GENERAL REMINDERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

20 March 2006

Photography Contest Deadline:  The deadline for submitting a photo for the International Leadership Council's photography contest is tomorrow, 21 March.

International Student Leadership Award Deadline:  The deadline for submitting an application for the International Student Leadership Award is this Friday, 24 March at 4 p.m.  

Workshop on Understanding Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty:  ISSS and Honor Council are sponsoring a workshop on plagiarism and academic dishonesty because the rules can sometimes seem overwhelming and there can be cultural misunderstandings about what is acceptable.  The workshop will be held on Thursday, 23 March from 3:30 until 4:30 in Constant 2009. 

H-1B Workshop:  Are you interested in finding out about working in the U.S. after graduation?  If so, come to the Hampton/Newport News room in Webb on Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 9 a.m. to hear a local immigration lawyer speak about the process.  Pre-registration is not required.  If you cannot make it, handouts will be available in Dragas through the following Wednesday.

ISSS Advising in Webb:  An advisor from ISSS will be in Webb every Tuesday and Thursday (through the end of the semester) from 12:30 until 1:30 either in the front lobby (near the Campus Information Center) or in the North Mall (near Starbuck's).  Feel free to stop by and ask about anything non-academic (e.g. questions about Immigration, travel, practical training, insurance, etc.).     

Health Insurance & Summer/Fall Registration for F-1 & J Visa Holders:  Check your holds on LeoOnline now to avoid last-minute rushing to get holds removed when trying to register for the summer and fall.  Most of you have an insurance hold that goes into effect on 1 April.  Please refer to the ISSS Health Insurance page for information on coverage requirements.  If you will be visiting your home country over the summer and wish to request an insurance exemption, the Request for Insurance Exemption form must be submitted in accordance with the instructions on the form.  REMINDER:  It takes two business days to remove holds; if two complete days have passed and your hold is still not gone from LeoOnline, you should e-mail us to inquire as to the status of your paperwork.

I-20/DS-2019 Expiration Dates:  If your I-20 or DS-2019 expires in May and you will not be graduating, it isn't too early to request your extension now.  There has been some confusion about extending versus graduating, so just as a reminder:  Immigration requires that you graduate if you have completed the requirements of your degree. 

Practical Training for F-1s:  If you are interested in doing either Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), don't forget that attendance at a corresponding workshop is required for your paperwork to be processed.  Clicking on the links above will take you to the information pages on these two Immigration benefits that allow employment related to your field of study.