Welcome to the COVID-19 page for ISSS!
Here is where you can find information from ISSS regarding office changes due to COVID-19, institutional information about COVID-19, and the impact of COVID-19 on your immigration status.
This page was lasted updated on: August 07, 2020
Rensselaer Information
All information from Rensselaer regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is available here: covid19.rpi.edu. This website is a way for you to remain informed about campus-wide decisions and information.
You can view all campus-wide communications here: covid19.rpi.edu/communications
You can view the return-to-campus planning website here: covid19.rpi.edu/return-to-campus#
Services
As Rensselaer moved to telework on March 18, 2020, all ISSS services are now online. Please expand each section below to view information by selecting the + sign.
You can contact ISSS via email, phone, or virtual advising appointment.
- Email: ISSSoffice@rpi.edu
- Phone: +1-518-276-4966
- Virtual Advising appointment: https://go.oncehub.com/RPIISSSOffice
If your question does not require an appointment, you can send your inquiry via email to ISSSoffice@rpi.edu. We aim to reply to all messages within 1-2 business days.
ISSS has moved all advising online. You are able to schedule a 15 minute meeting with an ISSS advisor during our Open Hours every weekday, Monday-Friday.
Schedule a Virtual Advising appointment here: https://go.oncehub.com/RPIISSSOffice
Appointments will be held using the WebEx platform. Within one business day after you schedule an appointment, the advisor will send you a calendar invitation with a link to access the meeting.
To submit forms and other documentation to ISSS, please send them via email to the ISSS office at ISSSoffice@rpi.edu.
Your documents should be scanned by a scanner or mobile app. These scans must be clear and easy to read. For some free mobile scanning apps, see this Wirecutter article: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-mobile-scanning-apps/
ISSS has developed a digital signature policy for use during COVID-19. Please review our policy here: https://info.rpi.edu/isss/isss-forms/#ISSSFormPolicy
Fall 2020 Information
On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson announced detailed information regarding the plans to re-open campus in Fall 2020 during the President’s Town Meeting.
- View the President’s Town Meeting.
Our intention is to provide you with as many options as possible within the scope of the regulations and to support you through this situation.
Based on the institutional decisions, we are formulating advice for the international community and developing answers to FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
Our guidance is separated based on your cohort at Rensselaer.
Town Hall Recordings: Recordings of the Town Halls held by ISSS are available within each cohort.
All freshman students will be taking classes on-campus, unless arrangements are made to begin your program online.
- NOTE: Transfer Students may be considered a different cohort based on the number of transfer credits.
For a detailed breakdown of the SEVP guidance, including what we know, what we don't know, and the August 6th Town Hall details, please reference this email sent to new students: https://mailchi.mp/536af5369f9d/isss-update-to-fall-sevp-guidance-4
This overview is how the federal guidance impacts you as a new student:
- If you are a new student who is outside of the U.S., and intend to take at least one in-person or hybrid course, you are eligible to seek entry to the U.S.
- If you are a new student who is outside of the U.S., and intend to take “100% online” courses, you are not permitted to seek entry to the U.S.
- If you are a new student who is currently inside of the U.S., in F-1 status, you are able to begin a new program of study, whether your coursework is online or is an in-person/hybrid mix.
If you are unable to obtain your F-1 visa for any reason, we encourage you to begin your program online. Admissions will work with you to issue you a new I-20 to arrive on campus for the Spring 2021 semester.
Town Hall Recording
- July 16, 2020 Town Hall Recording: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-fresh-July162020
- August 6, 2020 Town Hall Record: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-incoming-080620
According to the campus return plan, sophomore students will be pursuing online-only coursework in order to de-densify the campus.
For a detailed breakdown of the SEVP guidance, including what we know, what we don't know, and the August 4th Town Hall details, please reference this email sent to the sophomore cohort: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-04
- NOTE: If you are a readmitted student in the sophomore cohort, please reference this message for your guidance: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-readmits
This overview is how the federal guidance impacts you as a continuing student:
- You will maintain your F-1 status, regardless of your physical location and your course type, as long as you:
- Continue to maintain a full-time course load in Fall 2020 (or have an approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS)
- Report your location to ISSS (survey forthcoming)
Town Hall Recording
- July 16, 2020 Town Hall: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-soph-July162020
- This event was not recorded, so the slides and transcript have been made available to you at the above link.
