Dec 5, 2023

ISSS Announcements

Holiday Travel Guidance

Are you traveling out of the US for the holidays, plan ahead. The end of the semester gets very busy for everyone so submit your travel signatures as soon as possible. 

Please do not wait until the last minute to request a travel signature! The end of the semester is a busy time for ISSS. Travel signatures are good for 12 months for students in F-1 and J-1 status, and 6 months for those in F-1 status on OPT. You can request a travel signature in iTerp and a new I-20 or DS-2019 will be sent to you electronically.

Please note that you should only be travelling during break periods. It's expected that you remain in the U.S. for the entirety of the semester if you are a student. For more information on travel and travel signatures, please review information here.

In Your Final Term? Consider OPT

If you will be graduating at the end of the Fall 2023 term, it may be a good idea to start thinking about the application procedure for Optional Practical Training (OPT). For Post-Completion OPT, students may apply no earlier than 90 days and no later than 60 days from the completion of your academic program. More information on application procedures here. For other Final Term reminders, please review here.

Wags for Wellness

The Health Center's Wags for Wellness is back just in time for the end of the term! Wags for Wellness is an Animal Assisted Activity, featuring well trained and highly skilled volunteer pups from partner organization People. Animals. Love. (PAL). Each team consists of at least one dog and one human, all of whom provide love, connection, companionship, and stress relief to the campus community. 

UMD Campus Pantry

The UMD Campus Pantry is open to help students, faculty, and staff experiencing food insecurity. You must swipe your University ID before entering and check out before leaving. It is recommended that you bring your own reusable bag. Learn more about hours and services here. 

Free rapid HIV testing on the ground floor of the UHC on 12/6 between 1pm and 3pm, first come, first served. Gonorrhea and chlamydia testing also available for a limited number of students. Free sexual health resources and giveaways! Contact miriam64@umd.du with any questions or accommodation needs.

The Counseling Center Wellness Series

Feeling stressed? Struggling with focus? Want to learn how to improve your mental health? Check out the Counseling Center’s Wellness Series! We have 16 different topics related to coping skills, relationships, academics, and more. No appointment necessary. Find details and Zoom links at counseling.umd.edu/wellness.