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Dear 23W Study Abroad Faculty Directors,


On behalf of Provost Laura Carlson, we would like to thank you for your dedication and commitment to the study abroad program at UD. As we look forward to the coming academic year, the University remains committed to providing our students with safe and productive international education experiences that are critical to the University’s strategic goals. Based on the past year's experience and after a careful review of policies, we are pleased to share a revised set of guidelines that expand on our success and provide a more open and flexible study abroad program for 23W faculty-led programs. 


Our goal is always to provide UD students with a high-quality academic experience despite the impact of COVID-19 that continues to affect both on-campus and international operations at UD. The U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control travel advisories change regularly and currently advise high levels of precaution for our study abroad destinations. While border policies, vaccine requirements, and COVID-19 quarantine and isolation policies around the world may seem to have stabilized, local and national guidelines are subject to change at any time. In this context, we must continue to plan for how to manage situations in which a student falls ill and is isolated during a study abroad program. We need to factor in how we will ensure that isolated students receive meals and stay healthy, both physically and mentally, and how we can support academic continuity if COVID-19 directly affects you or your students during the study abroad program. 


As in the past, the updated travel policies were developed following recommendations from UD’s Risk and Security Assessment Committee (RSAC), which includes representatives from the offices of Risk Management, Campus and Public Safety, Dean of Students, Student Health Services, General Counsel, and VP for Research. These guidelines, which was also reviewed and approved by the University’s Coronavirus Operations Group and the Office of the Provost, present an opportunity for faculty-led study abroad to operate under a set of guidelines that have proven effective in protecting the health and safety of our students in the context of global COVID-19 uncertainty. While we recognize that programs will continue to look different than they have in the past, the 23W study abroad program guidelines are a step towards a full return to UD’s historic study abroad program. 


The study abroad team at the Center for Global Programs and Services is prepared to support you in adjusting your programs and budgets according to the updated guidelines and guide you through additional RSAC review steps if required. CGPS is hosting a webinar on Thursday, August 25, at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the following new guidelines and the established process for addressing program-specific concerns: 

 

2022-23 Study Abroad Guidelines:


  1. All UD faculty, students, and travel assistants are required to sign an amended acknowledgment of risk to be distributed by CGPS prior to departure. This is in addition to the existing Travel Programs Agreement and General Release signed during the application process.
  2. All study abroad students (regardless of in-person or online class status) are required to be fully vaccinated and receive a booster and upload their documentation to the UD Health Portal. Faculty directors and teaching assistants are required to be fully vaccinated and receive a booster. 
  3. CGPS is partnering with Student Health Services to adapt existing travel health and safety orientations to include a required session for all study abroad students about the current COVID-19 vaccine rules and regulations, as well as health safety guidelines relevant to their study abroad destination. 
  4. All programs require the support of a local study abroad provider or partner institution with a formalized service contract or agreement to provide 24/7 support to UD faculty and students throughout the program. Programs without a provider require RSAC approval prior to departure. 
  5. All programs must submit a health safety inventory (format to be provided by CGPS) to articulate the coverage of all students by a paid support staff person throughout the entire program, including students who fall ill or become subject to quarantine or self-isolation protocols.  
  6. Multi-country programs are not permitted for Winter 2023. 
  7. Programs with study abroad providers may visit up to two sites of activity within a single country and must develop a contingency plan to support any students who are unable to depart the first site due to quarantine or isolation protocols. Programs without a provider may conduct a multi-site program with RSAC approval. 
  8. Overnight excursions should have an academic justification, provider support, and a contingency plan to support students who can’t travel and maintain housing at the primary site of activity (i.e., students should not be asked to check out of their rooms for an overnight excursion). 
  9. Homestays must be set up through a provider who supplies proof of vaccination for all host families. 
  10. All programs must adhere to local rules and guidelines regarding public/private transportation capacity, classroom capacity, and the size of group gatherings; where no guidelines are available faculty may be required to follow UD on-campus regulations.
  11. All programs must be designed to discourage students’ free time travel by having classes or other program activities on most days and not scheduling sequential free days.
  12. CGPS will provide all students and faculty with a pre-departure orientation program to disseminate critical health safety protocols and procedures. This will include, but not be limited to, GeoBlue global insurance; DRUM emergency assistance insurance; guidelines and resources for parents and families; Department of State and CDC travel safety guidelines; cross-cultural communication skills; maximizing study abroad modules.


Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as UD reopens its study abroad programs and global learning opportunities for our students. We understand that some of you may decide that these guidelines do not allow for a study abroad program that meets your academic standards. CGPS will continue to work with you to either adjust the program for Winter 2023, seek an exception from RSAC, or plan for a future term. In all cases, the CGPS Study Abroad team will remain available to answer any questions and support you throughout your program. 


Sincerely,


Ravi Ammigan, Ph.D.

Associate Provost, International Programs 


Matthew Drexler

Director, Study Abroad

You are receiving this email as a member of UD's global community. You can verify this email is legitimate by contacting the Center for Global Programs & Services at (302) 831-2115 or by emailing go-global@udel.edu
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