January 24, 2024

In this issue:

1. Registration & Your Visa Status
2. Working as an International Student
3. Orientation with the VISA Office
4. Office of International Student Resources and Engagement (OISRE)
5. New Students, Look Around Your New Homes
6. Tax Information for 2023 Filing Year
7. Mather Center Welcome Back Coffee and Donuts
8. OISRE Open House/Welcome Party
9. Lunar New Year Party
10. Volunteer Translators Needed
11. Volunteer for the 2024 Career, Education, and Inspiration Expo
12. Scholarship for International Students
13. English Conversation Hour

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.

Registration & Your Visa Status

The university's deadline for the drop/add period is this Friday!  Remember, F-1 and J-1 students are required to be properly registered for a full-time course load while studying in the United States.  This is mandatory by US Federal Regulations.

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

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, contact our office at visa@case.edu or stop by Crawford Hall, Suite 215, M - F, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
 

Working as an International Student

Found a job on campus? Thinking about gaining experience off-campus? Wondering what to do now? The VISA Office is here to help!

All international students must be properly authorized to work by our office before they may work on or off-campus.  NEVER BEGIN WORK until you’ve received approval from the VISA Office.

It is very important that you follow all steps as described and do so in a timely manner. Failure to complete the required paperwork can result in you not being paid for work you've done, loss of work permission privileges, or even the termination of your visa status!

You will find a lot of helpful information about working on our website.

 And please remember, only the VISA Office can advise you about employment and the impact it can have on your immigration status.

The Office of International Student Resources and Engagement (OISRE) is now open in Tomlinson 143

OISRE is dedicated to ensuring international students have transformative experiences through the delivery of quality, intentional, and creative activities and events. The office will collaborate with international and cultural student organizations to foster a vibrant, inclusive community of global citizens. OISRE's purpose is to offer non-academic support such as assistance in opening a bank account, obtaining a driver’s license or state identification (ID), understanding your landlord/tenant lease/contract, as well as celebrating fun, cultural events such as Lunar New Year and Holi!

OISRE values a welcoming community of inclusivity and curiosity, ensuring all international students are prepared to thrive in an interconnected world.

For any questions, please contact OISRE at: international@case.edu or 216-368-2517

Did you know that our University shuttles go directly to Asiatown, Walmart and Target? Get groceries and other items you may need by checking out this link. 

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 problem 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 the Office of International Student Resources and Engagement (OISRE) for help by emailing international@case.edu.

Tax Information for the 2023 Filing Year

Important Tax Info: Get Your W-2

The W-2 is a critical document for properly filing taxes. Every year between January and February, the university generates W-2 documents for individuals who have earned income from CWRU.

When your W-2 is generated, it's sent to your Permanent Address as listed in SIS.  For international students, this is often a foreign address.  

If your Permanent Address is correct, but you would prefer to have your W-2 sent to another address, for example a US address, it is necessary for you to include that address under the W-2 Override option in SIS.  Using the W-2 Override function will maintain the integrity of your Permanent Address information and ensure that you receive your W-2 at the different, preferred address. 

See more W-2 information here: https://case.edu/controller/payroll

Please contact Payroll if you have questions about receiving your W-2.

Campus Happenings

Other Opportunities

Volunteer Translators Needed for Refugee Newcomers

The May Dugan Center, a local non-profit that helps enrich the lives of Cleveland families and new refugees to the area, is in need of volunteer interpreters for a cultural orientation the center offers to newcomers. The class covers basic topics such as: health & safety, US laws, transportation, cultural norms etc. No teaching experience is required. The volunteer will support the instructor and interpret from English into the other language. Since they have 5 language groups, this can be a group volunteer opportunity if each volunteer speaks one of these different languages: Arabic, Dari, Russian, Somali, Swahili, Ukrainian. This cultural orientation class is held every Friday from 10 AM- 2 PM at the May Dugan Center, located at 4115 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113.

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please contact Jasmine at: jpena@maydugancenter.org or call/text at 216-695-0735. Thank you!

Global Cleveland Offers International Student Scholarship

English Conversation Hour

English Conversation Hour
Wednesdays 1:00pm-2:00pm
Sears 315

All students, faculty and staff of the CWRU community interested in strengthening their proficiency in conversational English as well as those already proficient in conversational English are invited to come together each week for connection and sharing.
Weekly hour long meetings are designed to improve pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary in a relaxed and supportive environment. 

Register here.