COVID-19 Update: Information from International Student and Scholar Services
This message was just sent by ISSS to our visa sponsored population:
Dear International Community,
We sincerely hope that you are doing well during this challenging time. I wanted to follow up with you regarding President Hatch’s email that was sent last night. This email will address our differing populations so please read this email in its entirety to ensure that you receive all important information. Things are changing very quickly and we appreciate your patience as we try to keep you updated.
All Wake Forest Sponsored Visa Holders
– If you are currently traveling outside the U.S. please know that there is a high risk that you will not be allowed to re-enter the U.S., especially if you are traveling from any country included in the travel bans. Information about the most recent regulatory changes related to the Coronavirus is available here. The most recent travel ban related to travel from Europe to the U.S. is effective at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on March 13, 2020. This travel ban does not apply to persons aboard a flight scheduled to arrive in the United States that departed prior to 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on March 13, 2020.
– If you are currently inside the U.S. and may need to remain inside the U.S. for an extended period of time, please know that as long as your I-20/DS-2019 is valid you may remain inside the U.S. even if your visa stamp is expired. The I-20/DS-2019 determines how long you can remain in the U.S. You must continue to meet the requirements of your visa status while you are inside the U.S.
– We do not recommend that you travel outside the U.S. at this time unless you are planning to return home permanently. If you are going home, please make sure you have a valid travel signature on your I-20/DS-2019.
All Degree Seeking Students
– All course instructions will be online beginning Monday, March 23.
– Typically international students in the F-1 or J-1 visa status are prevented from taking more than one course per semester as distance education. However, the Department of Homeland Security is providing special relief that will allow you to engage in online or remote instructions because the university is suspending on-campus courses. The ISSS team is required to provide a report to the Department of Homeland Security regarding WFU’s change to distance education within 10 days.
– You must continue to make normal progress in your degree program and remain enrolled full-time.
– If you have any questions regarding your courses, please contact your professor or your academic advisor.
– If you are employed on-campus (student worker, RA/TA, etc) please contact your supervisor to determine if you should report to work or any questions that you have regarding your employment.
Undergraduate Students
– If you are currently inside the U.S. and you need to remain in on-campus housing, you must register your plans with the Office of Residence Life and Housing at go.wfu.edu/housingportal by Friday, March 13. Housing will be made available for students with appropriate circumstances. Do not miss this deadline. Dining options will also be made available for students who register with the Office of Residence Life and Housing to remain in on-campus housing.
– If you are outside the U.S. or you plan to leave the U.S. please email housing@wfu.edu to make arrangements for storage or shipping of your personal items that may be left in your residence hall.
– If you are currently inside the U.S. and you live off-campus, you may remain in your off-campus housing per the lease agreement with the management of your housing. You should continue your courses remotely and not return to campus.
Graduate and Professional Students
– If you are currently inside the U.S. and you live in Wake Forest Properties, we are currently working with Wake Forest Properties to determine what support is needed for students. You will receive follow up information from Wake Forest Properties or ISSS soon. Please know that we are working to ensure you have the support you need if you must remain in housing.
– If you are currently inside the U.S. and you live off-campus, you may remain in your off-campus housing per the lease agreement with the management of your housing. You should continue your courses remotely and not return to campus.
International Employees in J-1, H-1B, or E-3 status
– Please work with your supervisor to determine what changes need to be made to your job responsibilities to ensure that you can continue to meet the requirements of your visa status.
– If you anticipate a significant change in your employment status please contact ISSS.
International Students on OPT, OPT STEM, or J-1 Academic Training
– Please work with your supervisor to determine what changes need to be made to your job responsibilities to ensure that you can continue to meet the requirements of your visa status.
– You must continue to report to ISSS any changes to your personal address, employment address, employer, unemployment (OPT & OPT STEM), or contact information.
– If you anticipate a significant change in your employment status please contact ISSS.
– Please contact ISSS if there is specific support that you need.
Please contact ISSS with any questions by emailing iss@wfu.edu, calling 336-758-5938 or visiting the GPS office located at 116 Reynolda Hall. We will be responding to emails as frequently as possible. Please continue to check the WFU coronavirus web page (coronavirus.wfu.edu) for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Kelia Hubbard
Director
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)