Post on 13-Oct-2020
Updated 4/2/2018 - BM
InternationalStudentHandbook
2018-2019
INTERNATIONALSTUDENT&SCHOLARSERVICESOfficeofInternationalAffairs
UniversityofCalifornia,Merced
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
OFFICEOFINTERNATIONALAFFAIRSSTAFF/MISSION 3
LOCATIONANDCONTACT 3
OURSERVICES 4
ADVISINGSERVICES 5
IMPORTANTIMMIGRATIONDOCUMENTS 5-6
MAINTAININGYOURVISASTATUS 7-8
WHENDOYOUNEEDTOREQUESTANEWI-20ORDS-2019? 8
SEVIS:STUDENTANDEXCHANGEVISITORINFORMATIONSYSTEM 8
REQUIREMENTSFORTRAVELOUTSIDEOFTHEU.S. 9
EMPLOYMENTINTHEUNITEDSTATESFORF-1ANDJ-1STUDENTS 9-10
WHENYOURLEGALSTATUSISLOST 10
SOCIALSECURITYNUMBER/CARD 11
MONEY,BANKINGTAXES 12-13
DRIVERLICENSE/ID/TRANSPORTATION 13
HOUSING/HEALTHINSURANCE/CATCARD 13-15
OIAPROGRAMS/ENGLISHLANGUAGEINSTITUTE 15-16
TIPSFORLIVINGINTHEUS/CULTURESHOCK/SAFETY 17-18
USEFULCONTACTINFORMATION/EMERGENCYPHONENUMBERS 19-20
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INTERNATIONALSTUDENT&SCHOLARSERVICESOFFICEOFINTERNATIONALAFFAIRSSTAFF
DirectorGarettGietzen......................................................................................(+1)209-228-2589
AssistantDirector,InternationalStudents&Scholars
SukiNawaz...........................................................................................(+1)209-228-4736
InternationalScholarAdvisorRicoJohnson.........................................................................................(+1)209-228-4361
InternationalStudentAdvisorBeckyMirza.........................................................................................(+1)209-228-4801
InternationalCenterManager
TomMartinez....................................................................................(+1)209-228-4724AssistantDirector,StudyAbroad
CraigHarmelin....................................................................................(+1)209-228-4667
StudyAbroadAdvisorJenniferHeinrich...............................................................................(+1)209-228-4025
StudyAbroadAdvisor
CeceiliaNunez....................................................................................(+1)209-228-2735
InternationalCenterMainLine,KL101.......................................................(+1)209-228-4722InternationalCenterFax....................................................................................(+1)209-228-4708
OURMISSION
OurofficeisheretosupportandadvocateforUCMerced-sponsoredinternationalstudents,researchers,professorsandothervisitingscholars.ProvidingresourcesofinformationandassistancewithUniversity-sponsoredvisasandimmigrationregulationsforcampusadministratorsandfacultymembers,ISSSalsoisUCMerced’sprimaryliaisonwiththegovernmentagenciesthatinterfacewithinternationalstudentsandscholars.ISSSstrivestocontributetoasuccessfulexperienceforeveryinternationalstudentandscholaratUCMerced,andtopromoteinternationaleducationforitsvaluablecontributionstothecampusandglobalcommunities.ByassistingwiththeintegrationofinternationalstudentsandscholarsintotheUCMercedcommunity,ISSSisproudtohelpfacilitatetheglobalexchangeofknowledgeandenhancedculturalunderstanding.
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LOCATIONANDCONTACT
TheInternationalCenterislocatedinKL101,downthehallfromtheStudentsFirstCenter.Wecanbecontactedbyphone,fax,oremail(international@ucmerced.edu).Comeintoseeusorcallourfrontdeskat1-209-228-4722toaskgeneralquestions.Ifyouneedextensiveassistanceyoumaybereferredtoaninternationalstudentadvisorfora“walk-in”meetingoryoumayneedtoscheduleanappointmenttoensurethatyourneedsaremet.See‘OfficeHoursandWalk-InHours’sectionbelow.
GENERALOFFICEHOURSTheInternationalCenterisopenallyearlongwithreducedhoursduringsummer,andisclosedonofficialUniversityholidays.GeneralofficehoursareMondaythroughThursdayfrom9a.m.to4p.m.andFridayfrom9a.m.to2p.m.ItisbesttomakeanappointmentifyouneedtoseeanInternationalStudentAdvisortoensuretheadvisorisavailableespeciallyifthemeetingwilltakelongerthan10-15minutes.Visitorswillbeseenonafirst-come,first-servebasisifanadvisorisavailable.
OURSERVICES § Informationandadviceforinternationalstudents,scholars,theirdependentsanduniversitypersonnel
oncompliancewithUnitedStatesimmigrationlawsandregulations
§ Counseling,assistanceanddocumentationforvisaapplicationsandchangesinvisastatus,includingnon-immigrantandimmigrantpetitions
§ Adviceandauthorizationforemploymentandtravel
§ Verification,trackingandsubmissionofvisastatusnotificationsthroughtheStudentandExchangeVisitorInformationSystem(SEVIS)
§ ReferraltootherofficesandserviceswithinUCMercedandtheMercedcommunity
§ RepresentationoftheUniversitytofederalandstategovernmentalagenciesconcernedwithinternationalvisitorstotheUnitedStates
§ Orientationsessionsfornewinternationalstudents
§ Visaworkshopsandtrainingsessions
§ SupportandinformationtohelptheinternationalpopulationadjusttolifeintheUnitedStates
Note:ItisincreasinglyimportantthatinternationalstudentsandscholarscometotheInternationalCenterforadvice,counselingandinformation.Donotrelyonfriends,colleaguesortheinternettogiveyouaccurateorup-to-dateinformation.
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ADVISINGSERVICES
TheInternationalStudentAdvisorisequippedtohelpwithandprovideinformationforforeignnationalsaboutthefollowing:academic,immigration,legal,career,financial,personal,andfamilymatters.Wealsohelpwithcross-culturaladjustmentandprofessionalintegrationuponreturninghome.Oneofourgoalsistoenhancetheawarenessandunderstandingofcross-culturalandinternationalissues.ContactInformationforInternationalStudentAdvisor:BeckyMirzaInternationalStudentAdvisor Phone:(209)228-4801E-mail:bmirza@ucmerced.eduUCMercedInternationalCenterKolligianLibrary,Room101
IMPORTANTIMMIGRATIONDOCUMENTS• I-94Arrival/DepartureRecord:IfyouarrivebyairplanetotheUS,theI-94picturedbelowisno
longeracardgiventoyoubytheCustomsandBorderPatrol(CBP)attheUSportofentry.CBPhasautomatedtheI-94process.YoumustnowretrieveyourI-94ontheCBPwebpageaftereacharrivaltotheUS:https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html.
