Drexel University High Risk Travel Policy

High risk travel is defined as 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; other institutions of higher education, and/or subject matter experts. Proposed travel involving uninsurable destinations, suspended locations, uninsurable activities, sanctioned countries and/or sanctioned individuals is also considered high risk travel.

Student Travel

High-risk travel requests that are received from student travelers or for student programs are evaluated with the highest level of scrutiny. Specifically, travel that is listed by the U.S. Department of State at levels 3 or 4, the Centers for Disease Control at levels 2 or 3, or medium to high-risk by our security provider On-Call International will be considered high-risk and result in TRRC review. Other factors may also be considered (i.e. regional variance within a country) that may result in U.S. DOS level 2 travel being reviewed. All travel involving high-value Drexel University equipment, sanctioned individuals, and sanctioned countries will be reviewed. This is not exhaustive but attempts to provide at least some direction as students and program leaders prepare and submit travel requests.

Faculty and Staff Travel

High-risk travel requests that are received from faculty and 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 is not exhaustive but attempts to provide at least some direction as faculty/staff prepare and submit travel requests. 

Evaluation and Adjudication

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. 

Changes in Safety or Security at a 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 Executive Director of Global Safety & Operations may suspend approval pending reevaluation and re-authorization by the Travel Risk Review Committee. Approval may ultimately be sustained, revoked, or require additional safety measures reflecting the changed environment prior to re-authorizing travel.