The University of New Orleans - Office of International Students and Scholars

Welcome to all of the international students who are new for the Spring 2011 semester! And welcome back to all of the continuing international students! We wish you all a successful semester!

Have you moved recently?—International students and scholars in F or J status can fulfill their federal SEVIS requirements by reporting their change of address by filling out a change of address form: http://oiss.uno.edu/forms/FPacket/Address,%20Name%20Change%20&%20Information%20Form.doc and then dropping it off at OISS in ED 122. Student address changes will then be updated in the University’s database, as well as in SEVIS.

Did You Travel Abroad During Intersession?— If you obtained a new visa or passport while you were away, please come to OISS with your passport and visa documents so we can make copies for your files. Also, please remember to make copies for your own records of your passport, visa, and I-94 card each time you are issued a new one and keep them in a safe place.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Information Session—The first OPT information session for the spring semester will be on Friday, February 25 at 2:30 p.m. in ED 202. Advisors will give a general overview of OPT and explain the application process. If you are graduating in May, you should plan on applying for OPT in March and attending one of the information sessions. If you are unable to attend the session on February 25, there is a second session scheduled for March 17 at 12:30. Information sessions are open to all F-1 students and we encourage you to attend, especially if you will be graduating in May 2011.

Income Tax Information—International students who work are not exempt from filing income tax forms – even if the U.S. has a tax treaty with the country of origin. If you are an international student who needs help filling out your tax forms, come to one of the volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) sessions. These VITA sessions will be scheduled for the end of February and throughout March. Dates, times and locations will be announced soon.

Make sure that you are signed up for the OISS Listserv so that you receive this important information: http://www.oiss.uno.edu/subscription.cfm

Spring Semester Campus Events—Musical Excursions Concert Series—The Brazilian Guitar Quartet performs at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1 in the UNO Performing Arts Concert Hall. For more information, please see http://www.music.uno.edu/events/excursions09-10.cfm. Tickets for students are only $3!

For more information on events taking place on campus this month, check out UNO’s Event Calendar at: http://events.uno.edu/public/index.cfm?action=month&date=40587

And Student Involvement and Leadership’s Calendar at: http://sil.uno.edu/currentevents/.

Be a part of International Night 2011!— International Student Organization is recruiting committee members to help organized one of the biggest student-run events to see UNO: International Night 2011. Committee members will be given the opportunity to meet people of different backgrounds, gain leadership experience, and get involved at UNO. Weekly meetings will begin the week of January 24th. If you are interested, please request an application at the Office of International Students and Scholars Bicentennial Education Center 122 or email iso@uno.edu. For more information, contact Meagan LeDoux at mledoux@uno.edu.

Spring Semester 2011 University Calendar— To view the official university calendar for Spring 2011, please go to the following link: http://registrar.uno.edu/bulletin/importantdates/#spring11

Important February Dates —

February 4: Final date to drop course(s) or resign and not have course(s) recorded*

February 15: 50% REFUND. FINAL DATE TO RESIGN (withdraw from all courses) and receive 50% refund *

* You must consult with an advisor from OISS before dropping any classes

OISS Spring Walk-In Hours Reminder —

Monday & Thursday      8:00 am -12:00 pm
                                           2:00 pm-4:00 pm

Tuesday & Friday           9:00 am-12:30 pm
                                          1:30 pm-4:00 pm

Wednesday                     1:30 pm-4:00 pm

Walk-in consultations are for quick 10-15 minute discussions. You will receive assistance on a first-come, first-served basis.

Appointments are at specific times and with specific advisors. If your discussion involves changing status, an OPT or CPT application, or any other complex situation, please make an appointment.

Please note: For past issues of OISS News please check our website under the heading “OISS News” http://oiss.uno.edu.


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