From: VISA Office
Date: August 21
Subject: VISA News: New Student Check In, Register for Classes, Practical Training Preparedness, International Student Welcome Party, and MORE


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VISA Office News

VISA Office Information

The VISA Office is open 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday. We are located in Crawford Hall, Suite 215.

We have virtual chat advising available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11am to 1pm. Access virtual chat from our website here.

You are also welcome to contact us for an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment. Please email visa@case.edu to request an appointment or schedule from our website here.

The University will be Closed on Monday, September 2nd

The University will be closed on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. The VISA Office will be closed as well.

Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, September 3rd.

Check In with the VISA Office

If you are new to CWRU or beginning a new program at CWRU this semester, you need to check in online as part of the process to maintain your visa status.  If you are a change-of-educational level student or transfer student, you must also check in.

To Check In:

If you will be on campus this semester to begin your program, please access the Instructions on How to Check In with the VISA Office and complete the process. Please note that you:

  • check in online AFTER you arrive in the US with your valid I-20 or DS-2019

  • can check in up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019

  • must check in by the start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. If there is a delay, please notify us immediately

We cannot process any on-campus employment or Social Security Number paperwork until you have been checked in.

 

Registration, Visa Status, & You

As international students, you are required by U.S. federal regulations to be properly registered for a full-time course load while you're studying in the United States as an F-1 or a J-1 student. 

For undergraduates, full-time is 12 credit hours.

For graduate and professional students, what is considered full-time may vary by program. Please contact your department to confirm what full-time enrollment is for your program.

Online and distance limits: You may only enroll in one online or distance course to meet your full-time enrollment each semester.  Once you meet your full-time enrollment, you may take additional online/distance courses.  

There are very few exceptions to full-time registration requirements and only the VISA Office can determine whether you qualify for one of them. Always register for full-time and never drop below a full-time courseload without first speaking with an advisor in the VISA Office. Improper registration could have serious consequences for your visa status, including termination.

We will be verifying each student's registration over the next several weeks. If we detect a problem with your registration or have questions, we will be contacting you by email. It's extremely important that you follow up with us promptly and work to quickly resolve the matter so that your visa status is not negatively impacted.

If you have questions, email us at visa@case.edu or stop by our office during business hours.

F-1 Students:
Considering an internship, co-op, or other practical training this fall? Remember to apply for CPT!

F-1 students are required to obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in order to begin off-campus training or employment, such as internships and co-ops. You must obtain the authorization BEFORE you start working. If you have any questions about CPT, contact us at visa@case.edu.

Also see our website for our CPT presentation and  application: https://case.edu/visa/forms-and-resources/student-forms-and-resources

Coming soon: Fall semester CPT workshops! Look for more information in VISA News, including dates and times, in the coming weeks :)

Changes Coming to the Employment Verification Form

In the next few weeks, the VISA Office will be updating our Employment Verification Form.  Be sure to go to our website to find the latest version of our forms:

https://case.edu/visa/forms-and-resources/student-forms-and-resources

Virtual Chat Advising Is Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 

VISA Office Virtual Advising is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 11 am to 1 pm EST.

If you have a question or concern, reach out to an advisor through the chat box. The chat box (it looks just like the picture above) will be available on our website.

OISRE News

OISRE Office Information

The Office of International Student Resources & Engagement (OISRE) helps international students adapt to life in the US. They offer support services and plan events for international students and the campus community.

OISRE is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. They also have drop-in hours on Thursdays from 11 am to 1 pm in Tomlinson Hall, Room 143.

You can reach them at international@case.edu or call 216-368-2517.

Check on the website for events. If you see an activity of interest, click on the link and pre-register in CampusGroups so we can get an accurate headcount for shuttles, etc.

Join Us for the International Student Welcome Party

The Office of International Student Resources and Engagement invites you to the International Student Welcome Party on Thursday, August 29th, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on the Quad in front of Tomlinson Hall. There will be food, games, fun, and giveaways! Click on this link to register for this free event! 

CWRU Exchange Buddy Program

If you are an incoming exchange student who would like to partner with a CWRU student who has studied abroad, please click on this link for more information on the CWRU Exchange Buddy Program. The Office of International Student Resources and Engagement wants to help you connect you with someone who likely shares a few of your interests (in addition to international travel!).

Celebrate 78th Annual "One World Day"

One World Day celebrates the many cultures that call Northeast Ohio home. This free event will be held on Sunday, 25 August and hosted by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation.

The day begins with a Naturalization Ceremony for new U.S. citizens and a Parade of Flags, followed by music and dance from around the world and authentic ethnic food throughout the Gardens. The Passport to Peace program is a fun way for kids and adults to learn about countries and cultures of the world and meet members of our Garden communities. The Children’s Village offers families even more opportunities for multi-cultural games and educational activities.

One World Day offers a unique perspective on the Cultural Gardens, with their lush landscaping, symbolic architecture, and tributes to historic cultural figures.

Visit the One World Day site to learn more. Click HERE for a map to the Cultural Gardens.

Wellness Vending Machines

CWRU Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) have placed new wellness vending machines around campus to promote the health of our campus community. The machines are intended to increase access to affordable health and wellness products, particularly items that may be needed discreetly, urgently, or after hours. Free allocations are available for CWRU students. Click HERE for a map of vending machine locations around campus.

More August Fun!

Super Saturday at PNC Fairfax Connection
Join in on the fun, creativity, and excitement on Saturday, 24 August, from 10am to 12pm at PNC Fairfax Connections as you and your young aspiring artists explore music, dance, theater, and the visual arts at this FREE experience. Learn about community resources, too.


University Hospitals Farmers Market
Visit the farmers market at University Hospitals next to CWRU's campus. Locally sourced lunch is served while you shop. Free parking is available, only 30 steps away from farm-fresh produce!

When: Thursdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm; June 6 – October 17, 2024
Where: 2074 Adelbert Road

Financial Wellness Info
Student Webinar: Banking Basics For College Students

Date: August 29th, 2024 at 7 pm ET

Description: Here’s where to start on your way to building lifelong money skills. Learn how to create a budget, understand how your credit score affects finances and learn best practices to protect yourself from identity theft.

Features

Practice Your Spoken English

The Academic Support Resources Office offers a variety of English Language resources for students who wish to improve their spoken English skills.

Seminar courses: 

  • Univ 102: Navigating presentation skills -- Discover and implement strategies for improving presentation and public speaking skills.
  • Univ 103: Navigating Reading Skills -- Acquire skills to improve academic reading, vocabulary use, and general fluency in English

Conversation Hours:
Weekly meetings designed to improve pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary in a relaxed and supportive environment. Open for all students, faculty and staff. Register via CampusGroups to attend a Wednesday session from 1:00-2:00 in Nord 213. 

Spoken English Tutors:
Individual appointments to improve pronunciation, conversation and fluency skills. Sign up to meet with a tutor through TutorTrac.

Record How to Pronounce Your Name in SIS

Case Western Reserve University has partnered with NameCoach, a web-based tool that allows students to record the pronunciation of their name, if they choose to. 

NameCoach empowers students to record their names from SIS (Student Information System) so that faculty and staff can listen from Canvas or SIS within 24 hours of recording it. Students will also be able to listen to the recording in Canvas.

Students, advisors and instructors may find NameCoach helpful in cultivating an inclusive learning environment and respectful relationships with students. 

Review instructions on how to record a name in SIS.

Email sisbateam@case.edu with questions.

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.