Questions from Designated School Officials is a blog series on Study in the States for designated school officials (DSOs). Each month, we will answer a question that will help you advise your F and/or M students. If you are a DSO and would like to submit a question, you can email us or ask us via social media, your Field Representative or the SEVP Response Center. We may edit questions for clarity and consistency and may not feature all submissions on Study in the States.

Question: How do I work with my field representative?

Answer: SEVP launched the first group of the new Field Representative Unit to serve as direct liaisons for school officials and schools petitioning for recertification. When you start working with your school’s assigned field representative, you can use them as a resource on the international student process and official Department of Homeland Security rules and regulations. More specifically, field representatives will:

• Ensure SEVP-certified schools understand SEVP rules and regulations.
• Answer general questions related to the nonimmigrant student process.
• Provide training and assistance to DSOs.
• Meet in-person with school officials of each SEVP-certified school with active F or M students in their geographical area at least twice per year.
• Help school officials with the SEVP recertification processes by conducting scheduled school visits.
• Attend conferences and meetings in their areas that pertain to nonimmigrant students.

Find more information on the SEVP Field Representatives page or in SEVP’s Spring/Summer conference presentation.