February highlights include:

1. OPT Workshops for May graduates
2. Conversation Partner applications Due Feb. 10^th
3. Tax Season is approaching – April 15^th Deadline
4. International Coffee Hour February Dates
5. International Club Trip to Florida
6. Celebrate International Women’s Day at UNC Charlotte!
7. Interested in Club Sports?

1.  OPT Workshops for May Graduates

The ISSO will be holding two workshops for students graduating in May and interested in applying for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).  Please plan to attend one of the workshops, as much information will be discussed. 

       ·         Fri. Feb. 17^th at 3:00pm in Denny 111
      OR
·         Wed. March 8^th at 3:00pm in Denny 220 

2.  Conversation Partner Applications Due Feb. 10^th

Submit your applications now to participate in the Conversation Partner Program, a program that matches internationals with Americans for informal, one-on-one conversation once a week.  Go to www.isso.uncc.edu/ProgramEvents.htm to apply! 

3.  Tax Season is Approaching – April 15^th Deadline

All international students (F-1 & J-1) who resided in the US during 2005 are required to complete federal tax forms.  

If you have been employed in 2005, you will need to file the federal tax forms and the state tax forms.  There will be 2 opportunities to attend a workshop (see dates/times below) where you will receive tax-filing information, and for a fee of $3 we will issue you a password so that you can access the CINTAX tax software program that will help you to complete your federal tax forms.   

We will also provide you with information for filing the North Carolina State tax on form D-400, and for an additional fee of $35 (pay online), the professionals with the CINTAX software program will help you to prepare your state tax forms. 

Please take to the workshop any tax forms (W-2 and/or 1042-S) that you have received from any and all employers.  You should receive these in the month of February.  If, by the end of the month you still have not received them, you should contact your employer(s) – past and present.  (For UNC Charlotte employment that is the Payroll Office on the 3^rd floor of the Reese building.) 

The dates/times/locations for the tax workshops held by the ISSO are:

       ·         Tues. Feb. 28^th @ 4pm in Denny 220
      OR
·         Fri. March 3^rd @ 4pm in Denny 220

If you have NOT been employed in 2005, you must file the form 8843.  Tips on how to complete this form, along with a link to the 8843 can be found at http://www.isso.uncc.edu/employment.htm#Taxes  

4.  International Coffee Hour February Dates

International Coffee Hour will be held on:  Thursday, February 2^nd & February 16^th
Come anytime between 4-6pm in the Prospector Faculty/Staff Dining Room.  Hope you’ll be able to join us for great conversations & refreshments!

5. International Club Trip to Florida

Think ahead to Spring Break and join the International Club as they explore the Kennedy Space Center and Disneyworld!

The bus will leave on Saturday, March 4^th in the evening and departs Florida on Thursday, March 9^th late at night.  Sign-up begins on Monday, Feb. 13^th for current members and Tuesday, Feb. 14^th for non-members.  Come to the ISSO in Denny 114 for sign-up.  For more information, visit http://www.sco.uncc.edu/intlclub

6.  Celebrate International Women’s Day at UNC Charlotte!

In Honor of International Women’s Day, the Office of International Programs invites the UNC Charlotte campus community to celebrate International Women’s Day with a reception on Thursday, March 23, 2006 from 4-6pm in Salons A & B of the Student Activity Center.  

You are also invited to nominate someone who has made an impact on the lives of women locally and globally to be recognized and celebrated on this special day.  No accomplishment is too small, no experience insignificant.

For more information on who can be nominated and submission guidelines, visit www.uncc.edu/oip/intwomenday.htm or contact dvmedei@email.uncc.edu.

Please submit nominations by Wednesday, March 1, 2006.  More information will be coming in next month’s newsletter!


7.  Interested in Club Sports?

Club sports are student organizations formed by people who have a common interest in a particular sport and want to practice it on campus.  It is a great way to unwind from classes, get some exercise, and also meet people at the same time! 

Below are club sports which are already formed and active.  If you don’t see a sport you are interested in and would like to form one yourself, you can call 687-2564 to find out how it can be done.  Go to http://www.recservices.uncc.edu/clubsports.htm for more information on club sports and other recreational services.

Baseball                        Bowling            
Crew                             Equestrian                    
Fencing                         Ice Hockey                   
Kendo                           Men's Lacrosse
Martial Arts                   Muay Thai Kickbox       
Roller Hockey                Men's Rugby    
Men's Soccer                Women's Soccer
Softball                         Swimming                    
Table Tennis                  Tennis                          
Ultimate Frisbee            Women’s Volleyball                               Waterski                       Wrestling