Mission of the Office of International Students and Scholars

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is committed to provide an environment in which each individual student and scholar is able to share his or her own culture with the rest of the USD community, and through the same process learn to value and respect all cultures of the world. Moreover, the OISS strives to ensure that each international student is given the opportunity to experience a rich and meaningful university experience through the following measures:

(1) By providing the students and scholars with comprehensive information regarding federal government regulations that affect their status in the United States;

(2) By providing socio-cultural and educational opportunities that will ease the adjustment process of international students and scholars as well as enhance their learning experience at the university;

(3) By providing an environment conducive to the scholastic and cultural well-being of our international community.

Organizational Structure

Administratively, the OISS is located within the division of Academic Affairs, and is headed by a Director who reports to the Associate Provost for Internationalization. Our advisers work as a team to provide international student/scholar advising and coordination services regarding immigration, health insurance, living arrangements, educational workshops, and socio-cultural activities.

Main Functions

This office is the university's liaison to the United States Departments of State and Homeland Security, and is the university's designee for ensuring institutional compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. Our office assists members of the USD international community with matters of special concern and serves as a referral source to other university offices and academic departments. The following is a list of service areas covered and provided by the OISS in relation to international students & exchange visitors:

• Adjustment of status

• Authorization to drop below full-time attendance

• Change of address report to immigration

• Change of major report to immigration

• Concurrent enrollment

• Documents for dependents

• Employment authorization for economic hardship

• Extensions of stay

• Internships (Curricular Practical Training/CPT)

• Letters for Consulates and Embassies

• Practical training pre/post completion of studies (OPT)

• Provide written immigration information to all international students and exchange visitors

• Reinstatements to student status

• Replacement of lost documents

• School transfers

• Send email alerts and deadline reminders to our international community

• Serve as a liaison between international students, scholars, and their Consulates and Embassies

• SEVIS updates

• Travel advising

• Travel signatures for re-entry into the U.S.

• Visa and passport information

The OISS also cooperates and collaborates with other offices on and outside of campus to provide a variety of programs of an international nature that may be divided according to the following levels:

National and International: Hosting official level international visitors and coordinating their activities with other offices on campus; acting as the university "protocol office" for international relations; coordinating with NAFSA -- The Association of International Educators; cooperating with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), the United States Information Service, the U.S. State Department, and the Institute for International Education (IIE).

Regional: Participating in such organizations as Professional International Educators Roundtable (PIER), and NAFSA Region XII.

Local: Coordinate with Academic Affairs to bring international faculty and visiting scholars to campus on appropriate visas; representing international concerns at all levels of the institution; working with university Continuing Education programs; providing guidance and logistical support to the International Student Organization (ISO); serves as a general clearing house for queries, ideas, and issues related to international education on campus.