The Global Safety and Health team, in partnership with Vanderbilt’s travel manager Sabrina Kronk, is here to support faculty and staff travelers. Our support exists on a continuum from pre to post travel, and every step in between.
Before You Go
International Travel Request
Faculty and staff visiting higher-risk locations under a U.S. Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisory “Level 3 – Reconsider Travel” or “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” are strongly encouraged to submit an international travel request prior to travel. This allows our team to provide the highest level of support to faculty and staff while abroad and respond in the event of an emergency. Request forms should be submitted no later than 14 days prior to travel.
International Medical and Evacuation Insurance
All Vanderbilt faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to enroll in GeoBlue international medical insurance. It is a reimbursable expense for VU faculty and staff. Faculty and staff may also purchase GeoBlue international health insurance for any spouse/partner or dependent traveling; however, this cost is not reimbursable.
To enroll visit: https://members.geobluestudents.com/Public/Enroll. Use VU group code: KXP-37915
Travel Enrollment and Registration
All Vanderbilt itineraries booked through Concur/World Travel Service are automatically registered with our international security provider, Anvil. Anvil’s system enables the Global Safety and Health team to monitor itineraries, anticipate disruptions, and receive alerts regarding any potential safety or security risks. If a spouse and/or dependent’s travel is booked outside of Concur/World Travel Service, their itineraries can also be added to our monitoring system.
Pre-Departure Training for Academic or Co-Curricular Programs
Vanderbilt faculty and staff members who accompany students abroad accept a leadership role in understanding and mitigating risk. The Global Safety and Health team can partner with trip leaders to design pre-departure training. Our team can also provide trip leader training sessions for employees to help identify and manage foreseeable risks and be prepared to respond to emergencies.
During Travel
Incident Response and Reporting
The pre-travel processes outlined above are designed to help anticipate and mitigate the risks associated with traveling internationally. However, emergencies can occur at any time and the Global Safety and Health team is ready to respond through Vanderbilt Incident Response for Travel (VIRT).
VIRT can be reached 24/7 by calling +1 615-322-2745 while traveling. Callers will be routed to a VU Public Safety dispatcher. Tell the dispatcher that you want to report an issue to VIRT and you will be connected immediately to a VIRT team member.
The VIRT team can also be reached by email in non-emergency situations or situations where email is the most easily accessible mode of communication at VIRT@vanderbilt.edu.