The following message was distributed to Internationa Students from the Office of International Students and Programs
Dear International Students,
This is a follow-up to yesterday's communication from the International Office. Last night, NAFSA (National Association of International Educators/Foreign Student Advisors) announced the following:
On the night of March 12, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) provided NAFSA with the following statement:
“SEVP is committed to remaining flexible in allowing schools to make temporary procedural adaptations so nonimmigrant students can continue to make normal forward progress in their program of study. They can temporarily engage in distance-learning, either from within the U.S. or outside the country, in light of COVID-19. SEVP will provide updated guidance as the scope and length of this situation becomes more clear.”
This confirmation comes as welcome news. Earlier that day, NAFSA had contacted SEVP to advocate that SEVP allow schools to maintain SEVIS records in Active status for students who choose to or must take the online portion of classes abroad under the school's COVID-19 policy pursuant to SEVP's March 9, 2020 Broadcast Message 2003-01, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Potential Procedural Adaptations for F and M nonimmigrant students. A number of NAFSA members had reported receiving guidance originating from SEVP headquarters that schools had to Terminate such records. This created confusion and concern, especially since many schools are now beginning or have already begun their semester Spring breaks, or are in transition between quarters. SEVP later confirmed that their initial guidance was incorrect, and they subsequently issued the above statement.
What it means:
Go to Coronavirus Information and Updates
- You can maintain good student visa status while you continue your classes remotely for Spring 2020 in the U.S. or abroad until CalArts resumes in-person classes.
- We expect you to come back to campus for in-person classes. It could be April 13. Please check your email and CalArts announcement often.
- IF CalArts decides to continue remote classes throughout the Spring semester you can plan to come back for Fall 2020. If that's the case, you will not have to reactivate your visa status and you don't need a new I-20 with a new SEVIS number. So, you don't have to wait for two more semesters to be eligible for CPT/OPT (for F-1 degree students).
If you have questions about withdrawals and leave of absence we suggest you contact your mentor, registrar's office, and our office.
All CalArts general announcements to students/faculty/staff are posted at CalArts Coronavirus Information and Update site.
All handouts, presentations, appointment info, and past reminders/newsletters are always at the HUB.
Sincerely,
Fumiyo, Laura, Ani, Jen, Udval, and Brenda
We are here!
International Office Hours: 9am-5pm M-F
Email: intlprograms@calarts.edu
Phone: 661-291-3406
After Hours Emergency CalArts Phone: 661-222-2702