The Definition of Elevated/High-Risk Travel

• Proposed travel to a country or region identified by the University where the health, safety and security of travelers may be at an elevated risk, based upon information from reliable sources, including, but not limited to, the following: U.S. Department of State; Overseas Security Advisory Council; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the University’s travel assistance and insurance providers; and/or subject matter experts.

• Proposed travel involving uninsurable destinations, uninsurable activities, sanctioned countries and/or sanctioned individuals.

Research Security/Export Control Countries of Concern

The locations below have been deemed high-risk in joint evaluation by Global Safety & Operations and Research Compliance/Export Control. Regardless of other health, safety & security features, travel bans, travel ratings, etc., travel to countries on the below list must be reviewed by Research Compliance/Export Control. Review by Research Compliance/Export Control does not preclude any other review such as, health, safety & security, human resources, tax, legal, risk management, travel risk review committee, etc. Please see here for the full list of countries. 

Considerations for Faculty/Staff Travelers

High-risk travel requests that are received from faculty/staff travelers are evaluated as they are received, a minimum of 21 business days prior to travel. Travel that is listed by the U.S. Department of State at level 4, the Centers for Disease Control at level 3, or considered high-risk by our security provider On-Call International will be deemed high-risk and result in TRRC review. Other factors may also be considered (i.e. regional variance within a country) and may result in travel to U.S. DOS level 3 countries being reviewed. All travel involving high-value Drexel University equipment, sanctioned individuals, and sanctioned countries will be reviewed. This guidance is not exhaustive, but attempts to provide at least some direction as faculty/staff prepare and submit travel requests. 

Evaluating Elevated/High-Risk Travel Requests

Elevated/high-risk travel requests are reviewed by the Travel Risk Review Committee, which includes members who represent specific university functions and areas of responsibility. These advisory members will provide additional insight and information related to high-risk travel requests. The Travel Risk Review Committee provides a recommendation to approve or deny travel and presents that recommendation to the COO or Provost for final adjudication. 

Change in Safety/Security Situation at Previously Approved Location

If the safety or security of a location changes between the time approval has been granted and the date travel begins, The Director of Global Safety & Operations may suspend approval pending reevaluation and re-authorization by the Travel Risk Review Committee. Approval may ultimately be sustained or revoked, or require additional safety measures reflecting the changed environment prior to re-authorizing travel.