1

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

International

Student

Handbook

2

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

Contents:

Welcome……………………………………………………………………………………………………3

Welcome to Utah State University……………………………………………………………….4

Check list: Things to be done when you arrive……………………………………………...5

Immigration Rules and Regulations……………………………………………………………...6

Housing……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...12

Early History of Cache Valley………………………………………………………………………………..13

Clubs…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16

Campus Life………………………………………………………………………………………………………...17

Off Campus Activities…………………………………………………………………………………………...18

Directory……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...19

Student Services Directory…………………………………………………………………………………….20

3

Welcome to

Utah State University

Welcome to Utah State University. I hope that in the next few months you will meet some ex-

ceptional faculty members, attend some inspirational classes, and make many new friends

from all across Utah, the United States, and the World. Our campus community values what

you bring to our campus and we invite you to engage in classroom discussions, extracurricular

activities, and the events in Cache Valley. The Logan campus has over 16,000 students with

more than 1000 of those from 80-85 countries around the world. We encourage all of our

students to broaden their global perspective during their university career. So share your cul-

ture and learn about the cultures of those around you.

The USU campus offers many support services to help make your university experience suc-

cessful. Our world depends on an educated and tolerant population to address the global

challenges that are so interconnected today. We recognize the personal sacrifices you have

made to come to Utah and we congratulate you on your past academic success. Best of luck

to you in your USU studies - enjoy your experience!

Mary Hubbard, PhD

Vice Provost for Global Engagement

4

WELCOME TO UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

It is our great please to welcome you to Logan, Utah. On

campus we have a wonderful international student body

and you are now part of a rich diverse community.

With over 1,000 international students on campus, you

will have the opportunity to meet new people, learn of

new cultures and share your own culture. International

students play an integral part of cultural life on campus.

We hope that you will make the best of every opportuni-

ty that comes your way.

The Office of International Students and Scholars is here

to help you make the most of your time at USU. The of-

fice provides students with admissions help, immigra-

tion advising, cultural exchange programs and an oppor-

tunity to meet new friends. The information contained

in the packet will help you adjust and give you infor-

mation that will make your efforts in Logan a little easi-

er. Please take the time to read through the packet care-

fully. If you have any questions feel free to contact our

office.

We wish you luck in your studies an we look forward to

getting to know you!

Sincerely,

OISS

Utah State,

hey

Aggies all the

way

Go Aggies

Go Aggies

AGGIES

5

This list contains important things that need to be done as soon as

possible. Please make sure you go through the following procedures to

give yourself a smooth start with Utah State University!

CHECK LIST: THINGS TO BE DONE WHEN YOU ARRIVE

6

IMMIGRATION RULES AND REGULATIONS: Passport:

DO NOT allow your passport to expire while here in the United States

U.S. government requires passports to be valid for at least six months before en-

tering the U.S.

The following link provides info on the embassies and consulates around the world

http://www.embassyworld.com

Contact your home country embassy

Visa:

If your visa expires while you are in the U.S. that is not a problem. You will only renew it

when you return to your home country.

Your visa is an entry into the country, it is not your legal status here in the U.S.

If you need to renew your visa because you will be traveling home please contact the OISS

Visa vs. Status

Visa: a stamp in your passport from your U.S. consulate or embassy

Only valid for entry in the United States.

Visa can expire while studying in the U.S.

Can only renew visa outside the U.S., if necessary

Status: (F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2) is your legal status in the U.S. determined by the DHS and can be

found on your I-94 card.

Never put your status in danger. Always protect and maintain your status

SEVIS:

The Student Exchange Visitor Information Systems

SEVIS shares information that DHS has put in place for F and J students/scholars.

Each I-20 and DS-2019 are issued through SEVIS

USU must report the following on each student to SEVIS:

Change of address, enrollment each semester, and any changes with students or de-

pendents of students status

7

MAINTAINING YOUR STATUS: YOU MUST REGISTER FULL-TIME during the fall and spring semesters.

12 credits per semester for undergraduate students.

9 credits per semester for graduate students

18 credits for IELI students.

Students must be enrolled full-time by the end of the last add/drop date of each se-

mester

The last day to add/drop a class for each semester can be found at http://usu.edu/

calendar/academic.cfm

Students are ONLY allowed to take 3 credits of distance education, independent

study, or online courses per semester.

If you sign up for an independent study course then you must finish the course with-

in the semester you signed up for the course.

