Office of International Programs Newsletter
September 8, 1998
Phone: 601.232.7404
Fax: 601.232.7486
Email: ipdept@olemiss.edu

Table of Contents:

A Note From Dr. Hertko

Last Spring, the Office of International Programs sent a survey to international students asking demographic questions, as well as providing an opportunity for them to rate the services that are provided by the Office.  I would like to provide a "historical note" to the students who asked for an explanation of the International Student Fee.
According to the files, back in the early 1980's, the University was addressing many issues including budget restrictions, providing necessary services to students, and not placing the entire financial burden on the students.  The Chancellor asked that the board approve an international student fee to help cover the expenses of the Office of International Programs. He believed that international students required different and additional services than domestic students, for example, preparation of I-20s or IAP-66s; assistance obtaining a visa; applying for work permission or practical training; bringing dependents to the US and other immigration matters; coordinating with US agencies and departments as well as foreign governments and sponsoring agencies.  Not surprisingly, the Director of International Programs at that time, opposed the fee and fought its implementation.  In 1981, the Board approved the Chancellor's  request to charge international students a fee.
The income from the International Student fee is used to pay salaries and provide an operating budget for the Office of International Programs.  Other universities have adopted a similar fee or something called an 'orientation fee' which is charged to their international students.  I do not know when the University last increased the international fee, but I do know that it was not raised this summer when the university increased everything else including tuition.
Staff Changes

Tanja Owen has been named Acting Assistant Director of International Programs as of September 1, 1998.  A new search for an assistant director is planned for late winter.

Searches are currently being conducted for the International Student Advisor position, and the Immigration Specialist position.  These positions will be filled on a temporary basis until June 31, 1999.

Update on Free tickets

A note from Bryan regarding the free tickets that were given out:

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 'Football and Tailgating in the Grove' Program on Wednesday, Sept. 2.  Your participation made it a great success.
We were able to issue 50 free tickets to the Sept. 5 game against Memphis.  These were issued on a first come, first serve basis.  Additionally, 25 tickets were given out through a random process.  Several pieces of paper were placed in a box.  25 of those pieces were marked with an 'X'.  Those students who drew a paper marked with an 'X' were given a ticket.  We regret that not everyone was able to receive a ticket, but we wanted to be as fair as possible in distributing them.
Thank you again to the Athletic department for the tickets and to every student who came.  We hope you enjoyed the game.

Help with English Composition of Papers

English tutors are on duty in the Writing Center, located in the basement of Bondurant Hall.
International Student night is Monday Evenings, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF SERVICE YOU MUST SIT WITH THE TEACHER AND PARTICIPATE IN EDITING YOUR PAPER.
Please bring your own computer disk.
Laser printing is twenty cents
Draft quality printing is free.

Rides to Wal-Mart and Kroger

Every Tuesday  night, the Baptist Student Union will provide rides to any student who requires to go to Kroger or Wal-Mart.  The rides will meet in the parking lot adjacent to Barnard Hall at 8:30pm.

Warning

Please be advised that unscrupulous agents and individuals are contacting international students regarding everything from false scholarships, to insurance, to credit cards.  It is important that you are careful, and carefully research these "wonderful offers" before giving anyone your name and money.  If you have any questions, please contact the Office of International Programs..

Thanks to All Who Helped With Orientation.

We would like to thank all those who helped with orientation .  Thanks especially to our orientation leaders Aysen Bakir, Kenny Chin, Levi Deroche, Imran Kader, Ya-Chin Lan and Luminita Velea.  Also thanks to our 'van driver', Gregory Vidal.

Upcoming Events.

Feel like some company while eating lunch?  We will meet for lunch at noon on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, by the picnic tables near the Y building.  Everyone brings their own lunch!

NAVIGATING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES
Tuesday, September 8, 1998, 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Office of International Programs, Barnard Hall, First Floor
Carolyn Morton, R.N., M.S., Patient Education - Baptist Memorial Hospital North
Mississippi
Find out where to go when you're not feeling well and what to do.

MEET YOUR INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE
Wednesday, September 9, 5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Education Building Auditorium
Gerald Holland, Jr., Gerald Holland Insurance Agency
Learn what your health insurance is all about and how to get the maximum benefit.

SIGN UP FOR SOCIAL SECURITY
Thursday, September 10, 1998, 9:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Office of International Programs, Barnard Hall, First Floor
Please bring your I-20 or IAP-66, passport , I-94.

MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, September 11, 1998, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Office of International Programs, Barnard Hall, First Floor
Please come join us for the 1st of our monthly movie showings.

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE UNIVERSITY CAREER CENTER and "CAREER DAY"
Tuesday, September 15, 1998, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Student Union Room 405
Dr. Stephen Stricker, Assistant Director, Career Services

TAILGATING PICNIC
Saturday, September 12, 1998
The Grove
Now that you've learned what tailgating is...participate in one!

