ISSS Spring 2021 Update and Travel Survey
Greetings!

SIUE is looking forward to the Spring 2021 semester keeping in mind that the highest priorities are the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.  

Registration began Monday, Nov. 2 with different groups continuing thereafter. The last day to register for Spring 2021 is Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. Spring 2021 classes will begin Tuesday, January 19. Weekend classes begin Monday, January 23. There will be no Spring Break in 2021, and the semester will run through final exams, which are scheduled for May 3-7, 2021. 

Classes will be offered in a variety of formats again with courses on-ground, hybrid and online. As of today, about half of courses will be online while about one third of courses will be on-ground or blended/hybrid. The remainder of the courses include internships, co-op experiences, clinicals, practica, thesis, independent studies, etc. On-ground courses will continue to follow appropriate physical distancing, mask wearing, and utilize existing cleaning protocols. 

Hours of Operation and Processes 

Starting next Monday, November 23, the office will be open Mondays, 1 pm to 3 pm and Thursdays, 9 am to 11 am for document pick up. Students will receive a notification via email if they need to pick up a document.
 
For immigration issues (visa, class enrollment, travel signatures, OPT/CPT) or to schedule a phone or zoom appointment contact Cheryl Haegele or Amy Nusser at isss@siue.edu
 
For student programming issues (orientation, graduation celebration, tax codes, and other student retention activities) contact Gaby Renteria-Poepsel at grenter@siue.edu
 
Class Enrollment Requirements  

The Department of Homeland Security temporary COVID-19 guidance continues for spring 2021 so non-immigrant students can continue to make normal progress in their program of study. This guidance is subject to change, and ISSS will notify all international students if enrollment requirements are updated. 

  • Returning and Continuing Students within the United States can temporarily engage in courses that are all online or a combination of online and hybrid/face-to-face. 

  • Continuing Students outside the United States can temporarily engage in all online classes in their home country while maintaining their F-1 status. Be sure to let our office know by completing the survey below.

  • Students coming to SIUE for the first time this spring must be registered in at least one face-to-face or hybrid class toward their full-time course of study to comply with current federal guidelines. This applies to students who were admitted in Fall 2020 to begin their program online from their home country.    
 
Complete the Travel Survey

Please submit the Spring 2021 Travel Survey by December 1, 2020 to let us know whether you plan to stay in the United States, travel home over the break, or remain in your home country to take online courses. This information will help us gather information to better support you during this situation.  
 
Travel Signatures 
If you need a travel signature, please submit a Travel Signature Request. An electronically signed travel I-20 will be sent to your email. During COVID-19, this I-20 will remain valid until you have a need for an updated Form I-20. Please be sure to review the latest information about Travel Advisories and required documents for travel prior to booking travel. 

If you are currently visiting a location with confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we encourage you to be cautious and follow health recommendations to avoid getting sick. Visit the resource links below for recommendations and quarantine requirements for students returning to the U.S. from abroad.

Health Services and Resources
We are mindful of the impact this may have on our international students within the SIUE Community, and we encourage you to reach out to the support resources on campus available to you: 
  • SIUE Health Service is available to answer questions about health concerns, COVID self-quarantine or exposure guidelines, and students who are feeling sick can call 618-650-2842 or email cougarcare@siue.edu for appointments. 
  • COVID-19 testing in the U.S. is covered through your health insurance through SIUE. Details are available at the AHP portal.
  • If you have been exposed to COVID-19 even if you are not experiencing symptoms, you should not come to campus at any time, for any reason. Instead, contact SIUE Health Service at 618-650-2842 or cougarcare@siue.edu for next steps and testing options or call the nearest hospital before going.
  • Counseling Services are available to all enrolled SIUE students. To schedule an initial assessment with their office, book an appointment at CougarCare or call (618) 650-2842. 

For additional information on Coronavirus (COVID-19), please see these resources:
 
Additional informational links for current students: 
 
We encourage you to continue to check SIUE’s COVID-19 webpage for the latest updates.

In order to best support you, please answer the required survey below no later than December 1, 2020. For questions, contact us via email at isss@siue.edu