From: VISA Office
Date: November 9, 2022
Subject: ISS News, November 9, 2022: Celebrate International Education Week with a Pop-Up Event and Passport Photo Drive, OPT and CPT Workshops, Wellness Programs, Fall Feast, Award Nominations, Therapy Dogs, Dance Performance, Good Vibes, and More



ISS news header

November 9, 2022

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in this issue:

  1. End of Semester Reminders
  2. OPT & CPT Workshops
  3. ISS' Thanksgiving Holiday Hours
  4. Features
  5. Campus Happenings
  6. Other Opportunities
  7. Good Vibes Only
  8. It's Getting Cold, Use Your Space Heaters Safely

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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. 

Happy Thanksgiving text with cartoon turkey

ISS' Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

The university will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25  ISS staff will be unavailable on those days.

The Center for International Affairs will also close at 3pm on Wednesday, November 23, as will other university offices, and ISS staff will be unavailable.

Please plan accordingly for this break (and the upcoming winter break) if you need assistance from ISS.

Normal business hours will resume on Monday, November 28.

During the week of Thanksgiving, ISSNews will not be sent. 

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,

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.

space heater safety infographic

It's Getting Cold, Use Your Space Heaters Safely

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are about 1,700 fires per year because of space heaters, resulting in about 80 deaths and 160 injuries annually.  Keep yourself safe by following some safe practices:

  • Keep combustible and flammable items at least three feet away. This includes blankets, toys, dog beds, curtains, bedding, and upholstered furniture ... anything that could catch fire easily.
  • Plug it directly into the wall. Space heaters draw a lot of electricity. Extension cords and power strips can't handle that load so the cord or strip can overheat and catch fire. Plug the space heater directly into a wall outlet and do not have anything else plugged into that same outlet. If the heater's plug, cord, wall outlet or faceplate feels hot, immediately unplug the heater.
  • Keep the heater on a stable, level surface, where it will not be knocked over.
  • Never run the heater’s cord under rugs or carpeting.
  • Do not leave heaters unattended around infants, or individuals with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities.
  • Turn it off when you leave the room and/or go to sleep.
  • If purchasing a new heater, look for one that has an automated timer, so it'll shut off after a few hours or when it gets too hot. Make sure the heater is UL, ETL, or CSA certified. You can check www.cpsc.gov or www.SaferProducts.gov to see if your existing heater has been recalled.

Features

EVENT

International Education Week Kickoff - Free Coffee & Apples!

Monday, November 14
9:00am - 11:00am
Binary Walkway, Tomlinson Hall, Room 143 , United States
Link
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Celebrate the start of International Education Week with the Center for International Affairs by stopping by the Binary Walkway for free coffee and apples! We'll be there at 9 AM and will stay until 11 AM or as long as supplies last!

If it's raining, we'll be in the Tomlinson Hall Lobby!

RSVP

EVENT

IEW: Passport Photo Drive

Friday, November 18
10:00am - 12:00pm
Tomlinson 135, Center for Intl Affairs, Tomlinson 143 (7031) Case Western Reserve Univ 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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Celebrate International Education Week with us!
Come and get a FREE Passport photo taken and printed for your use.

RSVP
EA faculty led flyer
Cleveland Bucket List Flyer

Campus Happenings

RA flyer
Spectrum flyer

The Department of Dance Presents Faculty and Guest Artist Concert Spectrum

Spectrum will be performed on November 11, 12 and 17-19 at 7:30pm and November 13 at 2:30pm at CWRU's Mather Dance Center, 11040 Bellflower Road.

To learn more about the performances please visit the Department of Dance website.

Tickets are $10 for students, $12 for seniors age 60+ and CWRU personnel, and $15 for general admission. Reservations are open, and may be made by calling (216) 368-5246 or online by clicking the link

EVENT

Therapy Dogs @ KSL

Tuesday, November 15
2:00pm - 5:00pm
KSL First Floor Atrium, 11055 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
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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
jackson wittke nomination flyer
3MT flyer

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition at CWRU

CWRU's second annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is happening! Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research conducted by PhD students around the world. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), the competition cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props.
Details: 

  • Who can compete? Students enrolled in either a Master’s or Doctoral program with an original research project may compete.
  • First Round CWRU Competition: Friday, November 18, 2022: Student video submissions due for the First Round of the CWRU competition. Top competitors will move on to the final round.
  • Final CWRU Competition: Friday, February, 17, 2023 (approx. 12:45 - 3:00 pm, live in-person)
  • Regional Competition: March 31, 2023. The CWRU winner will be asked to represent CWRU at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools 3MT® competition in Chicago, IL.
  • Workshops: A workshop series will be offered in January and February that will guide students through the whole process. Why should I do this?

Three Minute Thesis develops your ability to communicate the significance and outcomes of your project in a short space of time. Provides good practice for networking and being able to speak about your project at conferences and other academic and social events. The chance to represent CWRU at a regional competition. Learn more about 3MT and the CWRU competition: bit.ly/3mtcwru23

EVENT

Trans Awareness Week Student Drag Show

Friday, November 18
9:00pm - 11:00pm
Private Location (register to display)
Link
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Come support your peers and watch some spectacular drag performances!

RSVP
Fall feast flyer
Timely Care image

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

Thursday, November 10
Start End   Event         Location
1:00pm 2:00pm BIPOC Support Space Online Event
Monday, November 14
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, November 17
1:00pm 2:00pm BIPOC Support Space Online Event
Monday, November 21
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

Other Opportunities

Engl 146 flyer
Engl 147 flyer
Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge logo

Cleveland Metroparks Trail Challenge 2022


Welcome to the 2022 Trail Challenge, a guest led program where you discover new trails throughout Cleveland Metroparks on your own, move to better health, discover the wonders of nature, and earn awards along the way! 

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!

Lizzo photo https://www.npr.org/2019/07/29/732097345/lizzo-tiny-desk-concert

Enjoy a Tiny Desk Concert Featuring Lizzo

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.