New Guidance from DHS Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)

On Monday, July 8, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued new guidance related to international student visa eligibility for Fall 2020. According to the guidance, students attending universities that will be conducting courses fully online will not be allowed to remain in the US. Since ECU is offering a hybrid model of online and face-to-face classes, our students will not be affected so long as they maintain enrollment in at least one face-to-face class. The face-to-face class can be scheduled in either (or both) of the two 7.5-week blocks. The Office of Global Affairs has reached out to all F-1 students to inform them of these new federal requirements and to ensure their compliance.

The SEVP guidance also mandates that each student must be issued a new I-20 which certifies ECU’s academic plans and the student’s course load meeting SEVP guidelines. We will begin issuing these documents this week and distributing them to students in the coming weeks to ensure our students remain fully compliant with federal regulations.

ECU is currently in discussions with SEVP and UNC System Office representatives to obtain additional clarification regarding the guidance. While uncertainties remain, ECU is unwaveringly committed to the success of our students during this challenging time. Global Affairs will work with each student individually to ensure their I-20 is updated and their F-1 student status is protected as they progress toward degree completion.

If you have any questions, please contact Jon Rezek, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs at rezekjo17@ecu.edu. Students with questions may be directed to Bill Mallett, Assistant Director for International Student Advisement and ECU’s appointed Principal Designated School Official, at mallettw@ecu.edu.

— Grant Hayes, acting provost and senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs