July 8, 2020
The new federal guidance for international students has created uncertainty about the upcoming semester, on top of the financial and travel challenges already created by the pandemic. We are writing so that you know UCF is taking steps to support our international students and ensure that they can continue their education. We already have reached out directly to the 3,000 current and new students affected by this.
UCF’s strength comes from our diversity. Our international students, faculty and staff help shape our community. Their experiences make us smarter together, and this diversity is one of the hallmarks of a leading metropolitan research university. Orlando is a global destination for innovation and creativity, and UCF is proud to be home to students, faculty and staff from more than 150 countries.
The new guidance requires some face-to-face instruction for all international students this fall. Because our plan for fall is a hybrid of face-to-face and remote classes, we are positioned well to address this requirement. UCF has committed to the following steps to support these students:
- Engaging with colleges and departments to provide course offerings that meet immigration guidelines.
- Working with our international students one-on-one to guarantee their individual class schedules meet enrollment requirements.
- Ensuring students have met the required face-to-face portion of their coursework prior to the Thanksgiving break.
We recognize that guidance may change in the coming days and weeks, and we will continue posting updates on the UCF Global website.
We also are exploring additional guidance that has been provided regarding university employees working outside of the country in the fall 2020 semester, as well as any other restrictions for international students, and will be sharing more information soon to help clarify these rules.
International students, faculty and staff members with additional questions should call UCF Global at 407-823-2337. And we thank our colleges and faculty in advance for working with us to help develop the best solutions for our affected students.
We also continue closely monitoring the impacts of the pandemic on UCF and Central Florida, and have put return-to-campus plans in place for the fall semester that prioritize our campus community’s health and well-being and allow us to be flexible in how we deliver our courses. We remain prepared to change course if health conditions necessitate.
There is no doubt this is a trying time with stress and uncertainty, but we remain committed to supporting each other and working together to help each of us rise to the challenges ahead with the tenacity and optimism that UCF is known for.
With gratitude for all Knights,
Alexander N. Cartwright, Ph.D.
President
Michael D. Johnson, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs