After careful consideration of the recent developments related to COVID-19, the University of Rhode Island has made the decision, effective Monday, March 9, to suspend all University-sponsored international travel until May 1, 2020, subject to changes based on evolving circumstances. Exceptions for authorized international travel can be approved by the vice presidents and provost of the University as follows:

• For faculty and staff research international travel approval: Peter Snyder, vice president for Research and Economic Development, pjsnyder@uri.edu
• For general faculty and academic affairs international travel approval: Matthew Bodah, vice provost for Academic Personnel & Budget, mbodah@uri.edu
• For general staff international travel approval: contact your respective vice president
• For student international travel: Gifty Ako-Adounvo, vice provost for Global Initiatives, gako-adounvo@uri.edu
• For athletic international travel: Thorr Bjorn, director of Athletics, tbjorn@uri.edu

If international travel is approved, the recommendation is to purchase refundable travel tickets and to continue to monitor developments. The University’s travel policy has been temporarily modified to allow the purchase of refundable tickets.

Permission for international travel can be revoked at any time based on changing conditions.

We know this is an inconvenience and a disappointment to many who had upcoming international travel plans, but the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation in many parts of the world requires us to take the appropriate steps to safeguard our students, faculty, and staff.

International travel recall

The University continues to coordinate with international program providers and host institutions to facilitate the safe return of students, faculty and staff participating in programs that are suspended due to international travel advisories.

Students, faculty and staff who are recalled from countries with Level 3 travel advisories to their permanent residences in the U.S. should not return to campus. These individuals should then follow guidelines provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Rhode Island Department of Health.

URI Health Services will provide students recalled from overseas with information about monitoring their health status during their first 14 days at home, as well as providing contact information to speak with a nursing representative about health concerns.

The University is working with students on a case-by-case basis to help with the completion of academic requirements.

Domestic travel

If you are considering domestic travel, please carefully monitor updates in the areas to which you are planning to travel. Doing so may help you avoid travel disruptions because of unexpected local health conditions.

To learn more about the coronavirus, please follow updates at the CDC.