GENERAL UPDATES & REMINDERS

3 July 2007

University Closed:  The University will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, 4 July 2007) in honor of Independence Day.  Take advantage of your day off to enjoy festivities in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, or Virginia Beach.  

Immigration Address Requirements:  Have you moved to a new address in the U.S.?  Be sure to go to our Forms page to update your addresses; this will ensure that you are compliant with Immigration regulations.  Address updates should be done within five days of your move.

Immigration Fee Increase & OPT:  If you are an F-1 visa holder who is graduating and is planning to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for this August/September time frame, please note that Immigration has announced an increase in several application fees.  Any OPT application received in our office AFTER 16 July 2007 will need to have a check for $340 instead of the current $180.  The FINAL OPT WORKSHOP this summer is Tuesday, 31 July; visit the OPT page for application forms and to register for this mandatory workshop.

Health Insurance Procedural Changes:  All F and J visa holders will need to take a careful look at the health insurance page on our site to be sure you are aware of the new insurance procedures.  Some of you have been sent an e-mail asking you to confirm health insurance coverage; please be sure to respond to the e-mail--even if you think it was sent in error.  We are trying to re-organize and update some files, and want to be sure your information is correct.  Thanks, in advance, for your assistance.

ODU Summer Leader Retreat:  If you are a leader or want to become one, this is a good chance to develop and strengthen your leadership skills.  It will be held 12 August to 14 August in Toano, Virginia (assistance with finding a carpool will be available).  Interested students should submit the following information to OSAL:  first and last names, organization/club represented, office held (if any), e-mail, phone, special dietary needs, emergency contact (name and number), and medical needs/issues.  Registration is limited to two members from each organization.

ISSS Office Move:  As soon as we receive confirmation about the day our office is to be moved, we will be sure to let you know.  The new office location will be the former Housing office in Powhatan apartments (Suite F-1) across from the construction of the new gym.

ISSS Office Closing:  The ISSS office staff will have a retreat on Wednesday, 25 July and will, therefore, be closed that day.  A reminder will be sent closer to the date to be sure you keep the date in mind for any business you'd be stopping in for.

Temporary Changes in Processing Times:   From 1 August 2007 to 30 September 2007, we will have re-adjusted processing times to help you better plan for any paperwork requests you will be submitting.  The reason for these temporary processing times is the usual chaos of the new fall semester, as well as our move to the new office.  A reminder will be sent out closer to 1 August.