Hello, at Florida Atlantic University the following announcement was sent out: As we prepare for summer to begin, many FAU employees and students are making travel plans. Currently, only essential travel is permitted and must be approved by a dean or vice president. Essential travel is defined as travel which is essential to FAU’s mission and operation that can only be completed by physically being present and doesn’t create an unacceptable health hazard. Essential travel includes traveling to a workshop linked to ensuring accreditation, attending a conference where you are a presenter on behalf of FAU, or any other travel associated with ensuring the successful delivery of a critical mission area of the university. International travel is permissible for employees and students. Travel itineraries that include a stop at a country that the US State Department has designated at a Level 3 - Reconsider Travel or higher advisory notice must be reviewed by the University’s global security and travel task force prior to approval. Upon approval, international travelers must register for insurance coverage through the Center for Global Engagement (https://www.fau.edu/goabroad/international-travel-insurance.php). Domestic and international student group overnight travel (including for-credit) is not being permitted at this time. Students who are participating in independent research or individual academic projects must be approved by a dean or vice president. Dr. Mihaela N. Metianu Executive Director, Center for Global Engagement Florida Atlantic University 561-297-3048 www.fau.edu/global -----Original Message----- From: aieamembers@aieaworld.simplelists.com <aieamembers@aieaworld.simplelists.com> On Behalf Of Kalpen Trivedi Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2021 9:08 AM To: aieamembers@aieaworld.simplelists.com Subject: Re: AIEA: RE: State Department Travel Advisory EXTERNAL EMAIL : Exercise caution when responding, opening links, or opening attachments. At UMass Amherst, we are currently studying the impact of these changes on our travel and study abroad policies. The DOS advisories are one of several factors we consider in evaluating the risks of any destination, albeit an important one. Per their own admission, DOS said yesterday that these changes did not reflect a reassessment of the risks of any particular location, merely an alignment with the CDC. To our mind, this makes the advisories less useful as they are now redundant with CDC guidance. UMass Amherst has allowed limited study-abroad during Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 per our own risk assessments and we will likely continue to follow a strictly controlled travel policy that allows for some student and faculty/staff mobility. Kalpen Trivedi Kalpen Trivedi, Ph.D. | Associate Provost Director, International Programs Office University of Massachusetts Amherst www.umass.edu/ipo <http://www.umass.edu/ipo> Calendar managed by Kim Stender <mailto:kstender@umass.edu> On 4/22/21, 1:52 PM, "aieamembers@aieaworld.simplelists.com on behalf of Amber Brugnoli" <aieamembers@aieaworld.simplelists.com on behalf of Amber.Brugnoli@mail.wvu.edu> wrote: Hi, Dietrich - We do not allow students to travel to Level 4s, but the changes are not impacted us much. Most of our exchange partners had already canceled for the Fall (so we didn't have to be the bad guys). We do not limit faculty/staff travel, but due to budgetary spend reductions, most Deans were limiting international travel unless it was grant-funded. The few faculty I've talked to about travel plans for summer and Fall ended up canceling anyway because of the testing/quarantine requirements and/or restrictions/lockdowns at the destination. Take care! Sincerely, Amber L. Amber Brugnoli, J.D., Ph.D. Assoc Vice-President and Executive Director for Global Affairs West Virginia University 304-293-9298 (phone) amber.brugnoli@mail.wvu.edu -----Original Message----- From: aieamembers@aieaworld.simplelists.com <aieamembers@aieaworld.simplelists.com> On Behalf Of Maune, Dietrich - maunedx Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 3:57 PM To: aieamembers@aieaworld.simplelists.com Subject: AIEA: State Department Travel Advisory Hello all, I am curious to hear your views about the change in the State Department Travel Advisory system to better align with CDC. Is it changing any plans for the summer? Will it impact fall programs abroad? Does a Level 4 - Do Not Travel restrict any international travel by university personnel and students? Thanks in advance, Dietrich Maune --------------------------------- Mr. Dietrich Maune Interim Executive Director, Center for Global Engagement Professor, School of Media Arts and Design MSC 5731 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Office: Madison Hall 2059 Ph. 540-568-7002 Fax. 540-568-3310