From: VISA Office
Date: May 10, 2023
Subject: ISS News, May 10, 2023: End of Semester Reminders, UH&CS Access Over the Summer, ISS Availability, Tax Information, Cleveland Asian Festival, Graduation Ceremonies, Good Vibes, and More


ISS news header

May 10, 2023

____________________________________________________________________

in this issue:

  1. End of Semester Reminders
  2. Graduating Students- Important Tax Info to Ensure You Get Your 2023 W-2
  3. OPT & STEM OPT Students- Follow These Simple Steps for Reporting Updates
  4. OPT & CPT Workshops
  5. ISSNews Summer Schedule
  6. ISS Closed- Monday, May 29
  7. Closing Early on Fridays in June & July
  8. Features
  9. Campus Happenings
  10. Other Opportunities
  11. Good Vibes Only
  12. Access to UH&CS Over the Summer
  13. Support Resources
____________________________________________________________________

ISS staff members are here to support you! 

Please visit our website to learn about the advising options that are available and connect with us so that we can assist you.

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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 (This is not Dean Wolcowitz.  If you don't know who your dean is, email ugstudies@case.edu to ask) 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. Be sure that you are monitoring all requirements for entry to the United States and complying with university policies related to returning to campus.  **If you have any doubts or concerns about your ability to return to the United States by the start of the next semester, ISS recommends that you consider remaining in the United States and not traveling abroad.**
  • check the validity of the visa in your passport. Some US Embassies and Consulates still 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. 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.

w-2 image

Graduating Students- Important Tax Info to Ensure You Get Your 2023 W-2

When CWRU generates your W-2 for the 2023 tax filing year, it will be 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.

Remember it is your responsibility to file taxes each year and that W-2 is a critical document for that process.

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

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Access to UH&CS Over the Summer

As the school year comes to an end, please note that access to University Health & Counseling Services will look a little different, over the summer. If you are a graduating student, please refer to this link. If you are not graduating, please click this link to review your eligibility to access services over the summer. 

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ISS Closed- Monday, May 29

The University will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29.

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

Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 30.

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CWRU Take Two- 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 to campus accordingly.

Regular Friday business hours will resume in August.

OPT and CPT workshop branding telling students that workshops are available online

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.  Advisor-led workshops will resume in the Fall and, in the meantime, you can always access and complete an online workshop at your convenience. 

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.

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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!

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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. 

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Alumni: Access to Google Workspace Changing Summer 2023

The university needs to make significant changes in how it administers Google Workspace and you can read more here about its plans for alumni.

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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

Cleveland Bucket List Flyer

Campus Happenings

EVENT

The Annual Diversity Achievement Awards!

Wednesday, May 10
12:00pm - 1:30pm
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This event provides an opportunity for the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity (OIDEO) to recognize individuals and offices for their contributions to promoting inclusion, equity and diversity at Case Western Reserve University.

Awards to be presented this year include: Undergraduate Student Diversity Excellence Award, Graduate/Professional Student Diversity Excellence Award, Staff Diversity Excellence Award, Faculty Diversity Excellence Award, Department/Office/Unit Diversity Excellence Award, Senior Leadership Diversity Excellence Award and Collaboration Diversity Excellence Award. 

Join us in honoring and recognizing the many contributions of CWRU campus members.
RSVP

Graduation Celebrations

EVENT

8th Annual Latinx/Hispanic Graduation Ceremony

Tuesday, May 16
11:00am - 1:00pm
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Latinx Graduation is a pre-commencement ceremony that recognizes, celebrates, and honors the undergraduate and graduate & professional Latinx Graduates. It is an outstanding accomplishment for our Latinx students to receive academic degrees, and increase representation of Latinx professionals in academia and industry in the United States. We are very proud and want to recognize our Latinx graduates for their accomplishments.

This invite is not only extended to graduating students, but also to their family, and friends. Fill out this form for stole selection to https://forms.gle/uY3v4VtzQjjbARur6 by April 23rd.
Guests only need to register for the event and do NOT fill out the form.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Camila, cir11@case.edu. We look forward to celebrating with you!
RSVP

EVENT

8th Annual Black Graduation

Tuesday, May 16
6:00pm - 8:00pm
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Join us for our 8th Annual BSU Black Graduation, as we celebrate the 2023 graduating class of Black undergraduate and graduate students from Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Music. There will be a ceremony program followed by a reception with refreshments. We hope to see you there!
RSVP
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Celebrate 2023 Graduates with a Clap Out, Wednesday, May 17

Members of the Case Western Reserve University community are invited to celebrate the accomplishments of our 2023 graduates with a university-wide clap out to open commencement week Wednesday, May 17, at 3:15 p.m. on Case Quad. Faculty, staff, students and postdocs are encouraged to fill Case Quad to make commencement week special for our graduates.

The clap out will be held as the graduates process from the Binary Walkway, through the Case Quad, and on to the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center for convocation, which begins at 4 p.m. Members of the university community also are invited to attend convocation. 

Supervisors are asked to plan ahead and allow employees (both exempt and non-exempt) to attend these events. Those who plan to participate should complete the 2023 Commencement Week Registration Form. For more information on commencement week, as well as a full schedule of events, visit the commencement website.

Other Opportunities

asian festival flyer

Save the Date & Volunteer at the Cleveland Asian Festival

May 20 - 21, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., AsiaTown | Rain or Shine | FREE Parking at CSU E. 24th & Payne Lots 

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Engl 147 flyer

Good Vibes Only

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 and we're sending them out to you!

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Introvert vs. Extrovert Translator

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 fo