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Student Handbook |
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International Programs Banking There are many local banks to choose from; on campus we have a U.S. Bank Automated Teller Machine. In order to open an individual banking account you must be at least 18 years old and present two types of identification containing your photograph. For example, you can use your passport and a Washington state ID card. Bookstore The Paper Tree is the campus bookstore and sells the textbooks required for your classes. You may pay with a personal check, traveler’s check, credit card, or cash. Textbooks are usually listed under the course name and number. See page 13 for more information. Culture Shock Most students require several months to adjust to U.S. culture. During this time you may feel excited, sad, homesick, or depressed. You may also find that U.S. culture is not what you expected. This is not unusual. This is called “culture shock.” Stress is common when you are a student and far from home. Signs of stress include feeling anxious, tired, depressed, or angry. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to an advisor in International Programs or make an appointment to talk with a counselor. Counseling & Health Services is located on the second floor of the LSC. Here are some suggestions to help you adjust to your new surroundings. Set realistic goals (don’t try to do too much). Have patience with yourself. Find out as much as you can about your new culture. Try to have a sense of humor. Practice English daily. Learn to manage your time. Eat healthy food, get enough sleep, and exercise. E-Mail/InternetYou may access the Internet and your e-mail account on at the library and at computer stations in the International Programs and Student Programs offices. Some useful Web sites: Driving directions to anywhere in the U.S: www.mapquest.com GRCC information: www.greenriver.edu Local events: www.seattleinsider.com Bus information: www.transit.metrokc.gov Employment On-campus jobs are available on a limited basis to international students holding F-1 visas. Government-funded “work study” positions on campus are not available to international students. If you are interested in working on campus, make an appointment with an international student advisor to determine your eligibility, then visit the Career Development and Employment Services Center on the second floor of the LSC. Off-campus jobs are available only under certain conditions set by Immigration. Practical Training is a category that allows international students to work in the U.S. in a job related to their major. It is normally taken after graduation for a period of up to one year. It can also be taken before graduation if it is a required part of an academic program or with permission from the INS. International students facing unexpected financial emergencies may be allowed to work part-time under certain circumstances. International student work regulations are complicated so please contact an advisor in International Programs for details. Do not work without permission from Immigration! A Social Security card must be obtained to work in the U.S. if work authorization is granted. Currently, social security cards are only issued to international students who have verification of employment. This means you must first have a job offer in order to apply for a card. The Social Security office closest to campus is located at 1019 W. James St., Suite 200, Kent, WA 98032. Phone: (253) 520-4340. The toll-free number for Social Security is (800)-772-1213. Grades Instructors award grades on a point system ranging from 4.0= superior to 0.0= fail. Your grade point average (GPA) is calculated for each quarter. A cumulative GPA is also calculated, which is a combined total of all your grades. Each quarter, you will receive a syllabus from each class instructor that provides details about class requirements and grading. For classes that you’ve completed, you can access your grades online by going to the GRCC homepage at www.greenriver.edu, click on “Online Services,” “More,” and “Unofficial Transcripts. ”Health Care & Insurance GRCC requires all international students to enroll in a health insurance plan. You may choose to enroll in the Lewer Insurance Plan through GRCC, or you must provide proof of insurance purchased through another company that meets minimum coverage requirements. If you do not provide proof of your own insurance, you will be charged for the Lewer Insurance. If you have questions about health insurance, or to find out the minimum coverage requirements, visit International Programs. If someone has a health problem that needs immediate care, go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital, or call 9-1-1 and an ambulance will come to rush that person to the hospital. If someone has a minor injury or minor health problem, do not go to the emergency room. Call your local doctor instead. If you need to see a doctor and have Lewer Insurance, go to the Web site: www.greatwesthealthcare.com. To select a doctor, click on “Find Providers.” On the next page, select “Medical PPO Directories” and scroll down the page for Washington providers. When calling for an appointment, identify yourself as a holder of “Private Health Care Systems Insurance.” To find local hospitals, click