416 Welcome Center; 313-577-3422; Fax: 313-577-2962
Website: http://www.oiss.wayne.edu
The University is home to approximately 4,000 international students and visiting scholars from nearly 100 countries. The OISS was established to aid these individuals in their educational and scholarly pursuits at Wayne State. It provides quality service in facilitating linkages to the campus and community, offering cross-cultural educational programs and activities, and assisting in matters related to immigration regulation compliance.
The Office's mission is to support and enhance the educational, cultural, and social experiences of international students and scholars at Wayne State University. It serves as a primary link to the University, the community, the federal government, and public and private agencies and organizations. In addition, it provides international and cross-cultural educational programs to the University and its community.
OISS staff advises students and scholars on immigration regulations and issues of cross-cultural adjustment; provides educational, cultural and social programs and activities, including a comprehensive orientation program and written material designed to help them achieve their educational and personal goals; assists University departments in the hiring of foreign national employees by processing necessary immigration petitions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Labor (DOL), and the United States Department of State (DOS); consults and interacts with University units, governmental organizations and other agencies; serves as a focal point for campus and community services; provides cross-cultural workshops and training seminars; and works with campus and academic support units to help define and achieve institutional goals related to international education and exchange.
New International Students and Scholars receive the OISS welcome booklet with their visa document (Form I-20 or DS 2019). The booklet provides information on a wide variety of important topics to these individuals before they leave their home country. Among the subjects covered are housing, health insurance, expenses, immigration status, local climate, and air transportation. New students and scholars from abroad must report to OISS soon after their arrival and participate in a comprehensive orientation program. This program is designed to meet immediate needs in terms of housing information and University registration procedures; introduce them to U.S. culture and the University's educational system; and provide information on banking, health insurance, safety, and immigration regulations. In addition, a number of social and recreational programs and activities are planned to assist students and scholars in making a smooth transition to their new environment.
Before registering for classes, all non-immigrant international students must report to OISS to complete check-in procedures and have immigration documents reviewed, purchase mandatory health insurance, and obtain an orientation schedule. Transferring F-1 students from other U.S. institutions must have their previous school attended release their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record to Wayne State University and must complete transfer procedures as provided in the federal regulations within fifteen days of the first day of class. F-1 students must notify the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the OISS of any change in name, address, program (including changes in level and field of study), and full-time enrollment. OISS must provide this information to ICE through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). J-1 exchange visitors, including students, may not make a change in level, field, or category without the advance approval of the Department of State, and may be precluded from change of visa status until a two-year home country residency requirement is met.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regulations require that F-1 and J-1 students maintain a full course of study and make normal progress toward program completion at the institution they have been authorized to attend. Graduate students (including those in pre-master's status) must successfully complete at least eight credits each semester (excluding Spring/Summer or an approved annual vacation). See an OISS adviser for details on complying with this and other ICE requirements.
Commuting Canadian students enrolled less than full time must obtain an I-20 from OISS each semester they are enrolled and should consult with an adviser to determine the impact of this status on future immigration benefits including the availability of practical training.
The University provides foreign professors and research scholars with opportunities to engage in research, teaching, consulting, and lecturing with colleagues at Wayne State; to participate actively in cross-cultural activities; and to share their experience as well as increase their knowledge about the United States, Wayne State University, and the metropolitan Detroit community. OISS provides centralized support services necessary to enable and assure the employability of such non-U.S. citizens within government regulations. Offers of employment to foreign nationals must be authorized by OISS, and only this Office may sign immigration forms and petitions related to employment on behalf of the University. All foreign national employees must complete USCIS Form I-9, `Employment Eligibility Verification' and present evidence of their identity and employment eligibility at OISS before commencing employment at Wayne State University.
416 Welcome Center; 313-577-3422; Fax: 577-2962
Health Insurance Advocate: 313-577-0724
Students may choose to purchase an injury and sickness insurance plan for a reasonable fee, though health insurance is mandatory for most international students. The policy provides stipulated amounts for outpatient prescription drugs (sickness only), hospitalization, surgery and emergency room fees, alcoholism and drug abuse treatment, and psychotherapy benefits. For additional information please access OISS website at http://www.oiss.wayne.edu or contact the Health Insurance Advocate in the OISS; telephone: 577-0724.
International students and J-1 exchange visitors and their dependents holding J-2 status are required to comply with the health insurance requirements of the University. Commuting Canadian students may waive the health insurance requirement by providing proof of OHIP coverage prior to each semester of enrollment. Insurance which meets these requirements may be purchased through OISS. The mandatory international insurance program is designed to provide international students, exchange visitors, and their eligible dependents with continuous insurance protection and access to quality affordable health care services. The University is mandated by federal law to terminate from its program all exchange visitors and their dependents who do not meet minimum insurance requirements. Forms to purchase this insurance are available by contacting the OISS Health Insurance Advocate: 313-577-0724.
Insurance For U.S. Citizen and Permanent Resident students and their dependents, the Student Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan is a voluntary insurance program plan available for purchase. For more information, including purchasing the Domestic Health Insurance plan, students may go to http://www.collegiaterisk.com or contact Collegiate Risk Management at 1-800-922-3420 or the Health Insurance Advocate in OISS at 313-577-0724.
Cross-Cultural Activities: The OISS provides cross-cultural activities in order to provide the broadest exposure to American society, culture, and institutions. Activities include: International Week and a free international coffee hour held in the seventh floor of the Student Center Building every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., which provides opportunity for dialogue with and among international students and scholars, American students, and community sponsors.
385 Manoogian Hall; 313-577-0807
World Bridge serves as the public affairs and outreach arm of WSU's international programs. World Bridge builds linkages to and partnerships with international organizations and global businesses and supports the University's mission of preparing globally-minded students, graduates and business leaders who can readily assume a leadership role in the world economy. World Bridge also makes available to the global business community the vast research and educational resources of WSU.
4099 Faculty/Administration Building; Fax: (313) 577-5666
The Office of International Programs (OIP) at Wayne State University is a department within the WSU Office of the Provost which provides services in international education to all students, to all faculty and staff members, and to the Detroit metropolitan community. OIP is comprised of the Office of International Students and Scholars; Study Abroad and Global Programs; World Bridge; the English Language Institute; and the Office of the OIP Executive Director.