If
you are international students/visitors or you work with them here on campus,
please peruse the following announcement.
IMPORTANT
ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING COMMUNICATION WITH THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
On January 30, 2003 the U. S. Government mandated
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) became fully
operational. SEVIS, under the direction of US Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS), is an internet-based system to report and monitor J-1 exchange
visitors and F-1 students in the United States.
IMPACT ON THE UTHSCSA CAMPUS:
Communication with OIS staff:
In order to allow OIS staff to receive training on the J-1 and F-1 rules
(see below) and the input of data to the SEVIS network:
For the next two weeks, through February 28, 2003, all communication with OIS will
be through email only using the following address:
international@uthscsa.edu
In the subject line, indicate first the visa type [or
the visa in question] and then, the last name and first name of the
International Visitor.
For example:
J-1 Castro, Fidel
or
F-1 Gump, Forest
Critical or crisis concerns will be handled promptly;
others will be managed in a timely manner. If a response requires an
appointment, the person will be notified by email of a date and time.
Only in an emergency situation will those without appointments be accommodated.
J-1 Exchange Visitor Program:
At this point in time, the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is operating
under Interim Rules to address the J-1 SEVIS regulations. It is not known when
the Final Rules will be published.
Therefore, as of February 14, 2003, the Office of
International Services (OIS) will suspend for two weeks (through February 28)
all processing of J-1 documents to include:
a. requests
for new sponsorships;
b. extensions
of current sponsorships (J-1s needing extensions will be the first to receive a
SEVIS DS 2019);
c. requests
for documents in order to allow family members to join the J-1 here in the US;
d.
all transfer requests; and
e.
visa renewals.
OIS staff will review, revise and develop new procedures to address the
new J-1 SEVIS rules. It is anticipated that OIS staff will schedule at the
department level an information session with J-1s, staff, and sponsors
beginning the first week in March.
F-1 Students:
The rules for the F-1 Student visa status are final and OIS is in the process
of scheduling meetings with the graduate school departments to inform
international students and faculty on the interpretation of the new F rules.
At the end of the two-week period, OIS will release to the UTHSCSA
campus SEVIS-related information and instructions on J and F visas for
distribution to international visitors, staff and
faculty.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this transition
period.
Theresa Chiang, Ed.D.
Associate V.P. for Academic Affairs &
Executive Director of Student Services
UTHSCSA
210-567-2004 or 210-567-2628
210-567-1616 or 210-567-3415 (FAX)
http://www.uthscsa.edu