U.S. Department of State Issues Global Level 4 Health Advisory
Please be advised, effective March 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of State issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory recommending that people cease international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.
ISSS COVID-19 Response and Resources
Due to COVID-19, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services will be temporarily unavailable for in-person services. All advising will now be provided remotely during standard advising times. Should you need to speak with an advisor, please call the ISSS at 607-777-2510 between 10:00am-11:45am on Monday and Tuesday, or between 1:30pm-3:30pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Document pick-up and in-person services (i.e. travel signatures) have been temporarily suspended; however, we will continue to monitor the isss@binghamton.edu email, as normal. Should you have an urgent need for an in-person service, please send an email, including your name and B-number.
Please be aware of the following topic-based email addresses:
- Health Insurance: intl.insure@binghamton.edu
- Employment: intlwork@binghamton.edu
- Extensions of Stay: intl.extend@binghamton.edu
- All other inquiries: isss@binghamton.edu
Visit our ISSS Frequently Asked Questions page for more details.
Online/Distance Learning
As you are aware from the recent announcement from our Provost, Binghamton University is transitioning to online/distance learning instruction in order to reduce the potential spread of the novel coronavirus and to better ensure the health and safety of our university community. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has received guidance from the U.S. government that they intend to be flexible with temporary adaptations to online classes. The government recognizes these are extenuating circumstances because our courses were not intended to be taught online. Provided international students can continue to make normal progress in a full course of study as required by federal regulations, students’ legal immigration status is not in jeopardy. Please plan to participate in your classes in the format in which they are offered when they shift to a distance learning/online platform on March 19, 2020. If you plan to engage in your coursework outside of the U.S., please complete the ISSS Departure Form (found under “General Forms” on the iSSS BU Services Home Page) and select “other” for your reason for departure, and enter COVID-19 as the reason.
Address Updates
Please keep in mind that international students must continue to provide up-to-date address information. This can be done by completing the US Residential Address Update e-form (found under “Administrative Services” on the iSSS BU Services Home Page).
Withdrawals
Should you choose to withdraw from the Spring 2020 semester and depart the U.S., please complete the ISSS Departure Form (found under “General Forms” on the iSSS BU Services Home Page).
We appreciate your patience as we navigate this rapidly evolving situation. For continued coronavirus updates, please monitor Binghamton University’s website.
