Last updated: November 2015; policy still valid and in effect.
To: Deans, Chairs and Directors
From: John Etchemendy, Provost
Subject: International Travel Policy
Dear Colleagues,
With respect to individual faculty, staff and graduate student travelers, Stanford University strongly recommends against, but does not prohibit, travel to countries where the U.S. Department of State has issued an official Travel Warning (a Travel Warning is distinct from a State Department issued Public Announcement), or where there is other reliable information of significant health or safety risks. The final decision about making a trip to such a country is up to the individual making the trip, however the University reserves the right to require the execution of an appropriate release or waiver before permitting such travel.
Travel to countries with ongoing conflicts and/or significant safety concerns that pose a danger to evacuation personnel requires additional notification and registration of travel itineraries prior to departure and may result in additional costs to individual travelers and the sponsoring unit. It is therefore strongly recommended that faculty, staff and graduate students consult with the Office of International Affairs well in advance of their travel dates to obtain advice on how to minimize risks to themselves and to their research.
When it comes to undergraduate students, Stanford-sponsored or Stanford-organized trips are prohibited to countries where a State Department Travel Warning has been issued or where there is other reliable information of significant health or safety risks. No university funds or resources may be used, or university sponsorship provided, in support of travel to these locations.
There are also certain countries with governmental travel restrictions and we expect our faculty, students and staff to comply with those restrictions while traveling on university business. Travel that includes the shipment or hand-carry of certain Stanford property may be subject to US comprehensive embargoes and may require a Treasury or Commerce export license (http://doresearch.stanford.edu/research-scholarship/export-controls). Stanford University is committed to supporting international research and educational travel. To ensure the safety of the Stanford community we encourage all faculty, staff and students to engage in thoughtful planning of their travels well in advance and to fully utilize the resources that are available to them.
The Office of International Affairs (723-3016, oia.stanford.edu) can provide context on a number of issues related to international travel, including export controls (http://oia.stanford.edu/research-teach/handle-suppliesequipment) , anti-bribery laws (http://oia.stanford.edu/research-teach/avoid-bribery-and-corruption), and personal health (http://oia.stanford.edu/travel/personal-health) and safety (http://oia.stanford.edu/travel/personal-safety). Please review information on the OIA website carefully when planning international travel and consult with OIA staff about your unique travel needs.
