Global Travel, Safety, & Security Office

The Global Travel, Safety, and Security (GTSS) office at LSU serves as the central hub for managing and supporting all aspects of international travel risk management, safety, and security for students, faculty, and staff engaged in global travel. The Director of GTSS works alongside the International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC) and the International Crisis Response Team (ICRT) to review proposed high-risk travel and respond expeditiously to emergencies impacting LSU constituents traveling outside the U.S.

LATEST TRAVEL ALERTS

Meet Our Team

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Ray Lyngdoh

Director, Global Travel, Safety, & Security Office

 

 

About

The GTSS office advocates for LSU constituents traveling internationally by:

  • Developing university policies and procedures that govern international travel to ensure compliance, consistency, and best practices
  • Providing 24/7 emergency assistance (will want to link to a page dedicated to emergency assistance resources)
  • Conducting pre-travel health, safety, & security orientation training
  • Assessing and managing global risks by monitoring global events, conducting research and analysis, and providing risk mitigation recommendations.
  • Leading incident and crisis management, coordinating with internal and external partners, and ensuring effective communication and after-action follow-up  
  • Working with Risk Management and General Counsel to ascertain international travel insurance/assistance and political/natural disaster evacuation and specialized insurance needs.
  • Ensuring that all LSU constituents can travel, study, and engage overseas safely, responsibly, and in alignment with institutional and global standards.

The ITOC is led by the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Provost or designee (Director of GTSS) and includes representatives from varying departments and personnel in LSU. These representatives are responsible for reviewing requests for travel to restricted regions (Level 3 and 4 locations as rated by the U.S. Department of State) and designated foreign adversary countries. The GTSS unit will work with ITOC applicants to enable constituents to address inherent risks at locations of concern and to work pre-emptively to put in place mitigation measures that could potentially decrease or address travel risks. 

The ICRT is a core group of LSU university representatives from varying departments who work with LSU university travelers and LSU Study Abroad programs to respond to international crises that impact LSU constituents overseas. The ICRT also works with subject matter experts who may be called upon to assist during an international emergency response. The group is led by the Director of GTSS and is called upon as needed, dependent on the circumstances of an international crisis. Upon collective decision, the ICRT is authorized to suspend travel and initiate evacuation proceedings for international travel programs, as necessary.   

Emergencies/Non-Emergencies Overseas

For severe/immediate emergencies, contact local emergency responders first (911 equivalent). Once stabilized or in safe location and in need of any medical, security, or travel assistance, contact On Call International. 

24/7/365 Contacts:

On Call International Contact Options:

On Call International and local emergency response numbers are also available within the Crisis24 Horizon’s mobile app.

Other contact numbers/email to reach for assistance during travels outside the U.S.

LSU Police Dispatch: + 1 225 578 3231

Let the LSU police dispatcher know you are an LSU constituent on international travel. LSU Police dispatch will take down details and escalate your case to the appropriate LSU responders for Global Travel, Safety, & Security. 

The incident does not present imminent bodily harm or impact the immediate safety of the constituent, but traveler(s) will require assistance. Examples include, but are not limited lost passport, money purse, luggage, etc.; travel delays or flight cancellations; visa assistance; minor illness or injuries, etc.

For non-emergency situations and inquiries can contact On Call International and/or send an email to globalsecurity@lsu.edu with any related inquiries.

  • Always follow the local laws and regulations of the country you are visiting!
    • Many laws and regulations of other countries are different to the U.S. and it is incumbent on the traveler to do pre-emptive research.
  • Resources (including but not limited to):
    • U.S. Department of State – Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Country Reports – pay attention to “Concerns involving the Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption and/or Transparency” and “Personal Identity & Human Rights Concerns” sections.
    • Within the “Local Laws and Special Circumstances” section of your travel destination’s U.S. Department of State Country Information page. If your destination carries a “D” risk indicator for “Detention” on the DoS country information page – travelers to these countries are deemed to be at a higher risk for wrongful detention.
    • The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, & Intersex Association (ILGA) World Map.
    • For more information on a specific country’s laws, you can contact the GTSS unit at LSU, On Call International, or contact that country’s nearest Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. before you travel.

  • Stay calm and cooperate with the local authorities.
    • Do NOT sign any documents without legal counsel.
  • Firmly but politely request local authorities to notify your respective Embassy/Consulate, based on your citizenship, of your detention. Also, request you be able to communicate with your designated contact to make them aware of your situation.
    • Those who are aware of your situation can then contact the Embassy/Consulate and/or On Call International to inform them of your arrest.
    • For U.S. citizens, a consular officer at the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate can be notified by phone at (888) 407-4747 (if dialing from the U.S. and Canada) or (202) 501-4444 from abroad.
    • Your contact(s) – with your permission - can also reach out to LSUs GTSS unit at globalsecurity@lsu.edu, who can reach out to consular services on the concerned traveler’s behalf.
  • LSU U.S. citizens who want to allow a U.S. Consular Officer to speak with LSU or your family regarding your detention/arrest – will need to sign a Privacy Act Waiver, which will be given to you by the Consular Officer visiting you. If you wish for the Consular Officer to speak with LSU’s emergency responder, please identify the Director of Global Travel, Safety, & Security or LSUs Chief of Police in the Privacy Act Waiver.
  • With your permission, contact will be made with LSU representatives, who will inform your department and emergency contacts. Though LSU will advocate for you, please not that similar to the U.S. government or your respective country of citizenship government, LSU cannot get any constituent out of jail, provide legal services, or pay for any fees related to your arrest.    
  • Be advised that Embassy/Consulate officials of any country have limitations as to what they can assist with in the event that you are detained/arrested. For example, an embassy consular officer CANNOT:
    • Get a concerned citizen out of jail
    • State to a court that the traveler concerned is innocent or guilty
    • Serve as official translators or interpreters
    • Pay for legal, medical, or any other associated fees/costs.

