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In
April 2015
But My Friend Says...
Inside this issue:
The story of...but my friend said. Yes, our office has heard that on several accounts. We love that our students have friends and that they
seek out their guidance from time to time. It’s great! However, there
are times that guidance received from the friend can be incorrect.
Think back when you were a child. Did you ever play a game of whispering a message in someone’s ear and to see how that message is
carried throughout a group? The last person to receive the whispered
message would tell the entire group what they had been told. How
many times was it not always matching what the original message
was?
ADV-001-160
2
Graduating
3
Immigration News
4
Academic Reminders
4
Transcripts
5
I-Team
5
Special points of interest:
 My Friend
 ADV-001-160 Course
 I-TEAM: We Need You!
The International Student Center always encourages you to reach out
to us, especially if it has to relate to your status. We will explain any
rules and regulations as they pertain to F-1 status. We can also address any academic concerns. If our office does not know the answer,
you can rest assure that we will find the
answer for you.
PAGE 2
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CONNECTION
A DV- 0 0 1 - 1 6 0 o n l i n e c o u r s e / VAWA M o o d l e C o u r s e
As a response to the Violence Against Women Act legislation from the federal government, please be advised that you have been placed into the following Moodle online
course: ADV-001-160.
Please follow these steps:
1. Go to your moodle account. Click on this course as you would any other and read the
material provided.
2. Then you must take the VAWA quiz to be able to pass this course.
We will be tracking the progress of all students registered and that have completed the
course. Reminders will be sent to all who do not complete it as this is a mandated course
by Bergen Community College.
Please be advised that all new students are required to complete this course. At Bergen
Community College, we are committed to the physical safety and emotional well-being of
our community to allow all to succeed to their highest potential.
Sincerely,
Dr. Naydeen Gonzalez-De Jesus
Vice President, Student Affairs
Disclaimer
Are you unable to complete this course?
Reach out. For students who would like to request special accommodations or assistive
technology (assistive listening devices, large keyboards, screen magnifiers, etc.). Students have the right to receive the recommended accommodations as described on the
accommodation form issued by the Office of Specialized Services to ensure equal access
to the classroom information and course content while still holding the students with disabilities to the same academic standard as other students.
PAGE 3
Changed your address? Received your SSN? Changed your status? Any
other updates? Know when you need to update the ISC!
Moving or have a new e-mail address? USCIS/DHS (United States Customs & Immigration Service/Department of Homeland Security) requires all F-1 students to notify
the ISC of ANY home address changes within 10 DAYS of the move. In fact, if you
have ANY contact information changes, like change of e-mail, or phone number, let
us know! To notify the ISC, simply visit us in C-102, fill out the F-1 Change of Data
Form, and we will change the information. This form is also available online at
www.bergen.edu/isc/forms.
The ISC can update your social security number. Simply bring your SSN card to the
ISC.
Not Feeling well?
If you are ill, please visit the Bergen school nurse in the Center for Health, Wellness
and Personal Counseling. They are located in room HS-100.
The personal counselors are also located in HS-100. Counseling sessions are free, private, and confidential.
If your health is interfering with your studies, please visit your International Counselor as soon as
possible.
Graduating This Summer or Fall?
Students that will complete their program this Summer or Fall will need to
confirm their graduation in their webadvisor. If you are having difficulty
confirming your graduation, please visit the ISC. We will be more than happy to assist you!
Students wishing to apply for their F-1 benefit to work off campus for a
year must attend a ‘Post-Optional Practical Training’ workshop. The ISC
highly recommends that students attend a workshop as soon as possible.
Students planning to transfer to another U.S. institution will
need to make sure that they transfer their immigration record
during the 60 day grace period.
PAGE 4
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CONNECTION
Immigration News
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Any student that is interested in working off campus needs to attend a workshop on Post-OPT.
Extending I-20
Time to check the program end date of your I-20. If will expire soon, you need to file for an extension.
Pick up the packet from the ISC or visit the website.
Graduating this May 2015?
Any student graduating this may will have a 60 day grace period from the last day of classes (May 12,
2015). The grace period gives additional time to transfer to another U.S. institution, apply for the post
completion OPT benefit, or return home.
Maintaining Status
Information on how to maintain F-1 student status can be found on the International Student website.
There is a video in several language that goes over maintaining status.
Travel Signatures
Any student traveling outside the U.S. and plans to return to Bergen, must obtain a travel signature from
the International Counselor. Signatures are valid for one year from the date it was issued.
Those traveling during the summer should obtain their travel signatures NOW. Bring your I-20 to the ISC
and your International Counselor will sign off on it. There is no need to make an appointment.
F-2 Status Update
Effective May 29, 2015, dependents will be allowed to register for credit classes as long as the credits
are below the full time load.
Academic Reminders
Thinking about changing your major?
Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with their International Counselor to discuss a potential change of major. Simply stop by the ISC
or call and schedule to make an appointment (201.689.7601).
Math Placement Exam
Any student who will be completing the ALP/SPE level III courses will need to
take their math placement exam. It is very important that the math placement
exam be taken as early as possible. Do not delay this. The International Student Center will not extend I-20s for failure to take the math placement test.
Remedial Courses
Any student that takes the placement test and places into remedial math will be required to register for
Success 101 (IST 123).
SPE Courses
Don’t forget that SPE courses are included in the ALP (ESL Program) coursework.
PAGE 5
Students can now requests their
transcripts online by visiting
www.getmytranscript.org.
Students can still request a paper
transcript—this option has recently
been added!
Make-up Orientation
International
Student
Association
Thurs. 12:30
12:30—
—1:30
C-102
Will be held in the International
Student Center, C-102.
May 6th at 10AM
May 14th at 12PM
ISA CLUB
Interested in joining e
e--mail
Bergen.isa@gmail.com
International Student Center (C
(C--102)
The International Student Center is recruiting members to join
the I-Team. There will be mandatory training
for this volunteer position prior to the Fall orientation that will be held on August 26th. If
you are interested, please contact Mine Ugurlu
(mugurlu@bergen.edu). This is a great opportunity to give back and to greet new incoming students to
Bergen!
PAGE 6
Registration is OPEN
The International Student Center has mailed out program evaluations. If you
haven’t received yours, please stop by the ISC. We have taken time to review
your specific program and recommended courses for you to take in the following
Fall term. You do not have to take these courses and can elect to register for another course that would apply towards your program.
We recommend that you register for classes as soon as possible. If you are going
to graduate in the next semester, it is important that you visit with your International Student Counselor. All holds must be taken care of prior to registration.
Want to show off your country?
If you would like to show off any cultural
items/pictures from your country for the
glass cases during the summer months,
please bring these items to Mine Ugurlu in
the International Student Center.
Paying for classes
There are several ways to pay for your classes. However, a lot of students
prefer the payment plan method. Please visit the Bursar’s website to find
out more information about Nelnet.
Is Your time running out?
It’s that time of year to make sure that your I-20 is still current
and has not expired. If the program end date on your I-20 is
about to finish and you still need additional time to complete your
program of study, please complete the I-20 Extension Request
Form.