From: VISA Office
Date: November 10, 2021
Subject: ISS News, November 10, 2021: Presidential Proclamation Now in Effect, Thanksgiving Information, International Education Week, End of Semester Reminders, Free Flu Shots, Good Vibes, and More


IS

November 10, 2021

____________________________________________________________________

in this issue:

  1. End of Semester Reminders
  2. OPT & CPT Workshops
  3. ISS' Thanksgiving Holiday Hours
  4. Features
  5. Campus Happenings
  6. Other Opportunities
  7. Good Vibes Only
  8. Food Insecurity Resources
  9. Thanksgiving Holiday Shuttle Schedule
  10. Presidential Proclamation: Effective Nov. 8 Travelers to the US are Required to be Fully Vaccinated
  11. Health Services
  12. Campus Dining- Thanksgiving Hours of Operation

____________________________________________________________________

ISS Staff is available to students, without an appointment, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday during advising hours:

11am to 1pm- through virtual advising available online

1pm to 3pm- through in-person advising in the office

There are no advising hours on Wednesday.

____________________________________________________________________

If you need to speak with an advisor outside of our advising hours, please send an email to international@case.edu to schedule an appointment. Please provide your full, legal name and a brief description of the nature of your appointment when you contact us.

white house clip art

Presidential Proclamation: Effecitve Nov. 8 Travelers to the US are Required to be Fully Vaccinated

President Joe Biden's proclamation that applies consistent standards expected of travelers entering the U.S. is now in effect.

The proclamation indicates that travelers in this category—which includes F-1 and J-1 student visa holders—must be fully vaccinated to enter this country, with some limited exceptions.

The information that we currently have available is here. Please know that International Student Services continues to closely monitor federal developments and will update you as additional information becomes available. For questions related to vaccinations, please email the university at covidvaccine@case.edu. If you have any questions related to your visa status, please do not hesitate to reach out to ISS by phone at 216.368.2517 or by email. 

keep calm the semester is about to end meme

End of Semester Reminders

If you have thoughts about traveling abroad during the break, be sure to ask yourself these questions:

Do I need to extend my I-20 or DS-2019? If you do, read more under the Frequently Asked Questions Section. Undergraduates, be sure to list your Dean in Undergraduate Studies on your request and graduate students, you should list your academic advisor.

Do I need to transfer my F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record? If you do, read more under the Frequently Asked Questions Section.

Do I need to get a new travel signature on my I-20 or DS-2019? If you do, you can read about that process and other factors related to travel and reentry for F-1 and J-1 students.

Also,

  • check the validity of the visa in your passport. US Embassies and Consulates have limited services available and there could be significant delays in visa issuances. This delay could significantly affect your ability to return to the United States.
  • be aware of all travel-related policies. Travel requirements are changing as the situation with COVID-19 evolves, including a new Presidential Proclamation requiring travelers to be fully vaccinated in order to enter the US.  Be sure that you are monitoring all requirements for entry to the United States and complying with university policies related to vaccination and travel to minimize the risk of disrupting your education at CWRU.
  • make sure your passport is valid at all times. Many government agencies are reducing and suspending services. Passport issuance could be an issue in your home country. Please prepare as early as possible if you need to apply for a new passport.  There are certain benefits for which F-1 students apply when they are in the United States and the agencies that oversee those benefits often require applicants to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months into the future.

Do you have more questions that you need help answering? Get in touch with ISS staff during advising hours or by email before you leave campus.

healthy life road sign

Health Services

It is cold and flu season and you're preparing for finals, so it is very important that you take care of yourself- physically and mentally!

If you need to visit the medical professionals at Health Service, be sure to connect with them through myhealthconnect.case.edu to schedule an appointment!

Happy Thanksgiving text with cartoon turkey

ISS' Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

The university will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26.  ISS staff will be unavailable on those days.

The Center for International Affairs will also close at noon on Wednesday, November 24, so that all staff members can engage in strategic planning during the afternoon.

Please plan accordingly for this break (and the upcoming winter break) if you need assistance from ISS.

Normal business hours will resume on Monday, November 29.

