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    • ISSO Newsletter: October 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. Welcome and Introductions
    2. Immigration News and Reminders
      Newly Arriving International Students Must Check In!
      Maintaining your Immigration Status: Must Be REGISTERED!
      Graduating in January? Apply EARLY for F-1 OPT!
      Visas After Graduation: H1B and more!
      Diversity Lottery for Green Cards!
    3. ISSO Fall Trips and Programs
    4. The ISSO's Electronic Lists: A Summary
    5. Let’s Talk: CAPS off-site counseling at ISSO
    6. Community News, Announcements & Information
      US Dental Care
      Health Insurance 101: Expand Your Knowledge
      Protect your Personal Property with Renter's Insurance!
      Phishing and Identity Theft
      2-1-1 Tompkins: Community Services Information
    7. Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours


    Welcome and Introductions


    Whether you are a new or continuing student, the ISSO welcomes you to the 2008-09 academic year and to the first edition of our monthly electronic newsletter!

    Our newsletter contains immigration updates and reminders, and the latest information about ISSO services; it is very important that you read it! View the ISSO newsletter archive here.

    We thought this first newsletter would also be a good opportunity to briefly introduce you to each staff person in the ISSO team:

    Brendan O’Brien, Director
    Brendan O'Brien has worked in the ISSO since 1989 and became director of the office in 1998. He entered the field of international education after studying abroad in Kenya and Israel as an undergraduate, and in France as a graduate student. He enjoys travel and learning about the history and culture of other countries. Brendan is married and his wife Sachiko works in the Vet College. His two young daughters keep them very busy. Brendan enjoys all sports, particularly basketball, swimming, running, biking and American football. Brendan enjoys working in the ISSO and looks forward to meeting as many new students as possible!!

    Laura Taylor, Associate Director
    Laura has been at the ISSO for nearly 14 years. She is a native of the area, but has also lived in England, Colorado and, briefly, Indonesia. In her spare time, she likes to dance, make music, bike, run, garden, paint and kayak. Laura loves the Ithaca community, and never tires of the beauty of the region.

    Sarah Hilsman, Associate Director for Student Immigration Services
    Sarah came to Cornell in 1980 for her undergraduate degree in Government, then transferred to Fine Arts and has worked at Cornell off and on since then. She started at the ISSO in 2002 after advising international students at University of Texas at Austin. Although Sarah grew up partially in Manhattan, she far preferred her adventures in the woods and fields as a kid in a tiny town in Connecticut famous for Lyme Disease (Lyme, CT). She has traveled in India, Turkey and Italy among other places. Sarah has a teenage daughter and enjoys African dancing.

    Adriana Rovers, Assistant Director for Programming Services
    Adriana began working for Cornell in 1995 and at the ISSO a little over six years ago. Coming to the ISSO was a great career move and has been a very rewarding and challenging experience. In addition to immigration advising, is the Assistant Director for Programming Services. Outside of the office in her spare time, she enjoys keeping in touch with her four grown daughters, flower gardening, 1890's house restoration projects, traveling, and keeping physically active with swing dancing and rollerblading.

    Mariah Sawyer, Immigration Advisor and Program Coordinator
    Mariah grew up in Ithaca and, after attending college in North Carolina and living briefly in Arizona, moved back to the area in 2000 and started working at the ISSO. She spent a month in France while in high school, and studied abroad in Italy while in college, using the opportunity to see much of Western Europe. Outside of work, Mariah enjoys creating art, listening to music, reading, and watching movies and hiking with friends. Her favorite part of the job is meeting people from all over the world and she hopes to travel more extensively some day.

    Bill Webster, Immigration Data Specialist
    Bill is responsible for monitoring and maintaining international student and scholar data. He is an avid mountain biker, skier and motorcyclist.

    Steve Shumway, Administrative Manager
    Steve has been employed at Cornell since 1989 and has spent the last four years at the ISSO. When not at work, he enjoys immersing himself in nature -- hiking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing are his favorite pursuits. He's also a classically trained singer, performing throughout the region as a tenor soloist and as a member of the Cayuga Vocal Ensemble.