• Visa&VisaStatus:Itisveryimportanttounderstandthedifferencebetweenvisaandvisastatus.
o Avisaisastickerorstampplacedonyourpassport.AnF-1orJ-1visastampcanonlybeobtainedoutsideoftheU.S.oratanU.S.embassyorconsulate.YourvisastampallowsyouentryintotheUnitedStatesandhasinformationonitaboutthenumberoftimesyouareallowedentry.Ifyourvisastamponlyallowsoneentry,youmustobtainanewoneifyouintendtotraveloutsideoftheU.S..Note:The“ExpirationDate”onyourvisaindicatesthelastdateyouareallowedentryintotheUnitedStatesusingthatentryvisastamp,butitdoesnotlimitthedurationofyourstayintheUnitedStates.
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o VisastatusisgrantedbyimmigrationattheportofentrytotheUnitedStates.VisastatusisdocumentedonyourI-94,yourpassportalongwithyourformI-20orformDS-2019.TomaintainyourlegalstatusintheU.S.,refertoyourprogramenddateonyourformI-20orformDS-2019,retaintheI-94andavalidpassport.Moreinformationonmaintainingstatusisdiscussedbelow.
• Passport:TheU.S.governmentrequiresinternationalstudentstokeeptheirpassportsvalidforatleast6monthsintothefuture.Ifyourpassportexpirationdateisgettingclose,besuretorenewitatleast6monthsbeforeitexpires.InsomecasesifyouareworkingoncampustheuniversitypayrollwillnotbeabletoissueyouapaycheckintheU.S.ifyourpassportisexpired.Onlyyourgovernmentmayextendyourpassport,soyoumaywanttocontactyourcountry’sembassyorconsulateintheU.S.togetinformationaboutrenewingorextendingpassports.TofindphonenumbersandaddressesforforeignembassiesintheU.S.gotohttp://www.embassy.org.
• FormI-20(F-1VisaStudents):TheFormI-20provesthatyouarelegallyenrolledinaprogramofstudyintheU.S.Itcontainsyourpersonalinformation,thesponsoringschool’sinformation,academicprograminformationincludingthelengthofyourdegreeprogramandfinancialinformation.BesuretospeaktoyourinternationalstudentadvisorifyourformI-20isgoingtoexpireandyouarenotabletocompleteyourdegreeprogrambeforetheexpirationdate.OnceyourformI-20expires,your60daygraceperiodbeginsandnochangescanbemadetothisexpirationdate.
• FormDS-2019(J-1VisaStudents):TheFormDS-2019provesthatyouarelegallyenrolledina
programofstudyintheU.S.Itcontainsyourpersonalinformation,thesponsoringschool’sinformation,academicprograminformationincludingthelengthofyourprogramandfinancialinformation.Fordegreeseekingstudents,besuretospeaktoyourinternationalstudentadvisorifyourformDS-2019isgoingtoexpireandyouarenotabletocompleteyourprogrambeforetheexpirationdate.OnceyourformDS-2019expires,your30daygraceperiodbeginsandnochangescanbemadetothisexpirationdate.
• SEVISFeeReceipt:Congressmandatedallinternationalstudentsandexchangevisitorsmustpaythe
SEVISI-901(SEVISFee).ThisfeesupportstheSEVISprogramofficeandtheautomatedsystemthattracksandrecordschangesofstudentsandexchangevisitors.AllstudentsorexchangevisitorswhoareissuedaninitialFormI-20orDS-2019areresponsibleforpayingtheSEVISFee.ItisveryimportantforyoutokeepthisreceiptandthatthepaymentisattachedtoyourcurrentUCMercedSEVISIDnumber.
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KEEPYOURDOCUMENTSANDINFORMATIONSAFE!
• MakeacopyofALLdocuments• Storetheoriginalandthesetofcopiesintwoseparateandsafelocations.• Carryawallet-sizecopyofyourI-94withyou.• Takeyouroriginaldocumentswithyouwhentravelingoutsideofthecountryandevenwhentraveling
insideoftheUnitedStates.• NevercarryyourSocialSecuritycardwithyou.
AnF-1orJ-1nonimmigrantclassificationisgiventostudentswhocometotheU.S.,commonlyreferredtoasyour“status”.IfadependentcomestotheU.S.tobewithanF-1orJ-1student(example:aspouseorachildunder21yearsofage),heorsheisgivenF-2orJ-2status.F-2andJ-2statusisvalidaslongastheF-1/J-1studentmaintainsvalidstatus.
MAINTAININGYOURVISASTATUSTheInternationalStudent&ScholarServices(ISSS)helpsinternationalstudentsandscholarsmaintaintheirnonimmigrantvisastatus.TherearedocumentsrequiredformaintainingF1,J-1,andH-1Bnonimmigrantvisasthatdealwithtravel,dependenttravel,changesofdegreeprogram,transferofschools,extensionofstay,employmentoptions,andinsomecases,forentryintotheUnitedStates.Internationalstudentorscholaradvisorwilleitherpreparethesedocumentsforyouorassistyouinpreparingthemforyourself. • Maintainingstatus:StayinginstatusiscriticaltoyourlegalstayintheUnitedStates.Ifyoufalloutofstatus,yourisklosingyourbenefitsandlegalstanding.Ifyouloseyourstatus,youmustapplyforreinstatementwithU.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices.Ifdeniedreinstatement,youcouldreceiveordersforimmediatedeparturefromtheUnitedStates.
• Whenyouarrive:Allnewinternationalstudentsmustattendthemandatorynewinternationalstudentorientation.Ifyoumissthismandatoryorientationyoumustmakeanappointmentwithaninternationalstudentadvisorshortlyafterarrivingoncampus.Bringyourpassportandvisa,yourFormI-20orFormDS-2019,yourSEVISfeereceiptandI-94alongwithyourcurrentaddressintheUnitedStates.
• Fulltimeenrollment:Undergraduateandgraduatestudentsmustenrollinafull-timecourseloadeverysemestertomaintaintheirvisastatus.ForundergraduatestudentsandgraduatestudentswithTAorGSRappointments,full-timeis12units.ForgraduatestudentswithoutaTAorGSRappointmentfull-timeis8units.Forgraduatestudents,researchrelatedtotheacademicdegreeprogrammayalsocontributetoyourfull-timestatuswithapprovalfromyourGraduateGroupfacultymembers.StudentsmustimmediatelynotifytheInternationalStudentsandScholarsServiceswhenconsideringdroppingbelowfull-timeenrollmentasunauthorizedpart-timeenrollmentwillviolateF-1status.
• ValidI-20/DS-2019:MakesureyourFormI-20(F-1students)orFormDS-2019(J-1students)remainsvalid.Checkthe“completiondate”or“programenddate”ontheI-20orDS-2019.IfyouwillnotcompleteyourprogrambythedatementionedinthisformyoumustspeakwithISSSandapplyforanextension.Thismustbedonenolessthen30daysbeforeitexpires.
• Validpassport:Keepyourpassportvalidatleast6monthsintothefuture.• Workauthorization:Gettheappropriateauthorizationforemploymenton-campusanddonotworkformorethan20hoursperweekwhileschoolisinsession.Ifstudentswanttoworkoff-campusorparticipateinaninternship,theyshouldmakeanappointmentwiththeInternationalStudentAdvisortoreceiveinformationaboutoff-campusworkauthorizationoptions.
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• Telluswhenyoumove:Updateyouraddressinyourstudentportalwithin10dayswheneveryoumovesoyourStudent&ExchangeVisitorInformationSystem(SEVIS)recordcanbeupdatedasrequiredbylaw.AlsonotifyyourInternationalStudentAdvisorbyemail.
• Reporttheseschanges:MakesuretheinformationonyourI-20/DS-2019formisaccurate.Ifyouchangeyourmajorordegreelevel,changeyourname,changeyourfundingsources,orneedtoshortenorextendyourprogram,youneedtoinformISSSandgetanewFormI-20orFormDS-2019.
WHENDOYOUNEEDTOREQUESTANEWI-20orDS-2019?
• Whenyouhaveachangeofdegreelevel(e.g.F-1studentschangingfromabachelor’stomaster’sor
doctoratedegreeprogram)
• Whenyourcompletiondatechanges,eitherbyearlycompletionoranextension
• Whenyourmajor(F-1)orfieldofstudy(J-1)changes
• Whenyouhaveasignificantchangeinyourfinancialsponsorship
• Whenyouchangeyourname
• WhenyouareapplyingforPracticalorAcademicTraining
SEVIS:STUDENTANDEXCHANGEVISITORINFORMATIONSYSTEM
SEVISisanelectronicreportingsystemthatsendsinformationaboutinternationalstudentsandscholarswhoholdF,J,andMvisastatusintheUnitedStatestotheU.S.DepartmentofHomelandSecurity(DHS).SEVISalsotracksentriestoanddeparturesfromtheUnitedStates.EverychangeyoumakeinyouracademicprogrammustbereportedtoSEVISdaily.Academicstatus,employment,andresidentialandmailingaddressisalsoreportedandupdated.AllinformationonyourI-20orDS-2019mustremainaccurateanduptodate.Ifthereareanychangesontheseforms(ifyournamehaschangedorthesourceand/oramountofyourfinancialsupportisdifferent,etc.)youmustcontactyourInternationalStudentAdvisortoproduceanupdatedI-20orDS-2019document.SEVISREPORTINGREQUIREMENTSThefollowingdatamustbereportedtotheStudentandExchangeVisitorInformationSystem(SEVIS).YoumustnotifytheInternationalCoordinatorofanynewinformationandchanges.
• Changeofstudentaddress:NewaddressmustbereportedtoSEVISwithin10daysofmove.YoumayreportachangeofaddressthroughtheUCMercedPortalorattheInternationalCenter.
• Changeofdegreelevel(F-1students,example:bachelor’stomaster’stoPh.D.)
• Changeofmajor(F-1)orfieldofstudy(J-1)
• Fallingbelowfull-timestudentstatus(NOTE:YouMUSTcontactyourInternationalStudentAdvisorBEFOREdroppingbelowfull-time)
• Completionofprogram/GraduationbeforetheprogramenddatelistedonyourFormI-20orFormDS-2019
• ExtensiontoyourprogrambeyondtheenddatelistedonyourformI-20orformDS-2019
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REQUIREMENTSFORTRAVELOUTSIDEOFTHEU.S.• YoumusthaveavalidtravelsignatureonyourFormI-20orDS-2019priortotraveloutsidetheU.S.
PleasesubmityourformintheInternationalCenter2weeksinadvanceofyourtravel.
• VisittheInternationalCenterifyouneedanewtravelsignatureonyourFormI-20(F-1)orFormDS-2019(J-1)beforeyouleave.Thesignatureisvalidfor12monthsduringyourdegreeprogram.F-1visastudentsonapprovedOptionalPracticalTrainingrequireatravelsignatureevery6months.
• VerifythattheinformationonyourFormI-20orFormDS-2019isaccurate.
• Requireddocuments:Passport(validatleastsixmonthsafterthedateofyourreturntotheU.S.),F-1orJ-1visa,and,ifapplicable,yourEmploymentAuthorizationDocument(EAD),andI-94.Recommendeddocuments:Proofofthecurrentsemester’sregistrationatUCMercedandproofofyourfinancialsupport.
• CheckyourU.S.entryvisatomakesureitwillbevalidthedayyoureturntotheUnitedStates.Ifyouneedtoapplyforanewvisa,contactthestaffatinternational@ucmerced.edutofindoutwhatdocumentsyouwillneedtoprepare.Thereisalwaysriskinvolvedwhenyouapplyforavisaasthereisnoguaranteethatyouwillbegrantedone.
EMPLOYMENTINTHEUNITEDSTATESFORF-1ANDJ-1STUDENTS
• On-campusemployment:Limityourworkhoursto20hoursperweekduringthesemester.Full-time
employment(anythingmorethan20hoursperweek)ispermittedduringsemesterbreaks.BesuretoprovideAPO/HR/PayrollwithacopyofyouractualSocialSecuritycardandanyupdatedFormI-20orFormDS-2019.
• Off-campusemployment:Alloff-campusemploymentrequiresworkauthorizationandmustbearrangedthroughtheInternationalStudentsandScholarsOffice.OffcampusemploymentforJ-1studentsisclassifiedasAcademicTrainingandF-1studentoffcampusemploymentcanbeclassifiedasCurricularPracticalTraining,OptionalPracticalTraining,EmploymentduetoEconomicHardshiporEmploymentUndertheSponsorshipofaRecognizedInternationalOrganization.Regulationsandguidelinesdifferbasedontheclassificationofemployment.
