Center for Global Experiences

U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories-  The travel advisories are listed as levels 1-4 regarding safety. If the country you wish to take students to is at a level one or two, then the Tennessee Tech group can travel. If the country is at a level 3, then the program will have to be reviewed closely by the Provost and the Center for Global Experiences before a decision can be made. Faculty who choose to propose a country with a level 3 advisory must also propose an alternate location for their program. Faculty may not, under any circumstances, take Tennessee Tech students to a country with an advisory level of 4. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issues travel health warnings to alert citizens to widespread, serious outbreaks of a disease or to other public health concerns. A decision to cancel or proceed with a particular program in the face of a State Department announcement of any kind will be made by College officials based upon a thorough examination of the situation at hand and comprehensive gathering of information from all government and non-governmental sources.

1. Faculty Leaders must complete the Proposal Form and Budget Form online and include the following information: syllabus, location, dates, general itinerary, and funding request information. The Budget Form requires more detail about specific costs and upon submission is copied to the Business Office. The Center for Global Experiences will send the forms around for signatures via DocuSign.

2. Faculty must make an appointment with the Senior Associate Provost (Dr. Julie Baker) to present Proposal Form for approval.

3. If you choose to use a third party provider, here is a list of TTU contracted Travel Providers:

   International Business Seminars (IBS)	https://ibstours.com	Tyler Brenenstuhl
   Study Abroad Association	pj@studyabroadassociation.com	PJ Shoulders
   EF College Study	www.efcollegestudy.com	Drew Pynchon or Caroline O'Reilly
   Fellowship Travel	jhefner@fellowship.com	Jen Hefner

4. Faculty must comply with all procedures and complete all required forms as detailed in the Faculty-Led Programs Abroad Handbook in accordance with TTU Policy No. 290.

Recruit 10-20 currently enrolled Tennessee Tech students in good standing. Note: Students must be currently enrolled in the course at the time of departure and for the duration of the trip and may not audit the course.

Follow-up with the finance person in your college to set up a Marketplace Account so that students can make payments online (students must make a deposit of approximately half of the cost of the entire program in order to secure their spot on the program).

Submit a roster of the participants to the Center for Global Experiences including name, T# and email
Check group for passports and make copies/scans

• Have students complete online Student Application and make initial deposit (once applications are complete and appropriate deposits are made, travel may be arranged)

• Faculty Leaders and Spouses (if traveling with the group) must each complete the online Faculty/Spouse Application

• Make sure that students are registered for the corresponding course.

Site-Specific Orientation- Meet with all study abroad participants together 3–5 times before departure to prepare the group for the program, culture and to develop group dynamics, etc. 

TTU Pre-Departure Orientation- Students are required to review all orientation materials online and complete the assessment at least one month before departure.

• Submit passport copies/scans to Center for Global Experiences

• Complete the online Emergency Information Form

• Register the group in the STEP Program with the U.S. Department of State and provide verification to the Center for Global Experiences

• Submit the Request to Travel Abroad Memo (sample)- Use department letterhead. Must be signed by the President and other officials

Note: The Center for Global Experiences will enroll the group for the International Health Insurance and email the cards to the Faculty Leaders. 

Emergency Wallet Cards will be given to the Faculty Leaders to distribute before departure.

• Contact the Center for Global Experiences within 24 hours after arrival to confirm all participants are safe and accounted for.

• Contact Center for Global Experiences immediately if an incident or emergency occurs, then submit an Incident Report. Please see Crisis Management Guide for Faculty for detailed information.

• Provide initial on-site orientation upon arrival. Students are expected to follow the TTU Student Conduct Policy (No. 302) as if they were on campus

• Collect receipts in an organized manner and itemize usage of any student funds, fund advances and other necessary expenses. These will be submitted to the Provost’s Office one week after return. Never loan students funds unless it is an extreme emergency. Faculty Leaders will not be reimbursed by Tennessee Tech University for any expenses that have not been pre-approved or for loaning money to participants.

• If using contracted services, ensure the Third-Party Provider is delivering services according to the contract.

• Contact Center for Global Experiences to report safe return of all participants

• Present the program/travel expense report with receipts to the Provost’s Office within one week after return

• Submit a written summary explaining activities done, and any feedback to the Center for Global Experiences with two photos after return. This will be used for promotional purposes. If you submitted an article for the Tennessee Tech news or a local newspaper, please send a link.

• Follow-up on Incident Report(s) within one week after return

• Award grades for the course and post on Banner