UCAELI Student Handbook - UConn American English Language

ModifiedSpring2016

UCAELIStudentHandbook

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TableofContentsUCAELI’sMissionStatement.........................................................................................................3UCAELIOffice......................................................................................................................................4UCAELIOfficeStaff............................................................................................................................4StaffDirectory...................................................................................................................................................4WhotoContactforYourNeeds.................................................................................................................5

UCAELIAcademicSchedule...........................................................................................................6CostofUCAELI....................................................................................................................................6HealthInsurance.............................................................................................................................................6

HoldsonYourAccount......................................................................................................................7AcademicLifeatUCAELI........................................................................................................8UCAELIClasses...................................................................................................................................8Placement...........................................................................................................................................................8ChangingClasses.............................................................................................................................................8

UCONNClasses...................................................................................................................................9ObservingaUCONNClass............................................................................................................................9TakingaUCONNClass................................................................................................................................10

AttendanceandImmigrationStatus........................................................................................10AttendanceandAcademicProgress.........................................................................................10Whyisattendanceimportant?...............................................................................................................11

Assessment&UCAELICertificates............................................................................................11EAQUALSandProficiency........................................................................................................................11EndofSessionCertificates.......................................................................................................................11UCAELIProficiencyCertificates.............................................................................................................12HowtorequestaUCAELIProficiencyCertificate..........................................................................13UCAELIProficiencyCertificateProcessing.......................................................................................13

AcademicAdvising&Probation................................................................................................14AcademicRecordsandFERPA...............................................................................................................14AcademicAdvising.......................................................................................................................................14AcademicProbation....................................................................................................................................14

F-1StudentRegulations...............................................................................................................15SEVIS(StudentandExchangeVisitorInformationSystem)&FormI-20...........................15PassportValidity..........................................................................................................................................16I-94/Arrival&DepartureRecord............................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.DurationofStatus(D/S)&60-DayGracePeriod...........................................................................16Visa.....................................................................................................................................................................16Extensionofstay..........................................................................................................................................16ReportYourAddress..................................................................................................................................17TravelAbroad................................................................................................................................................17ChangingSchools..........................................................................................................................................17EmploymentonCampus...........................................................................................................................17EndofProgram.............................................................................................................................................17

DocumentRequests.......................................................................................................................19UCAELILettersofRecommendation........................................................................................19FormalComplaints.........................................................................................................................20CrossCulturalConnectionsProgram.......................................................................................20All-ProgramActivities..................................................................................................................21HousingandDiningOptionsforUCAELIStudents...............................................................21

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On-CampusHousing...................................................................................................................................21Off-CampusHousing...................................................................................................................................22Homestay............................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.DiningServices..............................................................................................................................................22

InternationalStudentandScholarServices(ISSS).............................................................22UConnEmail.....................................................................................................................................24UniversityActivities......................................................................................................................24ParkingServices..............................................................................................................................25TransportationServices...............................................................................................................25TheStorrs-WillimanticBusSystem.....................................................................................................25UConnBus.......................................................................................................................................................26

InCaseofEmergency.....................................................................................................................26EmergencySituations.................................................................................................................................26UConnAlertSystem....................................................................................................................................27WeatherEmergencies................................................................................................................................27

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GeneralUCAELIInformation

UCAELI’sMissionStatementBasedattheUniversityofConnecticut,aleadingpublicuniversity,theUniversityofConnecticutAmericanEnglishLanguageInstitute(UCAELI)providesinnovativeEnglishlanguageprogramsandexceptionallysupportivestudentservices.Ourmissionis:

• Toprovideourstudentswithqualitylanguageinstructionthatenablestheachievementoftheirpersonal,academicandprofessionalgoals

• TomaximizeourstudentsaccesstoUConn'seducational,culturalandcommunityresources

• Toassistourstudentsintheirtransitiontomainstreamacademiccourses• Tosupportuniversity-wideneedsforspecializedEnglishprogramsand

services• Toprovideourstudentsandcommunitywithopportunitiesforinternational

experiencesandlearning

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UCAELIOffice

• Hours:8:00am–5:00pm,MondaythroughFriday.o HoursmaychangeandstudentswillgetaUCONNemailifthereareany

changesorearlyclosings

• Location:RoweCenterforUndergraduateEducation,Room218

• UCAELIaddress:368FairfieldWay,Unit4198Storrs,CT06269-1198

• TheUCAELIwebsite:www.ucaeli.uconn.edu

IMPORTANT:BesuretocheckyourUCONNemaildailyforUCAELIupdates.

UCAELIOfficeStaffStaffDirectory

• Jeannie:UCAELIAssociateDirectorContactInfo:860-486-8484,[email protected]

• Andrew:UCAELIAcademicCoordinatorContactInfo:860-486-2127,[email protected]

• Ali:UCAELIProgramCoordinatorContactInfo:860-486-2127,[email protected]

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WhotoContactforYourNeeds• InternationalStudentandScholarServices(ISSS)

o Allvisarelatedissuesincluding:§ Travelsignatures§ Questionsaboutvisastatus§ I-20Extensions

• CoreTeacher(Kelly)

o Personallettersofrecommendationo Proficiencycertificateo Assistancewithlanguagelearningo Topicscoveredinclasso Feedbackonteachingo Classactivities

• ClassroomInstructors

o Classchangeso Personallettersofrecommendationo Assistancewithlanguagelearningo Topicscoveredinclasso Feedbackonteachingo Classactivities

• UCAELIOfficeStaff(Andrew,Ali,andStudentEmployees)

o UCAELITranscriptso Trip/ActivityInformationo RequestFormsforLetters

§ DMV,Parking,Scholarships,etc.o GeneralUCONNissues

§ Housing,Bursar’sOffice,StudentHealthServices,etc.o GeneralinformationaboutUCAELIo Filingaformalcomplainto On-campusandoff-campusResources

IMPORTANT:Pleasedonotrequestthesamedocumentsfrommorethanonestaffmember.Ifyoudonotreceiveapromptresponseduringofficehours,pleasecallthemainofficeat860-496-2127.

