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Orientation for international students ( ISO) | return to top
The
international student orientation is a special program for designed just for you. It will introduce you to your new home at St. Norbert and get you off to a great start in your academic career here! For the academic year 2012-2013 International Student Orientation will be held from August 23 through August 24. International students will then participate in the general orientation and week of welcome activities. Shorter and less extensive
orientations are offered at the start of spring semester.
International students have found the orientation program to be valuable
for making new friends as well as understanding the academic
requirements and support services available at St. Norbert College.
Students will also receive important immigration information that will
help them maintain legal status while they are in the
U.S. Participation in International Student Orientation is
mandatory. Current international students serve as orientation
volunteers and assist with introductions to the campus and community.
Reporting to St. Norbert | return to top
After
you arrive at St. Norbert you must check in with members of Center for
International Education Staff, Sarah Griffiths, Director of International Students and Scholar Services or Marcy O'Malley, Director of International Programming. This process usually takes place when you arrive on campus or during ISO. Please remember that International
Student Orientation is mandatory for first year and exchange students. Please plan on arriving at St. Norbert no later than August 22, 2012. Bring the following documents with
you:
- Passport I-94 Card I-20 (for F-1 visa-holders) DS-2019 (for J-1 visa-holders)
St. Norbert College is required to check those documents to confirm your
status in the U.S.. Failure to do so could result in loss of your legal
status in the U.S.
Academic testing | return to top
The
English and Math Placement Tests are administered during the
international student orientation. It is required for students
conditionally admitted to St. Norbert College; it is not required for
directly admitted students or exchange students who have demonstrated
the requisite English skills. At the international student orientation
check-in, students will be guided through the sign-up process.
For more information about academic testing, call Marcy O'Malley +1(920) 403-3955.
Living/Residence Halls | return to top
St. Norbert College is a residential college and there are 12 dormitories. The International Program staff will ask the Office of Residential Education and Housing to reserve a dormitory room for you as soon as you tell us you have a visa and you have plans to come to St. Norbert College.
We
do not offer home stays and we cannot help you find off-campus housing.
The Office of Residential Education and Housing assigns a dormitory
room to each student. Most dormitory rooms are double rooms. There are single rooms in some
dormitories but they are not always available.
Each dormitory
building has a "residence hall director" and several "residence hall
assistants" (RAs). There is an RA on each floor to help with any
problems you may have. All residence halls are secured residences are able to get in by using their student ID
card.
All residence halls have clothes washers and dryers which can be used with purchasing custom cash,
small kitchens, recreation rooms, and study rooms. All rooms have
Internet connections for computers. Many students bring their own
computers to campus. More housing information may be found at on the Office of Residential Education and Housing website.
Eating at the College | return to top
Students living in residence halls are required to have a college meal plan.
Most international students purchase the "Silver Plan." 2012-13 academic school year, the "Silver Meal Plan" costs $1330 per semester.
Students may use their "meal dollars" in the college cafeteria, at "Phil's" our on-campus restaurant in the Campus Center, Ed’s Café and in vending machines located
across the campus. There is no refund if you do not use your meal plan. Meal plan contract.
Students who live off campus are not required to have a meal plan, but
may purchase one. In the summer and during holidays, food service may
not offer full meal plans. Students may choose limited meal plans,
prepare meals in residence hall kitchens or eat at local restaurants.
Food service information may be found on the Dining Services website.
Finance Department | return to top
St. Norbert College accepts online payments
by credit card, checking or savings accounts as well as cash or check
for the payment of tuition, fees, room and board. All amounts received
must be in U.S. funds.
All past due amounts are subject to a
late payment fee of ONE PERCENT PER MONTH (12 percent annually).
Students will not be issued official grade transcripts or permitted to
register for succeeding semesters until such time all tuition and fees
have been paid in full. Diplomas will not be issued unless all fees have
been paid in full and exit requirements have been met.
