Dear UCSB EAP Reciprocity Students,
Greetings from the EAP Campus Office at UCSB! You are probably excited about your pending departure for the United States and the upcoming academic year. In order to alleviate any worries that you might have, we have compiled some information that we hope is useful to you.
Also, as a reminder, when you arrive please stop by our office in 2431 South Hall to let us know you are here. As soon as you have a place to live, please give us your Santa Barbara address so that we may keep you informed about EAP events and put you in touch with students who are interested in studying in your home country. We will be happy to answer any other questions you may have regarding your upcoming stay in California. We look forward to meeting you!
********** CONTENTS **********
1. Important Dates
2. Student Email & ID Number
3. Planning your arrival
4. Paying Fees
5. Health Information (Insurance, TB Clearance)
6. Housing Tips
7. Housing FAQs
8. Registration FAQs
9. Miscellaneous FAQs
********** IMPORTANT DATES **********
* November 10: Course registration begins
* December 6: Earliest possible date of arrival for students with study visas for EAP
* December 22 – January 1: EAP Office closed for the holidays
* January 5: CLASSES BEGIN
* January 9: MANDATORY International Student Orientation (3:00-4:30pm)
* January 9: EAP Reception -- meet American students! (4:30-6:00pm)
* February TBA: Internship/Academic Training Workshop
********** STUDENT EMAIL & ID NUMBER **********
1. UMAIL (UCSB STUDENT EMAIL):
Umail is UCSB’s official email service for students studying at UCSB. All official information sent by UCSB departments to students is sent to students’ Umail addresses. It is crucial that students set up a Umail address as soon as possible and check their Umail regularly, as academic departments, professors, official university announcements, UCSB Housing, etc. will all contact students via their Umail accounts. To set up a Umail address, please visit https://secureweb.umail.ucsb.edu/identity/ and create an account (you will need your perm number).
2. PERM NUMBER (STUDENT ID NUMBER):
A student’s permanent (perm) number is the student’s identification number. It will be used for nearly all things official at UCSB ranging from paying bills, to setting up a Umail account, to course registration, to setting up a doctor’s appointment with the Student Health Service. It is a 7-digit number, but it is not the same as the CPID which also has seven (7) digits. If you do not know or have lost your perm number, please email me to request it.
********** PLANNING YOUR ARRIVAL **********
If you will have already arranged your housing prior to your arrival in Santa Barbara, we suggest you arrive a day or two prior to the beginning of the quarter, which begins January 5. University-owned housing will typically only allow students to move into their assigned housing January 3 or later. If, however, you plan on looking for housing once you arrive, you should arrive several weeks earlier. When arranging your travel plans, please remember that the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) is located near the city of Goleta, and is actually about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of the city of Santa Barbara. Carefully read the sections below as they include information that may answer many of the questions you might have regarding your first several days in Santa Barbara.
1. TRANSPORTATION:
There are two relatively easy means of traveling from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to UCSB: (1) Several airlines offer air service from LAX to Santa Barbara Airport at a round-trip cost of about $200.00 (depending on when you make your reservations); (2) The Santa Barbara Airbus runs from LAX to Goleta. The Airbus is scheduled to run from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. at approximately two to three hour intervals. For more information and reservations, please see http://www.santabarbaraairbus.com/lax/index.php. To get to UCSB from the Santa Barbara Airbus stop in Goleta, you can take a taxi for approximately $20.00. The number for Santa Barbara Yellow Cab is (805) 965-5111 or 800-549-8294 and the Airbus driver can call a cab for you and have it wait for your arrival.
If you arrive by plane at the Santa Barbara Airport, transportation to campus is quick and relatively inexpensive, as the campus is only two miles from the airport. There are several ways to get to campus from the airport: (1) A public transportation bus (MTD #11) runs roughly every thirty minutes between the hours of 6:37 a.m. and 11:55 p.m. on weekdays, and 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends. The bus trip costs $1.25 and stops at UCSB. For more information, please see http://www.sbmtd.gov/. (2) A taxi ride from the Santa Barbara airport to UCSB is about $15.00. You can easily find a taxi waiting outside the airport terminal at all times.
If you arrive in Goleta during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday) and you need our help, call us at (805) 893-3763.
2. TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION (upon your arrival):
Santa Barbara has a youth hostel downtown: http://www.sbhostel.com/ as well as a number of hotels. For hotel information in Santa Barbara and Goleta, go to: http://www.santabarbara.com/ .
