SEVP Guidance for Spring 2021

I wrote in December about the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) announcement that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s (SEVP) would continue to apply its fall 2020 federal guidance through spring 2021. 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 Spring 2021 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 in Spring 2021.

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.

We hope you are enjoying a restful winter break and look forward to supporting you in 2021!

Best Regards,

Marielena Maggio, M.A.
Director, International Student Services, PDSO & ARO

Check In with ISS

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

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-2019. If 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, are either attending courses entirely remotely (from either within the United States or abroad), and/or deferring your admission to a future semester, do not check in using the instructions above. More instructions will be sent to you soon. Please be sure to check your @case.edu email address regularly.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation!

USCIS Acknowledges Delays in Receipt Notices for OPT

ISS has been hearing from many students who are concerned, and rightfully so, about not having received their receipt notices for OPT applications that they submitted in November and through the end of 2020. While ISS staff hope our responses have been reassuring- that this is a known issue with USCIS that is affecting students nationwide and not likely something wrong with your personal application- we can now share that USCIS very recently provided an update about their significant delays in issuing receipt notices. You can read USCIS's memo here.  We hope this means that these known issues will be resolved soon and processing will speed up.

We know that these unprecedented delays may continue to cause students stress.  International education professionals are working together to make sure that USCIS understands how this is affecting students.  NAFSA, a professional organization dedicated to international education and student advocacy, is in contact with the USCIS Ombudsman's Office about this situation.

If it has been 30 days since your application was received, you may choose to:

•  contact the USCIS Lockbox (see “Inquiries Based On Filing Location”).
• ask for Case Assistance through the USCIS Ombudsman.

If you receive any letters from USCIS, please email a pdf of the letter to international@case.edu so that staff can assist you as needed.  If you have additional questions, you are always welcome to contact ISS!

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.

You can request an appointment to speak with an advisor by zoom or phone by emailing international@case.edu. Please be prepared to briefly describe the nature of your appointment when you contact us so that we can prepare. Same-day appointments are not generally available; an appointment for the next business day is typically the earliest we can schedule.

Advisors are looking forward to chatting with you!

Need a Fresh Travel Signature?

If you need a travel signature, don't panic! You can request a travel signature using our electronic form here.

Read more about what to do on our Travel and Reentry pages for F-1 and J-1 students.

6 Tips for Winter Driving in Northeast Ohio

Beware of Scams

Local Emergency Food Assistance

Emergency food assistance will be available for students in a pick-up and go format.

Food boxes for current undergraduate and graduate students will be provided by Church of the Covenant thanks in partnership with the UDC student organization UPCaM and the Office of Thwing Center Engagement and Operations. 

To arrange for a box of nonperishable food items or refer a student in need please contact Shelley Nelson-Bridger (san57@case.edu).  

January Study Abroad Friday Forums

CWRU students are encouraged to use their J-Term to start exploring study abroad opportunities for next year through virtual Study Abroad Friday Forums every week at 1 pm!

They start January 8 with a session on deciding where to go, and on January 15, students can discover resources for navigating their identity abroad.

January 22 will feature a conversation with the Case School of Engineering’s Peer Advisors about how they made their study abroad experiences happen and January 29 is all about the career benefits of studying abroad led by an alumni panel!

Students can find the link to join each Friday Forum on the Study Abroad CampusGroups page: http://cglink.me/r899485. And make sure to follow CWRUStudyAbroad on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss out on any events or student stories!

Winter Programming and Information

Although much of the Case Western Reserve University student community will be finishing the semester remotely, the university will still be providing events, activities, support resources, dining options and some facility access to students who are staying on/nearby campus for all or part of the winter break.

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert

Enjoy a free concert from the Cleveland Orchestra on Jan. 14th, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Theprogram will feature classical selections by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Verdi, as well as traditional hymns and spirituals such as “Down by the Riverside,” “Precious Lord,” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Available for free on Adella: Beginning Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. until Wednesday, April 14

36th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration

Cleveland Public Library is partnering with WOIO Cleveland19 to honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the unsung Cleveland heroes who walk amongst us.

Sun, January 17
7:00 p.m. on WUAB Channel 43

Mon, January 18
9:00 a.m. on WOIO Channel 19
11:00 a.m. on Channel 43

UNDERGRADS: Junior and Seniors Attend the Career and Internship Connections Career Fair

Case Western Reserve University is a member of the Career and Internship Connections (CIC), a 16-school consortium that hosts an annual job and internship fair for opportunities in the New York area.

The 2021 CIC Career Fair, will take place virtually in Handshake and students can interact with companies from a wide range of industries, learn about internship and full-time opportunities and make connections for future interviews.

Registration is available through Jan. 26, 2021, but early registration is encouraged so students can sign up for sessions with the employers in advance. Employers are continuing to register, so check back often.

If you have any questions or need help deciding if this fair is right for you, please reach out to Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education at careers@case.edu.

Please note: The Career and Internship Connections career fair targets employers and students in non-technical fields, including business, finance, communications, healthcare and life sciences, human and social services, arts and media, etc. All students, regardless of major, are encouraged to view the employer list, including the positions employers are recruiting for, when making decisions to attend.

Nominate Faculty for Awards Recognizing Excellence in Mentoring and Teaching

Nominations are being accepted for the J. Bruce Jackson, MD, Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring and the Carl F. Wittke Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.

The Jackson award is given to faculty or staff members who have fostered professional development, facilitated goals and life choices, and made a significant impact on a student’s life. The Wittke award is given to outstanding classroom teachers who are engaging, invested and stimulate enthusiasm for their area of study.

To nominate a faculty or staff member for one of the awards, complete the nomination form.

Nominations are due Feb. 15, 2021.

To learn more about these awards, please visit the Undergraduate Studies website or email ugstudies@case.edu.

Winter Break College Series Contunes

The remaining three sessions in the Winter Break College Series by Cleveland Leadership Center are focused on career readiness and connections. These sessions are also free but do require registration. 

BONUS! Students who registered for and attended all three sessions will be entered into a drawing to win one of three $100 Amazon gift cards!

Sector Connect: Nonprofit; Accounting; Healthcare - Students have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Nonprofit, Accounting, and Healthcare industry sectors to discuss the local job markets, internship opportunities, and career paths. The session is designed for small group connection to kickstart growing your network!

Date: Wednesday, January 20

Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm

Location: Virtual Zoom (link upon registration)

Register Here