Faculty Handbook

Advance planning

Safety is a prime concern of all who are involved in study abroad ventures. On the other hand, there are risks that are unique to settings abroad, and when incidents occur, the impact on participants and their families is often more profound because of the unfamiliarity of the context and the distance that separates participants from their primary sources of consolation and support.

The provisions of the Family Rights and Privacy Act (Buckley Amendment), coupled with the age of majority at eighteen, often come into conflict with (a) OSA and leaders’ needs to have full information about the participants we serve, and (b) the desire of parents and OSA/MSU to be briefed fully when something goes wrong.  This conflict is not unique to study abroad - the issue is faced continually on campus but it does pose a more delicate challenge for study abroad because of the heightened sensitivities and the distance. 

If students or parents should inquire about how MSU deals with safety and security issues, you may provide the following information:

MSU is dedicated to offering a wide variety of study abroad opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse student population.  MSU has recognized the importance of establishing policies and procedures in the effort to protect the safety and well-being of study abroad participants, while acknowledging that no single plan can address all contingencies. Listed below are a few of the ways MSU strives to keep study abroad, before and during your participation, as safe as possible.

1. OSA monitors safety issues in our program locations. A review of all study abroad programs at departmental, college, and university levels is conducted in which safety, security, and overall quality are measured.
2. OSA is one of the few study abroad offices in the country to employ a full-time travel security analyst to oversee health and safety concerns and serve as first responder to any emergency abroad involving MSU students, faculty or staff.
3. The Study Abroad Risk and Security Assessment Committee is headed by a senior university official appointed by the President and Provost. The committee has ultimate authority for approving the safety of programs and sites, and has the ability to cancel programs or revise them to address safety and security concerns.
4. All participants are required to attend one or more general orientation sessions that stress safety issues and understanding cultural differences. Most programs also provide a country-specific orientation in which safety precautions are outlined.
5. Emergency procedures are in place, including medical and general emergency evacuation procedures. In any emergency, OSA has plans to be in contact with program leaders and students abroad.
6. All program leaders who accompany a MSU study abroad programs are required to attend an Emergency Preparedness and Response Seminar conducted by the Office of Study Abroad's Health and Safety Team.
7. All who accompany a study abroad program are required to carry an international cell phone to facilitate emergency communications.
8. In addition, a direct-dial phone number has been established to provide emergency assistance to members of the MSU community who are abroad on University business or study abroad. This number will connect callers directly to the MSU Police Operations Desk. Calls are processed following a detailed emergency response protocol. The phone number and procedures, produced on a wallet-size card, are given to all students at orientation.

For information on OSA’s refund policy for safety and security reasons, visit OSA Refund Policies and Safety & Security Considerations webpage.

In your program orientation packet you and the students will be referred to the U.S. Department of State Consular Information Sheet for the country/countries where your program will visit.  It is your responsibility to access the the U.S. State Department Web site periodically for updates between the time of your orientation and the group departure.  OSA will notify you of any updates while you are abroad. 

If you believe there are regions of the country/countries to be visited that present undue risks, contact the Office of Study Abroad.  This includes program-sponsored accommodations, events, excursions, and other activities.  OSA may, after discussions with you, issue a release to be signed by each participant and collect them prior to departure.  Such a release will require that students acknowledge in writing that the University has warned them against traveling to specific areas. 

If you are the only program leader, you must identify an on-site person to serve as a “back-up” for you in case of an emergency.  OSA will work with you to identify this person and obtain contact information.

You will be provided with an OSA MasterCard for program-related expenses.  You also may wish to obtain a MSU Corporate MasterCard for emergency cash.  Contact the University Travel Office, 370 Administration Building, (517) 353-4882 for an application.

Check Country Codes to determine the international access code when calling from your host country.

Throughout the year, OSA sends Study Abroad Program Leader Memosvia e-mail that list upcoming events and suggestions for creating high-quality programs. These memos will often consist of information pertaining to health and safety, and will include a schedule for Emergency Preparedness and Response Seminars that all program leaders are required to attend.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Seminar will review the information included in this handbook as well as practical steps to follow as you prepare and respond to emergencies.  A wallet guide that references this information will also be distributed.