Contact the Bursar Office for specific information regarding payment by calling 1-920-403-3002.
Custom Cash | return to top
Custom
Cash is an optional declining balance account that St. Norbert College
makes available on your ID Card. You can deposit US dollars into your account in the finance office, and then use your St. Norbert ID card as a debit card at some places on campus. For your convenience you can put Custom
Cash on your account and charge it to your tuition by clicking on the Custom Cash Deposit Form.
You can also put Custom Cash on your account at the Finance Department (cash, check, account charge) located in Todd Wehr Hall or Campus Card Services (account charge only) located in Todd Wehr Hall.
Custom
Cash deposits that are charged to your tuition are subject to credit
approval. You can use your Custom Cash account until you graduate or
withdraw from school. Custom Cash accounts with a $25 or higher balance
are fully refundable.
By using your Custom Cash account, you can make "cashless" purchases at the following locations:
- Phil's Cafe
- Student Union Dining Room
- Box Office
- SNC Book Store
- Vending Machines
- Copy Center
- Library Copy Machines
- Residential Hall Laundry Facilities
Custom Cash can also be used for our Merchants On-Line Program. This program includes the following De Pere area businesses.
- De Pere Y-Mart
- The Abbey Grill
- Pizza Hut Italian Bistro
- Lazy Gecko's restaurant
- Big Apple Bagels
Health and Wellness Services | return to top
All students registered in undergraduate programs at St. Norbert College are charged a Student Health Fee.
All
St. Norbert College students have access to care at Health and Wellness
Services. Health care services include physical assessment and
evaluation by a registered nurse, testing procedures for illnesses such
as: influenza, mono, strep throat and urinalysis, as well as sample
over-the-counter medications and health education. All St. Norbert
College students are able to receive following services; Medical care,
advanced diagnostic testing, and prescriptions are available on
fee-for-service bases, which may be covered by medical insurance.
The college's student health insurance plan covers 100% of any health care costs incurred in Health and Wellness Services. For more information, please visit the Health and Wellness Services website. All international students are required to have health insurance. They must prove that their own insurance will cover them while they are in the U.S. or they will be automatically enrolled in the St. Norbert College student health insurance and the fee will be charged to their student account. The cost for student insurance for 2012-13 is $1060 for the year or $530 per semester.
Academic Advisement | return to top
At
St. Norbert College, advising is integral to each student’s academic
program. All degree-seeking students are assigned to an academic
advisor. Advisors serve as a campus resource for students, assisting
them in meeting their academic and career goals. Sarah
Griffiths is the initial or secondary advisor for all international students. For more
information, please visit the Academic Advisement website.
Tutoring | return to top
Tutoring is available at no cost to all enrolled students at St. Norbert College. The tutoring program offers tutoring one-on-one or in small groups (usually 4 or less students).
Responsibilities of the student:
- Attend all classes
- Attend all tutoring sessions
- Be on Time for tutoring sessions
- Establish a schedule for tutoring during the initial tutoring session
- Clarify needs with the tutor at this first session
- Bring all materials to their tutoring sessions—textbook, classroom
notes, syllabus, assignment sheet, graded assignments, quizzes or exams,
etc.
- Share your academic progress with the tutor
- Express any concerns you have with the tutor
- Complete an evaluation of tutoring when you complete your tutoring
sessions (at the end of the semester or when you terminate tutoring)
Student Organizations and Clubs | return to top
There are more than 65 student organizations
at St. Norbert College that provide a very rich co-curricular campus
environment. St. Norbert College organizations are recognized by the
Student Government Association. at the beginning of the semester, there will be a Student Involvement Fair called Taste of SNC, this is a fun afternoon on campus when all of our students check out the wide range of student organizations active on campus and find out how to get involved.
Immigration | return to top
St. Norbert College has select personnel designated and trained to administer St Norbert College's F-1 and J-1 student visa programs. You should contact one of the following staff if you have any questions or concerns about your immigration or visa status.
Sarah Griffith,for F1/F2 visas- Primary Designated School Official, (PDSO) and for J1/J2 visas Responsible Officer (RO) Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Marcy O'Malley,for F1/F2 visas Designated School Official, (DSO) and for J1/J2 Alternate Responsible Office (ARO) Director of International Programming
What is SEVIS?
SEVIS
stands for "Student and Exchange Visitor Information System." SEVIS is
an internet-based system designed to allow schools and the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State to exchange
data on the visa status of international students and exchange visitors.
All U.S. universities and
colleges are therefore now required to electronically report
information to the U.S. government (ICE) about international students
who have been issued SEVIS I-20 (F-1) and SEVIS DS-2019 (J-1) forms.
Please see St. Norbert College's PDSO or DSO if you have any questions regarding SEVIS.
What happens if my visa stamp in my passport expires? What’s the difference between visa and status?
Your
visa is your entry permit into the U.S. It gives you permission to
enter the country. However, it does not determine how long you may stay.
Your immigration status on the other hand determines the length
of time you may stay and is noted on your I-94 card. Your status (noted
on the I-94 card) is determined at the time of entry into the U.S. by
the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
The status you
are granted depends on the type of visa you hold at the time of entry.
For example, if you obtained an F-1 visa from the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate in your home country, your status upon entry in the U.S. will
be indicated as "F-1, D/S" on the I-94 card. However, please note that
it is possible that your status does not correspond to the type of visa
you used to gain entry to the U.S. if you filed an application to change
your status while remaining in the United States.
Please see St. Norbert College's PDSO or DSO if you have any questions regarding your visa status.
How long can I remain in the U.S. after completion of my program?
The
completion of your program is determined by your academic progress, not
the date on your I-20 or DS-2019. Therefore, DHS considers program
completion to be the date on which you complete all of your degree or
program requirements; the fact that your I-20 or DS-2019 will “expire”
in the future does not matter. F-1 students can remain in the U.S. for a
grace period up to 60 days after their program completion date; J-1
students and scholars can remain in the U.S. for 30 days after their
program completion date.
Please note, Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) will not allow students and exchange visitors to
re-enter the U.S. during their grace period in F-1 or J-1 status,
respectively. Please plan your post-completion travels accordingly.
What documents do I need in order to reenter the U.S. from a trip abroad?
International Students in F-1 and J-1 visa status must ensure that they
have adequate documentation in order to re-enter the U.S. and continue
studies. According to U.S. law, a student in F-1 or J-1 visa status may
be readmitted to the U.S. after an absence of five months or less,
provided that s/he has maintained lawful full-time F-1 or J-1 status
during his/her stay in the U.S.
Documents required:
In order
to apply for re-entry into the U.S. after travel abroad, an
international student must present the following documents to the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon returning to a U.S.
airport or other Port of Entry:
- Valid Passport
- Valid U.S. Entry Visa Stamp in Passport
- Valid SEVIS I-20 (F-1 / F-2) or Valid SEVIS DS-2019 (J-1 / J-2)
- Valid travel signature from your Designated School Official (DSO) or
Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) on your SEVIS I-20 (F-1 / F-2) or
SEVIS DS-2019 (J-1 / J-2). You may request a travel signature by
completing and submitting a Document Request Form to the office of
International Student and Scholar Services.
- I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
- A letter from St. Norbert College's PDSO or DSO verifying your lawful F-l / F- 2 or J-1 / J-2 visa status. You may
request a letter verifying your lawful status by completing and
submitting a Document Request Form to the ISSS.
We also recommends that you take with you the following documents:
an official transcript (a historical record of your course work and
grades) which may be requested online from Student Records; a St.
Norbert College student identification card; and proof of adequate
financial support for your educational and living expenses.
