From: Danielle Clarizio
Date: January 28, 2020
Subject: Week 1: Welcome Back Reminders & Updates from ISSS


Hi First_Name,

Welcome to Spring Semester!

Welcome to the Spring 2020 semester! This is no doubt a busy week for you but don't worry, Friday will be here before you know it!

This message is the first in a series of weekly emails; please carefully review the information in this message as it contains good advice, useful reminders and even some activities to put on your radar (Mall of America on February 23, say what!?)! Apologies for the length but there's a lot of information to share right now. 

Mainting Your Visa Status

As a visting student to the US, you are required to maintain your visa status. Regardless of if you are an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, please make sure of the following:

  • You are enrolled in a minimum 12 credits (for undergraduate) or 9 credits (for graduate). This is called being "full-time enrolled". Students in their final semester, you may be eligible to be enrolled in less than full time, please talk to Danielle if this is you!
  • F-1 students: You take only one online course (for up to 3-credits) as part of your full-time enrollment. 
  • During the Fall and Spring semesters, you are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week on-campus. If you have never held a job in the US before, please attend an On-Campus Employment Workshop (linked at the bottom of this email)
  • Remember to update OIE about any major changes that need to be made to your I-20 or SEVIS record. These include: change of address, change of major or significant changes to financial support.
And remember, if you're not sure, ASK! 

SACM STUDENTS ONLY

I am aware that SACM is delayed in issuing many Financial Guarantees. I will be sending sent an email this week to SACM students for whom I do not have updated Financial Guarantee. This is not to worry you, this is to communicate with you so that you know where things stand with the records that I have access to!

Please remember that I am trying to help you!

INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

NEW (Spring 2020) Students who received an International Student Scholarship for the Spring 2020 semester, this meeting is for you! If you will be applying for a scholarship in Fall 2020, you must attend this session to learn about your responsibilty for the scholarship program. 

If you are a continuing student who still has questions about the scholarship requirements or if you applied for a scholarship in Spring 2020, but did not receive it, and are hoping to try again for Fall 2020 please attend so that you can correctly prepare your application for next semester. 

On-Campus Employment Workshops are Here!

Students who have never worked in the US and are interested in working on-campus this semester should attend one of my On-Campus Employment Workshops coming up on:

Students are strongly encouraged to attend one of these session to learn more about the relevant processes. Keep in mind that if you are a new student, the earliest that you can apply for a Social Security Number is 14 days after you enter the US. 

Jumu'ah Prayer to be Held Every Friday

Fridays |  1:00pm | Please bring your own prayer mat/rug

January 31: Cranberry Creek Room, Price Commons
February 7 : Cranberry Creek Room, Price Commons
February 14: Cranberry Creek Room, Price Commons
February 21: Cranberry Creek Room, Price Commons
February 28: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
March 6: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
March 13: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
March 27: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
April 3: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
April 10: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
April 17: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
April 24: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
May 1: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
May 8: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons
May 15: Gilbert Creek Room, Price Commons

Questions about Taxes?

All international students must complete and file Federal and Wisconsin state tax forms by April 15th of each year. If you were employed in 2019, you have already received several emails containing tax forms. While you should take these forms seriously, there is still plenty of time to file your taxes. 

During Walk-In Hourse on Wednesday, March 4 and Tuesday, March 5, I will be taking questions about taxes. Please know that I am not a certified tax official and can only provide guidance on the forms that you have to complete. If you wish to start your taxes before these dates, you are strongly encouraged to consult a local tax consultant/representative; we recommend looking for someone who have experience filing non-resident tax returns as there are additional concerns to take into consideration.  

You can also get a basic overview of the tax filing expectations for international students on Stout Cloud. 

Events

Wednesday, January 22
Start End   Event         Location
8:00pm 4:30pm University Dining Bonus Pay Hiring Event All Dining Locations
Thursday, January 30
7:00pm 9:00pm An-Bu: FIRST MEETING OF THE SEMESTER Jarvis 146
8:00pm 10:00pm Oftener (Acoustic) w drey dk MSC Terrace
Friday, January 31
12:00pm 1:00pm On-Campus Employment Workshop Harvey, Room 40
12:45pm 2:00pm Salat ul jumu'ah- Friday Prayer Session Merle Price Commons, Cranberry Creek Room
6:00pm 8:00pm Bingo Night MSC Terrace
6:00pm 11:00pm Knives Out APPA 210
Saturday, February 1
7:00pm 9:00pm Trivia Night MSC Terrace
Sunday, February 2
10:00am 5:00pm Cross Country Ski Day Trip Red Cedar Trail
1:00pm 4:00pm Laser Tag MSC Great Hall
Tuesday, February 4
11:30am 1:00pm Student Organization Showcase Memorial Student Center, 1st Floor
12:00pm 10:00pm International Club Leadership Nominations TBD
Wednesday, February 5
11:30am 1:00pm Student Organization Showcase Memorial Student Center, 1st Floor
Thursday, February 6
9:00am 2:00pm Hot Chocolate Thursdays Involvement Center
11:30am 1:00pm Student Organization Showcase Memorial Student Center, 1st Floor
3:00pm 4:00pm International Scholarship Meeting Harvey, Room 40
Friday, February 7
12:00pm 1:00pm International Scholarship Meeting Harvey, Room 40
3:00pm 4:00pm On-Campus Employment Workshop Harvey, Room 40
Sunday, February 9
10:00am 5:00pm Cross Country Ski Day Trip Red Cedar Trail
Monday, February 10
12:00pm 12:00pm International Club Elections Online through CONNECT
Sunday, February 23
10:00am 6:00pm Mall of America Trip Mall of America