From: VISA Office
Date: February 15, 2023
Subject: ISS News, February 15, 2023: Nominate for Global Citizen Awards, H-1B Workshop, 3MT Competition, Planning for Spring Break, Tax Info, Health & Wellness, Study Abroad Info, Tea & Chocolate Tasting, Queeries Event, Good Vibes, and More


ISS news header

February 15, 2023

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in this issue:

  1. OPT & CPT Workshops
  2. Winter Weather 101
  3. Alumni: Access to Google Workspace Changing Summer 2023
  4. Tax Information for 2022 Filing Year
  5. Traveling During Spring Break
  6. ISS is OPEN During Spring Break
  7. Features
  8. Campus Happenings
  9. Other Opportunities
  10. Good Vibes Only
  11. Commencement Information
  12. Support Resources

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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.

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.

Tax Information for 2022 Filing Year

Sprintax logo

Sprintax Offers Tax Webinars to Prepare for Tax Filing Season 2022

ISS partners with the tax experts at Sprintax who offer tax filing services to international students that are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes. The Sprintax team will be hosting a series of free open tax webinars to provide helpful information about non-resident tax filing obligations.

You can find the details and registration links below for each:

The informational webinars will cover the same topics on each occasion:

  • An overview of tax for nonresident students and scholars
  • Who must file a 2021 US tax return
  • What income forms students may receive
  • Forms that need to be completed and sent to the IRS
  • Terms like FICA, ITIN, and Form 1098-T
  • What happens if students don’t file or misfile
  • State tax returns
  • Sprintax overview
cartoon people starting up at giant tax word

Tax Deadline in April: Forms & Sprintax Availablity

Sprintax is a tax-return-preparation software program designed primarily for international students and other educational visa holders. It can help you prepare your U.S. federal income tax return, which you are legally required to file to the Internal Revenue Service.  ISS has arranged free access to Sprintax for your federal tax filing needs.

You may access Sprintax and begin preparing your tax return by following these steps:

  1. Register and follow the simple instructions
  2. Complete the online questionnaire
  3. Enter Case Western Reserve University’s unique code. This code was sent to you via email on February 7. Check your inbox or your messages in Terra Dotta (visas.case.edu)
  4. Sprintax will prepare your tax return

If Sprintax determines that you are required to file state taxes, you will have the opportunity to prepare those state taxes. You are not required to use Sprintax to file state taxes but, remember, it is your responsibility to comply with the law and properly file all taxes.

If by now, you haven't received your W-2 from CWRU, contact Payroll at payroll@case.edu. If you were authorized to work for another employer, you should contact their payroll department.

For more information regarding the 1098-T, please visit Financial Services website to download the Nonresident Alien 1098-T Request Form.

1042-S forms will be prepared by mid-March and sent to students by Payroll. Please contact Payroll if you have questions about the issuance of your 1042-S.

For more information, visit our Information on Filing Taxes page and if you have any questions, the Sprintax team will be happy to help via their 24/7 live chat function or email hello@sprintax.com. ISS staff members cannot advise you on your questions, which is why we partner with the experts at Sprintax.

winter weather infographic from weather.gov/cold

Winter Weather 101

We want you to stay warm this winter! Be sure that you're dressing appropriately for the Cleveland weather.

spring break sign

Traveling During Spring Break

**If you have concerns about your travel plans affecting your ability to resume your studies at CWRU, ISS strongly encourages all students to consider the risks that might come with traveling and to plan accordingly. We understand that traveling may be necessary and just want you to be best prepared.**

If you plan to travel outside of the U.S. during the break, be sure to check the entry requirements for all of the places you will visit. As a visitor, it is necessary to comply with all of the laws put in place by a host country’s government.

To enter the U.S. after traveling abroad, proof of vaccination is required and certain travelers may need a negative COVID test. As you get closer to your return date, be sure to check the CDC's website for the most current information related to entry requirements. You should also familiarize yourself with university policies related to returning to campus.

A valid travel signature on your I-20 (if you are in F-1 status) or your DS-2019 (if you are in J-1 status) is required to enter the United States. Before leaving campus, ideally 2 weeks before you leave campus, check your I-20 or DS-2019 for a valid travel signature.

A travel signature is valid for up to one year with just two exceptions: (1) If you will be traveling to Canada, you should have a travel signature that is no more than six months old. (2) If you have applied for or are currently approved for post-completion OPT as an F-1 student, a travel signature is valid for only six months.

To request a travel signature, submit the electronic Travel Signature Request through Terra Dotta (visas.case.edu), and follow the instructions to receive your signature.

For more information related to travel and your F-1 visa status, visit this website.

For more information related to travel and your visa J-1 visa status, visit this website.

Spring break written in the sand next to sunglasses

Spring Break- ISS is OPEN

While we hope you'll be resting and relaxing over Spring Break (March 13-17), please know that ISS will be available if you need assistance.

decorated cap

Commencement Information

Make sure you're keeping track of all the important dates and steps for commencement if you plan to graduate this semester!

Visit the Commencement website and follow the instructions in SIS to apply for graduation too.

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. 

google workspace image

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.

Features

h1b flyer
Global citizen award flyer
queeries event flyer

Education Abroad Announcements

EA drop in hours flyer

EVENT

Study Abroad for Pre-Med and Pre-Health Students

Thursday, February 16
5:00pm - 6:00pm
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Yes, you can study abroad if you're Pre-Med, Pre-Health, etc!

