Many regulations and procedures relative to international students and scholars have changed or are in the process of changing (see attached chart, “Update of Executive, Legislative, & Regulatory Changes Affecting Internationals at the University of Pittsburgh,” for more details).  One of the primary means by which the Office of International Services (OIS) will continue to share information about the changes affecting internationals at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is our “OIS2” e-mail listserv.  To subscribe, send an e-mail to majordomo@list.pitt.edu and include the following text in the body of the e-mail: “subscribe ois2” (without the quotation marks).  We are also willing to meet with any academic or administrative units that have particular concerns.  Finally, we will be engaging in outreach efforts, such as town meetings and open forums, later in the academic year once final regulations are published.

In the meantime, it is important that students, scholars and the University comply with the current regulations.  These regulations include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• F-1 & J-1 students must attend the institution indicated on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 and pursue the academic program indicated on that form.  When students change their major/field of study (e.g., from Chemistry to History) or level of study (e.g., from Master’s to Ph.D.), OIS must be notified in advance so that the appropriate visa documents can be issued.
• F-1 & J-1 students must complete a full course of study during normal enrollment periods (Fall & Spring).  A full course of study is 9 credits per term for graduate students and 12 credits per term for undergraduate students.  There are some legal exceptions to the full course of study requirement, but those exceptions must by authorized in advance by an advisor in OIS who is duly recognized by the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) as a Designated School Official (DSO).  Academic advisors should not advise nonimmigrant students to enroll for less than a full course of study unless the student first consults with OIS.
• F-1 & J-1 students may not work more than 20 hours per week on campus when school is in session.  A full-time assistantship is considered to be 20 hours per week, therefore someone with a TA/TF/etc., may NOT engage in additional work that term.  Students are allowed to work full-time on campus during official school breaks when school is not in session (winter break, spring break or summer) if the student is eligible and intends to enroll the next available normal academic term.
• F-1 & J-1 students may not work off campus, even at other educational institutions, without authorization from OIS and/or INS.
• Before traveling outside the U.S., students and scholars must visit OIS and obtain the appropriate endorsement on their visa documents or a new visa document, if required.

While it is ultimately the student’s/scholar’s responsibility to maintain his or her legal status, the University may also suffer negative consequences for various violations.  For example, if the University employs an F-1 student as a full TA and a tutor, in violation of the 20 hour per week limit, or does not properly notify the INS of a student’s change of degree level, the University may be subject to fines and/or may lose the ability to continue to enroll and/or employ any F-1 or J-1 students/scholars.

This information is not exhaustive.  Please refer any international students or scholars who have questions about their immigration status to OIS for information about their particular situation.  Faculty, administrators, and staff who work with internationals are also welcome to consult with OIS regarding specific situations or general issues.  Additionally, the OIS website contains important information, including OIS forms and documents, which University departmental personnel may find useful: http://www.pitt.edu/~ois/oisdept.html