University International Travel Policy COVID-19 Addendum
On April 21, 2021 the Department of State (DOS) travel advisory system was changed to give primary importance to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Travel Health Notices during the pandemic. In consideration of the updated DOS advice to universities and organizations to rely more fully on CDC recommendations, as well as other sources, in reviewing and approving international travel, Santa Clara University will consider the sources below. SCU will support university-sponsored international travel to destinations with:
- DOS Travel Advisories Level 1 & 2 AND/OR
- The country/area-specific Risk Indicators described in the DOS Travel Advisory AND/OR
- CDC Travel Health Notices Level 1 & 2 AND
- CDC COVID-19 Travel Health Notice Level 1 & 2 AND/OR
- World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 weekly trend data showing: 1) declines in cases, 2) declines in deaths, 3) increases in vaccinations, 4) the overall context of new covid cases that demonstrates COVID is declining or controlled
- Countries that are not excluded from the University's Travel Accident/Security Insurance policy
In considering exceptions for student programs, we may also give consideration to:
- Infrastructure for student support on-site including, but not limited to: University staffing, campus health centers, program center staffing, COVID-19 specific protocols, designated alternative programming;
- SCU sponsoring department infrastructure including such as involvement of deans, availability of full-time exempt staff for the duration of the program, financial policies and procedures in place to support program adjustments/cancelations, academic policies to address credit;
- Local measures put in place for pandemic such as travel restrictions testing, quarantine, lockdowns;
- Other relevant data
Approved May 12, 2021
Scope of University International Travel Policy
This policy governs all education abroad opportunities sponsored or co-sponsored by the University. This includes undergraduate, graduate, professional degree or certificate programs, or autonomous programs arranged by a campus, a school, or a department.
University Sponsored International Travel
University sponsored travel includes education abroad opportunities organized, developed, or administered by specific colleges, departments, or Santa Clara University employees as approved by the Associate Provost for International Programs, the Provost and the Travel Policy Advisory Committee. Education abroad opportunities include but are not limited to credit-bearing and non-credit bearing experiences such as: study abroad programs, internships, field studies, service learning, research, volunteer or work programs, fellowships, or professional development activities sponsored or endorsed by the University.
The University supports the travel of students, faculty, and staff to countries:
- With a US Department of State overall Travel Advisory Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions or Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Where there is no obvious risk to a participant’s health, safety, or to the likelihood of being able to successfully carry out the goals of the education abroad program
- Certain areas within countries with an overall advisory Level 1 or Level 2 may be designated Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel and university-sponsored travel may not take place in these areas
- University sponsored travel is not supported to countries with an overall DOS Travel Advisory Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel unless the Provost grants an exception
The Associate Provost for International Programs grants approval for university-sponsored international travel. S/he may engage the Travel Policy Advisory Committee in his/her decision. SCU Program Coordinators are expected to adhere to the responsibilities outlined in the International Travel Procedure. Approval is contingent upon continual monitoring of global health and safety conditions.
Prior approval of University-sponsored travel may be rescinded at any time if travel involves countries in which:
- Current health and safety conditions pose unusual or significant risks to students; or
- The U.S. Department of State issues a Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4; or
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO) issues a travel advisory; or
- The U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposes travel restrictions
- The University's Travel Accident/Security Insurance policy excludes coverage
Non-University-Sponsored Travel
These are international programs that have no formal affiliation with and/or are not approved by Santa Clara University.
International Travel Policy
When assessing the health and safety conditions for existing and potential education abroad opportunities, in addition to other sources of evidence of potential risk to participants, Santa Clara University gives primary consideration to Travel Advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State. Santa Clara University does not support travel to countries that are under a DOS Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4 nor approve transit through or stopovers in these countries, unless the Provost grants an exception.
In addition to DOS Travel Advisories, the University gives particular consideration to health and safety risks articulated by:
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and World Health Organization (WHO):
- The U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
- Countries that are excluded from the University's Travel Accident/Security Insurance policy
Related Procedure
https://www.scu.edu/globalengagement/facultystaff-travel/
Policy History
- Policy initiated April 13, 2004
- September 2013 policy updated to separate procedures
- February 2018 policy updated to reflect January 10, 2018 nomenclature changes from the US Department of State
Find out more about the Faculty Handbook and Other Guidelines, Policies & Procedures.