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UCAELIAcademicScheduleUCAELIClassesmeetMondaythroughFriday.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

9am-2:30pm 9am-3:30pm 9am-2:30pm 9am-3:30pm 9am-12pm

Lunch:11:30-12:30

Lunch:12:15-1:30

Lunch:11:30-12:30

Lunch:12:15-1:30

Conversationpartners:

11am-12pm

• UCAELIfollowsUConn’sscheduleforholidayandweatherrelatedclosings.OndaysthatUConnisclosed,UCAELIisalsoclosedandwillnotholdclasses.

• VacationWeeks(NOUCAELICLASSES)

o FallSemester:theweekofThanksgiving(4thweekinNovember)o SpringSemester:“SpringBreak”(2ndor3rdweekinMarch)

CostofUCAELIUCAELIfeesareaddedtoyourfeebill.Thesefeesinclude:

• Tuition• Mandatoryhealthinsurance• VisaComplianceFee• Housing(ifyouliveoncampus)

Paymentisdueonorbeforethefirstdayofthesession.Youmustpayyourfeebillinordertoberegisteredinclasses.Studentswhodonotpaytheirfeebillwillnotberegisteredinclasses.Anystudentwhoisnotregisteredinclassesbythe10thdayofthesemesterwillviolatethetermsoftheirI-20andmaybeaskedtoleavetheUCAELIprogram.FormoreinformationonabsencespleaseviewtheAttendanceandImmigrationsectionofthishandbook.HealthInsuranceIMPORTANT:AllUCAELIstudentsmustpurchaseUCONNhealthinsurance.TheonlyexceptiontothisruleisSaudiArabianCulturalMission(SACM)studentswith

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AETNAhealthinsurance.ThisispartoftheSACMscholarship.Nootherexceptionswillbemade.

• FormoreinformationonthecostofhealthinsurancepleasevisittheUCAELIwebsiteathttp://wp.ucaeli.uconn.edu/programs/intensive-english-program-iep/intensive-english-program-dates-costs/

• UCAELIstudentsareprovidedwithConsolidatedHealthPlans(CHP)

insurance.FormoreinformationonyourplanandcoveragepleasevisittheCHPwebsiteathttps://consolidatedhealthplan.com/

HoldsonYourAccountAholdmaybeplacedonyouraccountforavarietyofthings.Itisyourresponsibilitytogettheseholdslifted.MakesureyoucheckyourStudentAdminaccounttoseeifyouhaveanyholds.TheUCAELIofficewillalsonotifyyouofholdswhennecessary.

o Someexamplesofholdsare:§ Bursar’sOfficeforfailuretopaytuitionorhealthinsurance§ ISSScheck-in§ Parkingtickets

• Ifyouhaveaholdforfailuretopayforservices(includinghousing,health

insuranceandtuition)youwillnotbeableto…1. attendclasses(Theseabsenceswillcountagainstyou.Pleaseseethe

AttendanceandImmigrationStatussectionofthismanual);2. changeclasses;3. useUCONNservicessuchasthegymandthelibrary;4. getanydocumentsfromtheUCAELIoffice(liketranscripts,lettersof

enrollmentverification)

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AcademicLifeatUCAELIUCAELIClassesPlacement

• Newstudentsareplacedinclassesbasedontheirplacementtestscores.Thesetestsaregiventothestudentsaftertheirapplicationshavebeencompleted,andbeforetheyarriveatUCAELI.

• Returningstudentsareplacedinclassesbasedonteacherrecommendations

andEAQUALSProficiencyLevels.Studentsatthe“+”levelareadvancedtothenextclass.Forexample,astudentwithanA2+inWritingisplacedintheB1-B1+FocusonWritingcourse.

• OnlystudentswithaB1+inallskillareasareallowedtotakeEnglishfor

AcademicPurposes.StudentsbelowthislevelwhowishtoenterthecoursemusthavetheEAPinstructor’spermissionandsignanEAPPlacementWaiverformacknowledgingthattheirlevelisbelowtheminimumrequirementsfortheclass.

• IntermediateandAdvancedstudentswillhavetheopportunitytochoose

theirafternoonclassesduringthefirstweekofthesemester.TheUCAELIteacherswillplacestudentswhoareabsentfortheclassselectionsessioninafternoonclasses.

ChangingClassesIfyoubelievethatyouhavebeenplacedintheincorrectlevelorafternoonclasspleasefollowthesesteps:

1. Gotoatleasttwoclassesfirst2. Talktotheteacheroftheclassthatyouareassignedtoandaskthe

instructorfora“ClassChangeForm”3. Iftheteacheragrees,theywillgiveyouaform.Youwillneedtofillout

thetopportionoftheformwithyourinformation.4. Gettwosignatures,onefromyourcurrentinstructorandanotherfrom

yournewteacher.Ifyoucannotgettwosignatures,thenyoucannotchangeclasses.

