CGE Safety Notices and Information
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN (see bottom of page)
SAFETY NOTICES
Statements – Mexico
SAFETY NOTICE - MEXICO
February 2, 2012
The U.S. State Department last updated its travel warning for Mexico on April 22, 2011. The travel warning states, “While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.” However, the travel warning also acknowledges that “millions of US citizens safely visit Mexico each year.” Concerns are particularly noted for areas of Northern Mexico, along the US-Mexico border, however, other areas of the country are also cited as locations to avoid or exercise caution. The Travel Warning does not discourage discretionary travel to Cuernavaca, but the warning does note that “numerous incidents of narcotics-related violence have occurred in the city of Cuernavaca.” See the full text of the Travel Warning at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5440.html
The Center’s staff in Cuernavaca, Mexico, has been monitoring all reported violence in Cuernavaca and throughout Mexico. There has been drug-related violence in Cuernavaca but it has not been directed at international students, foreign tourists, or foreign residents of the city and there has been no random drug violence that has placed the general public at risk. Augsburg College has successfully run educational programs in Cuernavaca, Mexico continuously since 1979 and is planning to continue with scheduled programs throughout the coming year. Contingency plans are in place to immediately relocate planned program activity should it become necessary to avoid any location that could be pose a safety or security risk.
The decision to continue with the Center’s programming in Mexico has been made with careful consideration of risk. The safety and security of students and program participants is the highest priority of the Center’s programs, and resident staff are continually assessing the safety and security situation and are prepared to make changes as needed in programming and facilities. All of the resident staff except one are Mexican citizens, and all have lived in Cuernavaca for many years and are very familiar with the city and its respective neighborhoods. In addition, the community engagement model of the program provides staff with contacts and relationships throughout the city that provide helpful information for assessing safety and security.
Cuernavaca is a large city and precautions have been taken to address the safety of students, as would be necessary in any large urban area. Street crime ranging from pick pocketing to armed robbery does occur in Cuernavaca, just as it does in many large cities around the world. CGE staff advise and orient students and program participants to exercise common sense and specific precautions as they engage in program and personal activities. Guidelines (i.e. never go out alone, use only radio taxis, access ATMs only during business hours, etc.) are given to students and program participants regarding their personal responsibility in reducing risk. All program participants will be immediately notified of any increased risk to their safety and security. While students are responsible for planning independent and personal travel, they are urged to read the latest State Department information to ensure that they do not plan travel to areas of high risk identified in the current Travel Warning. All U.S. citizens participating in the Center’s programs in Mexico are enrolled in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) which provides the latest updates and travel information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Center for Global Education staff will continue to monitor the situation in all areas of our programming and will not hesitate to cancel or reroute programs, if needed, to secure the safety of students and travel seminar participants.
Please contact us at: 1 (800) 299-8889 or globaled@augsburg.edu if you have questions and want additional information.
SAFETY NOTICE - MEXICO
September 8, 2011
The U.S. State Department last updated its travel warning for Mexico on April 22, 2011. The travel warning states that “millions of US citizens safely visit Mexico each year,” and “While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.” Concerns are particularly noted for areas of Northern Mexico, along the US-Mexico border, however, other areas of the country are also cited as locations to avoid or exercise caution. The Travel Warning does not discourage discretionary travel to Cuernavaca, but the warning does note that “numerous incidents of narcotics-related violence have occurred in the city of Cuernavaca.” See the full text of the Travel Warning at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5440.html
The Center’s staff in Cuernavaca, Mexico, has been monitoring all reported violence in Cuernavaca and throughout Mexico. Although there has been drug-related violence in Cuernavaca, it has not been directed at international students, foreign tourists, or foreign residents of the city and there has been no random drug violence that has placed the general public at risk. Augsburg College has successfully run educational programs in Cuernavaca, Mexico continuously since 1979 and is planning to continue with scheduled programs throughout the coming year. Contingency plans are in place to immediately relocate planned program activity to avoid any location that could be a safety or security risk.
The decision to continue with the Center’s programming in Mexico has been made with careful consideration of risk. The safety and security of students and participants is the highest priority of the Center’s programs, and resident staff are continually assessing safety and security and making changes as needed in programming and facilities.
Cuernavaca is a large city and precautions have been taken to address the safety of students, as would be necessary in any large urban area. Street crime ranging from pick pocketing to armed robbery occurs in Cuernavaca, just as it does in many large cities around the world. Staff advise and orient students and program participants to exercise common-sense precautions as they engage in program and personal activities. Very specific guidelines (i.e. never go out alone, use only radio taxis, access ATMs only during business hours, etc.) are given to students and program participants regarding their personal responsibility in reducing risk. All program participants will be immediately notified of any heightened risk to their safety and security. While students are responsible for planning independent and personal travel, they are urged to read the latest State Department information to ensure that they do not plan travel to areas of high risk identified in the current Travel Warning. All U.S. citizens participating in the Center’s programs in Mexico are enrolled in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) which provides the latest updates and travel information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Center for Global Education staff will continue to monitor the situation in our areas of programming and will not hesitate to cancel or reroute programs, if needed, to secure the safety of students and travel seminar participants.
