Updated 4/2/2018 - BM

InternationalStudentHandbook

2018-2019

INTERNATIONALSTUDENT&SCHOLARSERVICESOfficeofInternationalAffairs

UniversityofCalifornia,Merced

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

OFFICEOFINTERNATIONALAFFAIRSSTAFF/MISSION 3

LOCATIONANDCONTACT 3

OURSERVICES 4

ADVISINGSERVICES 5

IMPORTANTIMMIGRATIONDOCUMENTS 5-6

MAINTAININGYOURVISASTATUS 7-8

WHENDOYOUNEEDTOREQUESTANEWI-20ORDS-2019? 8

SEVIS:STUDENTANDEXCHANGEVISITORINFORMATIONSYSTEM 8

REQUIREMENTSFORTRAVELOUTSIDEOFTHEU.S. 9

EMPLOYMENTINTHEUNITEDSTATESFORF-1ANDJ-1STUDENTS 9-10

WHENYOURLEGALSTATUSISLOST 10

SOCIALSECURITYNUMBER/CARD 11

MONEY,BANKINGTAXES 12-13

DRIVERLICENSE/ID/TRANSPORTATION 13

HOUSING/HEALTHINSURANCE/CATCARD 13-15

OIAPROGRAMS/ENGLISHLANGUAGEINSTITUTE 15-16

TIPSFORLIVINGINTHEUS/CULTURESHOCK/SAFETY 17-18

USEFULCONTACTINFORMATION/EMERGENCYPHONENUMBERS 19-20

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INTERNATIONALSTUDENT&SCHOLARSERVICESOFFICEOFINTERNATIONALAFFAIRSSTAFF

DirectorGarettGietzen......................................................................................(+1)209-228-2589

AssistantDirector,InternationalStudents&Scholars

SukiNawaz...........................................................................................(+1)209-228-4736

InternationalScholarAdvisorRicoJohnson.........................................................................................(+1)209-228-4361

InternationalStudentAdvisorBeckyMirza.........................................................................................(+1)209-228-4801

InternationalCenterManager

TomMartinez....................................................................................(+1)209-228-4724AssistantDirector,StudyAbroad

CraigHarmelin....................................................................................(+1)209-228-4667

StudyAbroadAdvisorJenniferHeinrich...............................................................................(+1)209-228-4025

StudyAbroadAdvisor

CeceiliaNunez....................................................................................(+1)209-228-2735

InternationalCenterMainLine,KL101.......................................................(+1)209-228-4722InternationalCenterFax....................................................................................(+1)209-228-4708

OURMISSION

OurofficeisheretosupportandadvocateforUCMerced-sponsoredinternationalstudents,researchers,professorsandothervisitingscholars.ProvidingresourcesofinformationandassistancewithUniversity-sponsoredvisasandimmigrationregulationsforcampusadministratorsandfacultymembers,ISSSalsoisUCMerced’sprimaryliaisonwiththegovernmentagenciesthatinterfacewithinternationalstudentsandscholars.ISSSstrivestocontributetoasuccessfulexperienceforeveryinternationalstudentandscholaratUCMerced,andtopromoteinternationaleducationforitsvaluablecontributionstothecampusandglobalcommunities.ByassistingwiththeintegrationofinternationalstudentsandscholarsintotheUCMercedcommunity,ISSSisproudtohelpfacilitatetheglobalexchangeofknowledgeandenhancedculturalunderstanding.

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LOCATIONANDCONTACT

TheInternationalCenterislocatedinKL101,downthehallfromtheStudentsFirstCenter.Wecanbecontactedbyphone,fax,oremail(international@ucmerced.edu).Comeintoseeusorcallourfrontdeskat1-209-228-4722toaskgeneralquestions.Ifyouneedextensiveassistanceyoumaybereferredtoaninternationalstudentadvisorfora“walk-in”meetingoryoumayneedtoscheduleanappointmenttoensurethatyourneedsaremet.See‘OfficeHoursandWalk-InHours’sectionbelow.

GENERALOFFICEHOURSTheInternationalCenterisopenallyearlongwithreducedhoursduringsummer,andisclosedonofficialUniversityholidays.GeneralofficehoursareMondaythroughThursdayfrom9a.m.to4p.m.andFridayfrom9a.m.to2p.m.ItisbesttomakeanappointmentifyouneedtoseeanInternationalStudentAdvisortoensuretheadvisorisavailableespeciallyifthemeetingwilltakelongerthan10-15minutes.Visitorswillbeseenonafirst-come,first-servebasisifanadvisorisavailable.

OURSERVICES § Informationandadviceforinternationalstudents,scholars,theirdependentsanduniversitypersonnel

oncompliancewithUnitedStatesimmigrationlawsandregulations

§ Counseling,assistanceanddocumentationforvisaapplicationsandchangesinvisastatus,includingnon-immigrantandimmigrantpetitions

§ Adviceandauthorizationforemploymentandtravel

§ Verification,trackingandsubmissionofvisastatusnotificationsthroughtheStudentandExchangeVisitorInformationSystem(SEVIS)

§ ReferraltootherofficesandserviceswithinUCMercedandtheMercedcommunity

§ RepresentationoftheUniversitytofederalandstategovernmentalagenciesconcernedwithinternationalvisitorstotheUnitedStates

§ Orientationsessionsfornewinternationalstudents

§ Visaworkshopsandtrainingsessions

§ SupportandinformationtohelptheinternationalpopulationadjusttolifeintheUnitedStates

Note:ItisincreasinglyimportantthatinternationalstudentsandscholarscometotheInternationalCenterforadvice,counselingandinformation.Donotrelyonfriends,colleaguesortheinternettogiveyouaccurateorup-to-dateinformation.

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ADVISINGSERVICES

TheInternationalStudentAdvisorisequippedtohelpwithandprovideinformationforforeignnationalsaboutthefollowing:academic,immigration,legal,career,financial,personal,andfamilymatters.Wealsohelpwithcross-culturaladjustmentandprofessionalintegrationuponreturninghome.Oneofourgoalsistoenhancetheawarenessandunderstandingofcross-culturalandinternationalissues.ContactInformationforInternationalStudentAdvisor:BeckyMirzaInternationalStudentAdvisor Phone:(209)228-4801E-mail:bmirza@ucmerced.eduUCMercedInternationalCenterKolligianLibrary,Room101

IMPORTANTIMMIGRATIONDOCUMENTS• I-94Arrival/DepartureRecord:IfyouarrivebyairplanetotheUS,theI-94picturedbelowisno

longeracardgiventoyoubytheCustomsandBorderPatrol(CBP)attheUSportofentry.CBPhasautomatedtheI-94process.YoumustnowretrieveyourI-94ontheCBPwebpageaftereacharrivaltotheUS:https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html.

