All faculty and staff planning TCU funded international travel with TCU students must coordinate travel with the TCU Center for International Studies (CIS.)  Contact CIS staff for guidance at least eight weeks prior to departure.  Further guidance is available through the CIS website at http://studyabroad.tcu.edu/default.asp?pid=146.

Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts

Faculty, staff and students should be aware of Travel Warnings (long-term risk conditions) issued by the U. S. Department of State concerning countries for which travel by U.S. Citizens is considered dangerous and should be avoided.  Prior to making any travel plans, those wishing to travel abroad using TCU or external research funds should check the U.S. State Department Website for advisories (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html). TCU will not permit employees to travel on University business to countries where warnings have been issued.  

In cases where the State Department has issued a Travel Alert (short-term risk conditions) for dangerous areas within a country, TCU faculty/staff/student groups are not permitted to travel in the designated area without prior written approval by the dean or appropriate vice chancellor.  The U.S. State Department Website details Travel Alerts (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html).

If a faculty/staff/student group has planned for travel abroad and a Travel Warning is issued prior to departure, that travel must be cancelled, even if deposits have been paid.  If an individual or group has departed prior to a Travel Warning, the individual or group must return to the U.S. as soon as possible.  In both cases, university funds will be permitted as expense reimbursement. Please review all TCU expense reimbursement procedures prior to travel.
 
Contact should be made with TCU as soon as possible to coordinate return and to establish a communication point.  
 
TCU has partnered with International SOS which can assist with travel inquiries and emergencies.  Please consult this site PRIOR to travel.  Information is available through the Center for International Studies or  http://studyabroad.tcu.edu/default.asp?pid=&cat=Home.
 
Faculty and staff are required to plan for and maintain cell phone service for emergency communication while traveling. Itineraries and emergency contact information must be on file with the department chair and TCU Campus Police prior to travel on any TCU funded trip outside the U.S.



Travel Insurance and Repatriation
 
Individuals should be advised that TCU insurance coverage will not cover any claims arising out of travel in areas where a Travel Warning has been issued.  Further, emergency repatriation coverage may be limited or not available in additional countries that are not on the State Department Travel Warning list.  Contact the Center for International Studies (CIS) early in the planning process to determine emergency repatriation resources and restrictions. CIS can also provide information on travel insurance options for students, faculty and staff.  Travel insurance should be considered for departments planning international group travel. http://studyabroad.tcu.edu/default.asp?pid=&cat=Home.