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    • ISSO Newsletter: October 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:

    1. Immigration News and Reminders
      Maintaining your Immigration Status: Must Be REGISTERED!
      Visas After Graduation: H1B and more!
      Graduating in January? Apply EARLY for F-1 OPT!
      Diversity Lottery for Green Cards!
    2. Upcoming ISSO Programs
    3. Let’s Talk: CAPS off-site counseling at ISSO
    4. Community News, Announcements & Information
      Protect Yourself from the Flu: A Reminder from Gannett
      Check out Student Blogs from Abroad!
      Grad School Announces gradpartners-l E-list
    5. Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours


    Immigration News


    Maintaining your Immigration Status: Must Be REGISTERED!
    All F1 and J1 students must be enrolled full time in the fall and spring semesters in order maintain valid immigration status. For undergraduate students, that means enrolling for a MINIMUM of 12 credit hours. For graduate students, there is no minimum credit hour requirement, but you MUST BE REGISTERED in the fall and spring semesters. Please come in to the ISSO to speak with an advisor if you are unable to maintain the registration requirements. Read more about maintaining your immigration status on our student immigration web pages.


    Visas After Graduation Talk

    Tuesday, October 23, 2007, 7-9pm, Hollis E. Cornell Auditorium
    Presented by Carolyn Lee, JD, and ISSO Staff

    Come find out everything you will need to know about staying in the U.S. after graduation. Carolyn Lee and ISSO staff will explain the procedures for working immediately after graduating, working long-term in the U.S. and eventually becoming a permanent resident (green card holder) if you so desire. This information is particularly crucial at the present time, given the H-1B cap and new backlogs with employment-based green cards.



    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 the last 5 months. It has been taking close to 4 months 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, download an application from our OPT web pages, and come to one of our F-1 work authorization workshops.



    The 2009 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2009) has begun!
    Complete information can be found on the DV 2009 web page.

    The annual Diversity Visa program makes 50,000 permanent residence visas available to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States who meet the simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. Applicants for Diversity Visas are chosen by a computer-generated random lottery drawing. Go to the DV 2009 web page for all the details and how to apply.

    Please Note: A few internationals have received spam emails from a group pretending to be the Diversity Lottery Office, supposedly notifying recipients that they have won the diversity lottery. These emails are definitely fake! If you are selected for a green card by the diversity lottery, the diversity lottery office will notify you by regular mail NOT by email.


    Upcoming ISSO 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 iPrograms-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).


    October

    25 Thursday
    Special Halloween Coffee Hour!
    3:30-5:30 PM, Big Red Barn
    Enjoy spooky treats, pumpkin-carving, and much more. Fun prizes will be given to those daring enough to come in costume, and for the scariest, funniest and most creatively carved jack o'lanterns!



    November

    15 Thursday
    International Undergraduate Engineering Students: Obtaining a Co-op Position
    4:45 PM, location TBA
    For undergraduate Engineering students interested in the Engineering Co-op Program.

    22 Thursday
    Annual Traditional American Thanksgiving Feast
    Location and ticket sales information TBA
    organized by Campus Life and the ISSO

    28 Wednesday
    Driving in Winter and Applying for a New York State Driver’s License
    4:30 PM, room G85 in Myron Taylor Hall

    29 Thursday (POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT SEMESTER!!)
    Special International Coffee Hour, co-hosted by the Humphrey Fellows
    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 (Brazil, Philippines, Georgia, Iraq, Colombia, Afghanistan, Croatia, West Bank, China, India). Click here for more information about the Humphrey Fellow program.



    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!



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


    Each Thursday from 2:30-4:30 PM counselor Tow Yee Yau, 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 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.



    Community News, Announcements & Information


    Protect Yourself from the Flu: A Reminder from Gannett

    Getting a flu shot is still the best protection against the flu. Many students have discovered that the small amount of discomfort they might feel from the vaccination is worth it when compared to the many days of fever, chills, headache, and general muscle aches that accompany influenza. Cornell students, staff, and faculty are provided flu shots as a benefit from the University. There is no cost to you when you present your Cornell ID. Dependents of registered students, 14 years of age and up also may receive the vaccine for $25, cash (exact change, please) or check.

    Gannett offers Flu Clinics in over 20 campus locations beginning the week of Oct. 15th. For a complete list of sites, see http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/ and search for “Gannett Flu Clinics.”

    In Ithaca, the influenza season can begin anytime from November to May, but most cases occur in January and February. Despite what some may think, you cannot get the flu (influenza) from the vaccine—it is an inactivated (or “dead” virus) vaccine. Even if you had the flu last year, or received the vaccine last year, you still need to receive the vaccine for protection. Flu viruses change each year so your best bet for protection is to be vaccinated each year.

    Submitted by:
    Janis Talbot (jit1@cornell.edu) 255-4782
    Health Educator, International Student Health Advocate http://www.gannett.cornell.edu



    Check out Student Blogs from Abroad!

    Explore life in Paris, Beijing, and Dakar through postings on Voices from Cornell Abroad by Blog Journalists Jill McCoy, Amy Lin, and Emily Dally. They would love to hear from you and answer your questions, so feel free to comment. To learn more about Cornell Abroad, visit http://www.cuabroad.cornell.edu/.



    Grad School Announces gradpartners-l E-list

    The Graduate School's Office of Graduate Student Life is pleased to announce the formulation of a new electronic mailing list intended to help provide a community for spouses, partners and family members of graduate, professional and post docs at Cornell. Once a member of the list, you will periodically receive announcements of events, job opportunities and other information related to helping foster connections and community for accompanying partners, spouses and families at Cornell.

    The Grad School does not intend to duplicate all the information out there, nor all the sites and events available, but will try to work with other people and agencies in the Cornell and Ithaca Community to get word and opportunities out that aren't otherwise accessible!

    If you are an accompanying Cornell family member, partner or spouses, (or other interested party) please join the list. Instructions for joining Cornell e-lists can be found here.



    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.