ISSO Scholar Services Communiqué

Volume 3, Number 5

December 21, 2006

The Communiqué is an on-going series of messages to departments who sponsor international scholars at Boston University. With the Communiqué, we offer information that helps in the processing of scholar immigration-related documents and petitions. We hope you find the Communiqué a useful tool in working with the ISSO and in successfully hiring and sponsoring scholars from around the world. Past Communiqués are archived on our web site. Click here to go to the archive page.

Travel Advisory

The ISSO has prepared a travel advisory that has been sent to all current international students and scholars. The advisory includes reminders about immigration documents required for reentry to the U.S. as well as tips on applying for visas, security clearance delays, and travel to Canada, Mexico and the adjacent islands.

The advisory is posted at: http://www.bu.edu/isso/news/2006/2006-12-06-travel.html

ISSO Closed for Intersession / Emergency Contact Information

The ISSO will close for the Boston University Intersession break at 5:00 pm on Friday, December 22, 2006 , and reopen at 9:00 am on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 .

International scholars with urgent immigration matters may leave a voice message on the ISSO main phone line 617-353-3565 . Messages will be checked daily. An ISSO staff member will evaluate whether the matter needs immediate attention or if it can wait until the office reopens after the break.

Additional Scholar Orientation Session on January 2, 2007

Due to the Intersession break, there will be no New Scholar Orientation on Monday, January 1, 2007 . In order to accommodate new scholars in J-1 classification that will begin their appointments in January, we have scheduled an additional Scholar Orientation time for Tuesday, January 2, 2007 , at 11:00 am.

Scholar Orientation is required for all scholars in J-1 classification that have entered the U.S. with a new SEVIS DS-2019 immigration document. During the orientation session, ISSO staff advise scholars of the rights and responsibilities of their J-1 scholar status, and provide information regarding medical insurance coverage, obtaining a BU identification card and email, nonimmigrant taxation, immigration documents required for travel, issues related to dependent spouses and children, and other general information regarding arrival and adjustment to the Boston area. For scholars who are employment by Boston University , ISSO staff will also complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification and will discuss the procedure for obtaining a Social Security number.

The Scholar Services Team of the ISSO wishes you a Happy Holiday season and a restful break. We look forward to working with you in the New Year.

Changes in ISSO Scholar Responsibilities

Your ISSO Scholar Services Team

Jeanne E. Kelley
Director
jkelley@bu.edu

M. Andrea Popa
Assistant Director for Scholar Services
apopa@bu.edu

Peter F. O'Meara

International Scholar Advisor

pomeara@bu.edu

ISSO
Boston University
February 28, 2005