Tips for Designated School Officials during Halloween
October 31, 2014
Many international students will participate in Halloween festivities, but when students take their celebrations too far — whether at Halloween or another time of the year — they could find themselves in trouble with the law. Designated school officials (DSOs) should know steps they can take to assist a student who is in trouble with the law. The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) provides a list of actions to take, which include:
- Follow established campus policies and procedures in providing advice and assistance;
- Offer to help the student seek counsel, which can include sharing a referral list of attorneys, law firms or databases that may exist within your office;
- Notify key offices within the school that should be aware of the student’s legal troubles, such as university relations, dean of students, etc.; and
- Follow your school’s policy to determine whether to terminate the student’s status within the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
To see the full list of items NAFSA recommends for DSOs in response to an international student’s arrest, visit NAFSA's resource page. If you have a case-specific question, you can contact the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400 or SEVP@ice.dhs.gov.