Dear CWRU Students on Education Abroad Programs:
We write to update you regarding Thursday’s communication recalling all of our students participating in education abroad activities. As noted in that email, we made this decision because of the increasing risks represented by major federal and global developments of the previous 12 hours.
Most students have responded quickly, securing flights home. We appreciate your positive and swift response. Some students and parents have expressed concerns that this decision was too broad, and urged us to take into account differences among specific situations.
We appreciate that this situation is nuanced, and want to be as thoughtful as possible in responding to this rapidly changing situation.
Today we are instituting a process for individual appeals of the recall decision.
Please know that the first priority of this review process will continue to be the health and safety of our students. Given that context, it is only available to those studying outside of the European countries President Trump included in his Thursday proclamation and/or cited in the Centers for Disease Control’s Level 3 warning guidance.
Our criteria in reviewing appeals are:
- the health and safety of the student;
- current and potential travel restrictions,
- and current and potential circumstances within the host institution and its surrounding community
Each of you should have submitted either a flight itinerary using this form (flights should be before March 25) or an appeal by 8:00 am (EDT) Monday, March 15.
A team of Case Western Reserve leaders—including representatives from the Center for International Affairs—will evaluate each submission, and provide a response no later than 6 p.m. (EDT) Tuesday, March 16.
If you wish to appeal, please contact studyabroad@case.edu. Your advisor will then contact you to provide you with more information about the appeal process.
Again, we regret the great disruption and disappointment this situation creates for each of you. We will do all that we can to support you through this process.
Molly Watkins
Assistant Provost for International Affairs