F-1s & J-1s--New Reduced Course Load Request (RCL) Procedure:  As we announced in November 2012 and e-mailed in January, we have a new RCL procedure. If you need to take a reduced course load in Fall 2013, you must submit your RCL to and gain approval from ISSS BEFORE YOU REGISTER.  With this in mind, we have a deadline of Friday, 12 April for RCLs.  Any changes to your enrollment will require you to submit a new RCL for approval.  It will take up to three business days to process RCLs.  If you plan to register for the regular Immigration required

F-1 Graduating in May 2013?:  Now is the time to get your OPT application together to submit to ISSS.  Immigration was able to accept your application as of 10 February.  Don't forget that you must attend the workshop and that space is limited.

I-9 Paperwork:  All international students and scholars on nonimmigrant visas must complete employment paperwork in ISSS--not in the department.  The department is required to provide an employment offer letter which must be on original department letterhead and have an original signature.  Click on the link for more information.

Graduate Assistants:  Please remember that, as per the Office of Graduate Studies, you are not permitted to hold any type of graduate assistantship and any other type of on-campus employment at the same time.

It's Tax Return Time!:  If you have not already done so, please request a GLACIER Tax Prep access code.  For more information, please refer to the e-mails sent to the ISSlist listserv on 21 February, 13 February, 11 February and 1 February.

F-1s--Insurance While on OPT:  You have the option to purchase the ODU Aetna Student Health Plan at the regular rate on a month-to-month basis.  Effective 15 February 2013, ISSS can no longer fax the form.  Instead, students can fax theirs directly to 859.425.5200 or mail them to the following address:

ASH Enrollment
P.O. Box 14388
Lexington, KY  40512    

F-1s & J-1s--Regulations Highlight:  When F and J students start at ODU, they all go through and sign a summary of the regulations/requirements/policies called "ODU F-1/J-1 Student Responsibilities Under SEVIS."  Because there is a lot of information flowing around during check-in and such, ISSS will be helping to remind new and continuing students of these items by highlighting a few of them each month with the intention of preventing students from running into visa status violations:

• My primary physical presence is to be in the ODU Norfolk campus/Hampton Roads campus area.  While you may go on a semester-long internship or something similar, this must be done with approval and/or documentation from ISSS or Immigration.
• I will make sure my I-20/DS-2019 does not expire.  If I need more time to complete my degree, I will apply for an extension 30 days before my form expires.  The expiration date is in section 5 on the I-20 and in section 3 on the DS-2019.  The form to request a new I-20/DS-2019 is in the FORMS section of the ISSS web site.  Also my passport must be valid for six months into the future at all times.
• If I change my status to another visa status or to a Permanent Resident, I will submit a PDF of my new visa stamp or I-797 approval notice.

International Student Support Group:  Counseling Services is hosting a support group to specifically discuss the challenges that international students face.  Join others who are in the same situations you are and you'll be able to help each other find solutions.   

Shuttle Bus Service:  We recently learned that some students were not aware of the university's shuttle service to Wal-Mart and Kroger, so we wanted to share here.  The route takes about 60 minutes to complete.  The hours of operation are Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 a.m. until 7.30 p.m.; the last bus leaves Wal-Mart at 7 p.m.  Click on the link for more information.

F-1 & J-1s--Travel Signature Day & Visa Status Check-Up:  We will have this semester's Travel Signature & Visa Status Check-Up Day on Wednesday, 24 April from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.  More information will be sent out closer to the date.  If you are traveling outside the U.S. during Spring Break, you'll need to submit your I-20/DS-2019 now; please remember that it can take up to three business days for signatures to be processed.