From: VISA Office
Date: November 30, 2022
Subject: ISS News, November 30, 2022: ISS Change in Availability During December, End of Semester Reminders, Applications Open for RAs and OLs, Nominations Accepted for Jackson and Wittke Awards, Support Resources, Therapy Dogs at KSL, Good Vibes, and More


ISS news header

November 30, 2022

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in this issue:

  1. End of Semester Reminders
  2. We're Here to Help
  3. December- Changes in ISS' Availability
  4. OPT & CPT Workshops
  5. Support Resources
  6. Important Tax Info: Make Sure You Get Your W-2
  7. Tips for Staying Safe in the Evenings
  8. Features
  9. Campus Happenings
  10. Other Opportunities
  11. Good Vibes Only
  12. Wellness Programs and Timely Care

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ISS Staff is available to students, without an appointment, on Monday, 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 Tuesday and Wednesday.

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If you would like to speak with an advisor outside of our advising hours, please send an email to international@case.edu to request an appointment.  Provide your full, legal name and a brief description of what you would like to discuss in your message and ISS staff will help connect you with an advisor to schedule an appointment. 

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

December- Changes in ISS' Availability

ISS staff will have different hours of availability over the next few weeks. This schedule will be updated as needed to help you plan your visit to ISS.

Friday, December 9

  • Virtual Advising will be from 11 am to 12:30 pm
  • In-person Advising will be from 2 to 3 pm


Friday, December 23 - Monday, January 2: UNIVERSITY IS CLOSED

On all other days, ISS will operate and offer services as usual.  Please plan your visit to the office accordingly so that staff members are available to help you!

Note: ISS does close when the university closes for scheduled breaks and inclement weather. If you're ever in doubt about ISS staff availability, we strongly recommend that you call in advance of visiting the office; we don't want you to be out in the cold, snowy weather if we're not available to help you! If you have an immigration-related emergency when we are not in the office, contact CWRU Security at 216.368.3300 and dispatch will know how to reach an ISS staff member.

keep calm the semester is about to end meme

End of Semester Reminders

If you have thoughts about traveling abroad during the break, be sure to ask yourself these questions:

Do I need to extend my I-20 or DS-2019? If you do, read more under the Frequently Asked Questions Section. Undergraduates, be sure to list your Dean in Undergraduate Studies on your request and graduate students, you should list your academic advisor.

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

Do I need to get a new travel signature on my I-20 or DS-2019? If you do, you can read about that process and other factors related to travel and reentry for F-1 and J-1 students.

Also,

  • be aware of all travel-related policies. Travel requirements are changing as the situation with COVID-19 evolves, including a Presidential Proclamation requiring travelers to be fully vaccinated in order to enter the US.  Be sure that you are monitoring all requirements for entry to the United States and complying with university policies related to vaccination and travel to minimize the risk of disrupting your education at CWRU. **If you have any doubts or concerns about your ability to return to the United States by January 17 when the Spring 2023 semester begins, please consider remaining in the United States during winter break and not traveling abroad.**
  • check the validity of the visa in your passport. US Embassies and Consulates have limited services available and there could be significant delays in visa issuances. This delay could significantly affect your ability to return to the United States.
  • make sure your passport is valid 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.  There are certain benefits for which F-1 students apply when they are in the United States and the agencies that oversee those benefits often require applicants to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months into the future.

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.

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We're Here to Help


The staff in ISS, University Health & Counseling Services (UH&CS), and hundreds of student service professionals across our campus are ready to help students. We all know that you are busy-- busy with finals and busy with life-- and that there may be things happening in the United States and throughout the world that are affecting you. 

We want you to take care of yourself and have the support you need to be successful.  Please don't forget that you can access medical and mental health care through CWRU's TimelyCare! TimelyCare is a 24/7 medical and mental telehealth care service that undergraduate, graduate and professional students can access from wherever they are. For more information about the program or to make an appointment, please visit the TimelyCare website..

Not feeling well? Connect with our University Health Service staff or make an appointment using myhealthconnect.

If you wonder how your academics might affect your immigration status, reach out to ISS as soon as possible!