If you are planning to enroll below full course load, YOU MUST GET APPROVAL

FROM AN OISS ADVISOR before you can drop below a full course load.

You will be required to fill out a Reduced Course Load form (RCL) with your ac-

ademic advisors signature.

The RCL must be filled out each semester that you intend to drop below full-

time status.

You must give the RCL to the OISS before the semester begins or before you

decide to drop a class.

Failure to get approval to drop below full-time will result in violation of your

status.

Acceptable reasons for enrolling less than full-time:

Graduate students: Graduate assistantship, completed coursework of study,

final semester of study.

Undergraduate students: Difficulty with English language, medical reason,

final semester,

8

Program Extension

DO NOT LET YOUR 1-20 OR DS-2019 EXPIRES!

Request a program extension BEFORE your document expires.

Come to the OISS for a new I-20 or DS-2019 one month before it expires.

If your document expires and you did no renew it then you will be out of status and

need to exit the US immediately

Report Change of Address

YOU MUST report to the OISS any time you move dorms or apartment within 10

days of relocation.

Post Office Box Addresses CANNOT be used.

It is part of DHS regulations to keep updated personal contact information in SEVIS.

You must update your address both in Banner and in the OISS.

Transferring to another university

Contact the university that you intend to transfer to and receive acceptance

Meet with an OISS advisor regarding the transfer procedures well before your

transfer-out date.

Decide with an advisor what your transfer out date will be.

Employment Students are only allowed to work on campus for 20 hours per week during fall and

spring semesters.

During your summer annual vacation semester you may work full-time.

Part-time employment: 20 hours or less per week

Full-time employment: 21 hours or more per week

You MUST receive permission in advance for any off-campus work.

Meet with an OISS advisor if you need to work off-campus. If you fail to meet

with an OISS advisor and work off-campus, you will be out of status.

There are very few situations which you will be able to work off-campus and

you must obtain authorization before.

9

Off-Campus Employment

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training is an integral part of an established curriculum.

CPT is used when an internship is required for your program of study.

It must be related to your program of study.

You must receive authorization from an OISS advisor before beginning the CPT employ-

ment.

You must be in status for 9 months before beginning a CPT.

CPT is only granted on a semester basis.

Requirements of CPT:

Offer letter from employer

Must register for CPT credits and for them.

Obtain authorization from an OISS advisor

Limited to only 11.5 months of full-time CPT to be eligible for OPT.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major

area of study.

Students are granted 1 year of full-time work off-campus.\

In the semester of your graduation, meet with an advisor to determine the best time to

apply for OPT.

Economic Hardship

Economic Hardship is intended to address situations where a financial need beyond the

students control arises.

Only available for situations such as loss of sponsorship, economic crisis in home country,

excessive medical bills, loss of support from home, etc.

Must show proof of hardship.

Must see an OISS advisor to apply.

10

Your Status

If you ever have any questions concerning your status here at USU, PLEASE be sure to

come see an OISS advisor.

To maintain your legal status and do not experience immigration problems, be sure to:

Stay informed and understand that YOU are responsible for maintaining your sta-

tus.

Please do not rely on your friends or faculty for immigration information. Ask your

OISS advisor.

Traveling Outside the U.S.

When traveling outside of the U.S. you will need to carry the following:

Valid passport.

Valid U.S. visa

Current I-20 or DS-2019 with travel signature.

If you will be visiting another country other than your own, then you will need to

contact that country’s embassy to see if you need a visa.

Travel Signature

Before traveling outside the U.S. you must have a travel signature from an OISS advisor.

This signature validates that you are in status and eligible to return back to the U.S. after

traveling.

Travel signatures are valid for 1 year.

Leaving the U.S.

Upon completing your program of study, F-1 students have a 60 day grace period to exit

the U.S. J-1 students have a 30 day grace period.

If a student is doing an authorized withdrawal, they have a 15 day grace period

If a student fails to maintain status at any point, the student DOES NOT have any grace pe-

riod and must exit IMMEDIATELY.

11

Must Notify the OISS if:

You want to take a LOA (leave of absence).

Register for less than 9 credits (for graduate) or 12 credits (for undergraduate).

Will need a program extension.

May be on academic suspension or academic dismissal.

Plan to transfer to another university.

Change your address

Plan on traveling

Have any questions or concerns.

