International Student Updates
- October 28, 2020 — Spring Instruction Message for Students
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Dear Georgia Tech Students:
Coming together as a community now is more important than ever. The pandemic continues to leave its mark on the personal, academic, and professional lives of each one of us, but the Georgia Tech community response has been tremendous. I am so thankful for the resiliency and spirit of our community this semester. Faculty developed innovative approaches to instruction, students demonstrated remarkable focus and flexibility, and our dedicated staff have continued to provide their critical support to our academic mission. The semester has been tough, but we know the campus community will continue to work together in the spirit of caring and collaboration.
Since the start of the pandemic, our own faculty and staff experts have been involved in all areas of our planning. Our campus surveillance testing program and contact tracing efforts, together with a consistent commitment to enhanced cleaning and community-wide use of face coverings and distancing practices on campus, have continued to keep transmission low throughout our community. The U.S. has seen a recent rise in cases, and as reported last week, we have also seen a small uptick in positive cases on campus. Persistence and a return to basics — Test. Mask. Distance. — are necessary to get us through the fall as safely as possible and will be key to all members of the Georgia Tech community going home for the holidays, healthy.
Spring Plan – Safely Increasing On-Campus Presence
Our efforts to keep our community safe this semester have inevitably reduced opportunities for social and academic face-to-face interaction. We have received feedback from students feeling at times isolated and missing a more engaged academic experience. We have learned much this semester about this disease and our ability to combat it, and our goal now must be to use that experience to safely improve our campus experience.For spring, we believe we can safely increase on-campus presence and instruction, to include regular, prescheduled in-person meetings in hybrid courses. This plan is primarily guided by the following two principles: The physical, mental, and emotional well-being of every student, faculty, and staff member remains paramount and we will continue to keep instructional quality, academic progression, and quality of the student educational experience as critical to our mission.
This plan was developed in close coordination and consultation with students, faculty, staff, and members of academic leadership, including college deans and school chairs, among others, as well as feedback received from a student survey and focus groups conducted by the Academic Restart Task force. While we will increase personal engagement for our students, we will also maintain the necessary flexibility to balance health and safety with the pedagogical needs of each course.
Spring Plan – Course Modes and Key Dates
As in the current semester, classes will be offered in one of three modes — residential, hybrid, and remote. In all modes, instructors are asked to provide clear communication regarding course delivery and expectations. For the spring, however, we will take the opportunity to improve on the hybrid mode by substantially increasing the clarity of the in-person engagement that is expected within each offering.We know this information is critical to help you select courses that best support your academic progression and allow you to make timely decisions around housing, travel, and other personal matters. For this reason, hybrid course instructors will clearly outline in-person expectations and be explicit about details regarding assessments, attendance expectations, and other pertinent course details. Note: attendance policies are set by individual instructors.
The primary components of our spring plan include a revised academic calendar and refined course delivery mode expectations that promote meaningful and regular face-to-face interactions for students with faculty, academic staff, and peers.
- Visit the Registrar’s Office to learn more about the course mode definitions and for detailed instructions on accessing specific course information in OSCAR once Phase 1 registration opens on November 9.
- See the list of key upcoming dates (note: all dates are applicable for both residential and online programs).
Student Accommodations
Students may request an accommodation through the Office of Disability Services (ODS) due to 1) presence of a condition as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or 2) identification as an individual at higher risk for Covid-19, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Visit the Campus Guidelines for more information about higher risk definitions and requesting an accommodation. Students already registered with ODS and approved for accommodations this fall term should contact ODS directly with any questions regarding their spring accommodations request.International Students
Georgia Tech values and supports our international student community, and we know that current and newly admitted international students continue to face various issues related to travel restrictions or visa matters. The Office of International Education maintains several online resources, including virtual 1:1 advising sessions and FAQs, to assist in planning and decision-making and should be consulted with any detailed questions about a student’s specific immigration or visa situation. Visit the Office of International Education for more information.Looking Ahead to Spring
Thanks to all of you who have shared your ideas and concerns, but also for your creativity and resourcefulness that have brought Georgia Tech’s unique character and problem-solving to our ongoing planning. We will continue to listen. As we approach the end of the semester, your instructors and advisors are ready to assist and support you in any way they can. Please know that if you need additional support, there are other student support services available through the CARE Center, Counseling Center, and Stamps Health Services. Above all, please take care of yourselves, your loved ones, and others during these challenging times.Take care,
Steven McLaughlin, Provost
Georgia Institute of Technology - July 14, 2020 - Important Decision Dates, Student Accommodations, and International Student Resources
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Dear Members of the Georgia Tech Community:
As the start of the fall semester nears, we know that many of our students and their families, as well as members of our faculty and staff, have felt growing frustration and apprehension as important deadlines loom and decisions must be made. We have heard from you through various channels, including the recent student survey, and we want to be responsive and supportive as you make these critical decisions.
