INFORMATION PACKAGE

INS-GSA

Useful Tips:

• The Library gives us $100 worth of printing and copies each year. Cost per page is cheaper at UM Lib than at Kinkos. If you run out, you may print for free at the Graduate School Office.
• Some professors post readings online, so you may not need to buy every book listed in the syllabus. (see link below to Blackboard)
• If books are listed in the UM Bookstore page, you may save money ordering your books online.
• Many software programs (Word, Excel, etc.) are installed for free on UM students' computers, so don't buy them! (see Tech Center link below)
• If you get a ground floor apartment, check if the building provides extermination free to you. This can make things a lot easier for you if you have pest issues.
• Pay day is the last business day of the month.
• The former comprehensive exams are online. (see link below)
• There is a free movie theatre on campus!

• http://com.miami.edu/cosford/

• Note: International students, please make sure you have your immunization requirements in order as soon as possible, failure to comply could lead to an academic stop.

• http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/0,1770,2553-1;29339-2,00.html

Useful Links:

Cane Card ID

http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,13866-1,00.html

Technology Center

For computer problems, free software downloads (Microsoft Word, Anti-virus protection)

http://www6.miami.edu/sales/

Blackboard

Some professors use Blackboard to post assignments, documents and grades.

www.courses.miami.edu

UMail (University email system)

http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,2620-1;65794-3,00.html

UPrint: Allows you to print at the Library printers directly from your laptop.

http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/0,1770,56778-1,00.html

Writing Center: Help with writing projects from the proposal stage to editing final drafts.

http://www.as.miami.edu/writingcenter/

Testing Center: If you are a TA and need to grade multiple choice tests, they can help you format bubble sheets and scan them.

http://www6.miami.edu/testing-center/

Student Health Center (free check-ups, immunization, prescriptions and referrals)

http://www6.miami.edu/student-health/

International Student and Scholar Services

http://www.miami.edu/index.php/student_life/student_services/isss/

Apartment Hunting

http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/0,1770,42701-1;59678-3,00.html

http://www.law.miami.edu/admitted/pdf/2010_Relocation_and_Apartment_Guide.pdf

Drivers License/State ID: (on campus tomorrow!)   http://everitas.univmiami.net/2010/08/13/florida-licensing-on-wheels-coming-to-campus/

Former comprehensive exams:

http://www.as.miami.edu/international%2Dstudies/Graduate/compexams

Steve Ralph, Dept Administrator: Class registration, Financial Aid, forms for international students, transfers.

Bill Smith, Graduate Advisor: help choose classes, plan academic career .

Graduate Office: Scholarships, Career Planning, Fellowships

Payroll: Graduate and Teaching Assistant paychecks

Current enrollment certification letters are available online via myUM.

Students may print current enrollment letters directly via myUM.

·         Log onto myUM

·         Select “Course Registration Information”

·         Select “Current Enrollment Certification”

This link takes you directly to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) website. The University of Miami has authorized NSC to provide enrollment certification.

*Current enrollment letters are available once all financial obligations have been met. (If you do not have a letter available and you have recently met all your financial obligations, it may be that your information has not yet been sent to the Clearinghouse. Information is sent to them every few weeks. Please wait a week or so and log back into the site via myUM.)

For more information on certification, please visit www.miami.edu/registrar and select an option under “Verification and Certification”.

*New Incoming International Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants*

(Very Important!)

Please note that you must register and *complete* the 1-9 verification process (as stipulated in the award letter) with either Gylla Lucky or Barbara Varona in the Ashe Building, Room 200 BEFORE August 5th (or sooner) in order to insure payment by August 31st.

International students must perform the following steps as soon as possible after arrival (in this order):

1. Complete the I-9 employment verification process step 1 only. This means that you will receive an e-mail invitation from HireRight and once you received this invitation complete step 1 as soon as possible. Note: Step 1 will ask you for a local address.

2. You need to log on to MyUM and enter a local address and telephone number before you can be registered for your approved course schedule. The Graduate Administration Office cannot process your Course Request form until this process is completed.

3. See Prof. William Smith, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of International Studies, (email: bsmith@miami.edu) to have your Course Request form completed and approved by the director or advisor.

4. Obtain the On-Campus Employer Offer Letter from the University of Miami, Department of International Studies, Ferre Building (see Steve Ralph).

5. To register for classes take your approved Course Request form to Gylla Lucky or Barbara in the Ashe Building, Room 200 (305/284-3188)

6. Apply for your Work Authorization Letter at International Students & Scholar Services, Building 21, Room 21F Student Services, 305/284-2928 (can take up to a week and in some cases longer). ISSS will update your status so that you may proceed to complete step two of the 1-9 process.

7. To complete step 2 of the I-9 you will need to see Gylla Lucky or Barbara Varona in the Ashe Building, Room 200, 305/284-3188. To complete this process, you must bring the required document(s) as described in the 1-9 Acceptable Documents List which was sent to you along with your award letter.

8. Apply for a Social Security Number. You must be in the country at least 10 days before you can request a Social Security Number and it will take several weeks for you to receive your Social Security Number in the mail after you apply. Please plan your arrival to allow sufficient time for this process so that you can comply with the August 15th payroll deadline.

9. Once you have your Social Security Number Card (number), go to the Office of the Registrar, 121 Whitten University Center, 305/284-2294 and to Ashe 200, the Graduate Student and Administration Services.

10. Immediately after you receive your Social Security Card (number), go to the Payroll office, 760 Gables One Tower (across from the University Metro), 305/284-3664 and fill out a Foreign National Information Form so that the Payroll office can ascertain your taxability please make sure to take all your relevant documents (Passport, 1-20, etc.).

11. Eligible doctoral students: to qualify for the graduate student health insurance credit you must sign up for payroll deduction through MyUM. Please be reminded that this form will not appear in MyUM until your payroll assignment for 2010-2011 is entered and approved by all necessary parties after you completed the above steps. You must apply for health insurance deduction by Oct. 1.

12. Register and take Speak test: Building Allen Hall, Room 102. For more information, or to register for the SPEAK Test, please call 305-284-4727. The SPEAK test is administered by registration only.

SPEAK Test (International Students)

All international teaching assistants must take and pass either the TSE (Test of Spoken English) or the SPEAK (Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit). The passing score is 55.

The test, whose name stands for Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit, is an institutional version of the Test of Spoken English (TSE). Students listen to questions on a tape through headphones, and they speak their answers into a microphone attached to their headset. The responses are recorded onto a CD via computer. Approximately 20 students take the test at each scheduled time, and the test runs about 30 minutes.

More info at:

http://www6.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/0,1770,29045-1;39236-2;39235-2,00.html

For more information, or to register for the SPEAK Test or the ITA English course, please call 305-284-4727 or e-mail alc.cstudies@miami.edu. Attendance at SPEAK Test and ITA English course are by registration only.

University of Miami 

Allen Hall Room 111

5050 Brunson Drive

Coral Gables, FL