5. Oncetheformiscomplete,bringittotheUCAELIofficetobechanged.• Yourattendancerecordswilltransferfromoneclasstoanother.Forexample,

ifyouareabsenttwotimesinCommunicationSkillsA1-A1+andyoumovetoCommunicationSkillsA2-A2+youwillhavetwoabsencesinyournewclass(A2-A2+)

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• ThereareNOclasschangesafterthesecondweekofclasses.ThisistheendoftheUniversityAdd/DropperiodandUCAELIcannotmakeexceptionsforthisrule.

IMPORTANT:IfyouhaveaBursarholdonyouraccountyouwillNOTbeabletochangecourses.ThisisaUniversitypolicyandtheUCAELIofficedoesnothaveanycontroloverthis(see“HoldsonAccount”section).

UConnClassesHighIntermediateandAdvancedlevelstudentsmayattendUConnclasses.

• YoumustgetpermissionfromtheUCAELIAcademicCoordinatorandtheywillhelpyoufindaUConnClass

• IfyouareinterestedintakingaUConncourseforcreditorobservation,

pleasevisittheRegistrar’ssiteforNon-Degreestudentshttp://nondegree.Uconn.edu/non-degree-registration/andclickon“Dynamicclasssearch”tobeginlookingforpossiblecourses

ObservingaUConnClass• YourEAQUALSscoremustbeB1+oraboveinallareas

• YoumayobserveaclassinplaceofanafternoonUCAELIclassifyouareable

tofulfillalloftheresponsibilitiesbelow

o YoumustgetpermissionfromtheAcademicCoordinator

o Yourresponsibilitiesinclude:§ Attendingalllectures§ Participatingindiscussionsoractivities§ PayingyourfullUCAELItuition§ ParticipateintheUCAELIcourse“BridgetoUConn”§ Postingweeklysummariesoftheclassyouareobservingin

HuskyCT§ YoudonotneedtotakequizzesortestsintheUConncourse§ YouwillnotreceiveagradefortheUConncourse

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EnrollinginaUConnClass• YourEAQUALSscoremustbeB2oraboveinallareas

• YouwillneedtogetpermissionfromtheAcademicCoordinator

• Yourresponsibilitiesinclude:

o Attendingalllectureso Participatinginalldiscussionsandactivitieso Takingquizzesortestso PaythecoursefeetotheUniversityofConnecticuto PayfortheUCAELIcoursesyouarealsotakingo ParticipateintheUCAELIcourse“BridgetoUConn”

• YouwillreceiveagradefortheUConncourse

AttendanceandImmigrationStatus

AllF-1studentsarerequiredbylawtomaintainfull-timeenrollmentatalltimes.Full-timeenrollmentmeansregularattendanceofallUCAELIand/orUConncoursesinwhichastudentisregistered.Manyunexplainedabsencesmayindicatethatastudenthasdroppedbelowfull-time.

StudentswillbenotifiedtomeetwiththeirImmigrationAdvisor…

1. After3absences(2duringSummersessions)inanyonecourseandUCAELIinstructorsindicatethatthestudenthasnotexplainedtheabsencesandmadeupmissedcoursework.

2. After3more(1moreduringSummersessions)unexplainedabsencesinanyonecoursewithoutaplantomakeupmissedcourseworkwillbeconsideredanunauthorizeddropbelowfulltimeenrollment.

IMPORTANT:Ifastudentdropsbelowfull-timeenrollmentwithoutpermissionfromImmigrationServicesorhas6ormoredaysofunexplainedabsences,thestudentmaybesubjecttoSEVISI-20terminationforanunauthorizeddropbelowfullcourseofstudy.Ifastudent’sI-20isterminated,theywillneedtodepartfromtheU.S.immediatelyandmaynotbeeligibletoreturntotheUCAELIprogram.

AttendanceandAcademicProgressYourattendanceandparticipationinUCAELIcoursesisveryimportanttoyourprogressasalanguagelearner.Youareexpectedtoattendandbepreparedforeverycourse.Goodattendanceshowsreadinessforcollege-levelacademicwork.

• Absencesfromcoursesandfailuretocompletecourserequirementswillbe

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notedonyourfinaltranscript.Anabsenceisdefinedas“adaywhenyouarenotinclass.”Twolatearrivals=1absence.Youareconsidered“late”ifyouarrivemorethan10minutesafterthestartofclass.

• Excusedabsencesmayincludereligiousholidays,doctorappointmentsforyourselforanimmediatefamilymember,atestsuchastheTOEFLtestortheGREtestthatcannotbescheduledoutsideofclassmeetingtimes,anddayswhenyouaretooilltoparticipateinclass.

• Asignificantnumberofabsences(6ormoreduringFallandSpring;4ormoreinSummer)orlatearrivalsfromanyonecoursemaypreventtheinstructor(s)fromevaluatingyourEnglishproficiencyaccuratelyandwillbenotedonyourfinaltranscriptas“Englishskillsnotevaluatedduetoincompletecoursework.”Thiscommentwouldbeequivalenttofailingtocompleteacourse.

o IfyouarecontinuingintheUCAELIprogram,youmayneedtorepeatthecoursebeforeprogressingtoahigher-levelcourse.

Whyisattendanceimportant?AttendanceofUCAELIclassesisextremelyimportantbecause…

1. Youmaymissimportantmaterialorfallbehindifyouareabsentfromevenoneclass;

2. Instructors’evaluationsofyouarebasedonyourperformanceintheirclasses;

3. Otherstudentsmaydependonyourhelpwithapairworkoragroupproject;4. Youcannotmakeprogressifyoudonottakefulladvantageofevery

opportunitytouseEnglish.

