Not leading to immediate death of student. Examples include auto accidents, recreational inquiry, serious illness, drug overdose, loss of consciousness, swimming accident.

As the program leader, you should:

1. Immediately take the student to the nearest emergency room, physician or medical facility, then contact GeoBlue.
   • The student can file a claim for reimbursement with GeoBlue if the emergency provider is not in the GeoBlue network.
2. Assess the extent and severity of the accident/illness to the best of your ability with the resources available to you. Do not leave the student alone. An official MU representative must always stay with the student.
3. Call the International Programs emergency number. Brief the staff member on-call about the student’s condition. They will contact GeoBlue to open a case for the student if you or the student have not already done so. They will consult with GeoBlue and key MU and UM System stakeholders, and then recommend a course of action.
   • In some cases, the student may need to be evacuated to receive appropriate medical treatment. You will be provided with specific evacuation procedures. All MU students have insurance to cover medical evacuation through the mandatory GeoBlue insurance.
   • International Programs may consult with the MU Student Health Center regarding medical treatment being given to the student.
   • If it appears necessary, an emergency response team, including a physician from the Student Health Center, will be convened.
   • International Programs may notify the student’s designated emergency contact, depending on the severity of the injury/illness.
4. Begin filling out an incident log, which you will update as the situation develops.
5. Consult with the attending physician monitoring the student and update International Programs at least once daily.
6. If you are contacted by the media, do not make a statement or provide the student’s name without first obtaining guidance from the MU News Bureau. Call the International Programs emergency number immediately and they will work with the News Bureau to prepare you for media inquiries.
7. If applicable, inform the student’s professor(s) at the host university that the student will be absent from classes.
8. Provide appropriate information and reassurances to other program participants while being mindful of the ill/injured student’s privacy.
9. Complete the incident log.

Severely disruptive behavior, threats to self or others, suicide attempt. Examples include a student who:

• Exhibits severe disruptive behavior that appears to have a psychiatric basis.
• Is creating serious disturbances or is a danger to self or others.
• Has made a suicide attempt or threat, or has spoken with someone about the plan to do so.

As the program leader, you should:

1. Take immediate steps to ensure the student experiencing the emergency and others are safe. Make sure someone stays with the student until you have followed the steps recommended by the MU Counseling Center — never leave an actively suicidal student alone.
   • If the student may be a danger to others, have someone stay with you and the student. Be prepared to call local emergency services.
2. Assess the extent and severity of the emergency to the best of your ability. Gather information on the actual behavior exhibited. Talk to the student and identify as many key people in the situation as possible.
3. Call the International Programs emergency number. The staff member on-call will consult with the MU Counseling Center and key university stakeholders, and then advise you about next steps.
4. Begin filling out an incident log, which you will update as the situation develops.
5. Determine if the student will voluntarily seek help.
   • If yes, follow the procedures in option A.
   • If the student will not voluntarily seek help and appears to be a danger to self or others, follow the procedures in option B.
   • If the students will not voluntarily seek help but does not appear to be a danger to self or others, follow the procedures in option C.

A. If the student will voluntarily seek help, you should update International Programs regarding the details of the situation. They will consult with the MU Counseling Center about the student’s behavior. Advised courses of action may include:

• Arrange to have the student seen by a counseling professional immediately. If this is advised, escort the student directly to the designated location of the appointment.
• Arrange and carry out hospitalization. If this is advised, specific instructions will be provided.
• In some cases, the student may need to be evacuated to receive appropriate treatment. You will be provided with specific evacuation procedures. All MU students have insurance to cover medical evacuation, including psychiatric evacuation, through the mandatory GeoBlue insurance.
• Depending on the severity of the situation, International Programs may notify the student’s designated emergency contact and other involved parties on a need-to-know basis.
  • If the situation is not life-threatening and the student will not give consent to notify their emergency contact, we will work with information that is available from non-privileged sources in planning follow-up support.
• Prepare to assist and support other students on the program while being mindful of student privacy.
• Complete the incident log.

If the student’s behavior remains a serious impediment to the educational process or a threat to safety, call the International Programs emergency number immediately. They will work with key university stakeholders to determine what additional measures are necessary.