on “Find Providers,” then select “Physician, Dentist and Hospital Search,” then “Hospital/Other Facilities” and “PPO.” On the next page, select “Hospital” and key in “ZIP Code” 98092. Housing International students requesting housing have three options: Campus Corner Apartments, Homestay and Homeshare. Campus Corner Apartments have four private bedrooms in each unit and are fully furnished. The cost based on a 12-month lease is $495 per student, per month. Homestays offer experience living with a U.S. family and an opportunity to share American customs and culture, participate in household activities, and practice English skills. The cost, including private room and meals, is $500 per month. Homeshares are where students share a home with other students and provide their own meals. Minimum 3-month commitment. The cost is $400 per month, not including meals. Identification Cards International students can receive a GRCC identification card from the bookstore. Washington ID cards are obtained from the Department of Licensing for a $15 fee. (Take your passport.) Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) can be used in place of a Social Security Number to open bank accounts, and apply for major purchases, cell phones accounts and apartment leases. TIN applications are available in International Programs. IESL (Intensive English as a Second Language) The students in the Intensive English as a Second Language program are supported in their learning by a variety of services: An International Learning Center (an English-only environment), computer access, tutoring, resource materials, writing assistance and other resources. The IESL office staff is here to assist you, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Summer hours vary. Grades in Levels 1 – 4: You will be given one total percentage score, or grade, for all classes taken within one level. You must receive a combined percentage of 80% to pass and proceed to the next level. Your total grade is made up of the following—Integrated Skills: Listening/Speaking focus = 37.5%; Integrated Skills: Writing/Reading focus = 37.5%; Support class = 25%. Grades in Level 5: Course grades are treated independently and are not combined. To pass , you must receive an 80% in each course. Immigration As a holder of a student visa in the U.S., it is your responsibility to understand and comply with the immigration regulations. The most important regulation that applies to you is that you must remain “In Status.” This means you must: register for at least 12 academic credits or three IESL classes each quarter; take only one quarter as a vacation in the U.S. per year; and work only when permission is obtained. Being “Out of Status” can lead to: inability to transfer to another U.S. school; requirement to leave the U.S. without finishing your studies; difficulty renewing your student visa in your home country; and inability to apply for permission to work.
Renewing your student visa (F-1 and M-1) can
only be done outside of the U.S. There is no problem if your student visa
expires while you are studying in the U.S., as long as your I-20 is
current and you are “In Status.” You may also travel to Canada or Mexico
under these same conditions. However, International Programs Office The International Programs staff is here to assist you, and to help make your experience positive and enjoyable. We offer a variety of services, including academic and cultural advising, assistance with employment eligibility, housing assistance and help getting involved on campus. Office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Summer office hours vary. Telephone: (253) 288-3300; Fax: (253) 931-6346. The U.S. Postal Service is the main provider of mail service in the United States. The post office is open Monday through Saturday. If you need to purchase stamps at other times there is a stamp machine open in the post office lobby at all times. Stamps may also be purchased on campus at the Paper Tree Bookstore in the Lindbloom Student Center. You should never send cash through the mail for any reason. The post office in Auburn is located at 11 - 3rd St. NW, with two in Kent at 10612 SE 240th Street and 216 W. Gowe Street. Registration/Tuition Registration is when you enroll in classes at GRCC. Continuing academic students will have the option of registering online. Your registration time is determined by the number of credits you have completed; the more credits you have earned, the earlier your registration time. Tuition for international students is due by the first day of each quarter. Rules and Regulations Purchasing and drinking alcohol in the U.S. is illegal before you reach the age of 21. If you choose to drink alcohol, remember not to drink and drive. