Skip to content

Countries with Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisories

 

Policy and Procedures for Study Abroad in Sites under a Level 3 or Level 4 State Department or Centers for Disease Control Travel Advisory

Loyola University New Orleans sets guidelines about how, when and where students may study abroad and considers issues of terrorism, war, disease and other risks to travelers. Accordingly, the University observes the following policy:
 

If the US Department of State or or the Centers for Disease Control issue a Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory for a particular country or region within a country,  Loyola will suspend approval of any current program or individual study abroad by Loyola students in that site as long as the Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory is in effect and will not approve any new programs unless an application for a waiver of this policy is approved. Without approval of the waiver application, university support is withdrawn and no academic credit will be awarded for programs in those countries nor will federal financial aid be granted for study in such locations.

In reviewing the request for a waiver of this policy, the university should carefully review the actual travel advisory as well as other sources such as the recommendations of other countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.  In some situations, a travel advisory may be very narrowly defined, ( e.g. the February 8, 2012  travel warning for Mexico) and there may be legitimate academic reasons for developing or continuing a program or exchange in that site.
 
When a Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory is issued, one of the following applications/requests will be required in order for a program to be considered:

  1. For a Loyola Exchange/Faculty-led program, the director or CIE must submit a "Waiver for a Loyola Exchange-Faculty-run program in a Site with a Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory." 
  2. For a student requesting approval of a non-Loyola program in a site with a Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory, the student must complete the "Student Application for Study in a Site with a Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory."


Faculty and students participating in approved faculty-led programs are covered by LewerMark insurance.
 
Students approved to participate in a non-Loyola program have the option to secure study abroad insurance through LewerMark. To purchase LewerMark study abroad insurance, contact cie@loyno.edu.

Procedures

1.     Procedures For Loyola Programs in Site where there is a Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory

  1. Timeline - The application must be submitted to the Internationalization Review and Advisory Committee according to the following deadlines:

    1. For a program currently abroad - within one week of the issuance of a Level 3 or 4 travel advisory.  An email should be sent to the students abroad with the travel advisory and letting them know that the university is currently reviewing the  warning and will notify the students of its decision of whether or not to cancel the program.

    2. For a program that is planned or being promoted - within 2 weeks of the issuance of the Level 3 or 4 travel advisory or as determined by Risk Management and CIE. 

    3. For a new program or exchange - The application must be submitted to the Internationalization Review and Advisory Committee along with the application for a new program

  2. Application – A faculty director or CIE submits the waiver for a Loyola Exchange/Faculty-run program in a site with a Level 3 or 4 travel advisory” and any supporting documentation.

  3. Review - The Internationalization Review and Advisory Committee reviews the request and forwards their recommendation to the provost and/or the UC&CC..

  4. Provost decision

    1. Waiver Approved - If the Provost approves the request then any student applying for that program must receive a copy of the travel advisory along with the completed waiver.  The student must sign off in the online application system that they have read the warning and the waiver.  A copy of these documents should also be sent to the parents. If a waiver is approved, then the travel advisory must be reviewed annually until a new travel advisory or revision occurs.  If a new Level 3 or 4 travel advisory is issued, then the program will be reviewed as per the procedures above.

    2. Waiver rejected – If the provost determines that a program should be cancelled or suspended or not approved due to the situation reflected in the travel advisory, the faculty director or CIE will notify any current students.

  5. Refunds and withdrawals

    1. If the provost determines that a program should be cancelled or terminated due to a Level 3 or 4 travel advisory, the process for notification and refunds will be determined by the Provost based on recommendations from the Internationalization Review and Advisory Committee.

    2. If the provost determines that a program may continue in spite of the traveling advisory, students may still choose to withdraw and any student choosing to withdraw from the program will receive a refund based on the following:

      1. Prior to the start of the program, students will be permitted to withdraw and every effort will be made to find an alternate program.  If an alternate program cannot be found, every effort will be made to refund any fees but the actual amount of refund will be determined on a case by case basis.

      2. When students are abroad, the updated information must be distributed within 72 hours to students and students will be permitted to withdraw.  Every effort will be made to allow students to complete their coursework after their return. Students shall be refunded any fees not already expended.


2.    Procedures for Students Applying to study in a non-Loyola program where there is a Level 3 or 4 travel advisory

  1. Timeline - All applications for summer, fall and academic year are due on March 1 and for J-term and spring on October 1.

  2. Application- Student must submit the Student Application to study in a program where there is a Level 3 or 4 travel advisory to CIE along with any supporting documentation.

    1. if the student will be enrolling directly in a university abroad, the petition should also include information required by the petition for direct enrollment

    2. The student must still complete and receive academic approval for the specific program and courses by completing the Course Approval Form.  Any approval for academic credit for the course pursuant to this provision shall not and will not constitute an approval to travel to a site with Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory, and Loyola shall bear no liability for any damages incurred in connection with travel to or presence in such a site.

  3. Review- The Internationalization Review and Advisory Committee reviews and decides whether or not to approve the student petition.

  4. Notification – CIE will notify the student of the decision of the Internationalization Review and Advisory Committee.

    1. Approval – if the petition is approved, the student will receive academic credit as per the course approval form.

    2. Denial – if the petition is denied, and the student decides to study abroad, he/she will have to withdraw from the university and then reapply upon completion of the study abroad program. Acceptance of credits will be determined by Admissions. 


(Approved by the UC&CC on 9/20/2012, Revised 10/06/2021)

The required approvals and procedures are listed in the applications.  Without approval of the application and waiver, the university support is withdrawn and no academic credit will be awarded for programs in such countries nor will federal financial aid be granted for study in such locations.  For more information on this or to submit a waiver, please contact the Center for International Education, cie@loyno.edu.
 

For State Department Travel Advisories please check the State Department website.
For CDC Travel Advisories, please see the CDC Travelers' Health website.