The health, safety, and security of our travelers is a top priority for the College. When evaluating a destination’s level of risk, the College takes into account factors from trusted resources, including the Department of State (DOS) travel advisories. The following provides guidance on how Lafayette College evaluates its sponsored activities in destinations we consider “high-risk.” A destination with a DOS travel advisory of Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel is automatically considered high-risk. However, other indicators may also trigger a “high-risk” designation.
The Risk Assessment Committee for Off-Campus Studies assesses the risks of any College-sponsored off-campus travel that may, for any reason, appear to present significant concerns for the safety and well-being of the participants.
The committee shall consist of the Associate Provost of Curriculum, the College’s Risk Manager, the Director of International & Off-Campus Education, and a faculty member of the Off-Campus Studies Advisory Committee. The Committee consults with the College’s Legal Counsel on an ad hoc basis. The Committee may draw from other resources, such as the U.S. Overseas Advisory Council, the Centers for Disease Control, On Call International, and may also consult with other members of the campus community with expertise pertinent to specific destinations and/or situations. Recommendations of the Committee regarding a change in the status of travel will be made to the Provost, who will have the sole authority for the final decision to continue or discontinue the authorization to travel.
A Level 3: Reconsider Travel DOS advisory will automatically trigger an evaluation by the Risk Assessment Committee for Off-Campus Studies. The College does not permit travel to countries designated as DOS Level 4: Do Not Travel. Additionally, members of the campus community can petition the committee to conduct an evaluation. Any recommendations on changing the authorization status to travel will be made to the Provost, who will have the sole authority for the final decision.
If sponsored travel will occur in a high-risk destination, students and/or their faculty or staff advisers may be invited to submit a risk petition which is an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the known risks, steps the program and/or travelers are prepared to take to mitigate risks, and the academic rationale for travel to a destination that the College considers high-risk. The Committee will review petition materials as well as a travel risk assessment from the College’s international travel insurance provider. If the petition to travel to a high-risk destination is approved, additional waivers acknowledging the specific risks of the destination and outlining the mitigation plan may be required. Please note that, if a student or group is planning to travel to a high-risk country, the risk assessment evaluation and procedure must start at least two months before the scheduled departure to allow enough time to review the case. Failure to do so may cause a delay in program approval, which may make it necessary for the student or group to postpone the scheduled program. Risk assessment petitions for semester study abroad should be submitted to the committee a month prior to the normal semester abroad application deadline.
Level 3 travel advisories containing the following designations will automatically cause the College to deny a risk petition its sponsorship of an activity:
Travel to countries with a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the DOS is not permitted.
To learn more about the risk assessment process or to get started with the risk assessment process, please contact the Office of International & Off-Campus Education.
Any member of the campus community who is concerned that the College is sponsoring a program in a destination that exposes Lafayette students, faculty, and/or staff to an inordinate level of risk may submit a written petition for assessment of the program to the Director of International & Off-Campus Education, who will then forward the petition to the committee. The petition should explain the factors contributing to the perception of inordinate risk and should include appropriate documentation of these factors (government reports or warnings, news reports, etc.).
When Lafayette College officially suspends travel prior to the commencement of a program or activity abroad, the College will return all recoverable funds to the student(s). Should Lafayette College suspend an international program while it is in progress, every effort will be made by the College to evacuate participants in the program. Any unexpended funds or refunds received from canceled activities will be returned to the student.
Students who voluntarily withdraw from a program where Lafayette College has not officially suspended the program will be responsible for all unrecoverable costs incurred to the date of withdrawal, as well as any nonrefundable deposits that were made.
For further information on health and safety abroad, please see the Health & Safety resources page and the Health & Safety Insurance page.