University-related travel to the Middle East through April 19 is currently under review by International Safety and Security, according to a Massmail the University sent to faculty, staff and graduate students.
The Massmail defined University-related travel as students, faculty and staff traveling outside the United States for university purposes. It also stated that all travel plans to the 14 countries that the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs encouraged Americans to leave by March 2 will be evaluated to align with the University’s International Travel Safety Policy.
Travelers will be notified through email about risk-mitigation strategies and whether they can travel.
In the event travel isn’t approved, travelers may lose access to University resources such as funding, agreements and academic credit. Travel approvals to high-risk countries will be made by the associate chancellor and vice provost for global affairs and strategies in collaboration with International Safety and Security.
The 14 countries include Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria and Yemen. The notice also applies to the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
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The International Travel Safety Policy states that travel to locations the U.S. Department of State designates levels 3 and 4 requires additional review.
The University expressed the possibility of temporarily halting all travel to a specific country if there are active conflicts, closures of airspaces and conflicts leading to exclusions in insurance policies.
“These developments present new challenges to international travel, research, and engagement, adding stress for many members of our community,” the Massmail read. “International Safety and Security will continue to monitor developments and communicate updates to support our community. We appreciate the care that members of our community continue to show for one another during a challenging time.”
This comes after the United States and Israel launched a series of attacks on Iran Saturday morning, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Since then, Iran has conducted retaliatory strikes on Israeli and U.S. military bases. Some community members held an emergency protest opposing the strikes at Champaign’s West Side Park on Saturday afternoon.
Anyone with questions about travel safety and international insurance can contact International Safety and Security at [email protected] or visit its website to find more resources.
