International Students

To all our international students and scholars,

We are writing in regards to the massive wildfires that have swept through the county of San Diego throughout the past few days.  Please know that through this raging calamity you are constantly in our thoughts, hoping that you are all safe and secure in a comfortable place.  

We encourage you to please stay safe at all times and to open communication lines with your families back home to let them know your condition and whereabouts.

We would also like to reiterate that Residence Life, University Ministry, Student Health Center, Counseling Center, Dining Services and other support services will continue to be available to students in the residence halls.  

Please visit the USD Web site or call the University‚s Emergency Information Hotline at (619) 260-7777 for updates.  We are making ourselves available tomorrow, October 26th, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm for any international student or scholar that might need emergency assistance as a result of this calamity.  Or you may also contact one of our Assistant Directors, Greg Grassi, at (619) 675-2296.  We are resuming normal operations on Monday, October 29th, so students with advising appointments this week are asked to reschedule within next week.   Any student that has lost immigration documents or important possessions as a result of the wildfires is invited to visit the International Center on Monday, October 29th for further assistance.

The OISS Team has also decided to postpone the Immigration Workshop to Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.  On Tuesday, October 30th, from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., we are holding a San Diego Wildfires Support Gathering for international students and scholars.  Please come and join us for pizza and drinks at Serra Hall Room 212 to discuss your personal thoughts and experiences during the fires.  Please visit our website at  www.sandiego.edu/oiss for more updates and specific details on our upcoming events.

Again, we would like to remind everyone to please be aware of your own safety at all times.  We also ask that you constantly keep those that have been affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

The OISS Team, on behalf of the International Center
YVETTE FONTAINE
CHIA-YEN LIN
RHONA REYES
GREG GRASSI