In addition to issuing I-20s, KSU, via OGEP, is required to report the enrollment of F-1 students every semester. Also, OGEP must report in SEVIS current students that fail to enroll, maintain status, or complete their program. Schools are currently required to monitor records of the student's name, date and place of birth, country of citizenship, address, status, date of commencement of studies, degree program and field of study, practical training, termination date and reason, documents related to the student's admission, the number of credits completed per semester, and a copy of the I-20. All this information resides in the SEVIS database rather than solely as hard files at each school. Under current federal regulations, even minor status violations (e.g., failing to inform ICE of change of major, or failure to process a timely transfer) could result in loss of future employment authorization eligibility, the opportunity to return to the US after a visit abroad, or even possible deportation. Therefore, for these reasons, the next step is:

6) The student must check in with OGEP at the beginning of each semester to verify information in SEVIS and verify his or her program of studies timeline.

In order to keep students informed of these important changes, OGEP will conduct occasional information sessions as well as provide up-to-date information concerning the new regulations on the OGEP web page found at

http://www.kysu.edu/academics/globaleducationprograms/iss/iss.htm

STUDY ABROAD

Kentucky State University offers many opportunities for qualified students to study and earn credits while visiting and living in a foreign country. KSU is affiliated with a number of study abroad providers and consortium organizations, including Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA) and the Kentucky Institute for International Studies (KIIS), which offer many different options, including full semester or year-long study, summer programs, and a short winter term (December–January). Opportunities for study abroad are available in Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central/South America. Students can study almost anything they would normally study at KSU. All programs are credit-bearing and normally count towards the student's program of studies.

Participation in a student exchange program is a form of study abroad. In these programs, which usually last for a full semester or year, KSU students trade places with an international student from one of KSU’s partner universities. Taking part in an exchange program is particularly intellectually and culturally enriching because students are immersed in local culture, take courses with local students, and study under professors not available to them in their home institution. KSU now has exchange agreements with a number of universities in Kenya, Korea, Eastern Europe, and Central and South America.

full semester or year, KSU students trade places with an international student from one of KSU’s partner universities. Taking part in an exchange program is particularly intellectually and culturally enriching because students are immersed in local culture, take courses with local students, and study under professors not available to them in their home institution. KSU now has exchange agreements with a number of universities in Kenya, Korea, Eastern Europe, and Central and South America.

Very often financial aid can be applied to studying abroad. OGEP will help students evaluate their financial need and, in cases where financial aid alone will not suffice, help them identify other sources of funding. One source of funding is the special Global Thorobred Award, a KSU fund established to help defer the cost of studying abroad.

It is not mandatory, but students are highly encouraged to begin making plans in their freshman or sophomore year to plan for studying abroad as a junior or senior. Visit the Office of Global Education and Programs in Academic Services Building, Suite #303, or visit the OGEP website, for more information.

STUDENT EXCHANGE

Participation in an exchange program increases a student’s access to a variety of educational programs and experiences. Such programs permit students to take courses, meet other students, and study under professors not available to them in their home institution. Taking part in an exchange program can be an intellectually and culturally enriching experience. KSU now has exchange agreements with Kwangdong National University, Korea University (Republic of South Korea), the Central University of the East (Dominican Republic), and other institutions. Students interested in participating in an exchange program should contact the Office of Global Education & Programs.

THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Learning to organize and carry out independent research is an integral part of a university liberal studies education. Paul G. Blazer Library, located at the northeast end of the campus, provides comprehensive and current research materials and facilities for students and faculty. The university community is also encouraged to use Blazer Library for personal enrichment and leisure reading.

Blazer Library's collection of more than 700,000 volumes includes such materials as books, journals, e-books, cartographic materials, DVD's, machine readable

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