ISSS Response to SEVP Fall 2020 Guidance
Greetings!

A s you are already aware, ICE/SEVP have announced new guidelines for Fall 2020 and online coursework.  
 
We want to reassure you that our office is currently reviewing the information and working closely with university stakeholders to provide you with accurate advice, while trying to minimize disruptions to your current plan of study. We will provide you with additional information in the coming weeks because this guidance may change, but in the meantime, please note the following:  
 
  • SIUE is adopting a hybrid model of course instruction for Fall 2020. This means that international students studying on campus must take at least one face-to-face or hybrid course in order to maintain status. Students enrolled in a full course load that includes at least one face-to-face or hybrid course are not required to depart the U.S. According to current guidance, only students studying at universities which are only offering online instruction must depart the U.S. 

  • Students who are unable to re-enter the U.S. for the fall semester may continue taking online courses from their home country but may not re-enter the U.S. until the following semester.  

  • All students studying on campus will receive a new I-20 via email by August 4, 2020 which states in the remarks section that the student’s program is not entirely online.  

Over the following week, changes will be made to your course schedule to accurately reflect the instruction mode (online, face-to-face, or hybrid) of each of your courses. We will be reviewing your course schedules, but please be proactive in reviewing your schedule after you receive an email stating that it was converted to make sure you are enrolled in at least one hybrid or face-to-face class to maintain your status for Fall. For graduate students, thesis courses with credit hours are considered hybrid courses. 
 
We are here to support you during this challenging time. In order to best advise you, it is extremely important that you share your plans for the upcoming semester with our office by completing the  Fall 2020 Survey ,  if you haven’t done so already. 
 
Again, we will be providing updates as we receive them and appreciate your patience as we respond to your individual questions and concerns.