• Visa&VisaStatus:Itisveryimportanttounderstandthedifferencebetweenvisaandvisastatus.

o Avisaisastickerorstampplacedonyourpassport.AnF-1orJ-1visastampcanonlybeobtainedoutsideoftheU.S.oratanU.S.embassyorconsulate.YourvisastampallowsyouentryintotheUnitedStatesandhasinformationonitaboutthenumberoftimesyouareallowedentry.Ifyourvisastamponlyallowsoneentry,youmustobtainanewoneifyouintendtotraveloutsideoftheU.S..Note:The“ExpirationDate”onyourvisaindicatesthelastdateyouareallowedentryintotheUnitedStatesusingthatentryvisastamp,butitdoesnotlimitthedurationofyourstayintheUnitedStates.

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o VisastatusisgrantedbyimmigrationattheportofentrytotheUnitedStates.VisastatusisdocumentedonyourI-94,yourpassportalongwithyourformI-20orformDS-2019.TomaintainyourlegalstatusintheU.S.,refertoyourprogramenddateonyourformI-20orformDS-2019,retaintheI-94andavalidpassport.Moreinformationonmaintainingstatusisdiscussedbelow.

• Passport:TheU.S.governmentrequiresinternationalstudentstokeeptheirpassportsvalidforatleast6monthsintothefuture.Ifyourpassportexpirationdateisgettingclose,besuretorenewitatleast6monthsbeforeitexpires.InsomecasesifyouareworkingoncampustheuniversitypayrollwillnotbeabletoissueyouapaycheckintheU.S.ifyourpassportisexpired.Onlyyourgovernmentmayextendyourpassport,soyoumaywanttocontactyourcountry’sembassyorconsulateintheU.S.togetinformationaboutrenewingorextendingpassports.TofindphonenumbersandaddressesforforeignembassiesintheU.S.gotohttp://www.embassy.org.

• FormI-20(F-1VisaStudents):TheFormI-20provesthatyouarelegallyenrolledinaprogramofstudyintheU.S.Itcontainsyourpersonalinformation,thesponsoringschool’sinformation,academicprograminformationincludingthelengthofyourdegreeprogramandfinancialinformation.BesuretospeaktoyourinternationalstudentadvisorifyourformI-20isgoingtoexpireandyouarenotabletocompleteyourdegreeprogrambeforetheexpirationdate.OnceyourformI-20expires,your60daygraceperiodbeginsandnochangescanbemadetothisexpirationdate.

• FormDS-2019(J-1VisaStudents):TheFormDS-2019provesthatyouarelegallyenrolledina

programofstudyintheU.S.Itcontainsyourpersonalinformation,thesponsoringschool’sinformation,academicprograminformationincludingthelengthofyourprogramandfinancialinformation.Fordegreeseekingstudents,besuretospeaktoyourinternationalstudentadvisorifyourformDS-2019isgoingtoexpireandyouarenotabletocompleteyourprogrambeforetheexpirationdate.OnceyourformDS-2019expires,your30daygraceperiodbeginsandnochangescanbemadetothisexpirationdate.

• SEVISFeeReceipt:Congressmandatedallinternationalstudentsandexchangevisitorsmustpaythe

SEVISI-901(SEVISFee).ThisfeesupportstheSEVISprogramofficeandtheautomatedsystemthattracksandrecordschangesofstudentsandexchangevisitors.AllstudentsorexchangevisitorswhoareissuedaninitialFormI-20orDS-2019areresponsibleforpayingtheSEVISFee.ItisveryimportantforyoutokeepthisreceiptandthatthepaymentisattachedtoyourcurrentUCMercedSEVISIDnumber.

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KEEPYOURDOCUMENTSANDINFORMATIONSAFE!

• MakeacopyofALLdocuments• Storetheoriginalandthesetofcopiesintwoseparateandsafelocations.• Carryawallet-sizecopyofyourI-94withyou.• Takeyouroriginaldocumentswithyouwhentravelingoutsideofthecountryandevenwhentraveling

insideoftheUnitedStates.• NevercarryyourSocialSecuritycardwithyou.

AnF-1orJ-1nonimmigrantclassificationisgiventostudentswhocometotheU.S.,commonlyreferredtoasyour“status”.IfadependentcomestotheU.S.tobewithanF-1orJ-1student(example:aspouseorachildunder21yearsofage),heorsheisgivenF-2orJ-2status.F-2andJ-2statusisvalidaslongastheF-1/J-1studentmaintainsvalidstatus.

MAINTAININGYOURVISASTATUSTheInternationalStudent&ScholarServices(ISSS)helpsinternationalstudentsandscholarsmaintaintheirnonimmigrantvisastatus.TherearedocumentsrequiredformaintainingF1,J-1,andH-1Bnonimmigrantvisasthatdealwithtravel,dependenttravel,changesofdegreeprogram,transferofschools,extensionofstay,employmentoptions,andinsomecases,forentryintotheUnitedStates.Internationalstudentorscholaradvisorwilleitherpreparethesedocumentsforyouorassistyouinpreparingthemforyourself. • Maintainingstatus:StayinginstatusiscriticaltoyourlegalstayintheUnitedStates.Ifyoufalloutofstatus,yourisklosingyourbenefitsandlegalstanding.Ifyouloseyourstatus,youmustapplyforreinstatementwithU.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices.Ifdeniedreinstatement,youcouldreceiveordersforimmediatedeparturefromtheUnitedStates.

• Whenyouarrive:Allnewinternationalstudentsmustattendthemandatorynewinternationalstudentorientation.Ifyoumissthismandatoryorientationyoumustmakeanappointmentwithaninternationalstudentadvisorshortlyafterarrivingoncampus.Bringyourpassportandvisa,yourFormI-20orFormDS-2019,yourSEVISfeereceiptandI-94alongwithyourcurrentaddressintheUnitedStates.

• Fulltimeenrollment:Undergraduateandgraduatestudentsmustenrollinafull-timecourseloadeverysemestertomaintaintheirvisastatus.ForundergraduatestudentsandgraduatestudentswithTAorGSRappointments,full-timeis12units.ForgraduatestudentswithoutaTAorGSRappointmentfull-timeis8units.Forgraduatestudents,researchrelatedtotheacademicdegreeprogrammayalsocontributetoyourfull-timestatuswithapprovalfromyourGraduateGroupfacultymembers.StudentsmustimmediatelynotifytheInternationalStudentsandScholarsServiceswhenconsideringdroppingbelowfull-timeenrollmentasunauthorizedpart-timeenrollmentwillviolateF-1status.

