IMMIGRATION UPDATE

I-20's
Yes, we are SEVIS ready! Some of you already received a copy of the new I-20. The rest of you will probably get a copy sometime during February. Please keep reading these newsletters to be sure you're up to date with the latest news and regulations.

CHRISTMAS TRAVEL
If you're planning on traveling during Christmas break, please do not forget to endorse your I-20 (have Ms. Tyner sign it). If you are just going home and coming back before January 30, 2003, you will not need a new SEVIS I-20. If you will be getting a new visa while abroad, you will need a new I-20 so please come talk to us as soon as possible.

INS DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN STUDENTS
The U.S. Attorney General has issued a new directive that requires all non-immigrants aliens from five countries to report in person to the Immigration and Naturalization Service to be enrolled in the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System.

Affected by this order are males born before November 15, 1986, who are citizens or nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, or Syria, and most recently entered the U.S. on or before September 10, 2002.

To comply with this order, students must go to the INS district Office to be interviewed, photographed, and fingerprinted before December 16, 2002. Failure to comply may result in prosecution and deportation.

INS REGULATORY NOTICES
We now have the INS Regulatory Notices on our web site. If you would like to read the new laws affecting international students, click here.

OTHER STUFF

NEW LOOK
We have a new look again! In order for the email to download faster, we have simplified our newsletter thanks to your suggestions! If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to contact us.

CLASS REGISTRATION
Make sure you visit your advisor and register for classes early. Some of the classes fill up quickly, so you must register soon. You can also register on the web.

STAYING @ LSU FOR CHRISTMAS?
If you're staying at LSU for Christmas, don't panic. Christmas can be a lonely time of the year if this is your first time way from home and you do not have any family nearby. But don't worry, there will be plenty of stuff to do here. All International Students are invited to attend a holiday Christmas Buffet in Calkins Hall on Christmas Day. There will be food, games and Christmas movies to make this a warm family holiday. Also, watch the dorm's bulletin boards for other announcements and activities.

hthstudents.com
Did you know that your health insurance program offered by LSU had a web site? If not, then you might want to check it out. HTH Worldwide has an excellent web site with lots of very useful information. You can find a doctor, translate medicine and illnesses names from your language to English or vice versa, and many, many more features.

<< Go to the Website >>

  recreationconnection.com
Do you need cheap tickets for local attractions and concerts? Recreation Connection offers many discount tickets for all La Sierra students.

<< Go to the Website >>

SALSU Delivers: Dec. 4. Call SALSU @ x2005, 2156, 2988 for free food! 8-10pm.

Christmas Tree Lighting: Dec. 5. Campus Mall @ 5pm.

Finals Week : Dec. 9-13. Good luck with finals! CABL will give you free breakfast everyday at the campus mall between 7:30-9:30am.

Christmas Break: Dec. 14 - Jan. 6.

Merry Christmas : Dec. 25.

DO YOU KNOW THIS PERSON?


Natan E. Vigna
Originally an international student from Argentina himself, Natan came to the US back in 1993, "without a word of English." Yes, Natan had to follow people out of the airplane because he could not even read the signs in the airport.

Natan is the assistant to the Vice President for Student Life and the International Student Services Coordinator.

He loves to snowboard, travel, drink coffee, and help international students. So, next time you need help with something and don't know where to go, start with Natan. He might send you in the right track!
E-mail Natan • See what Natan did for Thanksgiving

LAST MINUTE ISSUES
OISS X-mas Office Hours:
The office will close for Christmas break on Tuesday Dec. 24 at noon and will re-open on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002. It will close for New Year's break on Tuesday Dec. 31 at noon and will re-open on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003.

Cafeteria X-mas Hours:
The Dining Commons will be closed until Jan. 6th. The Eagle's Nest will be open as follows:
Dec. 13th 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dec. 14th 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sabbath
Dec. 15th- 20th 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dec. 21st 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sabbath
Dec. 22nd- 23rd 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Closed Dec. 24th and 25th
Dec. 26th - 27th 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dec. 28th 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sabbath
Dec. 29th - 30th 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Closed Dec. 31st. and Jan. 1st.
Jan. 2nd. - 3rd. 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Jan. 4th. 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sabbath
Jan. 5th. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Jan. 6th. Open regular hours in the Cafeteria
If you have any questions give us a call at ext. 2138

Have a great break, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Disclaimer: You have received this email because you submitted your email address to the La Sierra University Office of International Student Affairs when you registered. If you are no longer a student at La Sierra University, you may be removed from this list by sending an email to nvigna@lasierra.edu.