- August 4, 2020 Town Hall: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-continuing-080420
According to the campus return plan, junior students in the Arch should be pursuing classes on-campus.
For a detailed breakdown of the SEVP guidance, including what we know, what we don't know, and the August 4th Town Hall details, please reference this email sent to the junior cohort: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-04
- NOTE: If you are a readmitted student in the junior cohort, please reference this message for your guidance: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-readmits
This overview is how the federal guidance impacts you as a continuing student:
- You will maintain your F-1 status, regardless of your physical location and your course type, as long as you:
- Continue to maintain a full-time course load in Fall 2020 (or have an approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS)
- Report your location to ISSS (survey forthcoming)
Your Semester Away will occur in the Spring 2021 semester.
- The exception is students who have secured a Fall Away opportunity and have been granted an exemption by The Arch.
All Junior students participating in Summer Arch who are enrolled for 12 credits during the Arch summer, have been registered in SEVIS as a full-time student in the Summer 2020 term. Therefore, in the Fall 2020 semester, you can take your coursework - online or in-person - and maintain your visa status. In the Spring 2021 semester, you will take your Semester Away and maintain your visa status.
Town Hall Recording
- July 14, 2020 Town Hall: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-junior-July142020
- * Note that the Junior Town Hall on Tuesday, July 14th was held before the rescission of the July 6th federal guidance. Therefore, much of the questions answered may no longer be accurate.
- August 4, 2020 Town Hall: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-continuing-080420
According to the campus return plan, senior students should be pursuing classes on-campus.
For a detailed breakdown of the SEVP guidance, including what we know, what we don't know, and the August 4th Town Hall details, please reference this email sent to the senior cohort: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-04
- NOTE: If you are a readmitted student in the senior cohort, please reference this message for your guidance: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-readmits
This overview is how the federal guidance impacts you as a continuing student:
- You will maintain your F-1 status, regardless of your physical location and your course type, as long as you:
- Continue to maintain a full-time course load in Fall 2020 (or have an approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS)
- Report your location to ISSS (survey forthcoming)
Town Hall Recording
- July 14, 2020 Town Hall: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-senior-July142020
- * Note that the Senior Town Hall on Tuesday, July 14th was held before the rescission of the July 6th federal guidance. Therefore, much of the questions answered may no longer be accurate.
- August 4, 2020 Town Hall: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-continuing-080420
All incoming graduates students will be taking classes on-campus, unless arrangements are made to begin your program online with your academic department.
For a detailed breakdown of the SEVP guidance, including what we know, what we don't know, and the August 6th Town Hall details, please reference this email sent to new students: https://mailchi.mp/536af5369f9d/isss-update-to-fall-sevp-guidance-4
- NOTE: If you are a Change of Level student at Rensselaer, please reference this message for your guidance: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-COL
This overview is how the federal guidance impacts you as a new student:
- If you are a new student who is outside of the U.S., and intend to take at least one in-person or hybrid course, you are eligible to seek entry to the U.S.
- If you are a new student who is outside of the U.S., and intend to take “100% online” courses, you are not permitted to seek entry to the U.S.
- If you are a new student who is currently inside of the U.S., in F-1 status, you are able to begin a new program of study, whether your coursework is online or is an in-person/hybrid mix.
If you are unable to obtain your F-1 visa for any reason, we encourage you to begin your program online. Admissions will work with you to issue you a new I-20 to arrive on campus for the Spring 2021 semester.
Town Hall Recording
- July 21, 2020 Town Hall: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-newgrad-072120
- August 6, 2020 Town Hall: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-incoming-080620
According to the campus return plan, continuing Graduate students should be pursuing classes and/or research on-campus (including hybrid classes).
For a detailed breakdown of the SEVP guidance, including what we know, what we don't know, and the August 4th Town Hall details, please reference this email sent to the graduate cohort: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-04
- NOTE: If you are a Change of Level student in the graduate cohort, please reference this message for your guidance: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-COL
This overview is how the federal guidance impacts you as a continuing student:
- You will maintain your F-1 status, regardless of your physical location and your course type, as long as you:
- Continue to maintain a full-time course load in Fall 2020 (or have an approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS)
- Report your location to ISSS (survey forthcoming)
Town Hall Recording
- July 17, 2020 Town Hall for Continuing Graduate Students: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-grad-July172020
- August 4, 2020 Town Hall: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSStownhall-continuing-080420
Communications
ISSS has been in regular communication with students via email to provide updates and information on COVID-19 and your immigration status. We post all email messages to this website as a quick reference for students, alumni, and their families.