• ValidI-20/DS-2019:MakesureyourFormI-20(F-1students)orFormDS-2019(J-1students)remainsvalid.Checkthe“completiondate”or“programenddate”ontheI-20orDS-2019.IfyouwillnotcompleteyourprogrambythedatementionedinthisformyoumustspeakwithISSSandapplyforanextension.Thismustbedonenolessthen30daysbeforeitexpires.

• Validpassport:Keepyourpassportvalidatleast6monthsintothefuture.• Workauthorization:Gettheappropriateauthorizationforemploymenton-campusanddonotworkformorethan20hoursperweekwhileschoolisinsession.Ifstudentswanttoworkoff-campusorparticipateinaninternship,theyshouldmakeanappointmentwiththeInternationalStudentAdvisortoreceiveinformationaboutoff-campusworkauthorizationoptions.

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• Telluswhenyoumove:Updateyouraddressinyourstudentportalwithin10dayswheneveryoumovesoyourStudent&ExchangeVisitorInformationSystem(SEVIS)recordcanbeupdatedasrequiredbylaw.AlsonotifyyourInternationalStudentAdvisorbyemail.

• Reporttheseschanges:MakesuretheinformationonyourI-20/DS-2019formisaccurate.Ifyouchangeyourmajorordegreelevel,changeyourname,changeyourfundingsources,orneedtoshortenorextendyourprogram,youneedtoinformISSSandgetanewFormI-20orFormDS-2019.

WHENDOYOUNEEDTOREQUESTANEWI-20orDS-2019?

• Whenyouhaveachangeofdegreelevel(e.g.F-1studentschangingfromabachelor’stomaster’sor

doctoratedegreeprogram)

• Whenyourcompletiondatechanges,eitherbyearlycompletionoranextension

• Whenyourmajor(F-1)orfieldofstudy(J-1)changes

• Whenyouhaveasignificantchangeinyourfinancialsponsorship

• Whenyouchangeyourname

• WhenyouareapplyingforPracticalorAcademicTraining

SEVIS:STUDENTANDEXCHANGEVISITORINFORMATIONSYSTEM

SEVISisanelectronicreportingsystemthatsendsinformationaboutinternationalstudentsandscholarswhoholdF,J,andMvisastatusintheUnitedStatestotheU.S.DepartmentofHomelandSecurity(DHS).SEVISalsotracksentriestoanddeparturesfromtheUnitedStates.EverychangeyoumakeinyouracademicprogrammustbereportedtoSEVISdaily.Academicstatus,employment,andresidentialandmailingaddressisalsoreportedandupdated.AllinformationonyourI-20orDS-2019mustremainaccurateanduptodate.Ifthereareanychangesontheseforms(ifyournamehaschangedorthesourceand/oramountofyourfinancialsupportisdifferent,etc.)youmustcontactyourInternationalStudentAdvisortoproduceanupdatedI-20orDS-2019document.SEVISREPORTINGREQUIREMENTSThefollowingdatamustbereportedtotheStudentandExchangeVisitorInformationSystem(SEVIS).YoumustnotifytheInternationalCoordinatorofanynewinformationandchanges.

• Changeofstudentaddress:NewaddressmustbereportedtoSEVISwithin10daysofmove.YoumayreportachangeofaddressthroughtheUCMercedPortalorattheInternationalCenter.

• Changeofdegreelevel(F-1students,example:bachelor’stomaster’stoPh.D.)

• Changeofmajor(F-1)orfieldofstudy(J-1)

• Fallingbelowfull-timestudentstatus(NOTE:YouMUSTcontactyourInternationalStudentAdvisorBEFOREdroppingbelowfull-time)

• Completionofprogram/GraduationbeforetheprogramenddatelistedonyourFormI-20orFormDS-2019

• ExtensiontoyourprogrambeyondtheenddatelistedonyourformI-20orformDS-2019

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REQUIREMENTSFORTRAVELOUTSIDEOFTHEU.S.• YoumusthaveavalidtravelsignatureonyourFormI-20orDS-2019priortotraveloutsidetheU.S.

PleasesubmityourformintheInternationalCenter2weeksinadvanceofyourtravel.

• VisittheInternationalCenterifyouneedanewtravelsignatureonyourFormI-20(F-1)orFormDS-2019(J-1)beforeyouleave.Thesignatureisvalidfor12monthsduringyourdegreeprogram.F-1visastudentsonapprovedOptionalPracticalTrainingrequireatravelsignatureevery6months.

• VerifythattheinformationonyourFormI-20orFormDS-2019isaccurate.

• Requireddocuments:Passport(validatleastsixmonthsafterthedateofyourreturntotheU.S.),F-1orJ-1visa,and,ifapplicable,yourEmploymentAuthorizationDocument(EAD),andI-94.Recommendeddocuments:Proofofthecurrentsemester’sregistrationatUCMercedandproofofyourfinancialsupport.

• CheckyourU.S.entryvisatomakesureitwillbevalidthedayyoureturntotheUnitedStates.Ifyouneedtoapplyforanewvisa,contactthestaffatinternational@ucmerced.edutofindoutwhatdocumentsyouwillneedtoprepare.Thereisalwaysriskinvolvedwhenyouapplyforavisaasthereisnoguaranteethatyouwillbegrantedone.

EMPLOYMENTINTHEUNITEDSTATESFORF-1ANDJ-1STUDENTS

• On-campusemployment:Limityourworkhoursto20hoursperweekduringthesemester.Full-time

employment(anythingmorethan20hoursperweek)ispermittedduringsemesterbreaks.BesuretoprovideAPO/HR/PayrollwithacopyofyouractualSocialSecuritycardandanyupdatedFormI-20orFormDS-2019.

• Off-campusemployment:Alloff-campusemploymentrequiresworkauthorizationandmustbearrangedthroughtheInternationalStudentsandScholarsOffice.OffcampusemploymentforJ-1studentsisclassifiedasAcademicTrainingandF-1studentoffcampusemploymentcanbeclassifiedasCurricularPracticalTraining,OptionalPracticalTraining,EmploymentduetoEconomicHardshiporEmploymentUndertheSponsorshipofaRecognizedInternationalOrganization.Regulationsandguidelinesdifferbasedontheclassificationofemployment.

