March 24, 2021

Virginia Tech’s Global Travel Oversight Committee (GTOC) approves all student international travel.  Virginia Tech’s Global Travel Policy 1070 describes the process and guidelines for university-supported global education activities and clearly states the travel restrictions for responsible global engagement.

The College of Engineering (COE) affirms this policy, including its stipulation that students may petition the GTOC for an exception to policy 1070 for “critical travel” to a destination with travel restrictions. In the interest of student safety, COE does not endorse international travel for educational purposes to any destinations with Level 4 travel advisories from either the CDC or the U.S. Department of State. The College’s endorsement decision is just one aspect taken into account in the GTOC’s review of students’ petitions.

If the GTOC approves travel, the College will follow the university's decision and its current process that outlines academic and travel risk.  

Questions concerning the GTOC or questions concerning travel to locations requiring an exception to Virginia Tech Policy 1070: Global Travel Policy, can be directed to VTGlobalSafety@vt.edu or (540) 231-2867.