Christmas International House Registration Information

The Christmas International House registration forms have arrived.  The registration Office will be accepting registration forms from October 12, 1998.  Please see Tanja Owen about obtaining a registration form.

Applying for Federal Income Tax Withholdings Under Tax Treaties

Some countries have tax treaties with the United States government.  Students from these countries are eligible for federal income tax exemption.  The following sites on the internet will help you determine whether you are eligible for such an exemption.

  1. http://aspen.fms.indiana.edu/newkb/toc-005.html. This site is maintained by Indiana University.
  2. http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/cover.html  Select 'Forms & Pubs', then select 'Publications Online' and then 'Publication 901'.  This site is maintained by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If you are eligible for the exemption, and are working for the University of Mississippi, please go to the Payroll department and complete IRS Form 8233 and an affidavit of eligibility.  Payroll sends these documents to the IRS the next working day.  The IRS requires that the tax exemption is not begun until 10 days after they receive these documents.  So please stop by payroll as soon as possible if you are eligible.
Please note that For any further questions on this matter, please email or call Roberta Humphrey (x7028) or Al Fenger (x7068).
IMMIGRATION INFORMATION

INS Announces Fee Increases
The Immigration and Naturalization Service has issued notice of fee increases for many immigration procedures.  These fee increases are effective October 13, 1998.  The bolded ones may be of particular interest to students.

I-90 Application to replace Alien Registration Card, increase from $75.00 to $110.00.

I-102 Application for replacement/initial nonimmigrant arrival/departure document, increase from $65.00 to  $85.00.

I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance, increase from $75.00 to $95.00.

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, increase from $80.00 to $110.00.

I-131 Application for travel document, increase from $70.00 to $95.00.

I-193 Application for waiver of passport and/or visa, increase from $95.00 to $170.00.

I-212 Application for permission to reapply for admission into the United States after deportation or removal, increase from $95.00 to $170.00.

I-485 Application to register permanent residence or adjust status, increase from $130.00 to $220.00. If the applicant is under 14 years of age, the new  fee is $160.00.

I-539 Application to extend/change nonimmigrant status, increase from $75.00 to $120.00.

I-765 Application for Employment Authorization, increase from $70.00 to $100.00.

N-400 Application for Naturalization, increase from $95.00 to $225.  Please note that this fee increase will not take affect until 1/15/99.

N-565 Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate, increase from $65.00 to $135.00.

N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship, increase from $100.00 to $160.00.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE YEAR 2000 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM (DV-2000)

The U.S. diversity immigration program makes available 50,000 permanent residence visas each year to person meeting the eligibility requirements.  Applicants for diversity visas are initially chosen through a random computer-generated lottery drawing.  Visas are apportioned among six geographic regions with a greater number of visas going to regions with lower rates of immigration, and no visas going to countries sending more than 50,000 immigrants to the U. S. In the past five years.  No one country can receive more than 3,500 diversity visas in any one year.
If you are from one of the following countries, you are not eligible to apply for DV-2000: CANADA, CHINA (mainland and Taiwan, except Hong Kong, S.A.R.), COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, EL SALVADOR, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, PHILIPPINES, POLAND, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and VIETNAM.

Entries for the DV-2000 MUST BE RECEIVED BETWEEN NOON ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1998 AND NOON ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1998.  Regardless of when they are postmarked, entries received after these dates will be disqualified.  Also, entries send to an incorrect address will be disqualified.

There is no specific format for the DV-2000 entry form.  For more information and a sample form, come to the Office of International Programs and pick up a handout.  This handout is very long and detailed and can answer all your questions.

Employment Information
INS Regulations About Employment hours for F-1 and J-1 students:
Students who are on F-1 or J-1 visas may work on campus provided you do not work more than 20 hours a week while school is in session. You may be employed full time during holidays and vacation periods. The 20-hour per week limit on employment hours while school is in session applies to all types of employment. A twenty-hour assistantship, for example, exhausts the eligibility in terms of the assistantship except for those times when school is not in session. It is each student's responsibility to comply with these INS regulations.

The maximum hours that you may work for the month of September 98 is 104 hours.

Immigration Session
For those students who missed the presentation on immigration requirements, a repeat session will be offered Thursday, September 3, 1998, 5:30 p.m. at the Office of International Programs.

Insurance Information for all International Students and Scholars

Insurance Session
We have a new medical insurance policy in place.  This session is your opportunity to clarify any issues you might have regarding the new policy.  So, please remember to attend the session on insurance - "Meet Your Insurance Representative" on Wednesday, September 9, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Education Auditorium.



Please direct any questions, comments and suggestions to Bryan Bradford. We welcome any suggestions to improve our newsletter, and in improving our services to you. 
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