• F-1StudentPracticalTraining:F-1studentsstudyingatthecollegeanduniversitylevelcanseekauthorizationforpracticaltrainingtoengageintemporaryemploymenttogainpracticalexperienceinhisorherfieldofstudy.

Therearetwotypesofpracticaltraining:

1.CurricularPracticalTraining(CPT)isdonepriortothecompletionofyourprogram.YoumusteitherreceivecoursecreditforaCPTinternship/job,yourdegreeprogrammustrequireit,oritmustbeaco-opprogram.Ifyouareauthorizedforfull-timeCPTfor12monthsyoulosefutureOptionalPracticalTrainingeligibility.ContactISSSforappointmentatleast1monthbeforerequestedCPTstartdate.

2.OptionalPracticalTraining(OPT)canbeusedeitherbeforeorafteryourgraduation,generallyforacumulativemaximumtotalof12monthsperdegreelevel,ifthesubsequentdegreeisatahigherlevel.TherearethreecategoriesofOPT:Pre-completionOPT,Standardpost-completionOPTandSTEMextensionOPTforstudentswithspecificmajorsinthesciences,technology,engineeringormathfields.ContactISSStodetermineifyourmajoriseligibleforthe24-monthOPTextensionavailabletostudentswithSTEMmajors.

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ISSSmustrecommendOPTinyourSEVISrecordbeforeyoucansubmittheOPTapplicationtotheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity(U.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices)toobtainanEmploymentAuthorizationDocument(EADcard).ContactISSSforanappointmentatleast4monthsbeforerequestedOPTstartdate,asthegovernmentprocessingtimeforemploymentauthorizationiscurrentlyaveragingabout3months.TheuseoffulltimeCPTmayaffectyoureligibilityforOPTsospeakwiththeInternationalCoordinatorifdecidingtoapplyforOPT.

• J-1AcademicTraining:J-1studentsstudyingatthecollegeanduniversitylevelcanseekauthorizationfortrainingtoengageintemporaryemployment.Thisemploymentistogainpracticalexperienceinthestudent’sfieldofstudy.Theregulationsstatethatastudentmaybeauthorizedtoparticipateinacademictraining"commencingnotlaterthanthirty(30)daysaftercompletionofhisorherstudies."Theacademictrainingmustbedirectlyrelatedtohisorhermajorfieldofstudyatthepost-secondaryaccreditedacademicinstitutionlistedonhisorherFormDS-2019;Thestudentmustbeingoodacademicstandingwiththepost-secondaryaccreditedacademicinstitution;andthestudentmustreceivewrittenapprovalinadvancefromtheiracademicdeanoradvisorandforthedurationandtypeofacademictraining.TheInternationalStudentAdvisormustevaluatetheacademicdean/adviser'srecommendation,determinetowhatextentthestudenthaspreviouslyparticipatedinacademictraining,andmakeadeterminationofwhetheracademictrainingcanbegranted.ThetrainingmustbeapprovedbeforetheDS-2019expirationdate.

Employmentopportunitiesforinternationalstudentsarestrictlylimitedbygovernmentregulations.

Illegalemploymentisconsideredaseriousviolationofstatus.

Pre-authorizationisrequiredfromtheInternationalStudentandScholarServicesand,insomecases,fromtheU.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices,foroff-campusemployment.F-1andJ-1studentsmusthavebeeninvalidstatusforatleastonefullacademicyear(9months)beforepursuingoff-campusemployment.

CareerServicesCenter:TheUCMercedCareerServicesCenteroffersservicesandprogramstoassiststudentswithfindingajob.Visittheoffice,call209-228-7272,sende-mailtocareerservices@ucmerced.eduorlogontohttp://careerservices.ucmerced.eduformoreinformation.

AcademicStudentEmployment:Tolearnabouton-campusopportunities,studentsareencouragedtovisitUCMerced’sAcademicStudentEmploymentWebsiteathttp://jobs.ucmerced.edu/n/academic/listings.jsf?seriesId=5

WHENYOURLEGALSTATUSISLOST FailuretofollowF-1andJ-1regulationswillresultinyoulosinglegalstatusintheU.S.andallrelatedimmigrationbenefits.LosinglegalstatusmeansthatyouwillnotbeeligibleforanyF-1orJ-1services,employment,includingon-campusjobsandyouwillnotbeabletoreceiveareentrysignatureonyourFormI-20orFormDS-2019.Also,yourSEVISrecord,aswellasthoseofyourdependents,willbeterminatedinSEVISimmediatelyafteryourlossoflegalstatus.ThereisapossibilityyoumightbeaskedtoappearatanimmigrationofficeandcanbecomesubjecttodeportationfromtheUnitedStates.

Intheeventthatyoudoloseyourlegalstatus,immediatelymeetwithyourInternationalStudentAdvisoratISSStodiscussyouroptions.

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STUDY/EMPLOYMENTFORF-2orJ-2DEPENDENTVISAHOLDERS

TherearestrictregulationsinregardstoemploymentandstudyforF-2andJ-2visadependents.EmploymentunderF-2statusisnotlegal.J-2visaholdershowever,mayapplytotheUnitedStatesCitizenshipandImmigrationServicestoobtainworkauthorization.BothF-2andJ-2visaholdersarenoteligibleforfull-timestudyintheU.S.F-2orJ-2childrenareabletoattendelementaryandsecondaryschoolonafull-timebasis.

Undernewimmigrationregulations,thereisLITTLEROOMFORERROR!NEVERassumeanythingabouttheimmigrationlawsoftheUnitedStates.AskanadviserinISSifyouhaveanyquestions.

SOCIALSECUIRTY/BANKING/TAXES/DRIVERSLICENSESocialSecurityWhatisit?ASocialSecurityNumber(SSN)isrequiredforeveryonewhoworksintheU.S.,evenAmericans.However,aSocialSecurityCardisnotaworkpermit.Mostnon-immigrantsshouldnothaveSocialSecuritypayments(FICA)deductedfromtheirpaychecks,norarenon-immigrantseligibletoreceiveanySocialSecuritybenefits.YouneedtohaveajoboffertobeabletoapplyforaSocialSecurityCard.TheSocialSecurityAdministrationhasanonlinepublicationavailableforinternationalstudentsonlineathttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10181.htmlEligibility:F-1andJ-1studentswithon-campusemploymentorajobofferandemploymentauthorizationareeligibleforaSocialSecuritynumber.Whentoapply:Studentsareadvisedtowaitatleast10daysafterarrivingintheUnitedStatestoapply.InadditionstudentsmustwaituntilISSShasregisteredhisorherSEVISrecordasactive.TheSocialSecuritycardshouldbemailedtoyouapproximatelytwoweeksafteryourapplicationisapproved.BesuretoprovideacopytoourAPO/HRandPayrollofficeifyouworkoncampus.

