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OISSS STUDENT LISTSERV

Email alerts and Email Communications to International Students -

As you are aware from reports in the Daily Tar Heel, national media and in messages from the Chancellor, changes in the regulations affecting international students and scholars have been and are continuing to take place at a rapid pace with increasingly serious implications. The staff at the OISSS understands the stress and apprehension this may cause, and recognize that many of the changes taking place have been reported by the media either inaccurately or in an alarming manner with little background explanation. We wish to reassure you that the OISSS is doing everything possible to make sure that we are up-to-date with all current regulations, and have developed email alerts and email communications that will contain updates on immigration issues and other legal matters affecting international students, as well as programs that you may find interesting. These mass emails allows us to reach all of you quickly, and it will be your best source for timely and accurate information regarding changes in U.S. immigration policy as it relates to international students.  Since these emails are mass emails – please check your junk mail folders or spam blockers setting to make sure you receive these messages in your inbox.  All mass emails from our office will come from the email address oisss@unc.edu.

For international students currently enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill, email alerts and email communications will be sent ONLY to the email address listed for them in student central.  Students are therefore advised to periodically check their email address listed in student central to make sure the address listed is still accurate.

For international students that are not currently enrolled at UNC-Chapel Hill but are on post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training) or AT (Academic Training) are responsible for contacting OISSS and supplying a valid email address so that they continue to receive important updates and reminders via email. 

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services database sends out automatic email alerts to students to remind them of particular immigration related issues.

Some of the automatic email alerts are:

• Nearing the expiration date of your I-20 or DS-2019
• Nearing your passport expiration date

Students who receive these auto-alerts should follow-up with the OISSS to update the information in the office database (such as bringing in copies of a new or extended passport) or come to the OISSS to meet with an advisor to discuss their situation and find out their options and the paperwork and procedures necessary.

The OISSS also sends out periodic emails to international students with reminders or important announcements that may be of interest to international students such as events on campus, presentations by OISSS staff, end of the semester or beginning of the semester reminders.