    Cindy Austic, Immigration and Programming Assistant
    Cindy has been working for Cornell University and the ISSO for more than elevens years. She likes meeting (and helping) people from all over the world, so this job is interesting and rewarding for her.

    Mary Wheaton, Immigration Assistant
    Mary has worked at ISSO for 12 years and at Cornell for 42 years! At the ISSO she is responsible for the preparation of petitions for H1B1 and O visas and for the form (I140) for permanent residents. She also prepares DS2019 forms for J1 Scholars. She enjoys working at ISSO and appreciates the chance the meet people from all over the world.

    Scott Beemer, Immigration and Accounts Assistant
    Scott has been working at Cornell for over two and a half years. A Cornell graduate from the Class of 2003, Scott majored in government and history. He traveled to Japan after graduation and worked as an English teacher in two high schools through the JET Program. He worked at the Johnson School's Career Management Center from his return to the United States in 2005 until he joined the ISSO last year. Scott enjoys working both with people and with data and has a particular interest in meeting and helping international students and scholars, so he is excited to be on board at the ISSO. Outside of work, Scott enjoys travel, creative writing, and photography. He and his wife recently welcomed a son to their family.

    Elizabeth Shedd, Receptionist
    Elizabeth has been at the ISSO for a little over a year. She's originally from the Washington, DC area but grew up in Ithaca, and has attended school in Ireland and France. She's traveled throughout Europe but unfortunately hasn't see the Scandinavian countries (yet). When she's not at the ISSO, you can find her cooking, writing, watching movies or dancing.



    Immigration News


    Newly Arriving International Students MUST Check in at ISSO!
    Newly Arriving International Students MUST check in to the ISSO no later than 30 days after the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you do not check in at the ISSO, you may lose your valid immigration status in the U.S.

    To check in, come to the ISSO at B-50 Caldwell Hall and bring with you:

    • your passport,
    • I-94 card and
    • I-20 or DS-2019.

    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.



    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 8 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, download an application from our OPT web pages.



    Visas After Graduation Talk

    Monday, October 20, 2008, 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.


    The 2010 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-2010) begins October 2, 2008!
    Complete information can be found on the DV 2010 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 2010 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.




    ISSO Fall Trips and 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).

    October

    11-13 Saturday-Monday
    Fall Break Trip to New York City
    THIS TRIP IS ALREADY FULL!

    13 Monday
    "Postcards to Home"
    The Tatkon Center, Balch Hall, Time TBA
    Stop by the Tatkon Center to write a postcard home. We’ll cover the postage!

    26 Sunday (NEW DATE!)
    Finger Lakes Wine Tour and Watkins Glen Hike
    Sign-ups starting October 7

    29 Wednesday
    Insurance 101: How to get the most from your Student Health Insurance
    12:15-1:00 PM, Caldwell Hall, Room # 341. Bring your questions and enjoy some pizza. RSVP by sending an email to apr6@cornell.edu

    30 Thursday
    Special Halloween Coffee Hour!
    3:30-5:30 PM, Big Red Barn

    November

    17 Monday
    Driving in Winter and Applying for a New York State Driver’s License
    5:00 PM, Myron Taylor Hall Room # TBA

    19 Wednesday
    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.

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


    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!



    The ISSO's Electronic Lists: A Summary


    The ISSO has three different electronic mailing lists, each with a distinctly different purpose. ISSO-NEWS-L is required all currently registered international students. The ISSO uses this list to send students important immigration-related updates and reminders, as well as our monthly electronic newsletter. Students are automatically added (or removed) from the list each academic year, and only ISSO list administrators may post announcements. If you are a currently registered international student and think you are not receiving list postings, please contact isso@cornell.edu to request that we add you.

    iPrograms-L Join this e-list if you are interested in receiving announcements specifically about ISSO trips, programs, and non-immigration services. This list has open membership (meaning anyone is welcome to join), but only ISSO list administrators may post announcements.

    International-L This list has been established by the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) to facilitate communication and camaraderie within the international community at Cornell. Cornell's international community is comprised of international students and visiting academic staff (past, present & future,) their family members, and other members of the Cornell and Ithaca community who share an interest in international & cultural affairs.

    You may use this list to post announcements of upcoming events, find information, meet new friends, or discuss current events and issues of local or global concern. Anyone is welcome to join this list, and your opinions are welcome, but please be respectful of others. The ISSO reserves the right to remove members who post messages that are offensive, obscene, or personally attack a list member. Also keep in mind that replies to this list will go to all members of the list, so if you wish to respond privately to a message, please check your "TO" line before sending your reply.

    For information about joining iPrograms-L or International-L, visit http://www.isso.cornell.edu/about/interl.php.



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


    Let's Talk CAPS Counseling will resume at ISSO on Thusday, October 9th! Each Thursday 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.



    Community News, Announcements & Information


    US Dental Care (from University Health Services)

    Finding a Dentist:
    A challenge most of us face when moving to a new community is finding medical and dental care providers who will meet our needs. While Gannett provides medical services for students, their spouses or same sex partners, and children over age 14, dental care is not offered on campus. Students and their families need to identify a dentist in the greater Ithaca area to provide this service.

    When looking for a dentist, a good starting point is to ask friends, classmates, and neighbors who have lived in Ithaca for awhile what dentists they recommend. Another source of information is the NY State Dental Association’s list of members in the Ithaca area. If you are a member of the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), and you purchased the optional dental plan provided by First Ameritas Insurance, you can find a list of their preferred “in network” providers online.

    Questions to ask:
    Once you have identified potential dentists, call their offices to learn more about the services they provide and ask if they are currently taking new patients. Here are some questions to guide that discussion:

    • Tell the dentist about yourself, any special needs you have, and the services you would like.
    • What are their office hours, and how is emergency dental care provided outside those hours?
    • What is their policy about canceling appointments and missing an appointment?
    • Will the dentist offer multiple treatment options for your dental care and explain their costs, benefits and limitations so that you can make informed choices?
    • What fees are charged for routine services such as tooth cleaning, dental x-rays, sealants or fluoride (for children), routine fillings, root canals, crowns, caps and bridges?
    • When is payment required? Some dentists may be willing to set up a payment plan when the bill is over a certain amount so that dental expenses can be paid over a period of time instead of in one lump sum. While it may be tempting to use a credit card for payment of dental bills, the interest charges associated with this method of “borrowing money” may lead to a greater financial burden later — especially if you are on a very tight budget.
    • If you have a dental insurance plan, is the dentist a participating provider in the dental plan you have? If not, will you need to submit claim forms to your insurance plan for reimbursement?

    What to expect:
    In the US, dentists emphasize services and practices that prevent dental problems or enable their early detection. For example, dentists may recommend teeth be cleaned by a dental hygienist on a routine basis (usually every 6 months); x-rays be taken of teeth for early detection of tooth decay, infections, or gum disease (frequency will depend on your individual health needs); and for pre-school children, the possible use of fluoride to build stronger tooth enamel to prevent decay. If dental decay is discovered during an exam, most dentists will recommend that it be treated promptly rather than delaying treatment. Again, their emphasis is on treating the decay early to prevent further tooth damage.

    What constitutes “good dental care” can be subjective:

    • Some dentists are conservative in their treatment plans and will only suggest work that is urgent.
    • Others are not conservative with treatment plans and the cost of treatment.
    • Some dentists have practices in their homes, or a house, some in modern office buildings, and others in shopping malls.

    Patients vary in what they want from their dentists too:

    • Some patients like to have a quick cleaning and short visit with the dentist, and others would like more education and time spent with them.
    • Some patients are seeking treatment to fix only “what ails them,” others want their entire mouth fixed now so they won’t have to get work done later.

    Neither of these approaches is wrong.

    During a dental visit, you may want to ask:

    • How do the options differ in cost?
    • Which solution will last the longest?
    • Do all the options solve the problem?
    • Are other treatment options available?

    Among the dentist's recommendations, consider which treatments are absolutely necessary; which are elective; which are cosmetic; which are urgently needed, and which ones are less urgent? Your dentist should be able to prioritize a treatment schedule to help you distinguish problems needing immediate attention from those that are less urgent. Often, treatment can be phased in over time. Be sure you understand the consequences of delaying treatment.

