The below message from Russ Ganim, UI dean of International Programs, was sent to students studying in Spain, France, and Germany on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.
I am writing to give you an update regarding your student programming. We believe that the spread of COVID-19 poses a threat to your health and safety and have decided to recall all students from Spain/France/Germany. We ask that you leave immediately and return to the U.S. by Monday, March 16.
The university will also ask that you self-isolate for 14 days upon your return to the U.S. For more information on how to self-isolate, see this guide from the CDC. Please see the “Travel Home” section of this email for details.
We understand that this cancellation will likely cause distress and disruption. Please know we are making this decision proactively to maintain your health and safety, and we are here to lend our support and assistance.
These decisions were reached based on data signaling increased spread of the virus. We have been monitoring confirmed cases through both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) risk assessment website as well as the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases (CSSE) dashboard.
Our approach has been to monitor the increase in confirmed cases and then use our best judgment when determining whether or not to recall students. While the CDC has not yet raised the risk assessment threat to a level of 3 (the standard normally used to recall students) in these countries, it has advised institutions of higher learning to consider canceling its study abroad programs: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/student-foreign-travel.html.
Program Provider Options
Since you are studying abroad with a program provider, you may be given options for completing your coursework this semester. Please contact your program provider for details regarding your current options. The University of Iowa does not support any option that involves a continued stay in Spain/France/Germany at this time. Our expectation is that you work with your program provider to identify a plan to depart Spain/France/Germany and return to the U.S. as soon as possible.
When you depart, you may have unanswered questions regarding the academic and financial consequences of an early return home. The university is committed to helping you find answers to those questions after you return home. If you anticipate any loss of credit due to departure from Spain/France/Germany, please contact your study abroad advisor, Emily Gruis (emily-gruis@uiowa.edu), Ryan Ourada (ryan-ourada@uiowa.edu), or Cory Petersen (cory-petersen@uiowa.edu) to discuss that potential impact.
Airline Ticket Changes
Many airlines will currently waive ticket change fees under these circumstances to facilitate swift departure from Spain/France/Germany. Please contact your airline as soon as possible to request a ticket change so you can leave Europe and return to the U.S. as soon as it is feasible to do so. Bear in mind that multiple travelers will be seeking ticket changes, and demand for seats may intensify in the coming days. It is also possible that risk advisories will expand to other locations worldwide, complicating travel plans and limiting travel options. Please inform your study abroad advisor of your return travel plans once they are in place.
If your change fee is not waived by your airline, your program provider may cover all or part of those fees. The UI will assist with reimbursement of ticket change fees if you are changing your ticket to return to the U.S. and your provider is not doing so, up to $500. Any change fees incurred beyond $500 may be considered for reimbursement on a case-by-case basis. Please submit an itemized receipt for any ticket change fees beyond what is covered by your program to Mary Paterson (mary-paterson@uiowa.edu) after your return. Your study abroad advisor can also be contacted if you require financial assistance in order to be able to change your ticket.
Travel Home
Country-specific travel information, including entry, exit, and any applicable quarantine guidance, can be found on each embassy website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html. The university, in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, is asking students returning from or through certain countries to self-isolate upon return to the U.S. Please refer to the “travelers” section for the most updated list of locations requiring self-isolation: https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus.
Also, the CDC provides more general information on returning from high-risk countries here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html. Other questions regarding self-isolation or other health concerns may be directed to UI Student Health: https://studenthealth.uiowa.edu, (student-health@uiowa.edu).
Personal Health Monitoring
For self-protective health guidance, please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Further Guidance
I encourage you to monitor the CDC and Department of State travel advisory websites for updates (links above). If you are a U.S. citizen, register your independent travel plans with the U.S. Department of State through the "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program" (STEP) so you can be easily contacted if there are updates for U.S. citizen travelers.
If you have an emergency while abroad that requires University of Iowa assistance, contact the 24/7 Emergency Cell number for UI International Travelers: +1-319-530-2540.
A copy of this email has also been sent to the person listed as your emergency contact if you provided one.
Again, please know that our first priority is maintaining your health and well-being, and we are here to help as needed.
Sincerely yours,
Russell Ganim
Associate Provost and Dean of International Programs
University of Iowa