JCU - Tulane Spring Scholars

JCU / Tulane Spring Scholars Zoom Call
Date/time
Wednesday, July 15, 12-1pm (New York) / 6-7pm (Rome)
Organizer
• Tony Hayes, tony.hayes@me.com, +1-617-216-3340
JCU speakers
• Dr. Jose B. Alvarez, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Operations
• Ms. Carla Wiegers, Dean of Students
• Ms. Arianna Catti De Gasperi, Director of Admissions
• Ms. Michel Rosuelo, Coordinator for Partner Schools Admissions
Questions submitted in advance

1. Teaching
o Has the class schedule changed materially from prior years?
o Will the method of instruction change – classroom layout? Teacher/student and
student/student interaction?
2. Classes
o What is a typical course load?
o Many of JCU’s classes appear to be full when students try to register. In addition to the
Tulane-approved classes, are there other classes that may be applicable?
3. Housing
o It’s now 1 student per room. Can you describe the layout of the apartments?
o Will all of the Tulane students be grouped together? Can students request who they room
with?
o What’s provided in the apartment vs. what should students plan to bring?
4. Arrival
o Students are asked to arrive on Saturday, September 19. For booking flights, do we need to
aim for any particular arrival time?
o Can you describe the arrival procedure? Students need to bring their JCU letter confirming
attendance and their completed declaration, yes?
o What’s covered in orientation?
5. Visa
o It would be helpful to confirm the current plan: Saturday, September 19 – Tuesday,
December 15 which is 88 days = no visa required. Students will show their JCU letter upon
arrival to verify their student status, yes?
o If people want to arrive earlier or stay later, they will need a visa. Is there any downside to
applying for a visa?
1
6. Quarantine
o With the current rules, US students need to quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival. The
“default” option is for students to stay in their dorms for 2 weeks and have remote
instruction, followed by in-person learning. Do you think that these quarantine rules will be
adjusted between now and September 19?
o Could students arrive two weeks earlier (say, Saturday, September 5) and quarantine in
advance so that they can attend all classes in-person? Of course, this would require a visa
given a 90+ day stay in Italy
7. Travel
o With the shortened semester, there will now be classes on some Fridays. Can you please
describe the calendar and when there will be long weekends?
o Are there restrictions on students’ ability to travel, within Italy and within Europe, when
they are enrolled at JCU?
8. Food
o Can you please describe the JCU meal plan?
o What’s “typical” in terms of eating at JCU vs. eating in the dorm vs. going out to eat?
9. Payment for Tuition & Housing
o Please provide an update on what payments are due and when,
https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees/fall-2020-spring-2021/dollars.aspx
 Tuition, $12,450 – already paid deposit of $500
 Housing cost, $3,900 – already paid deposit of $1,000
10. Money
o Any guidance on how much spending money is advisable?
11. Thanksgiving
o Thanksgiving is a major US holiday, celebrated on Thursday, November 26, this year. Can
you please advise on what people have done in prior years – some families meet in Rome,
some students celebrate together in Rome, etc.? Do you think this year will be very
different?
12. Tulane
o How many Tulane students do you expect in the Fall? How does this compare to other
years? What percentage is this of the total student body?
o What interaction do Tulane students at JCU have with Tulane University – registering for
classes in the Spring? Applying for Tulane housing, etc.?
o Which other US colleges will have large groups of students at JCU in the Fall?
2
Notes
• 70 participants (including 4 JCU speakers)

