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Travel Warning

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Except as provided below, Northwestern University will not operate, pay for, supervise, direct, or otherwise support a study abroad program, research program, or other course or program for any students (undergraduate, graduate, professional) in a portion of a country where a Department of State Travel Warning (“Travel Warning”) is in effect.

Faculty, Staff & Graduate Students

An individual faculty member, staff member, or graduate student whose professional activities (e.g., research, teaching at a foreign institution, attendance at a conference) necessitate travel to a portion of a country where a Travel Warning is in effect and any of whose travel/research costs are paid from a University administered account may undertake such travel only after the following steps have been taken:
  • A description of the proposed professional activities has been filed with each program, department, or school that is funding the trip and each group has approved the trip in writing based on its feasibility and importance; additionally, the individual’s department chair and dean have also approved the trip in writing.
  • The faculty member, staff member, or graduate student has signed the Faculty and Staff Travel Waiver Form (see below) indicating that he or she understands the risks involved in travel to this location and releasing the University from any liability;
  • The faculty member, staff member, or student has appropriate health insurance approved by the Office of Risk Management;
  • Evidence of compliance with a., b., and c. is on file with the Office of Risk Management.

Students

Notwithstanding the terms and conditions set forth above, any student who wishes to travel to an area subject to a Travel Warning in connection with a study abroad program or other course of study or research may do so under these conditions:
  • The program or other course of study or research is not operated or funded by Northwestern or supervised or directed by Northwestern faculty or staff
  • The student has signed the Student Travel Waiver Form (see below) indicating that he or she understands the risks involved in travel to this location and releasing the University from any liability. If the student is an undergraduate, at least one of the student’s parents (or the student’s legal guardian) must also sign the completed Student Travel Form.
During the time that the student is engaged in travel under this paragraph, the student will not be enrolled at Northwestern.

Students, staff, and faculty who are abroad or who contemplate going abroad on University sponsored travel are responsible for regularly consulting the U.S. Department of State Travel Warning page.

Travel Waiver Forms

Completed forms should be returned to the Office of Risk Management.