To: Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and Chairpersons

From: Miriam Schoeman, Interim Director, Office of International Services

(MC 326)

Date: June 4, 2003

RE: Continued Data-Verification Project for SEVIS in June and July

In order to continue preparations for SEVIS, the automated system for

tracking international students and scholars in the United States, the

Office of International Services (OIS) will spend additional time this

summer on a major project to verify the data of each member of UIC's

international population. This project is one of the necessary steps for

UIC to remain compliant with reporting requirements beginning in the summer

term.

OIS has just successfully completed the first phase of this

project.  However, due to the size of the task, work on this project must

continue throughout the summer.  In the remaining time between now and

August 1, 2003, the following will occur:

* datalinks with legacy systems and Banner will be activated

* records will continue to be validated in OIS's database, which links with

SEVIS

* international students, faculty, staff, and scholars will confirm the

accuracy of their personal and immigration-related information via a secure

website which is currently under development

* SEVIS documents will be generated (by request only) to replace non-SEVIS

I-20s and DS-2019s.  Due to the very high volume of requests, document

issuance is now taking a minimum of twenty (20) business days.

In order to accomplish the data-verification aspect of the project, for the

months of June and July 2003, OIS will offer limited services on

Wednesdays.  In addition, there will be two additional limited service

SEVIS weeks, one in June (June 23-27) and one in July (July 14-18).

During these limited service Wednesdays and weeks, the office will be open

to the public daily only for employment eligibility verification (employee

clearances) from 2 p.m. to 3: p.m. and for emergency situations.

Emergencies are defined as critical, time-sensitive situations that are of

great importance and are beyond the individual's control. Phone messages

and e-mail will be checked periodically.  Responses should be expected in

the days or week following the SEVIS data-verification project.

Please share this information with the international students, faculty,

staff, and scholars in your department and the administrators who work with

them.  Sharing this information will raise awareness of the ongoing nature

of this project, and individuals can plan their visits and requests

accordingly.

All individuals in F or J status must be issued SEVIS documents by their

sponsor if they are to remain in the US in F or J status on or after August

1, 2003.  Requests to OIS to issue SEVIS documents are generated by

departments and scholars jointly for J-1 scholars and by students for F-1

and J-1 students.  (Completed extension requests submitted to OIS already

result in the issuance of SEVIS documents.)  However, replacement documents

will be needed for all F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 individuals, even those whose

non-SEVIS  documents (I-20, IAP-66, or DS-2019) appear to be valid.  For

those individuals requiring SEVIS documents, forms may be completed and

submitted to OIS between now and July 1, 2003 (except for on the days

listed above).  Failure to request SEVIS documents for individuals in F or

J status who will remain in the US on or after August 1, 2003, will result

in the individual's violation of their legal status.

Due to the scope of this project, the increased time necessary to handle

each F-1 student and J-1 student or scholar document request, and the

volume of requests, processing times for I-20s and DS-2019s are currently

taking a minimum of twenty (20) business days.  We appreciate everyone's

patience as we transition to new systems as mandated by the

government.  Thank you for your support and interest.