The university community is ready to help!
resources in colorful letters

Support Resources

The Dean of Students Office and the Case Western Reserve University community are committed to helping students overcome challenges during their academic careers.  A website has been developed to host a variety of resources and services, including information about various food pantries for students who are facing food insecurity. 

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.

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Learn about University Health and Counseling Services' Timely Care and Other Wellness Offerings

Thursday, December 1
Start End   Event         Location
1:00pm 2:00pm BIPOC Support Space Online Event
Monday, December 5
3:00pm 4:00pm BIPOC Support Space Private Location (register to display)
6:00pm 7:30pm I'm Fine, It's Fine, Everything is Fine. Thwing Cleveland Room
Thursday, December 8
1:00pm 2:00pm BIPOC Support Space Online Event
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Important Tax Info:
Make Sure You Get Your W-2

Every year, ALL individuals in F and J status must file taxes- including spouses, young children- even if they haven't earned any income!

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. Please take a moment to verify that your correct Permanent Address is listed in SIS (make any updates as needed by December 15) to ensure that you'll receive your W-2.

If your Permanent Address is current, but you would prefer to have your W-2 sent to another address, it is necessary for you to include that address under the W-2 Override option in SIS no later than December 15. 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.

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

walking on campus at night

Walking on campus in the evenings?                                      Get tips for staying safe

Features

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Cleveland Bucket List Flyer

Campus Happenings

Student Entrepreneur fund

EVENT

Doc Opera 2022: Stitch Perfect!

Saturday, December 10
7:00pm - 10:00pm
John Hay High School Auditorium , 2075 Stokes Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
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Please join us for an unforgettable performance as Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine proudly presents Doc Opera 2022: Stitch Perfect! The Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine includes its University Program Western Reserve Curriculum, the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, and the Medical Scientist Training Programs. Talented students from each of these programs will come together to provide you with an evening of live entertainment at our local John Hay High School.

Now in its 38th year, Doc Opera is an annual fundraiser and variety show that is written, choreographed, directed, and stars students from CWRU’s health professional programs. Students and faculty from these graduate programs create a memorable night of skits, musical performances, and dances about medicine and healthcare, all for the benefit of the Student-Run Health Clinic. The evening includes a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction made possible with the support of students, faculty, local businesses, and other generous donors.
RSVP

EVENT

Therapy Dogs @ KSL

Monday, December 12
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Private Location (sign in to display)
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Therapy dogs are back at KSL! Come say hi and hang out with some friendly pups in the KSL atrium! Stay for as little or as long as you would like.
RSVP
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RA flyer
ARCD flyer- apps due feb 3

Apply to be An Assistant Residential Community Director

The Office of Residence Life is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Assistant Residential Community Director (ARCD) position!

Interested in gaining professional experience and skills that will assist you beyond your time as a graduate student? Would you like to be able to work and earn money while you're earning your graduate degree? Would you like to make an impact on students and the residential community at CWRU? If so, please apply to become an Assistant Residential Community Director!

The ARCD position is a 10-month live-in position that supports the creation and facilitation of an integrated residential learning environment, working through the mission and goals of the Office of Residence Life and the Division of Student Affairs at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). This embedded position works with their Residential Community Director (RCD) supervisor to provide comprehensive leadership and support for a community of residential students. Immersed in the student community, the ARCD and RCD actively manage the learning experience at both the community and individual level, monitoring and supporting students' holistic academic, social, and personal development.

Candidates must be enrolled in a graduate-level degree-seeking program at CWRU or a neighboring institution to be eligible for the ARCD position. There is no specific graduate program requirement.

Applications and Recommendations close on February 3, 2023. If you are interested in connecting with Residence Life staff and learning more about the ARCD position, please visit https://case.edu/studentlife/residence/join-our-team/graduate-opportunities. 

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Apply to Become an Orientation Leader

Share your excitement and knowledge about Case Western Reserve University with new students and their families as a 2023 orientation leader.

Learn how to become an orientation leader and register for an information session.

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!

world strategy

Do you play Wordle?  Here's the best Worlde strategy- according to science!

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.