• Zoom call was recorded by JCU, recording to be made available
School plans
• Will have ~550 students, only one-third of normal attendance, to allow for sufficient social
distancing
• Classes will be on Monday & Wednesdays, or Tuesday & Thursdays
• 70% of classes will be fully in-person, 30% will be hybrid (one day in-person and other remote)
o Classrooms have been adjusted to space out desks
o If remote, will be asynchronous
• JCU will provide 240 classes in the Fall
o If try to register and class shows as full, email school directly and they will enroll you
Housing
• 1 student per bedroom (unless bedroom is very large – 30 square meters)
o 2-4 students per apartment
• Apartments will be cleaned once per week
o JCU will put cleaning supplies in every apartment and encourage students to sanitize
• JCU Residential Advisor lives in building
Timing
• Classes start on Monday, September 21
• Two options for when students can arrive (and only two options)
o Arrive on Monday, September 7 or Saturday, September 19
• Option 1: Arrive on Monday, Sept 7
o Need a visa
o Quarantine in apartment for 2 weeks
o Start classes in-person
• Option 2: Arrive on Saturday, Sept 19
o No visa needed
o Quarantine in apartment for 2 weeks
o Do first 2 weeks of classes remotely
• Option 1 and Option 2 students will be housed separately
• Last exam on Monday, December 14
• Leave JCU housing on Tuesday, December 15
Visa
• For option 1, the student must have a visa (in order to spend more than 90 days in Europe)
• You can only apply at your local Italian consulate
o Some are open (Washington DC, Boston, Houston); others not yet
• Apply for a Type D study visa
o Cannot apply more than 90 days in advance of arrival date
o Can apply now and should take 2 days – 2 weeks to receive
• List of Italian consulates in the US
3
o https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/informazioni_e_servizi/la_re
te_consolare/
Arrival process
• Let JCU know flight details for when arriving at Fiumicino airport
• JCU will arrange transportation from airport directly to JCU housing
Quarantine process
• Cannot leave apartment building for 14 days (but can leave apartment to go to common areas
within the building)
o Quarantine rules are defined by Italian authorities, rules are updated every 15 days
• JCU medic will take student temperatures every day
o Report to Italian public authorities every day
• JCU will not proactively do a COVID-19 test
o If student exhibits symptoms, then perform test
• Students can order food or groceries for delivery
o Delivered to apartment lobby; JCU brings to student apartment
If sick
• If a student does get sick or becomes infected with COVID-19, they will be isolated in their room
o Same procedures as with quarantine – temperature checked daily and reported to the
authorities
• If acutely sick, will be taken to the hospital
o JCU will accompany student to the hospital and provide ongoing support
Meal Plan
• JCU has a cafeteria
o Being adapted in light of pandemic – no salad bar, all food served
o 2 students per table
• “Easy Desk” – JCU-created app to track busy-ness of cafeteria
Weekend travel
• JCU may organize some trips (e.g. to local museum, to a cooking class) but unlikely to arrange
overnight trips
• Students are free to plan their own weekends away. Can go anywhere in Schengen area
Orientation
• Orientation is normally in-person; this year will be handled online
• Students will receive email to prompt them to log into the portal later in the summer
o Portal will have videos and online quizzes
• Students will be asked for their arrival flight information
• Portal will include an “Arrival Survival” booklet
o Includes a suggested packing list
o JCU supplies linens and towels
4
Other notes
• Assurance that airlines will allow students to come to Italy
o Confirmed by Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
https://www.esteri.it/mae/en/ministero/normativaonline/decreto-iorestoacasa-domande-
frequenti/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia.html
o Need to bring JCU letter and also self-certification
• Some airlines may want to see proof of return flight
o Passport should be valid for 6 months past return date (so June 15, 2021)
• Thanksgiving
o In prior years, a number of US parents have come to Rome for Thanksgiving
o This year, if rules are unchanged, then tourists will not be allowed
• Health insurance is highly encouraged
o Only costs ~$48 per month
o Information, https://www.johncabot.edu/student-life/campus-services/immigration/health-
insurance.aspx
o Insurance provided by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI)
• Banking
o Plenty of ATMs near campus
o Credit cards are widely accepted
o Notify US bank that you will be living abroad to avoid account being flagged for suspicious
charges
• Students can normally add or drop classes up to 1 week into the semester
5
Chat texts
From Tamara Rosner to Everyone: (12:13 PM)
If you have a chance, please let us know if there are any consulates near Chicago that are open. I am
planning to contact them, but also let me know if anyone has had luck with getting signed by a
"Honorary Consul/Consular Correspondent (not Notary Public)" and sending in mail. Also, what are
people doing about flights? What airlines are flying and what airport did you say we would fly into?
Thanks
From lynn athens boyle to Everyone: (12:13 PM)
Do you provide direction on obtaining student visa and expediting now that we have the option of
quarantining Sept 7
From Michelle Frey to Everyone: (12:14 PM)
Is there any thought to testing/swabbing the kids in lieu of quarantining
From Carter Thomas to Everyone: (12:14 PM)
Will students be able to travel outside of Italy at all during the semester
From Istini Siddharta to Everyone: (12:14 PM)
Do you have suggested packing list?
From Jeryl Golub to Everyone: (12:14 PM)
What is the school schedule? Example: will there be days off for holidays or are they having classes
straight through?
From Katie Quinn to Everyone: (12:15 PM)
When will students receive the letters needed from JCU to submit for their Visa appointment?
From gary gorman to Everyone: (12:15 PM)
Can students quarantine in Schengen countries for 14 days before entering Italy? If yes, what are the
names of those countries?
From Jessica Abramson to Everyone: (12:15 PM)
What kind of Visa is required because when I asked about a student Visa, they told me that had to be
processed 90 days before the kids leave the US
From Victoria Barry to Everyone: (12:15 PM)
6
Can you mail into a consulate that is not responsible for your region?
From Cheryl Keenan to Everyone: (12:15 PM)
Do they get a "study abroad" visa or a "full Italian university" visa? I assume it's a "full Italian university"
visa since they are not enrolled at Tulane.
From Istini Siddharta to Everyone: (12:15 PM)
What banking facilities, e.g ATM, debit card is available, because students cannot open bank account?
Are there any safety deposit box in the student room?
From Theresa Brown to Everyone: (12:16 PM)
during the in room quarantine period, how will food ordering be handled? ordering from the cafeteria,
other sources or both
what if we can't get a flight for those exact dates. i haven't checked flights yet, but I assume they will be
limited
From Kathi Turner to Everyone: (12:18 PM)
I just called the Consulate of Boston and it said the office is now closed and to visit the website.
Can the students get a visa once in Italy to extend their stay?
can you get a visa while in Italy
Is it the Italian Consulate or the US that provide Visa?
If students want to order an absentee ballot while they are at JCU, what address should they use?
From georgecarney to Everyone: (12:19 PM)
It possible that schools in USA might not allow students on campus (or limited) for Spring term, likely we
will not know this for sure until later in year, is there a way a student could register for spring later in
year once we know this is going to happen?
From Arianna Catti De Gasperi to Everyone: (12:20 PM)
7
Michel Rosuelo will be sending Visa packets to all of the students. She will follow up with all of the
students/parents
You said you will be mailing the student package for visa applications. When will you be doing this and
by what format email or postal mail?
From Me to Everyone: (12:21 PM)
If a student gets sick (including coronavirus) while at JCU, what is the protocol?
When will the visa packages go out? By email? My daughter has an appointment for tomorrow.
From Caroline Elkins to Everyone: (12:22 PM)
The Boston consulate website only shows visa appointments for today. Otherwise, it shows that all
dates going forward for the next several months have no appointments available. Can you provide
clarity as to whether or not the Boston consulate is offering visa appointments?
is that type D or B
From Scotty Reiss to Everyone: (12:23 PM)
Are the trastevere apartments open? And if not, do students have to reapply for housing if they selected
Trastevere as their first choice?
From Gayl Talbert to Everyone: (12:23 PM)
When out of quarantine will the classes be with a “real” instructor or with someone talking on a screen
How long does a passport have to be valid past December?
From Gregory Madzio to Everyone: (12:24 PM)
if a student quarantine for 14 days in Schengen country, and arrive to Italy on the 17-21 September than
Italian visa is not needed, correct?
Is quarantine one student to a bedroom or one student to an apartment?
8
Do grocery stores delivery by an app or how do the students pay for groceries
From Abby Pensky to Everyone: (12:26 PM)
Do you have assurances from the Italian government/airlines that the letter you provide will be enough
”proof” of being a student to allow travel on September 19th?
Via della Lungara 233, 00165, Rome, Italy It's the Italian Consulate that issues the Visa Visa packets will
be sent both via email and UPS
From Julie McKellar to Everyone: (12:27 PM)
Are student trips being planned by JCU
Will the quarantined students be able to spend time together or will they have to remain in their room
Visa Type D
We have paid the deposit and $2,000 of boarding, when are the tuition and balance of housing and food
fees due?
From Charlie Sorenson to Everyone: (12:31 PM)
Will they we tested during quarantine?
From Ingrid Carney to Everyone: (12:33 PM)
Many classes at JCU take advantage of the city by having sessions on site at cathedrals, monuments,
ruins throughout the city. Will these programs still be able to experience Rome and its surrounding areas
in these classes?
From Tony Stais to Everyone: (12:33 PM)
can we get more info on this question:
From Tony Stais to Everyone: (12:33 PM)
Will the quarantined students be able to spend time together or will they have to remain in their room
9
From Deborah Abraham to Everyone: (12:34 PM)
how will students take placement tests if they are in the 2 week quarantine
GREAT! Thanks for the answer!
If we requested a visa packet, do you know when it will arrive so we can book our appointment with the
consulate?
From Charlie Sorenson to Everyone: (12:36 PM)
How many ppl are signed up for JCU?
From Michel Rosuelo to Everyone: (12:37 PM)
Hi Jessica, we send visa packets via UPS and delivery takes 3-5 business days.. Go ahead and book the
appointment and I will have the visa packet sent this week.
From Christina Gerry to Everyone: (12:37 PM)
During quarantine will the students have any ability to get outside? Get some fresh air?
From Kassandra Souply to Everyone: (12:37 PM)
With some students arriving on the 7th and some arriving on the 19th — will each apartment be full of
only students arriving on the same day, so quarantine times are the same?
what if you roommate is able to come on the 7th (from Houston) and I can't come until the 19
Can a student register for the spring semester at JCU later in the fall? Say Nov/Dec, if we learn school in
US will be remote?
Are the people we quarantine with going to be our roommate/apartment mates for the entire
semester?
From Matt Frey to Everyone: (12:39 PM)
10
Lots of push ups
Hi George, October 15 is the deadline for spring and since students need the visa for spring, he/she
should apply before or on October 15
Lots of Opening windows
So that we can schedule an appointment for a visa, can you let us know when we will receive the
required visa packet?
Can students travel on the weekend within Italy?
will you answer the additional questions in a FAQ or email? i was asking about flights
From Michelle Frumkin to Everyone: (12:42 PM)
Is the apartment you quarantine in, your permanent apartment? Or will there be changes once both
quarantine periods are over?
Will all of the Tulane students be housed in the same apartment building?
What if the roommates come together?
Can students travel on the weekend outside of Italy, say to Paris?
Since tourists aren’t allowed, how do we know airlines/customs will honor the letter from JCU as proof
of being a student for travel Sept. 19th?
From Jon Meyer to Everyone: (12:44 PM)
11
if student is unable to secure a visa from their consulate, could they leave EU, to a non quarantine
country, to renew 90 days?
Does anyone know if there is a group chat or something for students to get to know each other
From Kassandra Souply to Everyone: (12:45 PM)
Do students NEED to choose a roommate? Are most choosing or are they allowing JCU to choose?
From Peter Simmons to Everyone: (12:45 PM)
do you encourage supplemental health insurance?
Do we make our own travel arrangements? How do we communicate that with you for transportation to
JCUY?
From Christina Gerry to Everyone: (12:46 PM)
Do you need to have your R/T ticket when you enter the country? Showing you are departing within 90
days?
https://www.esteri.it/mae/en/ministero/normativaonline/decreto-iorestoacasa-domande-
frequenti/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia.html
There is a FB group for accepted students for the Fall semester. Michele Rosuelo has invited them all to
be part of the group
FYI (especially to Kassandra and Michelle) my daughter met someone at the destination Tulane for
spring scholars and they decided to room together and have been chatting, I can ask her about a group
chat
From Peter Simmons to Everyone: (12:48 PM)
thank you
Could there be a staff member with the student in the event they need to go to the hospital to help
translate?
From Rich Levy to Everyone: (12:49 PM)
12
I have signed up for the insurance — it takes 5 minutes — and costs virtually nothing.
Could you send the link for the insurance?
https://www.johncabot.edu/student-life/campus-services/immigration/health-insurance.aspx
How long does a passport have to be valid after December?
Will you send a “packing list” for items that students should bring?
Are you still supplying linens and towels?
We’re seeing on websites it says 3 months
Since passport agencies are closed
when is tuition payment expected
Is Apple Pay (or paying with their phone) widely accepted abroad?
— I meant widely accepted in Rome…
Sorry to repeat. Does my son have to go to a particular Consulate? Or can he go to others?
Can you review the exit plan? The schedule is tight. All students must leave by Dec 15? When is the last
day of the last possible exam?
13
hi Gayl, he has to go to the Consulate that is nearer to his residency
From Leslie Morris to Everyone: (12:56 PM)
What is the latest one can arrive on the 7th and can they arrive on the 6th if necessary
It isn’t necessarily the consulate that is closest to home. Example: Detroit serves TN.
https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/informazioni_e_servizi/la_rete_consolar
e/
The note said early on the 7th - is 5:00 pm too take for them to arrive?
I have to go, thanks everyone. Please send follow up information and maybe the parents can have a
group email/chat too. Maybe you can ask if we are okay being a part of it before releasing emails
Hi Gary, yes December 15 is the move out date. The last day of final exam is on December 14
Tamara (and everyone) - there’s a Facebook group for Tulane Spring Scholar parents
thank you, this has been very helpful.
This is great. Super helpful. Thank you so much!
Michel, Jose, Carla, Arianna Great Job!!!
From Michelle Frumkin to Everyone: (1:01 PM)
14
Will you be able to let parents know at some point whether most students pick 7 or 21?
Yes, thank you!
Thank you! This was so helpful!
From Sylvia Aerenson to Everyone: (1:01 PM)
will michel coordinate once everyone is booked on flights to connect them on their flights over?
From Deborah Abraham to Everyone: (1:01 PM)
thank you. great information!
Jose B. Alvarez, jalvarez@johncabot.edu Carla Wiegers, cwiegers@johncabot.edu
text Tammy at 773-844-7464 and my daughter can add your student to the group me
deanofstudents@johncabot.edu
should the students have already picked their course?
Arianna Catti de Gasperi, acattidegasperi@joncabot.edu
Here’s the link to the Spring Scholars Parents Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/537521003828989
From Sylvia Aerenson to Everyone: (1:03 PM)
how many students at this time?
15
FYI - Tulane approved a course that wasn’t on Tulane’s list and the approval was very fast, in case your
student sees a class they want to take that doesn’t appear on their list...
From Robert Collins to Everyone: (1:04 PM)
Thanks everyone!
Thank you!
From Scotty Reiss to Everyone: (1:04 PM)
Thank you everyone!
From Katie Quinn to Everyone: (1:04 PM)
Thank you!
16

JCU - Tulane Spring Scholars

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JCU - Tulane Spring Scholars

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JCU / Tulane Spring Scholars Zoom Call

Questions submitted in advance

• 70 participants (including 4 JCU speakers)

From lynn athens boyle to Everyone: (12:13 PM)

From Michelle Frey to Everyone: (12:14 PM)

Is there any thought to testing/swabbing the kids in lieu of quarantining

From Carter Thomas to Everyone: (12:14 PM)

From Istini Siddharta to Everyone: (12:14 PM)

Do you have suggested packing list?

From Jeryl Golub to Everyone: (12:14 PM)

From Katie Quinn to Everyone: (12:15 PM)

From gary gorman to Everyone: (12:15 PM)

From Jessica Abramson to Everyone: (12:15 PM)

From Victoria Barry to Everyone: (12:15 PM)

From Cheryl Keenan to Everyone: (12:15 PM)

From Istini Siddharta to Everyone: (12:15 PM)

From Theresa Brown to Everyone: (12:16 PM)

From Tamara Rosner to Everyone: (12:17 PM)

From Kathi Turner to Everyone: (12:18 PM)

From Tamara Rosner to Everyone: (12:19 PM)

can you get a visa while in Italy

From Theresa Brown to Everyone: (12:19 PM)

Is it the Italian Consulate or the US that provide Visa?

From Jessica Abramson to Everyone: (12:19 PM)

From georgecarney to Everyone: (12:19 PM)

From Arianna Catti De Gasperi to Everyone: (12:20 PM)

From Jeryl Golub to Everyone: (12:21 PM)

From Me to Everyone: (12:21 PM)

From Cheryl Keenan to Everyone: (12:22 PM)

From Caroline Elkins to Everyone: (12:22 PM)

From Tamara Rosner to Everyone: (12:23 PM)

From Scotty Reiss to Everyone: (12:23 PM)

From Gayl Talbert to Everyone: (12:23 PM)

From Victoria Barry to Everyone: (12:24 PM)

How long does a passport have to be valid past December?

From Gregory Madzio to Everyone: (12:24 PM)

From gary gorman to Everyone: (12:24 PM)

Is quarantine one student to a bedroom or one student to an apartment?

From Abby Pensky to Everyone: (12:26 PM)

From Arianna Catti De Gasperi to Everyone: (12:26 PM)

From Julie McKellar to Everyone: (12:27 PM)

Are student trips being planned by JCU

From Michelle Frey to Everyone: (12:28 PM)

From Arianna Catti De Gasperi to Everyone: (12:28 PM)

From Kathi Turner to Everyone: (12:30 PM)

From Charlie Sorenson to Everyone: (12:31 PM)

Will they we tested during quarantine?

From Ingrid Carney to Everyone: (12:33 PM)

From Tony Stais to Everyone: (12:33 PM)

can we get more info on this question:

From Tony Stais to Everyone: (12:33 PM)

From Ingrid Carney to Everyone: (12:35 PM)

GREAT! Thanks for the answer!

From Jessica Abramson to Everyone: (12:35 PM)

From Charlie Sorenson to Everyone: (12:36 PM)

How many ppl are signed up for JCU?

From Michel Rosuelo to Everyone: (12:37 PM)

From Christina Gerry to Everyone: (12:37 PM)

From Kassandra Souply to Everyone: (12:37 PM)

From Tamara Rosner to Everyone: (12:38 PM)

From georgecarney to Everyone: (12:39 PM)

From Jeryl Golub to Everyone: (12:39 PM)

From Matt Frey to Everyone: (12:39 PM)

From Michel Rosuelo to Everyone: (12:40 PM)