Please contact us at: 1 (800) 299-8889 or globaled@augsburg.edu if you have questions and want additional information.
SAFETY NOTICE - MEXICO
April 25, 2011
On April 22, 2011 the U.S. State Department updated its travel warning for Mexico. The travel warning notes that “millions of US citizens safely visit Mexico each year” and that “While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.” Concerns are particularly noted in areas along the US-Mexico border, however, other areas of the country are also noted as locations to avoid or exercise caution. While travel is not discouraged to Cuernavaca, Morelos, the warning does note that “numerous incidents of narcotics-related violence have occurred in the city of Cuernavaca.” See the full text of the Travel Warning at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5440.html
The Center’s staff in Cuernavaca, Mexico, has been monitoring all reported violence in Cuernavaca and throughout Mexico. Although there has been drug-related violence in Cuernavaca, it has not been directed at international students, foreign tourists, or foreign residents of the city and there has been no random drug violence that has placed the general public at risk. Augsburg College has successfully run educational programs continuously since 1979 and is planning to continue with scheduled programs throughout the coming year. Contingency plans are in place to move locations within Mexico should that become necessary.
The decision to continue with the Center’s programming in Mexico has been made with careful consideration of risk. The safety and security of students and participants is the highest priority, and resident staff are continually assessing safety and security and making changes as needed in programming and facilities. Cuernavaca is a large city and precautions have been taken to address the safety of students, as would be necessary in any large urban area. Very specific guidelines are given to students and program participants regarding their personal responsibility in reducing risk. Everyone will be immediately notified of any heightened risk to their safety and security. While students are responsible for planning independent and personal travel, they are urged to read the latest State Department information to ensure that they do not plan travel to areas of high risk identified in the current Travel Warning
Staff will continue to monitor the situation in our areas of programming and will not hesitate to cancel or reroute programs, if needed, to secure the safety of students and travel seminar participants.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Center for Global Education at Augsburg College
with Field Sites in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Namibia
March 22, 2004
The purpose of this document is to provide information about Center for Global Education emergency preparedness in light of the Worldwide Caution issued by the U.S. State Department in March, 2004.
In consultation with the Center’s international staff regarding global and local conditions, a decision has been made to continue Center for Global Education semester programs and travel seminars as scheduled. An Emergency Response Team will continue to monitor both world-wide and local conditions. If deemed necessary because of changing conditions, any or all of the emergency protocols already in place will be implemented.
Center for Global Education Contact Information
Office Hours (8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CST)
Toll-free number 1-800-299-8889.
Nights and Weekends
Cell Phone (24/7) (612) 817-2830
Emergency Response Team
In Minneapolis:
Director, Center for Global Education
Associate Director, Center for Global Education
Coordinator for Semester Programs Abroad
Director, International Travel Seminars
In Mexico: Site Director
In Guatemala: Program Director
In El Salvador: Program Director
In Nicaragua: Regional Director
In Namibia: Site Director
In locations where Center for Global Education does not have permanent staff, local consultants are available to participate in a response team.
Risk Assessment
Members of the Emergency Response Team consider several sources of information when determining the status of program operations:
- Public announcements, travel advisories, and consular information sheets issued by the U.S. Department of State (http://www.travel.state.gov)
- Information gathered locally by international program staff
- Other resources at our sites of operation, including U.S. Embassy officials
- SECUSSA (Section on U.S. Students Abroad) of the Association of International Educators, that shares comparative security information from study abroad sites around the globe
In making individual decisions concerning participation, we suggest that students, travel seminar participants, and their parents carefully review the State Department Travel Advisories web page: http://www.travel.state.gov/.
Orientation and Training for Participants
Every Center for Global Education program begins with a comprehensive orientation to the country, city, and facilities, which includes, among other information, an explanation of any local risks the resident directors have identified and tips for enhancing personal safety. Participants are provided emergency contacts, including on-call schedule, cell phone number, etc.
On-Site Care and Insurance
Each site maintains a list of recommended local health and mental health providers. The Center for Global Education requires health/emergency/medical insurance for all participants, and has an arrangement with an insurance provider for those who do not currently have such insurance that covers them outside of the country. The price of this insurance may be included in the cost of the program.
Monitoring
International program staff stay informed of conditions and changes in local health and safety risks, and inform participants of any changes that occur. International site directors and members of the Emergency Response team subscribe to the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs travel advisory service and automatically receive Public Announcements and Travel Warnings as soon as they are issued.
Security Systems at International Facilities
At each of our facilities the following safety/security measures are observed:
- Secure premises requiring a key for entry
- Security services are contracted by site as needed
- Safe is available for participants’ travel documents and personal valuables
- No signage or other indications identifying the facility as a U.S. institution
- On-call schedule and emergency contacts are given to all participants
- Participants doing independent travel apart from the program schedule are required to submit an itinerary of their travel plans
- Health and safety orientation including emergency and preventive measures
Emergency Protocol at International Sites
- Semester students are registered at the US Embassy.
