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THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS March 7 - 14, 2010 March 16, 2010 March 19, 2010 March 19 & 20, 2010  |
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THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS March 7 - 14, 2010 March 16, 2010 March 19, 2010 March 19 & 20, 2010 |
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Downloads
June, 2009
Dear New International Students:
As you prepare for your departure to the United States and to Ringling College of Art and Design, you must have questions regarding the United States, our higher education system, and Ringling College. Please be sure to read thoroughly the information provided on the New Student website at www.ringling.edu and complete and return the necessary forms as noted. Additionally, the Orientation Program at Ringling College will help answer most of your questions. Here’s some important information for your arrival in August.
Arrival Date and Time Please plan to be ready to check-in to Ringling College on Monday, August 17 at the Ulla Searing Student Center. We will have returning students available to assist you with moving into your residence hall between 8:30 a.m. and noon that day. If your flight schedule brings you into Sarasota on August 16, you will be allowed to stay in your room that night, but you must notify the Office of Student Life in advance by sending an email to Residence Life at reslife@ringling.edu.
If you experience any arrival problems, call the Office of Student Life at 941.359.7505 during office hours (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.). If you are unable to reach us in the office, call our Public Safety Office at 941.359.7500.
If you must arrive earlier than August 16 and/or if family members are accompanying you to Orientation, there are a number of hotels/motels near the school. If you do not plan to live in our residence halls, you should arrive one to two weeks before Orientation to allow time to find suitable off-campus housing. To get settled into an off-campus apartment, anticipate spending approximately $2500 in deposits, rents and initial utility costs. For assistance, you may come and talk to our Residence Life staff for off-campus rental information.
Transportation to Sarasota If you cannot book a direct flight to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, you may want to fly to Tampa, Orlando, Miami or Fort Myers and take a domestic flight to Sarasota. If you arrive in Tampa, there is limousine service to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. A taxi ride from the Sarasota airport to the College will cost approximately $8.
Expenses In addition to your tuition, room and board (meal) payments, you should bring at least $300 cash in small bills ($1, $5, $10 and $20) to help with incidental expenses for taxis, telephone calls, meals and temporary housing before Orientation. Non-negotiable bank drafts may be used to open a bank account here, but take approximately four to six weeks to process. Bring American traveler’s checks or an ATM card to defray your initial expenses. You may find it most convenient to have a credit card for purchasing books and art supplies, or for immediate needs such as toiletries and items for your room. The Campus Store accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards. You will have the opportunity to open a bank account when you arrive.
What to Bring With the limitations on the amount of luggage you can carry on international flights, plan carefully. Students who will be living in the residence halls will need to bring with them or purchase after arrival a pillow, blanket, bed linens (extra-long, twin bed size) and towels. You should expect to pay approximately $100 for a complete set of bedding and towels. The link to the Linen Program online describes an economical and convenient way for you to have linens mailed directly to the College. If you have a little extra space, bring a few items unique to your home and country. These things can make your room seem more home-like.
Clothing: Dress on the Ringling College campus is generally casual with blue jeans, t-shirts and sneakers or sandals worn by most students. You will want to bring some dressier clothes for special occasions. Short pants are acceptable for most of the year. The winter season in Florida is mild with only a few cold days. Summers are hot and humid. The average annual temperature is 73 °F or 23 °C. Rain is persistent from June to October. We recommend not spending a lot of money on new clothes before you come. Bring the lightweight clothes you feel comfortable in now, and a jacket and sweaters for winter.
Books and Supplies: Posted on-line is a Supply List. Supplies can be purchased at the Campus Store or at larger art supply stores in the area. A good dictionary in English and your language is also useful.
Orientation All new students enrolling at Ringling College of Art and Design must participate in Orientation. A special orientation session is planned for international students from Monday, August 17 through Tuesday, August 18. The full Orientation program with all students begins on Wednesday, August 19 and runs through August 23. Participation in this program is also required. It is very important for you to attend these sessions as many legal and academic issues will be discussed. You will also meet other international students and have the opportunity to ask questions.
A Parents' Program is planned for Thursday and Friday, August, 20-21. Orientation is designed to familiarize you with the campus and community. Topics include an overview of the first-year program, the eight majors, and an introduction of the services provided on campus. There will be a campus tour, a thorough review of the academic expectations, and many other presentations and activities to help you adjust to your new campus experience.
Classes
Holidays Campus residence halls remain open over Thanksgiving in November and the Spring Break in March. students who need housing over the Winter Break should notify the Residence Life Office in advance.
International Student Advisors Donna Anderson and Barbara LeBras are your International Student Advisors. Their office is on the second floor of the Ulla Searing Student Center. It is very important that you go to this office within a week of your arrival. You will need to bring your passport, I-20 and visa with you. It is also important to meet with them regularly during the school year (at least once a semester), as they need to make sure you remain in good status. NEVER leave the country without first meeting with your advisor. In addition to your status and any academic questions, Donna and Barbara can help you with such issues as employment, filing tax forms with the IRS, entering the visa lottery and much more.
Immigration Forms/Documents: I-20AB: The I-20AB form indicates that you have been accepted (or are enrolled) as a full-time student (F-1) at Ringling College of Art and Design. The I-20AB is presented with your passport to the American Consulate abroad to obtain a visa. The I-20AB and evidence of financial support must be presented at your port of entry each time you enter the United States.
Passport: The passport is issued by your government. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months longer than your entire planned stay in the United States. Your passport and visa should be valid if you plan to leave and re-enter the United States. If you find it necessary to renew your passport while in the United States, the International Student Adviser can help.
Visa: At the American Consulate abroad, you will be issued an F-1 (student) visa which will be stamped in your passport. This shows the number of entries you may have into the United States and an expiration date after which you cannot re-enter the United States.
I-94: You will receive a white card (Arrival-Departure Record) upon entry to the United States. It records your admission number, length of stay in the United States and subsequent immigration decisions. It will be stapled into your passport. The Form I-94 must be kept valid at all times, and if you wish to remain in the United States beyond the expiration date indicated on the form, you must apply to the Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) for an extension of stay.
Temporary Departure from the United States: Each time you leave the United States (e.g., Canada, Mexico, return home for vacation), you must have your I-20 signed by the International Student Advisor to present at your port of entry when you return to the United States.
Note: Students visiting Canada may need a special Canadian Visitors Visa to enter Canada. Canadian citizens are advised to read the special information included with your packet.
Have a safe trip to Sarasota! We are pleased that you are coming to Ringling College in the fall and we look forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
Tammy S. Walsh, Ed.D. Dean of Students |
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