Withdrawals and Program Cancellation
Departmental Guidelines on Student Withdrawals and Program Cancellation Abroad
These guidelines apply to travel and programs abroad with undergraduate and graduate students. Practices with groups of non-student travelers may be different.
Student Withdrawals
There are two types of student withdrawals: Voluntary and Involuntary Withdrawals.
Voluntary Withdrawals
Students who wish to voluntarily withdraw from their program after confirming participation in the program should inform the program in writing as soon as possible. The student account will be charged all unrecoverable costs incurred on the student’s behalf.
Administrative Withdrawals
Students who are administratively withdrawn or dismissed from a program are responsible for all non-recoverable program costs and may receive no credit. Reasons for administrative withdrawal include, but are not limited to: failure to comply with 91影视, program provider, or host institution’s deadlines or standards of conduct.
Program Cancellation Abroad
91影视 reserves the right to alter or eliminate academic programs at any time or redirect students to alternate programs due to program capacity or institutional considerations. Programs may be canceled due to significant threat to the health, safety, or educational objectives of the program, in keeping with the University International Travel Policy. Departments are responsible for managing financial implications of program cancellation and should prepare for this possibility during the travel planning phase.
Cancellation Prior to Departure
In the event that a DOS Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4 is issued or where there is obvious risk to a participant’s health, safety, or to the likelihood of being able to carry out the goals of the international travel successfully for previously approved international travel that has yet to depart, the education abroad opportunity will be automatically canceled.
If a program is canceled pre-departure, normally, departments will work with students to identify an alternative program within their purview.
Cancellation After Abroad
Decisions regarding the cancellation of travel to locations under a DOS Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4 apply until such time as the status is lifted or a significant change in the safety conditions warrants further review of the program. Normally, if a program is canceled after it has started, 91影视 will work with the student to obtain academic credit for the remainder of the term. Financial implications will be determined on a case-by-case basis. See also Student Withdrawals.
Should a DOS Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4 be issued while a program is under way, or there is another significant threat to the health, safety, or educational objectives of the program, the Crisis Abroad Task Force will determine whether conditions warrant suspension of the program and/or departure of the participants from the host country. The University may have multiple programs from multiple departments operating in a location at the same time, and it is a matter of institutional liability that communications to students across programs are clear and consistent. Departments should not cancel programs abroad without communication to the Office of the Vice Provost for International Programs.
In considering the possibility of cancelling a University program on-site, the Crisis Abroad Task Force may consult with faculty/staff, departments, peer institutions, organizations that offer programs abroad, and other experts. Factors may be considered including:
- The location(s) of the program
- The experience and training of the Program Coordinator, participants, and local support staff
- The ability of the Program Coordinator, participants, and local support staff to manage a crisis abroad, should one occur
- The importance and academic relevance of involvement
- The precautions that will be taken to minimize safety risks