INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK Updated 8/3/2018
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK Updated 8/3/2018 The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR SERVICES International Student and Scholar Services utc.edu/isss isss@utc.edu 423-425-4735 Hooper Hall 203 615 McCallie Avenue, Dept. 1751 Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37403 USA UTC is a comprehensive, community-engaged campus of the University of Tennessee System. UTC is an EEO/AA/Titles VI & IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution. E045710001-001-19 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION...1 HEALTH, SAFETY AND THINGS TO DO AT UTC...12 Introduction to ISSS...1 SECURITY...9 Campus Rec/ARC...12 UTC Police...9 UTC Outdoors...12 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT UTC Alerts...9 UTC Fine Arts Center...12 AND SCHOLAR SERVICES...1 Medical Care and Insurance...9 UTC Athletics...13 Office Contact Information...1 Other Organizations...13 ISSS Services...2 HEALTH SERVICES...10 Get Involved in ISSS...3 University Health Services...10 BANKING...14 After-Hours Emergencies...10 Banking Options...14 UTC AND CHATTANOOGA...4 Pharmacies...10 About Chattanooga...4 U.S. CULTURE...14 Life at UTC...4 ACADEMICS...11 UTC ID...4 Policies...11 ISSS STAFF...16 Mocs Card...4 Plagiarism...11 Staff Contact Information...16 UTC Housing...5 Course Catalog...11 CAMPUS MAP...24 UTC SERVICES...6 LOCAL ATTRACTIONS...11 Technology Services...6 Mail Services...6 TRANSPORTATION...11 Counseling Services...7 Bike Chattanooga...11 Disability Services...7 CARTA Bus...11 UTC Library...7 UTC University Center (UC)...8 Other Campus Resources...8 BLUE HOLE INTRODUCTION CONTACT ISSS Thank you for taking time to review the Handbook for International MAILING INFO Students and Scholars at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 615 McCallie Ave Dept. 4755 This handbook was prepared by the Office of International Student Chattanooga, TN 37403 and Scholar Services within the Center for Global Education. We hope that you find the information within this handbook helpful during your time studying at UTC. LOCATION The University of Tennessee The Office of International Student and Scholar Services provides a at Chattanooga broad range of support services, educational outreach, and cultural Hooper Hall 202 Chattanooga, TN 37403 programming to the UTC community. Our highly trained and experienced advisors organize events such as international student orientation, international tea time, workshops, cultural talent shows, and more. In this handbook, you will find information on many topics, CONTACT INFO from immigration policies and regulations to U.S. culture and the Phone (+1) 423-425-4735 Email international@utc.edu services offered at UTC. utc.edu/international We look forward to working with you, and we wish you a successful facebook.com/UTCglobal twitter.com/UTCglobal experience here at UTC. Kind regards and Go Mocs! The Staff at International Student and Scholar Services Please note: we strive to keep this handbook up-to-date, but it is intended for use as a general guideline. ISSS cannot guarantee that the information here will remain current and accurate at all times. 1 UTC HOOPER HALL SERVICES OFFERED BY ISSS WHEN TO COME SEE US... IMMIGRATION AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS • If you want to drop below full-time Keep your passport and immigration documents (I-20/DS-2019) safe. Never lend them to a friend or stranger. It is wise to make two • If you change your major/minor photocopies of your passport ID page: take one with you when you • If you change degree level travel, and leave one with a friend or student advisor. • If your program dates change (if you need an extension or graduate early) If your passport is lost or stolen, report this IMMEDIATELY to our office, your embassy, and the local police. Providing the embassy with a • If you want to take a break from school photocopy of your passport data page will quicken the replacement or take a leave of absence process. If your I-20/DS-2019 goes missing or is stolen, report this • If you travel outside the U.S. IMMEDIATELY to our office. • If you want to transfer to a new school • If you need to add dependents IMPORTANT REMINDERS • If you experience a significant change Please make sure to submit your check-in form after in financial support attending the New International Student Orientation. • If your immigration status changes If your personal information changes (such as address or phone number): • If you want to work on/off campus (CPT/OPT) • Report the change to our office. • If you need support with cultural • Update your My MocsNet account details (instructions can be found at: adjustment utc.edu/international-students/pdfs/addresschange.pdf 2 WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN OUR OFFICE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR SERVICES We have many ways to get involved with our office. To learn more, visit this website: utc.edu/international-students/get_involved/ INTERNATIONAL BUDDY PROGRAM The International Buddy Program (IBP) exists to help new international students adjust to life in a new country. The IBP pairs one current UTC domestic student with two new international students. Domestic buddies help their international buddies transition into U.S. culture, especially during the first few weeks of the semester. Domestic buddies also benefit from this program by gaining new friends and insights into other cultures. UTC CADEK HALL GO GLOBAL THEMED LIVING COMMUNITY The Go Global housing community allows returned study abroad HISTORY OF UTC students, international exchange students, and ESL students The University of Tennessee at from all over the world to live with and learn from one another. Chattanooga (UTC) was founded in International and domestic Go Global students live on campus in 1886 as a private school under the Stophel Apartments. name Chattanooga University. In 1889, the university was combined with a religiously affiliated school and named INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION LEADERS (IOL) Grant University. Eighteen years later, International Orientation Leaders (IOLs) help welcome new Grant University became the University international students to UTC campus and into the Chattanooga of Chattanooga. The university remained community. private for 83 years until it joined the University of Tennessee system in 1969 INTERNATIONAL TEA TIME to form the UTC campus. Our office hosts International Tea Times throughout the semester. These allow both international and domestic students to socialize UTC is accredited by the Southern over different types of teas, making friends through cultural Association of Colleges and Schools exchange. Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and is dedicated to helping students succeed in their academic and personal NASHVILLE AND ATLANTA TRIPS endeavours by providing a nurturing Our office offers fun and educational trips to nearby cities such as environment, a welcoming community, Nashville and Atlanta. These trips are a great opportunity to meet and valuable opportunities. other international and domestic students and learn more about U.S. culture. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services plays an important INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK role in fulfilling the University’s mission Every year, our office hosts a week full of activities and events to achieve “…excellence by actively during International Education Week. During this week, students engaging students, faculty and staff; can celebrate cultural diversity and international education through embracing diversity and inclusion; a trivia night, a talent show, a public speaking contest, a soccer inspiring positive change; and enriching tournament, and more. and sustaining our community.” 3 ABOUT LIFE AT UTC CHATTANOOGA UTCID Your UTCID is a universal username for services such as email, UTC is just a few blocks from downtown server storage, library databases, wireless access, computer lab Chattanooga. Claiming more than 600 logins, and online registration. Every UTCID has an associated industries, the Scenic City lies between password. For initial password setup, please refer to the following Lookout and Signal mountains, where the website: utc.edu/information-technology/password.php Tennessee River meets Moccasin Bend. The archaeological sites in this region If you forget your password, click on “Forgot Password/Help” on the possess great historical significance, UTC website. Your UTCID is printed on your Mocs Card. With your marking the city’s Civil War roots. UTCID, you can log in to the UTC portal from the UTC homepage (utc.edu). The portal is often referred to as My MocsNet. Today, Chattanooga is well known for its history, industry, and natural beauty. It is aninternationally acknowledged center MOCS CARD of cultural expression, outdoor adventure, utc.edu/auxiliary-services/mocscard/ and technological innovation. Your Mocs Card is your official UTCID card. This card can be used for the following purposes: • Obtaining special rates and privileges at University functions • Indicating an individual’s right to use University facilities • Secure door access validation • Free city bus service • Use of meal plan funds in campus dining facilities • Making purchases at certain locations on campus (e.g. the University Center food court, the University Center convenience store, the mail room, Student Health Services, the campus book store, Go Print stations, etc.) Your first card is FREE. Students should report lost or stolen cards to the Mocs Card office immediately. There is a $15 replacement fee. WALNUT STREET BRIDGE For a complete list of uses for your Mocs Card, visit: utc.edu/auxiliary-services/mocscard/index.php POPULATION City of Chattanooga: