Certification and Exceptions

What are Certifications and Exceptions?
A Certification process has been established by GS&S for travel with a moderate level of risk assessed for a destination that, without an endorsed Certification, would not otherwise be a permitted destination for University Travel by certain travel populations. The purpose of the Certification process is to ensure that travelers are aware that one or more of their destinations may expose them to increased levels of health, safety, and/or security risks and to document the traveler’s attestation that their travel is feasible, University-related, and that they are aware of resources to better understand risks they could face. The Certification process captures endorsement of the proposed travel based on the traveler(s)’ population (undergraduate, graduate, faculty, staff).
Required Information and Actions:
Note: “Traveler” may also refer to travel organizers as it relates to group travel or delegate travel enrollment
The traveler should review destination information and available resources to understand location risks. Travelers may access information and resource links through the Global Safety & Security section of the Princeton International website.
The traveler must complete a Certification form, including:
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Traveler information, including University department/program/role.
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Travel details, including locality, country or area, and travel dates.
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Purpose of travel.
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Traveler attestations.
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Traveler signature.
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Signature obtained from appropriate University endorser.
The traveler must upload completed, endorsed Certification form to their travel enrollment.
Endorsers (by Traveler Population)
TRAVELER POPULATION |
ENDORSER |
Undergraduate Students |
Academic: Office of International Programs Co-Curricular/Athletics: Campus Life Unit Head |
Graduate Students |
Department Chair, Program Director, or Dean |
Faculty |
Department Chair, Program Director, or Dean |
Staff |
Department Head, Program Director, Unit Head, or Supervisor |
External/Guest |
Department Head, Program Director, Unit Head, or Supervisor |
An Exception process has been established by GS&S for travel with a high level of risk assessed for a destination that, without an approved Exception, would not otherwise be a permitted destination for University Travel. The purpose of the Exception process is to consider requests for proposed University Travel to high-risk locations that have had the travel purpose endorsed at a Department or Program-level and that have had risks identified and mitigations developed by the traveler. As part of the Exception process, the GS&S team is responsible for completing an assessment of the proposed risk mitigations and making a recommendation to the University administrator responsible for approving or denying the Exception.
Required Information and Actions:
Note: “Traveler” may also refer to travel organizers as it relates to group travel or delegate travel enrollment
Traveler should review destination information and available resources to understand location risks. Travelers may access information and resource links through the Global Safety & Security section of the Princeton International website.
The traveler must complete an Exception form, including:
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Traveler information, including University department/program/role.
-
Travel details, including locality, country or area, and travel dates.
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Purpose of travel.
-
Traveler attestations.
-
Traveler signature.
-
Signature obtained from appropriate University endorser.
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Identified risks and risk mitigations
The traveler must submit the Exception form to globalsafety@princeton.edu. GS&S will then perform a residual risk assessment (assessment of hte risk that remains if proposed mitigations are implemented) and submit the form to the Exception Approver.
The Exception Approver is to return an approved or denied Exception directly to the traveler via email with globalsafety@princeton.edu copied.
The traveler must upload completed, approved Exception form to their travel enrollment.
Exception Approvers (by Traveler Population)
TRAVELER POPULATION |
EXCEPTION APPROVER |
Undergraduate Students |
Academic: Dean of the College (incl. Study Abroad) Co-Curricular/Athletics: Vice President for Campus Life |
Graduate Students |
Dean of the Graduate School |
Faculty |
Provost |
Staff |
Provost |
Certification and Exception Forms
If, based on the Requirements Matrices (contained in the Permitted Travel Policy), travel requires Certification or Exception, travelers must demonstrate they have a completed Certification or approved Exception by uploading a completed form in the travel enrollment's "Essential Content" tab. GS&S has developed two versions of the form: one for individual travel and one for group travel.