Diversity Visa Lottery
The Department of State's 2008 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery began at noon on October 4, 2006. Persons seeking to enter the lottery program must register online at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/.

The site will be available at noon, October 4, 2006 through noon December 3, 2006.

The Diversity Visa Lottery is FREE.
You are not required to pay anyone or any web site to apply for it. Do not be tricked into paying for this FREE service.

• Lottery Information
• Lottery Instructions
• Photo Validator
• Begin Standard Application

For a small fee of $5, the OISS will take and prepare your digital picture and help you fill-out your application.

FY 2007 H-1B Cap Reached
USCIS announced that it received enough H-1B petitions requesting “foreign workers who have earned a master’s degree or higher from an institution of higher education” to meet the exemption limit of 20,000 established by Congress for fiscal year (FY) 2007. The “final receipt date” for these exempt H-1B petitions was July 26, 2006. The reaching of these caps does not affect other cap exemptions, including the exemption for petitions filed by institutions of higher education or non-profits. Read more...

OISS Bids Farewell to PDSO

It is with great sadness that we announce that October the 31st will be Jennifer Tyner's last day as our PDSO.

Mrs. Tyner, an alumna with multiple degrees from this campus including an MA in English, has served with distinction in her position since January 2000. Her career in the Office of Student Life has also included service as the assistant dean of students (1995-99), associate vice president for student life (1999), and director of international students (1995-2006). Ms. Tyner has regularly taught a section of College Writing for the English Department and has taught sections of University Studies 101. She also coordinated the UNST 101 program and directed the services for international students for several years.

Under Mrs. Tyner's leadership, the Office of Student Life has developed innovate programs and policies that have not only served La Sierra University well but have also been at the cutting edge of such services among Adventist colleges and universities in North America. She has extended her leadership and vision to the formal organization of Adventist student life personnel.

Please join me in expressing our deep gratitude for her exemplary service among us, in extending our best wishes for her future success, and in invoking God's richest blessings upon her and her family.

-Warren Trenchard, Provost

If you are a current student and friend of Mrs. Tyner and would like to send her a farewell note, please drop it off in our office.

As you already know, if you have a valid LSU I-20, you are required to have medical insurance, which the OISS will purchase for you through HTH Worldwide. You can read the insurance policy, click here.

If you are a returning student, PLEASE print your new insurance card; remember: hospital rooms don't have internet access!

For new students, here are the instructions on how to print your new insurance cards:
1. Go on-line to GGH Students.com.
2. Click "Sign-In"
3. If you have already registered with them, enter your email address and password. If you have never logged in before, then enter your email address and select "I'm a new user." Follow the instructions. If you need your Certificate Number, contact us at x2100.
4. Click on the upper left corner in the "My Benefits" link.
5. Click on the "ID" green icon (to the right). You will need Acrobat Reader to see your card.

"Doc, can I use your computer for a sec? I forgot to print my insurance card!"

SALSU Customer Skate Night will take place on Thursday, October 26, from 9-11 PM at the Roller City 2001 off Magnolia Ave. Come dressed in your favorite (yet appropriate) costume and enjoy an evening of fun, friendship and skating.

UK Seeks Chinese MBA Grads
A new survey finds that nearly half of all British business leaders plan to recruit MBA graduates from China to ensure their new hires have the skills required to work in and trade with the country. Read more...