B. If the student will not voluntarily seek help and appears to be a danger to self or others, you should:

• Take immediate steps to ensure that the student experiencing the emergency and others are safe. Make sure someone stays with the student until you have followed the steps recommended by the MU Counseling Center — never leave an actively suicidal student alone.
  • If the student may be a danger to others, have someone stay with you and the student. Be prepared to call local emergency services.
• Assess who can be called to persuade the student to seek help (e.g., friend or therapist). Work with those people to persuade the student to obtain treatment.
• Update International Programs regarding the details of the situation. They will consult with the Counseling Center about the student’s behavior.
  • In the past, the Counseling Center has advised arranging and carrying out hospitalization.
• In some cases, the student may need to be evacuated to receive appropriate treatment. You will be provided with specific evacuation procedures. All MU students have insurance to cover medical evacuation, including psychiatric evacuation, through the mandatory GeoBlue insurance.
• Complete the incident log.

C. If the student will not voluntarily seek treatment but does not appear to be a danger to self or others, you should:

• Assess who can be called to persuade the student to seek help (e.g., friend or therapist). Work with those people to persuade the student to obtain treatment.
• Continue to encourage the student to seek help.
• Update International Programs regarding the details of the situation. They will consult with the Counseling Center about the student’s behavior.
• In some cases, the student may need to be evacuated to receive appropriate treatment. You will be provided with specific evacuation procedures. All MU students have insurance to cover medical evacuation, including psychiatric evacuation, through the mandatory GeoBlue insurance.
• Establish behavior limits and enforce them to the extent the student will cooperate.
• If the student is disruptive or their condition appears to be worsening and they continue to refuse to seek help, call the International Programs emergency number. They will consult with the Counseling Center and other university stakeholders to advise an appropriate course of action.
• Complete the incident log.

May be caused by an anxiety disorder, depression, eating disorder, etc.

If a student:

• Is missing class.
• Withdraws from friends or favorite activities.
• Is crying repeatedly, unable to eat or drink, and has trouble holding still.
• Displays constant sadness or expressions of hopelessness.
• Reports hearing or seeing things that others do not.
• Exhibits unexplained weight loss or significant weight gain.

As the program leader, you should:

1. Talk to the student. Share observations of the behavior that is causing concern and let the student know you care about them. Offer the student hope.
2. Begin filling out an incident log.
3. Call the International Programs emergency number. The staff member on-call will contact the MU Counseling Center to discuss the student’s behavior and an appropriate course of action. You will be informed of all recommendations.
   • International Programs will work with the Counseling Center, other university stakeholders and you to arrange follow-up treatment, such as locating an appropriate psychologist/psychiatrist.
   • If it is recommended that the student see a psychologist/psychiatrist and the student is willing to do so, escort the student to the appointment.
4. Inform International Programs of any changes in the student’s behavior.
5. Complete the incident log.

A student is the victim of a robber or assault (excluding sexual assault).

As the program leader, you should:

1. Attend to the physical and emotional needs of the student(s).
   • For serious injury, see the protocol for serious accident or illness.
   • If a victim exhibits fear or shock, see the protocol for psychiatric emergencies.
2. Talk to the person reporting the crime. Identify as many key witnesses and facts as possible. Determine the identity and present location of the victim(s) and perpetrator(s).
3. Begin filling out an incident log, which you will update as the situation develops.
4. Call the International Programs emergency number. The staff member on-call will consult with key university stakeholders to determine a course of action to provide necessary support for the victim(s) and other program participants and to advise you about next steps.
5. Contact the local police with the victim’s consent.
6. Update International Programs at least once a day until the emergency has subsided.
7. If you are contacted by the media, do not make a statement or provide the student’s name without first obtaining guidance from the MU News Bureau. Call the International Programs emergency number immediately and they will work with the News Bureau to prepare you for media inquiries.
8. Complete the incident log.

A student is the victim of rape, attempted rape, other violent sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking on the basis of sex, dating/intimate partner violence or sexual exploitation.

