The University of Memphis

International Travel for University of Memphis Students

POLICIES

All travel out of the country for University of Memphis student-related programs such as studying abroad, internship or student teaching must be approved by the Center for International Programs and Services (CIPS). This policy applies to both credit and non-credit activities, and includes internships and student teaching.

• To assist University of Memphis students traveling overseas on University sponsored activities.
• Through pre-departure orientation, to minimize any risks or inconvenience that might be caused by improper documentation or inadequate preparation for travel.

1. All formal University sponsored trips to international sites, whether for-credit or not-for-credit, must be registered with the Study Abroad Office at the Center for International Programs and Services before the trip or program is authorized to be announced. 
2. Travel arrangements must be made in consultation with the Study Abroad Office. All student fees associated with the travel must be collected by the Center for International Programs and Services.
3. Students must complete all required application forms. Any student who does not submit the required forms or does not provide proof of adequate insurance for the duration of the proposed overseas stay will not be permitted to participate in the program.
4. Students must attend pre-departure orientation sessions conducted by the Study Abroad Office and sign a Statement of Responsibility and Assumption of Risk form.
5. The Study Abroad office will identify faculty/staff trip leader(s), when the destination and number of students travelling indicate that a trip leader is warranted, in consultation with the relevant academic or administrative department.
6. Faculty/staff leading such trips must review all materials provided by the Study Abroad Office and be familiar with safety and security issues and with University of Memphis Study Abroad crisis protocols.
7. Student eligibility for all international travel on University programs or University sponsored activities includes maturity and good academic standing. Those students enrolled in credit-bearing programs must also have, at minimum, a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Any exceptions to the eligibility requirements related to academic standing must be approved by the Study Abroad Office and the Academic Status and Retention Office. 

Various sources are constantly monitored in order to keep abreast of situations in the world that might affect the health and safety of students during their time abroad. The University of Memphis will review these situations on a case by case basis, and may take precautionary measures that modify a given study abroad program itinerary or cancel a program altogether when a significant health or safety concern is raised. These health and safety concerns may arise from a number of sources such as natural disasters, warnings from governmental or non-governmental health organizations, or other indicators of potential health or safety threats. The University may decide to suspend or cancel a program before it starts or while it is in process.

Suspension and/or cancellation of a program will be decided by a committee comprised of University Legal Counsel, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the Chair of the International Programs advisory board, and others appointed by the Provost. In an emergency situation, where it is impractical for the committee to meet, the Provost or designated official may take immediate steps to have students removed from a country, region or area.

Travel to countries with which the U.S. does not maintain diplomatic relations is permitted only under guidelines offered by the U.S. Department of State.

The University of Memphis will not be responsible for a full refund of expenses incurred by students should the University cancel a program based on a safety or health issue. Students will receive a full refund of maintenance and application fees paid to the University of Memphis. However, payments made to an airline or travel agent to secure transportation and/or housing will be refunded based on that provider’s refund policy. Students are therefore encouraged to purchase travel insurance policies that will issue refunds for travel cancellations related to natural disasters, travel warnings, epidemics etc.  

The University of Memphis strongly discourages international student travel for research, work, travel and study abroad to any country or region for which the U.S. Department of State or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel warning.  Accordingly, the University of Memphis will not allow students to apply scholarship awards, institutional financial aid or any other University funding to travel, study, internships, research trips, or University-related business in countries or regions for which the State Department or CDC has issued a Travel Warning prior to the start of the program or trip.

Appeals to reinstate a suspended or canceled program or to permit the use of University funds towards travel to a country under a Travel Warning may be made, in writing, to the Director of the Center for International Programs and Services. Appeals will be considered by a committee composed of University Legal Counsel, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the Chair of the International Programs advisory board, and others appointed by the Provost. This committee will make a recommendation to the Provost for final determination by the President.

If a program is approved upon appeal, that approval may be revoked based on safety concerns at any time prior to or during the duration of the program abroad.

Contact the Center for International Programs and Services.

          via email: studyabroad@memphis.edu

on the web: http://academics.memphis.edu/cips/abroad/

 Contact the Study Abroad Office in the Center for International Programs and Services:

via email: studyabroad@memphis.edu

on the web: http://academics.memphis.edu/cips/abroad/

http://cipsweb.memphis.edu/abroad/forms/study_abroad_app.pdf