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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><BR></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The International Student Services Office (ISSO) will be hosting workshops on post-completion Optional Practical Training for international students on Monday, February 9, 2009 from 3:30pm-5:00pm and on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 10:30am-12pm in BA340 across from the ISSO. After the Monday, February 9<SUP>th</SUP> workshop we will begin scheduling OPT appointments that will start on Monday, February 16, 2009</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=red size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">for students graduating in the spring 2009 semester. For more information on OPT please visit <A href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/faq.asp">http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/faq.asp</A>. </SPAN></FONT></DIV></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Students who began their academic program at TAMU-C <B><U><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Summer 2008 or before</SPAN></U></B> are not required to attend an OPT workshop before they can apply but <B><I><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">they are strongly encouraged to attend.</SPAN></I></B></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=3><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Effective</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> the Spring 2009 semester, students who <B><U><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">began</SPAN></U></B> their academic program at TAMU-C in the <B><U><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">fall 2008 semester or after</SPAN></U></B> will be <B><I><U><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">required</SPAN></U></I></B> to attend an OPT workshop <B><I><U><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">before they can apply for OPT.</SPAN></U></I></B> Students may apply for post-completion in their last registered semester before graduation no more than 90 days before their program end date. </SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Students that will be graduating in the 2009 spring and summer semesters are <B><U><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">strongly encouraged</SPAN></U></B> to attend the OPT workshop as we will discuss the application process and regulations. </SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=red size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: red; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">We will be announcing OPT workshop dates in March and April at a later date.</SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">John Mark Jones, Director</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">International Student Services</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Texas</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> A&M University-</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Commerce</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">PO Box</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> 3011</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Commerce</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, TX 75429</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Phone: (903) 886-5097</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Fax: (903) 468-3200</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
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