Communique – Volume 16, Number 2
March 2020
Greetings from the ISSO!
In this issue:
- ISSO Transitions to Remote Processing
- Department of State Recommends Temporary Pause of J-1 Exchange Programs
- BU Policy for Individuals Returning or Arriving from Abroad
- Processing Continues for Faculty and Researchers Starting July 1, 2020 or Later
ISSO Transitions to Remote Processing
The Scholar Services team remains committed to advising and assisting our international scholar community during this challenging time. Given the high volume of traffic in our lobby and the need to balance the health and safety of our staff as well as our international community, we have transitioned to remote processing. International scholars/employees and hosting departments should continue to work with their primary ISSO scholar advisor. All processing and interactions will occur via phone, zoom or e-mail. More details about our interim plan to support our various communities is available on the ISSO website.
Department of State Recommends Temporary Pause of J-1 Exchange Programs
The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) published guidance related to COVID-19 travel bans for J-1 program sponsors, indicating that J-1 sponsors need to determine the best course of action for the health, safety and welfare both or incoming and continuing J scholars. DOS has urged all sponsors to either cancel the programs altogether or defer the start dates to May 11, 2020 or later. The ISSO has been reaching out to host faculty who are expecting new J-1 scholars to arrive in the next two months to request that they consider how this delay will effect the proposed appointment at BU.
Please see the Department of State for specific details and contact your scholar advisor should you need to discuss potential amendments to the proposed appointment start date for any incoming J scholars.
BU Policy for Individuals Returning or Arriving from Abroad
We urge you to continue to monitor the latest information on the BU COVID19 information page and to pay special attention to all university guidance regarding travel. All non-immigrant travel from mainland China, Iran and 28 countries in Europe has been suspended for the 14 days preceding entry to the US and more countries may be added to the list without advanced warning. In addition, the university has updated the Policy for Individuals Returning or Arriving from Abroad that requires anyone returning from or arriving from a CDC level 2 or level 3 country to self-quarantine. Since the CDC has elevated travel to all countries worldwide to a level 2, this policy requires anyone arriving or returning to campus from outside the U.S. from all countries (including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands) to self-quarantine for 14 days before reporting to campus.
Faculty and staff who are entering the U.S. from another country or any US territory should notify Occupational Health Services at 617-353-6630 regarding the required self-quarantine and for clearance to return to campus to commence or continue their appointment in your department.
Processing Continues for Faculty and Researchers Starting July 1, 2020 or Later
The ISSO continues to prioritize immigration processing for incoming faculty and research appointments that are scheduled to commence on July 1, 2020 or later. However, since much of our work is paper based we do anticipate that certain aspects of our services and processing will be limited or delayed during this period. Please consult with your ISSO Advisor regarding requests for appointment start dates prior July 1 to determine whether or not a postponement of the appointment is recommended. In some limited situations, earlier appointment start dates may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis.
