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ELI NEWS
English Language Institute • University of Pittsburgh 01-19-21, Volume 63 Issue 1
Parkvale Building, Room M13, 200 Meyran Ave • Pittsburgh PA 15260 elipitt@pitt.edu
The ELI News Forbes.com and The Economist? Hour! Join us on Zoom on Friday,
We have a vibrant arts & culture January 22, from 3:00 pm to 4:00
Welcome to scene, professional sports, world- pm to celebrate the end of the first
Spring class museums, many parks and week of classes and to welcome the
Semester outdoor activities, and friendly weekend.
2021! This neighborhoods. Let’s explore the
term we will city together virtually! This is a great opportunity to meet
do lots of fun activities so that you ELI students from other levels, meet
can practice English, make friends, Whether you’ve recently arrived to other ELI teachers, and practice
and have fun outside of the Pittsburgh or have been here for a English in a relaxed, social
classroom. while, join us for this virtual tour environment. Did you know that
where we’ll l show you around our there are students from 9 different
The ELI News is a weekly neighborhoods; talk about our countries in the ELI this semester?
newsletter published by the ELI. favorite places to eat, shop, and We will chat, play games, mingle
The ELI News contains important visit; share photos; and answer any virtually in breakout rooms on
information and announcements that questions you might have about our Zoom, talk about your ideas for
you’ll need. You might also do beautiful city. This is a great way to future ELI activities, and more!
activities with the ELI News in your meet ELI students in other classes games. Please register in advance
Reading classes and perhaps other and levels, practice your English, by 1:00 PM on Friday for this
classes as well. and start planning your outdoor activity so that we can plan for the
adventures for when group activities games. You will use the same
While the University is operating are permitted. password you use to access your
remotely, students will receive The ELI classes.
ELI News in their Pitt email on Advance registration is required.
Thursday mornings. The ELI news Our tour will begin at 1:00 pm on “Happy hour” is traditionally a
can also be found on the ELI’s Zoom. After you register, you will period of the day from 4:00 to 6:00
website. receive an email with more pm when drinks are sold at reduced
information about this activity. For prices at restaurants and bars. For
ELI Activity: this Zoom meeting, you will use the the ELI’s Virtual Happy Hour, you
same password that you use to can enjoy coffee, tea, juice, or
Virtual Tour of access your ELI classes. If you have whatever your favorite beverage is
Pittsburgh any questions about this ELI from the comfort of your own
activity, please contact Rob home. We hope you join us!
Sat, Jan. 23 * 1-2:00 pm Mucklo.
ELI Activity:
ELI Activity: ELI Activities This
ELI Virtual Happy Spring
Hour
Friday, January 22 * Welcome to Spring 2021 in the
ELI! Even though there are social
3:00-4:00PM distancing policies and procedures
that we must follow, we will still
Did you know Pittsburgh has been plan weekly virtual social and
ranked as the “Most Livable City in cultural activities to give you
You’re invited to the ELI Intensive opportunities use your English
the US” several times by both English Program’s Virtual Happy outside of class and have some fun!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Visit the ELI NEWS online: www.eli.pitt.edu/eli-newsAt some point we would love to do • Pitt Center for Creativity Pitt Emergency Alert
activities in person and outdoors, so We hope you take advantage of
as soon as we have permission from these opportunities to use English System
the government and the University outside of the classroom, make By Stacy Ranson
we’ll explore those options. friends with students in degree
programs at Pitt, and have fun, too! It is very important that ELI
We already have lots of ideas for students know when there is an
virtual activities: emergency regarding the University
Health and Wellness of Pittsburgh. For this reason, all
• Virtual Happy Hour – Fri., Jan. Resources at Pitt ELI students must sign up for the
22, 3-4:00 pm Emergency Notification System that
• Explore Pittsburgh – Sat., Jan. 23, Your health is very important, is provided by the University of
1-2:00 pm especially during stressful times, but Pittsburgh. This system will contact
• Scavenger Hunt – TBD there are many free resources you by phone, email, or text, to tell
available to students to stay healthy you when there is an emergency
• Cooking Lesson – brownies,
both physically and emotionally: regarding the University.
macaroni & cheese, and more! -
When there is an emergency, you
TBD
• Pitt Fitness Centers and Gyms should follow the directions from
• Valentine’s Day Cards &
• Be Fit Pitt (live streaming and the system notification.
