As the University of Delaware looks toward a new academic year, the Office for International Students and Scholars will officially transition into a new information management system, Terra Dotta Software (TDS).

Beginning on Aug. 16, international students and scholars will be able to officially log on to their individualized profile in TDS. Users will complete several paperless tasks, from form completion to recommendation requests, in one central location.

OISS advisers will offer additional services to the international community, including email reminders to complete specific tasks and optional alert communications through text messaging to smartphones.

In addition, through Terra Dotta, international students and scholars will have the opportunity to participate in OISS learning modules to build their understanding of U.S. academic culture, immigration requirements and much more.

“Terra Dotta is a well-established and widely used software in the field of international education,” noted Ravi Ammigan, executive director of OISS. “As we continue to look for new and innovative ways to support the success of our international community, TDS was the next logical step. We are confident that the system will both create an environment for more effective advising services and facilitate a smooth and easy process for international students and scholars to maintain their immigration status.”

UD faculty and staff are invited to attend a special workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 15, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Gore Hall Room 104. OISS staff will introduce TDS and guide representatives through submitting forms and completing recommendations. Registration is encouraged.

Additional workshops and training materials will be made available to the University community upon the start of the fall semester.

To learn more about the OISS launch of Terra Dotta Software, please visit the OISS website or contact OISS Associate Director Janica Cimo.

About the Office for International Students and Scholars

OISS is the designated office at the University of Delaware that provides immigration advising and support services to more than 5,000 international students, scholars and family members from over 100 different countries. Throughout the year, the office also offers a series of workshops, sessions and programming events for the international community at UD.

For more information, visit the OISS website, which provides comprehensive information and resources on how to navigate issues that are most common to international students and scholars in the United States.