Dates: November 13 -14, 2006
(Pre-conference workshops on Nov. 12)

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
http://www.explorestlouis.com/

Hotel Information

Millennium Hotel, St. Louis
200 S. 4th St.
St. Louis, MO 63102
phone: 314-241-9500

Select Group Code from the drop down menu when registering at the site linked below. The group code is NAFSA. You will need to select Group Code and enter in the code, NAFSA, to receive the conference discount!

Also, please note that you should enter in the name of the person you will be sharing a room with in the Comments field after entering in your personal information for your room reservation. This should allow your roommate to check in to the room without you.

Reserve rooms online: http://www.millenniumhotels.com

Workshop Descriptions

Building an International Admissions Office

Audience: Admissions professionals with 1-2 years of experience

This 12-hour workshop is for new international admissions professionals whose needs lie in understanding how to develop an international admissions and recruitment plan. Participants will receive the essential tools and explore effective strategies for establishing an international admissions office and creating an effective international recruitment plan. Topics include: institutional readiness, trends in international student flows, strategic planning, market planning and research, budgeting, staffing, publications, direct mail, electronic recruitment, arm-chair recruitment and travel, and ethical issues.
Recruitment is part of, but only one component of, this workshop. This workshop will not address the elements of credential review.

Workshop Objectives

• Learn to develop an International Admissions Office
• Develop strategies for work flow
• Create an effective international recruitment plan
• Learn basics of marketing research
• Discuss other related topics related to admissions

F Regulations for Beginners

Audience: Beginning foreign student advisers with up to 15 months of experience

This introductory workshop offers participants the basic theoretical and practical knowledge and skills needed to advise international students on F-1 visa matters. The workshop begins with an overview of terminology and the visa process. It focuses on the responsibilities of a USCIS-approved school and the Designated School Official (DSO), the definition of F-1 status and maintenance of status, creating a SEVIS record and issuing an I-20, dependent visa matters, updating SEVIS records (reports, change of level, program extension), school transfer, reinstatement, change of status, employment, and practical training. The format includes lecture, exercises, and discussions.

Workshop Objectives

• Provide participants with the basic theoretical and practical knowledge needed for F-1 immigration advising.
• Offer international student advisers, new to the profession, basic regulatory training.
• Prepare participants to accurately process the immigration forms that their students require to stay in good legal standing.

F Regulations - The Second Step

Audience: DSOs with more than 15 months of experience in regulatory advising.

The “Second Step” workshop is designed for U.S. Designated School Officials (DSOs) with more than 15 months of experience in the field of international student advising. Discover the subtleties of the most current F-1 regulations and procedures. In addition, the sensitive and complex issues involving DSO discretion and institutional policy will be explored in tandem with INS regulatory compliance. This workshop specifically addresses advanced topics. Participants wishing more basic training should attend the “Professional Practice Workshop: F-1 Regulations for Beginners.”

Workshop Objectives

• Understand the role of the DSO in regards to institutional compliance.
• Understand the role of the DSO in preparing I-20s for initial attendance.
• Understand the issues relating to the maintenance of F status.
• Understand the issues relating to reinstatement, transfer, travel and reentry, change of status, and employment relative to F visa.

J Regulations – for Beginners

Audience: International student advisers working with an existing J-1 program.

This workshop is designed for beginners (up to 15 months). It provides basic information related to the administration of J-1 (exchange visitor) programs and advising J-1 students and scholars. It will provide an overview of U.S. Department of State regulations and cover J eligibility, maintenance of status, extension, transfer, reinstatement and employment. We will NOT provide advanced training or cover requirements specific to trainee, high school, or graduate medical study categories. We also will NOT cover the procedure of obtaining an exchange visitor program designation. Participants should be prepared to take active part in discussions.

Workshop Objectives

• Understand different levels of authority and reliability to J visa regulations.
• Understand the difference between J visa type and other visa types.
• Understand the eligibility requirements for Exchange Visitor status and identify which category to use.
• Understand how to enter a new Exchange Visitor in SEVIS, issue the form DS-2019 and report the arrival of the Exchange Visitor.
• Understand key concepts of the immigration system, basic terms and visa application procedures.
• Understand the requirements to maintain J status and the responsibilities of the sponsor.
• Understand what types of employment are allowed for each category and how to make a preliminary determination.
• Understand the administrative requirements of an Exchange Visitor program.

Developing and administering quality short-term Education Abroad Programs

Workshop Chairs: Kathy Tuma, St. Olaf College; Janis Perkins, University of Iowa

In recent years, short-term education abroad programs (defined as faculty-led courses lasting less than a semester/term) have increasingly been recognized as legitimate educational experiences for U.S. college and university students who are unable or unlikely to participate in semester or academic year programs abroad. This workshop brings together professionals from diverse institutions and program providers with established reputations for outstanding programs in short-term education abroad. They provide practical, step-by-step advice on designing, implementing, and managing high quality, academically sound short-term programs. Discussion and the opportunity to build your own program will allow you to share ideas and experiences.

Workshop Objectives

• Develop a clear understanding of ways to pursue institutional endorsement and to use internal support systems in designing short-term programs
• Develop an understanding of short-term program models and be able to determine which of those models best fit the participants’ home institution
• Develop skills on the process of budgeting fiscally sound short-term programs
• Develop an awareness of the logistical process for operating short-term programs, such as timelines, on-site arrangements, and marketing
• Learn strategies to be able to responsibly orient faculty and students for the short-term experience

NAFSA Region IV