O’Laughlin InterCultural Center

Damaris M. Vasquez, M.S., Director
TBA, Assistant Director
Reina Ray, B.S. Coordinator

Landon Student Union 304, 305-899-3082
e-mail: iccservices@mail.barry.edu

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The O'Laughlin Intercultural Center (ICC) provides resources, services, and programs designed develop the multicultural and international dimensions of Barry University. The Center seeks to challenge existing cultural stereotypes and misconceptions, to enhance the college’s awareness of the perspectives and needs of its diverse community members, and to aid the college's mission of achieving an intercultural living and learning community. ICC further provides advocacy, support, immigration advising, and other key resources and services to international students and scholars. And finally, it functions as a crucial liaison within the Barry community, and various local, state and federal agencies.

 Every effort is made to promote student awareness of the benefits available to international students under federal regulations.  ICC requires all international students to provide up-to-date information regarding changes in personal and/or academic status. These changes may include a new academic program, change of address, financial status, and transfer to another university. In accordance with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, ICC maintains a complete file on each student, which must include a copy of the endorsed I-20, passport, visa, I-94 card and other related documents.   

International students are required to register full time 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduates and nine credit hours for graduate and six credit hours for doctoral students. At all times, a student must make satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree program.

Students who fall out of status are responsible for filing for reinstatement with ICC staff to the USCIS.    

The Intercultural Center provides advisement with regard to any academic, financial, personal, or immigration matters during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. ICC staff holds a mandatory, extensive orientation for new international students which is held prior to registration in the Fall and Spring semesters. Once students arrive at the university, they are responsible to bring the following documents to check-in and will not be allowed to register for classes without them; an endorsed I-20 or DS-2019 form, a valid passport, a valid visa, an I-94 card, and a completed information sheet (provided by ICC.)

ICC promotes international and cultural awareness to the Barry community by sponsoring the:

• International Assistant Program
• Latino Heritage Month
• International Education Week
• Festival of Nations
• International Student Meetings and Forums
• Cross-cultural Workshops/Simulations
• Cultural Extravaganza
• Immigration Seminars

Frequently asked questions that can be resolved by calling the Intercultural Center include:

• May I work part-time as an international student?
• How and when can I apply for employment authorization?
• What is curricular and optional practical training?
• I forgot to get my I-20 signed and I’m in my home country.  What do I do now?
• How do I apply for an extension of stay in the United States?
• Can I just go to Cancun for Spring break without getting a visa before I go?
• Will I fall out of status if I take less than a full-time course load?
• What’s the difference between an academic advisor and my international student advisor?
• Can I study less than full-time as an international student?