As the program leader, you should:

1. Talk to the person reporting the crime to determine the identity and location of the victim. Make sure the victim is safe, has been removed from the situation and is offered support.
2. Talk with the victim and provide support. Stress that no matter what happened, it is not the victim’s fault. Let the student know that you are a mandated reporter and assure the student that you will treat all information reported with discretion.
3. Discern any obvious physical or emotional distress.
   • If there is obvious physical injury, take the student to a trusted urgent care hospital/clinic.
   • If there is not obvious physical injury, with the victim’s consent have them transported to a hospital/clinic you trust.
   • If there are signs of obvious emotional distress, provide immediate support to the victim and inform International Programs. They will consult campus and trusted local experts, which may include contacting the U.S. Embassy to obtain information about local laws and procedures. They will provide you will guidance for assisting the student.
4. Call the International Programs emergency number. The staff member will consult with key university stakeholders to determine a course of action to provide necessary support for the victim(s) and other program participants and to advise you about next steps.
   • With the student’s consent, International Programs will inform their designated emergency contact and aid the student in activating a support network.
5. Begin filling out an incident log, which you will update as the situation develops.
6. Inform the victim about local laws and procedures for dealing with sexual assault in the host country, as they may vary from the United States. Determine the degree to which the victim wishes to involve local police.
   • For example, in the U.S. it is important to preserve the evidence of a sexual assault as it may be used in a court of law. This is not the case in all countries.
7. File a report with the MU Office of Institutional Equity. Per UM System policy, any university employee who becomes aware of discrimination or harassment as defined by the policy is a mandated reporter, regardless of whether the victim is a student, employee, volunteer or visitor to the university (and, by extension, your program).
   • Reports can be through the online incident report form, by email (equity@missouri.edu) or by phone (+1 573-882-3880).
8. Update International Programs at least once a day until the emergency has subsided.
9. If you are contacted by the media, do not make a statement or provide the student’s name without first obtaining guidance from the MU News Bureau. Call the International Programs emergency number immediately and they will work with the News Bureau to prepare you for media inquiries.
10. Complete the incident log.

If the victim declines assistance

1. Escort/transport the victim home or to a designated location.
2. Provide support. Stress that no matter what happened, it is not the victim’s fault.
3. Call the International Programs emergency number to report that the student has refused assistance.
   • International Programs will consult with the MU Counseling Center and other university stakeholders to provide advice regarding next steps.
   • With the student’s consent, their designated emergency contact may be informed to aid the student in activating a support network.
4. Begin filling out an incident log, with clear notation of the circumstances surrounding the offer of assistance and the student’s refusal to accept the assistance. Continue to update the log as the situation develops.
5. File a report with the MU Office of Institutional Equity. Per UM System policy, any university employee who becomes aware of discrimination or harassment as defined by the policy is a mandated reporter, regardless of whether the victim is a student, employee, volunteer or visitor to the university (and, by extension, your program).
   • Reports can be through the online incident report form, by email (equity@missouri.edu) or by phone (+1 573-882-3880).
6. Update International Programs at least once a day. You will work with them to determine who at MU and the host university/organization needs to be involved to provide necessary support for the victim and other program participants.
   • For serious injury, see the protocol for serious accident or illness.
   • If a victim exhibits fear or shock, see the protocol for psychiatric emergencies.

Guidelines for talking with a victim of rape

• Encourage the student not to be alone. Emotional support is necessary and should be provided immediately, no matter when the rape occurred.
• Stress that no matter what happened, it is not the victim’s fault.
• Encourage the student to get medical attention and visit a hospital or student health service to be examined immediately. The student should receive treatment for possible sexually transmitted diseases and may have internal injuries that are not obvious.
• Encourage the student to report the attack to police, as appropriate in the host country context. Accompany the student when they speak with the authorities.
• Provide the student with help and support, including assistance accessing professional counseling. The student has been through a trauma and should be allowed to process the event and feelings associated with it. Counseling can assist a student in the recovery process.
• Provide the student with a list of resources at MU and the host university/organization (if applicable).