During the week of Thanksgiving, ISSNews will not be sent. 

thanksgiving 2021 hour of operation flyer
food box clip art

Food Insecurity Resources

There are various food pantries for students who are facing food insecurity.  Take a look at the list of the different food pantries and other resources available on campus and in the community.

holiday shuttles
OPT and CPT workshop branding telling students that workshops are available online

OPT & CPT Workshops

ISS is offering Optional Practical Training (OPT) and CPT Workshops to go over in detail the application process, student responsibilities, and other important considerations.

Being well informed before applying for either authorization is extremely important and applying early is critical!

USCIS is publishing that it takes 3-5 months to process submitted OPT applications. Plan to complete a required OPT workshop as early as possible to be best prepared. Remember, you do not need to have a job offer to apply for OPT!

You do need to have a job offer before applying for CPT authorization and you are not eligible to begin your experience until you have proper authorization in place. It can take several days to become authorized.

Virtual workshops led by an advisor have been scheduled and information about required registration, attendance, and the application process can be found on our website under the OPT and CPT sections.

Features

IeW 2021 flyer
Cleveland Bucket List Flyer

Campus Happenings

3mt info flyer

Planning for the Very First Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition at CWRU!

 
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research conducted by grad students around the world. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), the competition cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props.

EVENT

Affirming Identity: APIDA

Friday, November 12
12:30pm - 2:00pm
OMA (Sears 409), Office of Multicultural Affairs 10900 Euclid Avenue Sears Library Building 409 physical address for deliveries: 2083 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106-7029, United States
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

5th in OMA’s series providing informal gathering spaces for members of specific cultural identities in order to:
meet, learn, connect, & share.

If you identify as APIDA: Join us to connect with other multi-racial CWRU community members
If you don’t identify as APIDA: Look out for more Affirming Identity events throughout the year!
RSVP

EVENT

Social Responsibility and Shakes!

Friday, November 12
12:45pm - 1:45pm
Thwing 201, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

The CCEL student Executive Council and the Interfraternity Congress and Panhellenic Council invite you to attend “Social Responsibility and Shakes!” on Friday, November 12 from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. in Thwing Room 201! The event will feature a panel discussion of clubs on campus who promote social responsibility. It will be a great opportunity for students to learn more about these organizations on campus and ways that they can become involved, while also teaching socially responsible practices that can directly apply to their daily lives. Lastly, the first 45 attendees (preference given to those who register and arrive on time) will receive a free milkshake from Jolly Scholar! Snacks also provided.
RSVP

EVENT

InvestHER: A Financial Literacy Workshop for Women

Monday, November 15
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Flora Stone Mather Center for Women - Tinkham Veale University Center Suite 248
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

You are invited to join the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women and the Office of Multicultural Affairs for a Financial Literacy workshop tailored for woman-identifying students, staff, and faculty. We will talk about the unique barriers to financial wellness for women, and how best to overcome them while becoming empowered in your financial life.

Food will be provided!

This workshop will feature financial expert Kristy Brickel from KeyBank who will be highlighting how to create a personal financial plan, the best ways to utilize credit and loans, and how to prepare for your ideal financial future. We will also be joined by our partners from HFLA to learn more about how best to utilize their loan services.

Take the first step in owning your financial future and join us for this workshop!
RSVP

EVENT

Advocacy 101 with CWRU Alums!

Monday, November 15
6:00pm - 7:15pm
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

Interested in advocacy? Want to learn more about how to make change on issues of concern to you? Join the Center for Civic Engagement & Learning’s (CCEL) student Executive Council for a virtual CWRU alumni panel discussion spotlighting advocacy as a form of civic engagement that contributes to social change. Hear about alumni perspectives on what advocacy means to them and tools & tips for students engaging in advocacy.

Panelists Include:
-Olivia Ortega, Director of Advocacy at Greater Cleveland Partnership
-Amanda King, Founder and Creative Director of Shooting Without Bullets
-Akshai Singh, National Transit Justice Organizer at Alliance for a Justice Society

You'll receive the Zoom link in a CampusGroups email after registering.
RSVP
counseling photo

T.H.I.N.K.

Talk. Help. Identify Signs. Navigate Resources. Kindly Refer.
T.H.I.N.K. is a suicide prevention training to help people recognize warning signs and assist others who may be having suicidal thoughts. This training is available to all CWRU, CIA and CIM students, faculty and staff.