Howtoapply:VisitalocalSocialSecurityOfficeandbringthefollowingdocuments:Yourpassport,FormI-20orFormDS-2019Form,I-94andjob-offerletterfromtheemployer.Youmustapplyinperson.Anapplicationformwithinstructionsisavailableonlineathttps://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/.

Wheretoapply:U.S.SocialSecurityAdministrationOffice600WestOliveAvenueMerced,CAPhone:209-723-2072

Moreinformationonline:http://ssa.govBESAFE:ONLYSHAREYOURSOCIALSECURITYNUMBERWITHSOMEONEWHOHASALEGITIMATEANDSPECIFICNEEDFORIT.

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MoneyandBankingTypesofbankaccounts:Therearetwobasickindsofaccounts:checkingaccounts,forpaymentofregularbillsandshoppingneeds;andsavingsaccountswheremoneyyoudonotneedtouseimmediatelycanearninterest.Banksalsoofferavarietyofothertypesofaccountsandfinancialservices.Choosingabankandopeninganaccount:Beforeyouopenanaccount,youshouldresearchorvisitseveralbanksorcreditunionsonlinetocomparetheirservicesandfees.Toopenabankaccountisfairlyeasy-deposityourfundsandcompleteanyrequiredbankforms.Mostbankswillrequireaminimumdeposit.SomebankswillwantyoutohaveaSocialSecurityNumberwhenyouopentheaccount.BankofAmerica(BOFA)andWellsFargo,bothofwhichhaveofficesindowntownMerced,aretwobanksthatdonotrequireaSocialSecuritynumbertoopenanaccount.Theydorequiretwoformsofidentificationandminimumdeposits.Checkwithyourbankforpromotionalpackagesandotherpossiblefees.ChaseBankandCitiBankaretwootherpopularbanksinMerced.Beawarethatifyouaremakingadepositwithanoverseascheckorbankdraft,asyoumayhavetowaitthreedaystothreeweeksbeforeyourmoneywillbeavailabletoyou.TaxesAllinternationalstudentswhoworkmustfiletheirincometaxes.Salestax:Salestaxisastatetaxaddedtoanyitemsold,exceptforcertainfooditems.IntheCityofMerced,thesalestaxis7.75%atthetimeofthispublication.Forexample,aproductmightbemarkedas$5.00ontheshelfbutwillcost$5.38attheregister.Salestaxmayvarybycityandcounty.Therearenorefundsofsalestax.IncomeTax:TheInternalRevenueServiceor"IRS"istheU.S.federalagencyforcollectionofnationalincometax.TheStateofCaliforniaalsocollectsataxonincomethroughtheFranchiseTaxBoard.AlltaxformsandinformationcitedherecanbefoundontheIRSWebsiteatwww.irs.govortheFranchiseTaxBoardWebsiteatwww.ftb.ca.gov.Publication519isthe"U.S.TaxGuideforAliens"andcontainsmostoftheinformationyoumightneedaboutpaymentoffederaltaxes.Ifyouhavespenttimeinotherstates,youwillneedtoobtaintheirstatetaxinformation.TaxWithholdingandtheW-4Form:WhenapersonisworkingintheU.S.,theemployerisrequiredtodeductaportionofthesalaryineachpayperiodforincometaxes.Atthestartofyourjob,youwillcompleteahalfpageW-4form(EmployeesWithholdingAllowanceCertificate).Theinformationonthatformdetermineshowmuchwillbewithheldfromyourpaycheckfortaxes.TaxTreaties:SomecountrieshavetaxtreatyagreementswiththeU.S.inwhichcertaintypesofincomemaybeexemptedfromfederaltax.GeneralinformationontaxtreatybenefitscanbefoundinIRSpublication901.TheactualtaxtreatytextmayalsobefoundontheIRSWebsite.SocialSecurityandMedicareTaxes:AnyonewhoworksintheU.S.isrequiredtohaveaSocialSecuritynumbertobehiredbyanemployerandforuseincompletingthetaxreturnform.SocialSecurity(FICA)andMedicareareU.S.governmentprogramsthatprovidebenefitsforU.S.citizensandU.Spermanentresidents,usuallyforretirement.Itisfinancedbytaxeswithheldfromthepaychecksofworkingpeople.Internationalstudentsshouldasktheiremployersnottowithholdthesetwoformsoftaxes.

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IncomeTaxFilingRequirement:InternationalstudentsandscholarswhohavebeenemployedintheU.S.foranyportionofacalendaryearmustfileaU.S.annualtaxreport(alsocalleda"taxreturn")bythefollowingyear'staxfilingdeadline.Incomethatistaxedincludeswages,scholarshipsandearningsoninvestments.AcompletelistoftaxedincomemaybefoundinIRSandstatetaxguides.

Driver’sLicenseandtheCaliforniaIDCardWhoneedsaCaliforniaDriver’sLicenseorIDcard?TheStateofCaliforniadoesnotrecognizeanInternationalDrivingPermit(IDP)asavaliddriverlicense.Californiadoesrecognizeavaliddriverlicensethatisissuedbyaforeignjurisdiction(country,state,territory)ofwhichthelicenseholderisaresident.MostinsurancecompanieswillrequireaCaliforniadriver’slicensesoitisadvisedyouapplyforoneifyouplanonpurchasinganddrivingacar.TheIDcardlookslikeadriverlicense,butitisusedforidentificationpurposesonly.Whentoapply:Waitatleast30daysafteryourarrivalintheU.S.beforeapplyingforadriver’slicenseorCaliforniaIDcard.Theapplicationrequiresasocialsecuritynumberbutyouareexemptfromthisrequirementifyouareineligibleforasocialsecuritynumber.YoumustprovideproofofresidencywhenapplyingforeitheradriverlicenseorIDcard.FurtherinformationonthedocumentationrequiredcanbefoundonourwebsiteorbyvisitingtheOfficeofInternationalAffairs.Moreinformationandwheretoapply:Foradditionalinformation,includingthelatestCaliforniaDriver’sHandbook,visittheDepartmentofMotorVehiclesatwww.ca.dmv.gov.YoucanmakeanappointmentonlineorcontactthelocalDMVoffice:MercedDMVOffice131312thStreet,MercedPhone:800-777-0133TransportationOptionsUCMercedTransportationandParkingServicesisyourcampusresourceforinformationandservicessuchasparkingoncampus,busservice,carpooling,alternativemodesoftransportationandmore.VisitTAPSonlineathttp://taps.ucmerced.eduforadditionalinformation.CatTracksisproudtobetheofficialtransitsystemfortheUniversityofCalifornia,Merced.WithservicefromthemaincampustotheCastleextensioncampus,aswellastoDowntownMercedandselectNorthMercedlocations.Foradditionalonlineinformation:http://www.cattracks.org/.

