Pamela Oliver
Sociology Dept.
1180 Observatory Dr. Madison, Wisconsin
53706-1393
608-262-6829

Professor Pamela Oliver

Department of Sociology

Announcement Regarding New International Students' Orientation August, 2002

International Student Graduate Orientation Programs
Tuesday, August 20 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. OR
Thursday, August 22 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. OR
Wednesday, August 28 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

March 28, 2002

TO: Deans, Department Chairs, Admission Coordinators and Graduate Coordinators

FROM: Sheila Spear, Director, International Student Services (ISS)

RE: Orientation for International Students and On-Campus Employment Restrictions

With the new climate in the U.S. after September 11 and the investigations going on across the country, we want to take all precautions to not put our international students at risk by them failing to comply with INS regulations. This memo outlines two areas where our campus can assist them: encouraging all international students to attend the ISS orientation programs and to work no more than regulations allow.

ISS is making a special effort to reach all new international students as they arrive at UW-Madison. As you know, there are important immigration issues, health care and health insurance concerns, academic and social adjustment issues that specifically relate to the success and retention of UW's international student population. We are offering the standard International SOAR program for undergraduates in collaboration with the SOAR staff as well as additional programming offered by ISS. This program begins Friday, August 23 and ends Tuesday, August 27.

In addition, ISS is offering international graduate students a four-hour program that will be repeated three times. We urge you to insist that every international graduate student participate in this mandatory orientation program. The three dates give students choices so they may participate in the department or school/college orientations as well. The programs are all held in the "On Wisconsin Room, Red Gym" and the dates are:

International Student Graduate Orientation Programs
Tuesday, August 20 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. OR
Thursday, August 22 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. OR
Wednesday, August 28 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Additional details about all of these orientation programs and about the New Student Resource Fair (sponsored by the Graduate School and ISS) and the ISS Welcome Reception is available on the ISS web site http://www.intstudents.wisc.edu.

Federal regulations limit employment for international students. F-1 and J-1 visa holders can be employed on campus no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session and have unrestricted hours during vacation periods. If departments hire international students in excess of the 20 hours (including all student appointments) that student is "out of status" and risks losing the privileges and benefits of their visa status as well as risks additional scrutiny by law enforcement agencies. Students whose unauthorized work puts them out of status must apply for reinstatement with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (F-1) or Department of State (J-1) or must leave the country and be readmitted to the U.S. A record of illegal employment could also affect subsequent applications for additional benefits with INS such as an H-1B application or permanent resident status.

We would appreciate your conveying this information to appropriate personnel within your school or college. If you have any additional questions, please contact Judy Brodd, Associate Director, ISS, at jbrodd@redgym.wisc.edu

Cc: Paul W. Barrows, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Roger Howard, Interim Dean of Students
Deborah L. Gibson, Assistant Dean, Admissions Graduate School