Foreign Exchange - December 2007

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February 2008

HOT NEWS

Undergraduate International Students Workshop

If you are an undergraduate international student, come join us on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 5pm in the Cactus Room (Cafeteria) for a night full of fun, food, and fellowship. Come learn about resources and share your ideas to help us improve your university experience.

HAPPENINGS
by Nikki Athony

Did you know that there is going to be another Jazz concert coming up at our very own HMA? It’s on February 24, at 7 pm! Their previous concert was simply amazing. They did such a good job last time you really don’t want to miss it this time!

Being an international student and having to stay on campus every weekend can be very boring. So I came up with some places you might to visit:

1. Van Buren Drive-in theater located at 3035 Van Buren Blvd. (951) 688-2360 Take your date or a group of friends and sit out on the trunk of your car just to have a good time! It’s only about $7 for 2 movies

2. Voice Box located at Coffee Depot on the 1st Saturday of every month This is open mic night where anyone can go up and sing, read poetry, tell jokes, etc. Some people are really good at what they are doing and it’s cool to see you friends up there doing something! Most of the people there are Christians so a lot of things they talk about is God.

3. Thai Restaurant called “Jumbo Bowl” located on Arlington Ave. (951) 687-6968 La Sierra University is a legacy there. And we’ve been very faithful to continue the custom. They really serve amazing food!

4. Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga about 25 minutes away. Have an outdoor shopping experience with a variety of shops including Banana Republic, GAP, Apple, Macy’s, Pink Berry, Borders Bookstore, Cheesecake Factory and so much more! There are places to just relax to sit and watch the fountains and little streams run right thru the mall, too.

Winter Talent Show— Thursday February 21—HMA. Auditions Feb 11 and 13. Contact SALSU.

From the OISS

Tax Update
Many of you have received a W-2 form form the Payroll Office of LSU and are wondering what to do with it. If you received a W-2 form, it means that you probably worked during 2007 and must file taxes. If you transferred to LSU form any other school and worked at their campus last year, you should have received a W-2 from them as well. Filing for your taxes is required by the U.S. government, and failing to do so might affect you later on in life, so please make sure you do take care of this.

To read instructions on how to file your taxes, please click here.

Immigration Updates

New Employment Start Date Restrictions on F-1 and M-1 SSN Applications
The Social Security Administration (SSA) published new guidance on evidence requirements for F-1 and M-1 students applying for a Social Security Number. Read more... (Source NAFSA)

Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increased Jan. 1, 2008
The Department of State (DOS) announced that effective January 1, 2008, the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee charged to nonimmigrant visa applicants increased from $100 to $131. Read more… (Source NAFSA)

H-1B Petition Filing Centralized At CSC For Higher Ed Employers
Starting January 30, 2008, H-1B cap-exempt petitions filed by the following cap-exempt employer types should be filed at the California Service Center (CSC), regardless of place of employment or location of employer:

Institutions of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. 1001(a);
Nonprofit organizations or entities related to or affiliated with institutions of higher education; and
Nonprofit research organizations or governmental research organizations, as defined in 8 CFR 214.2(h)(19)(iii)(C)