Upcoming sessions:

Tuesday, November 16
11:30am-12:30pm
TVUC Senior Classroom B
To register: https://cglink.me/2cS/r1374443

Monday, November 22
11:00am-12:00pm
Virtual- Zoom link sent after registration
To register: https://cglink.me/2cS/r1374617

It's on CWRU Opportunities

EVENT

It's On CWRU Overview

Tuesday, November 16
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Mather Center - TVUC 248, 11038 Bellflower Rd, Cleveland , OH 44106, United States
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

The mission of It’s On CWRU is to unify our community’s effort to disrupt the culture of violence. Through evidence-informed education, consciousness raising visuals, survivor support, and community investment, the campaign aims to initiate and support ongoing societal shifts that foster a safe environment for all people.

Join us to learn more about the Mather Center for Women and the Its on CWRU Campaign!
RSVP

EVENT

It's on CWRU Pro-Social Bystander Workshop

Wednesday, November 17
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Mather Center - TVUC 248, Tinkham Veale University Center, Suite 248 11038 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7175, United States
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

The Its on CWRU Pro-Social Bystander training is an evidence-informed bystander intervention program that uses community care as the foundation for intervention. Participants will learn how to define prosocial bystander behavior, recognize potentially harmful situations and articulate their community responsibility to intervene and Implement intervention skills to safely and positively intervene before, during, and after acts of violence.
RSVP
madacol flyer

MaDaCol Performances

The Department of Dance at Case Western Reserve University is pleased to announce this fall’s production of MaDaCol (Mather Dance Collective). Performances are on November 18, 19, and 20 at 8 PM.

All performances take place at Mather Dance Center located at 11040 Bellflower Road. MaDaCol, one of the university’s oldest undergraduate student organizations, offers an important creative outlet for CWRU graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff.

The performance will feature new dance works by second-year graduate students El-drick Aboagye, Shadrach Arthur, and Haiyan Chen.

EVENT

Philanthropy 101

Friday, November 19
12:45pm - 2:00pm
Nord 400, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

Are you interested in giving back to the community? Do you have philanthropic passions that you would like to pursue further but are not quite sure how to do so? Are you part of a student organization interested in learning tips on fundraising for causes you care about? Join CCEL’s student Executive Council and Ayla Sweeney, CWRU’s Director of Parent and Family Giving, for an overview on philanthropy and insights on successful fundraising strategies followed by a panel of student organizations sharing their fundraising tips. Sandwiches and snacks will be provided!
RSVP


roxboro school image from Cleveland.com

Volunteer as Mandarin Classroom Assistant

 
Friday, November 19
12:40pm 2:15pm Flexible Serves: Mandarin Chinese Tutoring (Fridays 12:40-2:15pm) Meeting location: CCEL (Tinkham Veale University Center, Suite 165)
Friday, December 3
12:40pm 2:15pm Flexible Serves: Mandarin Chinese Tutoring (Fridays 12:40-2:15pm) Meeting location: CCEL (Tinkham Veale University Center, Suite 165)
group study image

Become a Peer Tutor

Learn more about information sessions and the application process.

Once you attend an information session, you will be eligible to submit an application. The application opens Friday, Oct. 29 and is due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19.

If you have any questions about becoming a peer tutor, contact David Paulik, assistant director for academic resources.

flu shot flyer

Free Flu Shots Available

Get your free flu shot at one of the free walk-in clinics.

All participants need to bring their CWRU ID.

Please wear an outfit that allows the upper part of your arm to be easily exposed.

This schedule will be updated with various locations on campus where you can get your flu shot.

Other Opportunities

47th Annual Cleveland Symposium: Aura: Authenticity, Experience, and Art flyer
Working in Canada flyer
SASS 500 Sec 103 flyer
Engl 146 flyer
Engl 147 flyer
Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge logo

Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge 2021


Welcome to the 2021 Trail Challenge, a guest led program where you discover new trails throughout Cleveland Metroparks on your own, move to better health, discover the wonders of nature, and earn awards along the way! 

Good Vibes Only

During this very challenging time, ISS staff wants you to know that we are thinking about you- hoping you are safe, healthy, staying positive- and sending out good vibes!

In this section, we are including some things that we hope will make you laugh and smile, help you relax, be entertaining, give you something to do, etc.

This is a good vibes only section!

dhamakapella image from facebook

Dhamakapella, Case Western Reserve University’s premier South-Asian fusion a cappella team, recently released a new music video.  Check it out!