HOUSING/MEDICALCARE/HEALTHINSURANCE/CATCARD

HousingOncampus:Undergraduatestudentscanapplytoliveinon-campinghousing.Applicationsareavailableonlineathttps://my.ucmerced.edu/portal/main.html.Besuretopaycloseattentiontoapplicationdeadlines.

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Offcampus:TheStudentHousingOfficealsocanhelpconnectstudentswithmanyoff-campushousingoptions.VisittheOff-CampusHousingwebsitehttps://housing.ucmerced.edu/off-campusformoreinformationorourArrivalGuidealsoprovideshelpfultips.Additionalassistance:Call209-228-4663ore-mailhousing@ucmerced.eduformoreinformation.GraduateStudentServicescanofferadditionalhelpforGraduateStudentsontheGraduateStudentLifeForum.Ifyouneedhelpfindingaplacetolive,findingfurnitureorjustwanttochatwithfellowgraduatestudents,emailRachaelMartinatrmartin6@ucmerced.eduforadditionalinformation.

MedicalCare

TounderstandhowtheStudentHealthInsurancePlan(SHIP)works,itisimportanttounderstandthatyourhealthcarewhileatUCMercedconsistsoftwoparts:*First,servicesthroughtheStudentHealthCenter*Second,servicesprovidedthroughtheSHIPBlueCrossprovidernetworkoryourpersonalmajormedicalinsurance.H.RAJENDERREDDYHEALTHCENTERTheStudentHealthFeeguaranteesyouaccesstotheH.RajenderReddyHealthCenter.TheHealthCenterhasprimarycareprovidersthatserveasyourfamilyorprimaryproviderwhileyouareatUCMerced.AllregisteredstudentsmayusetheservicesattheHealthCenter,regardlessofwhattypeofmajormedicalinsuranceyoucarry.TherearefeesforsomeservicesthatarenotcoveredbytheStudentHealthFee(e.g.,immunizations,prescriptionsandover-the-countermedications,andlabtesting).STUDENTHEALTHINSURANCEPLANTheUniversityofCaliforniarequiresbothundergraduateandgraduatestudentstohavemajormedicalinsurance.Thecostofthisinsuranceisnowincludedinyourstudentcampusfeesandenrollmentintheplanisautomatic.UCMercedprovidesanundergraduate(USHIP)andgraduate(GSHIP)StudentHealthInsurancePlantomeetthisrequirement.USHIPandGSHIPcovercareoutsideoftheHealthCenter,includinghospitalization,specialtycareandout-of-areacarewhileyouaretraveling.YoumaywaiveoutoftheUCMercedStudentHealthInsurancePlanifyouhavecomparablemedicalcoverage.DENTALCAREDeltaDentalofCaliforniaisthedentalinsuranceproviderforgraduatestudents.Studentswillreceivebenefitscoveringpreventiveandgeneralrestorativedentalcare.NotethatdentalcareisnotprovidedattheStudentHealthCenter.Studentscanselectfromawidechoiceoflocaldentists.Undergraduatestudentsmayoptionallyenrollinthedentalprogram.VISIONCAREGraduatestudentsareautomaticallyenrolledintheVSPVisionPlan.Benefitsincludeanannualvisionexamandmedicallynecessaryframesandlenses.Graduatestudentsmaywaiveoutofthevisionprogramiftheyhaveanothervisionplan.StudentscanselectfromalocalproviderlistedontheVSPWebsite.Undergraduatestudentsdonothavetheoptiontoenrollinthevisionprogramatthistime.PLANBENEFITINFORMATIONFormoredetailedbenefitinformationaboutthemedical,dentalandvisionplansstudentscanaccesstheWellsFargoInsuranceServicesWebsite:https://wfis.wellsfargo.com/ucmerced

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MANDATORYHEALTHINSURANCEREQUIREMENTSFORJ-1VISAHOLDERSANDTHEIRDEPENDENTSTheU.S.DepartmentofStatemandatesthatallJ-1studentsandtheirJ-2dependentshaveandmaintainadequatehealthinsurance.IfyouareaJ-1studentyourUCMercedprovidedUSHIPorGSHIPinsurancemaycovertheseinsurancerequirementsbutyoumustconsultwiththeStudentHealthServicestoverifyadequatecoverage.Asnotedonthenextpage.Minimumlevelsofhealthinsurancecoveragemustprovide:1.Medicalbenefitsofatleast$50,000perillnessoraccident;2.Deductiblenottoexceed$500peraccidentorillness;3.Expensesassociatedwithmedicalevacuationintheamountof$10,000;4.Repatriationofremainsintheamountof$7,500;5.Coverageforpre-existingconditionsaftera12-monthwaitingperiod;6.Provisionforco-insurance/co-paymentthatdoesnotexceed25%ofthecoveredbenefitsperaccidentorillness7.PolicyunderwrittenbyaninsurancecompanythatmeetstheratingrequirementsoftheUSDepartmentofStateorbackedbythefullfaithandcreditofthehomecountrygovernment,designatedsponsor,orExchangeVisitor’semployeegroupplan.AnyonewithoutinsurancemustobtainhealthinsurancethatcomplieswiththerequirementsoutlinedabovebeforeISScanvalidateyourvisa.ItshouldbepurchasedpriortoyourarrivalintheUnitedStates.

CatCardTheCatCardistheofficialUCMercedidentificationcard.Allstudents,facultyandstaffaffiliatedwiththeUniversityneedtocarrytheCatCardforidentification.TheCatCardfeaturesadigitizedphoto,SmartChipandmagneticstripe.WhenyouapplyforyourCatCardyoumustprovideagovernmentorstateissuedphotoID,likeadriver’slicenseorpassportandyoumusthaveyourUCMercedstudentidentificationnumberhandytoverifythatyouareeligibletoreceiveacard.VisitingscholarsneedtocompletepayrollpaperworkandbeenteredintoPPSbeforetheycanreceiveaCatCard.TheCatCard(on-campus)isusedfor:§ Identificationandstatuscheck§ Librarycard§ Mealplans§ Buildingaccess§ Residencelaundryaccess§ Photocopyingandprinting§ Debitpurchasesatthebookstore§ CampusDining(viaFlexPlananddecliningmealplanforon-campusresidents)§ Offcampusstudentmealplan(Idealforstudentswhocommutetocampus)§ Flexdollarsprepaidservicesaccount§ AdmissiontotheGalloRecreationCenter(thegym)

OIAPROGRAMS

Tea&Chat:Internationalstudents,scholarsandcommunitymembersareinvitedtoamid-dayteapartytomeetandminglewithotherUCMercedstaffandcommunitymembers.Studentsareabletorelaxandenjoyavarietyofteasfromaroundtheworld.Thiseventoccursmonthlyduringthesemester.

