To the Staff of Case Western Reserve:
In light of recent federal guidance regarding travel to China, we urge you to reconsider trips there while the country grapples with a novel coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 8,000 people and taken the lives of more than 170.
Because the safety of our campus community is Case Western Reserve’s top priority, any plans for university travel to China will require additional review prior to departure. As you are aware, the university’s travel policy requires that supervisors approve travel requests in advance. Effective immediately, staff planning travel to China must request approval from their supervisors and also complete this form.
A university panel (including representatives from the Office of General Counsel, International Affairs, Human Resources, and University Health and Counseling Services) will review the request; if it is approved by the supervisor and the panel, members of the panel work with the traveler(s) in developing an appropriate safety plan.
Those planning to visit China for reasons unrelated to Case Western Reserve are encouraged to review guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization and to keep in mind the risks of travel disruptions when they seek to return.
The university will continue to update the campus community regarding developments involving novel coronavirus; if you have any questions about this interim protocol, please do not hesitate to contact me at lisa.palazzo@case.edu.
Sincerely,
Lisa Palazzo
University Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer