STEP I: Program Viability

The purpose of the Program Viability form is to:

Assist the Office of Global Safety & Security (GSS) in determining the viability of the proposed program from a health, safety & security perspective BEFORE signing contracts or accepting student applicants.

Though the Program Viability form can be completed anytime during the program planning process, program organizers should submit the plan after gathering most of the program details but no later than 90 days prior to program start date.

Before you invest too much time and effort, consider discussing your program ideas with your college/department/unit’s International Travel Designee to determine if there is a program approval process and/or timeline for creating new programs. The Office of Global Safety & Security (GSS) staff are also available to provide feedback early in the development process.

Instructions to Complete the Form

Complete the questions to the best of your ability. The GSS team understands that you may not have all of the program details at your current stage of planning. You will be able to return to the form during Step 2: Contingency Planning and finalize the details.

Once all questions are complete, click on 'Submit.' You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the form and your responses.

1. Risk Management Training

Has at least one Trip Leader completed Module I: Risk Management Training in Brightspace within the last 12 months?

Yes

SECTION I: Program/Trip Information

2. Please provide your contact information in the boxes below:

First & Last Name

LMU Email:

Phone # (preferably a cell #)

3. Name of Program

Enter the name of the program.

4. Sponsoring College/Unit/Department

Enter the name of the college, unit, or department that is sponsoring this trip.

5. Trip Leaders' Details

You must provide at least one Trip Leader's information during Step 1: Program Viability.
If not provided during Step 1, provide the 2nd Trip Leaders' information during Step 2.

Trip Leader #1 Full Name

LMU Email

Department, College or Unit

Cell #

Trip Leader #2 Name

LMU Email

Department, College or Unit

Cell #

6. What are the proposed dates (e.g., 01/03/2026 – 01/10/2026) of the program? If this program will operate multiple times in the same academic year, input those dates in the bottom box.

Start Date

End Date

Input all dates in the academic year that the trip will take place.

7. Destination Information

List all cities, states/provinces (where applicable), and countries in the proposed trip.

Destination(s)

8.  Requirements to Enter your Destination Country(ies)

Aside from a valid passport, what are the requirements, if any, needed to enter your destination country/s? Requirements could include: 

A specific type of visa, depending on
- Nature/Duration of visit and/or
- Citizenship of traveler

For example: If you are a US citizen traveling to Australia for less than 90 days, you need to secure an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA); but if you are from Albania, you must secure a Visitor’s Visa (subclass 600) to enter Australia.

Resources:

The “Entry, Exit, and Visa Requirements” section of the U.S. Department of State Country Information
CDC Travelers’ Health page
Official Embassy websites of your destination/s

9. State Department Travel Advisory Level

LMU prohibits student travel to:

Countries with a U.S. Department of State Risk Level 3 or 4

Center for Disease Control Level 3

OFAC-sanctioned countries

Countries not covered by our international travel insurance

Please check this link and enter the State Department Advisory Level(s) in the box provided for each location. Separate locations by a semi-colon (e.g., Madrid, Spain 2; Barcelona, Spain 2; Rome, Italy 2).

10. Center for Disease Control Travel Notices

LMU prohibits travel to CDC Levels 3 or 4 for student groups. Please check this link and enter the CDC Trvael Notice Level(s) in the box provided for each location. Separate locations by a semi-colon (e.g., Madrid, Spain 2; Barcelona, Spain 2; Rome Italy 2).

11. Language Barriers

If your travel destination is not primarily English-speaking, explain how language barriers will be addressed (i.e., level of language proficiency of participant/s, accompanying translator, etc.)?

12. Vaccine Requirements or Recommendations

Consult the CDC's recommendations for vaccinations for each destination on your itinerary? Provide details for any required or recommended vaccinations. You may input NA if there are no required or recommended vaccinations.

Section II: Program and On-Site Support Details

13. Type of Program

Select the option that most closely aligns with the trip you are designing.

Undergraduate Credit Bearing Course (e.g., Global Immersion; Cultural Immersion)

Graduate Credit Bearing Course

Law School Credit Bearing Course

College Sponsored Non-Credit Bearing Trip

Center for Service & Action

Mission & Ministry

Athletics

Other

14. In-Country Partner/Provider

Provide the name(s), address, telephone number, and URL (where applicable) of your in-country partner(s), collaborator(s), host organization(s), and/or placement agency hereafter referred to as “Provider.” If this information is not yet known, input 'Pending.'

