International Links
NEWSLETTER OF THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & SCHOLARS Room 111,E. Moore Hall, West Virginia University, PO Box 6411,
http://www.wvu.edu/~oiss
Tuition Merit Award
The office of International Students & Scholars is inviting undergraduate international students to apply and compete for the Tuition Merit Award for the academic year . Two students will be designated the winners for this award, which will cover the tuition for both Fall and Spring semesters.
A committee of university faculty, staff and students will choose the award winners. The criteria for selection will be based upon scholastic achievements, extra-curricular activities, awards won since beginning student status in the United States, and financial needs of the applicant. Applicants will be responsible themselves for obtaining three reference letters. PLEASE NOTE THAT REFERENCE LETTERS ARE DUE MARCH 23, 2008, ONE WEEK BEFORE THE DEADLINE FOR THE APPLICATION. At least two of the three letters of reference should be written by faculty members at West Virginia University. This is a one-year, non-renewable award and the winner will be notified no later than May 31, 2008. Any questions concerning this Tuition Merit Award may be directed to the Office of International Students & Scholars, Room 111, E. Moore Hall ). Please check the front page of the OISS website for eligibility requirements.
Mountaineer Parents Club
The Mountaineer Parents Club is very interested in recruiting international parents who wish to support their students away from home. The main goal of the Club is to maintain a network of parents in areas where WVU students reside. Local clubs have meetings and activities aimed at student support and social interactions and welcoming new WVU students and their families.
Parents Club offers you, the international student, a unique opportunity to have your parents become involved in your life at WVU even though they may be thousands of miles away. For example, there are many students at WVU from Hyderabad in India. Wouldn’t it be a great experience for your parents to share a common interest by getting together with other WVU parents in Hyderabad.
Parents Club fosters communication between the world of college and home. Through the Parents Club, your parents will stay informed about the services available at WVU, share ideas with other parents who help to provide a supportive environment for you, the student and for each other.
If your parents have email then it is easy to join. You may pick up an application at OISS or go to the Mountaineer Parents Club website and apply online at www.ia.wvu.edu/parents/form.cfm. Or just email your parents and encourage them to go to the website and apply. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Sabrina Cave at Sabrina.cave@mail.wvu.edu.
International House
International House is a once-in-a-lifetime alternative-housing opportunity for a limited number of undergraduate students at WVU. If you are accepted into this brand-new program, you will have experiences to cherish for a lifetime! Live in a beautiful house on the downtown campus with people from all over the world and discover amazing differences and even more amazing similarities! Taste new foods and make friends for a lifetime. You will learn to help others as you work hand-in-hand with your housemates in social and service-oriented activities.
In order to ensure that International House contains an appropriate combination of male & female, international & domestic for your optimal experience, apply for the 2008 Fall semester now. Visit our website to access the application.
ADDRESS CHANGES & EAD COPIES
If you are a student in F-1 or J-1 visa status and have moved to a new place of residence, you are required by law to report your new address to OISS within 10 days after your move. Please be sure to observe this by presenting the AR-11 to our office within that time limit. Your new address will then be reported in SEVIS for compliance, and forwarded to the WVU Records office.
For those who are issued EADs (Employment Authorization Documents) for Optional Practical Training, please also furnish a copy of your EAD to OISS upon your receipt of this document, and of the approval notice if you change visa status.
ISO
The International Student Organization meets each Thursday at 5:30pm in the conference room in E. Moore Hall. They report a very successful international dinner and thank all those involved for their outstanding assistance for this event. ISO is planning several fun events this Spring; a weekend away, a dance and movie nights. ISO welcomes all WVU students to join. Contact Angelica Dumapit at adumapit@mix.wvu.edu for more information or just drop by Thursday evenings.
REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS
West Virginia University now requires that all new incoming international freshmen receive two (2) doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) and one dose of meningitis vaccine before entering WVU.
All transfers must have the two (2) doses of MMR. For more information, please contact WVU Admissions and Records office at http://admissions.wvu.edu/undergraduate/.
Graduating?
If you are graduating and do not plan to return to WVU or the United States, please fill out the exit form and submit, so we can give you a COMPLETED in SEVIS. It is important for your future travel that your status in the SEVIS database receives this update.
Would you like to work in the United States for a year? If you expect to graduate in May, NOW is the best time to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). All of the information you need, along with any necessary forms, are conveniently located on our website.
Tax Assistance
OISS is no longer able to give students and scholars assistance with tax preparation. Please refer to the website www.istaxes.com for help. There is a small fee but it is a very helpful site.
REMINDER FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Since December 2002, the Department of Homeland Security has not allowed F-2 spouses to attend school without having their status changed first unless they can prove to the Department of Homeland Security that they are taking classes that are considered recreational or avocational. F-2 visa holders will need to have their change to F-1 status approved before they may enroll in classes.
Since it takes the US Citizenship and Immigration Services quite some time to get this type of case approved, we advise you to apply for a change of status with USCIS well in advance of your proposed beginning date of study so that you can allow enough time for the case to be approved. Please do not wait until the last minute to submit your application to USCIS. In the event that your change of status is not approved before the semester begins, you must apply for a deferral of your admission at the Office of Admissions & Records so that your SEVIS record will be properly adjusted. Attending classes without a proper status is a violation of US immigration rule. Please pay special attention to this rule.
EXPIRATION DATE ON YOUR I-20 OR DS 2019
Please remember that you must pay close attention to the expiration date recorded on item #5 of your I-20 if you are an F-1 student or item # 3 of your DS 2019 if you are a J-1 student. If your document will expire within a couple of months and you will need additional time to complete your program at WVU, you will need to apply for an extension at OISS. Failure to do this will jeopardize your immigration status. Please help yourself by paying special attention to this expiration date on your immigration document.
Detailed Calendar of Events OISS Office Hours
Summary of Events
Every Thursday ISO meets at 5:30PM in the E. Moore Hall Conference Room
APPOINTMENT POLICY
Please call or see someone at our front desk if you would like to request an appointment, or if you have an emergency and need to see someone on a different day than is listed.
When you come to our office, PLEASE stop at our front desk and state your need or request, rather than stating who you wish to see, so that we may direct you to the next available person who can help you with your particular issue—or even help you right there!.
We accept appointments and walk-ins only as follows (except during the first few weeks of the semester):
- Karen Bird on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Doina Jikich on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Kelley Rice on Tuesdays and Thursdays