Policies of the Office of International Student Services (ISS)
Created December 2014
1. ISS will provide immigration processing and advising to on-campus international students in nonimmigrant statuses after they have been admitted to the University. The Office of Admissions
handles application, admission, and issuance of initial status I-20s.
2. ISS will communicate with newly admitted international students regarding preparation for
traveling to the U.S. and preparing for U.S. study. The Office of Admissions will provide newly
admitted students with instructions regarding I-901 fees and visa application.
3. ISS will provide transportation from local Springfield airport and train station to campus housing or
to a hotel only. This will occur during limited pre-advertised dates and times immediately prior to
orientation week. Transportation to other off-campus housing will not be provided.
4. ISS will offer a comprehensive orientation program during the week prior to the first week of
classes for all on-campus. This will be conducted in collaboration with other offices on campus and
will include, but not be limited to, information on immigration, travel, American culture and
education systems, academic advising, registration, iCard, payments, health care, health insurance,
counseling, safety, housing, food, employment, and the library.
5. International students will provide ISS with copies of their passport, visa with entry stamp and I-94
card/form.
6. International students will update the address where they currently live and their emergency
contact information within Banner/Enterprise and with ISS for SEVIS entry within 10 days of
moving.
7. ISS will offer educational/cultural programs to aid international students in learning about their
campus, community and the culture they live in.
8. ISS will provide information and training to faculty and staff regarding immigration processes that
require information from them, including extensions of stay, reduced course load, and pending
graduation.
9. International students who are currently online but plan to change to on-campus programs need to
notify ISS if they intend to change status.
10. ISS will offer assistance and advice to international students including but not limited to the
following immigration procedures and processes as allowed or required by government regulations:
a. Transfer in and out
b. SEVIS registration every semester
c. Reduced Course Load
d. Extension of Stay
e. Addition of dependents
f. Reinstatement to Status in rare occasions
g. On campus and off campus employment
h. Curricular Practical Training – as allowed per government regulations. Only available for
students who are registered for academic credit for the training/employment that is
integral to their program of study – as defined by Immigration
i. OPT and STEM extensions – as allowed per government regulations. ISS will process
employer updates as well as cap-gap extensions
j. Travel Signatures – students are requested to complete internal signature request forms
outlining dates and destination of travel. Students are reminded that international travel
should be restricted to vacation period.
11. ISS will receive lists students in the Intensive English Program by the end of the first week of classes
for each term.
**See website for specific processes.