The Center for International Faculty and Student Services
INTRODUCTION TO THE CENTER
The Center for International Faculty and Student Services coordinates services for international faculty, staff,
visitors and students. It assists with all matters of special concern to them and serves as a referral source to other
university offices and academic departments. Center staff provide direct support with employment, immigration,
personal, and nonacademic matters. In addition, a variety of programs and activities originate in the center.
You are encouraged to maintain close ties with the center throughout your stay at Rutgers. Located at 180
College Avenue, the center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. - noon and 1:00 - 4:30
p.m. To facilitate document processing, the center is closed for appointments on Wednesdays. The telephone
number is 932-7015.
INTERNATIONAL FACULTY ADVISER
The international faculty adviser is available to meet with you individually for discussion of and assistance with a
variety of matters related to your nonimmigrant status. Advice on immigration includes both general information
on your rights and responsibilities as well as assistance with procedures required for initial or continued
employment at Rutgers. The adviser also provides information and advice on such matters as personal adjustment
to life in the United States, cross-cultural differences, family concerns, financial planning and questions, and
nonresident tax regulations. For questions on health care and insurance, you may consult with the center's
insurance adviser.
If you wish to consult individually with the adviser, we suggest you call and make an appointment prior to coming
to the center. Appointments can generally be made within two to three days of your call.
IMMIGRATION-RELATED ADVISING SERVICES
The center provides both individual and group consultations on immigration-related matters. The
"Immigration-Related Regulations" section of this guidebook offers some general information for your immediate
reference, but you are encouraged to become familiar with the specific regulations which apply to your personal
situation. All individuals have rights and limitations which govern their particular non-immigrant status; it is
ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you comply with these regulations. The international faculty adviser is
ready to advise and assist you in these matters.
ORIENTATION FOR INTERNATIONAL FACULTY, VISITORS AND POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
Upon arrival to Rutgers, you will complete a "check in" procedure at the Center for International Faculty and
Student Services. If you will be paid by Rutgers you will meet with the international faculty adviser, who will guide
you through employment-related forms and paperwork and provide you with orientation information based upon
your specific needs and circumstances. If you will not be paid by Rutgers, you will be provided with this guidebook
and other information you need, and can meet with the international faculty and student adviser if you wish.
RUTGERS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S GROUP
The Rutgers International Women's Group holds many of its programs and meetings at the center. The group is
composed primarily of wives of international faculty, scholars and students but is open to and encourages
membership of all interested women. Programs vary widely and new activities are introduced regularly. Recent
programs have included health information for women, lectures on lifestyles and comparative culture, short trips
and seasonal family get-togethers. Married men are asked to be certain the center has the name and correct
address and telephone number of their wives so that an invitation to participate can be extended to those who may
be interested in meeting other women, making friends and learning more about life in the U.S. and at Rutgers.
In 1996, the International Women's Group received a grant to write and publish a Guidebook for International
Families. This guidebook, full of useful information and tips for spouses of international students and scholars at
Rutgers, is available at the center.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASSES FOR SPOUSES
The center hosts English conversation classes several times each week for spouses of international faculty,
scholars and students. Classes are taught by center staff and volunteers on a schedule which is announced at the
start of each semester. These classes offer spouses the opportunity to learn and practice language skills as well
as a chance to make friends with other spouses.
CENTER WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
The center sponsors workshops and seminars on a variety of topics throughout the year. Some are designed
specifically to inform international visitors of matters related to their immigration status; others are aimed at
providing the general university community with exposure to intercultural topics and issues. Programs are
announced in advance in the center newsletter and on the center's homepage.
RUTGERS INTERNATIONAL NEWS GAZETTE
Two times each semester the center for International Faculty and Student Services publishes the Rutgers
International News Gazette ("The RING"), a newsletter for international students, scholars, faculty and
post-doctoral fellows. The newsletter also appears online on the center's home page. It contains information on
upcoming center programs, pertinent deadlines, changes in government procedures and regulations, travel
opportunities, articles and current events of interest to the international community. All members of the university
are invited to contribute articles, announcements, and descriptions of cultural activities and celebrations which
could be shared with other readers.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTER
The center sponsors one informal "get-together" each autumn for international faculty, visitors and their spouses.
These socials provide an opportunity to meet other international visitors and to feel part of a larger community.
Information on these programs appear in the Rutgers International News Gazette and in fliers sent to you a few
weeks before the activity. In conjunction with student organizations, the center also hosts a variety of other social
and cultural activities, such as a bi-weekly "Multicultural Pizza Hour" and an annual "International Talent
Show." The center also offers an international lecture series throughout the academic year, and a number of other
programs publicized in the newsletter and on the homepage.
HOME PAGE
Visit the center's home page on the world wide web at http://info.rutgers.edu/Services/International. The
homepage has recent issues of our newsletter, many downloadable forms and informational fliers, a "What's
New?" listing, some frequently-asked questions ("FAQS"), and other items of interest to the international
community at Rutgers.
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last updated August 19, 1997