Come roller skate with your mentors this Saturday!

Office of International Student Services Newsletter
Week of February 13th 2007

 Volume IV, Number 18
In This Issue

· Apply to be an international mentor - Special Deadline Extended to February 16th!
· Immigration fees likely to increase after April 2, 2007

Important Information

· Information about 2006 taxes
· Health Insurance Waivers due Feb 16
· Did you travel during J-term? Please bring in your travel documents to OISS!

Upcoming Activities

· Feb 15 - MSS Mind Body Soul Series
· Feb 16 - Game Night at Scooter's
· Feb 17 - Come roller skate with your mentors this Saturday!
 · Feb 21- Multicultural Forum Career Fair

Interesting Articles

· 2007-2008 Room Retention and Selection Process begins Feb. 12
· Applications due Feb. 19 for paid fellowship program
· Assistantships available for Graduate Students
· Free Princeton Review MBA forum will be held March 1
· Looking for a place to call home in 2007-2008?
· Photo exhibit at St. Thomas captures Lake Superior’s North Shore
· University Committee on Women Sponsor Events on Sexual Harassment and Violence
· Will a winter storm cancel classes?

Personal Ads

· Free appliances at OISS!
· Salsa Dance lessons at the U of M

Contact Us
oiss@stthomas.edu
 Phone: 651 962-6650
 Fax: 651 962-6655
Office: 161 MHC
 http://www.stthomas.edu/oiss

How to send us news
Apply to be an international mentor - Special Deadline Extended to February 16th!

OISS has re-opened an additional search for fall 2007 mentors  in order to increase the diversity of its applicants.  All UST students are welcome to apply.  Graduate students and male students highly encouraged to apply.  This round of application will NOT go through e-recruiting.  Please submit your cover letter and resume directly to Pahoua Hoffman via email or hard copy.  Bring your references in sealed and signed envelopes at the time of your interview -- once we receive your cover letter and resume, you will be contacted for an interview slot.
 
Please follow these three steps (these documents must be in Microsoft Word format if submitted electronically):

1) Create a Cover Letter addressing the following questions (one paragraph per question):
  • Why are you interested in this/these position/s and what do you hope to learn?
  • When have you worked to create a more diverse, just, and inclusive community? (provide an example)
  • What experience/s in your life has/have prepared you for this/these position/s?

2) Create a Resume and include the following:

  • Your major and minor

  • Names and dates for all colleges/universities you have attended including St. Thomas

  • Current and past employment and/or involvement on– or off- campus (clubs/orgs/athletics/arts/service/etc

  • Experiences relative to the position/s for which you are applying (study abroad experience, community service, recognition/accomplishments)

  • The names of your references

3) Identify Two References (no relatives or friends) to complete a reference form for you. Click here for the form.

  • Write the names and contact information of your references on your resume.

  • Your references should be faculty, staff, former/current employers (off campus included), resident advisers, student leaders, etc.

Your references should return the reference forms to you in a sealed envelope with their signature across the seal.  You will bring both references to your interview.

Applications are due February 16th at noon.

Pahoua Y. Hoffman
Assistant Director

Students who are eligible to apply for OPT or Change of Status are encouraged to apply immediately because the Immigration fees are likely to increase after April 2, 2007.
 
Document Current Immigration Fee Proposed Immigration Fee
OPT (I-765 form) $180 $340
Change of Status
(I-539 form)		 $200 $300
 
For more information about this proposed increase and other immigration fees, please see this link.
 
The Office of International Student Services (OISS) will keep students updated via this newsletter when the proposal to increase immigration fees is approved.  Contact OISS to schedule an appointment with an OISS advisor to discuss your situation: oiss@stthomas.edu or 651-962-6650