suny poly international student enrollment guide

International Student Enrollment GuideFall 2016

Utica

SUNY Poly International Enrollment Guide

General InformationFall classes begin on Monday, August 29

Office Contact InformationInternational Admissions 315-792-7219 [email protected]

International Student Services 315-792-7530 [email protected]

Bursar 315-792-7412 [email protected]

Health & Wellness Center 315-792-7172

Residential Life & Housing 315-792-7810 [email protected]

ITS Help Desk 315-792-7440 [email protected]

Our Enrollment Guide offers an array of information intended to prepare you for your first semester of study at SUNY Poly. We provide a checklist of tasks to complete prior to the start of the semester and showcase some of the key student services available to international students.

If you have questions as you finalize your enrollment plans, please contact the International Admissions Office. We are here to assist as you prepare to join our international student community.

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Use this checklist to finalize your enrollment and be prepared for the start of classes on Monday, August 29, 2016.Pre-Arrival

q Complete and Submit the Enrollment Confirmation Form and Pay Tuition Deposit Confirm your attendance by returning the International Graduate Enrollment Confirmation Form with a $300 tuition deposit within 30 days of receiving your acceptance packet and I-20. Failure to confirm within 30 days will result in a withdrawal of your application and a cancellation of your I-20. In the event of a visa denial, please send proof of denial before classes begin, and the tuition deposit will be refunded.

qActivate and Begin Using your Campus Computer & E-mail Accounts After you’ve submitted your enrollment confirmation form and tuition deposit, your campus computer and e-mail account activation information will be sent to you via e-mail.

q Make Travel Arrangements & Inform Us of Your Plans International students must be on-campus by 9 am on Wednesday, August 24 for the start of International Student Orientation. We are providing complimentary pick-up from the Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) in Syracuse, NY on Monday, August 22 and Tuesday, August 23 from 9 am to 8 pm. The driving distance from the airport to Utica is approximately one hour. As soon as your travel plans have been made, you must submit our online International Student Arrival Information Form to inform us of your travel plans to the U.S. Find the form at: sunypoly.edu/international_admissions.forms You will be entering the U.S. on the SUNY Poly I-20, so it is critical that we are informed of these plans, even if you do not require airport pick-up.

q Comply with Mandatory Health Requirements Information on health requirements will be e-mailed to you when you confirm your attendance. Complete the required forms and return them to the Health & Wellness Center by August 1.

q Make Housing Arrangements To request on-campus housing, check off the “I request campus housing” box on the Enrollment Confirmation Form and pay the $150 housing deposit. A link to the housing application and license will be sent to your SUNY Poly e-mail account after your housing deposit has been received. On-campus housing is limited; early deposit is encouraged. For off-campus housing, we encourage you to join the International Student Association Facebook page (SUNY Poly ISA) to communicate with current students about vacancies off-campus. If you do not plan to live on-campus, it’s your responsibility to secure off-campus housing.

Enrollment Checklist: Graduate Students

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q Complete SUNY Poly Essentials Online Orientation Our online orientation will provide you with an overview of the key services available at SUNY Poly. You will receive access to Essentials after you have confirmed your enrollment and paid the tuition deposit. You are required to complete Essentials before we can register you for classes.

q Review Your Course Registration & Pay Your Bill Confirmed international students will be advance registered for classes by mid-July. During International Student Orientation you will have an opportunity to make any necessary changes to your course schedule. After you’ve been advance registered for classes, an e-bill will be sent to your SUNY Poly e-mail address once it’s available for viewing and payment. Payment for the semester is expected prior to your arrival, so it is important that you begin to think now about your options for settling your bill.

Post-Arrival

q Attend International Student Orientation International students are required to participate in a mandatory in-person orientation program from Wednesday to Friday, August 24-26. During this program you’ll have the opportunity to get acquainted with the college, our faculty, staff, current students and the Utica area. New graduate students are required to attend all orientation sessions. Any students not in attendance will forfeit their assistantship award.

q Attend the Graduate Assistant Job Fair & Information Session A mandatory job fair for all new graduate assistants will take place during the International Student Orientation. Departments and offices with available positions will be in attendance to interview students for placement.

q Verify Your Compliance with Mandatory Health Requirements Stop by the Health & Wellness Center, Oriskany Hall, Suite B, to make sure that all of your forms have been submitted and that you are compliant with the health requirements.

q Submit Final Official Transcripts If you currently have coursework in progress, bring your final marksheets/transcripts along with the provisional/final certificate of degree with you to the U.S. The International Admissions Office will need to receive the official documents or attested copies upon your arrival to campus.

q Meet with Your Faculty Advisor & Adjust Your Course Schedule During International Student Orientation, you will meet with a faculty advisor, review your course schedule and make any necessary changes. In order to maintain F-1 status, you must be a full-time student registered for a minimum of 9 credits.


