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Office of Global Opportunities
15 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
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Office of Global Opportunities Risk Management

The Office of Global Opportunities (OGO) tracks and reviews health, safety, and security issues that have the potential for impacting Ohio University student travel. OGO’s risk management team also responds to emergencies impacting students, faculty and staff on University-sponsored travel.

Risk Monitoring and Assessment

OGO’s risk management team monitors world events, news reports, U.S. Department of State (USDOS) travel information and advisories, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel advisories and warnings as well as information provided by the University's international security partner, International SOS.

Specifically, OGO monitors global information and events where:

  • The University sponsors international and domestic study away programs.
  • University students conduct independent, university-sponsored or -related international travel.

If conditions warrant it, OGO will initiate a review and assessment of proposed program and student travel and bring it to the Study Away Risk Assessment Committee (SARAC) for review.

Thresholds for risk assessment and review requirements are outlined in the SARAC Operating Policies and Procedures [PDF]. Review and approval of student and student program travel is required 

A health, safety, and security risk review and pre-travel approval is always required for all OHIO student travel under the following circumstances: 

  1. U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory of Level 3 or 4 for country or locality 
  2. International SOS travel risk rating of HIGH or EXTREME 
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Health Notices Levels 3 or 4 

Additional thresholds are outlined in the SARAC Operating Policies and Procedures. For questions and to inquire about travel approvals, send an email to OGOriskmanagement@ohio.edu.

Students planning independent, university-sponsored travel to high-risk destinations must seek and receive university approval prior to travel. This includes undergraduate, graduate and medical students traveling abroad for activities such as research, medical rotations, volunteer or work experiences, internships, conferences, direct enroll or through a third-party provider program (i.e., affiliate program). This requirement does not extend to personal travel such as vacations.

Timeline:

Risk assessment requests for independent student travel should be submitted at least 3 months in advance of planned travel. Students are encouraged to start the process earlier so they have enough time to plan travel, make onsite arrangements, and book airfare. The review will normally take 1-2 months. and late submissions may result in automatic denial of travel. 

Process:

  1. To initiate the Independent Traveler Risk Assessment Process, students should complete the Independent Risk Review form in Qualtrics: https://ohio.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5z36qX05IsZbaHs.

  2. The Office of Global Opportunities' Health and Safety team will compile your response, alongside a short location and situation report about your travel destination(s). During this time, you may be contacted for additional information about your proposed experience.

  3. The Study Away Risk Assessment Committee (SARAC) will review the documentation and will issue a travel/no travel recommendation to the Office of the Provost. 

  4. The Office of the Provost makes a final decision regarding travel. Once this decision has been received, you will be notified of the outcome via OGOriskmanagement@ohio.edu. 

Note that while we try to avoid travel disruptions, the onsite health and security may change after this review process has concluded, and a previously granted travel approval may later be revoked. 

Tips for Completing the Form:

  • Gather your information before you start. Questions in the survey will address location, travel, housing and health-related information for your proposed experience. We recommend that you work through the Word document first Independent Student International Travel to High-Risk Destinations- Risk Assessment Request.docx, then copy and paste your responses into the online survey.

    • Note that not all questions may be relevant to your travel request. Due to internal survey logic in Qualtrics, not all questions visible in the Word version of the survey may appear as you complete the survey online.

  • Be thorough.  Make sure you supply comprehensive, complete, and thorough information in this survey. Incomplete answers and missing information will lead to follow-up and delay in processing your approval request.

  • Start Early. You should submit this survey no later than 3 months prior to travel. You are welcome to submit earlier. The review will normally take 1-2 months. and late submissions may result in automatic denial of travel. 

Timeline:

Risk assessment requests for program travel to high risk destinations must be initiated before the program application is open.  The review will normally take 1-2 months.The timeline will in part depend on the availability of and access to documents required for the full review.

Process:

  1. To initiate the process, you will work with your OGO Program Coordinator. At minimum, a detailed itinerary for your travel is required, but additional documentation may be needed. 
  2. The Office of Global Opportunities' Health and Safety team will compile your response, alongside a location and situation report about the travel destination(s). During this time, you may be contacted for additional information about your proposed experience.
  3. The Study Away Risk Assessment Committee (SARAC) will review the documentation and will issue a travel/no travel recommendation to the Office of the Provost. 
  4. The Office of the Provost makes a final decision regarding travel. Once this decision has been received, you will be notified of the outcome via OGOriskmanagement@ohio.edu. 

Study Away Risk Assessment Committee

The Study Away Risk Assessment Committee (SARAC) is comprised of representatives from across Ohio University. SARAC reviews travel requests and risk assessments. For more information on SARAC’s operations and triggers for travel review and risk assessments please see:

OHIO University Student Travel Policy

According to University Policy 22.001: Student Travel, Ohio University students must register University-sponsored travel. To register travel, start here.