Spring 2010 Orientation and Welcome Information
Dear New International Student:
We are pleased to learn of your acceptance at California State University, Sacramento. The staff of the Office of Global Education (OGE) extends a cordial welcome to you. The university and the Sacramento community also look forward to your arrival and desire to make your stay in Sacramento a worthwhile and pleasant one.
SPRING 2010 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
PROGRAM
Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Time: Starts at 9:30 AM
Location: Yosemite Hall, Room 119
All new international students admitted to California State University, Sacramento for the spring semester of 2010 will be expected to attend an International Student Orientation. The international student orientation program you are assigned to attend begins on Tuesday, January 19, 2009 at 9:30 AM and will be held in Yosemite Hall, Room 119.
Arriving before the start of the semester to attend a spring 2010 International Student Orientation will provide you the opportunity to make desired adjustments to your academic program, inform you of international student immigration regulations, introduce you to campus services and facilities, allow you sufficient time to locate or finalize accommodations, and will assist you in making a successful transition to the US, Sacramento and California State University, Sacramento. ALL international students new to our university, whether new to the US or transferring from other US institutions, will benefit from attending the orientation program we have designed for you. There is no charge for this program. Please plan on participating in all appropriate orientation sessions.
CAMPUS CLOSURE DATES AND OGE OFFICE HOURS
During the academic year, our office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and 1:00 to 5:00 PM. The campus will be closed for the Winter Recess from Monday, December 21, 2009 through Sunday, January 3, 2010. The campus will re-open on Monday, January 4, 2010. In addition, the university will be closed from Friday, January 15 through Monday, January 18, 2010 (furlough and the Martin Luther King Birthday holiday). These dates and office hours are tentative. Please call us prior to your visit to confirm office hours and staff availability.
HOUSING INFORMATION: Living On Campus
If you have an interest in living in our university Residence Halls, but have not yet applied, please review the enclosed materials from the Office of Housing and Residential Life. Additional information can also be obtained from the on-campus housing web site located at www.csus.edu/housing. We recommend that you apply as early as possible as space in the Residence Halls is limited.
How to Apply for the Residence Halls: The licensing for Housing is completed on-line through My Sac State.
- You will need a SacLink Username and Sac State ID to start the process. To get your SacLink username, go to https://www.saclink.csus.edu/saclink/ and select the “Register” button on the left. Your Sac State ID can be located in the upper right hand corner of your admission letter. It can take 24 hours for your information and SacLink user name to be available to the Housing office. If you need to create a SacLink username wait 24 hours after creating it to apply for Housing. If you have any questions, email the Housing office at housing@csus.edu or call (916) 278-6655.
- Once you have obtained a SacLink Username, you will need to log into the My Sac State portal. From the Portal home page, go into Student Services by selecting the Student Services button at the top of the screen. In the Related Links for Students Area, middle left side of the Student Services window, select the My Housing link to access the on-line Licensing application. You may be asked to verify the authenticity of the certificate sacauth.csus.edu to gain access to the Licensing portal. Select “continue” to proceed. If you have any connection issues or questions, please contact the Housing office. Once you are in the Licensing portal just follow the instructions and you are on your way to becoming part of the campus life!
Moving Into the Residence Halls Early: If you have received confirmation that a room in the Residence Halls has been assigned to you, it may be possible for you to make arrangements to move in a few days before the official opening of the Halls (please contact the Housing office directly for details).
HOUSING INFORMATION: Living Off Campus
Locating off-campus housing near California State University, Sacramento is a task that will require a few days to accomplish. Therefore, we recommend that you arrive in Sacramento as early as possible to begin your search for accommodations. The following are a few suggestions to assist you with your housing search:
The Upper Eastside Lofts: Another housing option at Sacramento State is the Upper Eastside Lofts. The lofts are located a just few blocks from the university campus and are within easy walking distance. For full details, please see their web site at www.uppereastsidelofts.net .
Other Off-Campus Rental Listings: There are numerous housing opportunities available in the surrounding campus area. We recommend that you do not finalize your plans for off-campus housing until after your arrival in Sacramento to allow you to visit the site and evaluate the rental contract. The Off Campus Housing Office in Sierra Hall has online resources to assist you in your housing search at http://www.csus.edu/housing/offcampus/. This site provides rental listings, rental tips, lease information, suggestions for finding roommates etc... Additional information about their services is enclosed for your reference.
