Friday, April 25, 2008

OPT 17 Month STEM Extension Update

The Slutzker Center has created a webpage that explains STEM Extension eligibility criteria, the process for requesting a STEM extension I-20, and how to file the extension application with USCIS. If you think that you may be eligible for the one-time 17 month OPT STEM extension, please access: http://international.syr.edu/STEM_Extension.html
for additional information. This webpage is also accessible from the front page of our website and the F-1 Practical Training navigation menu.

USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status

The new rule granting "cap-gap" extensions to F-1 students who applied for a FY 09 H-1B number limits the cap-gap extension to beneficiaries of H-1B petitions who requested change of status. Since the cap-gap rule was published after the FY 09 H-1B filing season opened, however, many beneficiaries had applied for consular notification rather than change of status, following guidance applicable under the prior rule. To address this, USCIS developed a policy that allows the petitioning employer to convert "consular processing" requests to "change of status," so that the beneficiary can benefit from the new cap-gap provision. Employers must make such requests within 30 days of the issuance of the petition receipt notice, by e-mailing the Service Center handling the petition. More information…

Additional Travel Seminars

Traveling after the semester ends?  Daily travel seminars will be held for the next three weeks at the Slutzker Center. Please check SCIS News on Friday, May 2 for the schedule for May 5-9.

The Director has recently met with representatives of Customs and Border Patrol, and updated information about travel requirement for foreign nationals will be reviewed. Information is also posted on our website.

Schedule for April 26-May 2:
Monday, April 28:  4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 29: 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 30: 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, May 1: 11:00 a.m.
Friday, May 2: 4:00 p.m.

Judy Hung Solo Piano Recital

Day: Sunday, April 27, 2008
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Setnor Auditorium, Crouse College, Syracuse University

Free admission; reception to follow.

Program:

3 Scarlatti Sonatas
Beethoven Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110
Rachmaninoff Prelude in D Major, Op. 23 No. 4
Liszt Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Selected music by Cowell and Crumb

About the performer:

Judy Hung is originally from Taiwan. She is a second year graduate student at Setnor School of Music, and is the Heaton Music Fellowship recipient in piano studies. She would like to invite all the international students at Syracuse University to come to her recital. She is looking forward to share wonderful music with everyone!

Extended Bus Service for Exam Week

The #344 South Campus shuttle will begin operating 24 hours per day, starting Monday, April 28, and will continue until Wednesday, May 7.  The additional trips from College Place to South Campus are scheduled to operate at 3:40 a.m., 3:50 a.m., 4:00 a.m., etc. and will operate every 10 minutes throughout the early morning.

Shuttle U Home Program Hours Extended

The Shuttle U Home Program will be extending its hours to help accommodate students during Reading Days and final exams. SUH will run from Wednesday, April 30 until Thursday, May 15. The hours the shuttle will run are 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., with the last sign-in at 4:30.

Congratulations on a Successful Year—Celebrate Responsibly

As the end of this academic year approaches, you are probably preparing for final exams.  As exams come to an end, there will be much to celebrate.  Some of you are graduating and others are putting finishing touches to another successful year.

Neighbors tell us that this year the neighborhood was quieter than ever.  They appreciate that students have acted responsibly and respected the rights of others

It is our hope that you continue to act responsibly in the days ahead.  The University is committed to working with students and the community to ensure that the close to this academic year is both safe and enjoyable.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.  Best of luck on your final exams and have an eventful and productive summer.

-- Office of Orientation and Off-Campus Programs

Cleaning & Storage Tips

Now that the school year is almost over, it is time to begin thinking about moving out of your apartment!  Whether you are moving out of your apartment for good, or just for the summer, you need to give it a good cleaning before you leave.  Here are some tips from http://yumyum.com that can help you save time and money!

If you are moving out at the end of your lease, you should leave you house clean enough so that a new tenant could comfortably move in after you.  This is true even if your apartment was not clean when you moved in!  Save receipts from cleaning supplies that you use during your end of the year clean-up. This can help you prove that you left the apartment clean if your landlord withholds some of your security deposit for cleaning charges. Better yet, take photographs of the condition of your empty, clean apartment before you move out.

-- Office of Orientation and Off-Campus Programs

Full-Time On-Campus Employment Over the Summer

On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic semester and may be increased to full-time employment (more than 20 hours/week)  during approved winter, spring, and summer breaks. The 20 hour limitation applies to all international students (including RA's, TA's, and GA's) unless additional employment has been authorized by the USCIS or Slutzker Center (e.g., CPT). More information…

Approved University breaks when full-time on-campus employment is acceptable:

Summer: May 8 through and including August 24, 2008

Winter: December 12, 2008 through and including January 11, 2009

Spring: March 8, through and including March 15, 2009

Midnight Pancake Breakfasts

On April 30 and May 4, Student Centers and Programming Services and the Office of Student Life will launch a new Syracuse University tradition: the Midnight Pancake Breakfast. Students are invited to take a stress-busting break, hang out with friends, get a picture taken with Otto, and get some good food. 

April 30, 2008
Schine Student Center Dining
10 p.m.-2 a.m.
breakfast foods available for $4.99 with supercard

May 4, 2008
Goldstein Student Center Dining
10 p.m.-2 a.m.
breakfast foods available for $4.99 with supercard

Student Centers and Programming Services and the Office of Student Life ask you to share this invitation with students, and invite you to assist as a volunteer. Volunteer shifts run from 9:30 p.m.-midnight and midnight-2 a.m.

Please email Courtney Jones at cejone02@syr.edu by April 23 if you are interested in assisting, indicating which shift or shifts you are willing to serve.

Ten Tons of Love

Ten Tons of Love is Syracuse University and SUNY ESF's annual food and clothing drive. Last year over 20 tons of donated goods were collected. The drive runs from April 29-May 16, 2008. Ten Tons of Love is only possible with the assistance of many volunteers, like you, to help load, move and sort all the donated items. To volunteer…