Last week, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released the first Stakeholder Issues Response Report, which responds to items and concerns identified by members of the academic community during the 2015 NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo. This 13-page report contains a personal message from SEVP Director Lou Farrell to the academic community and describes how the program plans to address many key issues, including:

• Processing Times for Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School and Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” updates.
• Student and Exchange Visitor Information System functionality.
• SEVP Response Center support.
• Optional practical training application window.
• Reduced course load regulatory provisions.
• Pathway program guidance.
• Field representative knowledge and utilization.
• F-2/M-2 part-time study guidance.
• Student transfer process.

In the coming months, SEVP will strive to provide stakeholders with regular updates on where the program stands with addressing the topics included in the report. On Feb. 9, 2016, SEVP will host its first Ask the Experts webinar with School Certification Unit adjudicators to discuss the progress the program has made with decreasing the backlog for principal designated school official and designated school official updates. This webinar will allow stakeholders to submit their questions to SEVP before the event and receive answers during the live webinar. Stay tuned to Study in the States for additional information about this upcoming webinar.

SEVP remains dedicated to addressing stakeholder concerns and will continue to engage with the academic community throughout 2016. Continue to follow the Study in the States blog for the latest information on the Stakeholder Issues Response Report. Starting in early 2016, SEVP will host a blog series providing insight into many of the topics discussed in the report.

To stay informed on important program news that may impact your SEVP-certified school, send an email to SEVPOutreach@ice.dhs.gov to receive the monthly SEVP Conference Bulletin and follow Study in the States on social media.