Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2024, Andrews University Thu, 21 Nov 2024 09:48:00 +0000 Thu, 21 Nov 2024 09:48:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu Update on the Return to Standard I-20 Regulations http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/62868 Greetings, international students! We hope you are having a great summer whether you are taking a break, taking classes, working or perhaps some combination of the three! With the fall 2023 semester right around the corner, we wanted to share with you an important update from the U.S. government specifically concerning those of you with an active I-20. On May 12, the U.S. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) sent a broadcast message to U.S. universities announcing that COVID-related flexibilities relating to student visas will end upon completion of the summer session. As a result, beginning this August with the start of the fall 2023 semester, pre-COVID regulations relating to student visas for Andrews University students will be permanently back in place. This change will affect Andrews University students who are studying with an I-20 in two important ways: <ul> <li> Online class allowance: Beginning fall 2023, international students with an I-20 can take one online class that will count toward the full-time requirement. All other classes taken to meet the requirement must be face-to-face on the Berrien Springs campus.</li> <li> Required presence on the Berrien Springs campus: To maintain an I-20 in active status, students must be physically present on the Berrien Springs campus as full-time students in both the fall and spring semesters (and in summer if the summer is the first time taking classes on the Berrien Springs campus).</li> </ul> If you are an Andrews University student studying remotely from outside of the United States, these U.S. visa requirements do not apply to you and you are free to take as many online classes as your program of study qualifies you to take. However, once you plan to come to the Berrien Springs campus to study in person, you will then need an I-20. When it is time to begin the I-20 process, you can do that by emailing <a href="mailto:isfs@andrews.edu">isfs@andrews.edu</a>. Please feel free to reach out to either one of us if you have any questions about this return to standard SEVP I-20 regulations. You can also visit the Office of International Student Services <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/services/international/index.html">website</a> to review ongoing updates and to find additional information regarding visas and I-20s, maintaining status, and life on the Berrien Springs campus as an international student. We offer our prayers and best wishes to you for the remainder of these summer months, and we are looking forward to serving you in the new school year! All the best, Christian Stuart Associate Dean for International Education Silmara Ferreira International Student Services Director Fri, 09 Jun 2023 11:48:56 +0000 Spring 2023 OPT and CPT Workshops http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/62173 Jan. 19, 2023 Dear international students, I hope this new spring 2023 semester has started well for you! As you settle into your class schedules and other routines, I wanted to write to let you know about some important events: our upcoming Optional Practical Training (OPT) workshop and the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) workshop. For this semester, we will hold our OPT workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 3:30–5 p.m. and the CPT workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 3:30–5 p.m. Both workshops will be presented via Zoom (go to this <a href="https://andrews.zoom.us/j/5322129830">link</a> or use ID 532 212 9830 <a href="https://zoom.us/join">here</a>). Both of these workshops will be recorded, so if you are unable to attend the live Zoom sessions, you can watch the presentations later by going to the <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/services/international/optional-practical-training-opt-.html">OPT page</a> and <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/services/international/curricular-practical-training-cpt-.html">CPT page</a>. Also, we ask that you review the recorded <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDTpCMGnDW4">fall 2022 OPT presentation</a> and the recorded <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUYn3jUQn9U">fall 2022 CPT presentation</a> before you attend this semester’s workshops as the information in both presentations remains valid and is still up to date. As a result, we will use the OPT workshop time on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and the CPT workshop time on Tuesday, Jan. 31, entirely as question-and-answer sessions. We hope to see you online in one or both of these important sessions! Prayers and best wishes for a great semester. Christian Stuart, PhD Executive Director Thu, 19 Jan 2023 12:46:45 +0000 Holiday Treats and More for International Students http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/62011 Greetings, international students, As we wrap up the busy final days of this fall semester, I wanted to check in with you before you head into a much deserved holiday break, wherever it takes you. If you have a chance between final exams this week, please take a moment to stop by our International Student Services office (Administration Building, Room 307) tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 13, through Thursday, Dec. 