July 15, 2020
DHS withdraws guidelines for international students taking online classes only
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Current international students at Kansas State University can continue their studies remotely and not have it affect their visa status because the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has rescinded guidelines for the Student Exchange Visitor program requiring that they take some in-person classes. The action means international students won't have to stop their studies if the university would need to move all classes to remote formats.
The guidelines would have barred international students from the U.S. if all of their classes were to be online this fall. K-State joined other universities around the nation in denouncing the guidelines, with K-State President Richard Myers calling the new rules "immoral and counterproductive." K-State also made plans to ensure international students would be able to continue their studies uninterrupted.
This rescission, announced July 14, means current international students on F-1 visas at K-State will not need new I-20s as their current I-20s are still valid, according to Sara Thurston, director of K-State International Student and Scholar Services.
Thurston has notified K-State's international students of the rescission to assure them their status is no longer affected.