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Atlas: The University-Sponsored Global Travel Newsletter
But Can We Travel There?We hear from people across campus about the many reasons they are interested in traveling to a particular location – sometimes they are motivated by an unexpected opportunity that arises to present at a conference, or to travel to connect with a colleague at a university or organization overseas. After an initial idea to go “somewhere” emerges, understanding whether your travel idea can be supported by the University is an important next step in considering how to move forward. Like most universities, SCU has an international travel policy that encourages some travel and declines support for other travel. Understanding the frameworks that undergird elements of SCU’s travel policy can help you consider how to best plan and move forward.
Understand SCU’s University International Travel Policy The SCU University International Travel Policy applies to all international travel activities involving SCU students, faculty, staff, or guests. It includes undergraduate and graduate student travel, like study abroad, internships, immersion, senior design projects, conference presentations, athletic events, and similar activities. It also includes faculty and staff travel for conferences, teaching, research, recruitment, partnership activities, or similar travel. SCU takes on a level of responsibility for all international travel and activities sponsored by the University. The University International Travel Policy is tied to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisories, which are official recommendations and advisories issued by the U.S. government to inform U.S. citizens about the safety and security conditions in foreign countries or specific regions within those countries. The policy also references the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and may consider other risks that could impact either participants or the educational objectives of the travel. The policy articulates an expectation for support infrastructure for students abroad which could include SCU departmental/program resources and also resources abroad. The Travel Policy can help you and your department or program understand the relevant risks in participating, assuming, or supporting travel in a particular location, and understand the extent to which you may be able to mitigate risks – or not. Understand the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisories U.S. Department of State Advisories address everything from local scams to watch out for, to specific highways to avoid, and may include advice for certain populations that could face particular risks abroad. We use the U.S. DOS travel advisories as helpful resources for understanding the conditions abroad, and these often lead us to further investigation of specific issues that may be relevant to University travel abroad. The U.S. Department of State Travel provides four advisory levels, including:
SCU’s International Travel Policy supports Level 1 and Level 2 locations. Sometimes, Level 3 locations may be supported for faculty and staff, but Level 3 or Level 4 locations may pose substantial risks to travelers and the DOS can provide limited or little assistance to you in those locations. Remember, the goals of the advisories is to offer information about risks to help travelers consider whether they wish to assume that level of risk and to help travelers understand the safety and security conditions abroad. So, while the level “number” is important, would-be travelers should read the details provided in the advisories. Part of those details in the DOS advisories include what are called “Risk Indicators”. What About Those U.S. DOS Risk Indicators? The U.S. Department of State advisories include eight ”Risk Indicators” to help would-be travelers make informed decisions about whether or not to travel to or within a particular area based on specific potential risks which range from crime to civil unrest to kidnapping to natural disasters.Some risks may have implications for some types of university activities, but not for others. The DOS Risk Indicators may also imply a level of U.S. governmental support that is present or absent in a location, i.e., the ability of the U.S. government to intervene and support U.S. citizens abroad if needed. If the U.S. government has curtailed its own staffing in a particular location, this increases the level of responsibility and liability for SCU. How Do I Support Particular Populations? Particular populations of travelers have different needs in preparing to travel and while they are abroad. To effectively support travelers, you should consider aspects of identity, such as age, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, travelers with disabilities, citizenship, religious affiliation, and how any of these may be perceived or treated in the local culture. You need to understand the local culture and provide resources and attention to these aspects of identity to help travelers prepare for and address them. Here are some examples of support for particular populations. Travelers holding non-SCU passports may need you to provide a letter certifying to the nature of their travel. That visa process may take months, so these travelers may also need to obtain a visa which may take months. To support this population, early planning is key. LGBTQIA+ travelers may travel to locations with different laws putting them at greater risk, and you need to advise travelers on the local laws, circumstances and how to address those. In some destinations and cultures (local) women may experience harassment and travelers should be advised about what to expect and how to address it. The Department of State provides helpful tips on how to support Travelers with Special Considerations. Putting It All Together Depending on the activity, the background of the travelers and the support infrastructure on the ground and in the SCU program or department, the risks to travelers will be different. For example, in some destinations, conducting research abroad with wildlife may require precautions for rabies that an urban traveler may not need to worry about. But in a different location, an urban traveler may be recommended to have a rabies vaccine due to the prevalence of stray animals. Undergraduate student travel may necessitate a higher level of support, for example organizing accommodations, or providing an appropriate ratio of faculty or staff to accompanying them. In contrast, faculty traveling for research in a location that is known to them will pose a different level of risk and necessitate different health and safety preparation. Think about the unique risks associated with what you plan to do and how to address them during the planning process so that you are better equipped to handle any situation. As you think about future travel, read SCU’s International Travel Policy; research the location and the particular risks or challenges; consider who is traveling; be clear about the goals and the purpose of the travel; identify the specific types of support needed so everyone can have a successful experience; and begin planning early. We are here to consult with you throughout the process so reach out to us at associateprovostglobal@scu.edu. Key links and resources for university-sponsored international travel:
Atlas is our university-sponsored global travel newsletter to offer guidance and resources for departments and programs in planning and supporting university-sponsored international travel. |
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