High Risk Destinations & Travel Approval

Any Tulane-related activity and associated travel, including conferences and fellowships, where one or more of the following elements exist:

• Tulane agrees in advance to grant academic credit (including third-party-run programs) that counts toward graduation or permits a Tulane certificate of participation
• The activity fulfills a Tulane degree requirement or will be degree-advancing (e.g., capstone projects, or experiential learning)
• The activity is funded in whole or in part by Tulane or by external funds administered by Tulane (e.g., money held or disbursed through the University or Tulane-recognized student organizations)
• The activity is managed or operated by the University, an academic or business unit of Tulane, a Tulane-recognized student organization or varsity athletic team; and/or activity that is led by a Tulane employee
• The activity is part of student travel accompanied by a supervising Tulane employee

High-risk destinations are countries, regions, or locations that have been classified by the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as either Level 3–High Risk (Reconsider Travel), or Level 4–Extreme Risk (Do Not Travel) for health, safety or security reasons. In addition, the University may apply the designation of a Travel Warning Destination to locations that pose a specific health, safety or security concern as indicated by other sources such as individual U.S. embassies or consulates, the World Health Organization, insurers, third-party travel security providers, or at the discretion of the Associate Provost for International Affairs.

In deciding whether to approve Tulane-related travel to a Travel Warning Destination, the University will consider the following factors:

• Whether the activity and related travel serves an essential academic or business purpose of the University;
• The educational, research, professional development, or business/administrative importance of the activity in relation to the Traveler and Tulane;
• The type of Traveler (i.e., undergraduate, or graduate students; Post Docs; or employees);
• Traveler experience, both in general and related to the specific country and relevant risks;
• Alternative activity options and why they cannot be chosen;
• The level and type of risk for the destination;
• Geographic location of the contemplated activity, its relation to the threats identified by travel advice, and whether the activity can be effectively completed in light of a destination’s risks;
• The political and physical conditions in the site country;
• Steps to taken to eliminate or minimize the threat;
• Travel conditions and the ability to evacuate Tulane Travelers, if necessary; and
• The manageability of risk to the University.

If a request to a High-Risk Travel Warning Destination is denied, then Tulane support for the activity does not exist and International Travel should not proceed. This means that the activity will not be eligible for Tulane course credit, University funding is denied, students are not eligible to receive financial aid, Tulane’s insurance does not attach to the activity, Tulane administrative and emergency response support will not be provided, and use of Tulane name, logos, and websites is prohibited. If the applicant moves forward with denied international travel requests, then he/she does so with the understanding that it is not Tulane-supported, sponsored, or affiliated.

The University reserves the right to suspend or cancel international travel under this policy should a determination by the Provost Designee or Dean be made that the travel is no longer essential, or that the situation in a high-risk destination deteriorates to a level that is no longer acceptable from a health, security or safety standpoint. In such cases, the Travelers understand that the University is not responsible for reimbursement for expenses and costs related to curtailment of activities and departure from the affected destination beyond the departure parameters established by the Provost’s Designee or Dean.

Tulane does not assume responsibility for financial risks associated with participation in Tulane-related international travel, including study abroad opportunities. Contact the Tulane Global team for more information about financial responsibility and funding options.

No. Tulane’s travel requirements only apply to outbound Tulane-related international activity. However, you should strongly consider self-registering your personal travel with STEP.