International Oversight Committee
UTA POLICY ON TRAVEL TO RESTRICTED REGIONS
The University of Texas at Arlington supports and encourages international collaboration and recognizes the important role international travel plays in developing a global perspective. The University is committed to the safety and well-being of its students, faculty and staff when they participate in these activities and realizes that some areas of the world present heightened health and safety risks. Countries that have U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings have been identified as regions which require special measures to mitigate risk and, in some cases, call for the avoidance of travel altogether.
The University of Texas System requires all travel to countries with U.S. Department of State travel advisory to be reviewed and approved by the University's International Oversight Committee (IOC). The IOC currently reviews travel to countries with a level three or above U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory and/or a level 4 CDC travel warning. The IOC currently reviews IOC travel requests up to 90 days in advance of the travel departure date. This policy outlines the procedures that all students, faculty and staff must follow to ensure their international travel complies with the UT System directive. The above-mentioned procedures are in addition to all other requirements for travel established by the traveler's department/unit.
This Policy Applies to:
- UTA students traveling internationally as individuals or in groups, with or without University funding, for any UTA-sponsored, UTA-administered, or UTA-related activity/program (including, but not limited to, activities such as taking part in official study abroad programs, participating in recognized student organization trips abroad, conducting research, and attending conferences).
- UTA faculty and staff traveling internationally with or without University funding to conduct University business within one's capacity as faculty or staff members, such as participation in research, conferences or teaching endeavors.
Travel to Restricted Regions
- The University's International Oversight Committee (IOC) makes decisions about travel to restricted region based on several resources including:
- The list of countries with current U.S Department of State Travel Warnings, Consultation with On Call International (UTA's emergency assistance provider), and
- Other international travel resources.
No student, faculty or staff can be required to travel to a location on the Restricted Regions List.
Approval may be granted by Requesting Travel Authorization and meeting all requirements set forth by the IOC.
UTA reserves the right to withhold reimbursement and/or take other disciplinary actions for non-compliance with the UTA Travel Policy.
OVERVIEW
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the International Oversight Committee is not able to accept IOC travel requests more than 90 days in advance of the travel departure date.
Students, faculty, and staff may request travel authorization using the linked forms below. For detailed procedures and access to all necessary forms and websites, please click on the appropriate link below:
UTA-Organized Activities and Programs (Including Faculty-Led Programs)
The International Oversight Committee (IOC), has been established to develop guidelines and formulate policies to maintain the health and safety of University of Texas at Arlington students, faculty and staff who study, conduct research, and/or do business internationally. The IOC is chaired by the UTA Provost. Committee members consist of representatives from across campus, including academic leaders, faculty members and international education specialists.
The IOC is charged with assessing levels of risk in countries or regions for which there are significant health or safety concerns and where University-related programs and travel are occurring or proposed. The IOC is dedicated to preserving academic freedom and the University's robust research agenda, while ensuring the safety of the university's students, faculty, and staff. Therefore, it is in consultation with international scholars across campus and experts in the field of international risk and safety that the IOC addresses University travel to high-risk areas.
Please direct all questions or concerns regarding the International Oversight Committee or UTA’s Travel Policy to Restricted Regions to:
Jay Horn
Executive Director,
Office of International Education
(817) 272-2355