Appendix C: Managing Emergencies (Overview)

Education Abroad at Indiana University (IU) is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the management of emergencies affecting participants in all IU-approved study abroad programs. In the case of campus- or school-specific IU programs, that responsibility is shared with other offices (e.g., Office of International Affairs at IUPUI, Kelley School of Business) and, for co-sponsored programs, this responsibility is delegated to other institutional providers (e.g., CIEE, IES, DIS), with Education Abroad in a consultative role. 

Assuring the safety and well-being of students, faculty and staff who are participating in IU programs abroad is of the highest importance, and all reasonable actions will be taken to accomplish this. 

By closely following the procedures outlined in the document Managing Real and Perceived Emergencies Abroad, the staff of Education Abroad will be able to gather information that allows them to respond appropriately to emergency situations. They will gather information about the incident, determine the nature and extent of the emergency, and take appropriate steps to respond to the situation and reassure concerned parties. Other units at IU with responsibility for campus- or school-specific programs are expected to follow these same procedures and to consult with Education Abroad as appropriate. 
• In case of any emergency on an IU program abroad, Education Abroad must be informed as quickly as possible. No cancellation or changes in programs, evacuations, or treatment other than that of an urgent nature should be undertaken without first contacting the office in Bloomington, which will coordinate appropriate action.
• In case of death or serious accident requiring medical evacuation, Resident Directors or local coordinators should also contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The office in Bloomington will serve as a clearing house for information and all calls should be referred there.
• In cases of contagious illness, injury, incarceration or death, uninvolved program participants should be asked not to contact their homes or families until Education Abroad and IU officials have given instructions to the on-site representative for action.
• In case of the absence or incapacity of the Resident Director, the Assistant Director or local coordinator should inform the office in Bloomington before making decisions on emergency matters.  

After working hours, on weekends and holidays, a call to the main office phone number of OVST will provide contact with the staff member(s) on call for emergencies. 

Education Abroad Contact numbers:
Education Abroad Office  
Tel: (812) 855-9304  Fax: (812) 855-6452  

Susan Carty, Director:    
(812) 855-9305 (Of);
(812) 336-7518 (H);
(812) 327-9058 (Cell) 

Additional contacts:  
• U.S. State Department Travel Alerts Links to an external site.
• (Main Switchboard: 1-202-647-4000; Hotline for American Travelers: 1-202-647-5225)
• U.S. State Department Overseas Citizens Services (202-501-4444)
• U.S. colleagues with programs in the same or nearby locations