Hello,
May I please request to be added to the btaa.intl.support listserv? I was part of the BTAA SIO Professional Development program's 2024 cohort, and I'm not sure how I missed the opportunity to join this listserv, but I would love to be included.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Best wishes,
Maya
__________________________________________
Maya Sarno
Associate Director for Student Support
Rutgers Global - International Student & Scholar Services
global.rutgers.edu<https://global.rutgers.edu/international-scholars-students>| 848-932-7015 | Advising Services<https://global.rutgers.edu/international-scholars-students/advising-services>
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Follow us on social media at @RutgersGlobal<https://linktr.ee/rutgers.global>
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[cid:image002.png@01DB0DD9.F7E4C170]
Hi BTAA colleagues,
I hope the transitioning of new international students went well this fall
and that your students and scholars are engaging!. There is definitely a
lot more energy on our campus!
I am writing to get your feedback on two areas:
1) Do you do any specific support for international students with
disabilities at your institution? If so, can you share the broad themes of
what you do?
We just started an international student affinity group called "Abilities
Beyond Disabilities
<https://isss.umn.edu/abilities-beyond-disabilities-caucus-international-stu…>"
that is being led by student leaders.
2) Do you know of any advocacy that is being done around the intersection
of USCIS course registration (12 credits) and the ADA. Specifically
students being unable to complete the 12 credits due to challenges with
their disability which is misaligned with the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
A report from Open Doors cites:
<https://opendoorsdata.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/OD22_Disabilities-Repo…>
REDUCED COURSE LOAD AND VISA STATUS An additional unique area affecting
international students noted by interview participants and more than a
quarter of survey respondents (26 percent) was the regulatory framework of
maintaining a full time student status for a student visa, which can be at
odds with a disability accommodation that allows for a reduced course load.
For international students who may need this accommodation, the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (2020) does permit international students
to take a reduced course load for illness or medical conditions, but this
is limited to only twelve months within a program level. There may be a
need for advocacy or the exploration of policy change that support how
international students who may need longer-term accommodations can remain
in status.
I appreciate any insights you have!
Beth
Beth Isensee
(pronouns <https://www.mypronouns.org/>: she, her, hers)
Associate Director - Student Engagement and Intercultural Initiatives
International Student and Scholar Services
isss.umn.edu
Global Programs and Strategy Alliance
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities