Late Arrival for Initial Students

Regulations

The U.S. Federal regulations governing F and J students state that students are in Initial Status when beginning a new program of study or returning after an absence from Baylor.   A new or returning student is issued a Baylor Form I-20 or DS-2019, approved by the U.S. government, with their Program Start Date.  The Program Start Date (also called the Report Date) is the date that students who are in Initial status are expected to arrive and report to Baylor.  Typically, the Program Start Date is 5-7 days before the first day of class. Baylor University expects students to arrive no later than their Program Start Date that is stated on the Form I-20 or DS-2019. However, we recognize that circumstances arise that necessitate a late arrival (flight delays/cancelations, personal issues, visa delays, etc.). Short delays (2-3 days) happen each term and should not create a problem if the student arrives BEFORE classes begin. When a delay conflicts with the start of academic coursework (first day of the academic term), there are other issues for consideration.

We believe it is essential for students to arrive early to be prepared to succeed in their new culture and academic environment.  Students who do not arrive early face delays in their:

• Physical adjustment (resting from travel, setting up their living space, learning about support resources, etc.)

• Sociocultural adjustment (learning about the new culture, making friends, connecting with others from their culture)

• Academic adjustment (learning about academic expectations, receiving course content, having the necessary materials such as books, computer access/programs, etc.)

In addition to the difficulties listed, late arrival creates additional administrative processes for students (and the institution) including multiple communications with campus departments and procedural adjustments. Therefore, to support their own success, students should make every attempt to arrive by the Program Start Date or at least before classes begin.

Students in Initial Status who experience unavoidable delays due to personal emergencies or travel/visa issues, may request a late arrival if they can arrive within 6 days after the start of the term. Students must be able to arrive and complete their check-in with the Center for Global Engagement no later than the 6^th day of the academic term.  If students cannot make this deadline, they should begin the necessary steps to defer to a later term to begin their academic program.

Process

If a student must arrive late, it is the student's responsibility to follow the steps below. 

1. Students should submit a Late Arrival Request in Global Bears.

2. Student should be fully enrolled by the first day of classes. 

3. Students should contact appropriate academic offices:

   1. Undergraduate students are responsible for contacting their professors and their academic advisor to explain their situation and request assistance.  Students may still be counted absent, and professors are not required to allow make-up work. 

   2. Graduate students must receive approval from either their Program Advisor or Graduate Program Director to arrive after classes begin.  Based on the unique flexibility of graduate programs and the requirements of approved assistantships, CGE may approve a later arrival date not to exceed the 11^th day of the term, provided the student is already fully enrolled.  This later arrival date will not exceed the 11^th day of the term.  Approval is not guaranteed.