From: VISA Office
Date: November 8, 2023
Subject: VISA News: End of Semester Reminders, Explore Program, Crafts, and MORE


VISA news header

VISA Office Information

 

The VISA Office is open 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.  We are located in Crawford Hall, Suite 215.

On Monday, Thursday, and Friday, we have virtual chat advising available from 11am to 1pm.  Access virtual chat from our website here.

You are also welcome to contact us for an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment.  Please email visa@case.edu to request an appointment or schedule from our website here.

For First-Year Students: The VISA Office is Hosting an Explore Program Event on November 15th


As part of the university-wide Explore program for first-year students, the VISA Office is hosting an Explore Program event entitled, "Maintaining your Visa Status". 

Details below:

Category: University Resource
Title: Maintaining your Student Visa Status
 Description: Inspired by the TV game show Jeopardy, students will learn about F1/J1 student visa regulations and life as an international student in the US in a fun question/answer format
Audience: Primarily new international students, but all can attend

Date: Wednesday, November 15th
Time: 12:45 - 2:00 pm
Location: Nord 356

First year students will receive Explore credit for attending.

For more information about the Explore Program, click here.
 

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

The University will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th. VISA Office staff will be unavailable on those days.

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

Normal business hours will resume on Monday, November 27th.

Also, during the week of Thanksgiving, we will not send out VISA News.

If you have an emergency, please follow this protocol:
For life-threatening emergencies:  On-campus: CWRU Division of Public Safety: 216-368-3333
Off-campus: 911
For immigration-related emergencies, call CWRU Division of Public Safety: 216-368-3300.


 

keep calm the semester is about to end meme

End of Semester Reminders

Start preparing for the end of the semester and see if you have to take action on your I-20 or DS-2019.

If you need to extend your I-20 or DS-2019:  Please visit our website and scroll down to "request new I-20 extension" or "request new DS-2019 extension" and provide your advisor information in the request.
Undergraduates: list your Dean in Undergraduate Studies
Graduate students: list your academic advisor.

If you need to transfer your F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record: Visit our website for the transfer out request.

If you need to get a new travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019: To submit a request for travel signature, visit our website and scroll down to "request new I-20 reprint or travel signature request" or "request new DS-2019 reprint or travel signature request."  You can also read about travel and re-entry for F-1 and J-1 students here.

Check the validity of your visa stamp in your passport and make sure your passport is valid at all times.  Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months into the future.

Do you have additional questions? Get in touch with VISA Office Staff by stopping by our office from 8:30am to 5pm, Monday-Friday, or emailing us at visa@case.edu.

CPT Workshops

Please click on the session below to register and access the Zoom link:

November 15:https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l3WR2F0rQOud0ztkedFIAA

OPT Workshops

Please click on a session below to register and access the Zoom link:

November 15: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JRTHCvHTRxK51gnAM6vMLQ
November 29: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9wveoTJaQ7S70MMU69jZ4w
December 13:https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XMCF6x0cRu2whF6Onf_JwA

International Education Week, November 13 - 17

Next week is International Education Week! International Education Week (IEW) celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. It is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State.  This year’s theme, “International Education Is the Future.” explores the many ways that international education is driving us into the future. 

Please see the links below for more information on trends and data:

Open Doors Report: https://opendoorsdata.org/

SEVIS By the Numbers: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2023/04/read-the-2022-sevis-by-the-numbers-report



 

Reminder: Several Offices in Yost Hall Moved to Sears Library Building, 2nd Floor


Cashier's Office, Room 229
Financial Aid & Student Employment, Room 240
Student Financial Services & Bursar, Room 219
University Registrar, Room 220

 

space heater safety infographic

It's Getting Cold, Use Your Space Heaters Safely

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are about 1,700 fires per year because of space heaters, resulting in about 80 deaths and 160 injuries annually.  Keep yourself safe by following some safe practices:

  • Keep combustible and flammable items at least three feet away. This includes blankets, toys, dog beds, curtains, bedding, and upholstered furniture ... anything that could catch fire easily.
  • Plug it directly into the wall. Space heaters draw a lot of electricity. Extension cords and power strips can't handle that load so the cord or strip can overheat and catch fire. Plug the space heater directly into a wall outlet and do not have anything else plugged into that same outlet. If the heater's plug, cord, wall outlet or faceplate feels hot, immediately unplug the heater.
  • Keep the heater on a stable, level surface, where it will not be knocked over.
  • Never run the heater’s cord under rugs or carpeting.
  • Do not leave heaters unattended around infants, or individuals with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities.
  • Turn it off when you leave the room and/or go to sleep.
  • If purchasing a new heater, look for one that has an automated timer, so it'll shut off after a few hours or when it gets too hot. Make sure the heater is UL, ETL, or CSA certified. You can check www.cpsc.gov or www.SaferProducts.gov to see if your existing heater has been recalled.

Features

Wellness Wednesday: Crafternoon

This month you can join University Health & Counseling Services (UH&CS) and Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) in OMA's office in Sears, 409 for an afternoon of crafting, fun, peer to peer conversations, and relaxation. Take some time away from your books, and make your way over to OMA to spend some time relaxing your academic brain while allowing your creative brain to roam free.

Date: Wed. Nov. 15
Time: 12 - 1pm
Location: OMA, Sears 409

If you are interested, you can register on Campus Groups by clicking here.   Please note that registration is not required.

Queer Craft Circle + The Athenian

 

Drop into the Tink 1st Floor Conference Room between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on Friday, November 10 to make crafts, meet people, and de-stress after a week of classes. We provide supplies such as embroidery floss, Perler beads, a button-maker, paper & coloring utensils, but feel free to bring your own craft project to our space. This week, The Athenian will be bringing Observer origami.

 

You DO NOT have to identify under the LGBTQ+ umbrella to attend, as long as you are willing to craft.  

No need to register, just stop by!

Apply to Be a Campus Tour Guide: Applications Due November 10th

The Office of Undergraduate Admission is seeking energetic and friendly students who are passionate about Case Western Reserve University to provide tours to prospective high school students and their families.

Applicants should have basic knowledge about the university, strong communication skills, and be passionate about CWRU. These students will also have the opportunity to support in-person and virtual events hosted by the office to engage future students and participate in other recruitment efforts.

Guides are expected to give a minimum of three tours a semester and aid with other duties within the Office of Undergraduate Admission, including connecting with students via email, helping staff and participating in open house events.

Paid training begins in mid-January. Students will be expected to attend a full Saturday bootcamp, small group training sessions and multiple shadow tours. Hours can be flexible, and there also are opportunities for recurring shifts of up to 20 hours a week.

Tour guides are mandated reporters and will be trained on how to manage families and special guests as a representative of CWRU.

 

Apply to be a tour guide. The application is due Nov 10.

Questions can be emailed to tg-leadership@case.edu

For Undergraduate Students: Apply to Be a Resident Assistant

Would you like to make an impact and serve others around you within your residential community? Are you interested in gaining skills and experiences that will assist you beyond your time at CWRU? If so, apply today to be a resident assistant. Resident assistants are undergraduate student employees who are immersed in the student residential community and create environments primed for learning that allow students to embrace challenges and shape communities.

The Office of Residence Life is accepting applications for summer 2024 and academic year 2024–25 resident assistant positions.

If you are interested in connecting with residence life staff and learning more about the resident assistant position, attend an upcoming information session:

  • Thursday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. at the Spot (located in Leutner Commons)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. at Fribley Commons in the Multipurpose Room (204)
  • Thursday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. at Wade Commons in the Pioneer Room
  • Friday, Jan. 26, at noon via Zoom

Applications close and recommendations are due Friday, Jan. 26.

 

Learn more about being a resident assistant and how to apply.

If you would like to promote your event or opportunity through VISA News, please make a complete submission (including flyers, images, details, etc.) for consideration by noon on Monday to visa@case.edu. The VISA Office cannot guarantee that all submissions will appear in the newsletter, as space is limited, but staff will review all timely submissions for consideration.