Acronyms and Abbreviations
Acronyms are words formed from the initial letters or parts of a title or phrase. Abbreviations are a shortened form of a word or phrase used chiefly in writing. We often use the acronyms and abbreviations and feel it would be useful to you to have a list of
them for future reference.
SDSM&T: South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
SEVP: Student & Exchange Visitor Program
SEVIS: Student & Exchange Information System (the electronic tracking program for international students and exchange visitors)
DSO: Designated School Official for SEVIS F-1 program
PDSO: Primary Designated School Official for SEVIS F-1 program
RO: Responsible Officer for SEVIS J-1 program
ARO: Alternate Responsible Officer for SEVIS J-1 program
USCIS: United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (formerly known as the INS)
ICE: Immigration & Customs Enforcement
CBP: Customs and Border Protection
INS: US Immigration & Naturalization Service (no longer used officially, but still used in casual manner)
NAFSA: National Association for Foreign Student Advisors; also known as NAFSA: Association of International Educators
ESL: English as a Second Language
IIC: Ivanhoe International Center