Kent State Office of Global Educaiton
ISSS Updates

Spring Break Trip: Washington, D.C.
March 28-31, 2019
Planning a spring break trip? Join your fellow international students and members of the OGE staff on a trip to Washington, DC. The bus will leave Van Campen at 8:00 am on Wednesday, March 28 and return early in the morning on March 31. We will explore the sights and sounds of the U.S. Capital city including museums, monuments, and more. Cost for this trip ranges between $360 and $560 (depending upon hotel accommodations) and includes transportation via motor coach, hotel, breakfast while in DC, and a guided bus tour of the National Monuments. Participants can choose to explore with us or on their own. This trip is open to currently enrolled KSU international students and scholars.
 
Registration deadline: 2/24
NF/SF Grades
Did you know? Attending class is the number one predictor of academic success. Similarly, maintaining full-time enrollment is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status.

As an international student, it is important to know that earning grades of NF (Never-Attended Fail) or SF (Stopped-Attending Fail) can result in loss of full-time status, as those grades do not bear credit. For example, if you are enrolled in 12 credit hours, but receive a NF or SF in one 3-credit hour course, your final credits earned at the end of the semester would be 9. Your SEVIS record will be terminated (F-1 status and I-20 or J-1 status and DS-2019) if you have dropped below full-time enrollment.

ISSS verifies credit completion for all students on F-1 and J-1 visas regularly. If you have obtained an NF or an SF in any class (check your Graduate Planning System or GPS in FlashLine), we advise you to discuss your situation with your professor or academic advisor and rectify the issue before the end of the semester.
Social Security Card Information
There are a number of benefits to having a Social Security Number (SSN), but how can students get one? The only valid way to get an SSN is by finding employment, and the only employment students are permitted is on-campus employment. Off-campus employment requires authorization from ISSS first, but you can make an appointment with an ISSS Advisor to learn more. Once you have a job, you then need to bring your offer letter and the Social Security Employment Verification Form (completed by your supervisor) to ISSS either by an appointment   or during  Walk-In Wednesdays . We will then sign the form and provide instructions to the next steps. Just remember, you should always talk to us before working on-campus to ensure that you stay in status!
If you are leaving the country for Spring Break, stop in for our Sign & Dine event to get your travel signature, eat some snacks, and take some goofy pictures in preparation for your fun trip ahead!

We will be in the Office of Global Education (VCH 106) from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 14.   Once your I-20 or DS-2019 is signed, you are free to travel the world. Hope to see you there!

Don't forget! If your visa is expired or will expire during your travels, you will need to renew it before reentering the United States.
ISSS Advising Hours for Fall 2018
Appointments can be made in KSU Advising through our  website.

Walk-In Advising 
Wednesday
9:00 am to 11:00 am
1:30 pm to 3:45 pm


Call-In Advising 
Monday  
9:00 am to 11:30 am
Tuesday
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm 
Wednesday
9:00 am to 11:00 am 
Thursday
No advising
Friday  
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Contact Us: 
Phone: 1-330-672-7980 
Email: isss@kent.edu 
Campus Location: Van Campen Hall 
Address: 106 Van Campen Hall, 625 Loop Road, Kent, OH 44242-0001 
106 Van Campen Hall
International Student News
February 13, 2019 |  Week 5
We Want to Highlight YOU
Want to be featured in a newsletter? We would love to highlight you! If you are chosen to be interviewed, we will ask you information about why you decided to attend Kent State, any organizations you are involved in around campus, and the best way for fellow students to reach out. This way, you can learn about other students with similar interests and learn more about organizations around campus you may want to be involved in. 
 
If you would like to be highlighted, please contact Alexandra Horchy at ahorchy@kent.edu by putting "International Student Profile" in the subject line. Feel free to check out previous student profiles here.
Forbes Ranks Kent State Nation's Top University for Diversity Employment
Kent State University has the distinction of ranking among the top five companies nationwide in Forbes recent list of  America's Best Employers for Diversity 2019.

Kent State ranks No. 4 among 250 companies in 25 industry sectors and No. 1 among universities in the 2019 ranking, which was released last week. Kent State was the only public or private university in Ohio to make the second annual list.

Kent State President Beverly J. Warren received applause as she announced the honor to the campus community Jan. 23 during the university's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

"This is due to the incredible work of so many here at the university and beyond, and I am grateful to you beyond words," President Warren said.

Kent State's work in the area of diversity and inclusion has also been recognized by the publication INSIGHT Into Diversity.

In 2018, the university was among a group of institutions named a Diversity Champion for "exemplifying an unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their campus communities and across academic programs." The presidents of the institutions were lauded for creating diverse, accessible and inclusive campuses that serve as national models of higher education.

Article written by  April McClellan-Copeland
Free Application Week Ends Soon!
Thinking about continuing your education at Kent State? Be sure to apply starting Sunday, February 10. No application fee will be charged during the entire week, and n o special waiver code is required (The application system will bypass the fee payment screen entirely).

The free application offer is valid for both domestic and international applications for any application type (e.g., masters, doctoral, certificate, non-degree, guest, transient, etc.). If you would like more information about the application process, please make an appointment with one of our advisors. The free application window will close on February 17.

Upcoming Events
Coming Together: Dating and Marriage  (China & Nigeria)
February 14, 2019 |  12:00-1:00 pm
White Hall
Come and explore the ways that social media, culture, generation, geography within a nation, and religion all influence dating and marriage practices around the world. Bring a date! Enjoy the chocolate banquet. FlashPerks are available to undergraduate students, as are sign-in verifications for students attending for class.

This event is free & open to all!

Monsters Hockey Game
February 22, 2019 | 5:30 pm (7:00 pm game)
Quicken Loans Arena
Join your fellow international students on a trip to Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, OH) to cheer for the Cleveland Monsters as they take on the Milwaukee Admirals. Tickets are $20 -$30 and include your ticket and transportation via motor coach to and from the game.
 
Registration deadline: 2/22

Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Game
March 3, 2019 | 4:00 pm (6:00 pm game)
Quicken Loans Arena
Cheer for the home team as the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena. The cost of this event is $55-$71 and includes your game ticket (section 100) and transportation via motor coach to and from the game.
 
Registration deadline: 3/01

Stay Connected: