Dear Rice community,

As global travel continues to evolve with new technologies, challenges and regulations, Rice is implementing important updates to its international travel support infrastructure. These changes strengthen safety, risk management and support for all faculty, staff and students traveling on university business in 2025 and beyond.

Here’s what you need to know now:

New travel registry — effective Sept. 1
Rice has partnered with Ideal-Logic to launch a more comprehensive travel registry for all faculty, staff, students and guests.

• Helps assess potential travel risks in advance
• Collects more information for increased travel safety
• One-step registration: Just register through the Rice travel registry — we’ll handle the assistance provider registration for you behind the scenes.

 

New travel assistance provider — effective Sept. 1
Rice will transition from International SOS to our new partner Crisis24 to provide comprehensive travel assistance services to help keep you safe, healthy and informed while on university-related travel.

• Improved technology and real-time alerts of location threats and disruptions
• More comprehensive global safety and security support
• Enhanced portal user experience for travelers
• Advice sheets to mitigate a range of safety and security issues

 

Policy 852 updates

Rice’s Policy 852 now offers a clearer, more nuanced framework for university-related travel, including guidance for visiting elevated-risk areas.

• New approval process for students traveling to elevated-risk areas
• Updated research security requirements when traveling to countries of concern
  

 

As these technologies come online, we will send more information, including step-by-step guides on how to use them.

We encourage all members of our community engaging in international travel to review the updated policy and stay tuned for upcoming informational sessions. If you have any questions, please contact travelsafety@rice.edu or visit the Policy 852 guidance page.

Thank you for your attention to these important updates. Your collaboration ensures that Rice remains a leader in safe and responsible global engagement.