Please expand each section below to view the messages by selecting the + sign.
July 28, 2020: Update to Fall SEVP Guidance #4
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of July 28th by International Services for Students and Scholars.
- Message to current students: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-04
- Message to incoming students: https://mailchi.mp/536af5369f9d/isss-update-to-fall-sevp-guidance-4
- Message to readmitted students: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-readmits
- Message to Change of Level students: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-COL
- The last message was sent in the morning of July 29.
July 24, 2020: Update to Fall SEVP Guidance #3
A message to F-1 visa holders (current students) was sent in the afternoon of July 24th by International Services for Students and Scholars.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-03
July 24, 2020: Update to Fall SEVP Guidance #3
A message to F-1 visa holders (new freshmen and new graduate students) was sent in the afternoon of July 24th by International Services for Students and Scholars.
Please see the message content at this link: https://mailchi.mp/818681dff652/isss-update-to-fall-sevp-guidance
July 16, 2020: Update to Fall SEVP Guidance #2
A message to F-1 visa holders (current students) was sent in the afternoon of July 16th by International Services for Students and Scholars.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-02
July 16, 2020: Pending Update to Fall SEVP Guidance & Town Hall Details - Incoming Graduate Students
A message to F-1 visa holders (new graduate students) was sent in the afternoon of July 16th by International Services for Students and Scholars with information regarding the federal guidance and upcoming Town Hall meeting.
Please see the message content at this link: https://mailchi.mp/baf847709598/important-isss-update-regarding-sevp-guidance-gr
July 14, 2020: Pending Update to Fall SEVP Guidance
A message to F-1 visa holders (current students) was sent in the afternoon of July 14th by International Services for Students and Scholars.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-guidance-update-01
July 14, 2020: Town Hall Details - Freshmen
A message to F-1 visa holders (new undergraduate students and parents) was sent in the afternoon of July 14th by International Services for Students and Scholars with information regarding the upcoming Town Hall meeting.
Please see the message content at this link: https://mailchi.mp/2761b4699767/isss-town-hall-details
July 13, 2020: Town Hall Details - Current Students
A message to F-1 visa holders (current students) was sent in the afternoon of July 13th by International Services for Students and Scholars with information regarding the upcoming Town Hall meetings.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-town-hall
July 13, 2020: Fall 2020 International Students: Message from ISSS
Revised messages were sent by International Services for Students and Scholars to student groups by cohort.
Graduate students and freshman were not sent new messages, as there were no changes to those cohort groups.
- Sophomore students - please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-update-sophomore-REVISED
- Junior students - please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-update-junior-REVISED
- Senior students - please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-update-senior-REVISED
July 10, 2020: Fall 2020 International Students: Message from ISSS
Messages were sent by International Services for Students and Scholars to student groups by class.
- Freshmen students - please see the message content at this link: https://mailchi.mp/4b799d258482/isss-newstudent-fa20-update2
- Sophomore students - please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-update-sophomore
- Junior students - please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-update-junior
- Senior students - please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-update-senior
- Continuing Graduate students - please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/SEVP-update-CONTgraduate
July 07, 2020: Fall 2020 International Students: Message from ISSS Director
A message to F-1 visa holders (new undergraduate students and parents) was sent in the afternoon of July 7th by International Services for Students and Scholars Director Mary Nellis.
Please see the message content at this link: http://mailchi.mp/030f89d3a3da/isss-newstudent-fa20-update1
July 02, 2020: Fall 2020 International Students: Message from ISSS Director
A message to F-1 visa holders (current students) was sent in the afternoon of July 7th by International Services for Students and Scholars Director Mary Nellis.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/FA20-ISSS-Update-1
July 02, 2020: Fall 2020 International Students: Message from ISSS Director
A message to F-1 visa holders (new undergraduate students and parents) was sent in the morning of July 2nd by International Services for Students and Scholars Director Mary Nellis.
Please see the message content at this link: http://mailchi.mp/371dfa4a6e77/fa20-new-student-message-from-isss-director
July 02, 2020: Fall 2020 International Students: Message from ISSS Director
A message to F-1 visa holders (new graduate students) was sent in the morning of July 2nd by International Services for Students and Scholars Director Mary Nellis.
