Table of Contents:
September 30, 1998
Dear International Students and Scholars,
During the last several months, the Office of International Programs has been in the middle of reorganizing responsibilities and hiring new staff members. Tanja Owen, Acting Assistant Director, and Jean Robinson, International Services Assistant, have accepted new immigration responsibilities. Additional staff members have also been hired including Sarah Bailey, Senior Secretary, Michael Johansson, Immigration Specialist with an emphasis in recruiting, and Jason Borders, International Student Advisor. In this period of transition and staff training, I understand that you may have been required to wait longer to see an advisor or to have papers signed. I apologize for this inconvenience and would like to share the following information with you.
1. Staff Available to Assist You. Here is a list of the staff and their general responsibilities as related to international students and scholars. The office telephone number is 232-7404 and individual e-mails and office hours are listed on our home page. In an emergency situation, you do not need to make an appointment – call or visit the office immediately.
Joyce Hertko, Ph.D., Director
Immigration for Students and Scholars, Personal and Financial
Advising
Tanja Owen, Acting Assistant Director
Immigration for Students and Scholars, Personal and Financial
Advising, Health Insurance, International Undergraduate Student Scholarships
Nancy Wiggers, Ph.D., Coordinator, Intensive English Program
Intensive English Program
Jason Borders, International Student Advisor
Immigration, Health Insurance, Personal and Financial
Advising
Kay Tyler, Admissions Clerk
Credential Evaluation
Jean Robinson, International Services Assistant
Faculty Immigration, I-20s and IAP-66s for students (updating
these because of change of major, change in funding, bringing family to
the US, etc.)
Michael Johansson, Immigration Specialist
Recruitment
Bryan Bradford, Graduate Assistant
Programming, ASB Funds
Tinni Sen, Graduate Assistant
Web Page, Bi-Weekly Newsletter
2. Appointments to Meet Staff. If you would like to meet with a specific staff member or Advisor, I would advise you to call ahead and make an appointment. When you make the appointment, please give your name, e-mail, telephone number, and a brief idea of the reason you would like to see a staff member. For example you may want to talk with Kay Tyler about transfer credits, Jean Robinson about H visas, or any staff member who can help you with a personal concern. By making an appointment, the staff will be better prepared to assist you.
If you do not have a specific staff member that you need to meet, you can see a Walk-in Advisor without making an appointment. A Walk-in Advisor will be available on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons between 1pm and 3pm. When you decide to meet with a Walk-in Advisor, please be prepared to wait since each student will be assisted on a first-come first-serve basis.
I have instituted a new procedure, which requires all students and scholars to sign-in when they come to the Office. This allows the staff to assist everyone in the order in which they arrived. It also helps us to keep track of how many students and scholars we see on a daily basis.
3. Signature on I-20 or IAP-66 for Travel. Bring your I-20 or IAP-66 and passport to the Office at least two weeks before you need a signature or plan to travel. Students and scholars will be asked to complete a “Request Form” and leave your I-20 or IAP-66. In most situations, we will have your documents signed and ready for you to pick-up within four business days. If you are planning to travel during the Thanksgiving Break or December Holidays, it is not too early to have your I-20 or IAP-66 signed!
4. Letter of Full-time Enrollment. Undergraduate
students who need an official letter of full-time enrollment may obtain
this letter from the Office of International Programs. Undergraduates will
be asked to complete a “Request Form” and in most situations, we will have
your documents signed and ready for you to pick-up within four business
days.
Graduate students must obtain an official letter of full-time
enrollment from the Graduate School.
Other letters, which do not specifically need to mention a student's full-time status, for example, letters of invitation, letters to exchange funds, etc. can be applied for at the Office of International Programs. Students will be asked to complete a “Request Form” and in most situations, we will have your documents signed and ready for you to pick-up within four business days.
I would like to thank you and ask for your continued patience and cooperation! I hope this helps to explain and clarify several new procedures. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Joyce M. Hertko, Ph.D.
