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

Welcome! We are glad to have you here for the 2018-2019 Academic Year at the University of New Orleans. Throughout your time at UNO, please remember that as an international student you should consult BOTH your academic advisor and an advisor at OISS before making any decisions regarding your student career. To find your Academic Advisor please see our list of Departmental Advisors .

OISS advisors can be reached by calling our office, 504-280-6021, coming in for Walk-In Hours at the International Center, Room 125, or by setting up an appointment with the Assistant Director Suad Esmail sesmail1@uno.edu , or the International Student Advisor Alice Popescu apopesc2@uno.edu .

Walk in Hours for the Fall Semester will be:

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.

Returning from a trip abroad? Please make sure to bring any new documents to OISS. We will make copies for your file. This includes a new or renewed passport, visa or I-94 form. Make sure to make a copy for yourself to keep in case of a loss. Also, make sure to check your university student account to ensure that all university fees are assessed correctly and make sure to pay your fee bill by August 15, 2018 to avoid late fees.

New Address? Report any changes of address (mailing or physical) to OISS. You can do this by filling out an Address, Name, and Information Change Form in our office or you can print one online at Information Change Form and fax it to us at 504-280-7317 or email it to us at oiss@uno.edu . If you are in F-1, F-2, J-1 or J-2 status, the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) is required to update the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) with any changes that occur while you are in the U.S. Therefore, you are required to notify OISS of any legal changes to your name or any change of address within 10 days of such change. This requirement remains true while you are enrolled or employed at UNO and while you are engaged in Optional Practical Training (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1) after completion of your studies.

Insurance Information for fall— Please take a look at the Insurance Coverage Evaluation Form for the Fall 2018 semester. Please note that it is possible to turn in an insurance form in the fall that covers the entire academic year. This will allow us to waive the insurance charge from your UNO fee bill for each semester that your policy covers you through Summer 2019. Dates for coverage are listed on the form. Insurance forms for fall must be turned in by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29.

For more information on insurance, please see: International Student Insurance Requirements .

Submit your hurricane evacuation plan —All students should submit a Personal Evacuation Plan for the fall semester. You can do so at: Survey Monkey . Also, please check out our Hurricane Evacuation Information . Remember to make a plan in advance, including where you will evacuate to, how you will get there, and who you will go with. With a plan in place, you will be prepared to take action in the case of an evacuation. Please stop by OISS to pick up a copy of the Louisiana Evacuation Guide.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops —OISS will present OPT workshops each semester to give students general information about the application process and the benefits. Our workshops for the Fall 2018 semester will be held on Friday, September 21 at 2PM and on Thursday, October 25 at 2PM. Both workshops will be held in the Education (ED) Building Room 206. Advisors will give a general overview of OPT and explain the application process. If you are graduating in December, you should plan on applying for OPT in October or early November. Information sessions are open to all F-1 students and we encourage you to attend, especially if you will be graduating in December 2018.

The NEW International Student Handbook will be available on our website by August 15. Please check the 2018-2019 version of the Handbook for updated information.

Employment Authorization - If you plan on working, please keep in mind that you need to meet with an International Advisor before beginning any employment (student worker positions, Internship through COOP, Internship for Academic credit, Graduate or Teaching Assistantship positions) as well as submitting a request for authorization.

Driver's License Information-- If you are planning on getting a Louisiana Driver's License or State I.D. card, we recommend that you apply at the location listed below:
2150 Westbank Expwy. Monday - Friday No Outside Driving Tests
Harvey, LA 70058 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

All first time applicants over the age of 18, even those with a driver's license from another country, have to show a certificate of successful completion of a 14-hour pre-licensing course approved by the Department of Public Safety. Visit the Louisiana OMV website for a list of approved driving schools .

Note : Due to a reciprocal agreement, students from Germany & Switzerland who have a driver's license from their home country do not need to take the driver's education course or the driving skills road test.

If you have a driver's license from another US state you do not need to show proof of driver's education or to take the road test. For the latest information from the Louisiana Office of Motor vehicles check http://www.expresslane.org/ .

Tobacco free campus – Since August 1, 2014 no smoking or tobacco use of any kind is permitted anywhere on UNO's Campus

International Student Organization— Interested in becoming a part of the International Student Organization? Contact ISO at iso@uno.edu to get on their mailing list, or email the President of ISO, Gabriela Aldana at mgaldana@uno.edu . They will host a Welcome Party on Tuesday, August 21 from 4:30-6:30PM in the International Student Lounge in the International Center. Stop by for some free food and fun!

Find us on Facebook! Don't forget to become a fan of OISS on Facebook . We post events that are going on around campus and through our office. We will also use the page to connect with students and for students to connect with each other and our office in the event of an emergency, such as a hurricane evacuation. If you are part of an organization at UNO please feel free to request that we post messages about your own events on our page. If you have questions or concerns about academic or immigration issues, please direct them to our office or email us at oiss@uno.edu .

Please note: OISS has resumed its regular office hours

Monday – Friday 8-00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Fall Semester 2018 Events — For a calendar of events taking place on campus this fall, check out UNO's Event Calendar .

For a calendar of events taking place during Privateer Plunge check out: http://calendar.uno.edu/MasterCalendar/StudentLife.aspx

Fall Semester 2018 University Calendar— For important dates check out the official university calendar for Fall 2018.

Important August and September Dates —

August 15: Deadline to pay tuition and fees. Students not paid by 4:30 P.M. will be purged and will be required to re-enroll. Late Registration Fees will apply.

August 20: Classes begin

August 29: Final date for adding courses or changing sections. Final date to drop course(s) and receive 100% refund.*

September 3: Labor Day Holiday (University Closed)

September 6: Final date to drop course(s) or resign and not have course(s) recorded.*

September 19: Final date to resign (withdraw from all courses) and receive 50% refund. *

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

Have a great semester!


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