15. On-site Support Resources

Describe on-site health, safety, and security support resources and services provided by your provider or others, if applicable.

Examples of support may include:

On-site orientation or familiarization tour of the area
Accompaniment of staff or translator
Recommendations on selecting safe housing
Transportation
Overview of public health/emergency support protocols
After hours emergency number and or support
Assistance with security quarantine/isolation space if necessary.

Resources:

16. Program and/or Trip Leaders' Experience

Please share any experience with the proposed program, destination(s), and/or for your trip leaders

Leadership experience (i.e. experience leading student travelers in a domestic context, international context, experience navigating in new cultures, responding to conflict / emergencies, receiving first aid training, etc.)
Any previous experience in the proposed destinations.
The proposed housing site(s)
The proposed work/study site(s)
Any other in-country support with the proposed providers
Whether this trip has been done before in this same context and/or location with students

17. Housing Accommodations - Details

For each destination where you will stay overnight—even for just one night—provide the following information:

Name of accommodation, if known
Full address
Phone number
Anticipated arrival date
Anticipated departure date

You may provide this information either in the box below or by attaching an itinerary or separate document with your submission.

If the information is included in an attachment, enter “See itinerary” in the box below.

18. Housing Accommodations

To the best of your knowledge, describe how the Trip Leaders and accommodations will support students with the following needs. Include any known limitations or concerns regarding the lodging’s ability to provide appropriate accommodations:

Medical needs or conditions
Mental health needs or concerns
Disabilities or accessibility needs, including mobility, visual, hearing, or other accommodations
Special dietary needs or preferences, if meals are included in the lodging or program

Medical needs or conditions
Mental health needs or concerns
Disabilities or accessibility needs, including mobility, visual, hearing, or other accommodations
Special dietary needs or preferences, if meals are included in the lodging or program

19. Communications Infrastructure

Is there reliable internet and/or cellular connectivity at the anticipated housing accommodations? At the work/study site? If not, how will participants communicate with each other, with the trip leader/s, with in-country contacts, and/or with LMU?

Note: All student travel groups will be assigned a program specific WhatsApp group that can be used for general communication.

20. Emergency on-site contact person/s and number/s

Identify a person or office at each destination that you and/or LMU can contact in the event of an on-site emergency. This may be an in-country collaborator, personal contact, or other person or office responsible for providing local support. If this information is not yet known, input 'Pending.'

Include the name, role/office, phone number (with country and city codes), and WhatsApp number (if different).

If this information is not available during Step 1, enter “Pending.” This information must be provided during Step 2.

21. Safety Pak Supplies

Select all first aid supplies needed for your trip. You may select as many items as necessary. The selected supplies will be available 7-10 days prior to departure in VDA 130 (Study Abroad office).

First Aid Kit

Covide Tests

Masks

22. Transportation

What types of public transportation will be used and for what purpose?
What kind of transportation will travelers take when they arrive at the airport, whether they will be picked up by the in-country host, or will take their own transportation? Any additional arrival notes?
How will students get to and from the work/project/study site, etc.? (Types of transportation could include walking, public bus, night bus, taxi, chartered vehicle / personal driver, train, plane, etc.)
For any excursions or intra-city travel, what transportation will students use?
Students are not permitted to drive in the host country for any activities related to LMU group travel. For example, students cannot drive themselves or others to group excursions related to the trip itself. EXCEPTION: DeColores is the only approved international travel with student drivers.
Will the group be traveling at night during any portion of the program? If so, where will they travel and what type of transportation will they use?
If you trip does not involve flying to your destination, indicate what type of transportation will be used (e.g., LMU vans, hired buses, etc.).

SECTION III: Risk Identification

23. Transportation - Risk Identification

For each type of transportation listed in Question #19 above, indicate the risks involved based on the location. NA is not an acceptable response.

Resources:

The “Transportation Security” section of your country’s OSAC Country Security Report

Within the "Travel and Transportation" section of your country’s U.S. Department of State Country Information page

NOTE: You may also use an AI tool to assist you with this step (Sample prompt: Provide a list of transportation risks when using a ferry to travel from Athens to Santorini with U.S. college students in June 2027?)