********** PAYING FEES **********
Many of you will soon receive statements from the UCSB Billing Office (BARC) saying that your fees for housing, health insurance, etc. are due. As an international student, you are automatically granted an extension to pay these bills, so you will not incur any late fees or penalties as long as you pay by January 23, 2008. If you cannot make a payment by January 23, please contact me so that we can arrange to have an extension granted.
Although international students are protected from late payment penalties until January 23, you may be denied free access to the Recreation Center (a.k.a. RecCen, or the student gymnasium) and/or bus-riding privileges until all fees are paid.
Due to the high cost and difficulty of trying to pay UCSB bills from abroad, we recommend that you wait until arrival to pay your BARC fees. Bills must be paid by cash or check – no credit cards are accepted. Please plan ahead with this in mind.
At orientation, you will be provided with information on how to open up a U.S. bank account, including a map of where to find the banks, automated teller machines (ATMs), etc. If you have an ATM (cash) card with a 4-digit PIN you should be able to withdraw money from any ATM in the U.S., but there is often a $2.00-$3.00 fee to do so. Please check with your bank to ensure ATM access in the U.S.
********** HEALTH INFORMATION **********
As an international UCSB student you are required to purchase the Undergraduate Student Health Insurance Policy (USHIP) offered by UCSB. For the 2008-09 academic year, the undergraduate student insurance cost $306.50 per quarter (fall, winter, and spring) and the graduate student insurance cost $719.00 per quarter. This fee is automatically added to your UCSB billing statement.
If your current health insurance will cover you while you are studying at UCSB, you may be eligible for a waiver and not required to purchase additional coverage. You may have already received a waiver form along with further information regarding your insurance from our Student Health Services (SHS). You may also find the waiver form online: https://apps.sa.ucsb.edu//insurancewaiver/login.asp.
However, please note that in order to be considered for a waiver, the medical plan for waiver must be provided by a recognized company or government agency that is owned, headquartered and operated in the United States. Foreign insurance plans with U.S. affiliates or representatives, travel insurance plans and reimbursement programs of any kind do not qualify, including reimbursement arrangements or vouchers from home governments or their U.S.-based consulates.
Please DO NOT request a waiver if you are enrolled in an international or a travel insurance plan. If you have questions not answered above, please email UCSB Student Health at insurance@sa.ucsb.edu. You will receive a response within three days.
Be aware of any gaps in insurance coverage you may encounter. For example, the UCSB health insurance (USHIP & GSHIP) for winter quarter begins January 5, so if you plan to travel before your program begins, you are strongly recommended to obtain supplemental health insurance to cover this gap.
In addition, it is your responsibility to read the terms and conditions for UCSB Health Insurance: http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu/insurance/index.asp. Many students, for example, do not realize that USHIP and GSHIP may only cover 60% - 80% of the fees for visiting a doctor outside of UCSB Student Health Services.
********** HOUSING INFORMATION **********
UNIVERSITY-OWNED APARTMENTS AND RESIDENCE HALLS (UC Housing)
Once you have received your perm number, you will be able to apply for university-owned housing by filling out the online application: http://www.housing.ucsb.edu/application/apps-winter-spring-info.htm. The application process for Winter Quarter opensOctober 1, 2008 and closes on November 15, 2008.
For those of you who do not apply for university housing by November 15, we suggest adding your name to the waiting list for university-owned accommodation by contacting the proper housing office: Apartment Assignments [phone: +1 (805) 893-4021] or Residence Halls Assignments [phone: +1 (805) 893-5513]. Many students on the waiting list will be offered contracts eventually, although it may take until late December. If you are on the waiting list, please check both your Umail and personal email daily or twice daily to see if you are awarded a contract, because last year several students did not respond within 24 hours and their spaces were awarded to other students.
PRIVATE HOUSING (Non-UC Housing)
If you decide to do a private rental, you should be very careful to discuss your exact financial obligations with the landlord before signing a contract. Most require – in advance – the first and last month's rent plus a “security/cleaning deposit.” The deposit is refundable unless money is needed for the repair of any damages made to the apartment. Be sure to examine the apartment carefully with the landlord before renting and note any existing damage (holes in walls, stains on carpets, broken fixtures, etc.). Some will require that you have your carpets professionally steam-cleaned before you leave.
If you are still looking for housing, you may want to join the OISS email listserv where other international students advertise rooms for rent and items for sale. To subscribe to this email list, send an email to: ISABIZ-L-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU.
