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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Dear All,</span><br>
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SEVP has released initial guidance for fall 2020 semester earlier this afternoon. Our office plans to host a webinar soon regarding this. One for faculty and staff and then one for our international F-1 students.</p>
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Here is the new guidance: <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bcm2007-01.pdf__;!!LkSTlj0I!Tv7-TskRerdb01dWEJolQTUy7yvVMwupTDYWSuFnzlVSk3W2NXesU7ofOs0U3YRNC0OO$">
https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bcm2007-01.pdf</a></p>
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A few key points.</p>
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<span style="mso-list:Ignore">1)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>
</span>The temporary final rule to the federal register will be released on August 4<sup>th</sup>, though, we can assume that this information will be just a way to make what is already said, official from the broadcast message.</p>
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<span style="mso-list:Ignore">2)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>
</span>As UH is taking a mix of online/hybrid(HyFlex) courses, the main takeaway is that all F-1 students will need to be enrolled in at least one class that allows for face to face instruction. This or students will be required to leave the U.S. and terminate
their F-1 status with an authorized early withdrawal. </p>
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</span>Taking courses online from back home cannot be done with an active F-1 status while the University has some sort of hybrid/face to face courses that it is offering to students. This could mean that students abroad would not be eligible for any on-campus
job such as TA/RA as we would have to terminate their SEVIS records. They would need to be here in the U.S. with at least one HyFlex course with face to face interaction. (We are seeking additional clarification to see what exceptions can be made).</p>
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<span style="mso-list:Ignore">4)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>
</span>If UH changes the operations from partial face to face to completely online prior to Thanksgiving break, this could mean that all F-1 students would be required to transfer to another school with face to face courses or leave the U.S. with an authorized
early withdrawal.</p>
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<span style="mso-list:Ignore">5)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>
</span>No F-1 student can arrive to the U.S. with only online course instruction.</p>
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We understand that travel and flights are a big issue for students coming to start a course of study, returning, or even to leave before the semester begins.</p>
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As additional guidance is released, we will update you all further. We hope the webinar that we will schedule soon will address questions that you may have regarding this new guidance.</p>
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Sincerely,</p>
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<b><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Minion Pro"">Stefan Johnsson, M.A.</span></b></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Minion Pro"">SEVIS Compliance Senior Coordinator</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Minion Pro"">International Student & Scholar Services</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Minion Pro"">Student Center North, Room 203</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Minion Pro"">4465 University Dr.</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Minion Pro"">Houston, TX 77204-3024</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Minion Pro"">Phone: 1 (713) 743-5074
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<span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Minion Pro"">Email: <a href="mailto:sjohnsson@uh.edu">
<span style="color:blue">sjohnsson@uh.edu</span></a></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:7.0pt; font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:7.0pt; font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif">This email from the University of Houston may be confidential, may be legally privileged, and is for the intended recipient only. Unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, distribution,
or reliance on any of it by anyone else is prohibited and may be a criminal offense. If you receive this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy the material in its entirety, whether electronic or hard copy.</span></p>
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