[Intl-stu] Welcome Sp 05

[intl-stu@TAMU-Commerce.edu]

SUBJECT: Welcome to Spring 2005
 
Welcome new students and Welcome Back returning students. Spring 2005
semester has begun. Hope this semester starts out well and continues to be a
successful semester for you.
 
I just want to send this message to ALL international students. Please read
all the messages but choose to focus on the one that really applies to you
and your situation.
 
1.	For new students enrolled for the first time at TAMU-Commerce in the
spring 2005:
*         Remember to keep your FACTS sheet handy and use it as a reference
to maintain your legal F-1 status.
*         Keep your immigration documents together in a safe and easy to
find place.
*         Look at your Student Guide Book for university policy and
resources. Also check for online helpful information from the International
Student Office (ISO) at http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/
<http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/> 
*         Feel free to contact the ISO staff any time you need help or have
questions, 903-886-5097.
*         Class registration and drop/add by WEBTRAX must be completed by 5
pm of the 12th class day (February 2). Be sure to be enrolled in the
required number of credit hours (9 for graduates and 12 for undergraduates,
with only ONE Internet course) for the entire semester to keep your legal
F-1 status.
*         There will be a meeting provided to help you apply for a social
security number (SSN) on Thursday, January 27, 2005, at 1:30 pm, in the
Founders Lounge, 2nd floor of MSC Building. Please try to attend and be
there on time. You cannot apply for a SSN unless you have already secured a
job on campus. This is a new law, effective as of October 134, 2004.
     
 
2.	For students expecting to graduate at the end of spring 2005:
*	If you plan to apply for an OPT or CPT, you must make an appointment
with an ISA and come in to apply in person. You can find information about
OPT and CPT including the application form online at 
            http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/
<http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/> 
            The appointment for an OPT application will be available from
February 11 through May 6 only.
*         There will be a meeting provided to help answer questions
regarding OPT application on Wednesday, February 9, 2005, at 1:30 pm, in the
Founders Lounge, 2nd floor of MSC building. Please try to attend and be
there on time.
 
3.	For students enrolled in less than required credit hours this
semester  such as 20 hours GA/TA; students in the last semester; students
registered in ZERO hour but working on an incomplete project (595) or
others:
*         You must notify us in writing the reason for taking less than your
normal required credit hours. You can do this by coming to the ISO to
complete the yellow Reduced Course Load Form or going online to complete the
Report: <http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/Red_Courseload.asp>
Less Than Required Hours  and submit it to us. Failure to do this could put
you in danger of being viewed as out-of-status.
 
4.	 For ALL international students:  
*         If you change your address, you must notify the ISO of your new
address within 10 days of the change so that we can update your SEVIS record
for you. This is the immigration law.
You can do this in writing by sending an e-mail with your new address to the
ISO
  <mailto:intl_stu at tamu-commerce.edu> intl_stu at tamu-commerce.edu or by
coming in person to complete the form.
*         Some services from the ISO are now available online at 
      http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/Forms.htm
<http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/Forms.htm>  
      All you have to do is click on the link above and complete the request
form and submit it.
*         Contact the ISO:
Phone 903-886-5097
E-mail  intl_stu at tamu-commerce.edu <mailto:intl_stu at tamu-commerce.edu> 
ISO website http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/
<http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/>   please visit this site
often.
Our office hours: 8 am- 5 pm, Monday to Friday (Advisers are not available
during lunch hour,12-1pm)
 
HAVE A GREAT SPRING 2005 SEMESTER!!!
 
            
 
Noi Prapan
Director, International Student Services
Texas A&M University-Commerce
P.O.Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429
Phone: 903-886-5097
FAX: 903-468-3200
Noi_Prapan at tamu-commerce.edu
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.tamuc.edu/pipermail/intl-stu/attachments/20050120/1996d925/attachment.htm