University Travel and Campus Event Guidelines Updated

Photo Submitted

Students pose for a photo at Machu Picchu during the Honors College H2 Passport Study Abroad program in Peru.

Remaining restrictions have been lifted regarding university-sanctioned and coordinated domestic travel for students, faculty and staff. 

International travel, however, must adhere to Academic Policy 1835.00 Travel for Students, Faculty and Staff, which restricts travel to locations with high level travel advisories or travel health notices. 

On-campus events – other than scheduled classes and informal small group gatherings – that are hosted by an official U of A unit or recognized student organization, or that is approved through the university’s reservation process, will be held in accordance with the university’s Use of University Facilities and Outdoor Space policy.

The university’s COVID-19 Campus Guidance includes these updates and provides the latest guidance, intended to align with guidance issued by the state of Arkansas, Arkansas Department of Health and CDC.

TRAVEL

Domestic Travel

University-sanctioned and coordinated domestic travel for students, faculty and staff is allowed while following all U of A policies and safety guidelines before, during and after travel. Following CDC guidelines, self-quarantine and testing is recommended after return from travel for unvaccinated travelers. Vaccination prior to travel is encouraged and quarantine and testing is not necessary for vaccinated travelers.

For more information about key domestic travel guidelines, including recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers, visit the CDC website. 

International Travel 

International travel must adhere to Academic Policy 1835.00 Travel for Students, Faculty and Staff, which governs university travel outside the U.S. No university funds may be authorized prior to approval for the travel. The policy restricts travel to locations that have a Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisory of Level 3 or 4, or Center for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Health Notice level 3. Travelers are expected to Petition for Exception to the International Travel Policy with sufficient time (six to 10 weeks) prior to departure. No university funds may be authorized prior to approval for the travel. 

Study Abroad

Students may participate in approved international programs at the Rome Center, with select external programs, or with limited faculty-led programs. Programs with departure dates after January 2022 will be re-evaluated at a later date. More information can be found at the Study Abroad COVID-19 website. 

Students interested in participating in independent study abroad or non-select external program providers will need to submit a Petition for Exception to the International Travel Policy. The appeals process follows the Academic Policy Series 1835.00.

For more information regarding domestic and international travel this year, please visit the Travel section of the U of A’s COVID-19 Campus Guidance website.

EVENTS AND GATHERINGS

Students take part in Welcome Back Week festivities in 2019.

Events will follow the university’s Use of University Facilities and Outdoor Space policy. Event planners are encouraged to use the CDC’s event guidance as a resource for planning on-campus gatherings. 

Large gatherings, especially indoors, continue to be discouraged but may be held while prioritizing caution and safety. Online and virtual events continue to be encouraged.

Mask and social distancing guidelines will also fall in line with current campus guidance.

We expect our community to use good judgment to help protect themselves and those around them when planning and attending on-campus gatherings.

For more information about holding events on campus, please visit the Events and Gatherings section of the U of A’s COVID-19 Campus Guidance website.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.