• F-1StudentPracticalTraining:F-1studentsstudyingatthecollegeanduniversitylevelcanseekauthorizationforpracticaltrainingtoengageintemporaryemploymenttogainpracticalexperienceinhisorherfieldofstudy.
Therearetwotypesofpracticaltraining:
1.CurricularPracticalTraining(CPT)isdonepriortothecompletionofyourprogram.YoumusteitherreceivecoursecreditforaCPTinternship/job,yourdegreeprogrammustrequireit,oritmustbeaco-opprogram.Ifyouareauthorizedforfull-timeCPTfor12monthsyoulosefutureOptionalPracticalTrainingeligibility.ContactISSSforappointmentatleast1monthbeforerequestedCPTstartdate.
2.OptionalPracticalTraining(OPT)canbeusedeitherbeforeorafteryourgraduation,generallyforacumulativemaximumtotalof12monthsperdegreelevel,ifthesubsequentdegreeisatahigherlevel.TherearethreecategoriesofOPT:Pre-completionOPT,Standardpost-completionOPTandSTEMextensionOPTforstudentswithspecificmajorsinthesciences,technology,engineeringormathfields.ContactISSStodetermineifyourmajoriseligibleforthe24-monthOPTextensionavailabletostudentswithSTEMmajors.
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ISSSmustrecommendOPTinyourSEVISrecordbeforeyoucansubmittheOPTapplicationtotheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity(U.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices)toobtainanEmploymentAuthorizationDocument(EADcard).ContactISSSforanappointmentatleast4monthsbeforerequestedOPTstartdate,asthegovernmentprocessingtimeforemploymentauthorizationiscurrentlyaveragingabout3months.TheuseoffulltimeCPTmayaffectyoureligibilityforOPTsospeakwiththeInternationalCoordinatorifdecidingtoapplyforOPT.
• J-1AcademicTraining:J-1studentsstudyingatthecollegeanduniversitylevelcanseekauthorizationfortrainingtoengageintemporaryemployment.Thisemploymentistogainpracticalexperienceinthestudent’sfieldofstudy.Theregulationsstatethatastudentmaybeauthorizedtoparticipateinacademictraining"commencingnotlaterthanthirty(30)daysaftercompletionofhisorherstudies."Theacademictrainingmustbedirectlyrelatedtohisorhermajorfieldofstudyatthepost-secondaryaccreditedacademicinstitutionlistedonhisorherFormDS-2019;Thestudentmustbeingoodacademicstandingwiththepost-secondaryaccreditedacademicinstitution;andthestudentmustreceivewrittenapprovalinadvancefromtheiracademicdeanoradvisorandforthedurationandtypeofacademictraining.TheInternationalStudentAdvisormustevaluatetheacademicdean/adviser'srecommendation,determinetowhatextentthestudenthaspreviouslyparticipatedinacademictraining,andmakeadeterminationofwhetheracademictrainingcanbegranted.ThetrainingmustbeapprovedbeforetheDS-2019expirationdate.
Employmentopportunitiesforinternationalstudentsarestrictlylimitedbygovernmentregulations.
Illegalemploymentisconsideredaseriousviolationofstatus.
Pre-authorizationisrequiredfromtheInternationalStudentandScholarServicesand,insomecases,fromtheU.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServices,foroff-campusemployment.F-1andJ-1studentsmusthavebeeninvalidstatusforatleastonefullacademicyear(9months)beforepursuingoff-campusemployment.
CareerServicesCenter:TheUCMercedCareerServicesCenteroffersservicesandprogramstoassiststudentswithfindingajob.Visittheoffice,call209-228-7272,sende-mailtocareerservices@ucmerced.eduorlogontohttp://careerservices.ucmerced.eduformoreinformation.
AcademicStudentEmployment:Tolearnabouton-campusopportunities,studentsareencouragedtovisitUCMerced’sAcademicStudentEmploymentWebsiteathttp://jobs.ucmerced.edu/n/academic/listings.jsf?seriesId=5
WHENYOURLEGALSTATUSISLOST FailuretofollowF-1andJ-1regulationswillresultinyoulosinglegalstatusintheU.S.andallrelatedimmigrationbenefits.LosinglegalstatusmeansthatyouwillnotbeeligibleforanyF-1orJ-1services,employment,includingon-campusjobsandyouwillnotbeabletoreceiveareentrysignatureonyourFormI-20orFormDS-2019.Also,yourSEVISrecord,aswellasthoseofyourdependents,willbeterminatedinSEVISimmediatelyafteryourlossoflegalstatus.ThereisapossibilityyoumightbeaskedtoappearatanimmigrationofficeandcanbecomesubjecttodeportationfromtheUnitedStates.
Intheeventthatyoudoloseyourlegalstatus,immediatelymeetwithyourInternationalStudentAdvisoratISSStodiscussyouroptions.
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STUDY/EMPLOYMENTFORF-2orJ-2DEPENDENTVISAHOLDERS
TherearestrictregulationsinregardstoemploymentandstudyforF-2andJ-2visadependents.EmploymentunderF-2statusisnotlegal.J-2visaholdershowever,mayapplytotheUnitedStatesCitizenshipandImmigrationServicestoobtainworkauthorization.BothF-2andJ-2visaholdersarenoteligibleforfull-timestudyintheU.S.F-2orJ-2childrenareabletoattendelementaryandsecondaryschoolonafull-timebasis.
Undernewimmigrationregulations,thereisLITTLEROOMFORERROR!NEVERassumeanythingabouttheimmigrationlawsoftheUnitedStates.AskanadviserinISSifyouhaveanyquestions.
SOCIALSECUIRTY/BANKING/TAXES/DRIVERSLICENSESocialSecurityWhatisit?ASocialSecurityNumber(SSN)isrequiredforeveryonewhoworksintheU.S.,evenAmericans.However,aSocialSecurityCardisnotaworkpermit.Mostnon-immigrantsshouldnothaveSocialSecuritypayments(FICA)deductedfromtheirpaychecks,norarenon-immigrantseligibletoreceiveanySocialSecuritybenefits.YouneedtohaveajoboffertobeabletoapplyforaSocialSecurityCard.TheSocialSecurityAdministrationhasanonlinepublicationavailableforinternationalstudentsonlineathttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10181.htmlEligibility:F-1andJ-1studentswithon-campusemploymentorajobofferandemploymentauthorizationareeligibleforaSocialSecuritynumber.Whentoapply:Studentsareadvisedtowaitatleast10daysafterarrivingintheUnitedStatestoapply.InadditionstudentsmustwaituntilISSShasregisteredhisorherSEVISrecordasactive.TheSocialSecuritycardshouldbemailedtoyouapproximatelytwoweeksafteryourapplicationisapproved.BesuretoprovideacopytoourAPO/HRandPayrollofficeifyouworkoncampus.