    As a patient, you have the right to considerate and respectful care; to be informed about the procedures that will be used, the expected benefits and drawbacks of available treatment options; and to be given an estimate of fees involved with each option. Feel free to ask your dentist questions if you need more information and to ask again if you don’t understand the explanation you were given. As with medical care, you and your dentist share responsibility in making decisions about your treatment options. For complex or expensive procedures, you may want to have a second opinion from another dentist before making a decision. You also can refuse treatment, but you should be aware of what effect this may have on your dental health. If you are dissatisfied with the services you receive or have a complaint about your dental care, you can voice your concerns to the dentist, call the state or local dental association or contact your insurance office to resolve the issue. Remember, you also can select another dentist for your care.

    “Taking care of your mouth, teeth and gums isn't just a matter of good grooming. It can prevent infections, and maybe even diseases, throughout your body,” according to the Mayo Clinic. For another good source of information on dental care and treatments, see their web site.

    For students who have purchased the supplemental First Ameritas Dental Insurance Plan, the following is a list of the plan’s 2008-2009 preferred in-network participating dentists*:

    Access Dental Care
    119 W. South St,. Groton, NY
    607.898.5006
    Dentist: Sufdar Ali, DDS

    Achati Dental PC
    523 W. Clinton St., Ithaca
    607.272.2081
    Dentists: Betsy Peterson, DMD; Richard Oberly, DMD

    Aspen Dental Health Services
    324 Elmira Rd., Suite 200, Ithaca
    607.273.3000
    Dentists: Ann Lee, DDS; Vikramjit Anand, DDS; Kramjit Anand, DDS; Isam Hamati, DDS; Ralph Beaton, DDS; George Bauries, DDS

    Cayuga Family Dental Health PC
    2255 N. Triphammer Rd., Suite 63, Ithaca
    607.257.6600
    Dentist: Loveena Gupta, DDS

    Fall Creek Family Dentistry
    501 N. Cayuga St. , Ithaca
    607.272-8118
    Dentists: Kristna Kapur, DDS; Luis Mauleon, Jr., DDS

    Tompkins Dental Health PC
    2309 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca
    607.257.8065
    Dentists: Raminder Singh, DDS; Joon Kyu Hwang, DDS; Nazar Shcheglov, DDS

    * The above listing is not intended as an endorsement by Gannett Health Services. For a complete listing of Ithaca area dentists, please refer to the local phone book’s yellow pages or to an online directory. While students with dental insurance may receive the highest coverage by using in-network providers, they may select any dentist for care. If the out-of-network dentist’s fee is above the negotiated fee set by the insurance plan, you will need to pay the difference.

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


    Health Insurance 101: Expand Your Knowledge

    A seminar for Cornell International graduate and professional students, undergraduates, and their spouses/ partners will be held on

    Wednesday, October 29, 12:15-1:00 pm
    341 Caldwell Hall

    This luncheon seminar explains how to get the most out of your student health insurance, how the US health care systems works, and what to expect during a medical visit.

    Bring your questions for informal discussion with:

    • Jo Ann Molnar-Kieffer, Administrator, Student Health Insurance Plan
    • Janis Talbot, Health Educator, Gannett Health Services

    Lunch provided. RSVP by October 27 to Adriana Rovers.

    Sponsored by the International Students & Scholars Office, Gannett Health Services, and the Office of Student Insurance.


    Protect your Personal Property with Renter's Insurance!

    Pause a moment and think about what you might lose in the case of a fire or burst water pipe in your apartment...

    Replacing your laptop, CD player, iPod, books, clothing, furniture, and other belongings would be costly and stressful, right?

    Accidents DO happen, and each year students without insurance have had to pay out of pocket to replace valuable items, while those with insurance have benefited from their coverage.

    Most landlords' insurance policies do not cover the personal property of renters in the case of fire, water, or smoke damage, and every year, some Cornell students caught without renter's insurance have had to manage the cost of replacing lost or damaged property on their own. The ISSO therefore strongly recommends that you consider purchasing personal property insurance, also known as "renter's insurance".