Important Decision Dates
Decision dates around Phase 2 registration, deferral, and student leave of absence requests have been adjusted in the hopes of providing more flexibility and, ultimately, supporting academic progress and success for every student. Leaders from the colleges and schools are working with members of the faculty to determine the instructional format for all courses. These will be finalized by July 20.Phase 2 Registration
To help you make decisions about your fall class schedule, Phase 2 registration will open earlier than previously announced, and will run from August 1-21 at registrar.gatech.edu/registration. Current students who wish to make changes to their schedules can do so during Phase 2 registration. Any student attending FASET Orientation between now and July 31 will also be able to make changes once Phase 2 begins. Note: New first-year or transfer students who are attending the final August 10 FASET Orientation session should plan on registering as part of that session.Undergraduate Enrollment Deferral
First-year students who have paid an admission deposit are eligible to request an enrollment deferral. The deadline to request a deferral has been extended to August 3. For more details, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Any housing cancellation requests that were made after June 30 did forfeit the housing deposit, but that deposit is transferrable to a future term if a deferral request is granted.Student Leave of Absence Requests
For fall semester, the deadline for students to submit a leave of absence request has been extended to August 3. Find eligibility requirements and more about requesting a leave of absence via the Registrar’s Office.All incoming students, including summer start first-year and transfer students, are invited to attend the Incoming Student Town Hall, hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Admission, scheduled for Thursday, July 16, at 6:30 p.m. EDT.
Student Accommodations
Students seeking an academic or employment accommodation (including graduate teaching and research assistants) should start by contacting the Office of Disability Services (ODS).Registering with ODS is a 3-step process that includes completing an application, uploading documentation related to the accommodation request, and scheduling an appointment for an “intake meeting” (either in person or via phone or video conference) with a disability coordinator.
Students who work as undergraduate or graduate teaching assistants and graduate research assistants seeking an employment accommodation should also complete the Georgia Tech Covid-19 Higher Risk Alternative Work Arrangement Request Form.
International Students — Resources and Important Dates
Last week’s guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) caused confusion and anxiety for our international students. We hoped to provide clarity on that guidance, but we recognize that we fell short in providing answers and reassurance. Please know that the well-being of our international students is paramount and we have engaged with the national higher-ed associations in order to advocate for our students.We are very happy to report that a resolution of the issues has been reached and the government has rescinded the proposed guidelines. We will continue to engage with our peer institutions and these national organizations and follow developments closely.
As the Covid-19 situation continues to be fluid and the ground continues to shift, we are consulting with the agency to get greater clarity and to minimize the impact on our international students, where possible. For additional direction, a task force made up of faculty, student leaders, and administrators is now working diligently to develop resources and possible solutions that we will share with the community as quickly as possible.
Resources for International Students
We understand that there are many different challenges facing international students right now. We have several online resources available to assist in planning and decision-making:- International Student Housing Intention Form. If you are able to travel for the Fall 2020 semester, Georgia Tech Housing can accommodate those with a fall housing assignment as early as July 24. All international students must declare their intention by August 3 via the resources section of the My Housing portal. Additional guidance about move-in, late arrival, and housing cancellations for international students is available here
- Fall planning, FAQ’s, and general guidance are available at the Office of International Education.
- Immigration Information Sessions:
- Wednesday, July 15, at 8 a.m. EDT
(GT login required: https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/jhjjhxhv) - Thursday, July 16, at 9 a.m. EDT
(GT login required: https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/pstpepuq)
- Wednesday, July 15, at 8 a.m. EDT
- Group Advising Sessions are held three times each week. Students should use their Georgia Tech email to sign up for a session here.
