From: Danielle Clarizio
Date: March 23, 2020
Subject: Post-Spring Break Information


Hi First_Name,

The Office of International Education wishes you a warm welcome back from the 2020 spring break!   

While we know that this isn’t the way you envisioned you would return, we do appreciate your patience and understanding of the virtual reality.  We want you to know that we are here for you during this challenging time, and that all of humanity is in this together.  This is a global pandemic, and countries throughout the world are sharing best practices and working collectively to address common challenges.  We will make it through the next few months and anticipate being stronger than ever. 

Our office would like to share a few important updates: 

STAYING CONNECTED

  • Facebook Group: join this “closed” group to connect with peers, ask questions, and stay informed. 
  • Check your university email periodically for important updates 
  • Connect with your family and friends: let them know that you are well.  Let them know that you have a place to live, access to food, and courses continue.  Many parents are expressing concern and we need your help to let them know that you are not alone. 
  • Weekly Group Chats: Danielle will be setting up some opportunities foropen, video, group chats. These will be open to all students both in country and out of country and are intended to be a more relaxed opportunity for socializing. Watch your email and the Facebook group for more details!
  • Virtual Appointments: Students who would normally stop by the OIE for Walk-Ins or prefer to schedule an appointment will be able to do so. 

FEELING OVERWHELMED BY THE SITUATION?

  • Consider making an appointment with a Counseling Center counselor.  Addition information is available online. 

  • Call or email OIE staff.  Danielle Clarizio and Scott Pierson would love to hear from you, and we are maintaining regular business hours remotely.   

  • On Friday, March 27, we will offer an OIE Update with Question & Answer (Q&A) Session from 4 pm to 5 pm. You may join this meeting 15 minutes prior by utilizing this link.  You may also call in by dialing +1-571-392-7650 PIN: 291 024 6745. 

  • We are aware that many of you have been severely impacted by losing on-campus employment temporarily.  If you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to pay monthly expenses for housing and food, please reach out to the Dean of Students and complete a request for emergency funding. 

CONTINUING TO LIVE ON CAMPUS

  • Dining – continue to pay careful attention to messages you receive from University Dining.  We understand that you are currently receiving food to go.  While this will not change, the location where you pick up food may change.  Food may soon be delivered to your residence hall.  Students with dietary restrictions will need to work directly with Dining. Check your email/online for updates. 

  • Housing – continue to pay careful attention to the messages you receive from University Housing.  It is quite possible that you will be relocated to another room on campus within the next two weeks.  If you haven’t already accessed the Housing Gateway to indicate whether you would like to remain on campus, do so as soon as possible. 

MAINTENANCE OF NONIMMIGRANT VISA STATUS

  • F-1 and J-1 students are continuing to maintain valid nonimmigrant status by continuing to complete a full course of study.  There is nothing you need to do or report, other than your home address if it has changed.  Please complete this information in your Access Stout account. 

  • Form I-20 signatures for travel.  Note that the OIE has printed and signed all Form I-20s.  We have provided these documents to the UW-Stout Police Department.  If you are planning to depart the country now or at the end of the semester, you visit the University Police Department during normal business hours, from 7:45 am to 4:25 pm.  You may also call them after hours at 715-232-1632.  Leave a message with your name, number and explain that you need the document. A representative will call back as soon as possible.  Note that if you have already received an updated signature for travel, there is no need to pick up this document; you have what you need.  Reminder – you can leave the country without a Form I-20/DS-2019; however, in order to return you need the document with a recent (within the last year) signature for travel.  If you have already left the U.S. without this signature, please do not worry.  We can mail the document to during the summer. 

Please remember that the University and government is taking measures to contain the community spread of COVID-19.  It is important to maintain social distancing (at least six feet of separation) from others, and follow the CDC’s recommendations regarding how to protect yourself.  

We wish you well as you transition to online course delivery.  If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.  As previously mentioned, we are in this together and will succeed together.