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Study Abroad Risk and Security Assessment Committee (RSAC)
The Study Abroad RSAC was created in 1999 to analyze safety and security conditions of newly proposed and already existing MSU study abroad programs in order to assess whether the risks at each of these sites are unacceptable for participants and for the University. In making the determination, the group will consider:
- the safety of the students
- the University's ethical responsibilities to participants, as expressed in the academic freedom report
- the University's exposure to legal liabilities
- the public relations issues relating to problematic program sites
In addition to reviewing all programs proposed or occurring in countries with U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings, the Risk & Security Assessment Committee will review programs in countries where no other study abroad activities presently occur, in locations where health, safety, or security may be of particular concern, or in regions/cities of individual countries with significant levels of health, safety, or security concerns as identified by the U.S. Department of State, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention or any other reputable body or individuals that expresses a valid concern about the program or location.
When conditions warrant, the RSAC may recommend that an MSU program at a particular site be suspended or shifted, prior to the departure, or an MSU program at a particular site be suspended, and the participants brought back to the U.S., when the program is already under way.
An appeal for a waiver of the group's decision may be made to the Provost by any faculty member or administrator who is negatively affected.
Policy Decisions of the RSAC
Travel Warning Suspension Policies and Waiver Application Process
General Information about the RSAC
Group Membership
The group will consist of the following permanent members:
The Chair shall be a senior university official, appointed by the President and Provost.
Other members shall include:
- University Risk Manager
- Representative from the University's General Counsel's Office
- Dean, International Studies and Programs
- Dean, Graduate School
- Vice-President, Student Affairs
- Representative from the Provost's Office
- Associate Provost, University Outreach and Engagement
- Director, Office of Study Abroad
- University Physician
- Travel Security Analyst, International Studies and Programs
At any time, but particularly when conditions at a site are serious enough to call into question the advisability of sending or maintaining MSU students at a given site, the group may also invite the following individuals to come in as visitors in order to provide additional information:
- An MSU faculty member with significant expertise in the affected country or region
- Dean of the college sponsoring the program