Director
Office of International Programs
PS. I also hope that you will read the International
Newsletter, which is published every two weeks on the Office of International
Program's home page. The easiest way to find our home page is to
go to the University home page, click on ‘Students’ and we are listed under
Student Life Departments.
Please be aware of the date on your I-20. If that dates passes and you have not received an extension, you become OUT OF STATUS.
If the date on your I-20 is approaching, please take the following steps:
1) 30 days before the I-20 expires, please contact Jean Robinson in the Office of International Programs. She will assist you with getting an extension. You will need to provide Jean with a letter from your academic department explaining the reason for the delay in completing your degree, and you will need to complete another financial affidavit showing sufficient funds for your continued support.
It is very easy to get an extension if it is done before your I-20 expires. To apply for re-instatement is a costly and time consuming process. Please don't let it happen to you! Remember that keeping up with the date on your I-20 is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!
If you are planning on leaving the United States for a brief period
and then re-entering, remember you must have your I-20 or IAP-66 signed.
On I-20's, the back must have been signed within the last six months.
To get your I-20 or IAP-66 signed, please bring it to the Office of International
Programs, along with your passport, and fill out a "Request Form."
You will be asked to leave your I-20 or IAP-66 and in most cases will be
able to pick it back up within 4 business days.
Global Quest, a private agency in Hyderabad, India appears to be falsely advertising a relationship with The University of Mississippi. We've recently learned that Global Quest is advertising in newspapers and telling students that they "guarantee" placement and an I-20 from the Graduate School. This is not correct - the University does not have a relationship with Global Quest. The University only issues I-20s to students who are properly admitted and show proof of financial support.
Please share this information with your family and friends. Several students received fraudulent I-20s from Global Quest and have had serious immigration problems. If you see an advertisement in a newspaper from Hyderabad, please make a copy for me. Thanks,
Dr. Hertko
Elections 98: Sweden
Tuesday, October 6, 4:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Dr. Michael Metcalf (Croft Institute & History)
Croft Institute, George Street University House
Beverages provided
Elections 98: Slovakia
Tuesday, October 13, 4:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Ms. Tatiana Lichnerova (SITA-Slovak News Agency,
& visiting scholar, Department of Journalism)
Croft Institute, George Street University House
Beverages provided
Elections 98: Brazil
Tuesday, October 20, 4:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Dr. Holly Reynolds (Political Science)
Croft Institute, George Street University House
Beverages provided
The Croft Institute for International Studies announces the following informal brown bag (bring a bag lunch, if you wish) presentations:
Tuesday, Oct. 6 12 noon
Dr. L. Marvin Overby (Political Science)
"Teaching Chinese Graduate Students in Nanjing with The Johns Hopkins
University-Nanjing University Joint Program"
Tuesday, Oct. 13* 12 noon
Dr. Joe Atkins (Journalism) "Journalism Ethics in Central and Eastern
Europe"
* may be moved to Monday, Oct. 12 - confirm by calling the Croft Institute
at 232-1500 or croft@olemiss.edu
Tuesday, Oct. 20 12 noon
Lt. Commander Stephen Goertzen "A Westerner's Viewpoint of the United
Arab Emirats and Qatar"
Tuesday, Oct. 27 12 noon*
Dr. Chiarella Esposito (History) "Prelude to European Monetary Unity,
or France's Ability to Synthesize National and International Agendas after
World War II: A Lesson for the Post-Cold War World?"
* may be moved to Monday, Oct. 26 - confirm by calling the Croft
Institute at 232-1500 or croft@olemiss.edu
Tuesday, Nov. 3 12 noon*
Prof. Robert Davis (Law) "The International Criminal Court: Prospects
and Problems"
* may be moved to Monday, Nov. 2 - confirm by calling the Croft Institute
at 232-1500 or croft@olemiss.edu
Tuesday, Nov. 10 12 noon
Dr. Holly Reynolds (Political Science) Title to be announced - contact
the Croft Institute at 232-1500 or croft@olemiss.edu
Tuesday, Nov. 17* 12 noon
Dr. Robert Albritton (Political Science) "Culture, Region, and Thai
Political Diversity"
* may be moved to Monday, Nov. 16 - confirm by calling the Croft Institute
at 232-1500 or croft@olemiss.edu
The Office of International Programs is asking for your expert opinion!
