Concerns Over Modified Temporary Exemptions for International Students

Dear NOVA Community,

I have heard from many of you regarding the Monday announcement by the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP), which modified the temporary exemptions for international students. Your concern for our international students speaks to the welcome they find at NOVA. Asking international students to return home if they cannot find suitable in-class or hybrid courses, when many countries have enforced travel restrictions, has created unnecessary confusion, anxiety and uncertainty for many NOVA students.

Led by Associate Vice President Syedur Rahman, our Office of International Education staff has been working closely with our 1,043 F-1 students since last Monday to be sure that their fall schedules will support allowing them to remain in lawful status.

NOVA is also working with our D.C. advocacy organizations, chiefly ACE and AACC, to make our voice heard, and I have shared our concerns with our federal delegation. Our college stands with our international students. They came to our country in pursuit of education at colleges and universities that are without equal around the globe, and they join all NOVA students in their desire to return to campus. At this point, though, a complete return to campus is simply not advisable nor possible, and the academic goals of our international students should not be disrupted because the pandemic has extended remote learning into fall.

Thank you for your support of our international students!

Sincerely,
Anne