Traditions – TBD
• Online Video Game Competition online exercise and fitness)
To subscribe to the Pitt Emergency
- TBD • Healthy Ride (free bike rental for
Notification System:
• International Speed Friending - Pitt students and employees)
TBD • Wellness Workshops from the
• Log in to my.pitt.edu
• Virtual Movie Night – (time and Pitt Counseling Center
• Click on “My Resources” at
movie TBD) • The Stress Free Zone the top of the page
• Poetry Writing for Non-Native • University Counseling Center • Click on “Emergency
Speakers of English – TBD • Student Health Services Notification”
• Virtual Picnic – TBD • Enter your phone number and
• Language & Music Club – TBD In addition, students in the ELI’s check whether you would like
• Reading Club - TBD Intensive English Program can also a voice message or text
contact the ELI Student Services • Click “Submit”
We’ll announce all of the dates and Supervisor, Stacy Ranson, for
times in upcoming issues of the ELI additional support. It is very easy to sign up and only
News. You can also visit the ELI takes a minute. Please sign up
Activities Calendar online. Talk Time Conversation today!
Groups Write for
Off-campus and in-person activities
may be added if and when By: Suzanne Meyer the ELI News
University and government policies
allow for it. Talk Time conversation groups The ELI loves to publish articles by
meet for one hour each week. Each its students. Would you like to share
group includes an English speaker your thoughts or an essay you
More Fun Things to Do and a small group of about ELI wrote? Would you like to write
students. Joining a Talk Time about your American experience?
To find out what fun activities are conversation group is a great way to Would you like to teach us
planned for students in the ELI practice listening and speaking as something about your culture? If
and/or offered by the University, well as to learn about culture! so, please email your submissions to
check out these websites:
us at elipitt@pitt.edu. This is a good
• ELI Activities Calendar online Look in next week’s ELI News for chance to improve your English and
• Pitt Events Calendar more information about Talk have your writing published. All
• Pitt Program Council Time as well as details about how levels are welcome!
• Pitt Student Organizations and to register for a Talk Time group!
Clubs
• Pitt Global Ties ELI Storytellers Series
• Pitt International Community
Facebook Group One of the benefits of studying at
• Pitt Serves (volunteer the ELI is the chance to meet and to
opportunities) learn from people with diverse
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Visit the ELI NEWS online: www.eli.pitt.edu/eli-news 2backgrounds and experience. The informal communication. It’s a recommend or offer specific health
ELI Storytellers Series gives great chance for each person to insurance plans. Students may
students an opportunity to share meet someone and learn about choose any hospital insurance plan
their stories with classmates. another culture in English. Your they like, and the ELI will request a
Speakers give a 10-15 minute partner may want to practice your copy of the insurance card with the
presentation, followed by a question language, too. Look for more details student’s name. Students who do
and answer period. The talks are about registering for a conversation not provide proof of health
scheduled during the 12:00 or 1:00 partner in next week’s ELI News insurance by 12:00 p.m. on Friday,
lunch break or after classes at 4:00. January 29, 2020 will not be
The series is open to all ELI ELI Absence Policy permitted to register for classes.
students, and it is a great way to get Please email Stacy if you have any
extra speaking and listening practice For the Spring 2021 term, questions or need help finding
outside of class. Your English attendance will be taken each day in insurance. Do not submit the
doesn’t have to be perfect! This is a class on Zoom. You must attend proof of insurance through email.
great opportunity to challenge each class during the Zoom class Please submit it using this secure
yourself and share your story with period to be counted present. Please link:
ELI friends, teachers and note that the ELI attendance policy https://dsaspitt.wufoo.com/forms/p1
classmates. states that “there is no such thing as lquhtz01f7d2d/
an excused absence” in the ELI.
How about you? Do you have an Even if you are sick, the absence U.S. Alcohol Laws
interest or a skill you would like to must be counted as an absence
tell us about? Have you according to the ELI rules. All ELI students and employees of
accomplished something special or the University must fully obey the
done something fun and exciting? According to the ELI absence laws of the Commonwealth of
Would you like to share information policy, if you miss over 8 classes, Pennsylvania regarding the
about your culture or hometown? you will not receive a certificate of possession and consumption of
What is your story? If you are attendance at the end of the term. If alcohol. These laws prohibit
interested in giving a short you miss over 12, you may not be providing alcohol to anyone under
presentation, email Heather invited back to the ELI next term. If the age of 21 or to anyone visibly
at hlm44@pitt.edu. you are an F-1 student and you miss intoxicated. Anyone under the age
over 15 classes, your visa may be of 21 is prohibited from possessing
New Student Checklist terminated. Please see the online or consuming alcoholic beverages
Student Handbook for more under any circumstances, and
Did you remember to: information on the ELI attendance anyone under the age of 21 is
policy. In addition, please prohibited from being on licensed
• Get your Student ID card? remember that sponsored students premises where alcohol is served,
• Activate and begin to regularly use have attendance rules from their unless under proper supervision.
your Pitt email? sponsors, as well. Please contact Stacy if you have any
• Update your mailing address? questions about these laws.
