Ram Family,

The Center for International Studies (CIS) at Angelo State University would like to provide an update to the Ram Family regarding the announcement from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that occurred on July 6, 2020 in regards to temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the Fall 2020 semester. The intention of the announcement from SEVP is for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to publish these new procedures and responsibilities in the Federal Register as a Temporary Final Rule.

The CIS would like to provide a brief explanation of how this rule might affect our international student population. Angelo State University plans to resume in-person teaching and learning for the Fall 2020 semester using a blend of face-to-face, hybrid (combination of face-to-face instruction and online learning), and online modalities.  As long as international students are not registered for an online-only degree program(s) and are not taking an entirely online course load for Fall 2020, they will be able to meet the requirements of this Temporary Final Rule and we will be able to maintain appropriate student records. This will allow international students to return to or to remain at Angelo State University for the Fall 2020 semester.

Angelo State University continues to appreciate and value our international students and we realize this unexpected change creates additional stress and uncertainty.  The CIS will continue to monitor the situation as the semester progresses and continue to provide additional information and details to our Ram Family as they may occur.  Please feel free to contact The Center for International Studies, at cis@angelo.edu with additional questions.

Sincerely,

The Center for International Studies Staff