Suspension Policy

Suspension of Official UT Study Abroad Programs

UT-Austin has numerous officially approved study abroad programs spanning the globe. The University has selected these programs, in part, based on the knowledgeable and seasoned program personnel they have stationed in-country; the sound and proven program infrastructures they have in place; and the due care and attention they devote to enhancing the safety and security of our students. In spite of our confidence in the measures our foreign partners take to enhance student safety and security, from time to time the University finds it advisable to suspend participation in an officially recognized study abroad program or destination due to political unrest, social instability, contagious disease control, military operations, or terrorism concerns within the host country.

Circumstances Under Which UT May Suspend Participation

UT-Austin, in its discretion, may suspend participation in an officially approved study abroad program or destination for any of the following reasons:

1. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Travel Warning that specifically directs Americans to leave the country in which the program is located or to forego travel to that country.
2. The U.S. Department of State has issued either: (1) Travel Warning that urges Americans traveling to or within the country in which the program is located to consider carefully the risks of such travel and remain vigilant with respect to their personal safety and security if they choose to travel to or within that country, or within a specific region of that country that the Department of State has determined poses particularized risks for American travelers; or (2) U.S. Department of State has issued a Public Announcement warning of significant risks to the safety and security of Americans traveling to or within the country in which the program is located.
3. Based on all relevant information, UT-Austin, in its discretion, deems it advisable to suspend participation. In reaching such a decision, UT-Austin will consider several factors which may include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the recommendations of UT faculty who are experts in the sociopolitical dynamics of the country or region in which the program is located, (2) the recommendations of private security firms with personnel stationed in-country, (3) the decisions of UT's peer institutions on whether or not to suspend participation in programs located within the country or region.

If UT-Austin has suspended participation in an officially approved study abroad program or destination due to the first reason listed above (i.e., the U.S. Department of State has issued a Travel Warning that specifically directs Americans to leave the country in which the program is located of forego travel to that country), no student appeal to participate in the suspended program will be heard.

However, if UT-Austin has suspended participation in an officially approved study abroad program or destination due to either the second or third reasons listed above, students may appeal in writing for a special permission exception to participate in the suspended program.

Written Petition to Participate in Suspended Programs

Students must submit the following to petition:

1. Essay addressing points A and B below.
   
   

   A. Petition must demonstrate that the student understands the safety and security risks that study in the selected country may pose, and must outline the steps that the student will take in order to mitigate those risks. Appeal must articulate what steps the student has taken to inform themselves of the safety and security risks that study in the selected country may pose, and must demonstrate that the student has considered such risks in a thoughtful and deliberative manner.

   B. Petition must also present a compelling academic rational for study in the selected country that demonstrates the necessity for access to a unique educational opportunity that cannot be accomplished in another location.

2. A signed copy of the U.S. State Department Public Announcement, Travel Alert or Warning
3. A signed copy of the Study Abroad Office Release and Indemnification Form

Petition must be submitted to the Study Abroad Office by September 1 for spring terms abroad and February 1 for summer or fall terms abroad. The University-wide International Oversight Committee or subcommittee thereof will review the petition. If the committee denies a student's petition, that denial shall be final and shall not be reconsidered.

Possible Academic and Financial Loss

The committee's granting of a student's appeal to participate does not alter the University's position that study and travel in the country or region may be dangerous. Rather, it indicates that the University recognizes the student understands and appreciates the risks involved in participation, is willing to assume individual responsibility for those risks, and, for academic reasons, the student has made the choice to participate in spite of such risks. Furthermore, any student who seeks and is granted an exception to participate in a suspended program or destination shall bear solely and entirely any financial loss or loss of academic credit that may result in the event that the situation in-country deteriorates and either UT or the U.S. State Department's evaluation of the situation in-country changes and either UT or the U.S. State Department requires that all Americans leave immediately. Likewise, should a student choose to leave the program or destination for any reason prior to the completion of his or her studies, the student shall bear solely and entirely any financial loss or loss of academic credit that may result.