From: VISA Office
Date: May 26, 2021
Subject: ISS News, May 26, 2021: Commencement, End of Semester Reminders, ISS Closed May 31, OPT Info, Info for Graduating Students, Good Vibes, & More



IS

May 26, 2021

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in this issue:

  1. Online Workshops Available for your Convenience
  2. Graduating Students- Access to UH&CS and Insurance Information
  3. Features
  4. Other Opportunities
  5. Good Vibes Only
  6. End of Semester Reminders
  7. ISSNews Summer Schedule
  8. CWRU Take Two- ISS Closing Early on Fridays in June & July
  9. ISS Closed- Monday, May 31
  10. OPT & STEM OPT Students- Follow These Simple Steps for Reporting Updates
  11. Celebrate Commencement

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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.

Spartie in front of KSL

Celebrate Commencement with Yard Signs, Facebook Frames, GIFs, Instagram Stickers and More

keep calm the semester is about to end meme

End of Semester Reminders

If you have thoughts about traveling abroad during the summer, be sure to ask yourself these important questions, visit the links if you need to take action, and take the effects of COVID-19 into consideration as you make your plans:

Do I need to extend my I-20 or DS-2019? If you do, read more under the Frequently Asked Questions Section.

Do I need to transfer my F-1 or J-1 SEVIS Record? If you do, read more under the Frequently Asked Questions Section.

Am I fully prepared to travel during the break so that I can return to campus smoothly?  In addition to having your I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel, which you can read about here, if you’re an F-1 or J-1 student, please:

  • check the validity of the visa in your passport. US Embassies and Consulates have suspended services worldwide and there could be significant delays in visa issuances.  This delay could significantly affect your ability to return to the United States.
  • be aware of travel restrictions.  Travel restrictions are changing as the situation with COVID-19 evolves.  Unless travel restrictions loosen or lift entirely, it could be very difficult to enter the United States.
  • make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months into the future at all times.  Many government agencies are reducing and suspending services. Passport issuance could be an issue in your home country.  Please prepare as early as possible if you need to apply for a new passport.

Do you have more questions that you need help answering? Get in touch with ISS staff during advising hours or by email before you leave campus.

OPT and CPT online workshops available

OPT & CPT Workshops

If you're still planning to apply for OPT or CPT, don't forget to complete the required workshop, which goes over in detail the application process, student responsibilities, and other important considerations.  Workshops are available online to complete at your convenience.  Advisor-led workshops will resume in the Fall.

For more information about OPT and CPT, visit our website. Please be sure to very carefully read all of the information there and to contact ISS if you have any additional questions with which staff can assist.

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!

healthy life road sign

Learn About How University Health and Counseling Services (UH&CS) Will Extend Service for Graduating Students

closed sign image

ISS Closed- Monday, May 31

The University will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 31.

In the event of an emergency, please follow the protocol listed on our website.

Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, June 1.

schedule change written on post-it notes with blue push pin

CWRU Take Two- ISS Closing Early on Fridays in June & July

CWRU Take Two is back on Fridays in June and July so staff will be unavailable as of 3 p.m.. and appointment times will be adjusted to end earlier in the day as well. Please plan any Friday visits accordingly.

Regular Friday business hours will resume in August.

summer schedule text with bright yellow sun in background

ISSNews Summer Schedule

After Commencement, ISS will continue to publish and send ISSNews to all international students, but not every Wednesday since activity slows significantly during the summer.  Please continue to check your CWRU email regularly and read through any ISSNews publications that we do send out. They will include information that is important to be aware of as student visa holders!

ISS will resume its weekly ISSNews publication in August as we all prepare for the Fall semester.

Features

apidaa heritage month flyer
faculty led winter break study abroad programs

Explore Winter Break Study Abroad Programs!

CWRU faculty are planning study abroad programs for winter break 2021-2022 in the hopes that international travel will be able to safely resume for the programs to take place.

There are at least two study abroad programs that will be offered during winter break: Biology 309 in Costa Rica and Spanish 301/Religion 301 in Spain. Applications are due by the fall drop/add date, but students should not delay as these programs are filling fast!

Meet with the faculty leaders or study abroad advisors and start your application soon. Email studyabroad@case.edu for more information.

CLE Bucket List Flyer

Other Opportunities

ENGL 146 Flyer
ENGL 147 flyer
rethinking youth justice flyer

Rethinking Youth Justice

This 1 credit hour course is open to students across majors and does not have any prerequisites.

This class will discuss some of the most pressing issues that face the juvenile justice system, especially during the pandemic, such as racial/ethnic disproportionality in the juvenile justice system, substance abuse, mental disorders, and the school to prison pipeline. Through participating in various class activities (e.g., case studies, group discussions, videos, and mini-lectures), students will develop an insight into the role of social work in juvenile delinquency prevention and treatment. This course will also bring an international perspective with an overview of social work practice in different countries.

teaching image

UNIV 401: Advanced Professional Development for University Teaching


Registration for Advanced Professional Development for University Teaching (UNIV401) is open now for all graduate students and post-docs.
Anyone interested in a future as a faculty member or educator at the university level should consider this free course.

Taught by experienced teachers, this course offers participants the chance to learn more about the theory and practice of teaching and learning. The course will feature small group discussions about the theories of teaching and learning, opportunities to observe experienced university faculty, and practice through micro-teaching sessions.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion.

This course will take place on Tuesdays during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Two sections are available.


Participants will be expected to read assignments, complete weekly journal assignments, develop a course outline and syllabus, plan and teach a mini-lesson, and participate fully in all discussions and online sessions.

This course is open to students, post-docs, and research scholars.

Enrollment is via the Student Information System.

If you have any additional questions, please email univ401@case.edu.

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!

dr suess book

Oh, The Places You'll Go! Rapped over Dr. Dre Beats

This classic Dr. Seuss book is a popular gift to graduates.  Here's Wes, rapping the words to Dr. Dre Beats! 

And even though Wes did this in 2020, it is just as relevant for our graduates in the Class of 2021.  It has been a wild year, you've persevered, and you're off to do great things.  We are so proud of you!