We are now in the process of creating a new booklet to send out to people
throughout the world who request information and application materials
from the University of Mississippi. We would like to know what you
think about some of our ideas for this booklet and, most importantly, hear
any of your own ideas and suggestions. After all, you are the experts concerning
the subject of choosing the University of Mississippi as the place to study
in the U.S.! We would like to get two small groups together for approximately
45 minutes to share ideas on the following two dates:
Tuesday, October 13, 5:00 p .m.
Friday, October 16, 12:00 p.m.
Papa John's Pizza will be served to stimulate new ideas! Please call,
fax, or e-mail Michael Johansson by noon, Monday, October 12th if
you can attend, and leave your name and number for. Michael
will notify you if we have enough students signed up for the meeting times.
We appreciate your help in helping us inform other students like yourselves
from around the world about what the University of Mississippi has to offer!
Contact Michael Johansson by
noon, Monday, October 12, or phone 1558 or fax 7486. Thanks again!
The story takes place in a remote village in the north-eastern part of China during the early years of the Republic (1910s). Qiu Hu, a refugee with a strong desire to take revenge on the local landlord makes his way back to his village only to discover that his antagonist Yama Jiao died long ago and his fiancee has married the son of Jiao. But Qiu Hu is determined to have Jiao's son pay the blood debt. Adapted from the famous playwright Cao Yu's drama. Directed by Ling Zi. Starring Liu Xiaoqing and Yang Zaibao.
Sponsored by
Croft Institute for International Studies
Department of Modern Languages
Greetings from your new International Student Advisor! My name is Jason
Borders, and I am very pleased to be part of the International Programs
Office here at Ole Miss. I encourage you to drop in any time. Take advantage
of our services, or just stop in for a visit! Come and see what's happening
at the Office of International Programs!
If I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to call
our office. I am excited about our year together, and I look forward to
meeting you all.
Hirak Pradhan from India is our only international ASB senator.
Congratulations Hirak!!
Cobra Security has a shuttle service between the Memphis Airport and
Oxford. They ask for 24 hour advance notice and the charge is $40.00
one way. To make reservations and for more information, please call
Cobra Security at 236-2002.
MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, October 9, 1998, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Office of International Programs, Barnard Hall, First
Floor
Please come join us for the our monthly movie showing.
OPEN HOUSE - OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Wednesday, October 14, 1998, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Office of International Programs, Barnard Hall, First
Floor
Please come for a tour of our new home and light refreshments.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
Friday, October 16, 1998, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Student Union, Room 405
Mr. Thomas "Sparky" Reardon, Associate Dean of Students
Come hear about all the exciting things there are to
do here at the University of Mississippi
CHILDREN'S STORYTELLING TIME
Tuesday, October 20, 1998, 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Office of International Programs, Barnard Hall, First
Floor
Tanja M. Owen, International Student Advisor, Office
of International Programs
Please bring your child, along with his/her favorite
book, and a sack lunch.
The Office of International Programs has 2 scholarships available for
Fall 1998; they are partial tuition waivers. To be eligible you MUST:
1) Be an UNDERGRADUATE fully enrolled in a degree seeking program.
2) Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher.
3) Turn in a completed scholarship application form by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday,
October 13, 1998 to the Office of International Programs.
Application forms are available in the Office of International Progams.
A completed application includes the application form, 2 letters of recommendation,
a letter from the student explaining why they are requesting a scholarship,
and a transcript of all work done at this university.
Please note that turning in an application does not guarantee a scholarship.
This scholarship is ONLY for the Fall 1998 semester. There will be
no automatic renewal.
Insurance cards should be arriving this week. If you do not receive
your card by the end of this week, please e-mail Tanja Owen at tanja@olemiss.edu