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Catholic University Legal Issues Abroad 2014
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Agenda Risks Common Risks Negligence Intentional Harms and Crimes Risk Prevention Best Practices Laws to Know Foreign Nationals Insurance/Trips to Dangerous Areas University Policies
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Common Risks Transportation Single greatest threat to travel or safety overseas Conflict of laws and customs Ex: death penalty for drug convictions in certain countries Drugs and Alcohol Alcohol is an ingrained part of culture in certain countries Mental health/Psychological problems Inadequate Health or Safety Standards Foreign Hostility
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Negligence One of the largest legal risks for Universities abroad Negligence can occur when there is a failure to use common sense, exercise good judgment, or act as a reasonably prudent person
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No consistent standard has been applied regarding what duties are owed by institutions of higher education abroad BUT, recent court decisions have found that a “duty of care” for the University arises where the institution should reasonably foresee risk of harm materializing out of its actions or omissions Negligence Standard
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Examples of Potential Negligence Where the University could reasonably foresee a risk of harm: Vendors/Independent Contractors Bus Companies Tour Guides Housing Poor Infrastructure In High Crime Areas Bringing Students to an Unsafe Situation Medical Clinic or Restaurant Area with Violence or Anti- American sentiments
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Examples of Potential Negligence Cont. Allowing Students to Participate in an Unsafe or Unreasonably Dangerous Activity No Proper Training or Orientation Especially if Students are Left Alone for Part of the Trip Not Having Proper Resources in Place for Students No Emergency Response Plans Inadequate Supervision
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Intentional Harms and Crimes Same harms and crimes that occur on campus For example: robbery, sexual harassment, sexual assault, assault, arrests (liquor/drug law violations), illegal weapons possessions New Crimes for Clery purposes: stalking, domestic violence, dating violence and an expansion of the definition of “hate crimes” See Clery Slide for reporting requirements
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Risk Prevention Waivers! Insurance (See Insurance Slide) Check State Department for Advisories and Register ASIRT (Association of Safe International Road Travel) for Advice on Travel Routes and to give to Students Traveling Alone Due Diligence For Vendors, Independent Contractors, Housing, and Any Other University Recommended Activities
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Risk Prevention Cont. Training for Emergency Situations Emergency Response Plan and Practice Emergency Information given to Students Student Onsite Orientations Make sure students understand that any independent travel or activities is at their own risk/expense Know Best Practices Follow University Policies and Procedures Always Contact CUAbroad with Any Questions Know the Students and Any Unique Issues
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Standards for managing a crisis Develop and maintain extensive crisis management protocols Trained, experienced and tested team Local management plan in place for each site Train all staff, faculty & students on plan Monitor news and consular alerts for risks Respond immediately when a crisis occurs IES Abroad Best Practices
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IES Abroad Best Practices Cont. Communicate swiftly, effectively and accurately with parents, students, and DPS Partner with global health and safety group. Conduct post crisis review Designate a trained spokesperson Build redundancy into plan Entire IES document online at: http://counsel.cua.edu/security/ publications/index.cfm http://counsel.cua.edu/security/ publications/index.cfm
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Emergencies In the event of an emergency, after contacting (as needed) local authorities, fire, or medical personnel, contact the Department of Public Safety at 202-319-5111 If medical emergency, also contact Frontier MedEx
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Laws to Know Title IX Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Sex in Educational Programs and Activities Discrimination on the Basis of Sex can Include Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Program Directors Report Complaints of Harassment to CUA EO Officer, Lisa Wood, at 202-319-6594 or woodlm@cua.eduwoodlm@cua.edu
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Laws to Know Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The ADA, under certain circumstances, Prohibits Discrimination against Individuals with Disabilities Ideally, Students Identify the Need for Accommodations through Disability Support Services (DSS) Prior to Departure If Disability is Brought up while Abroad, or if there are any Questions, Refer to DSS at either 202-319-5211 or cua-disabilityservices@cua.educua-disabilityservices@cua.edu
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Laws to Know Clery Act (Campus Security Act) Law that Mandates the Reporting and Disclosure of Certain Crimes that Take Place at Specific Locations (Including Overseas) What Crimes Must be Reported? Homicide Sex Offenses, Forcible or Non-Forcible Robbery Aggravated Assault Burglary Arson Motor Vehicle Theft Alcohol, Drugs, and Weapons Domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence Hate crimes
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Where Must Crimes Occur to be Reported? When Abroad, All University Owned or Controlled Property Controlled Property: Means the University rents, leases, or has some other written agreement. Crimes must be included as long as the property is Used by the Program on a regular basis BUT only for the time period in use by the program. If the specific program does not own, control, or lease property abroad (the program is taught and housed by a third party) then there are no reporting requirements Clery Cont.
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Program Directors are Campus Security Authorities for Clery Purposes Security Authorities must report crimes that occur abroad to Dept. of Public Safety Report to Captain Kim Gregory: gregoryk@cua.edu gregoryk@cua.edu Clery Cont.
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Laws to Know Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Protects Student Education Records Student must consent for CUA to release education records to a third party, with certain exceptions Directory information (i.e. name, address, photo) may be released without permission of the student unless the student has specifically told the University College officials with a legitimate educational interest in the record may have access to the record In a health or safety emergency, FERPA does not prevent release of necessary data
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Laws to Know Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Protects Student Medical Records If Health or Medical Records are Maintained and Used for Purposes Other than Medical Treatment and Disclosed to Third Parties that are not Medical Providers, the Records are Education Records and Protected by FERPA HIPAA Exception Allows Two Medical Providers to Exchange Treatment Information
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The U.S. government has a number of laws that deal with relations with foreign nationals If you have any questions or are unclear, please contact the Office of General Counsel for guidance (202) 319-5142 Payments to Foreign Nationals (See Non-Resident Alien Payments and Honoraria Policies) Gifts to Foreign National (FCPA - Contact OGC) Sharing Information with Foreign Nationals (Export Control – Contact OGC) For more export control resources, see http://counsel.cua.edu/fedlaw/EAA.cfm Dealing with Foreign Nationals
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The University has purchased comprehensive insurance for individuals going abroad Includes medical, accidental death, dismemberment, security/evacuation, and other protections In certain situations, there are exclusions to the insurance coverage For example, the security/evacuation provision of the insurance does not apply if an individual chooses to go to a country with certain State Dept. warnings Consult the Abroad Office or OGC with any questions University Insurance
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University sponsored trips to high risk areas, as determined by the State Department, are generally not approved Exceptions are possible but require the approval by the proper University representative Students traveling independently are on their own While traveling independently, students are responsible for any injury, loss, and expenses Trips to Dangerous Areas
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University Policies Apply Abroad Reasonable Accommodations (ADA) Contract Approval and Signatory Authority Global Education Student Records Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment Travel University Policies to Review
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When in Doubt, Always Ask Questions and Report it to the University Solving Potential Issues is Much Easier than Fixing Mistakes Our office contact is 202-319-5142 or Feel Free to Email me at goldschmidts@cua.edugoldschmidts@cua.edu Have a Great Trip! Reminders
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