International Travel Policies

Global USA Study Abroad
Student Handbook

The International Travel Risk Advisory Committee (ITRAC) administers the University of South Alabama’s Travel Policy under the direction of its chair, the Executive Director of Global Engagement.  The ITRAC is charged with evaluating the health, safety and security of university-sponsored international activities involving University of South Alabama students, faculty and staff. The ITRAC serves at the direction of the Executive Vice President/Provost and is composed of representatives of the Office of International Education, Global Engagement, Risk Management and Insurance, Student Health, Office of the General Counsel, and University faculty.

Among other responsibilities, the ITRAC reviews Travel Permission Requests by sponsoring academic units or individual students traveling to countries under the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisory Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel.  The ITRAC also reviews countries with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health Notice Warning Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions or Level 3: Avoid Non Essential Travel, or other locations deemed higher risk.

This body may also be responsible for reviewing and recommending whether or not to suspend an ongoing or previously approved international educational activity if a significant health, safety or security concern is raised regarding that experience. In making this assessment, the Committee will consider the risk management plan for the students, staff or faculty involved in the program or experience and the balance between the value of the academic experience in that specific location versus the risks associated with that location/activity. The Committee makes its recommendations to the Associate Vice President for Global Engagement, who reviews the recommendations and makes a final decision.

The ITRAC meets monthly to discuss risk mitigation for the University of South Alabama international travelers.  However, it is prudent to begin the review process for international activities abroad as soon as possible. If you have questions regarding your university-sponsored international travel please e-mail intledu@smcun.com with ITRAC plus your subject in the subject line.