Temporary Accommodations: Since it will take those of you who will be residing off‑campus some time to finalize such arrangements, you may wish to make a reservation at one of the motels close to campus. These include:
- Motel 6 (closest to campus) 7850 College Town Dr. (916) 383-8112 (www.motel6.com)
- Good Nite Inn Sacramento 25 Howe Ave. (916) 386-8408 (www.goodnightinn.com)
- Best Western Expo Inn 1413 Howe Ave. (916) 922-9833 (www.bestwestern.com)
- Residence Inn by Marriott 1530 Howe Ave. (916) 920-9111 (www.residenceinn.com)
AFTER YOUR ARRIVAL IN SACRAMENTO
Once you have made arrangements for temporary housing, you should plan to come to our Office of Global Education (Lassen Hall, Room 2304). We will endeavor to answer any initial questions you may have and help you begin your adjustment to campus and community life. In addition we will give you informational materials including our International Student Handbook and an orientation/registration packet. You should bring all of your immigration documentation with you for your first visit.
IMMIGRATION ISSUES: Students Transferring from the ELI at Sacramento State
Students currently enrolled at the English Language Institute (ELI) may have questions concerning immigration matters, especially as they relate to transfer procedures. Please contact our office or your International Student Advisor at the ELI for information concerning the exact immigration transfer procedure that you should follow. California State University, Sacramento is unable to issue you a new SEVIS I-20 until your present school has electronically released your SEVIS record to us. International Advisors will usually wait until the end of the fall term before beginning to transfer SEVIS records to a new program. Please make certain that your current International Student Advisor is aware of your plan to transfer to the main campus of California State University, Sacramento.
Transfer Form: Please ask your International Student Advisor to complete the enclosed “F-1 International Student Immigration School Transfer Form” and return it to the Office of Global Education at his/her earliest convenience.
Traveling Home during Winter Recess:ELI-enrolled international students wishing to visit their home country during the Winter Recess should plan to complete the entire immigration transfer process as well as obtain necessary travel signatures and documentation prior to departing the US.
HEALTH ISSUES & HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUES
[Additional information is available on the “Health
Insurance Information for International Students” handout
enclosed.]
The California State University, Sacramento Student Health Center
will provide you with out-patient medical care during normal business
hours; however, you are required to have health and accident insurance
for your protection.
All international students (F/J visa) are required to
present detailed proof of health insurance coverage which meets our
minimal institutional requirements.
University International Student Health Insurance: International students are encouraged to purchase the CSU International Student Health Insurance policy which exceeds the minimum requirements for health insurance coverage. If you would like to preview the full details of this policy, please view the online brochure at www.csuhealthlink.com (select Sacramento State University and the policy is the “Sac State International” plan).
- How to purchase: You may purchase this policy after you arrive on campus or online at www.csuhealthlink.com. The policy covering the spring/summer academic terms becomes effective on January 22, 2010 – If you are arriving early and are not covered through your ELI-based coverage, you may want to purchase a short term travel policy to cover you during your travel and until the policy becomes effective.
All Other Insurance Policies: Those of you contemplating purchasing health insurance other than the international student policy offered by our university should contact the Office of Global Education prior to your insurance purchase to obtain pre-approval of the specific policy you are considering. Please review the enclosed “Health Insurance Information for International Students” information sheet regarding Health Insurance requirements.
Immunizations (Measles / Rubella Vaccination & Tuberculosis Test): During your first semester, you will be required to visit the university Student Health Center and present proof of your immunizations for measles and rubella. We recommend that you obtain these immunizations before you return to the US, if possible, and bring written documentation to campus with you. If you are not able to complete this task before arrival, then the Student Health Center will administer the immunizations at a cost of $45. In addition to the measles and rubella requirement you will also be tested for Tuberculosis. The Tuberculosis test should be done at the university Student Health Center (not your home country), and is currently provided free of cost.
FINANCIAL ISSUES
You are encouraged to plan carefully your finances to cover room, board, insurance, books and supplies, tuition expenses, and miscellaneous expenses for the entire year. Please refer to your admission letter for the amount of money you should bring with you to meet initial expenses. Please note that you may remit payment for university tuition and fees by personal check, overseas banker’s draft, certain credit cards (although an additional charge is assessed), traveler’s checks, and, although not recommended, cash.
Also, you should be aware that according to immigration regulations, international students are not permitted to apply for an off-campus work permit during their first academic year in the US. Thereafter, such permits are often difficult to obtain.
OFFICE OF GLOBAL EDUCATION CONTACT INFORMATION
Please feel free to write to or call our Office of Global Education if you have any questions that must be answered prior to your arrival. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can. Our website www.csus.edu/oge may also prove useful for you to review. We look forward to welcoming you to the university. Meanwhile, best wishes to you in your present activities.
Office of Global Education Staff:
Tracey M. Culbertson, International Student Advisor (tculbert@csus.edu)
Jack Godwin, Chief International Officer
Lori Harrison, Administrative Assistant
Eric D. Merchant,
Coordinator, International Students/Programs (ericmer@csus.edu)
Jennifer Mendonsa, International Admissions Specialist
(intlinfo@csus.edu)
Janis J. Silvers, Study Abroad Advisor
Mlima Wells, Coordinator of International Admissions
(intlinfo@csus.edu)