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InternationalEducationWeek:Anationaleventwherepeopleengageininternationalandcross-culturaleducationactivities.AtUCMercedtherearevariouseventsandeducationalseminarstogivestudents,staff,andfacultyanopportunitytotakepartinthiscelebrationofinternationaleducation.StudyAbroadFair:SeveralofthestudyabroadcompanieslocatedthroughoutCalifornia,includingtheUCsystemwideprogram“EAP”or“EducationAbroadProgram”,cometogethertohostaStudyAbroadFairatUCMerced.AtthisfairstudentswillbeabletolookatmaterialsandtalktorepresentativesofthevariousstudyabroadprogramsavailabletothemthroughUCMerced.ThisyearthefairwilltakeplaceonThursday,September24thfrom10amto3pminfrontoftheKolligianLibrary.EmploymentWorkshops:ThroughouttheacademicyeartheUCMercedCareerServicesCenterhostsseveralemploymentworkshopsforstudentstogethelpandguidancewhenenteringtheworkingworld.

ENGLISHLANGUAGEINSTITUTE

Since1987,theStateofCaliforniahasrequired“thateachcampusoftheUniversityofCaliforniashouldrequireallprospectiveteachingassistantswhowillbeplacedinclassroomsettingstodemonstratecompetenceinoralcommunication,includingthoseforwhomEnglishisnotanativelanguagewhoshoulddemonstratecompetenceinanoralexamcomparabletothewrittenTestofEnglishasaForeignLanguageexamination,includingbutnotlimitedto,theTestofSpokenEnglishexamination,anddemonstrateanabilitytocommunicateeffectivelybeforeagroup.”(AssemblyConcurrentResolutionNo.41).TheEnglishLanguageInstitute(ELI)facilitatestheUniversity’scompliancewiththisstatemandateforincominginternationalteachingassistants(ITAs)throughthefollowingservices:

• ArrangetestingforthosestudentswhohavenotsubmittedaTOEFLiBTspeakingscoreusingtheVersantEnglishCertificationTest

• EvaluatestudentsupontheirarrivaltoUCMercedbymeansofanon-campusevaluationandstudentpresentationprocess

• RecommendwhethertheITAmayteachwithoutfurtherEnglishsupportorwhetheradditionalworkshopsandEnglishlanguagecourseworkisrequired,basedontheresultsofthetestandon-campusevaluation

• Providesemester-longworkshopsandcourseworktoenhanceEnglishproficiencyinspeakingandlisteningcomprehension

• AssistintheculturaladjustmentssometimesrequiredtoteachandstudyinanAmericanuniversitythroughworkshopsandindividualconsultations

• VideotapeITAsteachingand,fromthisevidence,assistingITAstoenhancetheirinstructionalskills• CollaboratewithITAstodevelopindividualplansforimprovingEnglishlanguageuse• Coordinateconversationpartnershipsforstudentswantingtopracticetheirlanguageskillsinan

informalarrangementwithnativespeakersofEnglishAstheUCMercedstudentpopulationgrows,sowillthenumberofstudentswhograduatedfrominternationalhighschools.TheEnglishLanguageInstitutewillofferintensiveEnglishprogramsandEnglishlanguageskillsclassesforthesestudents;inthisway,theirEnglishlanguageskillscanbeevaluatedandstrengthenedbeforetheyentertheclassroomandmustcompetewithnativespeakersofEnglish.FormoreinformationcontactBelindaBraunsteinatbbraunstein@ucmerced.edu,orvisittheELIwebsiteathttp://crte.ucmerced.edu/ELI.

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TIPSFORLIVINGINTHEUNITEDSTATES1. UsetheLanguage YoucameheretoimproveyourEnglish,somakeeveryefforttouseitdaily.Notonlyshouldyoutryto speakEnglish,butyoushouldtrytoreadAmericannewspapersandmagazines,listentotheradioand watchtelevision.ThiswillnotonlyimproveyourEnglish,butitwillalsoteachyouaboutAmerican culture.ItisalsoagoodideatospeakEnglishwithotherstudentsfromyourowncountry!Americans enjoytalkingwithforeignstudents,butyoumayhavetostarttheconversation.Askthemquestions abouttheU.S.toshowyouareinterestedinlearningmoreaboutAmericanculture.

2. BeHonestIfyoudonotunderstandsomething,admitit.It’susuallybesttotellsomeoneyoudon’tunderstandsomethingratherthantryingtopretendthateverythingisalright.

3. LearntoLaughatYourselfCommunicatinginaforeignlanguageisdifficult,andyoumaygetnervousaboutmakingmistakesatfirst.Laughingatyourownmistakesandtakingrisksarepositivewaysofdealingwiththeadjustmentprocess.

4. GetInvolvedinActivitiesYoumusttakethefirststepinmakingfriendsandparticipatinginELPactivities.Togettoknowyourclassmates,askthemabouttheirculturesandtheirexperiences.KeepingbusywiththemandattendingELPactivitiesisagoodwaytoavoidhomesickness.

5. PutYourselfinOtherPeople’sShoesTrytolookatsituationsfromtheperspectiveofotherpeople.Alwaysaskquestionsandexplainwhatyouarethinking.Whatmayseemobviousorreasonabletoyoumaynotbeforsomeoneelsebecauseofculturaldifferences.

6. AvoidStereotypingandMakingSnapJudgmentsIt’snaturaltojudgeeverythingyouobserveandexperiencehereas“good”or“bad.”However,thiscanblockyoufromunderstandingAmericanculture.Trynottojudgepeopleandsituationsuntilyoufeelyouunderstandwhytheyareactingacertainway.Andremember,mostthingsarenotreally“better”or“worse”thantheyareinyourcountry.Theyarejustdifferent!

