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Table of Contents

1. Greeting

2. Important Announcements

- International Education Week Schedule

- Immigration Art: Free Consultations and Workshops with an Attorney

- Sign Up to Represent Your Country!

- ISSS Seeking Graduate Assistant for Spring 2019- Application Closes

Today

3. Other ISSS Updates and Events

- International Celebration December 6th- Registration Now Open!

- Applications for Spring 2019 Orientation Assistant Open

- OPT/CPT Workshops

- ISSS Thanksgiving Dinner November 15th

- Travel Signature Day November 16th

- Reminder: Emergency Fund Available for Students in Need

- University No Smoking/Tobacco Free Policy Effective January 2019

4. University at Albany Events

Click Here for a full list of upcoming UAlbany events!

- Extra Life Charity Fundraiser

- Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

- Say What? A Conversation About Freedom of Speech

- UAlbany International Student Appreciation Day

- Thursday Art Therapy

- Well Being Lunch Series

5. Capital District Events

- Casse Noisette

- Albany's Annual Veterans Day Parade

- National Geographic Live! Steve Winter

1. Greetings!

This is the Weekly ISSS Newsletter that we send out every Friday. It includes very

important immigration updates that you must be aware of, as well as information

about events happening on campus and in the area.

Are you a part of a student organization and want to see your event advertised to your fellow students? Please

send the details and/or flyer to ISSS@albany.edu.

International Education Week Schedule

November 12-November 16

International Education Week is an international event, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and U.S.

Department of State. ISSS is offering events for students all week to celebrate international education and the

contributions of our international community to campus!

For a full schedule, please click here: https://www.albany.edu/isss/assets/IEW_fly er_2018.pdf

Immigration Art: Free Consultations and Workshops with an Attorney

We are excited to inform you of a great opportunity to receive a 1-on-1 consultation and advice from

immigration attorney Arthur Serratelli, Esq.. Mr Serratelli.—from the Virginia law firm of Seratelli Mijal

PLLC—will be here to provide international students with information on: OPT extensions, Ac ademic

Training, H-1B visa applications, other possible visa options, or petitions for Permanent Residency.

Immigration Art has been working with the UAlbany international community for the last ten years, and we

are happy to welcome him back!

Personal Consultations via Skype or phone are available by appointment online on November 12th and

November 13th. See flyer for details.

November 12th and November 13th, please RSVP to ISSS@albany.edu. See flyer for details.

Sign Up to Represent Your Country!

Do you want to be the ambassador of your country at the International Fair on November

14th? You will be assigned a place where you can table your country!

Come share your culture with UAlbany students!

If you have any questions, please contact Jing Zhang-Benavot, jzhang6@albany.edu

Here is the link for sign up to table:

https://goo.gl/forms/rzz925Ph23feLFUU2

ISSS Seeking Graduate Assistant for Spring 2019

The International Student and Scholar Services Office is seeking applicants for a graduate student assistant position,

to start in the Spring 2019 semester. Preference is given to a student who will be available starting in early

January . Benefits include a $12,000 academic year stipend (pro -rated because you will be starting mid-year) as well

as health insurance. To be eligible, a student m ust be a registered graduate student at UAlbany and

expected to take a m inimum of 6 credits in Spring 2019.

The work obligation is 20 hours per week during the appointed period. Work during vacation periods will be

discussed with a supervisor. A work schedule will be agreed upon no later than the end of the first week of class each

semester. Availability during winter session & summers to continue work as a student assistant is preferred.

GAs are responsible for a variety of tasks, including assisting ISSS with d ocument processing requests; planning,

facilitating and assisting with programs such as off-campus trips, International Education Week, Orientation, and

Commencement Week activities; creating the weekly newsletter; and supporting the international student

community.

T o apply , please complete the application here: https://goo.gl/forms/0E2rN3B4ccJXNYhw1 and em ail

y our resume and cover letter to ISSS@albany.edu. Please confirm that y ou intend to be a registered student

(minimum 6 credits) for the Spring 19 semester. T he deadline for applications November 9th, 2018 at

5pm .

3. Other ISSS Updates and Events

International Celebration December 6th- Registration Now Open!

The Center for International Education and Global Strategy will host a ceremony for graduating

international students, study abroad students who are graduating, departing exchange students,

and scholars who are returning to their home countries at the end of the semester.

