ISO Student News: 03/15/2021
Table of Contents
- Increasing ISO Volumes: Plan Ahead & Allow Time (more)
- Completing Your Degree Requirements Soon? (more)
- Next Tax Webinars 3/17 & 3/24 (more)
- UHS Programming (more)
- UR Connected Drop-In Hours (more)
Increasing ISO Volumes: Plan Ahead & Allow Time
The spring semester is always a very busy time of year for ISO, which is complicated by the variety of scenarios students are facing during COVID-19. Whenever possible, please submit requests for SEVIS processing (OPT recommendations, CPT authorizations, Program extension, Reduced Course Load, etc.) with plenty of time for ISO to evaluate your needs and issue any relevant documentation.
Due to high volumes of inquiries and appointment requests, please be mindful of submitting multiple email inquiries or reaching out to multiple ISO staff members about your situation, as this will delay our response and processing times. We ask that you allow 2 business days for a response to emails, and one week for processing of routine requests. Please be assured that we are committed to serve and support you in a timely manner. We appreciate your understanding and patience!
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Completing Your Degree Requirements Soon?
If your answer is “yes,” or even “maybe,” now is the time to think about your post-completion plans! Every student has a different set of circumstances to consider when making immigration decisions, so you cannot assume that what works for your friends will also be the best option for you. Please note that many immigration processes require students to take action before the end of their program.
If you intend to work in the United States after graduation, you will likely need to apply for F-1 Optional Practical Training or J-1 Academic Training. If you are interested in applying for either of these work authorizations, please plan to make an appointment with an ISO advisor and/or look at available information on the ISO’s website as early as possible in your final term. You can also visit ISO's Event Archive page to access the recordings from our Spring 2021 F-1 Employment Authorization Workshop series.
If you will be starting a new degree program at another school in the United States after graduation, you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS immigration record to the new institution, depending on when your new program starts. If you will be attending a new degree program at the University of Rochester, you will need to complete some processing to change your education level.
If you will be leaving the United States within your grace period after your completion date, please complete the ISO’s Student Departure Form once you have booked your travel out of the US. Please note that you cannot re-enter the US in F-1 or J-1 status once you have left during your grace period.
Finally, if your I-20 or DS-2019 currently lists an incorrect program end date — if you will be finishing earlier than the date on the document or vice versa — you can correct this end date by completing the ISO’S Program Extension/Shorten Form.
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Next Tax Webinars 3/17 & 3/24
ISO’s next tax webinars of the semester will be on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 6:00 – 7:30pm Eastern and on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern. These webinars are hosted by a licensed tax preparer who has expertise in nonresident and resident tax filing. Please see below for the full tax webinar schedule.
Upcoming Tax Webinars:
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 6:00pm- 7:30pm Eastern
Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 6:00pm-7:30pm Eastern
Monday, April 12, 2021, 6:00pm-7:30pm Eastern
All webinars can be accessed at this Zoom Link. The next webinar will be recorded for future viewing.
You can also refer to ISO’s website for information regarding filing your income tax forms for 2020, the GLACIER software system (to help determine your tax filing category), and information on further tax resources and support.
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UHS Programming
The University Health Service is continuing to provide health and wellness programming to both students and staff. Please see below for more information!
Yoga Flow
This 60 minute yoga practice is truly for all levels because every pose can be modified or intensified. Flow moves one breath at a time, with intentional space for stillness; it’s mindfulness meditation in motion which means you will leave class with powerful strategies to help you navigate through daily stressors. Join on Tuesdays from 6-7pm using Zoom Meeting ID: 869 3015 2080 / Passcode: 988091.
Mindful Drop-Ins
This meditation will be led by one of the Mindful University Project’s certified Koru Mindfulness teachers, Kyle Trenshaw, on Wednesdays from 7-8pm. Practices will rotate each week and include formats such as body scans, breath awareness, and mindful movement. Prior meditation experience is not necessary. Open to all students, faculty, and staff. Each 30-minute session of the Mindful drop-ins includes 1) a verbal description of the practice, 2) the practice itself (usually 10-15 minutes), and 3) a verbal debrief. If you would like to join this practice, please RSVP to kyle.trenshaw@rochester.edu for the Zoom link.
UR Connected Coaches Are Here To Help!
Are you having relationship problems? Not sleeping well? Just feeling generally overwhelmed? Talk to one of our trained UR Connected coaches to get connected to resources on and off campus to fit your needs. Visit www.rochester.edu/urconnected to learn more and request to meet with a coach. Please also see below regarding UR Connected Drop-In Hours.
Safe Sex Express
Get safer sex supplies delivered to your campus mailbox anonymously (and for free!) with Safe Sex Express. The service provides a wide range of supplies, including external condoms, internal condoms, dental dams, lube, and finger cots.
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UR Connected Drop-In Hours
UR Connected is a peer-to-peer network through University Health Services that connects students to resources on campus when they are most needed. If you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or homesick, you can utilize the UR Connected drop-in hours to speak with someone who can help you take steps towards a solution. Chat with a UR Connected coach during drop-in hours over Zoom on Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
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Prepared by: ISO Student Services