Student and Exchange Visitor Program
TO:
Faculty, Department Chairs, and Campus Communicators
FROM:
Idaho State University
RE:
Student and Exchange Visitor Program at Idaho State University
On Monday, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which governs Idaho State University’s ability to grant I-20 visas to international students, issued a new set of guidelines impacting all colleges and universities. There has been a large and understandable amount of concern expressed by our international student community. As a follow-up to these recent guidelines, the University sent an email to all international students this morning that included information about their options to be in compliance. The student email is included below for your reference.

It is important that students know we are committed to helping them enroll and make progress towards their degrees. Idaho State will work closely with academic programs and the International Programs Office to ensure that international students’ course schedules meet federal guidelines and do not impact immigration status. 

Students attending U.S. schools that have adopted a hybrid model of online and in-person classes will be allowed to take more than one class in a distance-based format. Idaho State currently plans to use a hybrid model for the Fall 2020 semester, which means that our international students will be able to remain at the University as long as the following information can be verified and certified on a student’s I-20:

  1. The school is not operating entirely online.
  2. The student is not taking an entirely online course load for the fall 2020 semester.
  3. The student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.

In other words, as long as an Idaho State University international student is taking at least one class that requires their on-campus presence for instruction, evaluation, research, or a similar course-related educational activity, they are not required to exit the U.S. 

The Graduate School, International Programs Office, and Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management are exploring options for students, and more details will be shared in the near future. The University will also be reaching out to individual programs to discuss any particular challenges they may be facing.
 
International students who cannot reach the U.S., but want to take classes this fall will also have options. Because all classes will be recorded during fall semester, international students who are unable to be in the U.S. will have access to class sessions asynchronously, which for many students will be enough for them to continue to make progress toward their degree. In other instances, in-class participation, labs, practicums, etc., may mean that simply accessing the class asynchronously is not sufficient to allow the student to successfully complete the course. Individual programs know best whether students working remotely will be able to complete coursework successfully, and should advise their students accordingly. If a department feels they cannot provide distance-based learning that will provide meaningful progress towards a degree, please contact Academic Affairs.  

For students enrolled in a graduate program who are unable to return to the U.S., retaining funding might not be possible. Please contact the Graduate school if you believe an international student’s work assignment may be accomplished remotely, and the University will help to facilitate this option. The Graduate School has limited resources available to help students who may find themselves without funding that they previously depended on to complete their studies. Faculty and department chairs should work directly with the Graduate School to explore options that will offset tuition costs for international students.

We expect our international students will reach out directly to their faculty mentors or advisors to receive information and assurance during this changing situation. It is important to let our students know that we will help to meet their goals and remain in the U.S., if they choose. Encourage them to register for the courses they need, and we will audit their course schedules to identify any potential issues. International students who may be experiencing difficulties should also directly reach out to the International Programs Office for further assistance. 
 
Thank you for your commitment to helping all Idaho State students during this ever-changing situation. Please know that the University is working hard to secure the options, resources, and information necessary to successfully navigate this situation.
International Student Email
TO:
Idaho State University International Students
FROM:
International Programs Office
DATE:
July 8, 2020
Dear International Students,

As you may know, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced on Monday some modifications to the temporary exemptions for students to take online courses during the fall 2020 semester. We understand that this has caused some confusion and uncertainty for many of you and, indeed, there are questions and concerns that higher education professionals are asking of SEVP that will be answered in the coming days and weeks. As has been the case since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, this is a rapidly-evolving situation. We are following the information and conversations as they develop, and we will let you know more as we learn more from SEVP and other legal experts.

First, we want to make sure that you have the facts. Many of you have seen only the press release from SEVP, but there are some additional details in the full broadcast of which you should be aware. First, students attending schools that have adopted a hybrid model (that is, a mixture of online and in-person classes) will be allowed to take more than one class online or in a distance learning format. ISU currently plans to use a hybrid model for the fall 2020 semester. What this means is that you’ll be able to remain in the U.S. as long as we can verify the following information and certify it on your I-20:

  1. The school is not operating entirely online.
  2. The student is not taking an entirely online course load for the fall 2020 semester.
  3. The student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program.

In other words, as long as you are taking at least one class that requires your presence at ISU for instruction, evaluation, research, or similar course-related educational activity, you are not required to exit the U.S.  

Important Changes for F-1 Students for Fall 2020
  • You must be in at least ONE course that requires your presence at ISU for instruction, evaluation, research, or similar course-related educational activity
  • Students who are taking a fully online course load will not be able to do so in the United States. If you wish to remain in the United States, we encourage you to have at least one course that is taught in-person as defined above. Please work with your academic advisor if you have questions or need assistance in finding an in-person course. Our academic advisor, Dr. Nitin Srivastava, may assist any undergraduate students. He can be reached at 208-282-4465 or srivniti@isu.edu. Graduate students should contact their graduate advisor. 
  • Students taking in-person courses, or a mix of in-person and online, will be required to have a new I-20 issued that reflects the change to hybrid course delivery. IPO will mail these new I-20s that reflect the change. This will not necessitate a new I-901 SEVIS Fee payment.

We are currently developing a plan for how we will work with each of you to certify your course schedule and that you are not taking an “entirely online” course load. We will let you know how that will be done in the coming days.

Please be aware that if you remain in the U.S. for the fall 2020 semester, all other applicable immigration regulations continue to apply. You must take a full course load (12 credits for undergraduate students, 9 for graduate students) or have a reduced course load approval in cases of medical or other valid exceptions to full-time enrollment. See the RCL section of our website for more information on valid reduced course load exceptions.

This is a fluid situation, and there is always the possibility that ISU could change its operational stance mid-semester, depending on advice from health experts. We are currently exploring the impact that would have on international students if that situation occurs, and we will let you know as we receive answers from SEVP and legal counsel. 

Above all, we want you to know we are thinking about you and care about your health, safety, and academic success. We hope that you will reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns at all, and we will do our best to help you! Our email address is ipomail@isu.edu or you can call us at 208-282-4320.


Sincerely,

International Programs Office
Idaho State
This email was sent to Idaho State University faculty, department chairs, deans, vice presidents, and campus communicators.
Send comments, feedback, and questions to communications@isu.edu .