Wichita State stands in support of our international students
From Wichita State President Dr. Jay Golden:
Dear Shocker Nation,
Together with Wichita State University’s Office of International Education, I’m encouraged at the federal government’s decision to rescind last week’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) guidelines regarding international students and the requirement to participate in hybrid or in-person courses in order to remain in the U.S. As a result of this rescission, the guidance issued by SEVP on March 9, 2020, and March 13, 2020, will be extended for the fall 2020 semester.
All of our students, including those from other countries and backgrounds, are valued at Wichita State. We greatly celebrate the diversity of thought, culture and traditions that our international students bring to the Shocker community.
International students should expect an email from Vince Altum, director of the Office of International Education, in the coming days. The office is also in the process of creating a new set of FAQs that will be shared with students soon.
We will continue to get through these complex and ever-changing times together, as one campus community. In the meantime, should you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Office of International Education at iss@wichita.edu.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jay Golden,
President
The statement below was released July 10.
Dear Shocker Nation,
I have watched and listened this week with a great deal of focus over the federal government’s announcement regarding international students. This rule change has implications for our international students that could include having to leave the country or transferring to another institution.
We are working hard to do everything we can to minimize the impact that this guidance may have on our students, including offering hybrid instruction – which combines an in-person component with online classwork – in the fall semester. We made this decision earlier in the summer, and many measures are being taken every day to ensure as much safety as possible as we learn to co-exist with this virus.
As a leader of a university with a large population of international students, I take very seriously the worry and burden this guidance puts on our students. Wichita State would not be what it is without the diversity of thought, culture and traditions that our international students bring to the campus community.
Our Office of International Education is hard at work preparing answers to any questions international students may have. Students with questions can read the new FAQs for Returning Students and email iss@wichita.edu with any follow-up questions.
Students are also encouraged to utilize wichita.edu/Fall2020, as it has full details of all types of course delivery.
In these uncertain times, please know that the entire Wichita State community supports
you. We will continue to communicate as we have more updates on this fluid situation.
Until then, don’t hesitate to email iss@wichita.edu with any questions related to this issue.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jay Golden,
President
The information on this page is accurate as of July 16, 2020. Comment on this topic.