In the mandatory Mizzou Abroad Orientation, students are informed they are subject to the laws of the host country(s) where they are studying or traveling. Students are also informed that the U.S. Embassy cannot get them out of jail if they commit a crime abroad; the consular office from the U.S. can work to ensure that their human rights are not violated and provide limited assistance. During the on-site orientation, ask your local contacts to point out differences in the host country legal system that may come as a surprise to students.

If a student is arrested for theft, assault, vandalism or drug possession, as the program leader you should:

1. Quickly assess the situation by obtaining as many details as possible. Determine who, what, where, where, why and how.
2. Immediately contact the nearest U.S. Embassy, which will assign a consular officer to the student.
   • The consular officer can:
     • Visit the student in jail.
     • Give the student a list of local attorneys.
     • Notify the student’s family or friends and relay requests for money or other aid with the student’s authorization.
     • Intercede with the local authorities to ensure that the student is treated humanely and ensure that the student’s rights under local law are fully observed.
   • A consular officer cannot:
     • Get a student out of jail.
     • Represent a student at trial or give legal counsel.
     • Pay fees or fines with U.S. government funds.
3. Call the International Programs emergency number. The staff member on-call will consult with university stakeholders and provide you with advice for next steps.
4. Guidelines for media inquiries: MU will assume full responsibility for dealing with the media. If you find yourself and your group in a situation that will garner public relations or media attention, it is imperative that you do not make a statement or comment to a representative of the media without first contacting International Programs. Call the International Programs emergency number immediately — regardless of the time difference — and they will coordinate with the MU News Bureau to develop an official response.
5. Begin filling out an incident log, which you will update as the situation develops.
6. Visit the student wherever they are being held.
7. Remain in contact with the consular officer assigned to the student.
8. Update International Programs at least once a day until the situation has been resolved.
9. Complete the incident log.

A student is reported missing by a roommate, other program participant, host family or professor.

As the program leader, you should:

1. Gather information regarding last contact with the student and how long they have been missing. Make note of where, when and by whom they student was last seen.
2. Call the International Programs emergency number to inform the staff member on-call. International Programs will consult with key university stakeholders and advise you regarding next steps. Typically, we will need to wait 24 hours before reporting the student as missing to the local police and U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
   • If you are contacted by the media, do not make a statement or provide the student’s name without first obtaining guidance from the MU News Bureau. Call the International Programs emergency number immediately and they will work with the News Bureau to prepare you for media inquiries.
3. Begin filling out an incident log, which you will update as the situation develops.
4. Gather as much additional information as possible. Ask on-site contacts and program assistants to help make inquiries. Visit or contact the student’s accommodations to talk with any neighbors, roommates, host family members or building managers. Make note of any usual behavior that may have been observed.
   • If possible, designate a program assistant or other participant to remain at the missing student’s accommodations with a cell phone so they can contact you immediately if the student returns.
5. Ask anyone who might encounter the student to contact you immediately if the student returns.
6. Call the student’s cell phone. If there is no answer, send the student a message by text, WhatsApp or other service: “URGENT: CONFIRM YOUR SAFETY.” Check social media for information about the student’s location.
7. Contact the student’s professor(s) (if applicable) to obtain additional information about when the student was last seen. Make note of any usual behavior that may have been observed.
8. Notify the host university/organization (if applicable). Ask them to check local hospital admissions and city records for possible police information.
9. In consultation with International Programs, provide appropriate information and reassurances to other program participants.
10. If the student has been missing for 24 hours, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate. The more information you can provide about the student, the better. Read more on the Department of State website.
11. Contact the student’s emergency contact. We normally wait 24 hours to do this, and International Programs will assist in making this contact.
12. Inform International Programs and all appropriate persons on-site once the student has been located.
    • International Programs will notify all other persons in the U.S. who need to be informed.
    • If necessary, refer to other protocols, such as serious accident or illness or crime against a student.