You should also be sure to check the EAP Housing website: http://eap.ucop.edu/eap/housingboard.shtm, the California Housing board: http://californiahousingboard.yuku.com, the Santa Barbara Student Housing Co-op: http://www.sbcoop.org, and the UCSB Community Housing board: http://www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/cho-rental-home.htm for other rental options.
If you have questions regarding housing, please contact Kate Musselman at the UCSB EAP Campus Office via email: kate@eap.ucsb.edu or phone: +1 (805) 893-5662.
********** HOUSING FAQs **********
* Is it true that if I live in University-owned accommodation, I will have to move out of my housing over the holidays?
It depends. Students living in University-owned apartments are allowed to stay in their apartment during the holidays. Students living in university-owned dormitories, however, will have to leave their rooms over winter and spring breaks, but will not have to move their belongings out of their rooms during this time. The dormitories remain locked over the winter and spring holidays, so belongings should remain safe.
********** REGISTRATION FAQs **********
* Where can I find instructions for registration?
The Office of the Registrar website offers instructions for new students at UCSB: http://www.registrar.ucsb.edu/welcome/welcome-newdirect.htm. Students must have a perm number (UCSB student identification number) in order to register for courses.
* My major shows as “undeclared” on GOLD, what can I do to change this?
Nothing. GOLD shows all undergraduate reciprocity students as having an “undeclared” major. If GOLD says that you cannot take a course because you do not meet the prerequisite or because the course is open to majors only, you need to contact the undergraduate advisor for the appropriate department. The undergraduate advisor for the major that you declared on your EAP application will have a copy of the transcripts from your home university and should be able to assist you with registration. To find the appropriate undergraduate advisor, go to the UCSB website (www.ucsb.edu) and search for the departmental home page.
* GOLD says I do not meet the prerequisites to take a course, how do I prove that I meet the prerequisites?
You will need to contact the undergraduate advisor for the appropriate department. The undergraduate advisor for the major that you declared on your EAP application will have a copy of the transcripts from your home university and should be able to assist you with registration. To find the appropriate undergraduate advisor, go to the UCSB website (www.ucsb.edu) and search for the departmental home page. You may also submit the Prerequisite Clearance Request Form template (http://www.registrar.ucsb.edu/welcome/welcome-newdirect.htm) to the professor or undergraduate advisor.
* How do I get the registration sticker to ride the busses for free?
Once you have registered for 12.0 units on GOLD, updated your local address on GOLD, and paid your fees to the Billing Office (BA/RC), you will be able to request a registration sticker by mail that you can then attach to your Access card (student identity card). Some students may find that they are able to order the sticker without having paid the insurance fees (and University housing fees, if applicable), but the Registrar may block students from ordering the sticker until all fees are paid in full.
* Do I need to fill out the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR)?
No, this form is required only of Californian students to receive an exemption of out-of-state registration fees, but these fees do not apply to EAP Reciprocity students. All EAP Reciprocity students’ registration is paid through their home university and EAP Reciprocity students are therefore exempt to UC registration fees.
* All of the courses I want to take are full (or closed) -- what can I do?
It may still be possible for you to take a class that is full (or closed) through a process called “crashing” (that is, to sit in on a class that is full/closed, join a “crash” list, and add the class as soon as a registered student drops it). Crashing may seem intimidating, but is very common here.
To make crashing a class easier, email the professor who is teaching the class (Cc the Department Undergraduate Advisor) and ask if you can be placed on a waiting list. Explain that you are an EAP student unfamiliar with the registration process here at UCSB for your first quarter. Starting the first week of school, go to all of the classes that you wish to take. Sign the roster so that you reserve a spot and so that the professor knows that you attended. When you successfully get into the class, the professor will provide you with a 4- or 5-digit approval code, which you will then use to add the class on GOLD.
In the meantime, you should sign up for a couple of classes even if you have no interest in taking them. This will enable you to get your registration sticker upon arrival and to use student facilities such as the library, recreational center, and to ride the buses for free. You can drop classes once you successfully crash your desired courses, but you must drop courses by February 2, otherwise you will receive a “failing” grade.
This process may sound overwhelming, but try not to worry. There are many students, both EAP and American, in this situation and rarely does someone graduate from UCSB without having crashed a few classes. I, or anyone else in the EAP office, can give you more advice on how to crash, so do not hesitate to contact us!
* What is the difference between P/NP and a letter grade?
The basic difference is that letter grades are used in calculating the university grade-point average (GPA). Unit credit is awarded for any grade of D- or above (A+ through D-), while no credit is awarded for F grades. Passed/Not Passed (P/NP) grades, on the other hand, are not included in the computation of the university grade-point average and a grade of P will be assigned for coursework equivalent to a C or higher on the letter-grade basis. A grade of NP will be assigned for coursework equivalent to a C- or below, and no unit or degree credit will be awarded. Some universities will not accept courses taken on the P/NP grading option, so please check with your home university before making your selection. For more information on the difference between the two grading options, go to: http://www.advising.ltsc.ucsb.edu/grades/available.php.
* What does “R” in the schedule of classes stand for?
The “R” stands for Thursday (“T” is for Tuesday, “W” for Wednesday, etc.). Thus, a class that meets TR meets Tuesdays and Thursdays.
********** MISCELLANEOUS FAQs **********
* On the UCSB Admissions website, I saw a deadline to submit my Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) and I am confused as to how to complete this form online. What should I do?
Please do NOT complete the SLR as it does not apply to EAP students.
* Is there any way that I can get in contact with other reciprocity students coming in the fall?
Yes. You can join the EAP reciprocity Yahoo group, where people are coordinating arrival information, travel plans, etc. To join, send an email to ucsbreciprocity-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, or visit the page to join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ucsbreciprocity/. Please note that students will have to request to join, because this past year too many people who were not reciprocity students joined and sent everyone spam messages. There is also a Facebook group for general socializing among our EAP students, and you will find that most UCSB students use Facebook. In order to join, you will need to have a username, and you can find it here once you have a login: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17228492764.
* What is the weather like?
Variable. Although we have over 300 days of sunshine a year, it does get cold, especially at night! Pack some sweaters and a warm jacket.
* I want to drive while in CA. What are the requirements for this?
It is recommended that all students who plan to drive during their term abroad obtain a California driver’s license. For more information on how to obtain a CA driver’s license, go to: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/.
* Where can I find out about things to do in Santa Barbara?
For information about weekly community events, The Independent, a local paper published every Thursday, can be picked up on campus free of charge or viewed online at http://www.independent.com/.
General information about Santa Barbara is posted on http://www.santabarbara.com/.
* Where can I find more information about internships?
The best places to find internships related to your field of study are the Career Services office and your academic department office at UCSB. Paid internships and internships that extend beyond a student’s last quarter at UCSB are typically limited to students with J-1 visas only, and require the permission of both the UCSB EAP Office and the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). F-1 visa holders may pursue an internship while a student if they receive academic credit (a registered course or independent study) for the internship and it is related to the academic focus indicated on their DS-2019 / I-20 with the permission of both the UCSB EAP Office and OISS.
* How can I get a Social Security Number if I need one? Why might I need one?
J-1 visa holders who wish to receive a Social Security Number (SSN) should update their local addresses on GOLD, and must wait until 10 days after arrival in the United States to before visiting the Office of International Students and Scholars in order to start the process for applying for a SSN. A student will need a SSN for a California Driver’s License, a California ID (so you do not need to carry your passport), or for employment off-campus.
* I heard that the alcohol policy in the U.S. is very strict and I may be required to show an I.D. card if I try to purchase alcohol - is this true?
YES! We want to remind you that the alcohol policy in the United States is probably enforced more stringently than in your home country. All students are expected to follow state regulations regarding drinking (meaning no alcohol for students under 21 years of age). Even those students who are 21 and older need to be aware of the policies regarding alcohol (see below). Please discuss these policies with a staff administrator or our office if you feel it will be a restriction for you.
Please be aware that in addition to a general drinking age of 21, alcohol in Santa Barbara has certain other restrictions. For example, in order to purchase any alcoholic beverage (in a bar or supermarket) students must show an identification card (I.D.) with their photo and date of birth on it to prove they are 21 or older. Many nightclubs will not admit people under 21, so you must provide your I.D. to gain admittance, regardless of whether you intend to purchase alcohol or not.
Also, it is illegal to carry an “open container” (an open can, bottle, cup or glass of any alcoholic beverage: beer, wine, spirits, etc.) on the streets, parks, and beaches of Santa Barbara, Goleta, or Isla Vista. Please observe these policies or they may lead to fines and/or imprisonment.
Police are also very strict with students bicycling while intoxicated and the offense is treated as seriously as if someone were driving a car while intoxicated.
UCSB is now requiring all new students to complete an online workshop related to alcohol and underage drinking: http://alcohol.sa.ucsb.edu/Requirement/index.aspx.
--
Kate Musselman
Regional Advisor & Reciprocal Exchanges Coordinator
Education Abroad Program, UCSB
http://www.eap.ucsb.edu/
kate@eap.ucsb.edu
+1 805 893 5662