For U.S. citizens you also can review the Department of State’s Arrest or Detention of a U.S. citizen abroad to view what the local embassy/consulate can or can’t do on your behalf in the event of a detention/arrest.

  • Where possible to do so, identify exits and get away from the immediate vicinity of the unrest and get to a safe location.
    • Keep a low-profile, stay calm, and remain vigilant and consistently aware of your surroundings. 
  • Connect with fellow travelers and/or local contacts, as available.
  • Contact On Call International directly or via the Horizons App (Call Hotline or Send Crisis Signal options in-app).
    • On Call will work with LSUs GTSS unit to determine the severity of the situation and if evacuation benefits need to be leveraged.

As a matter-of-course, always liaise pre-emptively with local contacts and monitor local news when in-destination to avoid any large gatherings, demonstrations, or unsafe areas.

U.S. citizens are highly encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to leaving the U.S. on travels abroad. This allows for travelers to receive security alerts and messages from the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate and allows the U.S. Department of State to expeditiously identify impacted U.S. citizens in the event of an emergency. Non U.S. citizens are encouraged to check their country’s STEP equivalent, if available. 

  • Always regularly monitor local weather forecast channels to be up-to-date on local climate and conditions.
    • Reassess your need to travel or engage in business/research activities depending on local forecast conditions.
  • Heed any advice/warnings/directives issued by the local authorities.
  • If traveling to destinations with known histories of severe weather/natural disasters - it is advisable to prepare a go-bag or emergency bag – as related to the situation.
    • Go bag contents include, but are not limited to, your ID (passport) and other important documents, cash in local currency, medication, potable water and snacks, external battery charger and charging chord for your phone, etc. 
  • If you need immediate medical or safety assistance – call the local authorities/emergency responders.
  • For follow-up assistance, get to a safe location, and then contact On Call International by phone directly or via the Horizons App (Call Hotline or Send Crisis Signal options in-app).
    • On Call will work with LSUs GTSS unit to determine the severity of the situation and if evacuation benefits need to be leveraged.

Other Resources associated with weather impacts/natural disasters:

CDC Natural Disasters and Severe Weather
Ready.gov Disasters and Emergencies
American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Tips
American Red Cross Staying Safe After a Disaster

  • If your passport is lost or stolen – contact On Call International and/or the closest Embassy/Consulate pertaining to your country of citizenship and request to speak to the officer on duty to report a lost or stolen passport.
  • If your money purse, wallet, bank debit/credit cards are lost of stolen – contact your respective bank company as soon as possible to cancel your cards.
    • If you need access to emergency funds, you can contact On Call International who will help you with getting funds wired from your family members, friends, or other viable sources applicable to you.
    • U.S. Citizens can also get funds transferred to the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate. Be advised that there is a $ 30.00 USD fee charged by the U.S. Department of State to use this emergency financial assistance service.

  • Dependent on situation and personal choice, you can file a police report with the local authorities.
    • For some instances of insurance coverage/benefits – you may have to get a local police report reporting lost/stolen devices/passport/personal items - to provide to Insurance provider as proof for coverage. 
  • You can contact the nearest Embassy/Consulate associated with your country of citizenship who can provide guidance on how to navigate being a victim of the type of crime that has impacted you.
  • Once in a safe location or stabilized position, make contact with On Call International who can leverage different assistance services and/or benefits to guide you for the type of crime that has impacted you. 

Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) resources:

Guide to Replacing Missing Passports While Abroad
Our Two Cents: Petty Crime Basics and How to Minimize the Risk

U.S. Department of State resources:

Lost or Stolen Passports Abroad
Help for U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime

 

Global Health, Safety, & Security

Topics of awareness when traveling:

  • Global Health Insurance
  • Medications
  • Personal Health Considerations
    • Diet
    • Allergies
    • Immunity
  • Infection Diseases
  • Immunizations
  • Mental Health
  • Travelers with Disabilities
  • Claims

  • Precautions
  • Crime
  • Sexual Assault
  • Alcohol and Drug Use
  • Accommodation
  • Overland/Road Travel (include rideshare/public transport considerations)
  • Water Activities
  • Social Media/Photos
  • Diversity and Identity

  • U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories
  • Communication Overseas

Travel Policies & Procedures

Permanent Memorandum 13 - University Travel

The University’s travel procedures and regulations exist to ensure compliance with State requirements, provide a procedural framework for employees and students who travel on university business, and outline fiscally responsible spending practice.