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Students Teaching Students Compiles In-Person Classes For International Students

Penn State’s Students Teaching Students program has compiled a list of classes currently slated to be taught in-person at University Park this fall.

The catalog, which can be accessed here, was created specifically for international students, who will need to take at least one in-person class this fall to avoid potential deportation, according to updated federal government policies.

Using the tool, you’ll find a large spreadsheet of courses broken down by credit, categories such as first-year seminars and graduate-level courses, and more. Each listing includes meeting times, locations, instructors, and currently available seats.

A brief glimpse at the spreadsheet

It’s important to note the list only includes general education courses and electives that don’t have prerequisites. This allows international students to potentially enroll in them in order to maintain at least one in-person class this fall.

Students Teaching Students hopes to update the listing at least once per week to keep it up to date.

In the meantime, Penn State plans to continue updating course deliveries for the fall semester. It hopes to finalize most by July 15, which would hopefully give international students time to analyze their situations and determine if they’ll need to change their schedules to include at least one in-person course.

Earlier this week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement updates its policies to remove select exemptions for international student visas. In doing so, students attending universities solely offering online classes — and those who are exclusively taking online course loads — may be deported.

Following the news, Penn State said it’s “deeply concerned” for its international students and urged the federal government to immediately reconsider the updated policies. President Eric Barron said the university will take action by joining an amicus brief written in support of Harvard and MIT’s lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE.

“To our international students: You are welcome here. Your presence enriches our University and the educational experience of all of our students,” Barron wrote earlier this week. “I know you have questions and trepidations, but please know that our academic programs are already working to provide you with options for a successful fall semester, doing all they can to keep you from having to leave your Penn State family. We will be working tirelessly and creatively to lessen the impacts of this directive on you.”

Although Penn State still plans to return to in-person instruction this fall, the university expressed it’s prepared to revert to remote learning if necessary. Other notable universities, such as Rutgers, Harvard, and USC, have already announced plans to move online this fall.

The university urges international students to contact their academic advisers or Penn State’s Directorate of International Student and Scholar Advising at 814-865-6348 to learn more about how these new policies may affect them. They can also submit their questions online.

Additionally, Penn State’s Global Programs office has provided a lengthy list of answers to international students’ frequently asked questions. Still, they’re encouraged to reach out to advisers to receive guidance for their specific situations.

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About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email ([email protected]) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

Zion Sykes Elected UPUA Student Body President

Sykes is a junior double majoring in political science and global and international politics and hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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