International Students & Scholars Newsletter |
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Below you'll find information about upcoming events, office reminders, tips to help you succeed at SIUE, and opportunities to get involved on campus. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for any last minute updates.
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Every Wed., Dec. 2 - Dec.16 – Yoga
12 am - 1 pm, via Zoom - IMLeagues registration required
Wed., Dec. 9 – International Student Graduation Celebration. 3:30 pm (CST). Link sent via email the day before event to registered attendees. Click here to register!
Mon., Dec. 7 - Hispanic/Latin@/x Student Graduation Celebration
Tue., Dec. 8 - Black Student Graduation Celebration
Wed., Dec. 9 - Rainbow Student Graduation Celebration
Fri, Dec. 11 - Non-Traditional Student Graduation Celebration
Fri., Dec. 11, 2020 - Q & A with ISSS international advisors. Topic: COVID-19 Academic Issues and Concerns.
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Class Registration & Enrollment Requirements
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Pending any future guidance from The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), current SIUE international students are still allowed to enroll in all online classes.
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Students coming to SIUE for the first time this spring must be registered in at least one face-to-face or hybrid class toward their full-time course of study to comply with current federal guidelines. This applies to students who were admitted in Fall to begin their program from their home country.
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The last day to register for spring is Monday, January 18. Beginning with the first day of the term (January 19), you will be assessed a non-refundable $25 late registration fee if you have not yet registered. No registrations are accepted after the second week of the semester.
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For more registration details, please visit the Registrar's website.
For additional questions about enrollment requirements, please email isss@siue.edu
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Is your I-20 ending in December? |
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If you have not met your degree requirements: Submit an extension request, and make an appointment with an immigration advisor as soon as possible. Extensions cannot be granted once an I-20 has expired.
If you are graduating this December: Students are encouraged to apply for OPT as early as possible before their graduation date. OPT applications can take 3-5 months to be approved. For further information about OPT, visit our website or email isss@siue.edu to make an appointment.
As a reminder, F-1 students who are returning home have 60 days after the expiration date on the I-20 to leave the U.S.
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Textbook Return Extension & Orders |
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Textbook Service would like to remind you that the deadline to return textbooks is Saturday, December 19 before 5 pm. As an international student, you have the option to keep fall-issued textbooks until the end of the spring semester in order to avoid late fees and return them when you are back on campus. If you wish to request an extension, send an email to Scott Kane (skane@siue.edu) with your student ID 800 number.
Textbooks for winter session and spring semester are available now.
Textbook Service is open Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with extended hours the week of December 14 and again the week of January 18.
If you are unable to visit Textbook Service to checkout rental books for winter or spring, you have the option to have them mailed to you via UPS. The cost is $10 for the first book and $2 for each additional book that is shipped to you. The charge for shipping will be applied to your student account. Complete this form to request mailed textbooks. Please visit the Textbook Service website for the most up-to-date information.
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Special hours for SSC/MUC over winter break |
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The MUC will be closed during the University’s Winter Break, from Thursday, December 24, 2020 through Sunday, January, 3, 2021 The MUC will reopen on Monday, January 4, 2021.The Office of International Affairs will be closed on the same dates.
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Do you live on campus? Campus Housing would like to remind all residents that Woodland, Prairie, and Bluff will close on December 18 (end of the fall semester), but Evergreen and Cougar Village will remain open through the winter break.
If your plans to remain or leave campus housing during the break have changed, please email University Housing at housing@siue.edu as soon as possible. You will need to include the dates that you will be on campus prior to January 15. Your ID card access will be turned off if you do not indicate you will be in your space during that time.
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Fall 2020 SIUE Commencement Update
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This December, SIUE will host virtual commencement ceremonies due to COVID-19 restrictions. More information will be posted on the commencement website on Friday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. An email will be sent with the link to view all virtual ceremonies that morning.
Are you graduating this December? Be sure to visit CougarNet to confirm or update their current address as soon as possible to ensure all University documents, including diplomas, are delivered to the correct address. Diploma will be mailed to all fall 2020 graduates 12-14 weeks after grades have been posted. If you have any questions or need assistance about commencement or diplomas, please contact commencement@siue.edu.
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Traveling back to the U.S. |
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Review the COVID-19 requirements on your airline flight in the city you plan to arrive in. Be sure your flight dates allow plenty of time for possible quarantine before the start of the spring 2021 semester (January 19, 2021).
We encourage you to continue to check SIUE's COVID-19 website for requirements before returning to campus in January 2021.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms, please stay home and contact Health Service at 618-650-2842 or cougarcare@siue.edu
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This Month's Tip for Success |
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Need a place to study for finals? The Library will be open during final exams preparation, December 1 through December 12. Click here for more information
Sunday: 11 am - 10 pm
Monday - Thursday: 8 am - 10 pm
Friday: 8 am - 7 pm
Saturday: 11 am to 7 pm
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Apply to be an International Orientation Ambassador today! |
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This is a great way to meet people, help new students, and build your resume in the process! If you are interested and available to help, apply before Sunday, December 20 to be considered.
This year, International Student Orientation activities will take place Wednesday, January 13 - Friday, January 15. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many of these activities will be virtual. Please note that because ambassadors will be answering questions about processes, information, and SIUE services available to students, only students who have been attending SIUE for a semester or longer will be considered.
All volunteers are required to attend a mandatory training session on Wednesday, January 6 at 11 am - 12 pm via Zoom to discuss tasks and expectations.
Know someone else who may be interested? Feel free to share this information!
Come join us in welcoming our new students!
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St. Louis Mosaic Project Ambassador Zoom Pal |
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Are you feeling more isolated with COVID-19 shelter in place policies? Are you finding it difficult to meet new people? Do you want to learn more about St. Louis?
The St. Louis Mosaic program is launching their Zoom Pal program to virtually meet a new St. Louis friend with whom you can regularly talk about your hobbies, interests or current events. Fill out the online profile and you will be “matched” with an Ambassador who will serve as a regular point of contact through end of May 2021. We will introduce you to your Zoom pal via email and let you both take it from there. We have approximately 55 Ambassadors in the region who have volunteered to meet and the matches will be made on a first come, first serve basis. You must fill out this online form to participate.
Click Here for more information about the St. Louis Mosaic Project.
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Get Active! Virtual Fitness Classes |
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Did you miss any of our past editions? Click below to read our recent newsletters.
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Office of International Affairs
International Student and Scholar Services
Student Success Center 0300 (lower level)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1616
(618) 650-3785
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