While ongoing spring semester study abroad programs will continue, Occidental College is cancelling other types of international College-sponsored student travel for the duration of the semester and summer 2020.

While ongoing spring semester study abroad programs will continue—some with modified academic formats—Occidental College is cancelling other types of international College-sponsored student travel for the duration of the semester and summer 2020.  Examples of impacted programming include:

  •  Independent, non-credit “Global Projects” (Young, Davis Projects for Peace, URC-Richter ASP, Richter, Anderson, Schwartz, and Maes);

  •  Any international student travel authorized and/or funded by Athletics, administrative or academic departments, or ASOC, DEB, and other student organizations.

The International Programs Crisis Management Team carefully considered this decision in accordance with Occidental's Statement of Location Safety and the Student Travel Policy and in light of the February 29 CDC recommendation to universities and colleges to “cancel non-essential travel.” The prohibition helps limit the spread of COVID-19 to communities around the world. Further, by cancelling these programs now, departments will limit or prevent the irrecoverable loss of funds due to cancelled flights, etc. and prevent consequences like getting “stuck” abroad or in quarantine upon return.  

In addition, we strongly caution against participation in summer study abroad programs sponsored by other colleges or universities. Participants risk the possibility of program cancellation, loss of credit, loss of resources, possible illness and quarantine upon return. Occidental is not responsible in any way for participation in such programs.

Any students who applied for and were approved for Oxy travel funding prior to the February 29 CDC recommendation may be considered for an exception with careful consideration of the nature of the project and the specifics of the in-country conditions. Write to rcraggs@oxy.edu immediately to discuss.

We regret that the current COVID-19 situation results in this pause to your programming and look forward to resuming activity when circumstances allow.

Sincerely,

Wendy Sternberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
Rob Flot, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Robin Craggs, Executive Director, International Programs