There are several matters we would like to discuss that concern our graduate student population. The first issue concerns students who for whatever reason cannot take classes for a particular long (Spring or Fall) semester. If this is the case, you have to file for a "leave of absence" from our graduate program to remain in good standing. Starting in 2003, students that have not been enrolled for two long semesters and did not file a leave of absence will be removed from our graduate programs.

The second issue concerns keeping your postal address, your e-mail address, and your visa status current in the UH administrative database. This is very important because it enables us to contact you without delays and dependent on your visa status different UH policies apply to you.

1. Postal address
   Students must file changes of address using teh PeopleSoft system (UH Self-Serve). They must also inform ISSSO.

2. E-mail access
   Two e-mail accounts are available to every Computer Science student. One is a UH e-mail account and one is a Computer Science e-mail account. To apply for a UH account, students should bring their current Cougar 1Card to the IT Support Center counter in Room 56 of the M.D. Anderson Library basement; the counter is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information regarding services provided by Information Technology, refer to Student Essentials. Also, International Student Services have a very good web page explaining how to update and redirect your e-mail alias. They are strongly encouraging those on student visas to use the UH e-mail alias because they send important notices to international students through this means. To apply for a CS account, obtain an application from 501PGH. It is important to get a CS account because we e-mail important information of interest to all graduate students. The department has created an alias on which all graduate students opening a CS account are placed.
3. Visa status
   If your visa status changes after being admitted, you should take the INS paperwork to International Student Services, 306 SSC, and ask them to change your visa status in the UH database.

The third issue only concerns those on F-1 and J-1 student visas. Beginning with the Spring 2003 semester and in all future Fall and Spring semesters, all students holding F-1 and J-1 student visas must satisfy one of the following conditions: (1) Be enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hours, or (2) petition the department and the college to take fewer than nine semester hours. This petition must include evidence that the student intends to graduate during the semester being petitioned (for example, application for graduation, thesis defense date, etc.). Such a petition will be approved only once in a students career. This policy also applies to students on fulltime CPT.