03-13.00 – Policy on Travel Advisories for International Travel and Travel to a U.S. Territory

  1. Policy Statement

    Towson University (“TU” or “University”) encourages its students, faculty and staff to participate in international study, travel and activities abroad/away (hereafter referred to as “Participants”) and promotes the development of opportunities for international study and other activities, including research. It also encourages all Participants to recognize the potential risks associated with international travel. This policy applies to all study abroad/away and/or international travel programs and activities outside the United States or in a U.S. territory. Participants should consult this policy for specific details before participating in study abroad/away or international travel programs or activities. 

  2. Definitions

    1. “Study and/or Travel Abroad/Away” is an academic, educational or other program or activity offered outside the United States or in a U.S. territory in which Participants earn academic credit at TU, or participate as TU affiliates in travel, programs or other activities; includes such things as faculty-led programs, classroom activities, sabbaticals, research, and practical learning experiences as well as athletic competitions, experiential learning, etc. Faculty and staff participating in a study and/or travel abroad/away may conduct activities such as teaching, research, intercultural learning, or supervision of students as well as facilitation of cultural immersion extracurricular activities.
    2. “Study and/or Travel Abroad/Away Participant” is any faculty, staff or student who is participating in a study and/or travel abroad/away activity outside of the United States or in a U.S. territory, including but not limited to enrollment at a foreign institution, enrollment in a study abroad/away provider program, exchange, faculty-led program, internship, service learning, sports event participation, experiential learning, sabbatical or research activity or any other activity for which Towson University has approved participation.
    3. “Travel Advisory” is official communication regarding safety and security information provided by the U.S. Department of State (“State Department”) to those who intend to travel internationally or to a U.S. territory. The State Department issues Travel Advisories to countries, regions, and/or globally at the following levels: Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), and Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
    4. “Travel Health Notice” is official communication regarding global health risks that impact travelers in specific destinations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”). The CDC issues notices to countries and/or regions at the following levels: Level 1 – Blue (Practice Usual Precautions); Level 2 – Yellow (Practice Enhanced Precautions), Level 3 – Orange (Reconsider Nonessential Travel), and Level 4 (Avoid All Travel). Any additional incident specific travel health notices published by the CDC will also be taken into account.

  3. Responsible Executive and Office

    Responsible Executive:
    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

    Responsible Office:
    Office of the Provost

  4. Individuals and/or Entities Affected by this Policy

    This Policy applies to all Towson University students, faculty and staff and all TU departments, programs, and colleges.

  5. Scope of Policy

    This Policy applies to all TU study and/or travel abroad/away programs, activities, and participants, students and faculty and staff leaders. The University will not offer, administer, or support study and/or travel in, nor approve travel through, countries (or areas within a country), regions, or globally given a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) State Department Travel Advisory and/or a Level 4 (Avoid All Travel) CDC Travel Health Notice and does not typically administer programs or support study in countries or regions with a Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) State Department Travel Advisory and/or a CDC Level 3 (Reconsider Nonessential Travel) Travel Health Notice.

    All Participants are required to complete an International Travel Waiver acknowledging the associated risks of traveling to and within the host country(ies) at the time of the application or at the time of request for sabbatical or leave for travel.

    Should a Travel Advisory or Travel Health Notice level change for a country or region in which Towson University Participants are present, notification will be sent to the Participants making them aware of the State Department’s or CDC’s recommendations to the extent the University has been made aware of the Participant’s travel plans. If the State Department Travel Advisory and/or the CDC Travel Health Notice increases to a Level 3 or 4, assistance in facilitating the Participants’ return home and/or other arrangements may be provided to the extent possible if deemed necessary by the International Travel Advisory Committee in consultation with the Vice President and General Counsel, the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

    Should a Travel Advisory and/or a Travel Health Notice increases to a Level 3 or 4 for a country in which TU administers its own program or activity or should the University deem it necessary for other reasons, appropriate actions may be taken, including, but not limited to, adjusting the program/activity schedule, relocating the program/activity, ending the program/activity early, or suspending or canceling the program/activity. Determination will be made by the International Travel Advisory Committee in consultation with the Vice President and General Counsel, the  Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

  6. Appeal Process

    Individual Participants may appeal and seek reconsideration of a decision not to allow travel to a country or region given a Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) Travel Advisory and/or CDC Level 3 (Reconsider Nonessential Travel) Travel Health Notice. Appeals for permission to travel to Level 3 areas within a country by Participants will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to a risk assessment review conducted by the International Travel Advisory Committee. A final determination will be made by the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs or the Vice President for Student Affairs if the travel relates to a student affairs led program. Only appeals for individual travel will be considered. Decisions to cancel TU Faculty-led programs are not subject to appeal.

    Submit appeals to the International Travel Advisory Committee as far in advance as possible. Appeals should include all information the individual traveler (e.g., student, faculty or staff participant) believes to be relevant. Relevant information may include, though is not necessarily limited to, any newly acquired information concerning the security or health situation at the travel destination; precautions planned to mitigate risks; key contacts at the travel destination; plans in the event of a potential crisis (e.g., terrorist incident, medical emergency, natural disaster, etc.), including relocation, quarantine and/or evacuation; a communication plan in the event of a crisis; the academic and personal preparation of the individual including prior language study, regional studies, international experiences, and preparatory actions; and the academic necessity of such travel at this time.

    The International Travel Advisory Committee will assess each appeal on a case-by-case basis. In reaching a determination, the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs will consider those facts identified above, as well as any other information deemed relevant under the circumstances.

Related Policies:

None.

Approval Date: 10/3/2018

Revised Date: 5/26/2020, 7/28/2021, 01/10/2024

Effective Date: 5/26/2020

Approved By: President’s Council

How to Request the Policy PDF

This online version of the policy may include updated links and names of departments. To request a PDF of the original, signed version of this policy, email the Office of the General Counsel, .