Travel

#Travel Guidelines - NIU - Division of International Affairs

The Division of International Affairs, through the Study Abroad Office, assists faculty, staff and students by providing them with basic information regarding health and safety issues involved in international travel.

All members of the University community contemplating international travel are expected to monitor and take into consideration all US Department of State Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular Information Sheets; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Alerts, Travel Advisories, and Notices; and travel warnings, restrictions, and advisories issued by the US Department of Homeland Security.

Sources of essential information for all international travelers

• US State Department: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
• US Department of Homeland Security: www.cbp.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/travel
• World Health Organizations: http://www.who.int/en/
• Travel warnings, public announcements, and Consular Information Sheets issued by the US Department of State: travel.state.gove/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html
• Travel alerts, travel advisories, and notices issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/travel/outbreaks.htm
• Travel advice, disease outbreaks, and information on emergencies issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) www.who.int/countries/en/
• Overseas Security Advisory Council: www.osac.gov/
• Association for Safe International Road Travel: www.asirt.org/
• Travel Health Online: www.tripprep.com/scripts/main/default.asp

In the case of Travel Warnings

Group Travel

For University-sponsored and organized instructional programs (including faculty-led instruction and other sponsored coursework) and for students participation in instructional programs offered by other institutions that involve travel to countries for which a travel warning has been issued by the US Department of State:

While the travel warning is in place, the University will suspend all undergraduate international programs that involve travel to those areas and permission will be denied by the Division of International Affairs for undergraduate students to participate in programs offered by this and/or other institutions.

The University will review on a case-by-case basis plan for faculty-led groups of graduate/professional students to these areas. Plans should be submitted to the Vice President for International Affairs not later than one month before the desired departure date, with a copy provided to the Office of the Executive Vice President Provost. Permission for travel under University sponsorship may be denied by the Vice President for International Affairs.

Individual Travel

For individual travel by students, faculty, and staff who have University funding to pursue research or other University-related business in countries where travel warnings from the US Department of State are in effect:

The University will review on a case-by-case basis plan for travel by faculty, staff and students on University funding to countries for which travel warnings have been issued. These plans should be submitted to the Vice President for International Affairs no later than one month before the desired departure date, with a copy provided to the Office of the Executive Vice President Provost at the same time. Permission for travel using University funds may be denied by the Vice President for International Affairs. Plans submitted for University case-by-case review should include:

o Purpose of the travel and the reasons why the purpose justifies travel to a country with current travel warnings in effect.

o Confirmation that all travelers have reviewed the relevant sources of essential information (see above), are fully informed of the content of current travel warnings for the planned destination, and have individually discussed the risks of travel with the department chair, director, and/or dean. Students must indicate they have discussed the risks of travel with their faculty advisor.

o Confirmation that before departure all travelers will have purchased insurance to cover emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and repatriation. Assurance that all travelers will register with the US Embassy or Consulate nearest their destination either before or immediately upon arrival in country and will keep the Embassy or Consulate informed of their whereabouts while in-country.

o The unit executive officer must provide a separate letter confirming that the risks associated with the planned travel have been discussed with each traveler, that each traveler is fully informed of all the foreseeable risks, and that the department chair, director, or dean believes the travel is justified in view of the risks.

In the case of Mandatory Evacuation Orders

Travel on University funds will not be authorized to countries for which a mandatory evacuation order has been issued. When The US Department of State issues a mandatory evacuation order, all faculty, staff and students who are in the country must contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate to obtain all relevant information and guidance, and must leave the county by the most expeditious and secure means available. They are also required to contact their sponsoring University department at the earliest opportunity with information about their whereabouts and plans.

Revised and approved by IAAC, 01/17/2014