15, for a holiday treat. We will have an assortment of holiday cookies and other treats along with hot drinks for you to choose from. We would love for you to stop by as we celebrate this semester and holiday season. This also offers you a great chance to ask any questions you might have now that the fall semester is ending and you are making plans for the holiday break and the upcoming spring semester. It’s especially important to drop by if you plan to travel internationally during the break. If that’s part of your plans, be sure to stop by and let us know so we can make sure you have all the necessary travel endorsements and other immigration requirements you’ll need before you travel. Also, if your I-20 has a program end date in December but you are not actually going to complete your program of study this month, please make sure you let us know before the end date listed on your I-20 so we can help you revise your I-20 information in order to maintain your immigration status. We hope to see you this week between your exams, but even if you can’t stop by, I wish you all a relaxing break, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Christian Stuart Executive Director Mon, 12 Dec 2022 15:32:45 +0000 Invitation to Participate in Research Project http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/61814 Greetings, international students! I want to first thank each one of you for how you add to the cultural richness and international diversity that contributes so much to our Andrews University experience and identity. With this in mind, I am writing with an exciting and important opportunity for you to help our Office of International Student Services better understand how we can more effectively serve our international students here at Andrews University. Specifically, my colleague, Gilbert Wari, has begun work on a yearlong project for the College of Education & International Services to better understand the challenges, needs and successes of our international students on campus. We would appreciate it if you could take a moment to assist with this project by simply emailing Gilbert directly at <a href="mailto:wari@andrews.edu">wari@andrews.edu</a> with a response to these two questions: <ol> <li> What is your country of origin?</li> <li> Based on your experiences studying on the Berrien Springs campus, in what ways do you feel Andrews University could better support its international students, make them feel happy, and offer them a sense of belonging?</li> </ol> Your participation in this project will just take a moment and will greatly contribute to our efforts to serve you and other international students effectively. We are looking forward to hearing from you! All the best, Christian Stuart Executive Director Tue, 22 Nov 2022 17:21:34 +0000 Update: Nov. 20 Banquet for International Students http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/61781 Nov. 15, 2022 Dear international students, Thank you for your interest in the upcoming Thanksgiving Banquet for on-campus international students and their immediate family members, to be held on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 5–7 p.m. on the second floor of the Campus Center (next to the Terrace Café). Attendance requires a ticket, and at this time all of the tickets, over 200, have been handed out. We wish we could hand out more, but due to limited spacing there are, unfortunately, no remaining tickets. We have been so sorry to tell people this week who have come in for a ticket that we are all out. At the same time, we are very happy to see the interest this event has generated, and we look forward to planning additional events like this in the near future. Some of you who received a ticket have asked about what to wear to the Thanksgiving Banquet. As this is a formal event, a good rule of thumb to follow would be to dress as you would dress when you are going to church. Prayers and Thanksgiving blessings to all of you. Christian Stuart Executive Director Tue, 15 Nov 2022 13:18:48 +0000 Thanksgiving Banquet for International Students http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/61709 Dear international students, With the arrival of November and cooler weather now the norm, our thoughts turn to the upcoming holiday season. In that spirit, I am excited to announce that this year we will hold a Thanksgiving Banquet for on-campus international students and their immediate family members (i.e., spouses and children who have accompanied them to campus). We will have a Thanksgiving-themed program with opportunities to fellowship together followed by a buffet dinner. The Thanksgiving Banquet will be held on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 5–7 p.m. on the second floor of the Campus Center (next to Dining Services). There is no charge for currently registered on-campus international students and their immediate family to attend. However, because spacing for this event is limited, we will require that each attendee, whether student or family member, enter with a ticket acquired through the International Student Services office. We will have as many tickets available as possible, but ultimately the number will be limited, and these tickets will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Thanksgiving Banquet tickets will be available while supplies last from Monday, Nov. 7, through Monday, Nov. 14, during regular International Student Services office hours (Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30–5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.) in the