• Submit a copy of your Financial Remember that if you do not do the
Guarantee? work in your classes and the
• Give a copy of your Financial homework, this will affect your How to Get a Pitt ID
Guarantee to the Student Payment grade. If you want to make progress Remotely
Center? with your language learning, it is
• Buy your textbooks? important that you attend class on Panther Central, like the rest of the
• Make sure all of your technology time, regularly, with your University of Pittsburgh, has
for class is working and software is homework complete. Please contact changed how they operate due to
updated, including virus and Stacy if you have any questions or COVID-19. To get a Pitt ID from
malware protection? concerns about attendance in the the comfort and safety of your own
ELI. home, follow these directions:
Conversation Partners
By: Suzanne Meyer
Health Insurance 1) Make sure your Pitt email is
active and you are using it.
Requirements 2) Go to the Panther Central
The Culture and Language website (pc.pitt.edu) and click
Exchange Program pairs ELI IEP The ELI requires all students to “Panther Card.”
students with English speaking show proof of health insurance 3) Read through the “Panther Card
“Conversation Partners” for coverage. The ELI does not Self Service Photo Upload” and
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Visit the ELI NEWS online: www.eli.pitt.edu/eli-news 3click “Online Photo • eCheck: Free online transfer
Submission.” (They also have Computing Labs: Free use of the from a US bank account to your
great guidelines on acceptable computing labs throughout campus, Pitt account.
photos and a “Frequently Asked including Hillman Library and the
Questions” section.) Read the Cathedral of Learning. • Payment plan: $45 fee, see
instructions. They’ve included http://payments.pitt.edu/payment-
photo requirements and some Transportation: Free use of plans/
tips for getting good photos for Pittsburgh city buses as well as
your ID card. Then take your University of Pittsburgh shuttles • Credit cards: online only at
picture. around campus. The Pittsburgh city my.pitt.edu. There is an
4) When you have a photo that you train (called “the T” by locals) is additional 2.75% fee for using a
think fits the requirements, free with you Pitt ID too. credit card.
submit it by clicking “Online
Photo Submission” on that same Other Fun Stuff: Free admission to • International students paying with
page. You should use your Pitt the Phipps Conservatory and a foreign bank account may use
email address to do this so that Botanical Gardens, as well as free Flywire.
Panther Central can verify your rides on the Duquesne Incline and
identity faster. more! Please note that the Student
5) Send an email to Payment Center offices are
panthercentral@pitt.edu from I-94 Numbers Required currently staffed remotely. There is
your Pitt email account to alert nobody in the Thackeray Hall
them that you have submitted a Each student must give the ELI offices, so cash, paper checks, and
photo and need a Pitt ID card. Main Office his or her I-94 money orders cannot be accepted or
Include your Peoplesoft Number admission number by 4:00 p.m. processed at this time. Please email
and a current, valid mailing EST on Friday, January 29. To payments@pitt.edu (include your
address. find your DHS I-94 admission 7 digit student ID or Peoplesoft
number: number) or call 412-624-7520 for
You will be notified by Panther 1. Go to: remote assistance.
Central when your card is in the https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
mail. Due to the COVID-19 2. Click “Get Most Recent I-94”
situation, Panther Central asks that Important Dates for
3. Click on “Consent and Continue”
you allow 1-2 weeks for this 4. Enter information exactly as it Spring 2021
process. If you need to re-take your appears on your visa.
photo because it does not meet the 5. Submit by 4:00 p.m. EST on Below are some important dates to
requirements, this process could Friday, January 29 using this mark on your calendars for Spring
take longer. Please note that secure link: 2021 for the Intensive English
students studying remotely in their https://dsaspitt.wufoo.com/forms/p1 Program (IEP).
home countries are not eligible to lquhtz01f7d2d/
receive a Pitt ID. Program Dates for the Intensive
Email the ELI Main Office at English Program (IEP): January
What Can You Do with elipitt@pitt.edu if you have any 12-April 12
questions. IEP First Day of Classes: January
a Student ID Card? 19
IEP Last Day to Withdraw:
Did you know that your Pitt student Paying Tuition January 29
ID card gives you free access to Spring 2021 IEP Last Day to Submit Proof of
transportation, the student Health Insurance and I-94’s:
computing labs, and libraries? With Tuition is charged to your Pitt January 29
your valid Pitt ID you can also get account typically within 24 hours of IEP Tuition Payment Deadline:
discounted rates on museum visits registering. To avoid late fees, you February 10
too! Here are some of the resources should pay your tuition for the Fall Holidays (No ELI Classes):
available to you when you carry 2020 term by February 10, 2021. January 18, February 23, March 24
your Pitt student ID. Check your account by logging in to IEP Final Exams: April 5-8
my.pitt.edu and clicking PittPay. IEP Last Day of Classes/Closing
Museums: Free admission at the There are several ways to pay your Ceremony: April 12
Andy Warhol Museum, The tuition.
Mattress Factory, the Carnegie
Museum of Art and Natural History
and other museums in Pittsburgh.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Visit the ELI NEWS online: www.eli.pitt.edu/eli-news 4Withdrawal and Refund Community ELI Quote Corner
Policy Conversation
Every week, we try to include a
If you wish to drop one or more of your
Course begins January quote to inspire your thoughts and
classes, you should immediately inform 2021 conversation with friends,
the ELI Main Office (ELIpitt@pitt.edu) classmates, and family. Feel free to
and the ELI Student Advisor, Stacy The ELI is pleased to announce that send us your favorite inspirational
Ranson (SAR72@pitt.edu). quotes.
our Community Conversation
Course (CCC) is returning for the
If you drop courses before the end of Spring 2021 semester. This course “The best preparation for tomorrow
the ELI Add/Drop period on February helps non-native speakers of is doing your best today.” – H.
5, 2021, you will receive a full refund. Jackson Brown, Jr. (author of Life’s
This check will be mailed to your home
English improve their English
language speaking and listening Little Instruction Book)
mailing address. This takes
approximately 2 weeks. If you drop conversation skills. CCC is open to
courses after the ELI Add/Drop period University of Pittsburgh students, Source: BrainyQuote
on February 5, 2021, you will NOT staff, and faculty as well as to
receive a refund. community members. All classes SOUND OFF: Do you agree or
will be held remotely over disagree with this quote, and why?
Sponsorship Letters Zoom. To register for CCC, What do you do to prepare for
applicants must complete the CCC tomorrow? What do you do to make
online application and pay the $100 sure you’re always doing your best
If you have an official sponsorship
registration fee. More information (including ways to take care of
letter from your government
can be found on the ELI website yourself)?
(SACM or CBIE, for example) you
must submit it to the ELI Main (linked above).
Office. Students must send an NameCoach at Pitt
updated sponsor letter to the ELI How to Contact the
and to the Student Payment Center NameCoach allows you to record
each term. If you have any ELI’s Main Office for yourself saying your name, which
questions about this, please contact Assistance helps others to know how to
the ELI Main Office at pronounce it. Your NameCoach
elipitt@pitt.edu. Please submit the As the Parkvale Building that recording can easily be shared in
letters to the ELI using this secure houses the ELI offices and your email signature (set this up
link (do not email): classrooms remains closed, the under “Settings” or by clicking on
https://dsaspitt.wufoo.com/forms/p1 Main Office is happy to assist you the gear symbol), LinkedIn, and
lquhtz01f7d2d/ virtually and over the phone. social media.
For virtual assistance, you can email There’s more to NameCoach than
ELI Joke of the Week ELIpitt@pitt.edu at any time. just recording your name so that
Someone will reply within 24 hours others know how to say it.
Every week, we try to include some or as soon as possible. Emails sent Instructors can add it to Canvas, and
family-friendly jokes to make over the weekend will be answered you can also specify which personal
everyone laugh. It’s also a good the following business day or as gender pronouns (he, she, or they)
way to practice word play in soon as possible. You can also you prefer.
English. This week’s joke is request a Zoom meeting. All emails
courtesy of Parade. Feel free to send will be answered and Zoom calls Go to my.pitt.edu to get started, and
us your favorite family-friendly scheduled during normal business search for NameCoach. You can
jokes. hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. EST also read more about it in Pittwire (a
Monday-Friday). University of Pittsburgh newsletter)
Question: What do you think of that and on the Pitt Information
new diner on the moon? For assistance over the phone, call Technology website.
412-624-5901 during normal
Answer: The food was good, but business hours. If you cannot get The ELI bids you
there really wasn’t much through, or if you need to call
atmosphere. outside of normal business hours,
leave a voicemail and someone will
return your call within 24 hours.
Weekend calls will be answered as to the Spring 2021 Semester!
soon as possible during the week.
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Visit the ELI NEWS online: www.eli.pitt.edu/eli-news 5You can also read
