Slater Center General FAQs
The Slater International Center is dedicated to supporting the Wellesley College international student & scholar community. It was established to encourage greater understanding among cultures through personal association and cooperative endeavor. The Center is a focal point for international activities and events that bring together members of the college community who share a desire for increasing intercultural understanding.
Slater is both a shared gathering space, and an administrative office. In addition to housing the offices for the Director, Advisor, the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Advisor, the Program Coordinator, and the SEVIS Coordinator, Slater has a large living room, a dining room, and two kitchens. International students have 24- hour access to Slater to meet, study, cook, entertain, and gather informally.
The Slater staff works closely with other departments at Wellesley College to provide a variety of services to assist international students and scholars. These services include advising and referrals related to immigration, employment, academic, social, and cultural adjustment issues. The Slater International Center supports international and multicultural student organizations and promotes global student leadership.
The Slater International Center is the blue house at the end of Tupelo Lane, right next to the lake. Once you’ve arrived on campus, follow the main road through the college and turn at the Founders Parking Lot. The sign will say “Founders Parking Lot, Chapel, and Tupelo Point”. Turn left after the Chapel and continue down that street to Tupelo Lane. Stay to the left at the fork. Slater is the 3rd house on the right and there is a sign at the end of the loop.
An ISSA is an International Student and Scholar Advisor. The ISSA provides vision and leadership in the development and implementation of programs, services, and policies that strengthen and celebrate Wellesley's intercultural community. They also oversee federal immigration compliance for students and scholars, and work the international students and scholar population on immigration issues, employment authorization, and cultural adjustment.
Students who are interested in learning about different cultures are always welcome to come by to study, cook, watch television, or just to hang out with friends. They will always find a comforting and welcoming atmosphere at Slater. International students with student immigration status will be able to take advantage of specialized immigration advising and cultural adjustment support.
The Slater International Center Office is open from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m (EDT). Monday through Friday during the academic year and the summer. Students who would like to meet with the ISSAs, Tana Ruegamer or Jill Ostrowski, should check the website for office hours or contact the office at 781-283-2082 to make an appointment.
Advising Hours are scheduled blocks of time, where students can come to the Slater International Center with an appointment to speak with their ISSA about any questions that they may have related to immigration, academics, student employment, cultural or social concerns. Students can schedule appointments both in-person and virtually via our Calendly page.
Students can self-reserve an virtual or in-person appointment with our ISSA via Calendly. If our advising hours are not convenient, students can make an appointment by contacting the Program Coordinator at 781-283-2082. Appointments are required for certain immigration-related processes such as applying for employment authorization (ie. CPT or OPT). Please note that we do not make same day appointments.
The Slater International Student Organization (aka Slater E-Board) is a student run association formed with the aim of encouraging a greater understanding among cultures through events and community building. The Slater Executive Board is a group of elected student leaders from the Slater International Organization who work closely with the staff of the Slater International Center. Together they collaborate with other student groups and departments to coordinate and organize events that increase intercultural awareness and involve the diverse Wellesley community.
All non-immigrant students are required to attend International Student Orientation. Participation in International Student Orientation allows students to arrive early, provide them with important information about immigration issues and student employment authorization, as well as information on student life and academic support, financial, and health and wellness resources.
You can find general information on student employment on the Human Resources website. Please also follow and review Slater's On-Campus Employment website, where you can find instructions on how and when to apply for work.