Administration Building, Suite 307. If you are a currently registered on-campus international student, simply bring your Andrews University ID card with you to pick up your ticket(s). We are looking forward to this event, and we hope to see you there! Festively, Christian Stuart Executive Director Mon, 31 Oct 2022 16:39:26 +0000 Fall 2022 OPT and CPT Workshops http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/61196 Sept. 12, 2022 Greetings, international students! As you continue through the fall 2022 semester, I wanted to let you know about two important workshops this month for F-1 students studying under an I-20, which will focus on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT): <ul> <li> OPT Workshop: Tuesday, Sept. 20, 3:30–5 p.m., via this <a href="https://andrews.zoom.us/j/5322129830">Zoom</a> link (Zoom ID: 532 212 9830)</li> <li> CPT Workshop: Tuesday, Sept. 27, 3:30–5 p.m., via this <a href="https://andrews.zoom.us/j/5322129830">Zoom</a> link (Zoom ID: 532 212 9830)</li> </ul> F-1 students and academic advisors who guide F-1 students are all welcome to attend these workshops. Please note: if you are a student with an I-20 who will complete your program of study during this 2022–2023 academic year, you are especially encouraged to attend the OPT workshop. If you are a student with an I-20 in a program of study that may require an internship, practicum, clinical or any other learning experience that may take you off campus in either a paid or unpaid arrangement, you are especially encouraged to attend the CPT workshop to fully understand key guidelines and expectations. Both OPT and CPT workshops will begin with a brief presentation of key information, and then your Center for On-Campus International Student Services team will open the remaining time in each session for questions. Both presentations will be recorded and posted later on the <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/services/international/updates/index.html">Updates for International Students</a> webpage for you to watch if you are unable to attend. We hope to see you in one or both of these workshops, as appropriate! Prayers and best wishes as this semester begins. Christian Stuart, PhD Executive Director, PDSO, RO Center for On-Campus International Student Services College of Education & International Services Mon, 12 Sep 2022 13:30:06 +0000 End-of-Semester Updates for International Students http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/59685 Greetings, international students! I pray that the fall semester is coming to a successful conclusion for you! As we approach the Christmas break, I wanted to write with three quick but very important updates. Please consider each question in bold below, and if a question applies to you, read the associated details carefully so that you have all the information you will need as we end the fall semester and move into spring. <ul> <li> Are you ready for the cold weather? The College of Education & International Services has graciously donated hats, gloves, scarves and other warm gear specifically for international students. If you are in need of one or more of these items, please stop by the Office of International Student Services & Programs (AD 307) during regular office hours from Thursday, Dec. 9 to Thursday, Dec. 16, to see if we have something you need. We will also have Christmas treats and hot drinks available!  </li> <li> Is your visa status expiring soon? Please check your program of study end date on your I-20 (F-1 visa holders) or DS-2019 (J-1 visa holders). If the program end date is within the next two months, please email <a href="mailto:iss@andrews.edu">iss@andrews.edu</a> right away so that we can advise you on the steps to take to stay in status.  </li> <li> Are you traveling outside of the U.S. during the Christmas break? Please check to make sure you have the proper travel endorsements before you leave the U.S. and travel internationally. Your specific travel endorsement is found on the second page of the I-20 (F-1 visa holders) and on the right-hand side of the DS-2019 (J-1 visa holders). If you do not have a travel endorsement, or if the date of the last signature is close to or past the one-year mark, please come to the International Student Services office (AD 307) before you leave campus. The International Student Services office will close on Dec. 22 for the rest of the year, so you will need to come in for your travel endorsement before this date. Please also note that if your F-1 or J-1 visa is expired or close to expiring, you will need to renew your visa before you can return to the U.S. once you leave. Finally, please make sure that you carefully monitor all COVID-19 travel updates from the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/requirements-for-air-travelers-to-the-us.html">U.S. Department of State</a> to make sure you have the latest information you need to travel internationally.</li> </ul> Finally, please note that the International Student Services office will be closed for the rest of the year beginning Dec. 22 and we will not be able to assist you after this date until the new year, so please plan accordingly, especially if you need a travel endorsement or a program of study extension on your I-20 or DS-2019. All of us in the Office of International Student Services & Programs wish you a great conclusion to the semester, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Christian Stuart, PhD Executive Director Center for On-Campus International Student Services Wed, 15 Dec 2021 15:23:29 +0000