As of March 11, the U.S. The Department of State has issued a global health advisory and raised the Travel Advisory to Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Based on this advisory and institutional policy limiting travel to countries with Level 3 or 4 advisories, Doane University is suspending institutionally sponsored travel until further notice. Doane currently has no students abroad during the spring term.
Travel impacted by this decision includes:
- International and domestic travel courses
- Individual study abroad
- Non-essential business travel (see attached memo for further details)
At this time, this does not include (but this is subject to change):
- Athletics and co-curricular activities
- Essential job related travel (check with your direct supervisor for more specific guidance)
Students will be refunded any deposits, fees or other charges related to Doane Travel Courses. Doane will also assist with obtaining refunds and reimbursements for students planning individual study abroad programs through third party providers this summer. Additional guidance on fall term study abroad will be forthcoming as we continue to evaluate this evolving situation.
The Business Office will provide additional guidance and assistance in cancelling travel for faculty or staff who have booked travel that will be impacted by this policy or whose events, conferences or other travel have been cancelled due to COVID-19. Reimbursements will be issued for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred. Faculty or staff with questions related to their travel are encouraged to contact the Business Office at [email protected].
Students, faculty or staff with questions or concerns related to study abroad should contact the Office of International Programs at [email protected]. More information about the process to come. Stay tuned.
Attached Memo: Temporary Suspension of Nonessential Business Travel
Due to Doane’s commitment to employee safety, in light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, effective immediately, all non-essential business travel will be suspended until further notice. Doane will continue to monitor the situation and provide guidance as more information on the extent and severity of the outbreak becomes available.
Travel Cancellation Procedures
If non-essential business travel has already been booked, please properly cancel airfare (see https://www.studentuniverse.com/coronavirus for a list of airlines and their policies) and hotel to receive a refund or credit, if applicable. Set up a phone or online conferencing with clients or other business units to replace the in-person meetings, if possible. Please make sure your manager knows the status of all meetings canceled due to this temporary suspension.
Essential Travel
Essential business travel should be limited to those situations where business cannot reasonably be conducted without face-to-face interaction or visits to specific locations. Your manager must approve all travel (including trips that were previously approved) until further notice.
Procedures Upon Return from Travel
The CDC has a FAQ for travelers that can be found here. Whether you are traveling or not, please keep the following in mind:
- If you are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 please follow the CDC quarantine recommendations for 14 days. Report your condition to the following support services so we can assist and provide you with further information:
- Employees: Please contact Kelli Schweitzer [email protected] with your information.
- Students: Please contact Nurse Kelly [email protected] with your information.
- This information will be kept private and only used as quantitative-summary data (e.g., 14 reports from [TBD] campus).
- If you have traveled to any area currently being monitored by the CDC as Level 1, 2 or 3 health notices, please report this information immediately. We would like to know your self-quarantine actions or preventative measures.
- Employees: Please contact Kelli Schweitzer [email protected] with your information.
- Students: Please contact Nurse Kelly [email protected] with your information.
- This information will be kept private and only used as quantitative-summary data (e.g., 14 reports from [TBD] campus).
Please contact the human resources department with any questions or concerns.