    Renter's insurance is often available for a low annual cost ($50-250, depending on amount of coverage), providing coverage in the case of loss due to damage or even theft. Please note that most policies only cover an individual renter, so if you have roommates, they should buy their own policies.

    For more information on renter's insurance, please search the web. While the ISSO cannot recommend a particular insurance company, we can provide links to some of the major insurance companies:

    For General information about personal property insurance, and to compare rates and policies, visit personalinsure.about.com/cs/renters.


    Phishing and Identity Theft

    Adapted from information provided by CIT.

    How phishing works:
    In a common scenario, phishers will send mass emails. The emails appear to come from a legitimate company, and often try to evoke an emotional response to a phony crisis. Usually a request for sensitive information is made, sometimes directing the recipient to a spoofed Web page. The Web page, like the email, appears authentic, and in some instances its URL has been masked so the Web address even looks real. Because the email and its corresponding Web page seem bona fide, the phishers hope at least a fraction of recipients are fooled into submitting their data.

    Phishers are also beginning to use viruses to do their dirty work. These viruses monitor your Internet activities, and will spring into action when you visit a particular site, either diverting you to an impostor site or capturing your keystrokes. Without virus protection you may have no idea malicious code resides your hard drive.

    How to avoid phishing scams:
    You don't need to become an expert to protect yourself. Caution and common sense will reduce your likelihood of becoming a phishing victim.

    • Be wary of email asking for confidential information­especially of a financial nature. If you receive this kind of request, call to confirm the sender's identity and the validity of their request.
    • Don't be pressured into divulging information. Phishers use scare tactics, employing urgent language to pressure you into submitting confidential data. They may threaten to disable an account or delay services until you update certain information. Contact the merchant who sent the email to confirm its authenticity.
    • Watch out for generic-looking requests for information. Fraudulent emails are rarely personalized. Emails from your bank or ISP should directly address you or your account­confirm the authenticity of any suspicious request before responding.
    • If a suspicious email contains a URL, don't click on it. Instead, navigate to the Web site by typing the URL directly into the address bar of your browser.
    • Never submit confidential information via forms embedded within email messages. Instead, communicate that information over the phone or through a secure Web site.
    • When submitting confidential information over the Internet, verify the site is secure. Just because the site's address begins with https doesn't necessarily mean the site is secure. Phishers may use URL masking techniques to mimic the secure address of an authentic company. Before submitting your information, confirm the URL's authenticity by clicking on your browser's "locked" symbol.
    • Monitor your online accounts. Make sure all transactions are valid. If they aren't, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
    • Keep your browser and operating system up to date. Check regularly for patches and upgrades.
    • Lock down your computer with protection tools. Norton Internet Security reduces your exposure to spam-based phishing scams and protects against viruses and other blended threats.

    Conclusion:
    Try to stay abreast of new phishing tactics and strategies and keep your security components up to date. If you are uncertain about the legitimacy of an e-mail you receive, visit http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/phishing/identify.mspx or http://www.snopes.com. Learn to recognize the signs of a fraudulent e-mail, hoaxes and scams! Also learn more about protecting yourself against identity theft at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.



    2-1-1 Tompkins: Community Services Information

    When You Need Help...Finding Help !!!!!!
    you just need to remember to dial 2-1-1

    If you are looking for community services information , 2-1-1 can help you.

    2-1-1 provides area residents with information on finding health care, housing services, legal assistance, food resources, employment, consumer information, transportation, day care, services for seniors, programs for people with disabilities, mental health services, addiction treatment and other health and human services.

    You can receive information on more than 650 local, regional and national not-for-profit and government organizations that provide services in Tompkins County and the region.

    Interpreter Services are available for callers who do not speak English.

    2-1-1 Tompkins is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.

    You can call any time during the day and night, weekends and holidays.

    You can also contact us at 1-877-211-8667 (TOMP) or search our online services directory at www.211tompkins.org.

    Or if is easier for you, you can also CHAT with one of our specialists, from Monday to Friday 8:30 - 5:00 PM.

    For more information, contact: Fran Spadafora Manzella, 2-1-1 Call Center Manager at 273-3010, ext 242 or fmanzella@hsctc.org.



    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.