Assessment&UCAELICertificatesEAQUALSandProficiencyUCAELIinstructorsusetheEAQUALSdescriptorstoevaluateyourEnglishlanguageproficiency

• Thislinkdescribesthedifferentlevelsofproficiencyforlistening,reading,spokeninteraction,spokenproduction,writtenproduction,strategies(strategiccompetence)andqualityoflanguage.

o http://clients.squareeye.net/uploads/eaquals2011/EAQUALS_Bank_as_scales.pdf

EndofSessionCertificatesUCAELIIntensiveEnglishProgramEndofSessioncertificatesareawardedtostudentswho:

o Successfullycompletetheentiresession

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o Meetattendancerequirementso Completeallcoursework

• Ifastudentdropsbelowfull-timeenrollmentwithoutpriorauthorizationor

ifthestudentleavestheprogramearlywithoutcompletingcourserequirements,thestudentbecomesineligibleforaUCAELICertificate.

HonorCertificatesareawardedtostudentswho:

• Haveshownexceptionalleadershipqualities• Havehadexcellentattendance• Haveshownexceptionaleffortineveryclass

ProficiencyCertificatesareawardedtostudentswhohavereachedacademicproficiency.ThisisdifferentfromtheUCAELIEndofSessionCertificate.PleaseseetheProficiencyCertificatesectionformoreinformation.

• IMPORTANT:TheUCAELIProficiencyCertificaterequirementsstatethatstudentsmustmeetallcourseandattendancerequirementsleadingtoaUCAELIIntensiveEnglishProgramendofsessioncertificate.

UCAELIProficiencyCertificatesTheProficiencyCertificateisissuedtoconfirmthatastudentisconsideredcapableofacademicwork.ReceivingaUCAELIProficiencyCertificateisequivalenttocompletingtheprogram.AstudentmustmeetthefollowingcriteriatobeissuedaProficiencyCertificate.Ifthesecriteriaaremet,aproficiencycertificatewillbeissuedatthestudent’srequest.Thiscertificateisparticularlybeneficialtothosestudentswhodonothavetherequired550(Paperbased)or79(iBT)ontheTOEFLTestforentrancetoauniversity.SpecificCriteria:

1. EAQUALSlevelofatleastB2inallskillareasonastudent’scourseevaluation(ascoreofB2indicatesminimalacademicproficiency,ascoreofC2indicatesfullacademicproficiency)

2. AnEAQUALSwritingscoreofatleastB2onatimedessayorresearchpaper

3. Atleastoneofthefollowing:

• TOEFLiBTscoreof71orhigher• TOEFLpaperbasedtestscoreof525orhigher• IELTSscoreof6.0(minimumof5.0onallsubscores)• MichiganTestofEnglishLanguageProficiencyscoreof85orhigher(if

necessary)• SatisfactorycompletionoftheUCAELIEAPListening/Speakingand

EAPReading/Writingcourses

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4. Satisfactorycompletionofallcourserequirements,includingattendance,leadingtoaUCAELIendofthesessioncertificate

HowtorequestaUCAELIProficiencyCertificate

1. SubmitawrittenrequesttoUCAELICoreTeacherKellyMcKenna.Therequestmustinclude:

• Yourfullname• TheUCAELIcoursesyouarecurrentlytaking• CopiesofofficialscorereportsfromtheTOEFLorIELTStests

2. TheCoreTeacherwillevaluateyoureligibilityandwillnotifyyouinwriting

whetherornotyouhavemetthecriteriafortheProficiencyCertificate.*Thisprocesswilltakeatleast7days.Thedecisionisfinal.However,studentswhohavebeendeniedaProficiencyCertificatemaymakeanewrequestforaProficiencyCertificateafterthedatelistedinthewrittennotificationfromtheCoreTeacher.UCAELIProficiencyCertificateProcessingAfterreceivingawrittenrequestfromastudentforaUCAELIProficiencyCertificate,theCoreTeacherwill:

1. Consultthestudent’sfiletodetermineeligibility.2. IfthestudenttranscriptdoesnotshowaproficiencylevelofB2inallskill

areasfromaprevioussession,thentheCoreTeachermayaskallofthestudent’scurrentteacherstosupplyanupdateofEAQUALSProficiencyscoresinallskillareas.

3. ScheduleadateforthestudenttotaketheMichiganTest(astandardizedlanguagetestsimilartothePBTTOEFL)ifnecessary.Thetestisnecessarywhenastudenthasn’ttakenEAPandhasmissedtheTOEFLexam.

4. IfthestudenthasmetalloftheUCAELIProficiencyCertificatecriteria,theCoreTeacherwillnotifythestudentandtheAcademicCoordinatorinwriting.TheAcademicCoordinatorwillissueanofficialProficiencyCertificateletterwithinthreedaysofreceivingnotificationfromtheCoreTeacher.

5. IfthestudenthasnotmetalloftheUCAELIProficiencyCertificatecriteria,theCoreTeacherwillprepareawrittenresponsetothestudentthatincludesthefollowinginformation:

• AcopyoftheUCAELIProficiencyRequirements• Reason(s)thestudentdidnotmeettherequirements(i.e.lowTOEFL

scores,EAQUALSlevels)• Asummaryofthestudent’scurrentEAQUALSlevel• AdatewhenthestudentcanrequestanotherreviewforUCAELI

ProficiencyCertificateeligibility.TheCoreTeacherwillplaceonecopyofthewrittenresponseinthestudent’sfile.

