International Students and Scholars Should Expect Delays Entering the U.S.
Since the Boston Marathon bombings in April 2013, the U.S. government has
enacted a significant security change for people arriving to the U.S. and has
increased scrutiny of international students coming into the country.
Effective immediately, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) officers
at the air, land and sea ports of entry will be required to verify the SEVIS
record of every entering international student and scholar holding F, J or M
nonimmigrant visa status. Because officers do not currently have access to
SEVIS at primary inspection points, international students and scholars will be
referred to Secondary Inspection, a separate area from the regular line where
more complex immigration admissions issues are addressed.
What this means is that international students and scholars entering the U.S. by
air, land or sea in F or J status should plan that their U.S. entry process
could take extra time (1-3 hours). This is particularly important for students
who are going through Customs in between flight connections.
CBP is working to provide SEVIS access to officers at primary inspection sites,
but until that is completed international students and scholars should expect
delays.
Date Change - International Student Orientation / Fall 2013
The date for the Fall 2013 International Student Orientation
Program has changed. Orientation will now be held on Monday,
September 2, 2013. All new International Students arriving for the Fall semester
are required to attend this orientation. The program will be held in the
Gengras Student Union, room 331, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. For more information
regarding this program please
click here.
Automated I-94 Arrival/ Departure Record Introduced:
Beginning April 30th, 2013, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
service (USCBP) will implement a new automated Form I-94
Arrival/Departure Record to streamline the admissions process for individuals
lawfully visiting the United States. Form I-94 provides international visitors
with evidence they have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. which is necessary to
verify alien registration, immigration status, and employment authorization. The
automation means that affected visitors will no longer need to fill out a paper
form when arriving to the U.S. by air or sea. However, USCBP has created a
process through which you may can download an electronic copy following your
arrival. We strongly recommend that all new and returning students
download a copy for your I-94.
Travelers wanting a hard copy or other evidence of admission should go to www.cbp.gov/I94 to print a copy of an
I-94 based on the electronically submitted data, including the I-94 number from
the form, to provide as necessary to benefits providers or as evidence of lawful
admission. You may be required to present this form for such benefits as a
Connecticut driver's license, a U.S. Social Security Number (if you are
employed) or other benefits. You may download aFAQ here or watch the I-94
video here
Student Health Insurance update for the academic year 2013/2014:
The University of Hartford requires
all undergraduate and graduate full and part-time international students on an
F-1/F-2 student visa or a J-1/J-2 student exchange visitor visa to be
enrolled in an injury and sickness insurance program. Students will be
required to participate in the University of Hartford's Injury and Sickness
Insurance Plan. We are partnered with
Gallagher Kosterand the
United Healthcare Insurance Company
to provide this service to you.
The University has put in place a
"waiver" process for qualifying F and J students. While insurance is required, a
student may request a "waiver" from the University administered insurance
program by showing that they are already enrolled in a program which has
coverage equal to or greater than the University policy.
Please keep in mind, if you request a waiver from the University
policy, your replacement policy must:
be equal to or greater than the coverage offered
through the University of Hartford policy
The insurance carrier that you choose MUST be physically
located in the U.S. and issued by a U.S. provider. Insurance coverage issued
by a company located outside the U.S. (for instance, a company located in
your home country) is not acceptable according to U.S. Federal regulation.
Waivers must be requested no later
than the University's "Census Date" for those students enrolling in the Fall
2013 and Spring 2014 semesters (date to be published). Students requesting a
waiver after the "Census" date will be denied their request for a waiver for
that semester and billed for the University insurance policy.
The International
Center has been established to assist all international students, exchange
visitors, dependents, faculty, and guests of the University of Hartford community.
The Center also provides assistance to all students wishing to participate in a
study abroad experience. The International Center's existence is indicative of the university's
commitment to international education, exchange, and a multicultural campus
environment. The mission of the International Center is to promote international
education and understanding and to assist in the creation, maintenance, and
enhancement of a diverse learning environment. We are committed to providing
international dimensions to both the academic and personal aspects of the
university experience.
Each year
the International Center actively assists over 400 international students,
scholars and guests from more than 60 countries. In addition, the Center's Study
Abroad Office sends over 200 students each year to many of our more than 60
program offerings throughout the world. The Center actively supports the
development of faculty and university exchange programs. It is through these
endeavors that we hope to encourage and stimulate our campus community through
the interaction between American students, faculty and staff and those of
different cultures, histories, customs and languages.
The International Center provides
assistance in the following ways:
Personalized
academic and non-academic counseling and referral services
Liaison with the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service, the U.S. Department
of State, embassies and consulates abroad, foreign governments, and
international organizations
Current
information regarding compliance with United States Department of Homeland
Security requirements, including student and exchange visitor status,
travel, employment regulations, and more
Study Abroad
opportunities at over 60 universities, colleges and educational sites worldwide
Orientation and
departure programs for international students, scholars and study
abroad participants
Opportunities for
student and exchange visitors to participate in a wide array of activities,
including educational, cultural, social, and athletic
Creation, development and
support for faculty and university exchange programs and the
recognition of scholarly and
intercultural achievement
Serve as a
resource and liaison for student organizations and international programs
Conduct
workshops on topics of critical importance to international students and
scholars
Engage in
community service outreach with an intercultural focus
Strengthen international alumni and parent networks
Our
Constituencies Include:
International students and exchange visitors
Students
desiring an international experience
Faculty
and staff
The
Greater Hartford community
Staff
Sarah Reuter, Director, International
Studies
Tel: (860) 768-5101
E-Mail:reuter@hartford.edu
Richard Lazzerini, Associate Director & International Student Advisor
Tel: (860) 768-4873
E-Mail:
lazzerini@hartford.edu
Susan Carey, Assistant Director for Study Abroad
Tel: (860) 768-5100
E-Mail:
sucarey@hartford.edu
Study Abroad,
Gtraduate Administrative Intern
Tel: (860) 768-4870
Hala Al-khalil,
International Student Services, Undergraduate Administrative Intern
Tel: (860) 768-4870
Maria Khan, International Student Services, Undergraduate Administrative Intern
Tel: (860) 768-4870
Victoria
Williams,
Study Abroad, Undergraduate Administrative Intern
Tel: (860) 768-5100
Location and Office hours
The International Center is located in the Gengras Student Union, room 327.The
Center is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. International
Center and Study Abroad advisors are available to provide routine information to you on a walk-in
basis. You may also make an appointment to speak with an advisor by either
stopping by the Center's information desk or by calling (860) 768-4870.
You may also contact the International Center by fax at (860) 768-4726.
Our mailing address is:
The
University of Hartford
The International Center
Gengras Student Union, room 327
200 Bloomfield Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06117
