H-1B CAP FOR FY 2008 REACHED

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services estimates that it received 150,000 H-1B petitions as of the close of business Monday, April 2. Because the number of petitions exceeds the number of H-1B visa numbers available, USCIS will use a random selection process for all cap-subject filings received on April 2, 2007 and April 3, 2007. USCIS will reject and return, along with filing fee(s), all petitions from April 2 and 3 not randomly selected and any H-1B petition filed on or after Wednesday, April 4, 2007.

The official press release is available online.

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING PAYMENT GUIDELINES

The fee for submitting an I-765 application for Optional Practical Training employment authorization for a qualified F-1 academic student is currently $180. U.S. Immigration has proposed to increase this fee to $340, which could become effective as early as April 2007. At this time, we do not know if or when this increase will occur. The Slutzker Center will announce when this increase goes into effect, if at all, as soon as we are made aware of the date. Currently, checks or money orders should be made payable to "Department of Homeland Security" for the amount of $180.

U.S. Immigration instructions regarding payment of the fee are as follows: "If a fee is required, it will not be refunded. Pay in the exact amount. Checks and money orders must be payable in U.S. currency. Make check or money order payable to the 'Department of Homeland Security'."

Recently, students have reported that Immigration has returned applications due to alterations or improper dollar amounts on personal checks. For example, if your personal check has a former address and you cross it out and write your current address you must sign/initial the change. Please also take care when writing the exact dollar amount on your check. If you have concerns about using your personal check, money orders are a good alternative since you are able to write your correct address on the money order.

If your application is returned to you, please carefully read the reasons provided by Immigration and follow their instructions for resubmittal. Return of your application will likely increase the time it takes to receive your work authorization since processing time would run from the date of your resubmittal.

FINAL NOTE -- Immigration will accept OPT applications up to 120 days prior to your program completion date or employment start date; applications should not be submitted prior to the 120 day mark as they will likely be returned to you.

MAYFEST AFTER DARK/INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: APRIL 24TH; APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 5TH

Information about this year's MayFest After Dark/International Festival is now available! Pictures from last year’s festivities and performances can be viewed on the Slutzker Center Website Photo Gallery!

Plans for MayFest After Dark/ International Festival are set! Performances will take place in Grant Auditorium, in the Law School on April 24, 2007.

We are currently looking for our master of ceremonies and performance stars! Information about MayFest After Dark/ International Festival and applications for positions can be accessed on the Slutzker Center website (http://international.syr.edu/mayfest.htm)

·         Master of Ceremonies Application
·         Performance Application
·         MayFest Flyer

The deadline for master of ceremonies and performance applications is April, 5 2007! We hope that you will be able to share your talents with the campus and look forward to hearing from you!

ABBREVIATED BUS SCHEDULE: APRIL 6TH

Syracuse University shuttle service will be operating on an abbreviated schedule for Friday, April 6; Euclid/Westcott and Vincent Routes will operate in accordance with the current Centro schedules.

South Campus/Manley Schedule

Warehouse Schedule

Sadler/Brewster-Boland Schedule

Bus schedules have been posted at all shelter locations and on the Parking & Transit website at http://parking.syr.edu. Printed schedules are available at Bird Library, the Parking & Transit Services Office at 208 Skytop, at both the Goldstein and Schine Student Centers and at Public Safety in the basement of Sims Hall. You may also access the abbreviated schedules by clicking on the route below

Regular service resumes on Saturday, April 7.

CAREER PANEL: ASIAN AMERICANS IN ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE- APRIL 5TH

The Office of Multicultural Affairs invites you to attend a panel discussion with SU Faculty and Administrators in the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Asian Americans in Engineering and Computer Science
Date: Thursday, April 5
Time: 5-7 pm
Location: Room 369 Link Hall
RSVP to Marissa Willingham at mlwill07@syr.edu; a light dinner will be provided

Paving the Way Part I: Asian Americans in Engineering and Computer Science, panelists include Interim Dean Shiu-Kai Chin, Prof. Shobha Bhatia and Prof. Jae Oh. The event is just one of several celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

Topics that will be discussed include:  

• What cultural and personal factors affected their decisions to enter the fields of engineering and computer science?
• What challenges do they face as people of color in their industry? What challenges do they see current students of color facing in the sciences?
• As leaders and tenured faculty, what do they do in order to empower, educate, and mentor future students of color in engineering and computer science?

PHI BETA DELTA INDUCTION: APRIL 9TH

New members of Phi Beta Delta, the honor society for international scholars, will be inducted at a ceremony on April 9 at Hendricks Chapel. Seventy three new members will be inducted at the event, which begins at 4 p.m. SU's Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric F. Spina will deliver the keynote address, and will be inducted as an honorary member.

WHAT EVERY GRADUATE STUDENT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT JOBS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA: APRIL 11TH

The academic job market is fickle and slow. Why not keep your options open by exploring careers outside academia? Learn how to avoid the job-hunting mistakes that grad students most frequently make. Dr. Basalla, who holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University, will offer real-life examples and practical step-by-step advice for masters and Ph.D. students seeking fulfilling work outside of academia.

Date: Wednesday, April 11th
Time: 4 pm, reception to follow
Location: Maxwell Auditorium

Sponsors: Maxwell Career and Alumni Services, College of Law Career Services, and Center for Career Services

5TH ANNUAL RAINBOW BANQUET: FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE- APRIL 21ST

The Fifth Annual Rainbow Banquet returns to the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel Regency Ballroom on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 6pm.

You are cordially invited to be a part of this magical evening, featuring recognition of our 2006 graduates; presentation of the Foundation Awards for Outstanding Service to the LGBT Community; keynote speech by Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), the Queer Year in Review Slide Show; food, friends, and fun!

The Slutzker Center has purchased a table at the event; we are offering seats, free of charge, to the first 10 people who email lescis@syr.edu to request a ticket (requests must be received by no later than April 9, 2007). If you are unable to obtain a free ticket, individual tickets for the Rainbow Banquet can be purchased for $30.00 each.

Questions? Contact the LGBT Resource Center at 315-443-3983 or lgbt@syr.edu.

HIKING AT TINKER FALLS: APRIL 21ST

Join Recreation Services as we go Hiking at Tinker Falls!

Date: Saturday April 21, 2007
Time: 12:00-5:30pm
Fee: $5.00 Deposit (All SU / ESF ID Card Holders)
     (Deposit will be returned to you on the bus)

Bus leaves from College Place at 12:00pm and returns around 5:30pm

Bring a daypack with lunch, water, trail snacks, etc.

To register, come to:
Recreation Services
241 Archbold Gym

For more information, call 315-443-4386 or visit http://outdoored.syr.edu

VOLUNTEER TO CONTACT INCOMING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Copyright © 2007 LESCIS. All rights reserved. The Lillian and Emanuel Slutzker Center for International Services. Syracuse University
310 Walnut Place. Syracuse, NY 13244-2380 Phone: (315) 443-2457 - Fax: (315) 443-3091 . Email: lescis@syr.edu