Howtoapply:VisitalocalSocialSecurityOfficeandbringthefollowingdocuments:Yourpassport,FormI-20orFormDS-2019Form,I-94andjob-offerletterfromtheemployer.Youmustapplyinperson.Anapplicationformwithinstructionsisavailableonlineathttps://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/.
Wheretoapply:U.S.SocialSecurityAdministrationOffice600WestOliveAvenueMerced,CAPhone:209-723-2072
Moreinformationonline:http://ssa.govBESAFE:ONLYSHAREYOURSOCIALSECURITYNUMBERWITHSOMEONEWHOHASALEGITIMATEANDSPECIFICNEEDFORIT.
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MoneyandBankingTypesofbankaccounts:Therearetwobasickindsofaccounts:checkingaccounts,forpaymentofregularbillsandshoppingneeds;andsavingsaccountswheremoneyyoudonotneedtouseimmediatelycanearninterest.Banksalsoofferavarietyofothertypesofaccountsandfinancialservices.Choosingabankandopeninganaccount:Beforeyouopenanaccount,youshouldresearchorvisitseveralbanksorcreditunionsonlinetocomparetheirservicesandfees.Toopenabankaccountisfairlyeasy-deposityourfundsandcompleteanyrequiredbankforms.Mostbankswillrequireaminimumdeposit.SomebankswillwantyoutohaveaSocialSecurityNumberwhenyouopentheaccount.BankofAmerica(BOFA)andWellsFargo,bothofwhichhaveofficesindowntownMerced,aretwobanksthatdonotrequireaSocialSecuritynumbertoopenanaccount.Theydorequiretwoformsofidentificationandminimumdeposits.Checkwithyourbankforpromotionalpackagesandotherpossiblefees.ChaseBankandCitiBankaretwootherpopularbanksinMerced.Beawarethatifyouaremakingadepositwithanoverseascheckorbankdraft,asyoumayhavetowaitthreedaystothreeweeksbeforeyourmoneywillbeavailabletoyou.TaxesAllinternationalstudentswhoworkmustfiletheirincometaxes.Salestax:Salestaxisastatetaxaddedtoanyitemsold,exceptforcertainfooditems.IntheCityofMerced,thesalestaxis7.75%atthetimeofthispublication.Forexample,aproductmightbemarkedas$5.00ontheshelfbutwillcost$5.38attheregister.Salestaxmayvarybycityandcounty.Therearenorefundsofsalestax.IncomeTax:TheInternalRevenueServiceor"IRS"istheU.S.federalagencyforcollectionofnationalincometax.TheStateofCaliforniaalsocollectsataxonincomethroughtheFranchiseTaxBoard.AlltaxformsandinformationcitedherecanbefoundontheIRSWebsiteatwww.irs.govortheFranchiseTaxBoardWebsiteatwww.ftb.ca.gov.Publication519isthe"U.S.TaxGuideforAliens"andcontainsmostoftheinformationyoumightneedaboutpaymentoffederaltaxes.Ifyouhavespenttimeinotherstates,youwillneedtoobtaintheirstatetaxinformation.TaxWithholdingandtheW-4Form:WhenapersonisworkingintheU.S.,theemployerisrequiredtodeductaportionofthesalaryineachpayperiodforincometaxes.Atthestartofyourjob,youwillcompleteahalfpageW-4form(EmployeesWithholdingAllowanceCertificate).Theinformationonthatformdetermineshowmuchwillbewithheldfromyourpaycheckfortaxes.TaxTreaties:SomecountrieshavetaxtreatyagreementswiththeU.S.inwhichcertaintypesofincomemaybeexemptedfromfederaltax.GeneralinformationontaxtreatybenefitscanbefoundinIRSpublication901.TheactualtaxtreatytextmayalsobefoundontheIRSWebsite.SocialSecurityandMedicareTaxes:AnyonewhoworksintheU.S.isrequiredtohaveaSocialSecuritynumbertobehiredbyanemployerandforuseincompletingthetaxreturnform.SocialSecurity(FICA)andMedicareareU.S.governmentprogramsthatprovidebenefitsforU.S.citizensandU.Spermanentresidents,usuallyforretirement.Itisfinancedbytaxeswithheldfromthepaychecksofworkingpeople.Internationalstudentsshouldasktheiremployersnottowithholdthesetwoformsoftaxes.
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IncomeTaxFilingRequirement:InternationalstudentsandscholarswhohavebeenemployedintheU.S.foranyportionofacalendaryearmustfileaU.S.annualtaxreport(alsocalleda"taxreturn")bythefollowingyear'staxfilingdeadline.Incomethatistaxedincludeswages,scholarshipsandearningsoninvestments.AcompletelistoftaxedincomemaybefoundinIRSandstatetaxguides.
Driver’sLicenseandtheCaliforniaIDCardWhoneedsaCaliforniaDriver’sLicenseorIDcard?TheStateofCaliforniadoesnotrecognizeanInternationalDrivingPermit(IDP)asavaliddriverlicense.Californiadoesrecognizeavaliddriverlicensethatisissuedbyaforeignjurisdiction(country,state,territory)ofwhichthelicenseholderisaresident.MostinsurancecompanieswillrequireaCaliforniadriver’slicensesoitisadvisedyouapplyforoneifyouplanonpurchasinganddrivingacar.TheIDcardlookslikeadriverlicense,butitisusedforidentificationpurposesonly.Whentoapply:Waitatleast30daysafteryourarrivalintheU.S.beforeapplyingforadriver’slicenseorCaliforniaIDcard.Theapplicationrequiresasocialsecuritynumberbutyouareexemptfromthisrequirementifyouareineligibleforasocialsecuritynumber.YoumustprovideproofofresidencywhenapplyingforeitheradriverlicenseorIDcard.FurtherinformationonthedocumentationrequiredcanbefoundonourwebsiteorbyvisitingtheOfficeofInternationalAffairs.Moreinformationandwheretoapply:Foradditionalinformation,includingthelatestCaliforniaDriver’sHandbook,visittheDepartmentofMotorVehiclesatwww.ca.dmv.gov.YoucanmakeanappointmentonlineorcontactthelocalDMVoffice:MercedDMVOffice131312thStreet,MercedPhone:800-777-0133TransportationOptionsUCMercedTransportationandParkingServicesisyourcampusresourceforinformationandservicessuchasparkingoncampus,busservice,carpooling,alternativemodesoftransportationandmore.VisitTAPSonlineathttp://taps.ucmerced.eduforadditionalinformation.CatTracksisproudtobetheofficialtransitsystemfortheUniversityofCalifornia,Merced.WithservicefromthemaincampustotheCastleextensioncampus,aswellastoDowntownMercedandselectNorthMercedlocations.Foradditionalonlineinformation:http://www.cattracks.org/.
