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Student Travel to Libya Restricted

Committee cites violence in country to extend restrictions

 

With violence breaking out and a near-total communications blackout in Libya, the Duke International Travel Oversight Committee voted Feb. 22 to restrict travel to Libya, effective immediately.

This change extends existing travel restrictions from along Libya's borders with Chad, Niger and Sudan to the entire country.

The restriction to Libya means that undergraduates can not go to this region using Duke funds or for Duke credit unless they get the committee's approval for the trip. A petition to waive this restriction would be necessary for any undergraduate wishing to travel there.

The restriction also means that Graduate and Professional students must register their travel if going to Libya and remit a signed High Risk Travel/Waiver release form acknowledging Duke University advises against travel to Libya and that they are aware of the safety risk in traveling to this area of the world.

Duke restricted student travel to neighboring Egypt on Feb. 1. That restriction remains in place but will be reviewed, officials said. "We are watching the entire region closely and look forward to when we can lift these restrictions" said Christy Michels, Travel Policy Administrator.

The Department of State is currently recommending that Americans not travel to Libya. More information on Duke's Travel Policy can be found at http://international.duke.edu/index.php. The International SOS website has updated information about travel advisories around the world.