As the program leader, you should:

1. Do not disturb the death scene and secure the area while touching as little as possible (if applicable). If there is another person with you, have one person stay at the scene to keep others from interfering with it while you call the local police.
2. Establish contact with the local police immediately. All deaths will be investigated by the local police to determine if there are signs of foul play. The location where the deceased was found will likely be treated as a crime scene.
3. Verify the identity of the student (if the student’s body was found by the local police).
4. Do not make a comment or statement about the cause of the student’s death under any circumstances.
5. Gather as much information as possible about the circumstances surrounding the student’s death. Ask others on the program not to notify their families/friends until the next of kin of the deceased student has been notified.
6. Call the International Programs emergency number. They will work with the insurance company, U.S. and host country governments and key university stakeholders, and will advise you throughout the process. International Programs will work with campus colleagues to notify the student’s designated emergency contact (in person, if possible) and offer appropriate support.
   • If you are contacted by the media, do not make a statement or provide the student’s name without first obtaining guidance from the MU News Bureau. Call the International Programs emergency number immediately and they will work with the News Bureau to prepare you for media inquiries.
7. Begin filling out an incident log, which you will update as the situation develops.
8. Work with International Programs to assist the family (e.g., transportation arrangements, accommodations, meeting with physicians, etc.).
9. Work with International Programs to notify the local authorities and the U.S. Embassy. International Programs will work with them to carry out repatriation of the student’s remains.
10. Work with International Programs to develop and carry out a plan to support other affected by the student’s death.
11. International Programs and appropriate university officials will notify the necessary offices at MU and make sure all required paperwork is completed.
    • University officials will verify that appropriate contacts have been made. If deemed appropriate, notification will be sent to the campus community.
12. Complete the incident log.

While it is unlikely a coup d’état or major natural disaster will occur in any MU program location, many of the structures that need to be in place to deal with a crisis are the same ones that support the safety of a program on a daily basis. Many procedures listed below are already in place. Program leaders, students and other MU program participants have emergency evacuation insurance for political emergencies and natural disasters through UnitedHealthcare Global.

If there is political unrest (coup d’état, violence toward Americans) or natural disaster (earthquake, typhoon, flood), as a program leader you should:

1. Contact all students to make sure they are safe. Provide clear instructions to the students regarding immediate actions they should take to support their safety and security.
   • Warn students against speculative communication and advise them to wait until clear information is available before contacting home.
2. If a student has been injured, see the protocol for a serious accident or illness.
3. Call the International Programs emergency number immediately. They will:
   • Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate or other official government agency for advice.
   • Contact U.S. study abroad offices at other institutions that have programs in the region to develop a common plan of action. They will maintain contact with these offices as the situation develops.
   • Gather information regarding the target of unrest and possible danger to U.S. citizens. This may include advising regarding minimizing the danger to students; probable impact of the event on the availability of food, water and medical supplies; intensity of the emergency or political unrest; presence of emergency or military personnel; feasibility of continuing the program.
   • Convene an emergency response team, which will:
     • Consider immediate measures needed to support the health and safety of students and staff, as well as additional concerns including legal issues and communication with the media.
     • Develop an action plan to be distributed to all students that deals with immediate student concerns and makes recommendations regarding appropriate behavior. If conditions permit, students will submit acknowledgement of receipt of the action plan.
     • Provide guidelines to be utilized when speaking to the media or other individuals about the emergency.
     • Compile a list of people to be alerted once MU has an emergency response plan in place, including the parents and families of the students abroad, MU community, media, state officials and legislators.
     • Plan for daily communication with key people and organizations. International Programs will serve as your link to MU and be in contact daily.
   • Contact UnitedHealthcare Global to develop an evacuation plan (if appropriate). The plan will take into consideration:
     • Relative safety of various modes of transportation and travel routes, the costs of evacuation and the means for meeting these costs.
     • Possibility of splitting up the students into smaller groups and having them reconvene later in a different location.
     • Resources available in the host country.
4. Begin filling out an incident log, which you will update as the situation develops.
5. International Programs will advise you about the plan of action developed by the emergency response team.
   • Work with International Programs to determine appropriate steps and means of disseminating information to students.
   • If you believe the plan will need to be modified, inform International Programs and they will make recommendations to the emergency response team.
6. Utilize available resources to carry out the plan of action.
7. Once the emergency has ended, International Programs and the emergency response team will work with you to assess the impact of the event and provide any follow-up needed.
   • Keep a log of all events, write a final report and submit it to the director of international health, safety and security.