Topics of Interest for New Students
Housing
- Temporary Housing: Check for informational handout at the Slutzker Center Front Desk
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Off-Campus Permanent Housing:Orange Housing, Syracuse Craigslist, University Hill, Apartment Finder, Syracuse Rent
- Talk with an advisor immediately!
Student ID Card
- Can be picked up when you have registered for at least 1 credit at the ID office in 202 Steele Hall
- Be sure to check the schedule and times as to when you can pick up your ID card at the Carrier Dome during Opening Weekend. The day and time you can pick it up depends on your last name.
- Apply for your ID card online
Health Insurance
- The University HTH Worldwide insurance is the recommended policy. Enrollment information is available at Slutzker Center and online
- Any other health insurance has to be approved by the director. Please complete and submit the Health Insurance Analysis Form along with policy information to the Slutzker Center
Employment
- You must complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Process in order to work on campus.
- TA’s, GA’s, RA’s, and IA’s: submit an Employer Certification Letter completed by your department as well as 1 copy of your immigration documents (I-20 or DS-2019, passport, I-94 card, visa) to the Slutzker Center. If you already have a social security number, please also submit a copy of your social security card.
- Non-TA’s, GA’s, RA’s, and IA’s: attend an On-Campus Employment Seminar to receive a signature, register for classes full-time, and obtain an on-campus job offer. Next, bring your completed Employer Certification Letter and 1 copy of your immigration documents (I-20 or DS-2019, passport, I-94 card, visa) to the Slutzker Center. If you already have a social security number, please also submit a copy of your social security card.
- Handouts with more information on the I-9 process is located at the SCIS Front Desk and online
Social Security Numbers
- Information and handout available online
- TA’s, GA’s, RA’s handout also available at Slutzker Center Front Desk or Welcome Desk.
- For an on-campus job, attend an on-campus employment seminar. An advisor will explain how to obtain a social security number after you have already received an on-campus job offer.
Seminars
- Slutzker Center seminars include: On-Campus Employment, Travel, Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, and Life After Practical Training.
- Schedule and PowerPoints available online
- Seminar schedule handout is available at the Slutzker Center Front Desk
Traveling
- It is important to attend a travel seminar in order to receive up to date travel information and to obtain a travel signature (required for re-entry to the US)
- Please bring the following documents with you to the travel seminar in order to receive a signature: I-20 or DS-2019, valid passport, visa, I-94 card, and proof of health insurance.
- Travel signatures will be provided by a Slutzker Center advisor on page 3 of an I-20 or page 1 of a DS-2019 and are valid for 1 year or the duration of your program, whichever is less (Exception: travel signatures are only valid for 6 months if you are on optional practical training)
- When your travel signature expires, it is recommended that you attend another travel seminar with the documents indicated in the second bullet-point in order to receive an updated travel signature
- More information available in the travel seminar and website.
Telephone Service
- Landline: Time Warner, Verizon
National Grid (Electricity & Gas)
- Inquire about setting up your service with your landlord first. If necessary contact National Grid
Internet & Cable
Safety
- Syracuse is a mid-size city in central NY- as is the case when traveling anywhere, please be prudent and cautious especially when you are traveling alone
- If you have any questions or concerns about safety on the SU campus, please call SU Public Safety at (315) 443-2224
- If you have any questions or concerns about safety on the ESF campus, please call ESF Public Safety at: 315-470-6666 or 315-470-6667
- For emergencies and other urgent police matters off-campus, call 911.
Bus Schedules
- Bus schedules are available online, at the Slutzker Center by the TV near the windows, Schine Student Center, and the Bird Library
- The green circles on your campus map indicate where the bus stops are located
Taxi Service
- 4SU-Taxi: 478-8000
- Syracuse Area Taxi: 478-8294
- Century Transportation Airport Service: 455-5151
Banks
- HSBC, M&T, Chase, Bank of America
- In order to open a bank account without having a Social Security Number, you must prove that you are an international student.
- Each bank is different and has their own requirements, be sure to bring all your original documents with you or call ahead to find out their requirements.
Shopping Areas
- Specifically for food shopping: Wegman’s, P&C, Price Chopper, Aldi, and Super Wal-Mart
- For everything else: Carousel Mall, Shoppingtown Mall, Marshall’s Plaza, Super Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe’s
- Be sure to check the Centro bus schedules in order to get to each of these places
Dining & Bars
- You can find many restaurants on Marshall Street and side streets around Marshall Street as well as in Downtown Syracuse that include, but are not limited to: Indian food, Chinese food, Korean food, Mediterranean food, Thai food, Mexican food, Health foods, Japanese food, Irish food, and American food
- Cash or credit/debit cards accepted
- No student ID cards accepted
- You can also find food at Kimmel Hall during the school year and the Schine Student Center all year-round
- Cash only accepted
- If you have signed up for a meal plan, you will receive money onto your ID card
- If you did not sign up for a meal plan, you may add money onto your student ID card
- Access the online compilation of restaurant menus from around the Syracuse area
- There are a few bars on and around Marshall Street as well as the main Downtown Syracuse area with local pubs, bars, and clubs
- Be sure to check the bus schedules to in order to go downtown
Driver’s License
Miscellaneous Information