From: VISA Office
Date: September 20, 2023
Subject: VISA News: Important Updates for International Students


ISS news header

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 Zoom appointment.  Please email visa@case.edu to request an appointment.

CPT Workshops

Please click on a session below to register and access the Zoom link:

September 22: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WDjB1HIOQCm5LEQIxGlIPQ
October 11: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WhenPyL1T2eRtBLzspaTzw
November 15:https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l3WR2F0rQOud0ztkedFIAA

F1/J1 Orientation slide

Orientation with the VISA Office

Did you miss the F1/J1 student orientation with the VISA Office staff? The orientation session reviews the most fundamental rules and regulations as well as resources that  the VISA Office provides in order to help you maintain your status and enhance your time at Case Western Reserve University

Log into Terra Dotta (visas.case.edu), find your Check In Record marked "Committed," go to the "Learning Content" tab, then look for the item called "ISS Orientation Presentation."

Need a Notary?


Sometimes international students require notary services.   The Office of General Counsel in Adelbert Hall has a notary available.  See below for hours and contact information.

OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL: 
Adelbert Hall, Suite 311, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM by appointment, (216) 368-4286

Website: https://case.edu/generalcounsel/

What is a notary?  Find out here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/knowledge-center/about-notaries/what-is-a-notary-public

Update on Employment Verification Form Issuance

For students who are submitting Employment Verification Form requests to us online in Terra Dotta (visas.case.edu), we have an important update.  We have been in contact with the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding clarification of their criteria for acceptable versions of the Employment Verification Form.

As of 9/18/2023, SSA will continue to accept electronic copies of the form as long as it:

  1. Has electronic signatures* from both the hiring department and the VISA Office
  2. Has not been altered in any way (i.e., no hole punches, no creases, no correction ink)
  3. Has been scanned properly

If you have recently submitted an Employment Verification Form to the Visa Office and are still waiting for the form to be issued, you will receive an email from us soon.

If you need to submit the form, please upload the form into Terra Dotta using the following link:

https://visas.case.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10058

If there are any issues with the condition of the form that you submit, we will notify you by email.

 

*Electronic signatures look like actual signatures.  They should not be text or a cursive font. Adobe has an option to draw your signature or upload an image of your written signature.

Campus Happenings

How to think[box]: Desk organizer open house

Members of the Case Western Reserve University and local communities are invited to join Sears think[box] for a workshop Saturday, Sept. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. in the Richey Mixon Building.

During this “How to think[box]” session, participants will make their own desk organizer using the tools and equipment in our maker spaces.

Participants will use the laser engravers on floor 3 (prototyping) to make and decorate the base of their desk organizer, and a table saw and drill press on floor 4 (fabrication) to cut out a pencil holder.

Individuals can stop by anytime between noon and 2 p.m. to get started; material distribution will end at 2 p.m. and guests will have until 3 p.m. to complete their projects.

 

This event is free and open to the public. No prior experience is required.

Register to attend.

Farm Harvest Festival Saturday, Sept. 23

The Student Sustainability Council will host the annual Farm Harvest Festival at the University Farm (37125 Fairmount Blvd., Hunting Valley) Saturday, Sept. 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. 

There will be hayrides, fall food, hiking, flower crown making and more.

Individuals also can sign up to volunteer. This event is open to Case Western Reserve University students, faculty and staff.

Oktoberfest-style cookout at Plum Market Kitchen

Members of the Case Western Reserve University and local communities are invited to an Oktoberfest-style cookout, hosted by Bon Appétit Management Co., on the Plum Market Kitchen patio Thursday, Sept. 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The menu will feature German-style food, including German bratwurst on a pretzel bun with sauerkraut, sauerbraten burgers with braised red cabbage on a pretzel bun, and house-made apple strudel. 

Side dishes include German potato salad and cucumber salad.

For $8.99, guests receive their choice of an entrée, one side, dessert and water.

 

Tickets for the cookout can be purchased at the register inside Plum Market Kitchen and taken outside to be used to receive food.

healthy life road signs

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


https://case.edu/studentlife/healthcounseling/

Celebrate CWRU's culture of innovation and entrepreneurship Sept. 26–29

Case Western Reserve University is known for developing innovators in all areas of study. That's why the Office of Research and Technology Management is holding the second annual Innovation Week—four days filled with more than 15 educational, networking and experiential events centered on the theme, "Innovation as Problem-Solving at Scale."

This year, they are offering four lunchtime sessions (free lunch provided) plus workshops, panel discussions, tours of campus resources and so much more.

Take a look at the highlights and the full schedule here and register today to secure your spot for these free events.

Sparty on a homecoming float

Save the Date: CWRU Celebrates Homecoming October 12 - 15

Case Western Reserve University is looking forward to welcoming you back to campus this fall for Homecoming Weekend. Check out the website for more information.

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