If you are a graduating international student or departing scholar , please register

here: https://goo.gl/forms/SuT9zD6seUQDmDJ02

If you are a departing exchange student or visiting student, please register

here: https://goo.gl/forms/gsQLLctR35mHYTAU2

Applications for Spring 2019 Orientation Assistant Open

Looking for a fun on-campus job this winter? ISSS is seeking Orientation Assistants for New

International Student Orientation, January 17th-January 22nd, 2019!

The overall objective of an Orientation Assistant is to welcome new students and to assist them during the

first days of their adjustment to the University and the Capital District. We consider Orientation Assistants to

be important members of the program and we expect the appropriate commitment of time and energy from

each assistant. Students will receive a stipend of $250 for approximately 25 hours of work.

Please click https://goo.gl/forms/VDPOp3f8C0v6tlGP2 to apply! The deadline for applications is

Wednesday, November 14 at 5pm. If you have any questions please contact isss@albany.edu.

OPT and CPT Workshops

ISSS offers weekly workshops for off-campus employment-- both for OPT and CPT. No reservation is required. If

y ou are graduating in December, the OPT filing period opens September 20th. Students are encouraged to apply for

OPT as early as possible because it can take USCIS 3 -5 months (or longer) to process a request for OPT. Please v iew

the schedule here.

ISSS Thanksgiving Dinner November 15th

For those who have signed up, remember that the annual ISSS Thanksgiving

Dinner is on Thursday, November 15th from 5pm-7pm. Come join us in an

American holiday tradition! This event is possible due to the generous donation of

UAS.

Travel Signature Day November 16

Every F-1 and J-1 student must have a valid travel signature on their I-20 or DS-2019 in order to re-enter the

United States after travelling outside. These travel signatures are usually valid for 1 year while you are a ful l-

time student, though we recommend getting your I-20 or DS-2019 signed every 6 months.

Usually, travel signature requests take 5-7 business days. On our special travel signature days, however, we will

sign the I-20 or DS-2019 on the spot. We will be having a travel signature day on next Friday, November 16th, from 10am-

1 2pm in Science Library G-05.

Reminder: Emergency Fund Available for Students in Need

The UAlbany Emergency Fund if available for students in financial need (it cannot be

used towards tuition expenses). For more information on eligibility requirements and

how to apply please click here: https://albany.sef.suny.edu/

University No Smoking/Tobacco Free Policy Effective January 2019

The University will become tobacco free in January 2019, which means smoking and other tobacco use will be

prohibited on campus. For additional information on this new policy, please click here:

https://www.albany.edu/tobaccofree/FAQs.shtml#q12

Cessation Resources (i.e. programs to help students quit smoking) are available through the University and

community. A list of resources is available here: https://www.albany.edu/tobaccofree/resources-for-

students.shtml. Counseling and Psychological Services will also have a Cessation Group to help students quite

smoking/other tobacco usage. For more information, please contact Dr. Brain Freidenberg at

bfreidenberg@albany.edu

4. University at Albany Events

Click Here for a full list of upcoming UAlbany events!

T he Guild's Extra Life Charity Fundraiser

Saturday , November 10 @ 10am

"We [The Guild] will be hosting our first annual Extra Life Charity Fundraiser in order to get

donations for the Children's Miracle Network Hospital through Albany Medical Center. There will

be board gaming and v ideo games available to be played from 10 AM on November 10th to 10 AM

November 11th. To donate, y ou must v isit our donation page or in Campus Center Assembly Hall.

In person, options will be available. You can register y our organization as a team and donate

$1/person per hour, or donate a lump sum, but keep in mind that y ou cannot donate from y our club

funds, everything must be out of pocket. We will also have a 'Donate What Y ou Want' table

available throughout the night. We will also have raffle baskets and gift cards available where the

proceeds of the tickets will go to the charity as well. Food will be limited, so please come prepared.

Additional details will be added as they are solidified."

T hanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

Tuesday , November 13 from 12-5pm

Campus Center B-7 5 UAlbany Programming Board

"On November 13th, stop by our office [Ualbany Programming Board] and participate in our annual

Scavenger Hunt! Put y our knowledge of on-campus offices to the test and collect clues to solve our

riddles. With so many prizes to win, including a TV, y ou don’t want to miss this!!"