12

HOUSING Temporary Housing:

If you have signed a contract to live in

Utah State University on-campus housing, ar-

rangements will be made for you to either check

into your assigned space or stay in a temporary

space upon your arrival (extra fees and re-

strictions may apply). Please contact the Hous-

ing Office in advance to let them know your arri-

val date and time. You can email this infor-

mation to info@housing.usu.edu or call (800)

863-1085 or (435) 797-3113. If you have not

made housing reservations in advance, you need

to plan on staying in a local hotel. Reservations

can be made at the campus hotel, the University

Inn, by calling (800) 231-5634 or (435) 797-0017

or visiting their website at www.usu.edu/

univinn/. Additional hotel information can be

found at http://www.tourchachevalley.com/

lodging/lodging_hotels.php

CU

LTU

RE

Is There Anyone

From My Country?

Utah State University has an

active International Student

Council (ISC). Contact the ISC

via email at usu-

intl@usu.edu. If you would

like to correspond with a stu-

dent from your country, the

ISC can assist you.

Permanent Housing:

On-Campus: Available for both single and married

students. USU Housing Services information can be

found at http://www.usu.edu or via email at in-

fo@housing.usu.edu. Questions can also be faxed

to (435) 797-4035 or by calling (435)7973113 for

more information. Written requests for housing

information can be sent to: Housing and Dining Ser-

vices Administrative Office, 1295 East 1000 North,

Logan, UT 84322. An application, deposit, and

signed contract are required to make advanced res-

ervations. Please be aware that in the family stu-

dent housing apartments, furniture and household

furnishings are not provided. A stove and a refrig-

erator are provided.

Off-Campus: Available for married and single stu-

dents. If you plan to live off-campus, you should

bring with you enough (approximately $400.00)

plus the first month’s rent, and utilities (gas, elec-

tric, and telephone) which will cost an estimated

$500.00. Also, there may be additional expenses

for household items (furniture, kitchen equipment,

etc.) There are many apartments close to the cam-

pus. We suggest you arrive in time to locate suita-

ble housing if you do plan to live off campus. You

Cultural Activities:

The International Student council sponsors numer-

ous activities each year, including country displays,

Mr. and Ms. International Night, the International

Children’s Party, and an International Banquet and

Cultural Show. At the banquet, authentic food from

different countries is served, followed by entertain-

ment by students. You might consider bringing tra-

ditional costumes to wear at some of these activi-

ties.

13

Cache Valley has always

been a popular gathering

place. The Shoshone

Indians were the first

people to settle in the

area. They called it “the

house of the great spirit.”

The Shoshone were

followed by fur trappers

who head their largest

trading meeting s in

Cache Valley and along

the shores of Bear Lake.

These gatherings drew

trappers from across the

West. They exchanged

furs, purchased supplies,

and swapped stories

about their adventures.

THE EARLY

HISTORY OF

CACHE VALLEY

Shoshone Indians

The Shoshone Indians have lived in Cache Valley for

nearly 5,000 years. They were nomadic hunters and

gatherers who depended on the wild for food.

Shoshone life changed dramatically in the early

1700’s when they acquired horses—horses allowed

them to hunt bison and other big game.

The Shoshone people called the area Willow Valley

for its abundance of trees and bushes. These early

inhabitants would start grass fires to drive buffalo

herds and to improve forage for their horses. The

fertile land of Cache Valley provided some of the best

grazing area in the Great Basin region. However,

those fires cleared the valley of the trees and bushes it

was known for, except for those located near the

rivers. The look of the valley was changed forever.

Mountain Men

The mountain men played a critical role in the

settling of Cache Valley. Men such as Jim Bridger,

Jedediah Smith, Ephraim Logan, and Peter Skene

Ogden left their names to mark the areas they

explored. Jim Bridger, one of the more well known

explorers, came to Cache Valley when he was just 20

years old. He was a trapper with the rocky Mountain

Fur Company. He floated out of Cache Valley on the

Bear River in 1824 and upon tasting the salty water

he stumbled upon, he spat it out and declared, “...we

are on the shores of the Pacific Ocean!” He was in

fact wrong in his deduction and became one of the

first known White me to see the Great Salt Lake.

14

Mountain Men cont.

Fueled by high society’s demand for

beaver pelts, mountain men trapped

beaver. The pelts were used to line the

popular top hats worn by fashionable men

on the East Coast. The word “cache” is a

French word that means “to store, or hide

one’s treasures.” the trappers would dig a

hole in the ground or on the sid eof a

mountain and “cache” their supply of

beaver pelts until they could be sold at the

annual rendezvous. Bridger is said to

have stashed nearly $150,000 worth of

beaver pelts at the south end of Cache

Valley in a town called Hyrum. Fur pelts

sold for $6 a pound. The average skin

weighed about 2 pounds.

