IN THE PUBLIC EYE

International Conflict's Impact on American Higher Ed

Author: Eric Seaborg, Vice President, Alliant

 

After the struggle to remain fiscally buoyant after nearly two-years battling the pandemic, many colleges and universities were beginning to ramp-up their international programs hoping to rebuild their revenue lines. Unfortunately, the hostilities in Eastern Europe have forced higher education back into the war room strategizing what to do about their international programs. When reviewing international programs, there are short- and long-term effects that colleges and universities will need to consider on a number of fronts. 

 

Is it Safe?
Institutions are well-seasoned at utilizing the information produced by the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs  before scheduling any travel abroad. The State Department captures critical information from around the world and instantaneously posts a global travel advisory status for involved countries. Colleges and universities reference this information to ensure their international program sites are conducive to United States students. In recent years, the risk management surrounding these programs have improved greatly such as tracking who and where each and every individual is situated. Trip leaders have been schooled on emergency actions and often affiliate partners are contracted by the institution ready to move if evacuation is necessary. 

 

Although the current military conflict had been forewarned with the build-up of Russian troops on the Ukraine border, many North American colleges never envisioned it may have to assess the longevity of its international programs. After years of improving the safety and security of travel abroad programs, it finds itself under fire once again and wondering if the risks out-weigh the rewards.

 

Immediate Considerations
First-things-first, whenever a confrontation arises overseas the immediate action is to determine what to do with any students, faculty, or staff in the affected area(s). Two options exist, both with equally concerning consequences, evacuate or have them stay in place. The specific location of these individuals may seem far removed from the current military action on a map. However, the unpredictability of an aggressive conflict can suddenly change, and any overseas institution-sponsored individuals may need to evacuate quickly. 

 

Program administrators and trip leaders are trained and hopefully well-prepared to coordinate a quick return home if necessary. But what if they face requests by staff or students to remain behind to support the humanitarian efforts or for any other worthy reason. These requests do happen and program leaders should handle those conversations seriously and with respect. I witnessed this heroic gesture in New York City on September 11, 2001 when many young students wanted tried to rush downtown to assist after the World Trade Center Towers collapsed. It only takes one or two hold-outs during an evacuation to derail the swift and safe process for the entire group.  

 

This isn’t the first time an international situation has suddenly changed and caused institutions to rethink the immediate impact to a program overseas. However, after several years of higher education being absorbed in sustainability discussions to fend off pandemic-related risks, the worry is that crisis management plans have become stale, outdated and untested. They need to be dusted off, reviewed and retested, especially when one of the major fallouts from COVID-19 was the reduction of the workforce. Employees retired, were laid off or changed jobs; leaving behind a possible gap in the ability to properly activate these plans. 

 

Financial stress will continue to plague decision-makers if an international program ends early. Refunds will most likely be expected and will need to be processed efficiently without question to avoid any negative publicity. Even if the institution elects to keep certain people in place because travel will be too risky at the current time, having funds available and accessible needs is critical. Also, if staying in place is being considered, proponents of the warring factions may not be confined to the battlefield and could reside in any part of the world looking for hostages.

The Future of International Programs
The long-term picture for international travel will need to be assessed to determine the overall value it brings to the students, faculty, staff and most importantly if it will continue to serve the mission of the institution itself. In the past, the benefits of a well-managed international program have far exceeded the risks by bringing in needed revenue while providing students the opportunity to expand their intellectual horizon. However, it is simply not that easy to put to bed an international program that may have been in existence for years and even decades. 

 

Admission recruitment efforts have relied on the boost these programs bring to marketing the positives to potential incoming students. It is a game changer to some who see the opportunity to study abroad as a springboard to their future career plans. For others, simply having the choice to travel abroad is enough. Sister schools located overseas most certainly thrive on the support of their North American based institutions, not to mention the multitude of successful exchange programs scattered throughout the world. This equates to an army of administrators and teachers who sustain these programs and depend on them financially as a way of life. Let’s not forget the natural development of all the good-will it generates for the institutions back home. 

 

Expanding the mission of the institution within the international community is dependent upon the successful partnership of third-party specialists and organizations. Reviewing and refreshing the abundance of contracts and agreements currently in place with the support of the legal team should be done. Especially if there any stipulations in these documents pertaining to terminating an international program prematurely. 

 

Where to Turn For Support
On campus, overworked mental health professionals are just now coming up for air from the emotional fall-out left behind from the pandemic. Now, they must shift their strategy and energy to provide support for international students on American campuses who have families and friends in the middle of the conflict in Eastern Europe. Elements of PTSD and helplessness may be building inside any individual on campus, not just students, as the reality of the current fighting shrinks the world around them. Chinese students have already faced unfair blame for the eruption of COVID-19 around the world and if the pattern holds true, Russian students will begin to fall in the cross-hairs of hate speech and other acts of incivility. 

 

The total destruction of an institution’s international program can simply be reset with the push of a button. It takes time, funding and the support of thousands of people involved with these programs to breathe life back into an international academic design. Brokers and carriers can’t just sit on the sidelines hoping excess capacity will relax, premiums will begin to drop, and money is injected back into the insurance industry. The time is now to step-up to serve as advisors and consultants to campus leaders as they try and wade through the immediate challenges while considering the long-term ramifications of operating international programs.

 

The eventual hope is that the world will once again return to diplomacy. But until it does, higher education will need to consider if international programs are worth the risk. 

 

For more information, contact: 

 

Eric Seaborg

Email: Eric.Seaborg@alliant.com