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AcademicAdvising&ProbationAcademicRecordsandFERPATheFamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyAct(FERPA)of1974isalawregardingyoureducationalrecords.Asastudent,youhavetherightto…

• knowthepurposeandcontentoftheireducationrecords;• knowwhichUniversityofficesmaintaintheireducationrecords;• askforchangesbemadetoeducationrecords;and• appealadecisionofaUniversityfacultyorstaffmembernottomakethe

changesrequested.

ForpurposesofFERPA,theUniversityconsidersallstudentstobeindependent.Thismeanseducationalrecordswillnotbeprovidedtorelativeswithoutthewrittenpermissionofthestudent.AcademicAdvisingAcademiccounselingisavailablebyappointmentduringtheAcademicCoordinator’sofficehours.Tomakeanappointment,emailtheAcademiccoordinator(seeOfficeStaffinformationonp.3)togethelpwith…

• Creatinganacademicplanforthenextyear;• Gettinginformationaboutundergradorgradacademicprograms;• Applyingforuniversityadmission(forstudentswithB1≤proficiency);• SigningupforobservingaUCONNclass(forstudentswithB1+≤proficiency);• EnrollinginaUCONNclass(forstudentswithB2≤proficiency);• Academicprobationcheck-ins.

AcademicProbationUCAELIstudentsareexpectedtomakenormalandsatisfactoryprogressintheIEPprogram.StudentswhodonotreceivetheUCAELIcertificatefortwosessionsmustmeetwiththeAcademicCoordinatorandwillbeputonAcademicProbation.Whileastudentisonacademicprobation,thatstudentmust…

1. MeetwiththeAcademicCoordinatoratregularintervalstomakesuretheyareingoodstandingineachoftheirUCAELIclasses;

2. ANDgetanEndofSessioncertificateduringthatsemester

IMPORTANT:StudentsonAcademicprobationwhodonotmeettheaboverequirementswillnotbeabletoenrollinUCAELIforadditionalsessions.

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StudentVisaInformationF-1StudentRegulationsF-1visastudentsarefull-timestudents.Youmuststudyandattendclassfulltimeeverysemesterforthewholesemester.Ifyoudonot,itisaviolationofyourF-1statusandImmigrationServicesmustterminateyourSEVISrecord. • FulltimestudyforUCAELIisatleast22hoursperweek.Thisalsomeansthat

youmuststudyforthefulldurationofthesession.o Forexample,ifthefallsessionbeganAugust29andendedDecember

15,youareexpectedtostudyfull-timeforthatwholetimeperiod.Ifyouleavetheprogramorstopstudyingbeforethesessionenddate,yourI-20willbeterminated.

• Ifyouexceedthenumberofallowedunexcusedabsencesinanyoneclass,your

I-20willbeterminatedaswell.IMPORTANT:IfyoumustleaveUCAELIearlyorstopstudyingforsomereason,tellUCAELIandyourInternationalAdvisorimmediately.Ifyouhavevalidmedicalreasons,youmaybeabletostudyonapart-timebasisortakeamedicalleaveofabsence,butyoumusthavepermissionfromyourInternationalAdvisorfirstbeforeyoustopattendingclasses!

TheInternationalAdvisorforUCAELIstudentsisSarahManningandheremailaddressisSarah.Manning@uconn.edu.SEVIS(StudentandExchangeVisitorInformationSystem)&FormI-20SEVISisthegovernmentdatabasethatkeepsinformationonF-1studentvisaholders.YouhaveaSEVISrecordmaintainedbyUCONNthathasinformationaboutyouandyourF-1program.

TheFormI-20isissuedfromSEVISandshowsthatyouhavebeenadmittedtoUCAELI.TheI-20tellsyou:whereyoumaystudy(UCAELI),whenyoumaystudy(betweenthedateslistedonpageoneoftheI-20)andwhatyoumaystudy(Englishlanguage,secondlanguagelearning).YoumusthaveanactiveSEVISrecordandanunexpiredI-20formtohavelegalF-1status.• IfanyinformationwillchangeonyourI-20,youMUSTcontactanInternational

AdvisoratOfficeofGlobalAffairs-ImmigrationServicestoseeifthosechangesareallowedunderyourF-1studentstatus.

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• ItisyourresponsibilitytobesureyouarefollowingallrulesandregulationsofyourF-1studentstatus.

PassportValidity.Apassportmustbevalidforatleastsixmonthsintothefutureatalltimes.Youcanrenewyourpassportinyourhomecountry,oryoumaybeabletorenewitthroughyourhomecountry’sconsularrepresentationintheUnitedStates.DurationofStatus(D/S)&60-DayGracePeriodDurationofStatus(D/S)meansthetimewhenyouareafull-timestudent,whichwillmatchtheprogramdatesonyourFormI-20,plusa60-daygraceperiod.ThismeansthatyoucanstayintheU.S.untilthe60thdayaftertheprogramenddateonyourFormI-20ORthedatethatyoucomplete/endyourfull-timestudy,whichevercomesearlier.• Ifyouwithdrawfromyourprogramorstopattendingclassesbeforethe

semesterends,youmustfirstconsultwithanInternationalAdvisor-youmaynotbeeligibleforagraceperiodANDyourI-20maybeterminatedfortheunauthorizedwithdrawal.

• AllstudentsmustleavetheU.S.bythegraceperiodenddateunlessyouhave

appliedforachangeofvisastatuswithU.S.CitizenshipandImmigrationServicesorextendedyourF-1statusbytransferringtoanewschoolandreceivinganewI-20form.Therearenoexceptions.

• AsanF-1student,youwillnotbeeligibleforanygraceperiodifyouviolate

yourF-1statusandyourF-1SEVISrecordisterminated.VERYIMPORTANT:PleasenotethatifyouviolateyourstatusandyourI-20isterminate,youmayhavetroublesecuringavisatotheU.S.inthefuture.VisaAsanF-1student,youmusthaveavalidF-1visapageinyourpassportwheneveryouentertheU.S.inF-1status.ThevisacannotberenewedwithintheU.S.YourvisadoesnottellyouhowlongyoucanstayintheU.S:ifthevisapageexpireswhileyouareintheU.S.,thisisnoproblemifyourI-20formisvalidandyoucontinuetostudyfulltimeinyourF-1programandotherwisefollowallF-1rules.

ExtensionofstayIfyouwishtostudybeyondtheprogramenddateonyourI-20formthenyoumustapplyforanextensionatleast30daysbeforetheI-20expirationdate.

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• ToqualifyforanextensionyoumustfirstapplytoUCAELIforadditionalstudyandshownewfundingdocumentstocovertheadditionalperiodofstudy.

IMPORTANT:YoumaynotstudyaftertheprogramenddateonyourI-20.YourprogramwillbecompletedandyouwillhavetodeparttheU.S.ortakestepstotransfertoanotherschoolorchangetoadifferentvisastatus.ReportYourAddressYoumustupdateyourUConnstudentrecordwithin10daysofanaddresschange,thiswillnotifyImmigrationServices.TravelAbroadF-1studentscantakeashorttripoutsidetheU.S.duringtheirprogram,butyoumustgetatravelsignaturefromanInternationalAdvisorBEFOREleaving.Travelsignaturesareissuedonpage3oftheFormI-20.Formoreinformationontravelrequirements,visithttp://global.Uconn.edu/about/immigration-services/forms/travel-questions/ChangingSchoolsYoumayonlystudyattheschoollistedonyourI-20form.

• Ifyoudecidetochangeschools,youmustfirsttellUCAELIsoImmigrationServicescantransferyourSEVISrecordfromUCAELItoyournewschool.ThenewschoolcanthengiveyouanI-20form.Youmustdothisbeforetheendofyour60-daygraceperiod.

• Youmustbeginstudiesatyournewschoolwithin5monthsofyourlastday

ofclassesatUCAELI.EmploymentonCampusF-1studentsmayworkoncampusupto20hoursperweekwhileschoolisinsession.Duringofficialbreakperiods,studentsmayworkupto40hoursperweek.Off-campusemploymentisnotallowed-itisaseriousviolationofF-1statusandyourSEVISrecordwillbeterminated.EndofProgram• WhenyoucompleteyourstudiesatUCAELIyoumustfilloutadepartureform.

OnthisdeparturenoticeyouwilltellImmigrationServiceswhetheryouareleavingtheU.S.orgoingtoanotherschool.YoucangetthisformfromUCAELIorImmigrationServices.

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• Pleasenote:ifyoucompleteUCAELIbeforeyourI-20enddate,yourI-20willbeshortenedtothecompletiondate.

IMPORTANT:Ifyouhaveanyimmigration/visaquestionswhileatUCAELIpleaseaskyourInternationalAdvisor.

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UCAELIServices

DocumentRequestsIfyouneedadocumentyoumustfilloutaLetter/DocumentRequestForm.

• UCAELIwillprovidestudentswithenrollmentlettersorofficialtranscriptsforthefollowingpurposes:

o ProofofEnrollmentforApartmentLeases(Enrollmentdepositand/ortuitionmustbepaidtoreceiveanEnrollmentLetter)

o TranscriptforDMV(StateIDandDriverLicense)o UConnParkingLettero LettersrequiredforGovernmentScholarships

• IfyouneedaUCAELItranscriptpleasecometotheUCAELIofficeandfillout

aDocumentRequestFormNote:Letter/documentrequestsmaytakeupto4days.Youwillreceiveanemailconfirmationwhenyourlettersordocumentsareavailable.

UCAELILettersofRecommendationAcademiclettersofrecommendationfromUCAELImayberequested.TheAcademicCoordinatordeterminesifaletterofrecommendationwillbedrafted.

• IfatanytimeduringyourstudyatUCAELI,youdonotreceiveanEndofSessioncertificate,wewillnotwriteanacademicletterofrecommendationforyou.

• YouareencouragedtoaskyourUCAELIinstructorsforapersonalletterof

recommendation.

• CopiesofletterswrittenonUCAELIletterheadwillbeplacedinyourUCAELIacademicfile.

Note:Letterofrecommendationrequestsmaytakeupto1week.Youwillreceiveanemailconfirmationwhenyourlettersordocumentsareavailable.

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FormalComplaintsAformalcomplaintisastudent’swrittenreportofaseriousproblemrelatedtoUConn/UCAELIpersonnel,services,oranincidentoncampus.Formalcomplaintsusuallycannotberesolvedbyinformalmeans(suchas1-on-1discussion)andaredocumentedinwritingthroughouttheresolutionprocess.Examplesofincidentsconsideredformalcomplaintsare…

• physicalconfrontationswithanyoneoncampus• disputeswithUConn/UCAELIstudentsorfacultythatcannotberesolved

withoutamediator• incidentsinvolvingdiscriminationorharassmentwithanyoneassociated

withtheUConn/UCAELIcommunity• sub-standardhousingconditions(onoroffcampus)

ExamplesofincidentsthatareNOTconsideredformalcomplaintsare…

• aclassroomnothavingwindows• wantingtochangeclassesbecauseofplacement• havingtoomuch/anyhomework• havingtocometoclasswhenitisrainingoutside

Tomakeaformalcomplaint,thestudentmustfilloutandsubmitaformalcomplaintformtoaUCAELIadministrator(JeannieSlaytonorAndrewSantos),possiblyaftertryingtoresolvetheprobleminformally.TheUCAELIadministratorwillthenfollowupanddocumentallstepsthataretakentoresolvetheproblemaswellasthefinaloutcome.RecordsofallformalcomplaintsarekeptattheUCAELIofficeatalltimes.