- Each site has in place a contingency plan to deal with local emergencies.
- Participants are required to receive permission to leave the group for independent
- travel, and they are required to leave a written itinerary with the CGE staff.
In the Event of a Local Emergency
Local staff will monitor and evaluate the situation based on personal experiences, observation, and information gathered from local sources. Based on this information and analysis program staff will determine what, if any, action needs to be taken. Responses may include:
- Keeping a low profile, limiting movements, and remaining on program premises or with a host family
- Canceling or rerouting planned trips/activities
- Implementing a local contingency plans that may require (a) extra caution, (b) relocation of the program to a different site in the same city or country or to a nearby country, or (c) suspension of the program and evacuation of participants.
In the Event of a Worldwide Crisis (such as armed conflict involving the U.S.):
Programs will continue within countries that are not directly affected by the crisis. Students and travel seminar participants will be asked to contact their parents by phone to confirm their well-being and safety. An e- mail will be sent to parents from the Minneapolis office to confirm the safety and well being of students and program participants and to confirm the continuation of the program.
In the event of a new, major armed conflict involving the U.S., it is advisable for staff to keep students and program participants at their current program location for 24 to 48 hours (e.g. if the students are in home stays or in a rural area) unless there is information indicating that the location is or soon could be unsafe. This period of time should be used for the purpose of assessing any events or responses within the country that might pose a risk to the group before moving to the next program location. If there is no security risk, then program should continue as planned. If there is a security risk of any nature, the program should be modified to assure the safety of students and travel participants. Satellite phones will be acquired to assure communication when program activities occur in remote sites without cell phone or landline connections.
Minneapolis staff and international staff will be in contact with each other immediately in the event of a worldwide crisis. Frequent information sharing will occur to apprise the respective staff of any changes regarding the security of students or continuing program in each site.
Each international site will develop an evacuation plan to be implemented in the event of a natural disaster, political or social unrest, or armed conflict that endangers students.
In the event of program cancellation
- Teaching faculty will make every effort to assist students in completing the coursework, making alternate and substitute assignments as needed
- In general, no refunds will be issued unless faculty are unable to implement a substitute curriculum to complete the courses
- Whenever possible, recoverable costs will be refunded.
Voluntary Withdrawal from a Program
Students and parents may decide to voluntarily withdraw from the program independent of cancellation by CGE. In this eve nt, transportation home is at the student’s own expense. The student will be given make-up assignments to be completed at home. No monetary refunds will be available should the student leave early and not complete makeup assignments.
Center for Global Education
Emergency Management Plan
Purpose: The purpose of the crisis management policy is to
1) Respond to any emergency experienced by students, faculty, or staff in programs or services operated or supported by the Augsburg Office of International Porgrams.
2) Maintain the security and safety of the program participants
3) Manage the flow and integrity of information within and outside of the organization.
Scope: An emergency situation could include any of the following:
- Act of terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, public health emergency or natural disaster in an area where a group is traveling
- Death, serious illness, or injury of one or more program participant(s), faculty, or staff
- Arrest and/or imprisonment of a program participant(s), faculty or staff
- Major outbreak of fighting or natural disaster in an area of programming
- A serious threat to the health or safety of a program participant(s) or staff member(s)
- A participant's unauthorized absence or departure from the program
- Significant negative publicity or threat to the program, Augsburg Colege or a collaborating organization.
- Any other unforeseen emergency circumstances.
Policy: In any of the above situations, an emergency management team will be formed immediately. It should be comprised of:
- The Assistant Vice President, Office of International Programs (in his absence, the Associate Director, Center for Global Education)
- The staff person working with the travel seminar sponsor or Coordinator of Semester Programs Abroad (whichever is directly affected)
- The country’s Augsburg staff person primarily responsible for the particular program (if applicable)
- The travel seminar sponsor or in-group leader accompanying the program
- In crises involving Augsburg faculty, students and/or staff, the Associate Dean will contact the Vice-president/Academic Dean or one of the following: College President, Director of Human Resources or Director of Public Relations. If other staff members are to be involved, it is the decision of the crisis management team.
Steps to be taken in a crisis situation:
- During office hours call: The Center for Global Education Office in Minneapolis: (612) 330-1159. After office hours and on weekends call: Center for Global Education Cell Phone (24/7) (612) 817-2830
- The Center staff directly involved (trip leader, in-country leader etc.) must report the crisis immediately to the Minneapolis director/coordinator of the program affected. In the absence of that person, the person to be contacted is listed below in order: Assistant Vice President, Office of International Programs, Associate Director, Center for Global Education
- The crisis management team meets promptly to determine the appropriate response.
- The crisis management team drafts a memo and/or holds a meeting to brief Office of International Programs staff on the crisis, inform them of the designated point person(s) and the appropriate staff response internally (within the organization) and externally (outside the organization).
- A crisis incident report must be submitted to the Assistant Vice President of International programs within two weeks of the incident by the staff person most involved with the crisis. The report should include a description of the initial event, steps taken, and any other relevant information.
- Any further follow-up is the responsibility of the crisis management team.
