International Oversight Committee
International Oversight Committees (IOC) were established UT System-wide by a Chancellor’s Directive on April 22, 2010. Some areas of the world present heightened health and safety risks as outlined in Level 3 and Level 4 area, regional, or country advisories on the U.S. Department of State Travel Alerts and Warnings’ list. Known as “restricted regions”, travel to these locations may require additional efforts to mitigate risk and, at times, call for the avoidance of travel altogether.
To help ensure the institution minimizes risk and is in a position to assist faculty, staff or students if necessary, the IOC reviews requests to travel to restricted regions and makes determinations and recommendations regarding those requests to the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Student Success, and P-16 Integration, Division of Academic Affairs and to the Office of the President. The IOC is a standing, non-academic University-level committee.
IOC Related Policies and Procedures
- Guidance from UT System Administration related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- U.S. Department of State Travel Alerts and Warnings
- UTRGV ADM Travel Policy
- Register with OnCall Travel International Insurance and Assistance
- OnCall Plan ID Card
- Students watch this video for OnCall coverage information and how to register your trip
- Staff/Faculty watch this video for OnCall coverage information and how to register your trip
IOC Role
The University is committed to the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff. While travel to certain regions is restricted because of safety risks, instability, or other reasons, in some cases the University may grant an exception. Appointed at UTRGV by the Office of the Provost, the IOC is charged with assessing travel requests for regions and countries where the U.S. Department of State has issued a current Travel Warning or where other significant health and/or safety concerns exist.
Requesting Travel to a Restricted Region
A compelling justification linked to institutional goals and demonstrating an adequate risk mitigation strategy for major health, safety, and/or security concerns for travel to the restricted region should be provided.
Please choose from the buttons below to submit your travel information to the IOC:
A person or group contemplating travel to a restricted region may contact the IOC Chairperson for assistance in advance of submitting a UTRGV Travel Requisition, although doing so is not required.
At a minimum, the following information should be included in UTRGV Travel Requisitions:
- Travel Dates
- Documentation of Event(s)/Purpose of Travel
- Destination and Location(s) of Events
- Air and Ground Transportation
- Lodging
A person or group submitting a Travel Requisition requesting university-related travel to a restricted region should follow the procedures in ADM-10-602. Most fully completed Travel Requisitions will contain most if not all of the information needed for IOC review, but the IOC may request additional information as needed on a case-by-case basis.
UTRGV’s IOC is a recommending body only, and as such cannot guarantee executive approval of requests. The IOC cannot make retroactive recommendations for travel underway or previously undertaken. IOC recommendations may be appealed to the Office of the President.
The traveler needs to register their trip with OnCall and be familiar with the traveler's checklist from the US Department of State. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-checklist.html
Lastly, be up to date with any vaccinations and consider getting the recommended ones as well check by visiting: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
Contact The IOC
Some areas of the world present heightened health and safety risks as outlined in Level 3 and Level 4 area, regional, or country advisories on the U.S. Department of State Travel Alerts and Warnings’ list. Known as “restricted regions”, travel to these locations may require additional efforts to mitigate risk and, at times, call for the avoidance of travel altogether.
All travel to areas with Level 2 and above must first submit an application to the IOC. Travelers do NOT need to contact the IOC if the warning the location has a Level 1 warning.
Please direct all questions or concerns regarding the International Oversight Committee or the Travel Policy to Restricted Regions to:
UTRGV’s International Oversight Committee
Email: ioc@utrgv.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
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What if the circumstances or logistics of my travel change before or during my trip?
Changes in travel plans should be entered on the original requisition in iTravel, your supervisory chain advised of the changes, and your OnCall Registration information updated.
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Which travelers and what kind of international travel are affected by IOC review?
All university-related employee or student travel to Restricted Regions, with or without University funding, requires IOC review.
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Does my citizenship or home country affect the IOC review requirement?
The requirement for review is based on one’s status as an employee or student, not on citizenship, residency, another country’s assessment of the location, or whether the destination is ones’ home country or region.