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q Comply with Mandatory Health Requirements Once your attendance is confirmed, complete the required forms and return to the Health & Wellness Center by August 1. Complete information regarding your health requirements is available at sunypoly.edu/health_wellness

q Review & Pay Your Bill Confirmed international students will be registered for full-time status, 12 credit hours as a placeholder until arriving on campus for orientation. During orientation, you will have an opportunity to meet with an academic advisor to receive advisement and get registered for your classes. Your bill notice will be sent to your SUNY Poly e-mail, and will also be posted to your student Banner Web account. Please review and confirm your changes by the bill due date.

q Submit Final Official Transcripts Your final official transcripts should be submitted by August 1 from all schools attended (including high school or GED transcripts if you are not earning an Associates degree). If you currently have course work in progress, bring your final transcripts along with you to the U.S.

Post-Arrival

q Attend International Student Orientation International students are required to participate in a mandatory on-campus orientation program from Wednesday, August 24 through Friday, August 26. During this program you will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the college, staff and current students. You will also have a chance to meet with a faculty advisor to receive advisement and get registered for your classes. In order to maintain your F-1 status, you must be a full-time student registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours.

q Verify Your Compliance with Mandatory Health Requirements Stop by the Health and Wellness Center, Oriskany Hall, Suite B, to confirm that all your forms have been submitted and that you are compliant with the health requirements.

Enrollment Checklist: Transfer StudentsUse this checklist to finalize your enrollment and be prepared for the start of classes on Monday, August 29, 2016.Pre-Arrival

q Complete and Submit the Enrollment Confirmation Card and Pay Tuition Deposit Full-time students confirm your attendance by returning the Enrollment Confirmation Card with a $50 tuition deposit within 30 days. Those requesting on campus housing return card with $200 deposit. Failure to confirm will result in a withdrawal of your application and a cancellation of your I-20. In the event of a visa denial, please send proof before the start of classes, and the tuition deposit will be refunded.

q Activate and Begin Using your Campus Computer & E-mail Accounts Once your enrollment confirmation is received, your campus computer and e-mail account will be available. Activate your SITNet ID to access computer and network resources at: banner.sunyit.edu


q Complete SUNY Poly Essentials Online Orientation Our online orientation will provide you with an overview of the key services available at SUNY Poly. You will receive access to Essentials after you have confirmed your enrollment and paid the tuition deposit. You are required to complete Essentials before we can register you for classes.

q Submit Residency Application • On-campus housing for transfer students is offered on a first applied, first housed basis. Transfer students are encouraged to apply for housing as early as possible following deposit to ensure availability. Information about on-campus housing is available at: sunypoly.edu/residential_life • For off-campus housing, we encourage you to join the International Student Association Facebook page (SUNYPoly ISA) to communicate with current students about vacancies off- campus. If you don’t plan to live on-campus, it’s your responsibility to secure off-campus housing.


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Enrollment Checklist: Freshman StudentsUse this checklist to finalize your enrollment and be prepared for the start of classes on Monday, August 29, 2016.Pre-Arrival

q Complete and Submit the Enrollment Confirmation Card and Pay Tuition Deposit Confirm your attendance by returning the Enrollment Confirmation Card with a $200 tuition deposit by May 1. Failure to confirm will result in a withdrawal of your application and a cancellation of your I-20. In the event of a visa denial, please send proof before the start of classes, and the tuition deposit will be refunded.

q Activate and Begin Using your Campus Computer & E-mail Accounts Once your enrollment confirmation is received, your campus computer and e-mail account will be available. Activate your SITNet ID to access computer and network resources at: banner.sunyit.edu

q Take Math Placement Exam To ensure that you are placed in the appropriate mathematics course, we are requiring all incoming first-year students to complete a math placement exam. You will receive specific details regarding the exam after you submit your Enrollment Confirmation Card and tuition deposit.


