Student Safety & Behavior

Leads should never provide alcohol or drugs to students, promote the consumption of either, or become intoxicated while traveling with students, regardless of student presence in the immediate vicinity. If you suspect students are abusing alcohol or drugs, address the behavioral issues immediately according to the University of Arizona Student Code of Conduct and reach out immediately to Study Abroad and/or the Dean of Students.

If there are any concerns that a student is missing, follow Incident/Emergency Response Steps distributed at the Health & Safety sessions and begin immediate notification procedures. While local authorities may require a waiting period, you do not need to wait 24 hours to report a missing student to the police or to contact Study Abroad if you suspect a student is missing.

Students may have concerns about discrimination and stigmas associated with mental or physical illness. Always use discretion but encourage open disclosure to provide adequate support and preparation for the student in the program. Please maintain confidentiality within the student group.

Prior to departure, invite students to complete a Health Information Form found in UAbroad and distributed at Health & Safety sessions.

Advise students traveling with medications to:

• Memorize their medications and dosages
• Travel with a written prescription for the generic name
• Have medications translated into the appropriate language(s)
• Travel with medications in original prescription bottles, with name
• Bring extra medication to allow for delays of up to a week
• Verify that the medication is legal and available in the destination(s)
• If carrying controlled substances, have an accompanying letter from their healthcare provider indicating the usage, dosage, and necessity of the medication
• Pack all medications in carry-on luggage, not checked bags

Any disclosed health conditions, diagnoses, and/or concerns must be addressed in pre-departure planning. Discuss and review any health considerations and planning with the study abroad coordinator assigned to your program.

Students should never be left in a hospital without a university representative. In program planning and preparation, determine who would stay in the hospital with the student and who would manage the student group. Generally, the highest-ranking university representative should stay with the student and not support staff unless the student makes this request in writing. Do not plan on using student participants in either role. Consult with Study Abroad if there are any concerns.

Due diligence is expected in procuring safe transportation for students while on study abroad programs. Always use reliable transportation providers and request seat belts. If seat belts or other safety features are unavailable, consult with the study abroad coordinator assigned to your program.

Always consider road safety when determining routes of travel. Travel during the day is generally safer than at night. Review routes of travel to identify any roads that may have frequent accidents and hazards.

It is generally best to request accommodations closest to exits and on the lower floors. It is also important to consider risks of natural disasters, fires, and rates of crime in determining safety considerations with lodging. Discuss crime and safety concerns with your coordinator. Once at the lodging, verify that these exit points are accessible and not blocked off. Make sure students know where to exit the building and the group rendezvous point.

While planning for accommodations, identify any possible deviations from general safety standards, including (but not limited to) smoke detectors, fire exits, good locks on doors and windows, et cetera.

Program leads and/or TAs are expected to have a general knowledge of student whereabouts and activities at all times during the program. Have students fill out an Emergency Contact and Independent Travel Form if they will be traveling independently.

Encourage students to travel or go out in groups or at least pairs. Discourage students from leaving anyone behind, especially if they are consuming alcohol.

Leads should share with students expectations of any travel restrictions to certain locations due to safety concerns, including activity related to political, weather, or crime patterns.

In locations of higher risk, it is a best to limit student free time. This can be done by filling the schedule with program-related events outside of formal class time, including evenings and weekends.

The following are best practices for both faculty and students:

• Travel with extra cash, no less than $100, stashed in a safe place (not on their person unless you are traveling to a new location)
• Keep emergency cash in fresh bills, in a variety of denominations
• Review safety measures when withdrawing funds from ATMs
• Always notify banks and credit cards of travel to prevent blocks on accounts
• Travel with at least one extra credit card, in case an account becomes blocked or debit cards are not accepted (this is often the case in hospitals)
• Create a “throw wallet” with a little cash and an old credit card to give or throw at potential attackers
• Separate your assets. Consider placing money, credit cards, passports, etc. in different secure locations

Study Abroad program leads and assistants acting within reason and without negligence, consulting with Study Abroad, and following Study Abroad guidance, receive liability coverage.

Occasionally, if you have first-hand information and a student is not able to speak directly to their Emergency Contact or parent about an incident, you may need to communicate with them. However, whenever possible, defer communication with parents directly to students and Study Abroad. If you speak with a parent, obtain their contact information to relay to Study Abroad. Inform the parent that Study Abroad will get in touch with them.

Expulsion is always a last resort. The program lead is expected to always contact Study Abroad for guidance and support prior to dismissal. If students are displaying problematic or worrisome behavior, Study Abroad and International Travel will work with leads to seek assistance from the Dean of Students, CAPS and/or in-country mental health resources if appropriate.

Whenever possible, provide a verbal and written warning to the student in the case of inappropriate or disruptive behavior prior to dismissal.

Leads are able to immediately send a student home (without prior warning) if he/she poses an immediate danger to him/herself or others and refuses help. If a student displaying worrisome behavior refuses treatment and (s)he poses a danger to him/herself or others and/or it is advised by a mental health professional that the student is not able to continue in the program, the program lead should inform the student that the University is separating them from the program. Program leads are expected to assist students with appropriate arrangements to leave the country. If a student is expelled from a program and refuses to leave the country, they must not attend any programmatic activities or be on any property that the program controls, including housing. If a student refuses to voluntarily leave, Study Abroad will work with program leads and on the ground support and may require contacting local law enforcement as a last resort for support.

Have students directly contact their emergency contact to notify them of termination from a program. If this is not possible, coordinate with Study Abroad to determine who should contact the student’s emergency contact.