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime. Smoking in the U.S. also has restrictions. Many public buildings and restaurants are “smoke free,” meaning that you cannot smoke in any part of the building. At GRCC, smoking is only permitted in designated areas. Class expectations are described in the course syllabus, which instructors usually hand out on the first day of class. It is very important that you read and understand the class syllabus. The syllabus includes information about grades, attendance expectations, and what is required for success in the class. All instructors set their own point scale for each letter grade. It is wise to keep your syllabus and your graded tests and papers that the instructor returns to you, even after you complete the class. You may need to refer to the information in the future. Talk to your instructors regarding any difficulties you have with the class material, such as homework, lectures, exams and textbooks. Remember that cell phones and pagers need to be turned off in the classroom. Attendance is important. Each instructor has individual attendance rules. If you do not attend class during the first three class meetings, you may be dropped from the class. In order to learn the required materials to pass exams and receive a grade, you must study and attend class regularly. Plagiarism is copying the work of another student or copying from a book without identifying the source. It is a serious academic violation and in some cases, a crime. It may lead to failure of the course and possible dismissal from the class or from the college. Behavior that is disruptive on campus is not allowed. No alcohol or illegal drug consumption is permitted on campus. Safety GRCC and the Auburn area are considered very safe and secure. However, there are some precautions you can take that may help you avoid dangerous and risky situations. Here are just a few tips for safety. Don’t visibly carry a large amount of cash or valuables (cameras, laptops, jewelry). When going out at night, travel in groups rather than alone. Don’t leave a party without a friend or with a stranger. Don’t drink alcohol with someone you don’t know. Don’t drink alcohol if you are under the age of 21. Tell your host family or friends where you are going and when you expect to return. Never leave personal items unattended anywhere on campus. Call 9-1-1 for fire, police, and ambulance in any emergency that is a life-threatening situation. From a pay phone 9-1-1 is free. Campus Security provides 24–hour service. Telephone Service Domestic telephone companies provide local telephone services and long distance companies provide national and international services. You must arrange your own local and long-distance service, unless you will be living in Campus Corner Apartments, which provides a local phone plan. For local telephone service contact Qwest at 1-800-860-1020. If you share long-distance service with roommates, make sure everyone understands how the bill is to be paid. Instructions for using public telephones (“pay phones”) can usually be found in the telephone booth. Calling Cards come in two types: One acts like a credit card and you will be billed each month for all calls made with this card. The other is a “pre-paid” calling card and can be purchased at the Paper Tree Bookstore on campus and at stores such as Target, Kmart, and Wal-Mart, and at local post offices. These cards come in any amount ($5, $10, $25, etc.). In either case, make sure you understand the rates or cost per minute of the card. Transportation Bus service is provided by MetroTransit. There is a 24-hour information line for bus fares, scheduled times and routes. You can find out which bus to take if you tell the operator where you are leaving from and where you want to go, and what time you want to arrive. The Metro info number is: (206) 553-3000. Driving in the U.S. requires that you have a valid driver’s license. Each state issues its own driver’s license. International driver’s licenses are only valid for a limited time. Here is some helpful contact information. For more, consult the yellow pages of the phone book. Driving Schools: “A Driving School”: 1-800-268-1499
Driver’s License Examining Offices: Automobile insurance is required in Washington. You must carry proof of insurance when you drive. The police can issue you a ticket and require you to pay a fine, up to $500, if you are stopped and cannot prove you have auto insurance. Advice for driving in the U.S: Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight. Observe posted speed limits. Report all accidents to the police, as failure to do so is a crime. Always wear a seat belt. It’s a Washington state law! Always have proof of current auto insurance in your vehicle and never drink alcohol and drive - it is illegal! In the state of Washington we have strict rules about driving under the influence of alcohol. There is a penalty of up to $8,125, which can also include a 90 day license suspension or 30 days in jail. Airport Shuttles are listed in the yellow pages of the phone book under “airport transportation.” Be sure to make a reservation in advance. Here are some that provide door-to-door service: Emerald City Airport Shuttle (206) 622-3400; Shuttle Express (425) 981-7000; Express U.S. Shuttle Service, 1-800-357-1577. Travel International students may travel anywhere in the U.S. If you are planning to travel outside the U.S., make sure an advisor has signed the back of your I-20 before you leave. F-1 and M-1 students may also travel to Canada, Mexico, and most of the islands of the Caribbean on a valid passport and valid I-20, even if the U.S. entry visa has expired. If you are traveling to any other country, you must have a valid entry visa to return to the U.S. We advise you to carry your I-20 and passport when traveling out of state. |
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| Last updated on: 05/29/2009 |
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