HOUSING/MEDICALCARE/HEALTHINSURANCE/CATCARD
HousingOncampus:Undergraduatestudentscanapplytoliveinon-campinghousing.Applicationsareavailableonlineathttps://my.ucmerced.edu/portal/main.html.Besuretopaycloseattentiontoapplicationdeadlines.
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Offcampus:TheStudentHousingOfficealsocanhelpconnectstudentswithmanyoff-campushousingoptions.VisittheOff-CampusHousingwebsitehttps://housing.ucmerced.edu/off-campusformoreinformationorourArrivalGuidealsoprovideshelpfultips.Additionalassistance:Call209-228-4663ore-mailhousing@ucmerced.eduformoreinformation.GraduateStudentServicescanofferadditionalhelpforGraduateStudentsontheGraduateStudentLifeForum.Ifyouneedhelpfindingaplacetolive,findingfurnitureorjustwanttochatwithfellowgraduatestudents,emailRachaelMartinatrmartin6@ucmerced.eduforadditionalinformation.
MedicalCare
TounderstandhowtheStudentHealthInsurancePlan(SHIP)works,itisimportanttounderstandthatyourhealthcarewhileatUCMercedconsistsoftwoparts:*First,servicesthroughtheStudentHealthCenter*Second,servicesprovidedthroughtheSHIPBlueCrossprovidernetworkoryourpersonalmajormedicalinsurance.H.RAJENDERREDDYHEALTHCENTERTheStudentHealthFeeguaranteesyouaccesstotheH.RajenderReddyHealthCenter.TheHealthCenterhasprimarycareprovidersthatserveasyourfamilyorprimaryproviderwhileyouareatUCMerced.AllregisteredstudentsmayusetheservicesattheHealthCenter,regardlessofwhattypeofmajormedicalinsuranceyoucarry.TherearefeesforsomeservicesthatarenotcoveredbytheStudentHealthFee(e.g.,immunizations,prescriptionsandover-the-countermedications,andlabtesting).STUDENTHEALTHINSURANCEPLANTheUniversityofCaliforniarequiresbothundergraduateandgraduatestudentstohavemajormedicalinsurance.Thecostofthisinsuranceisnowincludedinyourstudentcampusfeesandenrollmentintheplanisautomatic.UCMercedprovidesanundergraduate(USHIP)andgraduate(GSHIP)StudentHealthInsurancePlantomeetthisrequirement.USHIPandGSHIPcovercareoutsideoftheHealthCenter,includinghospitalization,specialtycareandout-of-areacarewhileyouaretraveling.YoumaywaiveoutoftheUCMercedStudentHealthInsurancePlanifyouhavecomparablemedicalcoverage.DENTALCAREDeltaDentalofCaliforniaisthedentalinsuranceproviderforgraduatestudents.Studentswillreceivebenefitscoveringpreventiveandgeneralrestorativedentalcare.NotethatdentalcareisnotprovidedattheStudentHealthCenter.Studentscanselectfromawidechoiceoflocaldentists.Undergraduatestudentsmayoptionallyenrollinthedentalprogram.VISIONCAREGraduatestudentsareautomaticallyenrolledintheVSPVisionPlan.Benefitsincludeanannualvisionexamandmedicallynecessaryframesandlenses.Graduatestudentsmaywaiveoutofthevisionprogramiftheyhaveanothervisionplan.StudentscanselectfromalocalproviderlistedontheVSPWebsite.Undergraduatestudentsdonothavetheoptiontoenrollinthevisionprogramatthistime.PLANBENEFITINFORMATIONFormoredetailedbenefitinformationaboutthemedical,dentalandvisionplansstudentscanaccesstheWellsFargoInsuranceServicesWebsite:https://wfis.wellsfargo.com/ucmerced
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MANDATORYHEALTHINSURANCEREQUIREMENTSFORJ-1VISAHOLDERSANDTHEIRDEPENDENTSTheU.S.DepartmentofStatemandatesthatallJ-1studentsandtheirJ-2dependentshaveandmaintainadequatehealthinsurance.IfyouareaJ-1studentyourUCMercedprovidedUSHIPorGSHIPinsurancemaycovertheseinsurancerequirementsbutyoumustconsultwiththeStudentHealthServicestoverifyadequatecoverage.Asnotedonthenextpage.Minimumlevelsofhealthinsurancecoveragemustprovide:1.Medicalbenefitsofatleast$50,000perillnessoraccident;2.Deductiblenottoexceed$500peraccidentorillness;3.Expensesassociatedwithmedicalevacuationintheamountof$10,000;4.Repatriationofremainsintheamountof$7,500;5.Coverageforpre-existingconditionsaftera12-monthwaitingperiod;6.Provisionforco-insurance/co-paymentthatdoesnotexceed25%ofthecoveredbenefitsperaccidentorillness7.PolicyunderwrittenbyaninsurancecompanythatmeetstheratingrequirementsoftheUSDepartmentofStateorbackedbythefullfaithandcreditofthehomecountrygovernment,designatedsponsor,orExchangeVisitor’semployeegroupplan.AnyonewithoutinsurancemustobtainhealthinsurancethatcomplieswiththerequirementsoutlinedabovebeforeISScanvalidateyourvisa.ItshouldbepurchasedpriortoyourarrivalintheUnitedStates.
CatCardTheCatCardistheofficialUCMercedidentificationcard.Allstudents,facultyandstaffaffiliatedwiththeUniversityneedtocarrytheCatCardforidentification.TheCatCardfeaturesadigitizedphoto,SmartChipandmagneticstripe.WhenyouapplyforyourCatCardyoumustprovideagovernmentorstateissuedphotoID,likeadriver’slicenseorpassportandyoumusthaveyourUCMercedstudentidentificationnumberhandytoverifythatyouareeligibletoreceiveacard.VisitingscholarsneedtocompletepayrollpaperworkandbeenteredintoPPSbeforetheycanreceiveaCatCard.TheCatCard(on-campus)isusedfor:§ Identificationandstatuscheck§ Librarycard§ Mealplans§ Buildingaccess§ Residencelaundryaccess§ Photocopyingandprinting§ Debitpurchasesatthebookstore§ CampusDining(viaFlexPlananddecliningmealplanforon-campusresidents)§ Offcampusstudentmealplan(Idealforstudentswhocommutetocampus)§ Flexdollarsprepaidservicesaccount§ AdmissiontotheGalloRecreationCenter(thegym)
OIAPROGRAMS
Tea&Chat:Internationalstudents,scholarsandcommunitymembersareinvitedtoamid-dayteapartytomeetandminglewithotherUCMercedstaffandcommunitymembers.Studentsareabletorelaxandenjoyavarietyofteasfromaroundtheworld.Thiseventoccursmonthlyduringthesemester.
