Penn State Intercom......April 10, 2003

Faculty, staff warned about
dangers of international travel

By Tysen Kendig
Public Information

Faculty and staff considering international travel for any purpose in the coming months should continue to be on high alert and avoid such trips if at all possible.

That is the message from University officials who organize travel for faculty and staff, as well as those overseeing the hundreds of Penn State students currently studying abroad or making plans to do so. The words of caution echo those issued by U.S. Department of State as tensions rose in the Middle East through the latter part of 2002 and early 2003, and emphasize the department's subsequent alerts urging even higher levels of vigilance and precaution now that military action in Iraq is under way.

"Travelers should be aware this is a very difficult and unpredictable time in the travel industry due to the conflict in Iraq and the already difficult financial conditions of many airlines," said Marguerite Gustkey, manager of travel services for the University. "Our office discovers many unexpected policy and schedule changes, as well as cancellations, on a daily basis. Travelers should be prepared as best they can for these unexpected changes by reconfirming their flights in advance."

The Department of State has advised all U.S. citizens abroad to be aware of the increased potential for anti-American violence, including terrorist actions in both foreign countries and in the United States. As a result of the military action in Iraq, Americans are at greater risk for retaliatory actions, including potential terrorist actions such as suicide operations, bombings and kidnappings. The possible threats include conventional and nonconventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents. Travelers are reminded that terrorists do not distinguish between civilian and military targets.

While Penn State is not aware of any direct threats to its faculty, staff or students, it urges all members of the University community currently abroad or planning international travel to use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary risks. According to the Department of State, all Americans should increase their security awareness in public places, avoid them entirely or go to locations where Americans do not typically congregate when out of the country.

Gustkey suggests that when planning travel internationally, travelers should review any Department of State travel advisories that may be posted for their destination country.

These advisories can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html.

In addition to warnings about anti-American violence, the recent global outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has added an additional concern for travelers. Those planning an international trip in particular should review a fact sheet with warnings and information on the disease, also located at the Department of State's travel advisories Web site.

Two other Big Ten institutions have joined Penn State in offering suggestions and guidelines for international travel by faculty and staff. The University of Iowa suggests that employees avoid booking travel on the Internet where the University is incapable of tracking where they might be in the event of an emergency. In all cases, the university urges faculty and staff to make travel arrangements and purchase airline tickets through a University of Iowa travel office or travel agency.

The University of Michigan has gone one step further, prohibiting university-related travel to any country under a U.S. Department of State warning. Those who are traveling independently with university support for study or research may be asked to sign a waiver indicating they have been apprised of safety and security concerns for the countries in which they intend to travel.

Tysen Kendig can be reached at tysen@psu.edu.

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