ISSO January Newsletter

1.  Welcome New Students!
The ISSO welcomes nearly 50 new international students from over 20 countries to UNC Charlotte and wishes you a wonderful first semester! 

 2.  A Message to Students Effected by the Asian Tsunami
The ISSO staff wishes to express its deep sadness and condolence to any and all students and their families and friends who have been affected by the Asian tsunami.  If there is any way that we can assist or support you during this time, please let us know.

3.  Welcome Party for New International Students
The International Club and the International Student/Scholar Office will host a “Welcome Party” for all new international students this Friday, January 14^th from 7:30-11:00pm in After Hours (Cone University Center).  As always, all new and continuing students are invited and encouraged to attend.  There will be plenty of new people to meet, music to dance to, and snacks to enjoy!  Hope to see you there.

4.  First International Coffee Hour of the Spring Semester
Take a break from your classes, and stop-by the first “International Coffee Hour” of the semester, on Thursday, January 20^th anytime between 4 & 6pm in the Faculty/Staff Dining Room of the Prospector Cafeteria.  Enjoy coffee, tea, snacks and music while meeting new people from various parts of the world.  This event is free and open to everyone on campus, so feel free to invite a friend or classmate along! 

International Coffee Hour will then continue every FIRST and THIRD Thursday of each month, same time, same place!

5.  Conversation Partner Applications Due Feb. 4^th
Attention new students!  Get your applications in now to participate in the Conversation Partner Program, a program that matches internationals with Americans for informal, one-on-one conversation roughly one hour per week.  If you have questions, please email them to dvmedei@email.uncc.edu

 6.  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. 

Friday, February 4^th at 4:00pm (check the website for location)
                                                    OR
Thursday, February 10 at 4:00pm (check the website for location)

7.  Reminder to use your @uncc.edu email account!
This is a reminder to all students to make sure you are checking and using your @uncc.edu email account.  This is the official means of communication between all UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and students and it is your responsibility to maintain that communication.  If you have any problems with your @uncc.edu account, please talk to a staff member in the Barnard Computing Center.

8.  "Local" vs. "Permanent" Address Confusion
In order to maintain SEVIS records, it is necessary for students to keep a “local” address in 49er Express (where you currently live).   Bills and other University communications are sent to the ‘permanent address’.  If you want your bills to come to you in Charlotte you should set your permanent and local address to where you are living in Charlotte.   

9. Reminder to get your immunizations into Brocker Health Center!
Attention new students - please remember to get your immunization forms to the Brocker Health Center by February 10^th.  If you do not, you will be dropped from all of your classes!  This is a North Carolina state law.

 10. Reminder to maintain fulltime status!
Yes, we are still reminding you to maintain fulltime status throughout your entire academic program.  Again, fulltime is defined as the following:

Undergraduate = at least 12 credits

Graduate = at least 9 credits

Graduate with approved assistantship = at least 6 credits

Graduate who has completed coursework and working on thesis or project only = no minimum required but must be registered for “thesis”, “project”, or “dissertation”. 

11.  Get involved - check out the student organizations at UNC Charlotte
Remember that there is more to university life than just what lies in the classroom!  Get out of the library, meet people and enjoy a hobby.  Check out the “Student Organization Showcase”, on Wednesday, January 19^th from 11am-1pm in the Lucas Room of the Cone University Center.  Or check http://www.uncc.edu/osa/ for a listing of the various student organizations!