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InternationalEducationWeek:Anationaleventwherepeopleengageininternationalandcross-culturaleducationactivities.AtUCMercedtherearevariouseventsandeducationalseminarstogivestudents,staff,andfacultyanopportunitytotakepartinthiscelebrationofinternationaleducation.StudyAbroadFair:SeveralofthestudyabroadcompanieslocatedthroughoutCalifornia,includingtheUCsystemwideprogram“EAP”or“EducationAbroadProgram”,cometogethertohostaStudyAbroadFairatUCMerced.AtthisfairstudentswillbeabletolookatmaterialsandtalktorepresentativesofthevariousstudyabroadprogramsavailabletothemthroughUCMerced.ThisyearthefairwilltakeplaceonThursday,September24thfrom10amto3pminfrontoftheKolligianLibrary.EmploymentWorkshops:ThroughouttheacademicyeartheUCMercedCareerServicesCenterhostsseveralemploymentworkshopsforstudentstogethelpandguidancewhenenteringtheworkingworld.
ENGLISHLANGUAGEINSTITUTE
Since1987,theStateofCaliforniahasrequired“thateachcampusoftheUniversityofCaliforniashouldrequireallprospectiveteachingassistantswhowillbeplacedinclassroomsettingstodemonstratecompetenceinoralcommunication,includingthoseforwhomEnglishisnotanativelanguagewhoshoulddemonstratecompetenceinanoralexamcomparabletothewrittenTestofEnglishasaForeignLanguageexamination,includingbutnotlimitedto,theTestofSpokenEnglishexamination,anddemonstrateanabilitytocommunicateeffectivelybeforeagroup.”(AssemblyConcurrentResolutionNo.41).TheEnglishLanguageInstitute(ELI)facilitatestheUniversity’scompliancewiththisstatemandateforincominginternationalteachingassistants(ITAs)throughthefollowingservices:
• ArrangetestingforthosestudentswhohavenotsubmittedaTOEFLiBTspeakingscoreusingtheVersantEnglishCertificationTest
• EvaluatestudentsupontheirarrivaltoUCMercedbymeansofanon-campusevaluationandstudentpresentationprocess
• RecommendwhethertheITAmayteachwithoutfurtherEnglishsupportorwhetheradditionalworkshopsandEnglishlanguagecourseworkisrequired,basedontheresultsofthetestandon-campusevaluation
• Providesemester-longworkshopsandcourseworktoenhanceEnglishproficiencyinspeakingandlisteningcomprehension
• AssistintheculturaladjustmentssometimesrequiredtoteachandstudyinanAmericanuniversitythroughworkshopsandindividualconsultations
• VideotapeITAsteachingand,fromthisevidence,assistingITAstoenhancetheirinstructionalskills• CollaboratewithITAstodevelopindividualplansforimprovingEnglishlanguageuse• Coordinateconversationpartnershipsforstudentswantingtopracticetheirlanguageskillsinan
informalarrangementwithnativespeakersofEnglishAstheUCMercedstudentpopulationgrows,sowillthenumberofstudentswhograduatedfrominternationalhighschools.TheEnglishLanguageInstitutewillofferintensiveEnglishprogramsandEnglishlanguageskillsclassesforthesestudents;inthisway,theirEnglishlanguageskillscanbeevaluatedandstrengthenedbeforetheyentertheclassroomandmustcompetewithnativespeakersofEnglish.FormoreinformationcontactBelindaBraunsteinatbbraunstein@ucmerced.edu,orvisittheELIwebsiteathttp://crte.ucmerced.edu/ELI.
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TIPSFORLIVINGINTHEUNITEDSTATES1. UsetheLanguage YoucameheretoimproveyourEnglish,somakeeveryefforttouseitdaily.Notonlyshouldyoutryto speakEnglish,butyoushouldtrytoreadAmericannewspapersandmagazines,listentotheradioand watchtelevision.ThiswillnotonlyimproveyourEnglish,butitwillalsoteachyouaboutAmerican culture.ItisalsoagoodideatospeakEnglishwithotherstudentsfromyourowncountry!Americans enjoytalkingwithforeignstudents,butyoumayhavetostarttheconversation.Askthemquestions abouttheU.S.toshowyouareinterestedinlearningmoreaboutAmericanculture.
2. BeHonestIfyoudonotunderstandsomething,admitit.It’susuallybesttotellsomeoneyoudon’tunderstandsomethingratherthantryingtopretendthateverythingisalright.
3. LearntoLaughatYourselfCommunicatinginaforeignlanguageisdifficult,andyoumaygetnervousaboutmakingmistakesatfirst.Laughingatyourownmistakesandtakingrisksarepositivewaysofdealingwiththeadjustmentprocess.
4. GetInvolvedinActivitiesYoumusttakethefirststepinmakingfriendsandparticipatinginELPactivities.Togettoknowyourclassmates,askthemabouttheirculturesandtheirexperiences.KeepingbusywiththemandattendingELPactivitiesisagoodwaytoavoidhomesickness.
5. PutYourselfinOtherPeople’sShoesTrytolookatsituationsfromtheperspectiveofotherpeople.Alwaysaskquestionsandexplainwhatyouarethinking.Whatmayseemobviousorreasonabletoyoumaynotbeforsomeoneelsebecauseofculturaldifferences.
6. AvoidStereotypingandMakingSnapJudgmentsIt’snaturaltojudgeeverythingyouobserveandexperiencehereas“good”or“bad.”However,thiscanblockyoufromunderstandingAmericanculture.Trynottojudgepeopleandsituationsuntilyoufeelyouunderstandwhytheyareactingacertainway.Andremember,mostthingsarenotreally“better”or“worse”thantheyareinyourcountry.Theyarejustdifferent!
