Potential Program Disruptions

For the safety and security of your students and yourself, we are making available to you the following overview of ‘Managing Real and Perceived Emergencies Abroad’ as well as a document entitled Responsible Study Abroad.    

Program Suspension or Cancellation  
Indiana University’s Overseas Study Advisory Council has established a system-wide policy that prohibits programs from operating in countries for which a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory has been issued by the U.S. State Department. The following portion of the policy impacts a program that is already under way:

“Should a Travel Advisory be issued while a program is under way, Overseas Study will determine, following appropriate consultation with on-site staff, the OSAC Safety and Responsibility Committee, appropriate internal departments (such as University Counsel and/or Risk Management), peer institutions, other organizations that offer programs abroad and area experts, whether conditions warrant suspension of the program and/or departure of the students from the host country.”  

Aside from the issuance of Travel Advisories and/or specific directive by the U.S. State Department and/or U.S. Embassy, the decision to suspend or cancel a program will also be informed by conversations with:  
• IU administrators and faculty members here and abroad
• University officials at the partner institution (where applicable)
• U.S. Embassy officials in-country
• Other officials from U.S. agencies and/or NGOs
• The appropriate U.S. State Department country Desk Officer(s) 

Education Abroad's own assessment of the following events (not in rank order):
• Initiation of war by the U.S. against the country where the program is located or a neighbor
• Initiation of war by a third country against the country of the program location
• Significant terrorist activity in the program city
• Protracted or indefinite closure of the University or host institution
• Inability of the local staff to organize and carry out an academic program  
• Serious disruption of public utilities and/or services in the program city  
• Widespread civil unrest, violence and/or rioting in the program city
• A declaration of martial law in the program city
• Recommendation of suspension/cancellation by the U.S. program staff in-country 

The following events might precipitate concern and will require close communication between you and your designated campus administrator: • Violence emanating from demonstrations, or other reactions to an international situation, that affect the general population and/or you and your students. Students should avoid such demonstrations.
• Individual anti-American attacks (physical and/or verbal) that affect you and your students
• Other dangers to students while they are participating in, or away from, program activities
• Direct military violence against the city or country of your program site that affects the general population and/or you and your students
• Terrorist activity in the city or country of your program site that affects the general population and/or you and your students 
In each of these cases, close contact with the home campus is imperative so that you can jointly make appropriate decisions regarding any necessary steps to be taken to ensure the safety of the group.  

Strikes  
With regard to the academic implications of any type of strike in the area, plan for alternative arrangements until the situation is resolved. Safety can also be a concern in a strike situation when emotions can run high. In this situation, advise students to avoid demonstrations, where events may unfold quickly in unpredictable ways. 

Natural Disasters  
Most natural disasters know no geographic boundaries. Differences do exist, however, in terms of local capabilities to manage damage after events have occurred. Each situation will be a unique event and you are encouraged to use your common sense. We suggest that you seek out local authorities for information about what to expect and how to respond if anything happens.