Many of our new and continuing international students were not able to join us in the state of Washington this fall due to federal immigration policies. These Cougs are starting or continuing their WSU education from their home countries. This can be a challenge for both students and instructors. Please note that International Student and Scholar Services in the Office of International Programs is here to help. As the semester gets underway, several steps will help ensure that all students, including international students, can appropriately engage with course materials and activities. Please consider the following:
Depending on the platform, some of your material may not be available to students in some countries, and this may require flexibility with course curriculum delivery and assessment. Please make sure your course content and materials are available digitally. For more information, please visit: https://li.wsu.edu/teaching-tool-boxes/are-you-ready-for-distance-delivery/tips-for-creatingaccessible-course-materials. Also, we know that YouTube videos and some websites are not available in certain areas. You can visit https://www.comparitech.com/privacy-securitytools/blockedinchina to see what may not be available in China, as well as other countries.
Differences in time zones can make it challenging to engage with you. When possible, host live, synchronous Zoom faculty office hours so that your students can benefit from your knowledge and support.
Be aware of access issues regarding academic support and library content. Please provide students with information about virtual academic support services and the library VPN to access library materials from anywhere in the world: https://its.wsu.edu/ssl-vpn; tutoring at the Academic Success and Career Center: https://ascc.wsu.edu/peer-tutoring/; writing support from the Writing Center: https://writingprogram.wsu.edu/undergraduate-writing-center/; and math support from the Math Learning Center: http://math.wsu.edu/mlc/. Accessing such support may be a socially and culturally bound concept so please encourage your students to access such support.
If you find you need more support than exists, you can also reach out to the Office of International Programs specifically by e-mailing Dr. Kate Hellmann, Director, International Student and Scholar Services in the Office of International Programs: khellmann@wsu.edu.
Asif J. Chaudhry, Ph.D.
U.S. Ambassador (Ret.)
Vice President
Washington State University | International Programs
Elizabeth S. Chilton
Provost and Executive Vice President
Professor, Department of Anthropology