In an effort to enhance safety and support abroad, Duke will now require that all graduate and professional students complete the Duke Travel Registry for any trip abroad that is funded by, sponsored by, or entails earning credit to be transferred back to Duke University.
“Duke’s first priority will always be to keep our students safe when they are under our instruction or supervision, and with the increasing number of natural disasters and crises occurring internationally we now need to take additional measures to ensure the safety of our graduate and professional students abroad,” said Eric Mlyn, chair of Duke University Global Travel Advisory Committee.
Since 2008, Duke has required all undergraduate students to enter their itineraries and contact information into the Duke Travel Registry whenever they go abroad on University funded or sponsored travel. Some graduate/professional schools and institutes have also required the same, and it has been required for travel to any destination that appeared on Duke’s Restricted Regions List. The new requirement, which is effective March. 1, 2017, will create a consistent approach for all students.
“In the last year, we have had several occasions such as the terrorist attacks in Paris, Munich, and Istanbul, as well as the Brussels airport bombing, and the recent earthquakes in New Zealand and Italy where members of the Duke community were in the affected areas but not found in the Duke Travel Registry,” Mlyn said. “Our ability to quickly identify and provide support to our students in such circumstances is limited if we do not know they are there.
Duke has international partnerships with International SOS, CIGNA Medical Benefits Abroad, and other organizations to quickly assist members of the Duke community, including full-scale evacuation if necessary.
More information or assistance with the Duke Travel Registry is available through the Global Administrative and Travel Support website or by contacting Christy Parrish Michels, travel policy administrator, at christy.parrish@duke.edu.