Inquiries With the Office of International Education
The Office of International Education (OIE) may need to be consulted with any detailed questions about a student’s specific immigration or visa situation. Note: OIE is currently experiencing a very high volume of email inquiries and phone calls. Response and wait times are longer than usual for individual inquiries, but additional guidance is coming together quickly to allow students’ questions to be answered as soon as possible. Students are encouraged to register for a group advising session.Moving Forward
The fall semester is now just weeks away and we eagerly await the day we are all able to be on campus again — together. Thank you for your commitment to your own safety and that of your fellow Yellow Jackets, and for your patience, resilience, and flexibility as we adjust to these changes and adopt new behaviors and practices.We will continue to keep you updated as new information becomes available. Please consult our Tech Moving Forward website and our Frequently Asked Questions, and know that we remain committed to the safety and success of our students under the parameters established by state and federal guidelines.
Thank you,
Rafael L. Bras, Provost
Georgia Institute of Technology - July 10, 2020 - Supporting Our International Student Community
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To the Georgia Tech Community:
Georgia Tech is a global institution and embraces a culture of global engagement that allows us to tap the contributions of the brightest scholars from the United States and abroad. Our international student population is of importance to Georgia Tech’s academic mission and we value our students’ contributions to our global campus community.
On July 6, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced proposed modifications of Covid-19 temporary procedural adaptations and guidance for international students and institutions for fall 2020 in a SEVP Broadcast Message: COVID-19 and Fall 2020. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to publish the procedures and responsibilities as a Temporary Final Rule in the Federal Register on August 4. In addition, SEVP published an FAQ on July 7. Some key points of that guidance are:
- All Georgia Tech F-1 student visa holders currently inside the U.S. will be allowed to remain inside the U.S. and attend a mix of in-person and hybrid course delivery during the fall semester. Georgia Tech is planning to operate as close to a traditional way as health and safety allows us. The plan foresees the majority of courses will be offered in a hybrid (requiring physical presence) or in-person mode.
- New Georgia Tech F-1 student U.S. visa holders will be allowed to join the institution for a combination of in-person instruction and hybrid delivery in fall 2020.
- It is unclear if Georgia Tech international students outside the U.S. engaging in coursework from abroad will be able to maintain an Active SEVIS status. We will continue to work with SEVP to clarify this.
- F-1 student visa holders in the U.S. cannot take a full course of study completely remote/online, according to the published guidelines. Unfortunately, that would imply that, if for any reason the mode of instruction were to change to completely remote or online, the students would have to leave the country, or take other measures to remain in lawful status.
To reiterate, Georgia Tech plans to open the fall semester with as close to traditional in-person modality of instruction as possible. We also believe that the personal nature of research and thesis work will not be affected or changed this coming fall semester.
We understand the concern and apprehension the SEVP announcement is causing for the Georgia Tech community. Due to the shifting landscape around Covid-19, updates from the U.S. government, and developing institutional plans, we ask for your patience and sustained attention to current and upcoming guidance. We call upon our community to consider ways in which faculty, staff, students, or offices can provide support and flexibility to international students during this time. As an institution, we are strengthened when we come together as a community to support one another in times of uncertainty.
Sincerely,
Rafael L. Bras, Provost
Georgia Institute of TechnologyP.S. For further discussion, we invite you to join us for an online information session during which will explain what this proposed guidance means to our international students.
Immigration Information Sessions: Analysis of recent guidance from SEVP- Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 8:00am EDT
(GT login required: https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/jhjjhxhv) - Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 9:00am EDT
(GT login required: https://primetime.bluejeans.com/a2m/live-event/pstpepuq)
International Student Resources
- Student Guidebook
- International Students and Scholars
- Office of International Education Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions
- Learning with Technology: Remote learning tutorials and resources
- Student Resources Guide: Contacts for academic, financial, and campus questions
- Student town halls: updates and answers for students and their families
- Undergraduate Academic Support Services FAQs
- Professional Education FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
[Editor's Note: This page was reviewed and updated on January 15, 2020.]
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