CULTURESHOCKPeopleadjusttoforeignculturesinpredictableways,butinvaryingdegrees.Somepeopleseemgreatlyaffectedbycultureshock,whileothershardlynoticeitatall.Somepeoplegothoughcultureshockinthefirstmonth,whileothersdon’texperienceituntilmonthslater.Nomatterwherepeoplearefromandwhatculturetheytravelto,mostexperiencetheadjustmentpatternbelow:TheHoneymoonStage:Everythingaboutthenewcultureseemsexcitingandinteresting.CultureFatigue:Youbegintofeeluncomfortableandstarttoseedifferencesbetweenyourcultureandthenewculture.Youbecometired,bothmentallyandphysically.Thisstagelastsafewdaystoafewweeks.SurfaceAdjustment:Youbegintounderstandthepeopleandtheirways;youfeelmorecomfortable.Youareabletoexpressbasicideaswithoutfatigue.HiddenProblems:Althoughyououtwardlyseemtobefittingin,youbegintoquestioncertainaspectsoftheculture,gethomesick,andpossiblyhaveconflictswithfriendsandhostfamily.Youmayfeel
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dissatisfiedandthink“everythingwouldbebetterifonly….”Youmayfeelisolated,andwishtoreturntotheexcellenceinperformancethatyouwereusedtoinyourownculture.IUnderstandandIFeelatHome:Youacceptthenewcultureandfeelcomfortablewiththewayofliving.Youmayevenfeellike“oneofthem.”GoingHome:Youbegintohavemixedfeelingsaboutgoinghome.Youmayfeelguiltyaboutnotwantingtogohome,becauseyouknowthatothersareeagerlywaitingforyoutoreturn.Youareafraidthatothersmaynotunderstandwhatyou’vebeenthroughandhowyou’vechangedandbecomemoreawareoftheworld.TypicalSignsofCultureShock• Yougeteasilyupsetbysmallthingswhichnormallywouldnotbotheryou• Yousleepmorethanusualwithoutanyreason• Youhavetroubleconcentratinginschool• Youcryalot• Youbegintospendalotoftimealoneinyourroom• YoubegintodisliketheU.S.andfeelthatalmosteverythinginyourcultureissomuchbetterIfyouwouldliketotalktosomeoneaboutcultureshockordifficultiesadjustingtoyournewhome,CounselingServicesisheretohelp.ForadditionalinformationcontactCounselingServicesat209-228-4266orE-mail:counseling@ucmerced.edu.SAFETYAlthoughMercedisgenerallyaverysafearea,thereissomepossibilityofcrimeinmostareasoftheUnitedStates.Takethefollowingadvice,becareful,andyoushouldnothaveanytrouble.1. Alwayskeepyourroomlocked,especiallyatnightandwheneveryouaresleeping.(Inhouses,bedroomsusuallydon’thavelocks.Youshouldbesurethefrontdoorofthehouseislocked.)
2. Whensomeoneknocksonyourdoor,alwaysask,“Who’sthere?”beforeyouopenthedoor.Ifyourdoorhasa“peephole,”useittolookoutbeforeopeningthedoor.
3. WOMEN:Becarefulaboutwhoyouinvitetoyourroomorapartment.Alsobecarefulwhenyougotosomeoneelse’sroomorapartmentbyyourself.
4. Alwayskeepthetelephonenumbersofthepolice,campuspolice,firedepartment,andhospitalnexttoyourtelephone,sothatyoucanfindtheminanemergency.Knowyouraddress.Importantphonenumbersarelistedattheendofthishandbookandarealsolistedinthefrontofthetelephonedirectory.
FORANYEMERGENCYDIAL911• DONOTgooutaloneatnight—alwaystakeafriendwithyou.• DONOTgetintoacarwithsomeoneyoudonotknow.DONOTgiveridestopeopleyoudonotknow.• DONOTcarrylargeamountsofcashwithyou—usepersonalchecks,creditcards,ortraveler’schecks.• DONOTleavevaluables(jewelryormoney)inyourroomorcar.• Ifyouhaveacar,alwayslockitwhenitisparked.Donotleavevaluablesinsight.Althoughcrimeisnotverycommonhere,youshouldstillbecarefulandawaresothatyoumayhaveasafeandenjoyabletimeinMerced!
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USEFULCONTACTINFORMATIONInternationalStudentandScholarServices:(209)228-4025Email:internationaloffice@ucmerced.eduorbmirza@ucmerced.eduEnglishLanguageInstitute:BelindaBraunsteinEmail:bbraunstein@ucmerced.eduGraduateDivision:Phone:209-228-4723E-mail:graddiv@ucmerced.eduGraduateStudentServices:Social,AcademicandProfessionalServicesRachaelMartinPhone:209-228-4621E-mail:rmartin6@ucmerced.eduStudentsFirstCenterUCMercedKolligianLibraryFirst-floorlobbyE-mail:studentsfirst@ucmerced.eduOfficeoftheRegistrarPhone:209-228-2734E-mail:registrar@ucmerced.eduTransportationandParkingWeb:http://taps.ucmerced.eduUndergraduateOfficeofFinancialAidandScholarshipsPhone:209-228-4243E-mail:finaid@ucmerced.eduBusinessandFinancialServices:TaxComplianceInformationEricaFernandezPhone:209-228-4075E-mail:efernandez2@ucmerced.eduStudentAdvisingandLearningCenterPhone:209-228-7252Email:learning@ucmerced.eduFinancialAidandScholarships(209)228-4243E-mail:finaid@ucmerced.eduHousing(209)228-4663
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E-mail:housing@ucmerced.eduOfficeofResearch(209)228-4429SchoolofEngineering(209)228-4411E-mail:engineering@ucmerced.eduSchoolofNaturalSciences(209)228-4309E-mail:naturalsciences@ucmerced.eduSchoolofSocialSciences,HumanitiesandArts(209)228-7742E-mail:ssha@ucmerced.eduStudentLife(209)228-5433website:http://studentlife.ucmerced.edu/default.aspCatTracksWebsite:http://www.cattracks.org/
EMERGENCYPHONENUMBERSIfyouneedtocontactastaffmemberattheISSSOfficeafterregularbusinesshoursorontheweekends,contactcampuspoliceat209-228-2677(209-CAT-COPS)andtheywillcontactaninternationalstaffmemberforyou.UCMPoliceDepartment-Emergency:911UCMPoliceDepartment-NON-Emergency:209-228-8273MercedPoliceDepartment-Emergency:/MercedCountyFireDepartment-Emergency:911MercedParamedics-Emergency:911MercedMedicalCenter:209-385-7000301E.13thStreetMerced,CA95340