Pre-Arrival Information – Spring Semester 2021 at Ohio State

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

International Student
Check-In and Orientation

Spring 2021

Dear Future Ohio State Student,

Greetings from the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University!

While information surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, please know that our highest priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. We are monitoring the global outbreak and are taking appropriate steps to ensure the well-being of the campus community.

Ohio State will continue to be open in the new year, and classes will take place through a mix of in-person, online and blended teaching during Spring 2021. The Office of International Affairs will conduct international student orientation and mandatory immigration check-in virtually.

International Student orientation and Mandatory Immigration Check-in are two separate processes, and students are required to complete both.

Over the next few months we will send you weekly emails to help you plan for your arrival to Ohio State. In the meantime, please explore our website and answers to frequently asked questions, and you are always welcome to email us at iss@osu.edu.

Learn More

Mandatory Immigration Check-In

International students who arrive in the United States are required to attend Mandatory Immigration Check-in to complete your enrollment requirements. Mandatory Immigration Check-In is a separate process from Orientation. You will complete your Mandatory Immigration Check-In, after arriving in the United States.

You will register for a 30-minute immigration check-in virtual appointment. Registration will open on November 30.

At the moment, we ask that you only register for an appointment if you have:

A valid visa or
A confirmed visa appointment with an embassy or consulate before January 11

We want to minimize the number of canceled immigration check-in appointments and allow students that have the required documents to find available appointments. Canadian students do not need a visa to make an appointment.

During your appointment, an immigration check-in staff member will assist you with reviewing your student record form and the uploaded copies of your immigration documents. They will also answer any questions you may have and discuss next steps before classes begin.

In order to make the process go smoother, please read through the directions and complete the Student Record eForm in advance. You will input your local address and emergency contact information through the eForm. If you have access to a scanner or camera phone, you can also upload your immigration documents.

Once you have filled your information, please save the student record form as a draft and an immigration check-in staff member will review the documents for accuracy with you before its official submission.

You will need to have the following documents uploaded BEFORE your immigration check-in appointment:

Current Passport
Current U.S. Visa
I-94 card (Print a copy at cbp.gov/i94)
Ohio State Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 (Note: if you have an active immigration record that is being transferred from another institution in the U.S. to Ohio State, please bring your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 from your previous school.)
Form I-20(s) or Form DS-2019(s) of your dependents (spouse and children), if applicable

Reach out to iss@osu.edu with any questions.

International Student Orientation

On December 21, you will be automatically enrolled to complete your self-guided International Student Orientation. Orientation will take place virtually through CarmenCanvas, Ohio State’s online learning management system. Please note:

You DO NOT have to register since you will be automatically enrolled. You will receive an enrollment confirmation email along with instructions through your Buckeyemail account on December 21.
Orientation is mandatory and you should complete your self-guided orientation by January 10, 2021. The Office of International Affairs will be automatically notified of your completion.

Orientation ia a separate process from Mandatory Immigration Check-In and will consist of a series of pre-recorded presentations and videos aimed at introducing you to Ohio State, providing important information and helping you become familiar with available resources. Through self-guided modules, you will learn about:

Maintaining your immigration status
Academic requirements and success strategies
Life on campus and outside the classroom
Health insurance and screening requirements
Campus health and safety
Housing and dining services

Starting January 4, you will have the opportunity to attend online information sessions and social programming via CarmenZoom. These programs will be hosted virtually by the Office of International Affairs January 4-8. A full schedule of live virtual programming, including instructions for registering and links to CarmenZoom sessions, will be available in your virtual orientation's calendar.

You will also be able to interact with staff members to answer your orientation questions through global-engagement@osu.edu.

For help accessing CarmenCanvas, refer to the Get Started Guide. When orientation opens on December 21, if you have problems accessing CarmenCanvas, contact the OCIO Help Desk at ServiceDesk@osu.edu or call 614-688-4357 (HELP).

Make Housing Arrangements

On-campus housing will be available for freshmen and upperclassmen as well as transfer students. Student Life Housing Services will email students each week based on the date they paid their Acceptance Fee to the University with details on how to apply for campus housing.

Move-in begins Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 8 a.m. Students with housing contracts will be sent information to schedule a date and time of arrival. This will enable the university to continue to promote safe and social distancing.

We strongly encourage students who qualify and want on-campus housing to apply as early as possible and complete a housing contract. The availability of spaces is limited, so early application is encouraged. Be aware that most rooms for new students house more than two people. The cost of housing varies by the type of room and the meal plan chosen.

Before you sign a contract to live on campus, be sure that you read the contract thoroughly and that you want on-campus housing. If you break your contract, you will be assigned a buy-out fee for each semester that is remaining on your contract. University Housing can be contacted at their email address, housing@osu.edu and by phone at 614-292-8266.

Off-Campus Housing

If you are interested in living off campus, we recommend you start your search with Off-campus and Commuter Student Services. This website maintains an online housing search with information on accommodations both within walking distance and driving distance to campus.

Student Legal Services (SLS) is a team of legal professionals providing legal services to Ohio State degree-seeking students. Eligible students (does not include exchange students), pay an annual participation fee for the SLS legal services plan. SLS' scope of services includes landlord-tenant disputes.

Before you sign a lease to live off campus, you should get your lease reviewed by SLS. If legal issues arise when you're moving and living off campus, you can meet with SLS staff to discuss your legal rights and options. Students are strongly urged to pay this annual fee in order to utilize the great services the Student Legal Services provides.

To reach Off-campus and Commuter Student Services, call 614-292-0100 or email offcampus@osu.edu.

Temporary Housing

On-campus early arrival/temporary housing is not available. You may be able to find temporary housing at a local hotel or motel, or through some of the Ohio State's international student organizations. Please refer to Temporary Housing for more information.

Additional Resources

Visit our website to review information from previous emails and/or answers to frequently asked questions. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact iss@osu.edu.

Please allow us to join the other offices on campus in congratulating you on your acceptance to The Ohio State University.

Kind regards,
Office of International Affairs

2009 Millikin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210

oia@osu.edu

osu.edu

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