College for Creative Studies (CCS) is committed to developing a wide variety of international study opportunities for students; however, the College recognizes that situations exist in which the risks of travel may outweigh the advantages of the international experiences. The Global Engagement Office (GEO) monitors information relevant to the safety of international student travel destinations from official sources as well as from our partners and colleagues abroad. All international travel involving students, must be discussed with the Director of GEO prior to finalizing travel arrangements. The Director of GEO will research travel advisories. The College reserves the right to cancel or alter any program when, based on a review of relevant information and resources, we determine that the security or health of students may be threatened.
Statement of Policy:
Destinations (countries, states, or cities) with travel advisory levels 2, 3 or 4 from the United States Department of State (DOS) or under an active travel advisory from the World Health Organization (WHO) and/or Centers for Disease Control (CDC) may be determined to be high-risk travel destinations. All international CCS-related student travel to any such destination requires approval from the High Risk Travel Committee (HRTC); travel to destinations with a level 3 or 4 DOS advisory requires approval from the HRTC and approval by the College’s leadership. A High Risk designation may also be given to countries or regions with a rating of a 4 or 5 (on a scale of 1-5) by the College’s third party travel security firm.
For the purposes of this policy “international CCS-related student travel” is travel promoted or organized by CCS that benefits the student’s academic program (i.e., study abroad, faculty-led study abroad, student exchange, internships); travel done on behalf of CCS; travel that is part of a CCS sponsored program; or, travel using funds processed through CCS. Personal student travel is not covered by this policy.
| Advisory Level & Source | Required | Decision/Approval Authority |
|---|---|---|
| DOS Level 1 – exercise normal precautions | Submit travel plan to Director of ISSO | Director of GEO approves |
| DOS Level 2 – exercise increased precautions | Submit travel plan to Director of GEO | HRTC approves or consults with College Leadership to finalize decision |
| WHO/CDC alert or advisory | Receive approval for HRTC | |
| DOS Level 3 – reconsider travel | Submit travel plan to Director of ISSO | If approved by HRTC, must also be approved by College Leadership |
| DOS Level 4 – do not travel | Full HRTC review |
Members of High Risk Travel Committee (HRTC):
- Director of International Student Services
- Associate Provost
- Dean of Students
- Director of Campus Safety
- Director of Business Services
Process to Request Permission to Travel to a High Risk Destination
Any student, student group, or faculty/staff member leading a student group that would like to participate in an international travel activity to a location determined to be high risk, must seek approval through the CCS High Risk Travel Committee. Depending on the nature of the international student travel, other members of the CCS community may also be asked to participate in the analysis, when appropriate.
The request for permission to travel to a high risk destination should be sent to the Director of Global Engagement and must include the following:
- The student or the leader of a group of students must complete the Request for Exception to Travel Restrictions form.
- A signed Addendum (for each participant) to the CCS Assumption of Risk form that acknowledges the additional risk of the travel destination. (provided by ISSO)
- Proof of comprehensive medical insurance coverage and appropriate vaccinations if health risk is present. (Students/faculty)The CCS HRTC will review the request to travel and if approved, will forward the request along with the rationale for approval to CCS College Leadership who will make the final decision if the travel is to a destination with a DOS Level 3 or 4 warning.
Approved travel will have a mandatory pre-departure orientation provided by GEO. Approvals are for a particular program in a specific location. Approvals for repeated programs are valid for the academic year provided that there is no significant change in the programming or risk level for the location. Even after approval, if the situation deteriorates or the DOS significantly changes its advisory, permission to travel may be revoked at the discretion of the College Leadership.
If the permission to travel is denied, the GEO will assist the student(s) in planning alternative travel. If the student(s) travel despite the denial:
- Any travel to the denied destination will be considered personal travel;
- No logistical support will be provided from the GEO to travel to denied destinations;
- No funds processed through CCS may be used for this travel;
- No academic credit may be granted for activity conducted at the destination whether concurrent with the program or after return;
- Students’ enrollment at CCS may be terminated for the duration of the travel.