Services for International Students & Scholars Newsletter August 2012 Content New Curricular Practical Training New F-1 Unpaid/Uncompensated Internships Optional Practical Training (OPT) Denials New Course for International Students (Freshmen and Transfers) International Students Club International House
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New Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Handout and Application SISS has recently updated its CPT handout and application to make the process easier for students and their major professors/advisors to fill out. To view our new CPT handout and application please go to http://siss.ucdavis.edu/documents/CPT_07-2012FINAL.pdf CPT is a work authorization which allows F-1 international students to participate in paid offcampus employment to gain work experience related to their major field of study. SISS requires CPT authorization for all off-campus paid employment. CPT is available only prior to the completion of your degree program and you must have a job offer at the time of your application. You may only begin CPT employment after you have received authorization from SISS. For SISS to authorize your CPT employment, please submit the following documents: • • •
Completed SISS CPT application form which only needs to be signed by the student now A signed job offer letter from employer Employment recommendation letter from major professor, academic advisor or graduate coordinator-we have included a sample recommendation letter in our new CPT handout to simplify the process
When authorized for CPT, you must be registered in course units related to the CPT employment. During the academic year, you are required to be registered as a full-time student (i.e. 12 units per quarter). If you apply for CPT that takes place during the summer, you must be registered for at least one unit during Summer Session I or II that represents the CPT employment. Please remember that if you are in Filing Fee status, you are not eligible for CPT employment. If you have any questions about our updated CPT handout and application please feel free to email your SISS International Student Advisor.
New F-1 Unpaid/Uncompensated Internships Form
SISS has also created a new handout and application for F-1 students who intend to participate in an unpaid or uncompensated internship. International students should consult with their International Student Advisor at SISS before beginning any type of an internship. This form should NOT be completed by any student who will receive payment or compensation from UC Davis and/or their internship provider. F-1 students who will receive payment or compensation of any kind should refer to information about Curricular Practical Training (CPT) on the SISS website. See http://siss.ucdavis.edu/employment.cfm. Application Process for Unpaid/Uncompensated Internship: STEP 1: Secure an unpaid/uncompensated internship STEP 2: Complete the SISS F-1 Unpaid/Uncompensated Internship Form. Please make a copy of the completed form for your records. STEP 3: Bring the completed SISS Unpaid/Uncompensated Application Form and a copy of the internship offer letter to SISS. The internship offer letter must include the following: • Physical address of internship • Start and end dates • Description of the internship • The letter should clearly state that the internship is unpaid and uncompensated All F-1 students who intend to participate in an unpaid or uncompensated internship should complete our new form and submit it to SISS before beginning your unpaid internship. To view this new form please go to http://siss.ucdavis.edu/documents/F1_UnpaidInternshipApplication_07-2012_FINAL.pdf If you have any questions about our new F-1 Unpaid/Uncompensated Internship Form please feel free to email your SISS International Student Advisor.
Recent Optional Practical Training (OPT) Denials with USCIS
SISS has received reports that USCIS has denied some post-completion OPT applications because they have been received more than 30 days after the international student advisor’s recommendation of OPT in SEVIS. SISS has seen a couple of OPT denials in the last week due to this same issue. If you are a F-1 student who is going to apply for OPT please be aware that when your SISS International Student Advisor emails you to pick up your updated OPT I-20 you need to make sure that USCIS receives your OPT application within 30 days of your SISS International Student Advisor issuing your OPT I-20. Here is an example: • • •
F-1 student submits OPT application to SISS on June 10th. SISS International Student Advisor issues the OPT I-20 for the student on June 15th and emails the student on June 15th to pick up his/her OPT I-20. F-1 student picks up OPT I-20 as soon as possible and mails the OPT application to USCIS on June 20th.
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USCIS receives the student’s OPT application on June 25th. June 25th is within 30 days of when SISS issued the OPT I-20. THIS IS WHAT USCIS NEEDS TO APPROVE YOUR OPT APPLICATON. If student would have waited to mail out his/her OPT application and USCIS received the application after July 15th (which is more than 30 days past June 15th ) there is a increased chance that this student’s OPT application would be denied because USCIS received the OPT application after 30 days from when SISS created the OPT I-20 which was on June 15th.