q Submit Housing Application All first-year (freshman) students are required to fill out the Class of 2016 Residency Application. Information about on-campus housing is available at: sunypoly.edu/residential_life

q Comply with Mandatory Health Requirements Once your attendance is confirmed, complete the required forms and return to the Health & Wellness Center by August 1. Complete information regarding your health requirements is available at: sunypoly.edu/health_wellness

q Review & Pay Your Bill Confirmed international students will be registered for full-time status, 12 credit hours as a placeholder until arriving on campus for orientation. During orientation, you will have an opportunity to meet with an academic advisor to receive advisement and get registered for your classes. Your bill notice will be sent to your SUNY Poly e-mail, and will also be posted to your student Banner Web account. Please review and confirm your changes by the bill due date.

q Submit Final Official Transcripts Your final official high school transcript with proof of your graduation date should be submitted by August 1.

Post-Arrival

q Attend International Student Orientation International students are required to participate in a mandatory on-campus orientation program from Wednesday, August 24 through Friday, August 26. During this program you will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the college, staff and current students. You will also have a chance to meet with a faculty advisor to receive advisement and get registered for your classes. In order to maintain your F-1 status, you must be a full-time student registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours.

q Verify Your Compliance with Mandatory Health Requirements Stop by the Health and Wellness Center, Oriskany Hall, Suite B, to confirm that all your forms have been submitted and that you are compliant with the health requirements.


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Student ServicesStudent Computing/SITNet IDAccess to all computing resources at SUNY Poly revolves around your campus computer account, known as the SITNet ID. After you’ve confirmed your enrollment and paid your tuition deposit, the International Admissions Office will send you account activation information via your personal e-mail account as listed on your application. Your SITNet ID provides you with access to important college resources including: Banner (student record and course registration system) Blackboard (online learning management system) Degree Works (degree audit system) Library services

Questions? Contact the Information Technology Services Office at [email protected].

SUNY Poly E-mail AccessYour SUNY Poly e-mail account is the college’s official channel of communication with you. After you’ve confirmed your enrollment and paid your tuition deposit, the International Admissions Office will send you activation information via e-mail. The following are examples of messages that will be sent to your college e-mail address: billing statements, messages from professors and campus offices, and broadcast messages/community mailers about events and activities on-campus. It is critical that you begin using your campus e-mail account after you have confirmed your enrollment.

Questions? Contact the Information Technology Services Office at [email protected].

Student Accounts (Billing & Payment)SUNY Poly does not mail paper billing statements. Each semester your bill will be generated through QuikPay, the college’s online billing and payment system. This system allows you to view your bills, print your bills, and make full payment online (you can also authorize third parties such as parents, guardians, and sponsors to view and make payment on your account). Once you’ve been advance registered for classes, an e-mail will be sent to your campus account directing you to log into QuikPay to view your bill and make payment. Payment for your first semester is expected prior to your arrival, so it’s important that you begin to think about your options for settling your bill.

Questions? Contact the Bursar’s Office at [email protected].

Mandatory Health Requirements & Medical InsuranceThe following required medical documentation is due by August 1:

1. Health history and proof of physical examination completed within the last two years

2. Documentation of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) and Meningitis immunizations Per NYS law, failure to provide this documentation will result in your withdrawal from coursework. Documents should be submitted via fax: 315-792-7371 or postal mail: SUNY Poly Health & Wellness Center, 100 Seymour Rd, Utica, NY 13502, USA.

International students are required to purchase a SUNY health insur-ance policy through HTH Worldwide which provides access to health care anywhere in the U.S. In addition, it allows international students to access health care in the local community during the hours that the SUNY Poly Health Center is not open. The health insurance fee is mandated for all SUNY international students and costs approximately $1,300 per year. You will automatically be billed for this when you are advanced registered for classes.

Questions? Contact the Health and Wellness Center at [email protected].

Health & Wellness/Counseling CenterThe SUNY Poly Health & Wellness/Counseling Center provides health care services to all students. Most services are free of charge, as they are covered by the mandatory health fee. Open weekdays, the center is staffed by health care professionals and offers an array of confidential health care services including:

Clinical Services: Primary care, sick/injury care, vaccinations, blood work/lab work, dispensing of medications, medical equipment and sup-plies, and necessary referrals.

Health Education Services: Free HIV testing and counseling, alcohol/substance abuse screening and counseling, health-related education literature, health guidance and necessary referrals, prevention focused programs, smoking cessation programs, and peer education programs.

