INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK

A publication of International Student Services Table of Contents Welcome to Bluegrass Community & Technical College……………………………………………………………………………………..…...... 1 Introduction to our institution Our campus locations Lexington, KY First Things First ...... 2-4 International Orientation BCTC Student ID Card Academic Advising Registering for Classes Purchasing Your Textbooks Health Insurance Parking and Student Transportation Driver’s License SNAP Alerts Working on Campus Beginning and End of Semester Check-In Life at BCTC ...... 5-7 Academics Housing Healthcare Student Life Safety Money, Bills, and Banking ...... 8-9 Money Banking Using an ATM Using Debit and Credit Cards Paying Tuition Paying Taxes Experience Lexington ...... 10-11 Weather Transportation Shopping Tourist Attractions ISS Office ...... 12-13 Staff/Contact Us Social Media Services Student Services Offices Appendices ...... 14-20 Cooper Campus Map Leestown Campus Map Newtown Campus Map “How-To” Set Up Your Student Account Welcome to Bluegrass 2 OUR CAMPUS LOCATIONS BCTC is comprised of 6 convenient campus locations, all Community & within an hour of our main Lexington campuses. International students are permitted to attend classes Technical College on any of the following campuses: • Cooper Campus: 470 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY 1 INTRODUCTION TO OUR INSTITUTION • Leestown Campus: 164 Opportunity Way, Lexington, KY • Newtown Campus: 500 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY Welcome to Bluegrass Community and Technical College, located in the heart of the Horse Capital of the • Winchester Campus: 2020 Rolling Hills Lane, World, Lexington, . We are happy that you Winchester, KY decided to join our student body for a quality education at an affordable price. • Danville Campus: 59 Corporate Drive, Danville, KY • Lawrenceburg Campus: 1500 Bypass North, US 127, The International Student Services Office is especially Lawrenceburg, KY excited to welcome you to our campus and offer our services in hopes that your experience at BCTC will be a • Georgetown Campus, Bluegrass Advanced rewarding experience. This handbook is part of our Manufacturing Center: 200 Technology Court, commitment to you. In this guide, you will find Georgetown, KY 40324 information we have collected for you to make your • stay in our college and community as pleasant and North American Racing Academy: 3380 Paris Pike, convenient as possible. The International Student Lexington, KY Services Office is always ready to advise you on your international student status, immigration paperwork, or any other issues that you may face.

The International Student Services Office is here to help you be a successful student and to help you maintain your important F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa status through all of the complicated rules, regulations, and updates. We also look forward to sharing in your victories and building lasting relationships with you, our valued international student.

3 LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

Lexington offers a charming blend of big city amenities and small-town friendliness. Known for basketball, bourbon, and horses, Lexington is a destination for many visitors from around the world. To learn more about the city of Lexington, visit www.visitlex.com.

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First Things First The first photo ID is free, replacement IDs are $10.00. Please ensure that you have waited 10 business days after registering for classes before trying to obtain your 4 INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION school ID.

New International Student Orientation is required of all students in F-1, M-1, or J-1 status. Orientation is held before the start of each semester, and is designed to assist our students assimilate to life in the United States and as a Bluegrass Community and Technical College student. For specific New International Student Orientation dates, please refer to your welcome letter.

All new international students are required to report to their orientation at the times provided in their welcome letter. You should bring:

¨ Passport & Visa ¨ I-20 or DS-2019 ¨ I-94 ¨ Insurance documents, if applicable ¨ Dependent’s documents, if applicable ¨ Any other pertinent immigration documents 6 ACADEMIC ADVISING

It is advisable to arrive in Lexington before the All first-time students, both domestic and international, orientation date in order to find housing and settle into are required to meet with their academic advisor before your new living environment. According to US scheduling their classes for the first time. You will immigration regulations, you are permitted to arrive in receive your first academic advising during your New the US no more than 30 days prior to the start date on International Student Orientation. After your first your I-20 or DS-2019. semester, it is your responsibility to schedule meetings with you advisor to plan your future classes. If you are unable to arrive in Lexington for the International students are required to meet with their orientation, you must notify the International Student advisor each semester to ensure that their class Services Office at [email protected] schedules adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by immigration law.

