Updates & Reminders
18 September 2012
Staffing Updates in ISSS: As of Monday, 24 September, ISSS will have an additional advisor...and many of you know her already! Sharon, who has already been taking care of our front desk, will shift her duties around so that she spends the majority of her time as an advisor and just a few hours each week at the front desk. With a third advisor, we will split up the alphabet even more to work toward better serving you. Here is the new alphabet breakdown (based on the first letter of your family name):
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Sara: A-F
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Robbin: G-N
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Sharon: O-Z
Insurance Cards: A few of you have asked us about where your insurance card is, so we wanted to give you info on when you should be able to get one. Aetna gets information on our F-1 & J-1 students meeting the specific criteria every Friday. After receipt of this, it takes about five business days to add you to their system; your temporary card can be printed from their site at this time. Two weeks later, your card will be sent to your SEVIS U.S. address.
Practical Training Workshops: If you are an F-1 visa holder who has been in full-time status for at least six months, you are eligible to attend these workshops about off-campus internships and employment. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is for F-1s wishing to do an off-campus internship and Optional Practical Training (OPT) is for F-1s to gain work experience after graduation. Both of these Immigration benefits have required workshops. Space is limited so pre-registration is required.
Important Dates List: We have a list of important dates geared toward international students on our web site. Check it out to be sure you are aware of deadlines and such.
Attention Female Students: There will be a self-defense workshop for women on Wed., 17 October; registration is required. In addition, the World Bank has sent us info that their scholarship application process will begin in mid-October.
ISSlist-l Listserv Membership: When you arrived at ODU, we put your non-ODU e-mail address on our listserv, but we have run into several students recently who have stated they haven't been receiving messages. To ensure all students are getting listserv e-mails, we will be adding all students' ODU e-mail accounts to the listserv. If you wish to change the e-mail where you get our e-mails, you can update your e-mail address.
Appointment Tool: We have had some difficulties with our appointment tool and, as a workaround, ask that you e-mail us to set up an appointment with an advisor. Please include the following information when you send your request:
Have a successful semester!