Counseling Center Services: Licensed mental health counselors provide short term services to manage life challenges such as balancing your personal life/work and college, anxiety/stress/depression concerns, relationship issues, anger management, grief and family problems, eat-ing disorders, sexual/gender identity issues, and college transition issues including roommate conflict and homesickness. Counseling services are voluntary by student request, and are strictly confidential.

Questions? Contact the Health and Wellness Center at [email protected].

Residential Life & Housing on CampusOur residence halls are more than just a place to sleep and hang your clothes. They’re places to learn about yourself and others, while meeting all kinds of people from all over the world!

First Year Students: All first year international students are required to live on campus. Students are housed in Oriskany Hall in single, double and triple rooms. (Please note that single rooms are limited in availability.)

Transfer Students: International students transferring to SUNY Poly as freshmen or sophomores are required to live on-campus. Junior and senior year transfers are encouraged to apply for on-campus housing if interested. Transfer students are housed in Adirondack and Mohawk Halls in single, double or triple rooms within a suite.


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Graduate Students: On-campus housing for graduate students is very limited; early deposit is encouraged. Graduate students reside in Mohawk Hall in single, double or triple rooms within a suite.

Questions? Contact the Office of Residential Life & Housing at [email protected].

Dining ServicesBoth the Campus Center Dining Hall and the Student Center Food Court are open seven days a week during the fall and spring semesters. Food options include deli, grill, pizza, hot entrees, sauté stations, salad bar, desserts, and beverages.

Resident Student Meal Plan: All on-campus residents are required to purchase a meal plan. There are three options that allow for a combination of a total number of meals per week + points that are equivalent to dollars.

Commuter Meal Plan: Students residing off-campus may purchase a declining balance dining plan that provides both flexibility and value. Three options are available.

Visit sunypoly.sodexomyway.com to review the options and determine which plan is right for you.

Questions? Contact the College Association at [email protected].

ID Card & Wildcat DollarsAll students are entitled to receive a campus ID card. The card is used for door access to various buildings and rooms, purchases in the book-store, on-campus dining facilities, residence hall services, and for proof of identity. “Wildcat Dollars” can be added to your card allowing you to make cashless purchases on campus in the bookstores, the food court, and campus vending machines. In addition, Wildcat Dollars can be used at participating off-campus locations. International students will have an opportunity to obtain an ID card during International Student Orientation.

Questions? Contact the College Association at [email protected].

Disability ServicesThe Disability Services Office offers an array of information and services to enhance the academic and personal experiences of student who self-identify as having a disability. The office can assist qualified students in acquiring academic accommodations such as note takers, extended time for testing, interpreters, and assistive technology. If you are need of accommodations, contact the office as soon as possible at [email protected] to initiate the start-up process.

Questions? Contact the Disability Services Office at [email protected].

International Student ServicesThe Office of International Student Services (ISS) serves SUNY Poly’s international community of students, visiting scholars, and faculty. Services include:

Immigration: Offering workshops on various immigration issues and as-sisting students in maintaining their status in compliance with immigration regulations and benefits.

Advocacy: Assisting international students in their communication and interactions with campus, community, state and federal offices.

Activities: Organizing social experiences that complement the education experience of international students.

Employment: Assisting international students through the process of securing employment opportunities related to their studies (Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training).

Questions? Contact the ISS Office at [email protected].

International Student Association (ISA)The International Student Association is a student run organization with the mission of promoting the integration of international students into college life at SUNY Poly. This is done by offering a diverse range of social and cultural activities that the group hopes will unify both international and domestic students. Activities include: mixers, bus trips to local tourist attractions, sporting events (Cricket tournaments), cultural celebrations (Navratri, Dandya, Diwali), and more. All international students are en-couraged to become active members of ISA.

Questions? Contact the ISS Office at [email protected].

SUNY Poly Essentials (Online Orientation)

All confirmed transfer and graduate international students are required to complete SUNY Poly Essentials, our online Orientation program before we can advance register you for classes. Once you have confirmed your enrollment, login information will be e-mailed to you.

In-Person OrientationInternational students are required to participate in a mandatory, in-person Orientation program from August 24-26. During this important program, you’ll have the opportunity to get acquainted with the college, our faculty, staff, current students and the Utica area. Be sure that your travel plans to the U.S. allow for your participation in this event or your admission may be deferred.

International Admissions Office100 Seymour Road, Utica, New York 13502

315-792-7347 or call toll free @ [email protected]

www.sunypoly.edu