CrossCulturalConnectionsProgramIfyouwouldlikemorecommunicationpracticeoutsideofclassthenCrossCulturalConnectionsisforyou.

• Partnersmeetinformallytodiscusstopicsofgeneralinterest.Sometimesalearningexchangeisestablishedwherestudentandpartnerexchangelanguageskills.

• ThisisoneofthebestwaystolearnaboutUConnandtomakenewfriends.

• Theconversationpartnerprogramisavailableonlyduringfallandspring.

• Insomecases,notallUCAELIstudentswillbematchedbecauseofthelackof

volunteers.

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• PleasevisittheCommunityOutreachOfficeintheStudentUnionformoreinformationandtosignup!

All-ProgramActivitiesEachsession,UCAELIstudentsattendtripdesignedtoenhancetheirEnglishstudiesandexperiencewiththelocalarea.

• Someprevioustripsinclude:o NewYorkCityo Bostono Newport,RhodeIslando SturbridgeVillage(aworkingmuseumofan18thcenturyNew

EnglandVillage)o ThePequotMuseum(dedicatedtoresearchandeducationaboutlocal

NativeAmericantribesandhistory).

• AllstudentsareexpectedtoattendaspartoftheirEnglishlearningexperience.

• Fridayactivitieswillalsobeplannedforstudentsinterestedindoingextra

thingsafterclass.Mostoftheseactivitieswillbefreeorlowcost.

HousingandDiningOptionsforUCAELIStudentsThereareseverallivingoptionsforUCAELIstudents.Theseinclude:

o On-campushousingo Off-campushousing

On-CampusHousingPleaselettheUCAELIofficeknowthatyouareinterestedinlivingoncampusandwewillassistyouinfillingouttheonlinehousingapplicationthroughtheResidentialLifewebsite.

• IfyouareacontinuingstudentandwouldliketostayoncampusyoumustlettheUCAELIstaffknow.

• Ifyouaccepttheuniversityhousingandsignthecontractyouareagreeingtoliveintheroom.Ifyoubreakyourcontract,youwillhavetopayafeeandwillnotgetarefund.ThisisaResidentialLifepolicy,notaUCAELIpolicyandwecannothelpyougetoutofyourcontract.

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• Takealookatthehousingwebsiteformoreinformationatwww.reslife.uconn.edu

• Allstudentswholiveon-campusinthedormsarerequiredtohaveaUConn

diningplan.Theonlyon-campushousingoptionthatisdoesnotaretheon-campusapartments.

Off-CampusHousingUCAELImakeseveryefforttoassiststudentswithfindingaplacetolive.Ifyouprefertoliveoff-campusandneedassistancepleaseletusknowbeforeyouarrive.

• Theoff-campuswebsiteisagreatresourceforstudents.LoginwithyourNetIDandpasswordtofindotherUConnstudentslookingforroommates.

• Checkouttheoff-campushousingwebsiteformoreinformation.

http://offcampushousing.uconn.edu/DiningServicesTherearethreetypesofmealplans:

o Ultimateplan(mostexpensive):Unlimitedaccessduringthetimesthedininghallsareopen,35flexpasses,500points

o Valueplan:Unlimitedaccessduringthetimesthedininghallsareopen,40flexpasses,200points

o Customplan(leastexpensive):Unlimitedaccessduringthetimesthedininghallsareopen,75flexpasses,nopoints

• Visithttp://dining.uconn.edu/meal-plans/forspecificinformationandcost

• Flexpass:AguestpassforafriendorfamilymemberandmayalsobeusedatGrabandGo(foodpickup)locations

• Points:1point=$1.00PointscanbeusedatUnionStreetMarket(Student

Union),ConvenienceStoresatUConn,andUConncafes

• HuskyBucks:AdebitcardsystemforUConn(youcanadddollarstoyouraccounttopayforallon-campusdiningestablishments,UConnprinting,andsomeoff-campusdiningestablishments)

InternationalStudentandScholarServices(ISSS)ISSSprovideassistancewithallvisaandimmigrationissues.Ifyouhavequestions,aretraveling,orjustwanttomeetotherinternationalstudentsthisistheplaceforyou.

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• ThisdepartmentislocatedinMcMahon,justabovetheDiningHall.

• ISSShasaloungewithaTVandcomputersforstudentuse.Theyprovide

programsandactivitiesfortheinternationalcommunitysoitisagreatplacetogoandmeetotherstudents!

o Theyprovideweeklycoffeehoursandculturaldiscussions,culturefestivals,moviesandtrips.

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LifeattheUniversityofConnecticutUConnEmailCheckyouremaileveryday!

• UCAELIinstructorsandofficestaffcommunicatewithstudentsthroughemail.

• Youwillfindmessagesaboutupcomingtrips,changesintheschedule,

paymentdeadlines,classcancellations,andimportantmeetings.

• EachstudentisassignedaUConnemailaddress([email protected])

• Studentslivinginon-campushousingshouldbesuretochecktheir

@uconn.eduaddressregularly.

