Foreign Exchange: May 2003

05/2003 Vol. 7, No. 8.

DHS Announces 'U.S. VISIT' Entry-Exit System
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the launch of "U.S. VISIT" (U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indication Technology System), an electronic entry-exit system that will use biometric indicators, such as photographs, fingerprints, or iris scans, to build an electronic check-in/check-out system for people coming to the United States to work, study, or visit. Read more.

Optional Practical Training
If you are graduating or finishing your classes this June, please make an appointment to see Natan or Jessica in the Office of International Student Services to talk about your plans after graduation. If you would like to apply for OPT, you must file paperwork no later than June 13, 2003, or the last day of classes.

California Service Center Update
Many students who applied to the CA Service Center for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Economic Hardship in February did not receive a receipt notice for reasons that are still unclear. If you are one of those students, try to obtain a copy of the check, front and back, from your bank as the check will have the WAC# (receipt number), that is required for the interim EAD, written on it. If it is not possible for the you to obtain a copy of the check (perhaps you paid by money order etc.) then you should contact Natan ASAP.

May 9: Drama: Four American (play), 2pm. Matheson Chapel. $3 for students with ID.

May 10: Church on Campus, 9:30-noon. HMA; Drama: Four American (play), 8pm. MC

May 11: Mother's Day. Send your mom a e-card or flowers.

May 13: Assembly by schools, 11am. Places to be announced.

May 15: University Worship 11am. LSUC; OSA's 80s Skate Night, 8-10pm. Alumni Pavilion.

May 17: Minority Consecration, 9-11am. Kansas Ave. SDA Church.

May 18: SALSU Banquet @ the Queen Mary. 7-10:30pm. Contact SALSU for more info. $25 for students.

May 20: Assembly by schools, 11am. Places to be announced.

May 22: University Worship, 11am LSUC; SALSU Talent Show, 9-12AM. HMA.

May 23-25: LSU Grand Canyon Trip (sign-up in OSA, starting May 14th). $20 per person.

May 26: Memorial Day - no classes!

May 29: SALSU End-Of-The-Year Bash, 9-12am Campus Mall.

Insurance Cards on the Web
Shortly, thank you to HTH Worldwide, you will be able to print your own international student health insurance card off the Internet. You will receive an email shortly with instructions and the internet address to print your card

OISS Staff to Attend 54th NAFSA Conference
OISS Staff will attend the 54th annual NAFSA (National Association of Foreign Student Advisors) in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the end of May. Because of this, the Office of International Student Services will not be advising students. During this time, please plan accordingly.

SARS Alert
If you are planning on traveling to Asia or any other SARS-affected country, you might want to read the DOS travel warning page. You might have to go through quarantine when you return to the U.S. Read More. You can also visit the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, and the World Health Organization web sites for more information.

www.surfline.com
If you are into surfing, you are going to love this site. Here, you can check out the surf of any local beach with just a click of a button in your mouse!

www.magatopia.com
If you like to read magazines, then this is your site! Mimicking an old-time kiosk, this site features hundreds of magazines and even lets you read them. Grab a cup of coffee, a nice computer monitor, and a fast internet connection. Enjoy!

Graduating in June?
Make sure you check with the Records Office to see if they have all they need for you to graduate! You can either call them at (909) 785-2006, stop by their office in AD Rm.#122, or email them at registrar@lasierra.edu

If you would like for a family member to come to your graduation, you can request a letter of support for them to obtain the visa. Read more. Related topic: SARS Alert.


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