Office Goals
The Office of Global Safety and Security (OGSS) supports the health, safety and security of students, faculty and staff who travel abroad for activities such as study abroad, research, conference participation, arts performances, athletic competitions, etc. For those with special needs, such a pre-existing health conditions or travel to higher-risk locations, additional services are available.
The specific goals of the Office of Global Safety and Security (OGSS) include:
- Serve as the 24/7 first responder to all university-sponsored international travelers (students, faculty and staff) experiencing an emergency abroad, including the coordination of medical or security/natural disaster evacuations;
- Offer security information and support services for travel to higher-risk locations, including risk analysis, exit strategy planning and specialized traveler training;
- Assure student, faculty and staff compliance with international trip requirements (study abroad as well as non-study abroad/non-credit travel for individuals and groups) including adherence to the Undergraduate Travel Policy, which governs undergraduate travel to locations under or .
- Assist in the development of new study abroad programs and non-credit programs/trips with health, safety and security in mind;
- Provide/develop educational programming and materials related to travel health, safety and security including mandatory training for faculty and staff who accompany students abroad; and
- Coordinate services provided by Northwestern’s international insurance and assistance providers, such as Geoblue Global (medical) and Crisis24 (security information and evacuation).