From: Marielena Maggio
Date: September 8, 2021
Subject: ISS News, September 8, 2021: Navigating ISS Virtual Chat, OPT & CPT Workshops, Asian Mid-Autumn Festival, Study Abroad Fair, Virtual Career Fairs, Good Vibes, and More


IS

September 8, 2021

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in this issue:

  1. OPT & CPT Workshops
  2. COVID-19 Protocols
  3. Navigating ISS Virtual Advising
  4. Features
  5. Campus Happenings
  6. Other Opportunities
  7. Good Vibes Only
  8. OPT & STEM OPT Students- Follow These Simple Steps for Reporting Updates
  9. New Students, Look Around Your New Homes
  10. An Introduction to US Taxes

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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.

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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.

virtual advising image

Chat with ISS Staff During Virtual Advising Hours

ISS offers virtual advising on-demand to answer quick questions from 11 am - 1 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Watch this video to find out how to access virtual advising and talk to an advisor through our online chat!

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.

opt wordle

OPT & STEM OPT Students- Follow These Simple Steps for Reporting Updates

Reporting related to your personal contact and employment information is a critical part of maintaining status while authorized for either OPT or STEM OPT. Here are instructions for you to follow to ensure that both ISS and the U.S. Government receive the information that they need. Follow these simple steps to ensure that your visa status is protected!

covid 19 website image

COVID-19 Protocols for Fall Semester & Three Weeks of Testing

On August 19, President Kaler and Provost Vinson wrote to the university community with an overview of the university's current protocols.  You can read the message on the COVID-19 Communications page.

You can also read about the university's plans for three weeks of COVID-19 testing requirements.

For the most up-to-date information and resources, continue to visit:

Please continue to keep in touch with ISS.  Staff are here to help you.  If we do not know how to answer your question, we'll help you find someone who can.  Be sure to check your case.edu email address regularly too- this is the university's main form of communication.  Now is the time to stay informed!

clip are of house and magnifying house

New Students, Look Around Your New Homes

Living spaces in the US may be very different from those in your home countries. Please pay attention to the differences to avoid problems with landlords or the University.

Common differences:

There are no drains in the floors of bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc.

Water on the floor will damage carpet and wood floors

Water on the floor will likely go down the walls into apartments on lower floors and damage walls, ceilings, etc.

Windows may be sealed shut. If they are, do not open them

Walls are usually painted drywall, not cinder block and whitewash

Appliances may be electric or gas

Quiet hours may be strictly enforced

Heat may be controlled by the landlord or management company rather than by you

Pet policies are strictly enforced

You may be held financially responsible for any damage you cause, even if you cause it by accident

Lease agreements are binding contracts for the length of the lease—follow the terms of your lease agreements carefully

If you encounter a problems with on-campus housing, please notify your RA or the Housing Office immediately. If you encounter a problem with a landlord or management company, please feel free to contact ISS for help.

Sprintax logo

An Introduction to US Taxes

ISS staff members are not tax experts so the office partners with Sprintax to provide tax assistance to international students. Throughout the year, ISS will promote Sprintax workshops, like this one, to help students with their tax-related needs:

An Introduction to US Taxes, being offered on September 15 at noon, will provide individuals with information about:

  • what to expect during employment or receipt of US income
  • the basics of tax obligations for international students in the United States
  • preparing in advance for tax filing season 2021

This workshop is free to join and open to both new international populations or returning students who want to brush up on their tax responsibilities.

Features

how to start your study abroad journey

CWRU offers students opportunities to study, intern, research and more around the world! Programs range from one week during a school break to a full semester or academic year! Find out how to start your study abroad journey here, and make sure to come to the Study Abroad Fair this Friday, September 10 from 10 am - 2 pm ET on the Case Quad!

EVENT

CWRU Study Abroad Fair

Friday, September 10
10:00am - 2:00pm
Private Location (rsvp to display)
Link
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We invite you to participate in our 2021 CWRU Study Abroad Fair! The event will be held in-person outdoors on the Case Quad with the university's safety measures in place.
Meet providers, talk to study abroad alumni and ask all your questions!
Study Abroad CAN fit into your time at CWRU!
RSVP
Engineering Study Abroad Info Session
asian mid autumn festival flyer

Campus Happenings

Understanding the Hispanic Student Experience at CWRU

Meet CWRU faculty, staff and students on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 12:45 P.M and learn about resources, academic units, programs and student organizations to build community!

EVENT

CWRU Sustained Dialogue - Day of Dialogue

Friday, September 17
10:30am - 2:00pm
various locations on campus and online, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
Link
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Members of the CWRU community are invited to take part in Sustained Dialogue's Fall 2021 Day of Dialogue, including a campus-wide discussion on the challenges and opportunities we face returning to campus (morning), and a variety of dialogue groups and topics in the afternoon. Come to share your thoughts, gain empathy for others, and learn more about the Sustained Dialogue program at CWRU!
RSVP
career fair image

Virtual Fall 2021 University Career Fairs

Engineering, Technology and Science Virtual Career Fair

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT

Employers who attend this event are interested in recruiting CWRU students and alumni who are seeking careers in the fields of engineering, computer science, natural sciences, and more.

Business, Arts and Service Virtual Career Fair

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT

Employers who attend this event are interested in recruiting CWRU students who are seeking careers in the fields of business, social sciences, law/government, public service, art, and more.

Stay up-to-date on all career fair details on the Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education website.

Seminar in Culture flyer for Fall 2021
free access program image

Free Access Program

See What Cleveland Has to Offer - Free for CWRU Students

Other Opportunities

chalk festival at cma from https://www.clevelandart.org/learn/community-arts/chalk-festival

Chalk Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art,
September 11

county fair clip art

County Fairs in nearby Cleveland area

Nearby county fairs to Cleveland are highlighted.

welcome week image for global cleveland

Interested in Volunteering?  Sign up!

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!

vaccination day parody of Frozen song

If Babies Were Featured on Animal Planet