Travel Approval Policy

UNH policy prohibits student travel and activities, undergraduate and graduate, in countries or areas that the U.S. Department of State rates as Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel. There may be instances when an individual student or a UNH-sponsored group considers that there is a compelling educational interest to travel to a Level 3 or Level 4 country or area and that it is possible to mitigate the risks. In these cases, an individual student or unit may petition to the International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) for prior approval.

ITRRC also may require approval for travel to locations that pose a specific health, safety, or security concern as indicated by sources other than the U.S. Department of State. Examples of such sources may include but are not limited to: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), non-U.S. government authorities (e.g., Australian or Canadian authorities), University of New Hampshire authorities, travel assistance providers, and international education organizations. 

Approval is required for students participating in university sponsored and cosponsored programs through a UNH academic unit, the Global Education Center, UNH Recognized Student Organization, or other university office.

The ITRRC will review requests to travel to these countries or areas based on the ITRRC Review Criteria. Approval by The Committee will allow use of financial aid, scholarships and other University support, including credit transfer.

There are two methods to petition for ITRRC approval:

Travel Approval Guidelines for petitioning can be found below.

Petitions are approved under the conditions at the time of approval. If a new travel advisory is issued or circumstances change, the proposal must be reconsidered. If the program or activity is ongoing and the country or area remains rated at a Level 3 or Level 4, the program must be reapproved each time an individual or group of students plans to participate.

If a student chooses to travel to a country or area rated by the U.S. Department of State as Level 3 or Level 4 without ITRRC approval or to participate in an activity for which the ITRRC has denied a petition, the student cannot be registered for any UNH credits during this period, is ineligible for financial aid from the University or allowed to use any UNH funding, and will not be awarded UNH credit or transfer credit.

Travel Approval Guidelines

It is a goal of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) strategic plan to ensure that students will have maximum exposure to international experiences. To minimize health and safety risks, UNH policy prohibits travel and activities, undergraduate and graduate, in countries or areas that the U.S. Department of State rates as Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel. There may be instances when an individual student or a UNH-sponsored group considers that there is a compelling educational interest to conducting an activity in a Level 3 or Level 4 country or area and that it is possible to mitigate the risks. In these cases an individual student or a unit may petition to the International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) for prior approval.

In addition, ITRRC may require travelers to petition for permission to travel to locations or participate in programs that pose a specific health, safety, or security concern as indicated by sources other than the U.S. Department of State. Examples of such sources may include but are not limited to: Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), non-U.S. government authorities (e.g., Australian or Canadian authorities), University of New Hampshire authorities, travel assistance providers, and international education organizations.

The International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) will review petitions for travel approval. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The committee review process may take 6 to 8 weeks.

International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC)

The ITRRC is comprised of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Senior Vice Provost for Student Life and Dean of Students, Associate Vice Provost for International Programs, and Assistant VP/Executive Director UNH Health Services. These officials may delegate their responsibilities to others within their areas of authority.

In deciding whether to suspend a UNH-sponsored education abroad activity, approve travel to a country or area with a U.S. Department of State risk rating of Level 3 or Level 4, or approve travel to a high risk destination, the ITRRC will consider the following factors:

  • The educational purpose of the activity
  • Whether the activity is for undergraduate, graduate, or professional development
  • The educational, research, service, outreach, or professional development importance of the activity in relation to the students' UNH program
  • The political and physical conditions in the destination country(ies)
  • The level of risk to students' health and safety
  • Travel conditions and the ability to evacuate students, if necessary
  • The manageability of legal risk to the University

The ITRRC is also responsible for deciding whether to suspend an education abroad activity sponsored by UNH when a significant health or safety concern is raised regarding the activity.

Who Must Apply?

If the answer to any of these questions is "yes", approval is required prior to travel:

  • Is the activity for credit?
  • Will the activity fulfill a degree requirement?
  • Is the activity financially supported, in any way, by UNH?
  • Is the activity supervised, led, arranged, OR somehow sponsored by an UNH department or faculty or staff member?
  • Is the activity supervised, led, arranged, OR somehow sponsored by a University office, organization (band, athletic team, etc.) or by a UNH Recognized Student Organization?
  • Does the travel occur within the UNH related program/activity dates?
    • This policy applies to individual, free-time travel within the official dates of the program/activity.

Petition Submissions

There are two ways to petition for approval:

Complete Student or Unit ITRRC Travel Approval petitions should be submitted electronically or in hard copy to:
   The International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC)
   C/O Beth Kilinc
   Global Education Center
   University of New Hampshire
   Conant Hall 310
   Durham NH  03824
   Tel:  603-862-0128
   Fax: 603-862-0169
   Email: beth.kilinc@hwfj-art.com