2006 unless you do NOT OWE any money. If you don't owe any money, you can file by June 15th, 2006.
We wish you a smooth tax season!!!!
Beware of Tax Email Scam! Please be advised that a few CINTAX users have reported receiving an email that appears to be from the IRS soliciting information regarding how to deposit a refund into the person’s bank account – the email is a scam. Internationals SHOULD NOT REPLY to the email, SHOULD NOT CLICK ON THE LINK in the email and SHOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL DATA OR BANKING DATA via email. The IRS has recently reported such email scams. Be aware that you will NEVER receive an email regarding your tax refund from the IRS – the IRS currently uses ONLY the U.S. postal service to communicate with taxpayers; no emails are ever sent from the IRS to a taxpayer with respect to a personal tax return.
ISSO Program Updates
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).
Saturday, June 24th (tentative): Treman Hike and Cayuga Boat Tour
Sign-ups will start on Thursday, June 15th
Monday, July 3rd - Wednesday, July 5th: Trip to Boston, MA
Sign-ups will start on Monday, June 12th
Saturday, July 22nd: Day trip to Niagara Falls, NY
Sign-ups will start Monday, July 10th
Monday, August 14th - Thursday, August 17th
PREPARE: Pre-orientation Program for Incoming International Undergrads
Sunday, August 20th
Graduate & Professional Student Orientation
Thursday, August 24th
First International Coffee Hour of the semester
3:30-5:30 P.M., Big Red Barn (free refreshments, open to all!)
Celebrate National Employee Health and Fitness Day on May 17th with the ISSO Walking Program
Join the ISSO Walking Program to attend the Cornell Wellness Program's "Lucky Numbers Walk" on Wednesday, May 17. Wear comfortable shoes and come prepared for an event filled with fun and prizes! Meet at the ISSO (B-50 Caldwell Hall) no later than 10:50 A.M. and walk together to Toboggan Lodge (behind MVR). Walk around Beebe Lake, pick up five numbers, and see if you win a prize. Great prizes will be provided by Fontanas, Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, The Cornell Store, the Cornell Dairy Bar, the Cornell Plantations, and more. This event is open to the Cornell community.
The ISSO Walking Program normally takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:00-12:30 P.M. (meet at B-50 Caldwell Hall-ISSO). We are open to route suggestions, as long as it fits within the ½ hour time slot. All participants receive a FREE GIFT! In the case of poor weather, we meet at ISSO, walk to Barton Hall and use the indoor track. CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Paula Senno at 255-5243 or pr37@cornell.edu.
Summer ESL Opportunities
Campus Club ESL Classes Started May 8th!
Campus Club ESL Classes
May 8 - June 8
Fee $10.00
To register, send an email to Anita Watkins at aw236@cornell.edu.
Classes Offered:
Intermediate Level
Wednesdays, 1-3 P.M., Maplewood Park Community Center
Instructor: Suzanne Spitz
High Intermediate Level
Monday, 10 A.M.-12 P.M., St. Catherine of Siena Church
Instructor: Julia Samorodintsky
Advanced Level
Thursdays 1:30-3:30 P.M., Crossroads Life Center, Stewart and Buffalo
Instructor: Gail Sakai
Advanced Level
Thursdays, 7-9 P.M., Hasbrouck Community Center
Instructor: Julie Weeks
English for International Students and Scholars (EISS) Program Starts June 26th
Cornell's Summer Sessions will offer the English for International Students and Scholars (EISS) Program from June 26-August 4, 2006.
The Summer EISS provides full-time English instruction and cultural orientation to students and scholars.
Classes are between 9:00 a.m.-1:00 P.M. Mondays through Fridays. Program instructors also offer optional afternoon classes on topics such as TOEFL preparation, pronunciation, and academic presentations. Students are invited to participate in many late afternoon or evening cultural events with program volunteers and the Cornell community.
or more information and to register, please visit the program web site at http://www.sce.cornell.edu/exec/eiss/summer/index.php
For questions about academic courses contact:
Mary K. Redmond, Director
423A Morrill Hall
e-mail: mkr4@cornell.edu
telephone: 607 254-6502
For questions about administrative issues contact:
Mary Adie
Special Programs
B20 Day Hall
e-mail: mea36@cornell.edu
telephone: 607 255-7259
Upcoming Job Opportunities at the ISSO
Are you looking for a summer job? Interested in working at the ISSO next fall? Check out our current student job openings!
The Program Assistant will help in the planning and execution of all aspects of International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation program, including but not limited to: producing & updating orientation-specific publications, revising general publications, creating publicity materials, creating & maintaining the ISSO Housing Corner, soliciting door prizes from area businesses, answering (or referring) questions from incoming students, recruiting and training student volunteers, preparing mailings, and communicating with other campus offices and international student organizations as needed. The Program Assistant may also be asked to perform general clerical duties for the office as needed.
Candidates must be able to work independently, have strong organizational, communication and computer skills, and be detail-oriented. Exact starting date and number of hours per week are negotiable, but applicants should be available to work starting mid-June and through the end of orientation activities (end of August) at an average of 15-20 hours/week at $10.00 per hour. Preference will be given to continuing international graduate students!
If you are interested in this position, please send a resume and cover letter to Mariah Sawyer at B-50 Caldwell Hall or via e-mail to mjs51@cornell.edu. In your letter, describe your motivation in applying for the position, relevant skills, leadership experience, international background, and any other information you feel is relevant to the position. Applications must be received by 4:30 P.M. on Monday, May 15th.
(Fall) Student Coordinator for International Coffee Hour
Position: Student Coordinator for International Coffee Hour (university title: Student Community
Service Assistant III)
Hourly wage: $8.25
Description: Student Coordinators will be expected to work each Thursday while classes are in
session, from 2:45-5:45 P.M. at the Big Red Barn. The first Coffee Hour of the semester will be on
Thursday, August 24, 2006. Job duties include moving tables and setting up for the event, preparing and
serving food, interacting with attendees and generally acting as a "host" for the event, and
cleaning up after the event is over.
If you are interested in the position, please send a resume and cover letter outlining your interests and relevant experience to Mariah Sawyer at mjs51@cornell.edu.
Volunteer to help at Orientation!
PREPARE: Pre-Orientation Program for New International Undergrads
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 know 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 a few dozen motivated and enthusiastic undergraduate volunteers for PREPARE 2006 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 14-17, with a mandatory training session on August 12-13. Volunteers who have on-campus assignments for the fall will be allowed to move into their rooms beginning on August 11.
Students who want to volunteer for Prepare will be required to sign up on line and will be able to do this sometime after April 18. We will be sending out an email updating you on the process. Web site information is available at http://www.isso.cornell.edu/prepare/volunteers.php
Questions? Please e-mail Adriana Rovers.
Get involved! Help new international students! Have fun! Sign on to the PREPARE Team!
Graduate & Professional Student Orientation
We are looking for energetic volunteers (U.S. and International students) to help at this year's Graduate & Professional Student Orientation program, to be held on Sunday, August 20th. Volunteer duties including setting up prior to the event, acting as a stage assistant and leading small group "break-out" discussions. If you are interested in helping incoming Grads, making new friends, and having some fun, please e-mail Mariah Sawyer.
Free and Confidential Counseling continues this summer at the ISSO: Thursdays 3-6:00 P.M.
CAPS counselor Mahnaz Mousavi will continue to provide free and confidential counseling at the ISSO throughout the summer. She has walk-in hours every Thursday from 3-6:00 P.M. at the ISSO (B-50 Caldwell). International students, staff, faculty, or family members are always welcome.
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.