Professors and research scholars may participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations only if authorized by host institution. Such lectures and consultations must be incidental to the exchange visitor’s primary program activities. If wages or other remuneration is received by the exchange visitor for such activities, the exchange visitor must receive written authorization to engage in the activities by the Office of International Initiatives at Shepherd University. In order to satisfy the regulations, the lecture or consultation must:
- Be directly related to the objectives of the exchange visitor’s program;
- Be incidental to the exchange visitor’s primary program activities;
- Not delay the completion date of the exchange visitor’s program; and Be documented in SEVIS.
To obtain authorization to engage in occasional lectures or short-term consultations involving wages or other remuneration, the following is needed:
- An invitation letter from the institution at which the lecture or consultation will occur setting forth the terms and conditions of the offer to lecture or consult, including the duration, number of hours, field or subject, amount of compensation, and description of such activity; and
- Approval from your current supervisor at Shepherd University recommending such activity and explaining how the activity would enhance your exchange visitor’s program.
An email to the Director, Office of International Initiatives, originating from the Exchange Visitor and endorsed by his/her Shepherd supervisor, will be used to request authorization to engage in lectures and consultations. Approval of this request will include a letter from the Director, International Initiatives, authorizing the lecture or consultation.
Changes to that authorization will require either a reissuance of the letter or an amendment to the original authorization.