WEEKLY UPDATE – April 28

As summer approaches, this week's newsletter includes information on end-of-semester reminders for students completing their programs. As always, if you have any general questions, you can contact our office by chat, phone, or email. If you have specific immigration questions, you can email ISSS or make an appointment with your ISSS adviser.

Congratulations to the upcoming spring and summer 2025 grads! This a reminder that the spring commencement ceremonies will be held in person from May 15–17 at St. Ignatius Church. Students who did not attend the Grad Finale event and are participating in commencement must pick up their academic regalia and tickets on May 15–17 at the Gleeson Library Atrium, as mentioned here. If you have not yet applied to graduate, please do so ASAP by going to the Application for Graduation Information web page and completing the application. 

All ceremonies will be streamed virtually on USF's website and YouTube. For additional information, please review the Spring 2025 Commencement Information web page »

All F-1 students are responsible for completing their program on time. Remember that failure to complete your studies at USF before your I-20 program end date is considered a violation of your F-1 student status. Please note that the program end date listed on your I-20 also signifies the end of any student employment positions on campus. If you will not be able to complete your degree requirements by the program end date on your I-20, please make an appointment with your ISSS adviser immediately to discuss your eligibility for an extension of your stay in the U.S. View additional information »

For students traveling internationally during the summer break, ISSS will be holding Travel Signature Days between April 30 – May 6 during which submitted travel signature requests will be processed by the end of the day on May 9. In light of enhanced screening at port of entries and consulates and potential visa delays, all students should review the important travel considerations sent on April 3 before planning any international travel. If you have additional questions about your situation or travel plans after reviewing our guidance, please email or schedule an appointment with your ISSS advisor. ISSS advisors have increased their appointment availability in the next two weeks to meet with students before the break.

Students are required to report any changes in local residence (the address in the U.S. where they are currently living) and permanent residence (the address that is outside of the U.S.). By logging into the MyISSS portal, students can submit the Contact Information Update request to update their address with ISSS. If you are on OPT or STEM OPT, you can update your local address in your SEVP Portal directly. If you'd like to update your address for other USF offices, please do so in your myUSF account. Note the address information in myUSF will not appear in SEVIS or be used by the ISSS office. For additional information, refer to the MyISSS Student Handbook »

As the academic year comes to an end, many of you might be exploring different housing options. Living off campus is a great way to get to know the city! Don’t really know where to begin? We recommend that you make an appointment with Off-Campus Living. Their department is here to support students attending USF and our surrounding neighbors and communities. Learn more »

On-campus summer housing is another great housing option that is available each year for students enrolled in classes at USF. Summer housing is located in one of the campus' designated co-ed residence halls. More information regarding the summer housing location, application deadline, and session dates can be found on the Summer School Housing web page.

Tuesday, April 29 | 12–1 p.m. 
Lo Schiavo Science – Getty Study

Ever wondered about the goats grazing LoMo? Join Kim from City Grazing as she goes into the science behind goat grazing and why goats are a green alternative to traditional landscaping. Kim is the General Manager of City Grazing. Her favorite goat is Turin; Turin does not like Kim that much. This event is open to all USF community members.

Friday, May 2 | 7:30–8:30 p.m.
McLaren 251 

Join ISA for the End of Year Reception hosted by the International Student Association at USFCA. Celebrate the journeys you’ve shared, the cultures you’ve embraced, and the friendships that made this year unforgettable  This event is open to all USF community members.

Register Now »

Friday, May 2 | 8–9:30 p.m.
Education Building 117

PASJ presents the USF Dance Ensemble’s Spring 2025 Concert—an electrifying evening of movement, creativity, and expression! Featuring bold new works by faculty, alumni, and guest artists, including Meredith Belany, Amber Julian, Eli Nelson, and Jason Vu, with special guest artist Jo Kreiter of Flyaway Productions. This event is open to all USF community members.

Register Now »

Wednesday, May 7 | 12–1p.m. PDT Online via Zoom

Children experience joy on a regular basis. But when we become adults, time pressures and competing demands can make joy seem like a foreign concept. However, it’s essential for overall well-being that we make time for it. This engaging webinar will help you tune into what’s most important and make a simple plan for incorporating more joy into your daily routine.  This event is open to all USF community members.

Register Now »

During the new presidential administration, ISSS is monitoring and communicating immigration updates that may affect our international students. Visit our International Student Support web page for updates and resources.

If you are requesting an immigration document or letter from our office, remember that we request ten business days to process requests. Make sure you plan accordingly so you have enough time to receive your document before you need it. All ISSS requests should be submitted through the MyISSS student portal (log into your MyISSS account, go to Requests & Documents, and select the appropriate icon on the right side of the page). You can view our MyISSS Student Handbook for assistance with your submission.

Click the Chat with ISSS button on the bottom, right corner of any ISSS webpage, and the ISSS team can assist you with your inquiry.

Appointments can be made online. Appointments are booked in 20-minute increments.

Our podcast focuses on mindfulness, diversity, and inclusion, featuring episodes that cover diverse topics. Subscribe for engaging narratives, consistent audio quality, and a cohesive visual identity, and join us in building a mindful and inclusive USF community.

Want to submit content for future newsletters? Email our office at isss@usfca.edu for more information.