From: VISA Office
Date: October 19, 2022
Subject: ISS News, October 19, 2022: Change to ISS Advising Hours, OPT & CPT Workshops, Get Ready for Fall Break, Get Weatherheadless Ball Tickets, Flu Shots, Orchestra Ticket Raffle, Good Vibes, and More


ISS news header

October 19, 2022

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in this issue:

  1. Traveling During Fall Break?
  2. Fall Break- ISS is OPEN
  3. Safe 8 Public Safety Tips
  4. OPT & CPT Workshops
  5. OPT & STEM OPT Students- Follow These Simple Steps for Reporting Updates
  6. Features
  7. Campus Happenings
  8. Good Vibes Only
  9. ISS Schedule Change Effective Monday, October 31

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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.

ISS Schedule Change Flyer
fall break clip art

Traveling During Fall Break?

Read up on how to be best prepared to take those Fall Break getaways and return to campus as an F-1 or J-1 student visa holder!

fall colors on campus

Fall Break- ISS is OPEN

While we hope you'll be resting and relaxing over Fall Break (October 24-25), please know that ISS will be open and available during regular Advising Hours if you need us.

the safe eight flyer
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!

Features

Cleveland Bucket List Flyer
EA faculty led flyer

Campus Happenings

LGBT flyer of history month events

Celebrate LGBTQ History Month

LGBTQ history month was established in 1994 and the month also includes National Coming Out Day on October 11. CWRU's LGBT Center offers events and activities throughout the month (and all year!) and the full list of offerings can be found on the CampusGroups page.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month flyer

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Flora Stone Mather Center is hosting a series of events to educate our campus community about domestic violence, healthy relationships, and consent. You are invited to join the upcoming events.

weatherheadless ball 2022

Weatherheadless Ball Returns!

Celebrate Halloween with fellow Weatherhead students on Saturday, October 28, 7-11 p.m., Peter B. Lewis Building, Lower Level! 

Second Wave Tickets: available for $20 until Friday, October 21
Third Wave Tickets: available for $30 until Thursday, October 27
Day of Event Tickets: $40 (subject to availability)

Ticket price includes: Entry, appetizers, drink tickets, DJ entertainment, costume contest, and fun!

You must be 21 or older to attend. Please remember to bring your Driver's License or Passport to show your age; you will not be permitted entry without presenting identification that shows your date of birth.

Please note, you will be permitted to purchase up to 1 guest ticket and that guest must also be at least 21 and have ID to present for entry.

think[box] welcome fund
flu shot flyer

University Health & Counseling
Services Offers Timely Care and a Variety of Other Wellness Programs to Consider

Events

Thursday, October 20
Start End   Event         Location
1:00pm 2:00pm BIPOC Support Space Online Event
Friday, October 21
9:00am 11:30am Flu Clinic NRB Community Room 1st Floor
Monday, October 24
3:00pm 4:00pm BIPOC Support Space Private Location (register to display)
Thursday, October 27
1:00pm 2:00pm BIPOC Support Space Online Event
Friday, October 28
9:00am 11:30am Flu Clinic NRB Community Room 1st Floor
japanese pen pal flyer
severance hall image

Enter Raffle for FREE Orchestra Tickets

You too can experience the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra!

The raffle for FREE orchestra tickets is open to all CWRU students with a valid student ID. Tickets come in pairs and are typically for a Thursday night concert.

Learn more about how to enter the raffle here.

Other Opportunities

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Engl 147 flyer

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!

chocolate bar

Learn how to make your own chocolate bar.  It's not as easy as you may expect it to be.

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