5 BCTC STUDENT ID CARD To schedule an appointment with your assigned academic advisor, login into your Blackboard student As a BCTC, you will need to obtain a student account and click the "Starfish" button. You will then be identification card to gain access to many of the student prompted to schedule an appointment. services across campus. Throughout the semester, you may notice that your Please visit the following offices, depending on where student account has an “INS” service indicator. This you are taking the majority of your classes: indicator is on your account for your protection to Cooper Campus & Winchester Campus ensure that you are not dropped from your classes and Oswald Building 247 on Cooper Campus to ensure that you are properly maintaining your status. Online Classes & Other BCTC Campuses If you ever need the indicator to be lifted, simply Leestown Building C, Room 100 OR Newtown Classroom contact your assigned academic advisor and they will Building Room 103 happily assist you! 2 | Page

9 HEALTH INSURANCE

All international students are required to have medical insurance verification on file. If you need assistance purchasing insurance, please make an appointment with Brian Schanding ([email protected]) to discuss your options.

10 PARKING & STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

Parking on all campuses is free, with the exception of 7 REGISTERING FOR CLASSES Cooper Campus. If you plan to attend any classes on Cooper Campus, you will need to purchase a parking After you have met with your advisor, you will have the permit. Cooper Campus parking is controlled by the ability to register for classes online on your Student and therefore parking permits Self-Service portal. To register for classes online, please must be purchased from the University of Kentucky visit: https://students.kctcs.edu/. You may also use directly. your Student Self-Service to view your account balance, In order to purchase the required “C-6” or “K” parking view your schedule, update personal information, and permit, you should visit the UK Parking and more. Transportation Services office, located at 721 Press If you have never activated your account, you will need Avenue, Lexington, KY. Parking permits cost $296 for to do so by visiting the User Account Center the academic year. (https://bit.ly/2LNwbj2) to obtain access to all of your If you do not plan to drive, you may consider purchasing student services. a bus pass for $50 per semester or $75 per academic year, or use the UK CATS buses on-campus 8 PURCHASING YOUR TEXTBOOKS free of charge. For more information, call (859) 257- 5757 or online at http://www.uky.edu/pts/.

At the beginning of each semester, it is important to make sure that you have purchased the textbooks for each of your classes. Buying or renting textbooks for your classes is mandatory in order to succeed in your classes.

To determine which textbooks you need, you can either look on the course syllabus or show your schedule to the on-campus bookstore.

CAMPUS BOOKSTORE LOCATIONS

Cooper Campus…..……………………………………...OB 120

Leestown Campus………………………………………….C-154

Online Bookstore ……………. https://bit.ly/2LmHGBP

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11 DRIVER’S LICENSE

Everyone who drives in Kentucky must have a valid driver’s license.

If you are interested in obtaining your driver’s license, visit the International Student Services Office for your official letter authorizing you to apply for your license. You will also need to obtain an Enrollment Verification from the Records Office. To be prepared, you should also gather the following:

• Passport • I-94 • I-20 or DS-2019 13 WORKING ON CAMPUS • Proof of local residence (signed lease agreement utility bill with your name, bank As an International Student, you are eligible to work statement with name and address) part-time (20 hours or less) at an on-campus location. • $20.00 To seek employment, follow these steps: • Social Security Card or Social Security Card 1. Apply to an on-campus employer Denial Notice 2. Receive job offer Once you have gathered all required documents, you will need to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles in 3. Ask employer to complete Employment Verification Lexington. For more information, call (502) 564-1257 or Form visit http://transportation.ky.gov/Driver- 4. Take Employment Verification Form to ISS and Licensing/Pages/default.aspx. receive letter to obtain Social Security Number

5. Begin your job and communicate regularly with the ISS office concerning your employment

For a "How To: Obtain an On-Campus Job" help guide, stop by your International Student Services Office on Cooper Campus!

14 BEGINNING AND END OF SEMESTER CHECK-IN

As an international student, it is important to check-in 12 SNAP ALERTS with the ISS office regularly to ensure that your immigration documents are valid and up-to-date. Twice When important things happen on campus, such as a semester, at the beginning of the semester and at the institutional closings for weather or urgent events, end of the semester, it is mandatory for you to check-in students are notified through a system called “SNAP with our office. Please check your email regularly for Alerts”. It is important to sign up for snap alerts by reminders concerning these mandatory check-in times. visiting kctcs.edu/snap to begin receiving BCTC SNAP Alerts today.

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D: Represents the minimum achievement for credit

Life at BCTC E: Represents unsatisfactory achievement, failure

Academic Honesty 15 ACADEMICS According to the KCTCS Student Code of Conduct, Educational systems differ from country to country. academic dishonesty is defined as plagiarism, cheating, Here are a few things to know about academic life in student co-responsibility, and misuse/falsification of the US and at Bluegrass Community and Technical academic records. As a BCTC student, you are expected College: to complete your own work, to try your best, and to not allow others to use your work as their own. Our Attendance institution takes academic dishonesty very seriously and You are expected to go to class on time, to notify your each of the academic offenses will be penalized. professors in advance if you will not be able to attend For more specific information about academic honesty, class, and to participate fully in assignments and class you may review the KCTCS Student Code of Conduct, discussions. If you are ill, it is important to receive a section 2.3.1: KCTCS Academic Offenses. doctor’s note to give your professors, especially if you will miss multiple classes. In some classes, your professors may have an attendance policy. It is important to be aware of these policies. Missing too many classes is not a reason for the ISS Office to allow you to drop below full-time.

Communicating with your Professors

It is important to have a good relationship with your professors. At BCTC, faculty are friendly and willing to help students and as an international student, you should take advantage of their open lines of communication. If you are struggling in class, or do not understand something, it is imperative that you meet with your professors to discuss possible solutions. 16 HOUSING

Grading At BCTC, we do not have designated housing for any of Different professors may use different grading scales our students. However, as a BCTC student, you will be and methods of grading. At the beginning of each eligible to apply for housing at the neighboring semester, you will want to pay attention to the syllabus University of Kentucky (UK) campus. If you choose, you to determine the grading method for each class. If you may apply to live on UK’s campus in dormitories, or you do not understand, do not be afraid to ask the can arrange housing in nearby apartments. professor. If you plan on living on the University of Kentucky’s In general, Bluegrass Community and Technical College campus, please visit https://bit.ly/2mJVSGh to learn uses the following grading system: more about the services offered.

A: Represents exceptionally high achievement

B: Represents high achievement

C: Represents satisfactory achievement

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If you plan to look for an off-campus apartment, • Participating and eligible campuses include: consider the following: Cooper and Winchester only. • Any BCTC student attending any of these • Furnished or unfurnished campuses can be seen on a fee-for-service basis • Private or shared kitchen and bathrooms (charges range depending on the visit type). • Laundry services • Any BCTC student who is enrolled in at least six • Nearby transportation services hours of traditional in-classroom hours may • Parking availability purchase the health fee for that semester, • Lease term which would cover the cost of unlimited visits at • Required deposit UHS. • Utilities may be paid by the tenant or the • BCTC students who are interested in purchasing landlord the health fee may do so online at the E-Store • Safety of surrounding area at http://www.uky.edu/plusaccount/uk-estore- • Number of roommates information. After you locate an apartment, you will most likely need • BCTC students must present a current BCTC ID to set up utility services, cable, internet, and more. If at time of visit. you need assistance with this, your landlord may be MUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. TO MAKE AN able to offer some direction. You may also stop by the International Student Services Office if you need APPOINTMENT, CALL 859-323-5823 assistance. Urgent Care Facilities

Concentra Urgent Care

859-266-4882

1055 Dove Run Road, Lexington, KY

Lexington Urgent Care

859-523-5310

1701 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY

Hospitals

St. Joseph Hospital 17 HEALTHCARE Good Samaritan Hospital

FOR ANY KIND OF AN EMERGENCY, Baptist Health Lexington

IMMEDIATELY CALL 911. UK Chandler Hospital

University of Kentucky Clinic

Bluegrass Community and Technical College students enrolled at Bluegrass Community and Technical College (at the Cooper, Regency or Winchester campuses) may receive services through University Health Service under these guidelines:

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immediately to the Safety and Security Office on your campus.

Security Office Contact Information:

Cooper Campus Daytime……………………………………………………859-246-6794

Cooper Campus Nights..…………………………………………………….859-699-9891

Leestown Campus Daytime…………..……………………………………...859-246-6834

18 STUDENT LIFE Leestown Campus Nights/Weekend...…………………………………..859-684-3041 Whether you are interested in joining the International Student Association or playing on an intramural Newtown Campus basketball team, there is something for everyone to get Daytime.………………………………………………….859-246-6659 involved in! Newtown Campus Get involved in: Nights/Weekends…………………………….……..859-753-8881

• African Student Association of Bluegrass (ASAB) Danville Campus • International Student Association (ISA) Daytime.………………………………………………….859-246-6877 • Intramural Sports Lawrenceburg • Student Government Association Campus………….………………………………………..859-246-6815 • Performing and Visual Arts Winchester • On-campus events Campus……..…………………………………………….859-246-6573

While not on-campus, you are protected by the police department. The police are present both to protect the public and to enforce the law. You may ask a police officer with help in situations of theft, noisy neighbors, or other emergent situations. Police are legally prohibited from taking “gifts” or money. They may arrest people who attempt to offer such payment.