UniversityActivitiesThefollowinglinkswilltakeyoutowebsiteswithlistingsofupcomingevents(exhibits,concerts,activities,sportsgamesetc.)ontheUConncampusandthesurroundingcommunity.Tonavigateandoftheselinks,gotowww.go.uconn.eduandlookunder“StudentLife.”

• DivisionofStudentAffairs:www.studentactivites.uconn.edu

• UConnAthletics:www.uconnhuskies.uconn.edu

• UConnClubSports:www.clubsports.uconn.edu

• StudentUnionBoardofGovernors(SUBOG):Thispageisgreatforfun,andmostlyfree,oncampusstudentactivities.Concerts,moviesandStudentUnioneventsarepostedonthemonthlycalendar.www.subog.uconn.edu

• DepartmentofRecreation:Includesbodywise(fitnessandspinning

classes),intramuralsandUConnoutdoorclubinformationandschedules.www.web.uconn.edu/recreation/PhoneNumber:(860)486-2837

Foracompletecalendarofeventsgotohttp://calendar.uconn.edu

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ParkingServicesParkingontheUConncampusisbypermitonly.

• Ifyouplantodriveacartocampuseachday,youmustpurchaseaparkingpermitfromParkingServicesoncampus.

• BeforeastudentgoestoParkingServices,thestudentshouldcontactthe

UCAELIofficetoreceivea“parkingletter”,thislettertellstheParkingServicesofficethatthestudentisenrolledasaUCAELIstudent.Pleaseallowatleast2daysforustoprocessthisletter.

• Afteryoupurchasetheparkingpermit,youcanparkincommuterlotson

campusonly.AskthepersonatParkingServicesforamapandaskthemtoshowyouexactlywhereyoumaypark.Ifyouparkinalotthatisnotacommuterlot,youwillreceiveafine.Alllotsarelabeled.

• Commuterlotsfillupearlyintheday,someofthembefore8:15am.Please

plantoarriveearly.Youshouldalsoknowaboutothercommuterlotswhereyouarepermittedtopark.

• Thefeesvarywhetheryouliveoncampus,commute,orareapart-timeor

full-timestudent.Astudentwhocomesinthefallsemesterbutdoesnotstayforthespringsemestercangetapartialrefund.Summerparkingisalsoavailable.

• Tickets(fines)forparkingviolationsareissuedthroughthepolice

department.Youhavetherighttocontestthecharges.

• Formoreinformationvisit:www.park.uconn.edu/orcall(860)486-4930

TransportationServicesTheStorrs-WillimanticBusSystem

TheWRTDgoesfromUCONNintoWillimantic(EastbrookMall,BigY(GroceryStore),Wal-Mart,manymore!)

• ThebusisfreeforallUCONNstudentswithastudentID.

• Formoreinformationvisitwww.wrtd.net

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UConnBusThereare7buslinesoncampusduringtheschoolweek.Thebusesdrop-offandpick-upstudentsatvariousbusstopsoncampusandsurroundinghousingareas.

• Thecampusbusservicerunsfrom6:45am–midnight,Monday–Thursday,

anduntil10pmonFridayduringtheacademicyear.

• Therearespecialroutesandhoursforweekends.

• CheckSchedulesonline:http://transpo.uconn.edu/

• YoucanalsousetheUConnapponyourphonetotrackthebusesaroundcampustomakesureyoualwayscatchyourbus!

InCaseofEmergencyEmergencySituationsIfyouhaveanemergencycall911.Thepolice,firedepartment,andanambulancewillcometoyourlocation.THEPROPERUSEOF911

• Usedforpossiblelife-threateningsituationssuchas:o Automobileaccidento Someonehascollapsed,beeninjured,havingaheartattackorother

physicaldistresso Someoneisbeingthreatenedorattackedo Gunshotshavebeenheardorgunfirehasbeenseeno Somethingisonfire

PleasedoNOTuse911fornon-emergencies.IfyouhaveanemergencyandneedtocontacttheUCAELIofficepleasecallandleaveusadetailedvoicemailat860-486-2127.Youcanalsoemailanyoneofthestaffcontactslistedinthebeginningofthismanual.

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UConnAlertSystemTheUniversityAlertNotificationSystemprovidesanumberofwaysinwhichtheUniversitymaycontactthecommunityintheeventofanemergency.

• ThecomponentsoftheUniversityAlertNotificationSystemincludewebsitealerts,email,voicemail,outdoorsirensandCodeBluePhoneKiosks.

• TheUniversityhascreatedatextmessagealertserviceasonemethodby

whichmembersoftheUConncommunitymaybecontactedintheeventofanemergency.

• Pleasevisithttp://alert.uconn.edu

WeatherEmergenciesWhenitiswinter,drivinginthesnowcanbedangerous,especiallyforourstudentsandteacherscomingfromfaraway.Ifitbeginstosnowheavilyduringtheday,wewillmakeannouncementsduringclassesaboutanearlydismissal.

• UCAELIfollowsUConn’scancel/delaydecisions.IfUConnclassesarecancelled,UCAELIclassesarecancelled.

• Whenthereisaweatherdelay,theuniversitywillusuallyopenat10:00a.m.

soUCAELIclasseswillbeginasfollows:o Monday/WednesdayclasseswillbeginwithCommunicationSkillsor

EAPat10:00a.m.o TuesdayorThursday,Reading/DiscussionandEAPwillbeginat

10:00a.m.o Fridayclasseswillbeginat10:00a.m.andwilllastuntil12:00p.m.

IMPORTANT:Checkyouremailandyourphoneforalertsorvisitalert.uconn.edu

Documents

UCAELI Student Handbook - UConn American English Language