COVID-19 Information

July 8, 2020

Dear Members of the University Community,

As you have likely heard, on July 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published guidance for international students attending universities for fall semester. Key ideas described in the guidance follow. We have also included a sentence regarding their applicability to international students at SIUE. It is important to note that this guidance may change, depending upon clarification to questions submitted to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

• Students attending schools that operate entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the U.S. Students at these institutions will not receive visas to study at these institutions and, if the students are in the U.S., students must leave the U.S. or transfer to other institutions. SIUE is not operating fully online, and this does not apply to SIUE.
• Students attending institutions operating under normal, in-person course modality must adhere to existing federal regulations, i.e., students may take a maximum of one class or three credit hours online.SIUE is not operating under normal in-person course modality, and this does not apply to SIUE.
• Students attending institutions using a hybrid model (mix of online and in-person coursework) will be allowed to take more than one course online. The institution must certify that the student’s program is not entirely online; the student is not taking an entirely online course load during fall semester; and the student is taking the minimum number of online classes required to make progress toward a degree.SIUE will operate under this model and these stipulations apply to SIUE international students. To comply with this guidance, SIUE international students must be enrolled in at least one face-to-face or hybrid course. Other courses may be online.
• International students are able to enroll in online coursework through SIUE from their home countries and remain active in SEVIS if they cannot return to the U.S. for fall semester. SIUE is working to facilitate online access for students from our international partners or continuing students who are unable to return to the U.S. because of current COVID-related restrictions.

SIUE is committed to the success of all students in its programs. To that end, the following plan for international students will be implemented to comply with the guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• After conversion of the fall schedule to a combination of face-to-face, hybrid and online instruction, each international student’s schedule will be reviewed by the immigration advisors to confirm that the student’s schedule adheres to the guidance from Homeland Security. Students will be informed if their schedule conforms to the guidance. Please note that the Office of International Affairs, Office of the Provost, and the academic deans are already working to build options and anticipate possible issues.
• If a student’s schedule does not adhere to the guidance, immigration advisors will reach out to the student and academic unit (e.g., dean, associate dean, department chairperson, program director, faculty, academic advisor) to determine if other course selections can be made to ensure timely progress toward the degree and adhere to the guidance from Homeland Security. Adjustments to the student’s schedule will be made, if at all possible.
• With the anticipated small number of students where schedule adjustments seem impossible, students will meet with the immigration advisor to discuss options for continuing progress toward a degree.
• The Office of International Affairs will need to re-issue each student’s I-20 immigration document by Saturday, Aug. 1. They will monitor the upcoming scheduling conversions closely and immigration advisors will be reviewing new schedules as soon as they are made available.

As news related to this guidance continues to emerge, we will monitor the situation and keep the University community apprised. SIUE is committed to its international students, and we will continue to work diligently to support their educational needs. 

Sincerely,

Randy Pembrook, Chancellor

Denise Cobb, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs