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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I wanted to thank all of you who attended
the Welcome Party for International Students. Many students and
faculty/staff told me they really enjoyed the party and the food. Special
thanks to the Chinese Student Association, Thai Student Association, Indian
Student Association, Caribbean Student Association, African Student
Association, and Association of International Students for all of their help
and for the great food! We will be announcing other events for the
semester soon. Below is very important information so please read it
carefully. Have a great weekend!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><u><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>12<sup>th</sup> Class
Day:<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>The ISSO has been attempting to contact
students through email and phone over the past week regarding failure to follow
USCIS rules for full-time study. To remind you, international students
are required by USCIS to register full-time in the Fall and Spring
semesters. Full-time for undergraduate students is 12 credit hours per
semester and full-time for graduate students is 9 credit hours per
semester. <u>Remember, that only one (1) online web course counts toward
this full-time requirement.</u> <u> <o:p></o:p></u></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><u><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p><span
style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>There are few exceptions to the
full-course of study requirement and you must have the ISSO’s permission before
you enroll less than full-time. You will need to complete the Reduced
Course Load form for permission to enroll less than full-time. Please go
to <u> <a href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/maintain_f1.asp">http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/maintain_f1.asp</a></u>
for more information on the exceptions and to <a
href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/report_less_form.asp">http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/report_less_form.asp</a>
to report less than full-time. </span></font><i><font size=2 color=red
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;
font-style:italic'>Please do not complete a new form if you have already
submitted the form</span></font></i><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><u><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p><span
style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>After the 12<sup>th</sup> class day,
September 9<sup>th</sup>, it will be very difficult to change your course
registration and the ISSO will begin reporting your status to USCIS. Please
take a moment to review your course registration to ensure that you are
following USCIS rules for full-course of study. </span></font><u><font
size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red'>Failure to correct any problems by September 9<sup>th</sup> may
result in a violation of your visa status which may jeopardize your ability to
study in the U.S and/or apply for OPT/CPT. </span></font></u><font
size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><u><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p><span
style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><u><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Website Update:<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Our website has changed and is being
updated regularly so please be sure to check out the new information provided
on the site. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>We have recently updated the CPT application page.
Please review our website for the correct procedure for applying for CPT and
follow the instructions on our website for CPT and other requests. Do not
rely on the advice of well meaning friends!<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>John Mark Jones, Director<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>International Student Services</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Texas</span></font></st1:PlaceName><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">A&M</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University-</st1:PlaceType></span></font></st1:place><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Commerce</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>PO Box</span></font></st1:Street><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> 3011</span></font></st1:address><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Commerce</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">TX</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">75429</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Phone: (903) 886-5097</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Fax: (903) 468-3200</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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