Ephraim Logan, for which Logan city is

named, first came to Cache Valley around

1824. He attended his first Rocky

Mountain Rendezvous in 1825. A few

years later, Logan joined a hunting trip

along the Snake River. While on this

expedition, the group was attacked by

some Shoshone and Logan was killed.

His fame spread after his death. The

Bourdon River, as it was called at the

time, was renamed the Logan river in

honor of Ephraim Logan.

By the 1840s fashion trends had changed,

which brought an end to the days of the

mountain men. During this time, the

beaver population in nearby Logan

Canyon was almost completely wiped

out.

First Settlers The first permanent settlers of Cache Valley

were Mormon pioneers sent by Brigham Young

on July 24, 1855. He sent 23 men and 2

women to establish a cattle ranch near the

Balcksmith fork river. It was named Elkhorn

Ranch because of the elk antlers that hung

over the main gate. They had plans to graze

the cattle during the summer and then move to

a warmer climate for the winter months.

Unfortunately, winter came early. In a

desperate attempt to save the cattle, John C.

dowdle and William Garr drove them through

Wellsville Canyon to Brigham city in a raging

blizzard. The snowdrifts were 4 feet deep in

the valley and even deeper in the canyon. Only

420 cattle survived the ordeal and Garr lost

both of his feet to the cold.

In 1856, Brigham Young sent another group of

Mormon pioneers to settle in Wellsville. Peter

and mary Ann Weston Maughn drove the first

covered wagon inot the valley. Mary Ann

scanned the luch, grassy valley that lay before

her and said, “Oh, what a beautiful valley.”

The first seven families settled at maughan’s

Fort in Wellsville on September 15, 1856.

eleven days later the first snowstorm hit. Mrs.

Maughan gave birth to the first child born to

permanent settlers in chace Valley.

Jim Bridger, known for telling tall tales, said

that since it froze every month in Cache Valley

that crops would never grow there. However,

Brigham Young promised the settlers that

Cache Valley would become the “tranary of the

West.” In only half a century, his prophecy

came true. By 1915, more wheat was shipped

from Cache Junction than any other town

Cache Valley Tourist Council

www.tourcachevalley.com

(435) 752-2161 (800) 882-4433

TITLE TEXT

15

The history of the Bear Lake Valley followed the same pattern as Cache

Valley. It was first inhabited by the Shoshone, then mountain men who

hunted and fished there for years. The first permanent setters were also sent

by Brigham Young. They were led by Charles Rich, whom the county named

after. Bear Lake is famous for the legend of the Bear Lake Monster. The

monster has been sighted in the lake since early pioneer days.

BEAR LAKE VALLEY

Cache Valley is known for its pristine beauty and wide variety of

cultural and recreational opportunities. The valley has evolved

from an area used for grazing, fur-trapping, and lumbering to a

place of agriculture, dairy farming, food processing, and high-tech

businesses. Nearly a century ago, novelist Thomas Wolfe said of

Cache Valley, “It was the most lovely and enchanted valley I have

ever seen; a valley that makes all that has gone before fade as

nothing.”

PRESENT-DAY CACHE VALLEY

16

Clubs

International Clubs

These clubs have been designed to promote international

unity, learning, discovery and fun!

To find out more information about

any of these clubs and to learn

about other clubs on the USU

campus go to:

http://www.usu.edu/asusu/

clubsandorgs/

WHERE TO LOOK!

Service-

Learning

Scholars

Chemistry and

Biochemistry

Club

Society of

Women Engi-

neers

Society of

Physics Stu-

dents

USU

Mathematics

Business

Council

Dominican Student Association

International Student Council

Mid

dle East

Clu

b

Japan

Clu

b

Taiwan

ese Stud

ent A

ssociati

on

Saudi Student

Club

Armenian Student Association

Aggies Fo

r Africa

17

Dining Services

Exercise Facilities

Activities/Dances/Celebrations/Traditions

To find out about Utah

State Events go to:

http://www.usu.edu/

student-life/

USU EVENTS

Aggie Sp

orts

18

www.usu.edu/camprec/htm/orp/

www.tourcachevalley.com/home

ww

w.p

arkcitymo

un

tain.co

m/

www.aggieicecream.usu.edu/

19

The Office of Global Engagement and

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)

