Fall 2021 | Vol 1 | Updates from the International Students & Programs Office @ UC San Diego.
Fall 2021 Resource Guide for Supporting International Students 
Welcome to Fall 2021 Quarter! Thank you for your continued collaboration and partnership in welcoming our international students to our Triton community. This edition features the “Fall 2021 Resource Guide for Supporting International Students”. We hope this will be a newsletter that you will reference throughout the year. We are also proud to announce new and expanded services and tools launching this Fall. Please contact the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) and let us know how we can continue to support student success and your efforts. 
Resources for Supporting International Students

  • iResource- Comprehensive list of on-campus resources to support UC San Diego’s international students, scholars and researchers. The list is grouped into five broad topics of Academic & English Learning Support, Career & Professional Development, Cultural Engagement, Student Health & Well-Being, and Other Resources. 

 
  • iTranslate- Help facilitate effective communication when supporting students and their families with language needs. Via Single-Sign On, faculty and staff can select “I need an interpreter”. This is not available for direct student use. Interpreters are UC San Diego faculty/staff who volunteer their time. We are also looking for volunteer interpreters. If you have language skills such as Mandarin, Spanish or Vietnamese, please consider volunteering for this program. 


 
  • iWebinars- List of upcoming webinars for faculty, staff, students and parents. Previous webinar recordings are also available.

  • iTable- Immediate food security resources for students experiencing financial difficulty. Partnership with Basic Needs Hub and generous sponsorship from the Basic Needs Committee. 

  • iUpdates- Information about the latest immigration policies, advocacy efforts for international students, and advising FAQs for faculty, staff and students 
What's New: Fall 2021 Student Services  

We are open! In-Person Front Desk Services are now available in Student Center B. 

How can students contact ISPO? 

  • iContact- Submit an iContact online form to an International Student Advisor. 

  • Drop-In Zoom Advising Sessions- Attend a virtual advising session with an International Student Advisor. iContact lists the weekly advising schedule. 

  • ChatBot- Use our online tool called "Ask Triton"--located in the lower right-hand corner of our website—to get answers and better navigate the ISPO website. 

  • Travel Emergency Phone Line- Students experiencing urgent travel and reentry issues can call ISPO at 858-534-3730 (Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm PST)

  • iEvents.ucsd.edu- This calendar of events features a wide range of opportunities for students to connect virtually with fellow Tritons across time differences.

  • iPrograms.ucsd.edu- ISPO Programs include Intercultural Social Hour, English-in-Action Conversation Program, Community Building Circles, International Peer Coaching Program for First year and Transfer Students, Triton Trekkers, Let's Talk Wellness Forums, and ISPO Chats with ISPO Leadership.

Regulatory Updates 
Land Border Restrictions Extended to 10/21/2021

On 9/21/2021, the Biden Administration extended restrictions at the Mexican and Canadian borders barring non-essential travel through 10/21/2021.  
Plans to Rescind COVID-19 Travel Bans and Instead Require Proof of Vaccination

On 9/20/2021, the White House announced that it plans to ease travel restrictions on all international travelers coming into the United States beginning in early November 2021. The White House will rescind the current geographic COVID-19 related travel bans implemented for individuals from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, U.K., Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, and India and will instead move forward with solutions to deter the spread of COVID-19 based on individuals, rather than restrictions placed on entire countries or regions.  
 
In place of these bans, all international travelers will be required to prove that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of boarding a flight to the United States.  
In-Person Visa Interview Waiver Available for F and J Students and Scholars 

On 9/14/2021, the Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, authorized consular officers through the end of 2021 expanded in-person interview waivers for the categories of F, M, and “academic J visa applicants” (students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists) in their consular district of residence, with certain exceptions.  
Continued Flexibility with Eligibility for Remote Courses 

On 04/26/2021, the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued updated guidance for F-1 students. They can continue to remain in the U.S. if they are engaged in more than one remote course or in a fully online program of study. This is consistent with the March 2020 guidance and extends through the 2021-2022 academic year. 
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WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER? As a campus partner, your collaboration is important to us in supporting our international student community. The information sent in this Newsletter is available on ISPO's website, iUpdates.ucsd.edu. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by clicking on the 'Unsubscribe..." link at the bottom of this email.