24. Health - Risk Identification

List the health risks identified within the CDC’s Travelers’ Health page of your travel location/s (Travel Health Notices, Vaccines and Medicines, and Non-Vaccine Preventable Diseases) or other resources listed below. Include relevant travel health considerations (e.g. vaccination requirements, infectious diseases, insect-borne illnesses, water and food safety, on-site medical access and quality, etc.). NA is not an option.

Resources:

International SOS Country Guides (You’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one. Member # 11BCAS392729)

GEOBlue Destination Dashboard

The “Health” section of your country’s U.S. Department of State Country Information page

LMU's Travel Resources website Health & Wellness page page and review the LMU's Travel Health Self Assessment.
Harvard's Travel Risk Rating page (You won’t be able to access the Country Guides here but you can access them through our International SOS portal.)

NOTE: You may also use an AI tool to assist you with this step (Sample prompt: Provide a list of health risks with U.S. college students traveling to Rome, Italy in June 2027?)

25. Personal Identity & Human Rights Concerns - Risk Identification

List the potential personal identity and human rights risks associated with each location. NA is not an option.

The “Personal Identity & Human Rights Concerns” section of your country’s OSAC Country Security Report
Within the “Local Laws and Special Circumstances” section of your travel destination’s Country Information page

Map of Sexual Orientation Laws on the ILGA site
Review relevant guidance within LMU 's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Abroad Resources webpage.

NOTE: You may also use an AI tool to assist you with this step (Sample prompt: Provide a list of potential human rights and/or personal identity risks with U.S. college students traveling to Windhoek, Namibia in June 2027?)

26. Personal Safety - Risk Identification

For each location, list personal safety risks (e.g., petty or violent crime, theft, fear of bodily harm, kidnapping, terrorism, safe housing issues) that may be encountered. NA is not an acceptable response.

Resources:

International SOS Country Guides (You’ll need to create an account if you don’t already have one. Member # 11BCAS392729)

The “Crime Environment” section of your country’s OSAC Country Security Report

The “Safety and Security” section of your country’s U.S. Department of State Country Information page
Harvard’s Travel Risk Rating page.

NOTE: You may also use an AI tool to assist you with this step (Sample prompt: Provide a list of potential personal safety risks with U.S. college students traveling to Paris, France in June 2027.)

27. Natural Disasters and Environmental Risks - Risk Identification

For your destination/s:

describe any natural disaster risks (e.g., earthquakes, tropical storms, flooding, landslides, etc.) and environmental risks (e.g., extreme heat or cold, high altitude, air pollution, etc.).

NA is not an acceptable response.

Resources:

The “Environmental Hazards” section of your country’s OSAC Country Security Report

NOTE: You may also use an AI tool to assist you with this step (Sample prompt: Provide a list of potential natural disasters and/or environmental risks associated with U.S. college students traveling to Ecuador in October 2027.)

28. Political Unrest - Risk Identification

For your destination/s:

describe any risk related to political unrest, demonstrations, political instability, etc.,.

NA is not an acceptable response.

Resources:

The “Political Violence and Civil Unrest Environment” section of your country’s OSAC Country Security Report

Within the "Embassy and Alerts" section of your travel destination's Country Information Page or on the US Embassy website

IFES Election Guide
OSAC’s “Preparing for Election Violence” and “Surviving a Protest”resources.

NOTE: You may also use an AI tool to assist with this step. Sample prompt: Identify potential risks related to political unrest for U.S. college students traveling to Beijing, China, in June 2027. Include specific locations or areas to avoid and explain the risks associated with each.

29. Risky Activities - Risk Identification

For your destination/s:

describe planned high-risk activities, such as high altitude activities, technical climbing, hiking in remote or precipitous areas, swimming, diving, boating, horseback riding, machinery operation, handling animals/poisonous plants/hazardous substances, etc..

NA is not an acceptable response.

Resources include:

OSAC “Traveling in High Altitude” and “Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Abroad”
UC Berkeley’s Safety Guidelines for Field Researchers

NOTE: You may also use an AI tool to assist with this step. Sample prompt: Identify potential risks related to horseback riding in a national park in Mongolia in June 2027.

You have completed the form. Once you click “Submit,” you will receive an email with a link to a Box folder where you can upload your itinerary and other supporting documents (e.g., hotel list).

In Step I: Program Viability,your itinerary may be a draft.
In Step 2 – Contingency Planning, you must upload a final itinerary and Travelers’ List.
If your Travelers’ List is already available, you may upload it using this template.