Travel | return to top
For
a trip less than 30 days in duration you may be eligible for Automatic
Visa Validation (AVR). This will allow you to re-enter the U.S. without
having to apply for a new U.S. visa stamp if your current one is expired
(or if you changed status to F-1 or J-1 within the U.S.). This does not
apply to citizens of certain countries, to those who do not have a U.S.
visa stamp, and to holders of U.S. visas that have been canceled.
For
further information regarding this and other travel-related questions,
please contact St. Norbert College's PDSO or DSO. If you want to going home during
school vacation, make sure that your I-20 is signed by a designated school official from St. Norbert: Sarah
Griffiths, Marcella O'Malley, or Linda Wanless.
My
student visa has expired and I need to travel outside of the U.S. How
do I apply for a new student visa to be used for my reentry into the
U.S.?
To apply for a student visa you will need to make an
appointment with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate located in your home
country. Due to recent changes to visa processing and special clearances
needed for some applicants, you are strongly encouraged to make your
visa application appointment as early as possible.
You will need to bring the following documents with you to apply for your student visa:
- A SEVIS Form 1-20 (F-1) OR
- a SEVIS Form DS-2019 (J-1) issued by St. Norbert College
Make sure that you provide all pages of the forms and check to see that
the form is signed by you and the appropriate school official in the
appropriate places.
- Proof of Adequate Financial Support - bank documents showing you or
your sponsor has the financial ability to cover your educational and
living expenses during the period of your studies.
- I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
- Form DS-156 and Form DS-158 - both forms must be completed and
signed by you. Some applicants will also be required to complete DS-157.
These forms are available at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
- Passport - valid for at least six months after your intended date of entry into the United States.
- Photograph - one photograph taken according to the Guidelines for Producing High Quality Photographs for U.S. Travel Documents.
- Processing Fee - you must present proof of payment of all applicable
fees by presenting a receipt. For applicable fees contact the U.S.
Embassy or Consulate nearest you.
Driver's License | return to top
In
order to get a driver’s license in the USA, you need to pass both
written and actual driving exams. Both exams you can take at the local
Driving Motor Vehicle service centers. You may obtain a student verification document from the college through ISSS.
For
taking the written exam, you can get the textbook for studying either
visit DMV service center or download from its website for free. After
past the written exam, you are qualified to take next exam which is the
driving exam. You can take written test anytime while the center open,
but reservation is needed for a driving test. You will also need to
bring a car on that day for driving test.
For more information, please visit DMV service center website.
Student Employment | return to top
Non-immigrant
students in F-1 or J-1 status are eligible to work at the school they
are attending and which issued them their SEVIS I-20 (F-1) and SEVIS
DS-2019 (J-1) Forms.
On-campus employment includes all
assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships. In order for a student to
be considered eligible for on-campus employment, s/he must be enrolled
as a full-time student and must be in lawful F-1 or J-1 student status.
Your eligibility for on-campus employment is in effect ONLY as long as
you are maintaining lawful nonimmigrant F-1 or J-1 student status.Please see St. Norbert College's PDSO or DSO if you have any questions regarding your lawful status.
If
you violate your status, you make yourself ineligible for on-campus
employment, because on-campus employment is a benefit granted only to
those students who maintain lawful status. If you were to violate your
status and continue working on-campus, you would be engaging in illegal
employment, and would potentially risk deportationJ-1 students
interested in on-campus employment should make an appointment to meet
with an advisor before they begin work on campus.
All forms of
employment (both on-campus and off-campus) are limited to no more than
20 hours per week during the academic year. Students who are maintaining
their status are eligible to work full-time during holidays and annual
vacation periods, provided they intend to register for the next academic
session.For getting more information and finding on-campus-job, check
the Financial Aid website.
Social Security Number
In
the USA, you need to have a social security number before start
work. This number will be able to track your personal information so
that it will be your ID in the USA. Since social security number is
required by US government for every employee, the employers would help
you to get social security number. If you are interested in getting a
job, please make an appointment with your adviser and employer for more
information.
For more information, please visit the Social Security Administration website.
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Get To Know Our International Students
