November 14, 2015 
Updated December 7, 2015

To all MSU travelers,

On November 23, the US Department of State issued a Worldwide Travel Alert. Travel Alerts are issued for short-term events that the US Department of State thinks you should know about when planning travel to a country. Alerts are less severe than Travel Warnings. This Travel Alert expires February 24, 2016.

Following the recent tragic events in Beirut, Lebanon; Paris, France; and Bamako, Mali, we would like the MSU community to know that the Office of International Health and Safety (OIHS) is diligently monitoring events overseas and working closely with the Risk and Security Assessment Committee (RSAC). We are also in direct communication with our evacuation and security information provider, the U.S. State Department Overseas Security Advisory Council, and peer universities.

MSU is prepared to respond to incidents abroad. Some of the ways OIHS and OSA keep students and program leaders safe while they are abroad include established emergency procedures and protocols, pre-departure orientation for students, pre-departure Critical Incident Management Training for program leaders, medical and evacuation insurance, and MSU’s 24/7 International Assistance Line. We also recommend registration in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Due to the state of heightened alert and the possibility of disruption to travel plans, we recommend the following: 

• MSU's 24/7 International Assistance Line at +1-517-353-3784 should be called if you have an emergency situation.
• Faculty, staff, and students traveling internationally on MSU business, who are not part of a study abroad program, must register in the Travelers Abroad Database. 
• U.S. citizens should register with the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security alerts.
• Non-U.S. citizens should check if their local embassy/consulate offers a similar service and take steps to be registered.
• Stay in contact with your family members and loved ones in the United States.
• Diligently monitor local media for the latest news.
• Follow the advice of local governments where you are traveling.

If you require any non-emergency assistance related to your travel, do not hesitate to contact me directly via email at danielc7(at)msu.edu, or our International Health and Safety Coordinator Maureen Handrahan at handraha(at)msu.edu. Our office is available 24/7.

Safe travels,

Christopher C. Daniel, MA, CEM
Director, International Health and Safety

Office Tel: +1 (517) 884-9418 
24/7 International Assistance Tel: +1 (517) 353-3784