As the university adjusts to the COVID-19 global pandemic, additional flexibility has been extended to international students as they begin the fall 2020 semester. The four options offered are designed to be flexible for international students according to if they are able to return to campus for the start of in-person classes on August 24, need to arrive late due to travel restrictions or visa delays, or must complete the semester remotely from their home country.
To accommodate those who are delayed in arriving due to visa issues or travel restrictions, international students have until September 20 to arrive to campus. With the start of online classes on August 17 until their arrival to campus, students will be expected to continue classes remotely from their home country and be actively engaged. Instructors are asked to provide alternative accommodations, such as recording class meetings, in order to make this possible for these students.
International students who choose to complete the semester remotely from their home country are encouraged to choose online-only courses/sections when possible. In the case that the student’s requirements can only be met through regular courses/sections, the student has been advised to work with advisors and faculty to see whether it is possible to complete the course requirements in a fully remote setting. Although it is clear that this may not be possible in all situations, faculty are asked to accommodate such an arrangement if it is feasible to do so.
Due to the pandemic, international students have faced a variety of challenges in making the decision to return for the fall semester, including closures and limited services offered at U.S. Embassies and Consulates, country travel restrictions and changing federal immigration guidance. Despite these challenges, UNL remains committed to supporting the international students who come from more than 100 countries around the world and, as the Chancellor noted in a tweet, “make incredible contributions, enriching our campus and community.”
For questions about enrollment options or support for international students during the fall 2020 semester, contact the International Student and Scholar Office’s student support team at internationalnavgiators@unl.edu. All other inquiries can be directed to ISSO at isso@unl.edu.
The ISSO COVID-19 website has updated information available for international students on campus news and self-quarantining for those arriving from overseas, according to CDC and Nebraska DHHS guidelines.
More details at: https://globalnebraska.unl.edu/isso/support-services-students-during-covid-19