Whether through study abroad for students, research and academic travel for faculty, or business travel for staff, international travel is integral to the university’s ability to fulfill its mission as a research and land grant university.
WSU’s new policy, BPPM 95.53, is designed to provide comprehensive, clear information to international travelers regarding university and federal requirements, as well as resources and general information. Significant features of the new policy include:
- International Travel Registry: To comply with federal regulations, all international travel by WSU personnel must go through the Spend Authorization process in Workday, even when the travel is fully funded by a third party. This process creates a comprehensive travel registry and ensures all travelers receive information on WSU’s Travel Insurance policy provided by On Call International.
- Travel by Federally Funded Researchers: National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-33) regulates international travel for covered individuals engaged in federally funded research or development. These rules require advance disclosure and authorization of international travel, an organizational record of international travel, and certain mandatory notifications to travelers. The new policy, along with updates to the Workday Spend Authorization process, implements these requirements.
- Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs: The policy provides requirements and guidelines for all WSU faculty and staff-led study abroad programs to ensure effective compliance and risk mitigation strategies are in place. Examples include ensuring an adequate number of faculty and staff available to lead programs, rules regarding employees’ minor children and spouses or legal partners traveling in connection with programs, and procedures for processing international agreements.
- Travel to High-Risk Destinations: The policy defines high-risk destinations in accordance with official travel advisories, such as U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and puts in place guidelines to manage risks associated with student, faculty, and staff travel to high-risk destinations.
For more information about the new policy and its implementation, please visit the Risk Management Services website for faculty, staff and volunteer travel, and International Programs for student-related travel. For questions related to the federal Foreign Travel Security Requirements, please contact the Office of Research Assurances.
