Forwarding Calls from Customs and Border Patrol to International Support Services
Sent on behalf of Charles Bankart, Associate Vice Provost for International Affairs.
Colleagues,
It has come to our attention that Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers have started calling KU offices to confirm that KU is offering in-person and hybrid instruction for the fall semester. This is a normal and expected procedure and typically occurs when a new or continuing student arrives at a U.S. port of entry to begin or resume their U.S. studies.
The calls may be more frequent in the COVID-19 context because many institutions have decided to move instruction entirely online, which would inhibit U.S. entry for those students. KU’s fall plans have been registered with federal authorities and our students may enter the U.S. for study with us.
If a call is received, please forward the call to International Support Services (ISS) at 785-864-7359 so we have a single point of contact at the university. ISS can confirm the identity of the official making the call and answer all general questions related to modes of instruction that will be offered this fall, as well as any immigration-specific questions that may arise for an entering student.
If you prefer to take a message and have our ISS staff call the CBP officer back, we would be happy to do that. We will simply need you to note the following:
- caller’s name
- badge number
- radio number
- port of entry they are calling from
- best phone number for us to reach them
Please share this message with any individuals in your unit who may be in a position to receive these CBP inquiries.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to us. My office number 785-864-7244 forwards directly to my mobile phone. Dr. Joe Potts, Assistant Vice Provost for International Affairs and Interim Director of International Support Services can be reached at 785-864-7359.
Sincerely,
Charles (Charlie) Bankart, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Provost
International Affairs