Office of International Students and Scholars Office hours: Monday - Friday

Military Science Building 115 8 am—5 pm

435-797-1124

Staff Directory:

International Admissions

Carlos Munoz: carlos.munoz@usu.edu 435-797-3978 Admission/recruiting

Nancy Hyde: nancy.hyde@usu.edu 435-797-8091 Admissions

International Sponsored Programs

Eric Sims: eric.sims@usu.edu 435-797-9211 Coordinator

Shelly Hernandez: shelly.hernandez@usu.edu 435-797-1647 Coordinator

OISS Immigration Advisors

Maribeth Evensen-Hengge: maribeth.hengge@usu.edu 435-797-1122 Advisor

Rob Llewellyn: rob.llewellyn@usu.edu 435-797-1171 Advisor

Suat Albulut: suat.albulut@usu.edu 435-797-0106 Advisor

Study Abroad

Connie Radke-Kurian: connie.rk@usu.edu 435-797-0601 Staff Assistant

Kay Forsyth: kay.forsyth@usu.edu 435-797-1253 Advisor

Madeline Greenlick: madeline.greenlick@usu.edu 435-797-8702 Advisor

Global Engagement Vice Provost office

Clarene Marley: clarene.marley@usu.edu 435-797-9220 Staff Assistant

Mary Hubbard: mary.hubbard@usu.edu 435-797-3686 Vice Provost

The OISS provides many services and programs including:

Orientation:

Held just prior to the first day of classes of each semester for all new international students. Orientation is mandatory for all new international students

Advising:

OISS staff can provide you advising on any immigration issue or any other

questions and concerns you may have.

Programs:

OISS also provides programs and opportunities to better your English skills and also cultural events.

20

Student Services Directory

Service Location Phone/ Contact Info

Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)

MS, Room 115 (north of TSC, be-tween Parking Terrace and Field-house; enter through south entrance of the building)

www.usu.edu/oiss; 435-797-1124;

oiss@aggiemail.usu.edu

International Student Council

MS, Room 115A isc@aggiemail.usu.edu

International Student Clubs

They meet once a month with ISC in ISC-appointed location (or you can meet with individual club leaders after contacting them)

https://www.usu.edu/oiss/htm/current-students/student-organizations

(This will be updated in mid-fall)

Registration/ Registrar’s Office

Taggart Student Center (TSC), Room 246

https://www.usu.edu/registrar/ ; 435-797-1116;

registrar@usu.edu

Advising Center

TSC, Room 304 www.usu.edu/advising ; 435-797-3373;

Student Employment

University Inn, Ground Level, Room 102

www.usu.edu/studemp ; 435-797-0184;

Academic Resource Cen-ter (Tutoring, etc.)

TSC, Room 305 www.usu.edu/arc ; 435-797-1128;

ASUSU (Associated Stu-dents of USU)

TSC, Room 326 http://www.usu.edu/asusu/ ;

435-797-2912; involvement@aggiemail.usu.edu

Cashier’s Office

TSC, Room 248 http://www.usu.edu/controller/cashier/ 435-797-1069

Housing

1125 N 1000 E (in parking lot west of

Aggie Village) http://www.usu.edu/housing/

Local: (435) 797-3113 Toll Free: 800) 863-1085

Advertising Board (Apts, etc. for rent; things for sale)

TSC 1st Floor, Main Hall Aggieblue.com (this site contains some but not

all the listing on the physical bulletin board in TSC)

Counseling and Psycho-logical Services

TSC, Room 306 www.usu.edu/counseling/ ;

435-797-1012

Student Health and Well-ness

850 East 1200 North (in Parking lot on

the west side of Stadium north of the Stadium bleachers)

www.usu.edu/health; (there is a place to click

on website to make appointments); 435-797-1660;

Campus Police 1385N 850E (north of Student Wellness

and baseball field; east of baseball field) www.uus.edu/dps/police ; 435-797-1939

Computer Labs For all locations, see website (right) https://it.usu.edu/labs/

Computer Helpdesk Main Office: Janet Quinney Lawson Building (north side entrance)

435.797.HELP(4357) Toll Free: 1.877.878.8325

Career Services Outside ground level (south) en-trance, University Inn, 102

www.usu.edu/career/ ; 435-797-7777

Banner(Access) www.banner.usu.edu www.banner.usu.edu

21