#WelcomeBack: Finding the Right Resource
January 20, 2015
January marks the beginning of a new semester and the return of students to campus. As a designated school official (DSO), there are many resources available to help you maintain your students' and school’s status. Here are a few resources to remember:
- Contact: Utilize the Contact Us page on Study in the States for information on how to get in touch with the various Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) subject matter experts. For general SEVP questions, you and your students can contact the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400 or sevp@ice.dhs.gov.
- Train: On SEVP’s website, www.ICE.gov/SEVIS, you can find a web-based training course, Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Training for School Officials, for guidance and instructions on your responsibilities for using SEVIS. The course is for new DSOs who need guidance on completing various actions required to update and maintain student information in SEVIS, and also serves as a useful tool for veteran school officials.
- Input: SEVP’s Policy Unit periodically requests feedback from the public via the SEVP Guidance for Comment page on Study in the States. After the designated feedback period, SEVP reviews and incorporates stakeholder feedback into the final guidance that impacts SEVP-certified schools and F and M students. You can also sign up to receive email notifications whenever new draft guidance is posted on Study in the States.
- Report: In 2012, SEVP and the Counterterrorism and Criminal Exploitation Unit (CTCEU) initiated the Project Campus Sentinel outreach program. The purpose of this program is to build partnerships with DSOs at SEVP-certified schools and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) field agents so that it is easier to detect and combat school fraud and visa exploitation. If you see suspicious activity at your school, you should report it either via the HSI tip form or by emailing tips directly to CTCEU.
- Learn: Our Schools Portal contains specific information about the SEVP certification process, as well as conference materials and webinar recordings. You can also direct your students to the Students Portal, where you can find resources like the Study Guide to the States and the school search page.
Keep in mind that you need to stay current with your SEVIS reporting responsibilities to maintain your school’s SEVP-certification. F or M students are only able to attend an SEVP-certified school to maintain their nonimmigrant status.
What else do you find helpful to remember at the beginning of a new school term? Join our conversation and share your tips with us using #WelcomeBack on Twitter and Facebook.