You want to make sure that USCIS receives your OPT application within 30 days of SISS issuing your OPT I20. To find the date issued, look at #10 on your OPT I-20. Any OPT application received by USCIS more than 30 days after this date will be denied.
New Course for International Students (Freshmen and Transfers) 2-unit EDU 98 Seminar: American Cultural Values & the University Experience You will learn about and discuss American culture with members of the campus community. Plus, you can practice important student skills, including how to: o o o o o o
manage your time on the quarter system develop critical thinking and study skills understand and adjust to life in America understand your rights and responsibilities as a student participate in classes, use office hours find resources and answers for all kinds of questions
✓ Small class size (19 students per section) with a focus on student interaction and activities! ✓ 2 units of P/NP course credit! ✓ Lots of individual attention in office hours! ✓ No language pre-requisites; no midterm or final exams! Check your Fall 2012 schedule and find a section for you. When registering, be sure to enter "2" for unit value. CRN Course
Sect.Type
Title
Units* Day/Time
Building/Room
44062 EDU 98
11 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 9:00-9:50A
Dutton 3218
44063 EDU 98
12 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 9:00-9:50A
Dutton 2258
44064 EDU 98
13 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 9:00-9:50A
South 16
44065 EDU 98
14 SEM
American C V & U E 2
TR 9:00-9:50A
Dutton 3216
44066 EDU 98
15 SEM
American C V & U E 2
TR 9:00-9:50A
South 16
44067 EDU 98
16 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 10:00-10:50A
Dutton 3218
44068 EDU 98
17 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 10:00-10:50A
Dutton 2258
44069 EDU 98
18 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 10:00-10:50A
South 16
44070 EDU 98
19 SEM
American C V & U E 2
TR 10:00-10:50A
Dutton 3216
44071 EDU 98
20 SEM
American C V & U E 2
TR 10:00-10:50A
Dutton 2258
44072 EDU 98
21 SEM
American C V & U E 2
TR 10:00-10:50A
South 16
44073 EDU 98
22 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 2:10-3:00P
Dutton 3218
44074 EDU 98
23 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 2:10-3:00P
Dutton 2258
44075 EDU 98
24 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 2:10-3:00P
South 16
44076 EDU 98
25 SEM
American C V & U E 2
TR 1:10-2:00P
Dutton 3218
44077 EDU 98
26 SEM
American C V & U E 2
TR 1:10-2:00P
South 16
44078 EDU 98
27 SEM
American C V & U E 2
MW 11:00-11:50A
Dutton 3218
International Students Club Starting this fall, the newly formed international Students club at UC Davis will begin its fullfledged involvement in the international student community. ISC will be providing constant support during the international student orientation and will be hosting several other events that will help incoming international students accommodate to the new environment. With SISS's support, ISC will offer an 'orientation buddy' program, in which international students will be paired up with a buddy who will help students understand the campus better. On September 23rd, just before class commences, ISC will have its first general meeting for fall 2012, followed by an arcade-night immediately after the meeting. Join the Facebookpage: https://www.facebook.com/groups/iscdavis/ for more information or email Shehzad Lokhandwalla: sslokhandwalla@ucdavis.edu.
The International House The International House (I-House) in Davis is a home away from home for international students, scholars and visitors and a place for local community members to explore new cultures. The IHouse coordinates many programs such as the Friendship Program. The Friendship Program matches an international student with a Local Host in the Davis community. The program provides the opportunity for international students to experience the American culture through friendship with an American family. Meeting for coffee, being invited to your Local Host's home for dinner or holiday celebrations, attending community special events together, going to the Farmers Market...are just some of the many activities you can engage in with your Friendship Program Local Host. It is our hope that the relationship that develops between students and their Local Host family will help expand cultural awareness and create lifelong global friendships. If you are interested in learning more about the Friendship Program or other programs at the International House, Davis please check out their website at http://www.internationalhousedavis.org/.