Health and Safety

Health & Safety Information

Safety and Emergency Overview

The safety of our students is a top priority of Syracuse University. Below you'll find a very brief outline of our safety procedures. For more specific guidelines, including the individual responsibilities of SU Abroad, program participants and parents/guardians, please click here [PDF].

Safety Policies and Procedures

  1. Emergency staff: SU Abroad staff members in Syracuse and at each of our centers abroad constantly monitor world events via up-to-the-minute bulletins from various sources, including: the U.S. State Department, our international safety partner, International S.O.S., and various media outlets.

    In addition, SU Abroad staff members in Syracuse and abroad are available by phone to deal with emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as follows:

    SU Abroad Emergency telephone numbers for on-call staff:

    Toll free: 1-800-235-3472
    Local: (315) 443-3471

  2. Action Plans: SU Abroad has an experienced Task Force ready to deal with emergencies, and an Emergency Procedures Manual complete with actions plans for crisis situations (including evacuation). Individual centers have action plans as well. For security purposes these plans must be kept confidential, and therefore cannot be shared with individual students or parents.

  3. On-site Monitoring: Center directors are in regular communication with local police, the U.S. consulate or embassy, other study abroad program directors in their host city, International S.O.S., and other sources.

  4. Building security: Access to SU’s academic/administrative buildings abroad is provided only to students, faculty, staff and invited guests. Entrance to buildings is made with electronic key card, keypunch pad, or after visual screening by a staff member.

  5. Advising students: As part of pre-departure and arrival orientation, all students are given detailed information on safety and security matters. Students are provided with emergency phone numbers and safety practices to follow, including: staying informed, keeping a low profile, exercising caution in public places, et cetera. Notices are routinely provided through announcements on bulletins boards, email, announcements in class, and periodic information meetings. Depending on the severity of the threat, students may also be contacted by phone and advised what measures to take.

    6. View the entire Study Abroad Handbook [PDF]

    Related links (external):