International students arriving in the United States often have concerns about safety, due to over- dramatized violence in American movies and news reports. If you are careful and take necessary precautions, your stay in Lexington should be violence

and crime free.

19 SAFETY 20 SMOKING While on campus, you are protected by on-campus BCTC has a responsibility to its students, faculty, and safety and security officers, as well as campus surveillance cameras. If you have problems with theft or staff to provide a safe and healthy working and learning violence while on campus, please report your concerns 7 | Page

environment. For this reason, smoking on campus is 22 BANKING prohibited, except in the designated smoking areas.

Students who violate the Tobacco-free Campus Policy It should be one of your priorities, upon arriving in the will be reported to the Assistant Vice President of United States, to open a checking or savings account Student Rights and Responsibilities and will be subject with a local bank. Banks with many branches around to corrective action according to the applicable Lexington include: disciplinary code in the Student Code of Conduct. • Fifth-Third Bank (www.53.com) • Chase Bank (www.chase.com) • United Bank (www.bankatunited.com) • PNC Bank (www.pnc.com) Money, Banking, & • US Bank (www.usbank.com) When you open an account, they will likely ask you for your immigration documentation, such has your Bills passport, I-20, and Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, you may explain to them 21 MONEY that international students are not permitted to have Social Security numbers, unless employed. Should they In the United States, we have three common forms of have any questions, you may request a letter from the paying for shopping expenses, bills, rent, and more: ISS office to give to the bank on your behalf. cash, credit/debit cards, check. Many times, different Different banks have different procedures and services people will request different forms of payment. For offered to their clients. If you have any questions about example, your landlord may not be able to accept credit any of their services, or banking questions in general, cards, he may prefer checks. It is always a good idea to you should contact a banker at your home bank. have multiple forms of payment, as different places require different forms of payment. 23 USING AN ATM

Automated Teller Machines, called “ATMs” are located at various locations on campus and throughout town. They allow you to make cash withdraws, deposits, and transfers between accounts, as well as view your account balance. Oftentimes, there are fees associated with using an ATM that belongs to a bank other than your home bank. ATM fees are usually between $1.50 and $3.00 and will be automatically deducted from your account upon use of the machine.

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26 PAYING TAXES

International students are permitted to work in on- campus jobs and in some other situations. If you are permitted to work, you will be responsible for filing your federal income tax forms. We highly advise students who have earned income in the United States to work with a tax preparation company to prepare your taxes.

All F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents, regardless of whether or not they have earned money, are required to file an annual tax form. Tax forms must

be postmarked no later than April 15 of each year.

If you were present in the US even for one day as an F 24 USING DEBIT AND CREDIT CARDS or J student, you must complete the tax report called the “8843 form”. A debit card, called a “check card”, is connected to your checking account and is used much like a credit card, except that charges are deducted directly from your Experience Lexington checking account upon purchase. On the other hand, credit cards accumulate your purchases throughout the month and you receive a final bill at the end of the 27 WEATHER month for all of your purchases. The weather in Lexington is generally mild and we Whether you are using a debit or credit card, it is experience four distinct seasons. You should plan to important to keep track of your purchases and ensure purchase appropriate clothes for each season that you that your purchases are not exceeding the amount of are staying in Kentucky. money you have. If you attempt to use your debit card and there are not sufficient funds in your account, most Spring (March-May) banks will charge a minimum $25.00 overdraft fee. Average Temperature: 55 degrees

Description: Rainy and warm 25 PAYING TUITION Summer (July-August) As a BCTC student, it is very important that you are Average Temperature: 80 degrees aware of tuition and expenses that you are responsible for. If you are paying for your own tuition, or if you have Description: Hot, humid, and dry a sponsor, it is essential for you to visit the Billing Office on campus to set up how you will pay your bills. There Fall (September-November) are several options available to all BCTC students Average Temperature: 60 degrees whether you choose to pay online, in person, or through automatic account withdraw. Description: Dry and sunny

Failure to pay your account balance will result in a Winter (December- February) “financial hold” on your student account. If you do not Average Temperature: 35 degrees pay the bill, you will not be able to register for future classes. Description: Cold, Snowy

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28 TRANSPORTATION 30 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Learning the transportation system in Lexington is In Lexington, there are many exciting tourist attractions important to ensure that you can easily transport and interesting places to visit. A few of the top-rated yourself from your home to class and other important suggestions in or near Lexington include: destinations. Students are eligible to apply for a driver’s 1. license and therefore may purchase or rent a car. 2. Race Course If you choose not to drive, LexTran Transit Authority (www.lextran.com), taxi services, and shuttles are some 3. Kentucky State Capitol of the most common ways that our students choose to 4. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill travel once they have arrived in Lexington. If you are 5. Historic Distilleries planning to travel by plane to or from Lexington, the nearest airport is the Bluegrass Airport (code LEX). 6. Bluegrass Country Driving Tour 7. University of Kentucky Sports Events 29 SHOPPING 8. The Arboretum 9. The Art Museum at UK It is important to familiarize yourself with the area shopping whether you are purchasing groceries or 10. Bluegrass Heritage Museum clothes. Below are a few categories of items that you may need to purchase and some of the popular locations for shopping near Lexington. Groceries

Kroger Trader Joe’s Fresh Market

Meijer Whole Foods

Specialty

Africa & Carribbean Imports

Karibu International Market

Selby’s Tropical Food Market

Dong Yang Market

Tyler’s Asian Market

Yu Yu Asian Supermarket During your time in Lexington, we encourage you to explore your surroundings. The www.visitlex.com Clothing/Other website is an excellent source of information about things to do in the Central Kentucky region. Fayette Mall Hamburg Shopping Pavilion

Lexington Center The Summit

Target Wal-Mart

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33 SERVICES

The ISS Office is pleased to offer a wide variety of ISS Office services to our international students. Please review the list of services below and take into account the waiting 31 STAFF/CONTACT US! time required for obtaining documents. Procedure When to Appointment Additional Need to schedule an appointment? Call or email us to Request Required? Info schedule an appointment. You may also visit us in our Service office during hours of operation: No Must have Travel 2 weeks prior most Signature to travel current I-20 Cooper Campus, OB 202A and passport Monday-Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Any 1 day prior to No, pick up N/A Certification pick-up next day Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Letter No, pick up Student **Closed Noon-1:00 pm for lunch** next day must be in US a 1 day prior to minimum of SSN Letter pick-up 10 days, in Dr. Brian Schanding, Primary Designated School Official SEVIS for 2 days, and 470 Cooper Campus have employment Oswald 202A letter Curricular Up to 6 Yes See CPT [email protected] Practical months Request Training (CPT) before start Form 859-246-4647 date Optional 4 months Yes See OPT Practical prior to Request 32 SOCIAL MEDIA Training (OPT) finishing Form degree Transfer from Within 60 No, pick up Transfer Follow BCTC International Student Services on BCTC to days of final next day form and Instagram and Twitter @BCTCISS! another school term end admission date at BCTC letter Tag us in your pictures by tagging @BCTCISS to let us Drop Below Before No, decision Completed see what you are doing on campus. Are you traveling? Full-Time dropping any will be form signed Request classes emailed by advisor Tag us @BCTCISS! We love to see how you are doing on Immediately, Yes N/A campus! no later than Reinstatement 5 months after termination occurred At least 30 No Program days before Extension Program end of Request Extension current Form, program completed by advisor 3-4 months Yes Change of before you Status wish to begin classes

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34 STUDENT SERVICE OFFICES Transfer Center………………………………Oswald Building 118 Tutoring Center…………………………..Maloney Building 225 Cooper Campus

Admissions…...... Oswald Building 119 Newtown Campus Advising and Assessment……………….Oswald Building 109 Student Services Suite………………………………….... CB 103 Bookstore…………………………………..….Oswald Building 120 Newtown Learning Commons…………………………. CB 120 Counseling Services…….Academic Technical Building 102 Leestown Campus Disability Support Services…………..Oswald Building 320C Student One-Stop (All Services)……………………Building C Financial Aid/Scholarships………….….Oswald Building 121 Danville Campus Housing Office (UK)………………………….…..Funkhouser 125 Not all student services are offered on regional International Student Services….…Oswald Building 202A campuses. Please seek assistance from front office.

Library and Learning Resources…..…Oswald Building 220 Lawrenceburg Campus

Multiculturalism and Inclusion……….Oswald Building 103 Not all student services are offered on regional Parking Office (UK)…………………………….721 Press Avenue campuses. Please seek assistance from front office.

Records/Registrar…………………..……..Oswald Building 203 Winchester Campus

Student Billings……………………………...Oswald Building 215 Not all student services are offered on regional campuses. Please seek assistance from front office.

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