DSOs and AROs: Fun with Acronyms

In my conversation with an exchange student coordinator at a local university, I was told that the field of international education has more acronyms than the U.S. military (she said this in a half-joking way). After doing my research, I am starting to believe it. Two of those acronyms that keep coming up in job descriptions are DSO and ARO, or Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer. Just what are these exactly? Well, let's discuss it!

You and me both, pal!

A Designated School Official (DSO) is someone who helps international students with their immigration status, specifically the F and M visa categories. But perhaps more importantly, DSOs are required to update the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records of these F and M students. According to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website, DSOs must constantly check in with the visa holders in order to report to SEVIS that they are currently enrolled in class and present (otherwise not violating the terms of their visa). If, for some reason, a DSO cannot get in touch with one of these students, and the student fails to check-in at appropriate times, the DSO must report this to SEVIS, who may then terminate the student's record. There are several instances when students are required to report to DSOs, including within the first 30 days of when the school program begins, at the beginning of each new semester, and when a student transfers to another institution. DSOs must update the system when a student graduates or completes a course, and when a non-immigrant changes his or her status to F or M. Note all the acronyms in the above paragraph!


An Alternate Responsible Office (ARO), from what I can gather, are trained by the Responsible Officer (RO), and assist the RO in managing an exchange visitor program via SEVIS, ensuring that the program meets DHS's regulations. Thus, ARO's deal primarily with J-1 visa students who are in the United States through an exchange program between two universities. Only RO's and ARO's may issue Forms DS-2019, and they are also responsible for updating SEVIS within 21 days of being notified by an exchange visitor. According to the DHS's "A Guide for Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers" publication, the duties of ROs and AROs include updating all pertinent information in SEVIS, being up to date with all rules and regulations, validating visitor arrival and departure dates, and ensuring that all visitors have adequate health coverage before arriving. They must also issue an annual report within SEVIS documenting the amount of exchange visitors the program had, as well as a written evaluation of the program. Again, acronyms galore.


So, if you were ever curious as to what an ARO or a DSO were (as I'm sure you were!) then hopefully I have helped educate you just a little bit. Obviously I am still new to this as well, so I am sure I missed a significant amount of other duties that these officers are required to do. But, at least it's a start. Have fun learning those acronyms everybody!


Rule #6 for Breaking into the Field of International Education: Be familiar with all of the acronyms that are a part of international education, because there are a lot!


LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265