CULTURESHOCKPeopleadjusttoforeignculturesinpredictableways,butinvaryingdegrees.Somepeopleseemgreatlyaffectedbycultureshock,whileothershardlynoticeitatall.Somepeoplegothoughcultureshockinthefirstmonth,whileothersdon’texperienceituntilmonthslater.Nomatterwherepeoplearefromandwhatculturetheytravelto,mostexperiencetheadjustmentpatternbelow:TheHoneymoonStage:Everythingaboutthenewcultureseemsexcitingandinteresting.CultureFatigue:Youbegintofeeluncomfortableandstarttoseedifferencesbetweenyourcultureandthenewculture.Youbecometired,bothmentallyandphysically.Thisstagelastsafewdaystoafewweeks.SurfaceAdjustment:Youbegintounderstandthepeopleandtheirways;youfeelmorecomfortable.Youareabletoexpressbasicideaswithoutfatigue.HiddenProblems:Althoughyououtwardlyseemtobefittingin,youbegintoquestioncertainaspectsoftheculture,gethomesick,andpossiblyhaveconflictswithfriendsandhostfamily.Youmayfeel

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dissatisfiedandthink“everythingwouldbebetterifonly….”Youmayfeelisolated,andwishtoreturntotheexcellenceinperformancethatyouwereusedtoinyourownculture.IUnderstandandIFeelatHome:Youacceptthenewcultureandfeelcomfortablewiththewayofliving.Youmayevenfeellike“oneofthem.”GoingHome:Youbegintohavemixedfeelingsaboutgoinghome.Youmayfeelguiltyaboutnotwantingtogohome,becauseyouknowthatothersareeagerlywaitingforyoutoreturn.Youareafraidthatothersmaynotunderstandwhatyou’vebeenthroughandhowyou’vechangedandbecomemoreawareoftheworld.TypicalSignsofCultureShock• Yougeteasilyupsetbysmallthingswhichnormallywouldnotbotheryou• Yousleepmorethanusualwithoutanyreason• Youhavetroubleconcentratinginschool• Youcryalot• Youbegintospendalotoftimealoneinyourroom• YoubegintodisliketheU.S.andfeelthatalmosteverythinginyourcultureissomuchbetterIfyouwouldliketotalktosomeoneaboutcultureshockordifficultiesadjustingtoyournewhome,CounselingServicesisheretohelp.ForadditionalinformationcontactCounselingServicesat209-228-4266orE-mail:counseling@ucmerced.edu.SAFETYAlthoughMercedisgenerallyaverysafearea,thereissomepossibilityofcrimeinmostareasoftheUnitedStates.Takethefollowingadvice,becareful,andyoushouldnothaveanytrouble.1. Alwayskeepyourroomlocked,especiallyatnightandwheneveryouaresleeping.(Inhouses,bedroomsusuallydon’thavelocks.Youshouldbesurethefrontdoorofthehouseislocked.)

2. Whensomeoneknocksonyourdoor,alwaysask,“Who’sthere?”beforeyouopenthedoor.Ifyourdoorhasa“peephole,”useittolookoutbeforeopeningthedoor.

3. WOMEN:Becarefulaboutwhoyouinvitetoyourroomorapartment.Alsobecarefulwhenyougotosomeoneelse’sroomorapartmentbyyourself.

4. Alwayskeepthetelephonenumbersofthepolice,campuspolice,firedepartment,andhospitalnexttoyourtelephone,sothatyoucanfindtheminanemergency.Knowyouraddress.Importantphonenumbersarelistedattheendofthishandbookandarealsolistedinthefrontofthetelephonedirectory.

FORANYEMERGENCYDIAL911• DONOTgooutaloneatnight—alwaystakeafriendwithyou.• DONOTgetintoacarwithsomeoneyoudonotknow.DONOTgiveridestopeopleyoudonotknow.• DONOTcarrylargeamountsofcashwithyou—usepersonalchecks,creditcards,ortraveler’schecks.• DONOTleavevaluables(jewelryormoney)inyourroomorcar.• Ifyouhaveacar,alwayslockitwhenitisparked.Donotleavevaluablesinsight.Althoughcrimeisnotverycommonhere,youshouldstillbecarefulandawaresothatyoumayhaveasafeandenjoyabletimeinMerced!

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USEFULCONTACTINFORMATIONInternationalStudentandScholarServices:(209)228-4025Email:internationaloffice@ucmerced.eduorbmirza@ucmerced.eduEnglishLanguageInstitute:BelindaBraunsteinEmail:bbraunstein@ucmerced.eduGraduateDivision:Phone:209-228-4723E-mail:graddiv@ucmerced.eduGraduateStudentServices:Social,AcademicandProfessionalServicesRachaelMartinPhone:209-228-4621E-mail:rmartin6@ucmerced.eduStudentsFirstCenterUCMercedKolligianLibraryFirst-floorlobbyE-mail:studentsfirst@ucmerced.eduOfficeoftheRegistrarPhone:209-228-2734E-mail:registrar@ucmerced.eduTransportationandParkingWeb:http://taps.ucmerced.eduUndergraduateOfficeofFinancialAidandScholarshipsPhone:209-228-4243E-mail:finaid@ucmerced.eduBusinessandFinancialServices:TaxComplianceInformationEricaFernandezPhone:209-228-4075E-mail:efernandez2@ucmerced.eduStudentAdvisingandLearningCenterPhone:209-228-7252Email:learning@ucmerced.eduFinancialAidandScholarships(209)228-4243E-mail:finaid@ucmerced.eduHousing(209)228-4663

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E-mail:housing@ucmerced.eduOfficeofResearch(209)228-4429SchoolofEngineering(209)228-4411E-mail:engineering@ucmerced.eduSchoolofNaturalSciences(209)228-4309E-mail:naturalsciences@ucmerced.eduSchoolofSocialSciences,HumanitiesandArts(209)228-7742E-mail:ssha@ucmerced.eduStudentLife(209)228-5433website:http://studentlife.ucmerced.edu/default.aspCatTracksWebsite:http://www.cattracks.org/

EMERGENCYPHONENUMBERSIfyouneedtocontactastaffmemberattheISSSOfficeafterregularbusinesshoursorontheweekends,contactcampuspoliceat209-228-2677(209-CAT-COPS)andtheywillcontactaninternationalstaffmemberforyou.UCMPoliceDepartment-Emergency:911UCMPoliceDepartment-NON-Emergency:209-228-8273MercedPoliceDepartment-Emergency:/MercedCountyFireDepartment-Emergency:911MercedParamedics-Emergency:911MercedMedicalCenter:209-385-7000301E.13thStreetMerced,CA95340