Please see the message content at this link: http://mailchi.mp/214881134419/fa20-gr-new-student-message-from-isss-director
June 17, 2020: Fall 2020 Campus Return: Message from ISSS Director
A message to F-1 visa holders (current students) was sent in the afternoon of Wednesday, June 17th by International Services for Students and Scholars Director Mary Nellis.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/COVID19-DirectorMessage-June
June 12, 2020: Incoming International Student Outreach and Support
A message to incoming F-1 international students was sent in the morning of Friday, June 12th by the Vice President for Student Life and the Director International Services for Students and Scholars.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/incoming-intl-outreach-support
June 10, 2020: COVID-19 Update #13 (Fall Updates - PLEASE READ)
A message to F-1 visa holders (current students) was sent in the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10th by International Services for Students and Scholars with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update13
Town Hall link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2X6GBseysY&feature=youtu.be
June 5, 2020: International Students and Alumni Outreach and Support
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the morning of Friday, June 5th by the Vice President for Student Life and the Director International Services for Students and Scholars with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://mailchi.mp/rpi.edu/international-students-and-alumni-outreach-and-support
June 4, 2020: COVID-19 Update #12 (Advising, Immigration Information, Presidential Proclamation)
A message to F-1 visa holders (current students) was sent in the afternoon of Thursday, June 4th by International Services for Students and Scholars with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update12students
June 4, 2020: COVID-19 Update #12 (Alumni Information #4)
A message to F-1 visa holders (alumni) was sent in the afternoon of Thursday, June 4th by Assistant Director Emilie Buse with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update12alumni
May 4, 2020: COVID-19 Update #11 (Alumni Information #3)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of Monday, May 4th by Assistant Director Emilie Buse with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link:https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update11
April 23, 2020: COVID-19 Update #10 (Immigration Updates, Current Students - Reporting Location)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of Thursday, April 23rd by ISSS Director Mary Nellis or Assistant Director Emilie Buse with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update10
April 16, 2020: COVID-19 Update #9.5 (Alumni Information #2.5 - New Information)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of Thursday, April 16th by ISSS Assistant Director Emilie Buse with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update09-5
April 14, 2020: COVID-19 Update #9 (Alumni Information #2)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of Tuesday, April 14th by ISSS Assistant Director Emilie Buse with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update09
April 10, 2020: COVID-19 Update #8 (Letter Request Process, Reporting Location)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of Friday, April 10th by ISSS Director Mary Nellis with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update08
April 2, 2020: COVID-19 Update #7 (Digital Signature Guides, Remote Work, ISSS Programs)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the evening of Thursday, April 2nd by ISSS Director Mary Nellis with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update07
UPDATE - Link Correction for NPZ COVID-19 Workshop registration: https://npzcovid19workshop-rpi.eventbrite.com
March 25, 2020: COVID-19 Update #6 (Five-Month Rule, OPT Workshops, Letter Request)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of Wednesday, March 25th by ISSS Director Mary Nellis with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update06
March 19, 2020: COVID-19 Update #5 (Alumni Information)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of Thursday, March 19th by ISSS Assistant Director Emilie Buse with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update05
March 18, 2020: COVID-19 Update #4 (Location Reporting, OPT Application Info)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of Wednesday, March 18th by ISSS Director Mary Nellis with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update04
March 17, 2020: COVID-19 Update #3 (Documents, Virtual Advising, General Communication)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the afternoon of Tuesday, March 17th by ISSS Director Mary Nellis with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: https://rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update03
- Note that digital signatures on documents can be done via the free download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: https://helpx.adobe.com/reader/get-started.html
- For information about issuing a digital signature, please see this link: https://helpx.adobe.com/reader/using/sign-pdfs.html
March 16, 2020: COVID-19 Update #2 (Visa Status, Open Hours Protocol)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the evening of Friday, March 13th by ISSS Director Mary Nellis with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update02
March 13, 2020: COVID-19 Update #1 (Housing)
A message to F-1 visa holders was sent in the evening of Thursday, March 12th by ISSS Director Mary Nellis with an update regarding COVID-19 and student concerns.
Please see the message content at this link: rpi.box.com/v/ISSS-COVID19update01
March 12, 2020: Protocol Development
9:16 a.m.: ISSS is currently developing protocols for international students regarding the email from President Jackson that remote instruction has been extended to the end of Spring semester 2020.
We will communicate to you via your RPI email with updates and information, and anticipate the first communication will be sent by the end of today, March 12th.