BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY

About International Student Services

MISSION

Bethune-Cookman University, through its Board of Trustees and President, has entered into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the U.S Department of State (DOS) to properly enroll, monitor and report the status of all F-1 Students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  The SEVIS reporting begins at port-of-entry or upon arrival to the United States, continues throughout the student’s matriculation and ends at program completion or transfer to another approved institution of higher education.  

The Office of International Student Services mission is to ensure compliance on behalf of the institution and the individual student in accordance with the established rules and laws governing the F-1 Category Student, and to provide services to the F-1 Student.

SERVICES PROVIDED

After the Admissions Process/Initial New Student Orientation and the end of registration, all F-1 Students (new students within 10 days and returning students within 20 days) will report to the Designated School Official (DSO) for SEVIS Registration.  The student will present proof of health insurance, a final course schedule with 12 or more credit hours, travel documents for review (Passport, Visa, I-94 and I-20), a current local address/telephone/email and provide contact information of relatives to reach in case of an emergency (ICE). This is the first step of maintaining compliance.

To ensure continued compliance and assist the F-1 Students, other services provided will include:

• Four  (4) “Information Sessions”  per academic year that will address the following concerns: 
  Employment; Immigration; Taxes and General Information/Orientation
• Monitor all alerts and updates and advise accordingly
• Provide health insurance coverage at a cost to the student
• F-1 Advising: passport/visa renewal , Issuance of dependant I-20’s
• Mentoring, referral service, family support
• Encourage involvement in campus life/community activities
• Essentials for a positive journey…Go Wildcats!

CONTACT INFORMATION

PDSO:  Ms. Valencia Cooper
Student Affairs/Office of International Student Services – Parlin Center, Room 104-C
cooperv@cookman.edu
386.481-2170

DSO:  Ms. Iris Johnson-Quinn (ISA)
Student Affairs/Office of International Student Services – Wildcat Student Center, Suite 3
johnsoni@cookman.edu
386.481-2171

Mrs. Debbie Dionne
Admissions/Correspondence & Credentials – Dr. Ernest C. Cook, Sr. Admissions Bldg
dionned@cookman.edu
386.481-2611