Policies and Protocols

Educator International Travel Vetting Policy

(Updated October 2022)

From time to time, Messiah University Educators travel internationally for professional and personal reasons.  At times, this might involve travel to a country that is considered “high risk” in that it triggers one or more of Messiah’s International Risk Management Committee’s “trip wires:” 

1. Declaration of war by the U.S. against the country or an adjacent neighbor
2. Declaration of war by a third country against the country of a program’s location
3. Significant terrorist or military activity in the program city
4. Protracted or indefinite closure of the overseas university where Messiah students are studying
5. Inability of on-site program staff to organize and carry out an academic program, including at potential relocations outside the university or program center
6. Disruption of public utilities and/or services
7. Wide-spread civil unrest, violence, and/or rioting
8. A declaration of martial law in the program city
9. Recommendation of suspension/cancellation by the program staff in-country
10. Upgraded travel warnings and/or specific directives by the U.S. State Department and/or U.S. Embassy
11. Evidence of increase in violent crime
12. Student complaints of insecurity
13. Pandemics and national epidemics
14. Widespread infection in the region where program is located

(Note: This list is not exhaustive and is not in rank order. It is ultimately within the International Risk Management Committee’s discretion to determine whether student and/or Educator health and safety is at risk in a given location.)

It is incumbent on both the University and the individual Educators to be clear on the liability of such international travel.

There are four categories of educator travel.  Each has specific implications and vetting requirements for the Educator and the University:

1. Educators traveling with students.
   • High risk experiences and locations are automatically vetted by the International Risk Management Committee.
   • Educators are not permitted to travel with students without this vetting and approval.
   • Insurance implications:
     • Educators should review the document titled “Educator International Travel - Insurance Implications” for further information on insurance coverage and options.
     • For any employee traveling in a country that is on the U.S. State Department travel warning or alert list their life insurance through Guardian is void. Individual life insurance policies purchased through MetLife by the employee do not have this exclusion.
     • Any supplemental health insurance for both Educators and students is covered by the travel budget.
2. Educators traveling in fulfillment of job expectations and/or as a request from their supervisor.
   • Educators are required to complete a brief online registration to collect basic emergency contact information at least three months prior to departure. 
   • High risk experiences and locations are automatically vetted by International Risk Management Committee.
   • Educators are not permitted to travel without this vetting and approval.
   • Insurance implications:
     • Educators should review the document titled “Educator International Travel - Insurance Implications” for further information on insurance coverage and options.
     • Any supplemental health insurance for Educators is covered by the travel budget.
     • For any employee traveling in a country that is on the U.S. State Department travel warning or alert list their life insurance through Guardian is void.  Individual life insurance policies purchased through MetLife by the employee do not have this exclusion.
3. Educators involved in optional travel but using University funds.
   • The Educator must be aware of and assess the risks of travel to high risk countries. The University does not take on this risk.
   • Educators are required to complete a brief online registration to collect basic emergency contact information at least three months prior to departure. 
   • The Educator must fill out the “Educator Travel to Warned Country Release Form” (see p. 3 of this document) and submit it to the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement agapecenter@messiah.edu) prior to departure. This form is available at the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement, Office of the Provost, Office of Faculty Development, and the educator’s School Dean.
   • Insurance implications:
     • Educators should review the document titled “Educator International Travel – Insurance Implications” for further information on insurance coverage and options.
     • Any supplemental health insurance is the responsibility of the Educator.
     • For any employee traveling in a country that is on the U.S. State Department travel warning or alert list, their life insurance through Guardian is void.  There is no exclusion on the MetLife voluntary life insurance policy.
4. Educators involved in optional travel and not using any University funds.
   • The University is not involved in or liable in any such travel.

Approved by the International Risk Management Committee:  February 6, 2017