Say What? A Conversation About Freedom of Speech

Tuesday , November 13 @ 3-4:30pm

"Join y our fellow students and participate in a community dialogue about freedom of speech

on November 13th from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom. Sponsored by the UAlbany

Conversations for Change Committee and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion."

UAlbany International Student Appreciation Day

Wednesday , November 14 @ 11am-1pm

Campus Center Room 165A CC Studen Success Center

"Stop by the Campus Center's Success Center located in Campus Center room 165A to enjoy

delicious appetizers from around the world and sign our

UAlbanyInternationalStudentUnityBanner. We hope to see y ou there!"

T hursday Art T herapy

Thursday , November 15 @ 7 -8pm

"During Thursday Art Therapy, the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center turns into an open art

space with numerous art supplies free for all to use! Y ou can choose to do y our own thing or

participate in a guided art activity run by GSRC staff!

7 pm-9pm in the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center Campus Center 0190 (Above Starbucks)"

Well-Being Lunch Series

Sponsored by CAPS, this lunchtime well-being series is designed to help students manage stress and

promote their personal well-being.

5. Capital District Events

Casse Noisette (A Fairy Ballet)

Continuing from today until Saturday, November 17th 7:30-9:15pm

Bridge Street Theatre, 44 West Bridge Street Catskill, NY 12414

Cost: $25, $22 in advance, $1 0 Student

Catskill’s intimate Bridge Street Theatre will close out its spectacular 2018 Subscription Season with the world premiere of

Philadelphia-based playwright Michael Whistler’s brilliant, funny, and touching “Casse Noisette” (The Nutcracker). The play

masterfully interweaves the life of Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with that of a deeply -closeted modern-day

American high school teacher obsessed with Tchaikovsky’s music. Sugar Plum Fairies and phone sex workers collide in this tale

about discovering the strength to be true to one’s self, whatever the cost. Featured in the cast are Jason Guy, Nancy O Graham,

Jason Kellerman, Serena Vesper, and Bradley Levine. The show is directed and designed by Bridge Street Theatre’s Artistic and

Managing Director John Sowle, with costumes by Jennifer Anderson. Production Stage Managers are Julia Rothwax and Frank

Dianda.

“Casse Noisette” has been underwritten in part by a generous gift from Duke Dang and Charles Rosen and is recommended for

audiences ages 16 and older. Eight performances only, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:00, from

Nov ember 8-18, 2018 at Bridge Street Theatre, located at 44 West Bridge Street, in Catskill, NY. Eight performances only. For

further details and ticketing information, visit the theatre online at BridgeSt.org.

Albany's Annual Veterans Day Parade

Monday , November 12 @ 11am

Central Avenue, Central Avenue & Ontario Street Albany, NY 12210

Albany's 63rd annual Veterans Day Parade kicks off at the corner of Central Avenue and Ontario Street at 11am. The parade

proceeds east on Vietnam Era Veterans. Council continues east on Washington Avenue to Hawk Street, located just east of the

NYS Capitol. The reviewing stand is situated on the steps of the NYS Education Building.

National Geographic Live! Steve Winter

Wednesday, November 14 @7:30pm

Proctors, 432 State St Schenectady, NY 12305

National Geographic Live On the Trail of Big Cats: Tigers, Cougars, and Snow Leopards

Stev e Winter, Photographer

Cost: $20-$40

Go around the world in search of big cats with award-winning photographer Steve Winter. A determined explorer, Winter will

lead y ou from Asian jungles where resilient tiger populations persist to the Himalayas, home of the rare snow leopard. Follow

him into the rainforests of Latin America to view the elusive jaguar-and to Hollywood in pursuit of the American cougar. He’ll

share both dangerous and lighter moments: from getting stuck in quicksand to mishaps with remote-controlled cameras. Co-

author of the National Geographic book Tigers Forever, Winter’s mission is to sh are the beauty of big cats while working to save

them.

Copyright © 2018 International Student & Scholar Services, All rights reserved.

This is the ISSS weekly newsletter with immigration updates and office news.

Our mailing address is:

International Student & Scholar Services

University At Albany 1400 Washington Avenue

Science Library G-40

Albany, NY 12222-0001