Occidental will return to our pre-pandemic standing student travel policy for international locations including the Global Projects policy and process.

Dear Colleagues,

As Dean Sternberg announced at the 9/20 Faculty meeting, Occidental will return to our pre-pandemic standing student travel policy for international locations including the Global Projects policy and process. This ends the spring 2020-summer 2022 complete prohibition on the College sponsorship or use of funds for short-term, often non-credit, international travel by students. Global Projects travel includes, but is not limited to programs or sponsors such as Maes, Young, Schwartz, Richter, Endeavor, Anderson, URC, HCC internships, Davis, DEB, Athletics, ASOC or student clubs/organizations, or use of grant or department funds. This has been approved by President Elam.

Please note: as required by the College student travel policy, international travel to several countries remains prohibited as of September 2022 due to the Department of State's safety advisory rating system. The rating now takes into account current COVID travel restrictions such as visa and quarantine requirements by the governments of other nations (i.e. Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, etc.). Please consult with International Programs about your students’ intended travel well in advance.

REMINDER - Global Projects Requirements for Departments/Participants

  • All Global Projects require individual students to complete the Global Clearance process.
  • Clearance requires 30 days processing prior to departure.
  • No funds may be released to students prior to clearance.  
  • Global Projects travel is prohibited to countries rated level 3 or 4 by the Department of State.
  • Clearance protects Occidental College and the sponsoring department or individual through a waiver and release agreement. 
  • Clearance is an educational process in which the student confirms insurance; health and safety of project design, itinerary and living conditions; indicates emergency contacts; and assumes personal responsibility for their participation.

RECOMMENDATIONS - Enhance Student Health and Safety & Minimize Financial Losses

  • Consider a three-week minimum for international trips. This period allows for the possibility that a traveler derives at least partial benefit if a 10 day COVID quarantine (or other illness) disrupts the experience at any point.  
  • Utilize established in-country partners to provide student support. Adapt your program design to allow for/require legitimate on-site services. 
  • For reference, International Programs and IPC expect to utilize these criteria in funding summer 2023 international experiences due to the success of our summer 2022 Richter/IPO grant program. Had we not, several students would have entirely missed the funded experience and resulted in irrecoverable financial loss.

Robin Craggs | Executive Director 
International Programs