From: VISA Office
Date: August 11, 2021
Subject: ISS News, August 11, 2021: Check In with ISS, Start of Semester Reminders, CWRU COVID-19 Website, Fun Things to Do, Good Vibes, & More



IS

August 11, 2021

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in this issue:

  1. SEVP Guidance for the Academic Year
  2. Registration & Your Visa Status
  3. Chat with ISS Staff Online
  4. We Hear Your Questions
  5. Check In with ISS
  6. Beware of Scams
  7. Manage Tuition Payments & More
  8. Features
  9. Campus Happenings
  10. Other Opportunities
  11. Good Vibes Only

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

11am to 3pm- through virtual advising available online

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.

check in on a computer screen

Check In with ISS


Students New to CWRU or Beginning a New Program at CWRU:

If you are new to CWRU or beginning a new program at CWRU this semester, you need to check in online as part of the process to maintain your visa status. 

To Check In:

If you will be on campus this semester to begin your program, please access the Instructions on How to Check In with ISS and complete the process. Please note that you:

  • check in online AFTER you arrive in the US with your valid I-20 or DS-2019

  • can check in up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019

  • must check in by the start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019If there is a delay, please notify us immediately

We cannot process any on-campus employment or Social Security Number paperwork until you have been checked in.

If you will not be coming to the United States this fall, do not check in using the instructions above. It is critical that you complete the survey instead.  If you have not done so yet, please do so immediately. 


Returning Students

Please complete this very brief survey telling us where you will spend the semester and how your courses will be delivered.  We'll use this information to ensure that we are accurately completing our required reporting to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Thank you for your attention and cooperation!

cwru sign on binary walk way

SEVP Guidance for Academic Year 2021-2022

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) would continue to apply its flexible guidance through the 2021-2022 academic year. As a result, international students will be able to engage in distance learning that exceeds existing regulatory limits in light of the pandemic’s ongoing public health risks and safety concerns. 

ISS’ Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates website now includes information about the SEVP Guidance.  Please take your time when reading this information and pay particular attention to how the status of your SEVIS record in Spring 2020, when the COVID-10 guidance was released, determines your options for maintaining status now.

We understand that this information is complicated and can affect students’ academic plans.  We also acknowledge that students may need assistance in evaluating their individual circumstances for maintaining status.  ISS is here to help.  Email your questions to international@case.edu and we will do our best to support you.

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Registration & Your Visa Status

ISS just wants to remind you that, as international students, you are required to be properly registered for a full-time course load while you're studying in the United States as an F-1 or a J-1 student. This is mandatory by US Federal Regulations.

There are very few exceptions to full-time registration requirements and only ISS can determine whether you qualify for one of them.  Always register for full-time and never drop below a full-time courseload without first speaking with an advisor in ISS.   Improper registration could have serious consequences, including termination, for your visa status.

If you have already completed coursework abroad through online learning during previous semesters, you must still be registered full-time unless ISS determines that you qualify for an exception. 

We will be verifying each student's registration over the next several weeks. If we detect a problem with your registration or have questions, we will be contacting you by email. It's extremely important that you follow up with us promptly and work to quickly resolve the matter so that your visa status is not negatively impacted.

If you have questions, never hesitate to contact our office at international@case.edu or get in touch during advising hours!

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We Hear Your Questions

ISS has been receiving many emails over the past few weeks and the most popular topics on your minds right now are:

  • vaccine policy
  • quarantining
  • testing

We hear you!  

The best resources we can share right now are:

Please continue to keep in touch with ISS throughout the summer.  We will continue to do our best to answer your questions and support you. 

As we learn more, ISS will continue to share information with you.  We will send messages directly to your @case.edu email accounts, we will include information in ISSNews, and we will update our website.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding!

virtual advising chat box

Chat with ISS Staff Online During Advising Hours

Virtual Advising is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., EST.

If you have a question or concern that you need to address during that time frame, reach out to an advisor through the chat box. The chat box (it looks just like the picture) will be available on our website.

scam spelled out on keyboard

Beware of Scams

ISS wants to make sure that international students are aware of these scams and know how to protect themselves.  Visit our website for more information.

tuition payment information sign

Manage Tuition Payments & More


The SIS Finances User Guide provides you with a step-by-step look at how to manage tuition billing and financial services at Case Western Reserve University. Get started here!

Features

Welcome party flyer

Campus Happenings

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Annual Furniture Giveaway for ALL, NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 

International student Fellowship is excited to invite ALL, NEW international students to attend its Annual Furniture and Household items Giveaway. This is a FREE event, but space is limited! This is ISF's way of saying WELCOME to you!

Date: Saturday - August 14, 2021

Location: 2537 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 (Gymnasium of Church of the Saviour)

Time: 9 a.m. sharp. (arrive between 8:30 - 8:45 a.m. to sign in in order to receive a number). Items are given away on a random lottery draw. NO NEED to arrive early. This is not a first come first serve basis.

For more information - visit their Facebook page: International Student Fellowship -CWRU or email at isfcleveland@gmail.com

Scan the QR code and register NOW! 

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Free Access Program

See What Cleveland Has to Offer - Free for CWRU Students

Other Opportunities

global rising

Learn about a nine-month leadership and professional program for international newcomers In Northeast Ohio.

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County Fairs in nearby Cleveland area

Nearby county fairs to Cleveland are highlighted.

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Feast of Assumption 8/12-8/15

The Feast of Assumption will be celebrated in Little Italy! Hosted by the Holy Rosary Church, there will be a series of masses, entertainment, and food. The schedule for the weekend can be found here.

welcome to cleveland program image
one world day flyer

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!

Cooking with Mazzy image

Cutest Cooking Show on the Web!