Come find out about specific opportunities that might align with your goals and hear from both Study Abroad and your Healthcare Careers advisor!
RSVP

EVENT

Being You Abroad: LGBTQ+ & Multicultural Student Panel

Tuesday, February 21
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Private Location (sign in to display)
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Interested in studying abroad as a multicultural and/or LGBTQ+ student? Come to our student panel and hear from multicultural and LGBTQ+ students who previously studied abroad and how their identities impacted their experiences! Dinner provided.
RSVP

EVENT

Summer Study Abroad with CWRU Faculty: Information Session

Friday, March 3
12:45pm - 2:00pm
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Make this spring semester the one that dreams are made of--earn three credits on a CWRU course and travel internationally with classmates and faculty!
RSVP

EVENT

Gilman Writing Workshop #2 - Final Essay Tweaks

Tuesday, March 7
3:00pm - 4:00pm
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Bring your essay and let's workshop it together. The more eyes the better so we will share our essays with other applicants to share ideas and add the final tweaks! Essays are due on the 9th (Pacific Standard Time)
RSVP
EA may abroad flyer
Cleveland Bucket List Flyer

Campus Happenings

career fair prep flyer
3MT logo

Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) competition

Join us for the second annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) competition at Case Western Reserve University on Friday, February 17, 2023, 12:45 PM - 3:15 PM in the Tinkham Veale University Center Ballroom!

Developed by the University of Queensland and now held at over 900 institutions across more than 80 countries around the world, 3MT celebrates the exciting research conducted by grad students around the world. 3MT is a competition that challenges research students to communicate the significance of their projects to a general audience in just three minutes.

Boxed lunches and drinks will be served at 12:15. Snacks and drinks will be available later in the afternoon. We ask that no eating take place during the competition presentations.

This event will also be livestreamed - you can view the event at https://case.edu/livestream/s1

EVENT

Global Entrepreneur in Residence by Global Cleveland

Wednesday, February 22
12:15pm - 1:15pm
PBL 203, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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Do YOU have an IDEA, and want to pursue entrepreneurship, right after graduation? Join us over lunch to learn about the Global Entrepreneur In Residence (GEIR) program for aspiring entrepreneurs to start entrepreneurship immediately after graduation and solve future-related issues.
RSVP
tea and chocolate flyer
Timely Care image

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

Thursday, February 16
Start End   Event         Location
1:00pm 2:00pm BIPOC Support Space Online Event
Monday, February 20
6:00pm 7:30pm I'm Fine, It's Fine, Everything is Fine. Private Location (sign in to display)
Wednesday, February 22
11:00am 2:00pm FREE STUDENT STI TESTING TVUC Second Floor Conference Room
12:00pm 1:00pm T.H.I.N.K. Suicide Prevention Training (In Person) Kelvin Smith Library
Thursday, February 23
1:00pm 2:00pm BIPOC Support Space Online Event
Monday, February 27
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. Private Location (sign in to display)

EVENT

Light the Campus

Monday, February 27
5:00pm - 6:00pm
KSL Oval, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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Each year, CWRU lights a part of campus to remember community members or their loved ones who have passed away. Students, faculty and staff can submit names to be read during the ceremony. 

Light the Campus ceremony will be held in-person on Monday, February 27 at 5:00pm outside of KSL Oval; masking and social distancing protocols will be followed. 

In addition to lighting the trees during the ceremony, students, faculty and staff can pick-up a battery-powered light in Thwing after the ceremony to display in their office, dorm or home window throughout the month of March. Candles need to be picked-up in person the day of the ceremony.

We are also searching for volunteers to assist with reading names and distributing candles during the event.

To submit a name, order a candle or sign-up to volunteer please complete this form: https://cglink.me/2cS/s82790
RSVP
career fair image

Upcoming Career Fair

For more information about the upcoming event- open to current and former CWRU students- visit the Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education website.

2023 Career, Education and Inspiration Expo, Friday, March 3 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Other Opportunities

survey flyer

Research Study Needs Participants

A team at Case Western Reserve University is conducting a research study on how foreign-born Asian Indian immigrants in the US view citizenship.
This link to participate is https://cwru.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6AvdWy7St9boS5o and the survey will only take 3 minutes to complete. If selected, you will be contacted for follow-up interviews.

The study will be confidential and is IRB approved.

Once your participation is complete you will receive a gift voucher for $10 as well as be entered into a lottery for a gift card worth $100. For more information please contact rxs981@case.edu

PNC financial banner

PNC's Financial Wellness Offerings in February

Webinar: Budgeting 2.0: Making Budgets Work

Date:  February 22, 2023, 7 pm ET

Description: Learn to identify your personal obstacles to budgeting, decide short and long-term goals, and manage your day-to-day spending to increase your financial security.

come to canada image

Living and Working in Canada

On Wednesday, March 1, noon EST, representatives from the Immigration section of the Consulate General of Canada will conduct a presentation via Zoom and cover opportunities to immigrate to Canada both permanently and temporarily. Topics include:

  • the process to become a Canadian Permanent Resident via the Express Entry program
  • process to work in Canada

Current students or alumni are welcome; International and American citizen students in any discipline are welcome.

Register via: https://forms.gle/NLiEFQTKzngH2dQS8

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!

The Evolution of "Mom Dancing" with Jimmy Fallon and Michelle Obama.  Click on the images to see Part 1 and Part 2.

jimmy fallon and Michelle Obama Mom Dancing
jimmy fallon and Michelle Obama Mom Dancing

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