From: Danielle Clarizio
Date: March 25, 2020
Subject: Week 8: Updates & Reminders from ISSS



Hi First_Name,

It's Week 8.

Hello and welcome back to you all--wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whatever the time is. I hope that you are safe and well and as we all wade through these extraordinary times. 

Like you, the OIE is adjusting to this new reality and working hard to build the infrastructure to continue our service provision, albeit in a virtual way. This message contains some useful informationthat will help you to stay connected to the virtual OIE. But first, a couple of notes: 

For those of you still on campus or within Wisconsin: Governor Evers has issued a "Stay at Home" Order as a means of slowing the spread of COVID-19 and encouraging even more strongly, social distancing.  If you're not sure what that means, this is a pretty good summary.

For those of you who have relocated to a nother location within the United States: please send Danielle and email with your updated address. It is important that we update this information in SEVIS so that you can continue to maintain your status. 

For those of you who have headed to your home countries: we are already missing you but please remember that in order to maintain your active visa status, you must remain enrolled in your courses and all coursework is still required. Please work with your instructors if you have access issues, timezone issues, or anything that will impact your coursework. 

STAYING CONNECTED TO THE (VIRTUAL) OIE

The Office of International Education (OIE) is open during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm); however, we have shifted to virtual operations.

Appointments with OIE staff can be made here.
Appointments will be held over the phone/video. Danielle will send students meeting/calendar reminders which will contain a link so that we can do a video chat. 

You may also contact our office by:
Phone: 715-232-2132: please leave a detailed message along with your full name!
Email: globaled@uwstout.edu, or to individual staff members directly via email. 

This week we will also be hosting two virtual group sessions. Each session is an opportunity to meet with campus officials to get information and ask questions. 
  1. Managing Stress During COVID-19 
  2. International Student Q&A
These sessions, like meetings, are open to all students wherever you are. If the topic is of interest to you, please feel free to join us from anywhere in the world! Sign up below, the link to join will be in the event details.

We also have a Facebook group for current students. If you have not yet joined, please do!

EVENT

Managing Stress During COVID-19

Friday, March 27
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Virtual Meeting
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

Let's talk with the Counseling Center about how to manage stress during these times.

RSVP

EVENT

International Student COVID-19 Q&A

Friday, March 27
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual Meeting
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

Meet with the OIE virtually to get answers to your burning questions.

RSVP

JOIN US FOR COFFEE HOUR

I'm setting aside two hours wach week for a social check in. You are not required to attend but you invited to sign in, pull up a chair and chat over your favorite hot beverage. You're going to have to bring your own, though! Stay for as little or as long as youl like!

Coffee Hour will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays through the end of the semester. The link to join the session is in the CONNECT event and will be shared on Facebook (if Danielle remembers to ;)).

Upcoming Coffee Hours

Tuesday, March 31
Start End   Event         Location
2:00pm 3:00pm International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Friday, April 3
10:00am 11:00am International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Tuesday, April 7
2:00pm 3:00pm International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Friday, April 10
10:00am 11:00am International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Tuesday, April 14
2:00pm 3:00pm International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Friday, April 17
10:00am 11:00am International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Tuesday, April 21
2:00pm 3:00pm International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Friday, April 24
10:00am 11:00am International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Tuesday, April 28
2:00pm 3:00pm International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Friday, May 1
10:00am 11:00am International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Tuesday, May 5
2:00pm 3:00pm International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Friday, May 8
10:00am 11:00am International Student Coffee Hours TBD
Tuesday, May 12
2:00pm 3:00pm International Student Coffee Hours TBD

CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT

Like many campus offices, and some student organizations, the Involvment Center is working hard to bring some of their programming online for a virtual audience. Please continue to watch for events or activities that you can participate in from a distance. 

REFUNDS

I am still receiving quite a few questions about refunds. Please refer to the guidance available on the COVID-19 page, you can read about refunds here.