UCR Policy Restrictions on Student Participation
In Countries with U.S. State Department Travel Warnings
The safety and security of UCR students abroad is of the utmost importance. While we encourage students to participate in educational opportunities throughout the world, when there are recognized regional dangers or instabilities, we do not endorse participation abroad in the specified areas. However, we do advises students that willfully choose to study abroad in a Travel Warning country must take personal responsibility for the research and precautionary measures to study overseas.
Specifically, when the US State Department issues a Travel Warning UCR students will not be allowed to participate in a program in that country through EAP. In the case of a Travel Warning, the UC Education Abroad Program will suspend operations in that region and OAP may follow suit. Affected EAP participants may be allowed to transfer over to OAP status in order to continue their studies in the affected country.
Prospective OAP participants will be strictly advised not to enter the affected region . They will be extensively counseled to identify and consider alternative locations. All OAP participants are required to sign a Waiver of Liability as part of the OAP Packet prior to departure, regardless if a State Department Travel Warning is in effect.
When a Travel Warning is issued after an OAP program has commenced, and/or EAP ceases operations in that country, we will advise OAP students in the region about the travel warning. We will strongly encourage UCR students to withdraw from the OAP programs sponsored by other organizations even if these programs continue to operate.
All OAP participants, regardless of existing travel warnings or restrictions, are required to review the U.S. State Department Travel website. Additionally, OAP participants must sign a Waiver of Liability affirming that they have read and assume full responsibility for taking the steps recommended in these materials.
Students who are determined to enter regions with travel warnings may still do the following:
- Follow instructions on apply for an OAP program.
- Meet with a OAP Advisor for instructions.
- Fill out an OAP Waiver of Liability form.
- Monitor U.S. State Department Travel Warnings for your destination country http://travel.state.gov
- Monitor the Overseas Security Advisory Council website for news about your destination country http://www.osac.gov